TFFA Ninja Blitz: New Flame of Konoha-Story Thread

[Zenithos]

Day 0: This is how TFF prepares for Genin exams. Please mind the landmines.

Atop the Roof, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure, Day 0, 11.21 PM, Post EXP 1

"...more are disappearing..." A young girl murmured as she looked up at the clear star-studded sky. Her knee-length snow-blond hair whipped in the strong breeze that blew across the roof of Futakoihaina Shrine atop which she was standing. Around her the sea of lights that was the village of Konohagakure spread as far as the eye can see. "...is it true? Is the Forces of Yaoi and Trollz at work again?" She asked herself, watching as yet another star winked out of existence.

She remembered...that odd traveler who had claimed he had come from a different world...Beyond-niisan was his name. He had appeared at their doorstep one summer day, 7 years ago, in search of old scrolls in the shrine. He told her and her twin sister of many other worlds beyond hers while he stayed at their shrine. He used to sit with them on the roof and point out that each and every star was a different world, all floating in a big space he called the 'Infinitum'.

There were worlds where there were no ninjas. There were worlds where people drove giant mechanical men. There were worlds where dragons ruled the skies and men sucked the blood of young maidens. There were worlds where cats were fine too....whatever that meant. There were worlds where traps and bishies were always in season. She never found out what traps and bishies were...she'd have to look that up.

Then he told them of a great city, far far away, where people from many worlds gather together. It was called the realm of TFF. He told them that his sisters lived there....and that they looked a lot like them. He even talked about parallel counterparts and that they were his sisters too...sort of....whatever that meant.

As he studied the scrolls, he would tell them of great battles, between the light and the dark, many of which he had been part of. The dark sought out to take over other worlds and their 'crackfic force' and 'awesome force'. They moved from world to world using Crossoverium...a strange mythical energy he was trying to study. He said the scrolls in the shrine had lots of information on it. As far as she was concerned at the time, they only held lots of dust.

Then he spoke of the forces of darkness....he spoke of the Yaoists and the Trollz in particular, who ravaged world after world, corrupting them and warping them into dark shadows of their former selves. He told her that they will come to her world too someday...and that they must be prepared to defend her world when the time came.

She didn't understand it that well back then so she just nodded happily. She loved the idea of protecting her village, and that was it as far as she was concerned. Defend her village from evil invaders! Yes!

Beyond merely chuckled and ruffled their hair at the time. He told them that they would understand one day, when the time came. Then he left, disappearing as abruptly as he had appeared, after saying many thanks to his hosts.

...is it now? The time that he spoke of?

"...Oneesama...." Another young girl, one who shares her visage, long flowing hair, and thoughtful look, muttered from behind her. "....how long are you going to sit around here? Our Genin exams are tomorrow."

"....Eterna-chan..." Zeni looked back at her younger sister. "I'm...just remembering what Beyond-niisan told us 7 years ago..." Zeni murmured, hugging her knees. "You know...what if there is something up there? ...something beyond our world?"

"It doesn't matter." Eterna-chan sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Look, the villagers hate us enough as it is. Speaking of the stranger will only earn us more weird looks."

"When you think about it that way...it feels as if...the genin exams don't even matter anymore. Nothing here matters anymore..." Zeni sighed as she continued on staring up at the Infinitum above.

"We've failed the Genin exams twice already in the past month." Eterna-chan shook her head as she crossed her arms. "I couldn't care less about the rank, but if we don't earn some real money quickly we won't be able to feed the orphans. The orphans DO matter, Oneesama."

"Doesn't our usual income cover everything?" Zeni asked, looking around at her younger sister. "I mean, who needs the genin rank when we can earn money just as easily another way?"

"....because....." Eterna-chan sighed. "Oneesama....you almost died the last time. I don't want to see you do that again. It's better if we have a nice, safe, stable job as genins rather than risk our lives everyday for a handful of ryo."

"...."

"...how would the orphans feel if they knew what we are doing every week to put food on their table?" Eterna-chan asked with a disapproving look. "How would they feel if we got injured...or DIED putting food on their table?"

"...Sidhe-chan...?" Zen looked up at the young, bright-eyed, brown-haired girl who had appeared behind Eterna-chan. "...can't sleep?"

"I just came out to see the stars." Sidhe murmured, tucking her yukata closer around herself. "It's really beautiful tonight."

"Excited about the genin exams too, no doubt?" Eterna-chan grinned, suddenly taking on her usual up-beat personality.

"....it's...on my mind." Sidhe conceded as she stared up at the sky. There was nothing in those deep, purple eyes to suggest the curse she bore, Zeni thought. The first time she met Sidhe-chan....they had caught her stealing greens from the shrine's vegetable patch. The poor orphan had explained that she was merely hungry.

For some strange reason, the three had been sisters ever since. Futakoihana Shrine was a natural home for orphans after all, and the Ninja World War as well as the Kyuubi attack 12 years ago had made sure there wasn't a shortage of them. The twins were the last remaining Futakoihana clan members...but they couldn't care less about the clan or their bloodline. All that mattered was for them to stay alive.

"Well, it's time we three Futakoihana sisters prove that nobody can just push us around!" Eterna threw a fist into one palm determinedly. "So let's ace that genin exam tomorrow and show'em how real kunoichi do it!"

"...real kunoichi burn themselves up with their own fire jutsu?" Sidhe asked, still managing her ever-straight face.

"....errr, that was...." Eterna-chan coughed nervously. "Err...Sidhe-chan, you shouldn't be up this late! Go to bed! Your genin exams are tomorrow!"

"Hai~" Sidhe-chan murmured sleepily as she turned to leave. "By the way, you dropped this." She said, taking out a book titled, 'Ninjutsu for dummies, genin exams made easy'.

"AGH! GIVE THAT BACK!" Eterna-chan cried, blushing a deep red while snatching it out of Sidhe's hands.

"Well...I guess it really doesn't matter what lies out there. What matters to us is the genin exam tomorrow." Zeni sighed as she got up and followed her two sisters inside.

...above her, yet another star winked out, leaving a dark, dark patch in the starry sky...

 

[sidhereelmotion]

Interior, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure, Day 0, 11.35 PM, Post EXP 1

"I'm late! I'm late!" whispered Sidhe whispered to herself as she bounded down a hallway of the Futakoihana Shrine. For a kunoichi, it was somewhat of a thunderous charge. Sidhe's instructors at the academy would be ashamed. But for the sleeping children in the rooms she passed, it was nothing more than a passing breeze; they slept on undisturbed. Sidhe skidded to a stop at the end of the hallway and slid open the door.

"Sidhe-chan, you're late," chided Zeni. She was dragging the futon out of the closet. Behind her, Eterna was carrying the blanket and pillows, laughing sinisterly.

"Osaka-chan wanted to show me a picture..." Sidhe gave Zeni a picture drawn in crayon. It showed three kunoichi standing in front of Futakoihana Hill. Their bodies were superdeformed, but their Konoha hiteate were very clear. Encouragements from the orphans were also written down the sides.

Zeni smiled and passed the picture to Eterna as she walked up behind Sidhe. "That's a very nice picture, Sidhe chan," Zeni whispered as slid her arms around for a hug. "But you still missed the game." The hug turned into a headlock. "And that means punishment game!"

While Sidhe was struggling with Zeni, Eterna approached and gently but firmly took hold of Sidhe's chin. For a moment, Eterna gazed into Sidhe's eyes, and then she leaned in. Sidhe was confused. She had heard that kisses were supposed to taste like lemon, but instead the kiss tasted... buttery? Yes, buttery. Eterna was pushing popcorn into Sidhe's mouth with her tongue.

When Eterna broke off the kiss, she covered Sidhe's mouth with her hand. "Fufufufu, now be a good little chick and swallow for Mommy Hen."

Still dazed, Sidhe swallowed the popcorn and allowed herself to be led to the futon by Zeni.

"Was that necessary?" Zeni asked crossly.

Eterna smiled and sweetly replied, "I had meant that popcorn for you."

Zeni groaned and turned out the light.

 

[locke69]

Temple Grounds, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure,
Day 0, 11:00 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1

Watcher was bored, tired, and hasnÆt been able to sleep for the past couple of days. A bad recipe for anyone that knows the former clan head and his penchant for coming up with the strangest things at the oddest of times. Though that was a plus to that, he had figured out the Academy jutsu at these points of time before many of the others in the various ninja academies located throughout the massive city of Konohagakure.

Slipping into his former clanÆs preferred taijutsu stance that confused many taijutsu users, Watcher practiced a couple of the styleÆs punches. The style took most use of the legs, which suited the long legs that the clan has, but they didnÆt forget to train the clansmen in all aspects they could in hand-to-hand.

After awhile, Watcher just stopped with his hand poised just right that had he not stopped and he wasnÆt facing against a quickly created Clone, he would have hit a vital spot. Namely the throat, which was always the styleÆs primary target. Sighing at this, Watcher dispelled his doppelganger, and walked towards the shrine and the living quarters. Though he did official live outside of the Shrine, Zeni and Eterna gave him a small room here. Just a place to rest, they said. Watcher simply bowed in gratitude for that, having no words to say at that time.

--

Under the rooftop, Futakoihana Shrine
Day 0, 11:30 PM

He had always knew that something was up with the budget for the shrine, he learned how to do book keeping well enough that Watcher knew that something was amiss with it all after the first few weeks. But still hearing them talking, even discreetly that money was an issue raddled him. He had offered to aid TFF clan with some money from his old one, but the twins had politely refused. Not knowing or realizing at the time, Watcher simply nodded his head and accepted their request to never offer his money again.

æWhat a fool I was to accept their request for silence in that matter. I have to correct that over sight. I may not be able to overtly help them, they requested to never speak about that again. But I can covertly.Æ

Hiding into the shadows, Watcher crept his way out. He needed his clanÆs books and access to the shrineÆs books. Both were stored in the Hokage Tower, and both in the basement where the Clan Accounting Department was located at. Not to mention, open 24 hours a day, just in case some one makes a fool of him or her self at the poker tables.

 

[Xerxezz]

Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure,
Day 0, 11:00 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1

ôKukuku! This will be my masterpiece!ö The figure cackled and finished the last tag with a quick stroke of the pencil.

He raised the explosive tag and his eyes gleamed. It wasnÆt one of those tags given to academy students that only produced a fireball but more often then not didnÆt do any actual damage. Those tags he could no problem.

This tag he was working on was the real deal though, when it detonated things actually went KABOOM!

It was a bitch doing the seals though.

There was a low hiss from the tag and he looked up and could see that the three second delay seal was burning.

ôOh shit!ö The redhead said and closed his eyes.

There was a low puff and the tag turned into ash, no boom, no gigantic fireball, not even a measly flash of light!

He sighed, either you did something right and there was a boom, you did something wrong the seal bleed all the chakra and turned into fancy graffiti, or you did something really wrong and you went KABOOM.

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then dug out another piece of paper and the pencil. Five minutes later he held another tag in his hands, nearly identical to the first one. He wrapped the tag to a kunai, opened the window, activated the tag, and then threw it.

It exploded, not to large, not to small, just perfect!

His cackling was interrupted by a knock on the door and a second later Mick stepped inside.

ôTrying to blow up the shrine again, bro?ö The white-eyes boy asked with a sigh.

ôWhy do you bring that up? It was one time, ONE! And I didnÆt destroy the shrine, I merely smashed a windowà and may I remind you who snuck up on the guy training with explosive tags.ö Xerxezz said affronted.

It hadnÆt been his fault, Mick had decided to practice stealth and when Mick snuck up on him and tapped him on the shoulder the kunai he was about the throw had been thrown off course.

It was just bad luck that a small tag had been wrapped around the kunai, even worse luck that the kunai had smashed through a window and detonated in the hot springs.

Zeni had not been amused, especially not as she had been taking a bath at the time.

That had also been the first, and only, time he had destroyed something he hadnÆt meant to destroy.

He had received all of the blame, and that amusing incident had burned itself into the minds of the people at the shrine and all of the sudden he was a considered a complete nutcase with an explosive fetish.

He didnÆt deserve that, did he?

ôSpar?ö Mick asked and casually leaned against the wall.

ôYeah, sure.ö Xerxezz answered and bounced up from the chair.

ôLoser pays for takeout?ö

ôDeal!ö

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

ôTieà again.ö Mick said and shook his shoulders, the duo was walking away from the training ground towards a nearby food stand.

It was always like this when they trained in taijutsu, he would see all of XerxezzÆs attack and blocked them, while Xerxezz predicted all of his and dodged them. Neither could deliver a decisive blow.

ôThis is what, eight hundred ninety seventh time?ö The redhead asked and scratched his cheek.

ôSomething like that. What was that blue flickering thing?ö Mick said and rubbed his arm; that chakra attack had delivered a jolt of electricity and he had frozen up, and if it hadnÆt been for his quick reflexes he might have been defeated.

ôA technique IÆm working on, saw one of the ninja use it, looked pretty effective. Just a little more training and I will have it done.ö The redhead answered.

ôWhatÆs itÆs called?ö Mick asked and looked interested.

ôNo idea, thinking of naming it Flock of Seagulls due to that irritating sound it makes.ö The redhead answered with a shrug.

ôThe Shocker might be a better name.ö Mick said.

The duo continued their short walk to the fast food stand, coming up with more strange and bizarre names for the technique.

 

[parker]

Parker's Lab, Small House, South Side, Konohagakure.
11:00 PM, Day 0, Post 1, Post EXP 1

I carefuly pull the ninja wire through the sliced open fish belly. I did this every night so that I might be more well prepared for when it was a human belly I was stitching up. I have done this so many times it was no longer any dificulty. I still need to practice, there is no doubt in my mind that one, probably both, of my teamates is going to be an idiot and will need my carefully crafted skills.

I glance at my clock and notic that it is late, I should be in bed. Both of my exams are tommorow. I could pass the Genin exam in my sleep, but I have the exam that will give me medic-nin statis and allow me to practice medison on my own and make money from helping idiots that should know better than to stick their fingers, and other thing, inside of pencil sharpeners.

The fish is sowed up and the wire looks to be secure enough not to fall out. I give it a pull just to make sure and am pleased when they stay together. With a quick slice from my scalpel, the wire is cut and I pull it from the fish. I place the dead fish in Haku's dish. The young cat has been a great help in disposing of dead bird and fish.

Walking into kitchen the I see Stabby sleeping on the floor and I through one of my spare fish at him. He wakes up and attacks the fish, bighting and tearing it. When the bits are small enough he puts them in his mouth to eat. He eats them all and I make him clean the mess he made.

I stop by the shower on my way to bed. I see a bottle of pills my sensie had given me to take to the Shrine in which the orphans lived and decide to take them there in the morning, they are just vitamins. I head to bed and fall asleep before my head hits the pillow.

 

[Mick]

Ramen Stand Konohagakure,
Day 0, 11:10 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1

I had sat at the ramen stand while Xerx was stuffing his face. The food was good and all..but I didn't get nearly enough time to go sight seeing! Especially with Sidhe, or Eterna, or Zeni! I would have to rectify that as soon as we passed that stupid genin exam.

Whatever..least I got a good fight with Xerxezz for awhile. Still....I much prefer sparring with the ladies. But then again I had to keep my skills sharp for that stupid Genin Exam coming up. I really hoped our Jounin sensei didn't suck. But damn..not getting any hits on Xerxezz..well it would be too easy if I could just kick his ass.

"So..Xerxezz..how the hell you survive the Uchiha mass-thingy?" I ask him before taking a drink. That was something that surprised me, that there was more then just Sasuke and Itachi. Heh I wonder what things are like between Xerxezz and Sasuke.

"Simple really. All the lazy bums were asleep while I was out on the training ground trying to get the tag's to work." Xerxezz mumbled around a mouth full of ramen.

"Do they yet?" I ask him curious.

"Hell no..damned things..." Xerxezz muttered annoyed.

"Well...this was fun and all..but gotta get up early! For the genin exams and..other things...so I'm heading back. See ya later!" I mumble moving away.

I walked back to the clan compound with visions of the genin exams bouncing in my head.

 

[Kerrus]

Training Area Three, Konohagakure.
Day 0, 11:30 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1

Kerrus was mildly annoyed. It was the day before the Genin exam, and he had been called to this training area by his 'instructor' of sorts. Really, the 'man' wasn't so much an instructor as he was the last living link to Kerrus's birth clan. In any case, he clearly wasn't here, so Kerrus pondered for a bit, and decided on some light excersize.

The Shosuro martial arts style was called the Uchuukuukan-ken, or fist of the void. The entire art was about flowing movements and to the uninformed would appear to be a water elemental art. The truth was, while it did share some elements with water arts, the Void was a whole different animal. Kerrus ducked and danced against imaginary enemies, sweeping kicks here, and sudden movements there. The kata took heavy advantage of gravity, allowing the user to fall past attacks, or pivot suddenly to redirect a blow. After covering the basic steps, Kerrus withdrew a pair of kunai, and added them to the routine.

"Yare, yare, what do we have her-" the deep voice that had materialized to Kerrus's left cut off in a squawk. Kerrus recovered from his reflect, and turned to spot his pet summon, a raven by the name of Loki. Loki was about the size of a large turkey, and often spent the days trailing Kerrus around. On occasion he would impart knowledge about one advanced technique or another, then bugger off. He also, as this most recent event was evidence of, had the habit of interrupting Kerrus mid practice.

"Loki, you know better then to interrupt me," Kerrus said, frowning at the bird who was wedged between a pair of kunai.

"It would help if you actually worked on your situational awareness, of which you seem to have none," the bird said with disdain. "You shouldn't only notice me when I start talking, hell kid, you're a bloody wind element, you should be able to feel me the moment I get into range."

Kerrus' frown deepened, but he said nothing.

"Fine, fine, I apologize," Loki said. "Anyways, it looks like you're progressing admirably. I would suggest though that you find a sparring partner. Nearly a third of the Uchuukuukan-ken can't be properly practiced without one, and the last thing you need is false confidence. That said, I think it's time for another jutsu."

At these words Kerrus' face went through several expressions. First happiness, then anger, then confusion leading to understanding, then back to happiness.

"I will take your suggestions under advisement, Loki-sama," Kerrus answered, using the summon's formal address. "-wait... Jutsu? JUTSU?"

Kerrus very nearly slavered all over the bird, but Loki snapped off a dozen wing-seals and a blast of air knocked Kerrus off his feet.

"Jutsu. Hows about less slavering and more attention-paying. The technique you will be learning today is simple. You will be using your chakra to produce a ball," Loki said, gesturing vaguely with his wings. A small ball shaped darkened area appeared in front of him. "But not just any ball. This excersize has two steps. The first is meditation, you will be focusing on achieving the Uchuukuukangan. Once this process is complete, you will study the background chakra flows of the world around you. Then you will work on moving it.

The truth is, this ball isn't really a ball. Rather consider it a hole. To create it, one must pull the very air apart using your chakra. The resultant 'ball' is a sphere of vacuum. Once you have mastered this part, come find me and I will teach you the next step."

With those words, the raven squawked once and vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only leaves behind. Kerrus frowned, then sighted and sat down to focus on his meditation.

 

[Zephyrus]

Temple Gardens, Temple Grounds, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure
Day 0, 11:00 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1

IÆd always enjoyed the dark, for some strange reason.

Most were afraid of what lay in the shadows, but for me, meditating in the small glade, the darkness was no more scary to I than bright sunlight is to a wildflower.

Most others would find my way of meditating unusual, to say the least.

One does not find inner peace with a sword in hand. But the Spectrum demands a state of complete concentration on oneÆs self, a commitment to training the body and the mind to be as sharp as razorÆs edge and just as bright.

I exhaled slowly, my leg muscles buckling slightly under the strain of the awkward position I had them in. My bokken was warbling with red myrk, the physical manifestation of Destruction, the Red of the Spectrum. I had yet to name it as every member of the School of the Spectrum had done before me. My grandfather had presented it to me a mere week before his birthday, proud of my graduation from the many, many number of students that had tried and failed to manifest the Spectrum.

My concentration wavered at the thought of my old home and I had to make up for my lapse by flowing jerkily into the next form, my torso bent at the waist at a ninety degree angle, my bokken raised above my head with both hands, and my left leg stretched out behind me, the entire strain of my weight and position left to rest on my right leg.

Thinking about my past did nothing to aid my concentration. My clan had been wiped out, down to the very last child in the cradle merely because they desiredà

I slashed the bokken vertically, splitting an imaginary foe in twain as I sprang into the air, coming down to land on my left leg in a slightly painful grunt. I still had not mastered all of the forms.

What did they desire? The secrets of the Spectrum? There were no secrets to be had. The Spectrum could not be accessed through a shortcut or become an easy rise to power. It took dedication, years of painful training, and an innate knowledge of yourself and others in order to be able to wield it.

When I first began my training, my grandfather had all but foretold that I would be the Black Adept, one of the only three Adept of my generation that would wield the Spectrum. I would be Black, the Balancer of Destruction and Construction, the Equalizer of Red and White. I didnÆt really understand at the time, but I was so happy that my grandfather was proud of me that I didnÆt care.

Another slash, and I black flipped to land on my left hand and hold the pose, the bokken vertical with my torso.

But my education was cut short. On the eve of my grandfatherÆs birthday, they attacked. Who were they? I didnÆt know. I can clearly recall the screams, the blood, my grandfather, and the fire that consumed the only home I had ever known. But the facesàcovered in masks with a large red X across them. They still haunted my dreams and not even the kind ministrations of the shrine maidens could ease my nightmares.

There was very little that I could remember of my flight from the Motou clan compound in the deep valleys of the mountainous region in southern Fire Country. The days all ran together and I could only remember that I ran. I ran as far and as often as I could, only stopping to sleep with the bokken given to me by my grandfather clutched to my chest.

I finally came to Konoha, where I quietly petitioned for sanctuary and was granted it by the kind Sandaime Hokage.

Another leap, another painful pose.

I was fully prepared to live on my own, but realized how impossible that would be without the support of a clan. But as hard as I searched, no one would take in a dirty orphan boy who made up obvious lies about men in masks that pillaged in the night.

Only the Futakoihana clan would take me in and they were outcasts just as much as I was. But then, the two sisters Zeni and Eterna, along with their adopted sister, the kind Sidhe, were no more than children themselves. But still, they were a clan and could wield enough political clout to get me enrolled in the TFF Academy, the only other school in Konohagakure that taught its students how to be shinobi. Unlike the main Academy, however, it catered specifically to orphans and children of off lineage.

I was grateful that the sisters would adopt me so readily. IÆd vowed to protect the clan for as long as I could. At least until I had mastered Destruction well enough that I could seek out my clanÆs murderers.

My tired muscles finally gave out and I collapsed panting heavily on the dew soaked grass.

Truth be told, I had a slight crush on all three of the beautiful sisters. But it didnÆt matter. I couldnÆt let anything distract me from my goal, not even the prospect of romance. The Spectrum demanded every ounce of my attention and I could not falter.

Besides, they were scions of their house, and I was nothing more than a bitter little boy with dreams of revenge and power. Sometimes, it disgusted me how far I thought I was willing to go to be an avenger, much like that spoiled Uchiha bastard IÆd seen from time to time. But then, all I had to do was recall my parents, my grandfatherÆs kind smile, and all of my doubts would wash away.

I sat up and clutched my bokken in my lap tightly, letting a thin film of red myrk encase it.

I will avenge you, Grandfather. IÆm sorry that I couldnÆt be what you wanted me to be, but my way will give me power.

I dismissed the myrk and my bokken became nothing more than an ordinary piece of wood once again.

IÆve been a part of the Futakoihana clan for a short time now and yet graduation from TFFA was the very next morning. Soon. Soon I would be able to complete my training and leave Konoha.

Genin was only the first step.

I stood up and began to walk along the path the clan compound. A small meal and then to sleep. Tomorrow, I would pass the exams and be placed on a team.

Yes, only the first step.

 

[GhostElder]

Tsumugiya Convenience Store, near the base of Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure
Day 0, 11:00 PM
Post 1, Post EXP 1


It was late and the store was rather deserted except for the boy minding the register, well he was supposed to be minding the register, but he was using the lull to get the sweeping done early. Listening to the repeated swipe of broom as he swept into the dust harboring corners with a vengeance was a familiar sound to Kabe, it was one he used to associate with his family as it heralded their appearance at the top of the stairs that led from the store up to the portion of the building served that as their home, though these days it usually preceded him too.

Coming around the corner of the aisle he was currently waging his war against dirt in, Kabe glanced the partial glass front of the store the bottom third of the wall was wood which had a sign rack bolted to it on the outside, the sign itself depicting sales and other information, he had already brought inside. The large grate that heÆd pull across the inside of the storefront wall and door was partially pulled across already settled a few feet from the door. He knew even if he couldnÆt see it now that further down the road was the path that led up the Futakoihana hill to the shrine.

The store readily gave off the feel of closing soon as Kabe emptied the dustpan heÆd swept dirt and whatever loose matter heÆd managed to pickup with the broom from the days customers. Settling the cleaning items behind the counter Kabe sat down to wait out the last twenty minutes that the store would be open and help out any stragglers hoping to grab a quick late dinner to take home, or some sort of breakfast item for the morning.

Kabe smoothed out his apron as he sat down on the stool to wait, his thoughts drifting to the genin exam, his parents and grandfather had known full well that this would be one of the last times he could take over minding the store on a last minute notice, so theyÆd apparently wanted to milk it for what it was worth. HeÆd worked the opening shift today as well, taking the middle of the day for lunch, some training with great grandpaÆs scrolls, and a quick nap.

Kabes head turned toward the door even though the chime hadnÆt rung, spotting two people in the dark street walking down towards one of the food stands, the brightness of the store didnÆt help him identify them but they seemed to be walking in the general direction of a ramen stand further down the street. Glancing at the clock again he figured it was close enough and got up to start closing the store the rest of the way.

 

[JiigarGhen]

Practice Rooms, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure, Day 0, 11.23 PM, Post/EXP 1

"Kage Mane no Jutsu!"

A shadow reached out from the dark-haired boy, seizing upon the nearby training dummy. Silently, the boy slowly unlimbered a short recurve bow, nocked an arrow, and fired.

*fwishh-thunk*

The arrow sank into the straw filled dummy, but the boy was shaking from the effort of holding the Kage Mane and firing a bow at the same time. He dropped the bow and his jutsu at the same time, panting:

"Heh...it worked! It finally worked! Just like Dad said..."

A shadow of remembrance passed over the boy's face, before he brushed the thought away.

"Now one more thing to try...Kage Mane no jutsu! Kage Eda no Jutsu!"

Once more, the shadow reached out to the training dummy, but this time, another eddy of darkness crawled up the boy's arm, to where he had been holding his bow. The shadows coalesced into an approximation of a bow, though it was wavery at best. Straining to hold both jutsu together, the boy's strength finally gave out. With a gasp, he released the techniques and fell to his knees.

"Dammit...I'm still not strong enough! I have to learn these techniques, so I can pass them on like my dad did..."

Unfortunately for Nara Janus, his twelve-year old body simply did not have the capacity to use his techniques so often. Utterly drained, Janus dragged himself off to bed. It wouldn't do to show up late and exhausted at the genin exams, after all.

 

[Legendary Legacy]

Lanveil Home, Residential District, Konohagakure, Day 0, 11:30 PM
Post 1, EXP 1
---------


"Leon, are you still up?"

The boy sighed, turning his head toward the hallway door. "Yeah, mom."

"Well get yourself to bed! You'll never pass those exams if you collapse halfway through."

Another sigh. "Yeah, mom."

Flicking the light off, Leon flopped back onto his bed, tilting his head to stare out the window into the night sky. Tomorrow was finally the big day; the day he would finally pass the academy exams and become an official genin. He was confident that he would pass; it didn't really matter what the test was over. Shunshin, he could do that in his sleep. Kawarimi, no problem. Bunshin, also a snap. Nothing to worry about.

Except there was something to worry about: Mainly what was going to happen AFTER he passed and became a shinobi. Would he be able to keep up with his teammates, or just continue being stuck at the point he was at now? Who would his teammates be? Would they be understanding about his...condition, or would they just feel that he'd be holding them back?

Would he just be holding them back? Who knew what sort of long and dangerous missions they would end up being sent on. What if he ended up collapsing right in the middle of one of them? If that happened it could very well mean the deaths of his teammates and himself.

Maybe this was all a big mistake. Maybe he wasn't meant to be a shinobi. The life of a ninja was dangerous enough for normal people, what in the Hell ever made him think that he would be able to handle it?

He shook his head. This was no way to be thinking, especially on the night before the exams. Heck, he'd made it all the way through the academy without any real big problems, hadn't he? No way was he going to let this get to him now! He glanced at his wrist, where the long, metal Stability Bracer gleamed brightly in the moonlight.

Leon Lanveil smiled. He'd beat it, just like he always did. So what if he was never the best of his age group, and so what if he never managed to make Jounin or even Chunin? He would be a ninja. Nothing would stop that.

And with those thoughts firmly in mind, he leaned back onto his pillow, and was out cold three seconds later.

 

[Mechatrill]

Futakoihana Shrine
11:32 PM
Day 0
Post/Exp: 1/1

"Geez, what are they doing still up this late? If they don't go to bed sometimes soon, they won't be in top shape for the Genin exams, and I've already told them time and time again that being well rested helps the body and mind regulate and control chakra. Does Eterna really want to try to roast herself with her own jutsu again?"

Putting aside the stubbornly uninformative scroll on basic sealing, Mech stretched and lied down on his back. Taking a moment to rest from the constant studying he has been doing, he closed his eyes and reminisced.

"Still, those guys have come pretty far in their training, far more than I have anyways. I still can only barely throw kunai in the general direction I want them to go, and the less said about shurikens the better," Mech mulled, "how did I manage to throw that kunai backwards anyways? Luckily it hit a few centimeters to the right, and that it's the handle part that landed first; I really would rather not be known as the student who accidentally made his classmate a eunuch due to his terrible throwing skills."

Taking another glance that the scroll he was studying, Mech let out a sigh, "oh forget it, I doubt I can get anything more out of that thing for tonight. Besides, I should follow my own advise and get some sleep, after I call those three in."

Putting aside his study material, Mech got up and walked towards the shared room of Zeni, Eterna, and Sidhe. Seeing the open door of their room, he moved to the opening, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared to lecture the three with "the complete discourse on the importance of sleep to the well-being and efficiency of a ninja", a lecture which he had memorized word for word straight from the academy textbooks especially for this purpose, a lecture which he has used no less than ten times on the fellow residents of the shrine, only to have the first word die on his lips as he opened his eyes.

"Eterna. Sidhe. Kissing. Songue. Zeni. Watching. Popcorn? What?" Mech's fragmented throughts rang out, unable to grasp the absurdity of the situation he's witnessing. After a few moments of standing at the doorway, dazed and slack-jawed, he finally regained a measure of his wits, made a 180 degree turn, and walked straight back to his room, all thoughts of his lecture forgotten, and slipped back into his futon.

As he closed his eyes and begun to drift off, Mech was struck by a single terror-filled thought, "Did they see me? Even if Eterna and Sidhe was busy with each other, Zeni must have saw me. This is it, I'm going to die."

 

[Cyberscythe195]

Outskirts of Konoha (aka random forest)
11:32 PM
Day Zero
Post/Exp 1

Sousuke awoke to the sounds of movement. He slowly sat up straight. His eyes began to dart back and forth. His hands were already reaching for his handmade bow and a single arrow. He eased his feet flat on the ground, his whole body in a crouch.

Another sound

Sousuke jumped into the air and launched an arrow at the direction of the sound. The arrow flew into a bush, the apparent origin of the disturbance.

He walked up to the bush and pulled out his arrow. Attached to the shaft was a skewered rabbit.

Shrugging, he began to cook the rabbit on his campfire. After laying down on the spit to let it cook, he lay back down on his sleeping bag. Being carefull not to aggravate any of the of numerous holes that he patched, he eased himself into a comfortable position.

He stared at the stars as the night was filled with sounds of crickets and roasting rabbit. One blinked out of existance. He frowned.

"A bad omen. The evil stirs"

He sat back up, opening another heavily repaired item, a backpack, and pulled out a number of scrolls. He picked out a text on minerology and began to read about it. Right next to it were scrolls on chakra imbuing, seals and sealing, elemental jutsu.

Sousuke's weapon of long ranged choice was the bow. While many would consider it inefficient, many also did not consider the monetary value of the kunai. Compared to kunai, a bow which can be made out of wood and guts is substantially cheaper and easier to maintain a good quantity of. In times of need, arrows can be created with a single kunai, some wood, and stone. With proper technique, an elemental arrow can be created out of nothing theoritically.

Of course, the required experiance needed to perform this left Sousuke clueless despite his conviction.

Grabbing his impromptu midnight snack, he steeled himself for another loosing fight against the scroll's contents.

 

[Xaosite]

Xaosite Main Family Hall, 11:43 PM, Day 0, Post/EXP: 1/1

"What is wrong, young one? You should be resting, for your trial comes in the morning." A wizened old elder said, shuffling slowly up to Aleato, placing a hand on his shoulder as they both gazed out into the starry night sky.

"I suppose that I am filled with questions. Why would someone offer their daugher in marriage, after gambling away more than they could afford? Why does the night sky have such an ominous feeling to it? And... and..."

"Yes, young one?"

"Do you think that set of stars looks like a rabbit? I think it looks like a rabbit."

*Sigh* "Young one, these are questions that you will discover your own answers to. Now hurry off, and rest well."

"I suppose so." With that, the two parted ways, and Aleato exited the main hall and walked to his bedroom, where he found Maki, sitting silently and reading a book.

"You know, you have your own room." He said, sighing.

"I thought it would be a good idea to get to know you better." Maki said.

"That can wait until morning. Besides, we don't accept those kinds of offers in the first place. You're free to make your own choice in the matter."

"Ok. I still want to follow you out into the world. There are bound to be all sorts of challenges out there."

"We'll see, we'll see. That depends on how the morning develops."

"Oh."

"Good night."

"Good night." Bowing slightly, she stood up, towering over him, and left the room.

Aleato sighed to himself. Was this what the old stories had ment by 'interesting times?' He hadn't even started his adventure, and already he felt things were spinning beyond his control.

As he lay down and drifted off, he grinned. No matter what else may come, his destiny awaited.

 

[Kerrus]

Futakoihana Compound, Konohagakure.
Day 0, 11:45 PM
Post 2, Post EXP 2


It was nearly twelve hours later that Kerrus returned to the Futakoihana compound. The excercise that Loki had taught him wasn't mastered per say, but Kerrus had completed the first four steps. And promptly run out of chakra. Considering he had been attempting to create and maintain a basketball sized void while practicing kata, this was somewhat expected all told. Not that it stopped Loki from laughing at him, though the old bird had told him to head home.

Though Kerrus was positive there was something he was forgetting. Something abou-oh. Uh-oh.

The Genin Exams were tomorrow. The Genin exams were tomorrow. Kerrus barely refrained from bouncing around in excitement. It was a good thing, too, considering how tired he was. So he instead headed to his small apartment.

Kerrus was, as far as the Futakoihana clan was concerned, a newer entry. His clan had only been lost recently, with his father and mother being killed on separate missions (within the same month). Kerrus, fortunately, had had the company of the family's ancestral summon, and survived what the Hokage had determined to be a 'masterfully executed purge'. While he was old enough to think for himself as far as ninja standards went, he had still been a mid level academy student. So he was placed with the Futakoihana clan. However, while some would embrace their new life, and indeed Kerrus tried, we also would never forget his birth clan. To that end he had refused to shed his birth name as some did, and ended up being somewhat of a loner. Indeed, he lived in a small apartment on the periphery of the Futakoihana compound. While small, it suited his needs.

"Loki. Open the door," Kerrus declared, leaning against the wall. He was a fair bit more tired then he had though he was, and didn't want to go through the usual arguments with the bird. "Loki.... NOW!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," muttered an annoyed voice under his breath. Kerrus still heard. The door slammed open and Loki launched himself onto Kerrus' shoulder. "There, honestly though why you keep that wind seal lock is beyond me. Any mook with a jutsu could open that."

"So you're just some mook now?" Kerrus asked teasingly. The raven went silent, then very slowly reached out and GRABBED KERRUS' EAR.

"DAMNIT, LOKI GERROFF!" Kerrus yelled, grabbing one somewhat miffed bird and hurling him across the living room. "I'm tired and I've got the exams tomorrow, and really, all I'd like to do is go to sleep. No games."

The bird contemplated this.

"Very well. Sleep well, Kerrus," Loki said, unusually somber. Kerrus just nodded, and lay down. Moments later he was asleep. Loki took a moment to look at him, then fluttered back. There was a poof of the somewhat accurately named 'ninja smoke' before the Raven was gone. In his place was an old man, wearing the symbols of the Scorpion Clan, of which the Shosuro were descended. "Sleep well.... my son."

It would not be long before dawn, and Bayushi Yamata had a lot of work to accomplish. He sought one last look at the last descendant of his errant clan, then turned and left.

 

[Epsilon]

Futakoihana Compound, Konohagakure
Day 0, 11:45 PM
Post 1, EXP 1

In a secluded area of the compound, a young man sat against a tree, taking a breather from the late night exercise drills that he had put himself through. His claws were placed neatly on the grass next to his left side while he engaged in a simple breathing exercise.

Inhale... exhale...

K...I...L...L...

Inhale... exhale...

Kill them all... the humans who defile Gaia!

Inhale... exhale...

KILL THEM ALL!!

He gave a small gasp and awoke from his meditative trance just as another person entered the compound, returning from his meal earlier. "You okay there, Yagami?"

"...... your concern is appreciated but not necessary. Good night, Hyuuga-san." He got up from his spot and picked up his claws before heading off to retire for the night.

Michael merely shrugged in response. "Night."

 

[Cyberscythe195]

Outskirts, Konohagakure
Day 0, 11:53 PM
Post 2, EXP 2

Sousuke was drifting between the realms of the living and the slumbering when he finally decided to put away the scroll.

THUMP!

He fell onto the dirt floor, his body too tired to move.

'I can't stop... stop here. I must get up.' Sousuke tried once more to get on his feet, battling away his drowsiness with fierce determination.

With a wince, he mangaged to force his body back onto his hind legs.

Gathering his belongings was dealt with efficiently. Quickly glancing over his surroundings to ensure that he wasn't leaving anything behind, he began walking deeper into the forest. After a minute or two, he arrived at a small cliffside with a tiny creek flowing down the walls. His eyes examined the scene, before fixating them on a pair of tomb stones.

One was composed of brilliant yellow rock that reflected the moons brilliance like a dazzling sun. The other was a pitch black onyx that seemed to suck in the light into its colorless void.

FLASH!

A boy and two girls were running in the woods. The two girls were laughing as the boy tried to catch them but failed. The boy stumbles. He losses track of the two and begins to search for the two. After a few minutes, he reaches a cliffside.

"Up here!"

He looks up and sees the two of them, smiling down on him. He never noticed the slight blushes and giggles that the two shared as he looked up.

"That's mean. I can't get up there."

FLASH!

He smiles sadly, remembering the two.

FLASH!

A girl with blonde hair and a smile that overshone the sun.
A girl with black hair with a mischeavous smile that meant misfortune to its intended target.

FLASH!

"I have to go now, Reika-Imouto chan. Keiko- Imouto chan. When I come back, I'll finally become a genin. I'll finally be one closer to fullfilling your wishes."

FLASH!

"Hey Reika chan, isn't Onii chan cute." said Keiko

"Yes, he reminds me of a little brother."

"Hey! Be nice to your oniichan."

"But you're so CUTE!" Reika glomps the shorter boy. Keiko silently takes a picture of a struggling Sousuke.

After a few more moments, Sousuke manages to free himself. However, he doesn't realize that the two purposely let him go. After freeing himself, he looks at the two and begins to tear up.

"Don't cry like that!" yells Reika

"Bu.. But..."

"You're supposed to be our Onii chan! You're supposed to protect your cute imouto chans from bad guys. How do you expect do that if you keep crying."

"Reika chan, you've been reading shounen manga again haven't you" whispers Keiko. Reika blushes, but keeps going.

"Stand up onii chan, you can't expect us to be your brides if you can't protect us from the bad guys."

"Um, but they're scary."


"Promise Me that you will become a super cool onii chan that will protect his imouto chans from bad people."

"Huh"

"Promise me Sousuke chan or else I'll grab you again." She lunges and starts to give him a noogie.

"I promise. I promise."

"Pinky promise!" yells Reika and sticks out her pinky.

"I... I promise to protect Reika chan and Keiko chan from the bad guys."

"And we promise to be Onii chan's brides. Right Keiko chan"

"... Yes"

The two were slightly blushing as the numerous shoujo manga scenes began to run through the heads with them as the rescued and their brother the hero.

"Reika chan? Keiko chan?"

The sisters stared at each other, nodded, and bent over to give the boy a kiss on each cheek. With a rosy red blush, the two began to skip away.

"Huh? Wait up..."

Sousuke ran after them.

FLASH!

Sousuke shakes his head at the memory. The past was gone forever. He only had a future to look forward to. A future without them.

His resolve renewed, he began his trek back to the village.

 

[Scratx]

Interior, Koneko's apartment, southern Konohagakure, day 0, 11:03pm, post 1, exp 1.


Yuriko, also known as Koneko, stood inside her apartment's kitchen, having just finished with the dishes. She glanced at the clock, realising the late hour, and pondered on what had brought her to that point, only a night's sleep away from the Genin exam...

Mom would be proud if I passed... can't help but worry, my taijutsu is not much above horrid. And I just know... after what happened, I'll probably find the exam rigged against me. God, why a fox of all things? Couldn't I have a Sharingan? A Byankugan? Even looking like a fluffy bunny would be better... Noooo, I had to look like a flaming fox in the one hidden village that got almost razed to the ground by the Kyuubi.

She sighed, then, and glanced at her currently furry hands, then at her fluffy tails. She'd had her clothes tailored since to have no trouble with the transformation, but that was small comfort. She still did not know how to undo the transformation jutsu, or if it was possible, without having to wait for it to run out on its own.

At least it's not all bad... the ninjas don't treat me like scum... professionalism, maybe? I'm not sure, I should ask one of them sometime. Makes making Genin all that more important... being among people that look like they don't want to stab me in the back... though on the other hand, they're all that much better at looking like they don't want to do it, so... argh, bad thoughts, bad thoughts... you'll make it, Koneko... just need some luck...

Koneko then walked out of the kitchen and went to her bedroom, where she started going over her gear, judging her readyness. It was the fourth time she was doing it... couldn't stop doing it, in fact, nervous as she was for the upcoming exam.

"Alright, Koneko... stop it... you didn't find anything wrong the first time, nor the second, nor the third... and it's still not wrong now. Just... stop..."

... and go to bed.

With that thought, and before her nervousness took hold again, she stripped of her clothings and went into her bed, kunai under her pillow in hand, and tried to sleep.

It was a long time in coming... but she finally managed to, curled up on her side. She didn't notice when the transformation ran out during the night, but she was used to it...

 

[knight_of_ni]

Outskirts, Konohagakure. 11:00 AM
Posts/EXP 1/1

"Hah, thirty five, thats enough for now," a voice said, the voice seemed off somehow, calm, but unnaturally so. It was not tranquil, but docile. A drugged voice. The figure was attacking a wooden pole with multiple smaller poles jetting out of it, a practice of movement and precision. It was tedious but he needed it, the drugs were losing effectiveness, if he continued to take them as much as he had, he would grow immune or possibly overdose.

"Dammit," he looked down at his hands the hands which were covered in callouses, a testament to his effort to gain skills that he would actually be able to use. A testament to his dedication to his people.

"It's time for your shots, dear," a nurse said as she walked up. She was just another faceless person to him, just another person to forget. They tried to keep him sedated during training and sparing, but combat, true battles that a ninja would face would negate the need for this safety measure.

"Alright," Zi said calmly, running a hand through his red hair, before it got caught in one of the knots, "could you lend a hand...hehe."

"This wouldn't happen if you would took care of yourself," she chided him lightly.

"Alright, alright, why does it matter anyway?" he asked in the same drugged out voice.

"It is important for later," she responded with a wink.

(OoC: so hungry....must eat....gah, can't write more...)

 

[twin blade]

Ignore.

 

[zerohour]

Location: Zero's Home
Time: 6:00 AM
Date: Day 1
Post Number: 1


For once, Zero woke up at a normal, if not early, hour. Then again, this was one of the rare times where punctuality was important. Getting dressed, Zero all but sprinted from his house to the Hokage's Tower.

Along the way, he absently noted the swarm of civilians heading int he same direction, and smirked. It took them forever to get there at the rate they were moving, so thy weren't a threat.

Noting a flash of movement ahead of him, Zero increased his pace. there was no way that he was going to miss out now, not after all this effort! his hands flashed through a series of signs, and he vanished, reappearing in front of his opponent.

Unfortunately, his enemy was ready, and Zero barely managed to avoid several thrown kunai. Ignoring the attack, Zero just focused on running, doing his best to ignore the building burning in his legs.
"
Finally, he saw the finish line, and redoubled his efforts to keep the lead. Just as he crossed the threshold, his legs gave out, and he slid the remaining distance o he front desk.

"May I help you?" the receptionist asked cheerfully.

"Missions...Important....Must... Turn In... Or... Horrible things...with walk the Earth... Piles of wreckage...Everywhere...Scientific Progress... Completely Halted..." He gasped.

"Right! I understand! I'll be sure to file this ina quick and orderly fashion."

Zero gave up trying to speak, instead giving her a weak thumbs up.

"Is there still time?!" It seemed his opponent had arrived.

"I'm sorry sir, Zero has already filled the shinobi quota."

"Damn!"

"Heh... Kakashi... always late..."

Kakashi didn't reply, choosing to glare at the prone jounin.

Behind him, several civilians walked in, also intent on turning in this month's D missions.

The genin exams were today, which meant that there would be lots of innocent, naive genin eager to take any mission they could get.

they were going to take them for ll they could. The lucky few who could get their paperwork turned in before the quota was filled would have a month free of menial tasks. Zero was one of them.

 

[Zenithos]

OOC: Sorry, I wanted to try and introduce all our characters but I ended up rushing the post since I've taken too much time anyway. Sorry for the wait, everyone!

Day 1: Crappy Ramen isn't Ramen at All!

Atop the Roof, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure,
Day 1,
09.13 AM
Post EXP 5

"HYAAAAAAAAAAH!ö Zeni thrusts her fist forwards in freefall, straight towards Sidhe...who gave away under her punch in a cloud of bunny-shaped smoke. ôNot another....ö She whipped around in midair before launching off a nearby branch up towards another Sidhe who was bearing down on her from the sky, a kunai in either hand.

With a quick punch she managed to dispatch what turned out to be yet another clone. As she spun around in midair, more Sidhe clones came up to greet her from all around her. Top, bottom, side to side, there were Sidhe-chans all over the place.

In a whirlwind motion Zeni threw kicks and punches at all the Sidhe-chans, filling the air with bunny-shaped puffs of smoke as she fell back towards the earth. She whirled around and landed on a branch as she prepared to resume her hunt for Sidhe...

...only for the tree branch to sprout out a pair of hands and grab her by her ankles...

ôUgh...ö Zeni tossed two shurikens towards the branch as she fell backwards, causing the branch to explode in a cloud of smoke as well. ôHmm...very good use of the Henge-no-jutsu...ö Zeni commented as she flipped around in midair and landed with her feet on the ground.

ô...A Kunoichi doesnÆt stand out, she blends....ö Sidhe said, standing horizontally on the trunk of the tree. ôYou got 53 of my clones in under a minute. Impressive...ö She said, nodding gently with approval. ôOh, here comes Eterna-chan...ö She said in her usual calm voice as she disintegrated into sakura petals which dispersed in the wind.

ô....genjutsu again...ö Zeni murmured, looking around. Noticing a flash of steel in the air, she leapt aside, easily dodging the kunai thrown at her. She looked around and found the source, smiling as bright as the day, not bothering with æblending inÆ as Sidhe put it. ô...Eterna-chan....ö Zeni sighed. ôOne kunai? ThatÆs it? One kunai?!ö

ôIf one kunai doesnÆt solve the problem....ö Eterna said with a smile, pulling out two scrolls from her side satchels hanging on the sides of her gi. ô...Use more kunai...ö She said brightly as she spun around while unfurling the two scrolls and simultaneously infusing them with chakra.

At least three dozen kunai popped out of thin air in a burst of pink smoke above their respective fuin-jutsu circles on the scrolls. Eterna grinned as the kunai floated up into the air while she whipped her scrolls back together.

ô....Oh...ö Zeni mumbled, as Eterna began grasping kunai out of the air and tossing them at her with immense speed.

Zeni dodged the first one and grabbed the kunai out of midair, pinched it through the hole at the end with one finger, whirled it around into the reverse defensive position, before running at the the kunai maelstrom. Pushing her taijutsu senses to the max, she began to leap and duck and generally dodge the kunais and deflecting the more stubborn ones as she made her way towards Eterna.

ô...And if more kunai isnÆt enough....ö Eterna said with an evil grin as Zeni rushed towards her. ô...use popcorn...ö She smirked as she pulled out another fuin-jutsu scroll and popped out a motherlodeÆs worth of popcorn. ôTake...THAT!ö She cried triumphantly as she let the popcorn spill all over the forest floor before the advancing Zeni.

Zeni slipped grandly as her sandals lost traction and slipped upwards in a wide arc before she landed painfully on her back, all the while still sliding forwards on the slippery popcorn.

ôNow, youÆre mine!ö Eterna laughed as she leapt forwards for the kill....

...only to have the forest floor explode upwards in her face...

...in a storm of cute little bunnies...

ôAgh! The Chi-Usagi-no-jutsu! (Thousand Rabbits Technique)ö Eterna cried as the rabbits bashed into her in midair, throwing her backwards across the forest floor. ôAgh! No! Hahaha! Sidhe-chan, let me...Let me go! Ahahaha! Get them off me! Wahahahaha!ö Eterna-chan cried through tears of laughter as the little bunny rabbits nibbled every visible bit of skin affectionately.

"Ugh!" Zeni leapt onto her feet and whirled around, throwing a punch sideways at Sidhe-chan who had just appeared with a demonic illusion handseal ready, and aiming a kick towards a recovering Eterna's face, just as she pushed a Ninja Ozutsu cannon in Zeni's face, while the little bunny rabbits continued on nibbling her. They all stopped their actions just before they made contact with their opponents, before finally relaxing, silently agreeing on a tie.

ô...phew...good show, Sidhe-chan, Eterna-chan.ö Zeni nodded, wiping off some sweat from her brow. ôI think we might just pass this exam this time.ö She said as the three relaxed their stances.

ô...someone comes hither...ö Sidhe said quietly, looking left and right. ô...I wonder who it could be?ö She said with a small smile.

The sisters looked at one another, raising knowing eyebrows.

Three exploding tags flew out at the three sisters out of nowhere, stabbing through all three simultaneously.

The three bodies flew backwards for a fraction of a second before....POOF...

They exploded into clouds of small puffy bunny-shaped smoke.

ôDamn, itÆs Sidhe-chan again. She made henge bunshins and kawarimiÆd them at the last second...ö A voice muttered in the bushes. ôAs expected of our genjutsu expert...but....where are...ö

XerxezzÆs fiery red eyes looked up just in time to see Zeni silhouetted against the sun, bearing down on him from above. With a quick-back-flip he moved out of the way of Zeni's Rider kick which sent a flurry of dead leaves flying up.

With a quick run Zeni leapt up towards Xerxezz once more and began launching taijutsu attacks in rapid succession with a flurry of kicks and punches. Xerxezz retaliated with an exploding tag which he slapped on Zeni's forehead....

...which exploded, sending Zeni flying off into the forest.

Just as Xerxezz was about to look around for the other two, Eterna-chan appeared from his flank with a maelstrom of kunais and shurikens.

Xerxezz whipped out his kukri and ninjato in either hand from his back and with a few deft swings deflected the incoming kunais and shurikens before trading slashes with a kunai-armed Eterna.

With a Herculean swing, Xerxezz sent Eterna flying back before tossing a number of exploding tags in her surprised face just as she slid backwards across the leaves on the forest floor...which blew up and sent her flying into a nearby tree.

Without giving Xerxezz a chance to get a breather, the leaves on the forest floor rose up and surged towards him, forming many arm-shaped waves which whipped around him and held him in place. ô...Mori-Shibari no Jutsu...(forest binding technique)ö A voice murmured as the leaves before him swirled up into a column before dispersing to reveal Sidhe-chan, her hands locked in a hand-seal. ôSorry, Xerxezz-kun.ö She said, with a sincere smile. ôYour turn, Eterna-chan.ö

ôHave a taste of your own medicine!ö Eterna laughed, aiming the pair of Ozutsu ninja cannons hanging by slings from her shoulders at Xerxezz. ôEat this!ö She yelled, pulling the trigger, causing the cannons to discharge their fiery popcorn-shaped ordinance at the Yuhi clan member.

ôUgh...ö Xerxezz grunted against the restraint jutsu that bound him in place. ô...MICK!ö

ôRight here, pal.ö Two metal flashes whizzed through the air in front of Xerxezz, deflecting the two cannon rounds into a pair of trees behind Xerxezz...which exploded in a shower of fire, butter and popcorn.

ôAnd you call me your biggest rival? DonÆt kid yourself.ö The young blue-haired boy grinned back at Xerxezz, his two chained scythes glinting in the early morning sun.

There was an ominous creak from behind...

A long shadow extended forwards over the two from behind...

The two slowly turned their necks around to look behind them...only to look up into a pair of descending tree trunks....

ôAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!ö The two screamed.

ôKAI!ö Mick shouted, touching Xerxezz on the shoulder while holding the other hand out to break the genjutsu spell, thus releasing the Mori-Shibari, just as the trees descended upon them.

CRAAAAAAASH!

The explosion resounded throughout the entire forest, causing hundreds of birds to take flight into the sky.

ô....Jeez...you two are just useless....ö Zeph sighed, sitting with his boken in one hand on the topmost tree bark, which had fallen sideways away from Mick and Xerxezz, apparently pushed off course by a kick from Zeph. ôWell, since ZephÆs here...ö Zeph said, pushing himself up onto his feet with the help of his boken.

...correction...

...His SHAKY feet.

ô....you act all cool, and yet youÆre shaking at the knees from kicking the tree?ö Mick asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

ô...itÆs a hard tree...ö Zeph muttered under his breath as his knees shuddered violently.

ô...you can cry if you want.ö Xerxezz said.

ô....shut...up...ö Zeph muttered. ôI shouldÆve let the tree crush you two ungrateful poor excuses for ninjas.ö

ôWait, where are the girls?ö Mick asked, looking around wildly, noticing that the girls were nowhere to be seen.

ôOh, thereÆs Sidhe-chan!ö Zeph pointed at the girl who stood in the middle of the clearing. ôWhatÆs wrong, Sidhe-chan? Give up?ö He challenged.

ôMoe-Chibi-Usagi-no-Jutsu... (cute little rabbit technique)ö Sidhe-chan murmured, forming a hand seal calmly.

Nothing dramatic happened this time. A few errant leaves blew by....

...a squirrel hopped into the clearing, looked around at the four still statue-like figures, sniffed, before leaping away...

...a few birds chirped in the trees...

...before...

ô...awwwww....ö Mick, Xerxezz, and Zeph cooed collectively as they melted before Sidhe-chanÆs watery purple eyes as her white rabbit ears swayed in the gentle breeze.

ôCheckmate?ö Eterna asked from behind the three as she raised a pair of kunais up to their necks.

ôKage Mane No Jutsu!ö A voice cried out from the sidelines.

ôUgh....Janus...ö Eterna muttered, noticing a long shadow extend from her own to that of the black-haired boy standing underneath the shade of a nearby tree, as her entire body went tense from the jutsuÆs control.

The boy brought both his arms down to his side, causing Eterna to remove her kunai from the necks of the boys and Sidhe to release her hand seal, releasing the boys from the drooling effects of her genjutsu spell.

ôHuh?! Wha?!ö Mick gasped, looking around.

ôWhat the? WhereÆs that butterfly?!ö Xerxezz looked around wildly.

ôCheese!ö Zeph yelped.

ôThat worked.ö Janus nodded with approval. ôItÆs obviously our victory girls, now...ö

ôDonÆt forget about ME!ö A voice shouted from behind him as something pushed him down from behind, causing him to slide into the dead leaves, breaking his focus on his shadow binding jutsu.

ôAgh! Zeni!ö Xerxezz yelped as Zeni leapt off Janus and into the air towards the other boys. ôMick, take her! IÆll take Sidhe before she prepares another genjutsu attack!ö Xerxezz shouted as he ran for Sidhe who was in the middle of executing a series of hand seals.

ôOh no you donÆt! Unlimited Popcorn Landmine Works!ö Eterna cried, pulling a chord that dissappeared into the forest floor.

ô....eh?ö She looked around at the places she had buried the landmines, confused at the lack of Popcorn KABOOM. And then the reason became apparent...

...someone had cut the fuses with well-aimed shuriken shots.

ôKerrus...ö Eterna growled, looking up at the crouching figure sitting high atop a branch of a tree, grinning down at her with glee, his still-developing Uchuukugan shining under the shade of the tree. ôWell, since you want to be smart...ö Eterna sighed, taking out another chakra detonator and pushing it with a hint of chakra.

The branch on which Kerrus was sitting exploded, sending him flying off through a few branches before crashing down somewhere behind a few bushes on the sides of the clearing.

He emerged a second later with a bush on his head and, after shaking the leaves out, took out a length of ninja wire and pulled it, causing a number of kunais with exploding tags to launch out of a nearby tree, straight at her.

ôHah!ö She scoffed, leaping backwards out of the way as the kunais embedded themselves into the ground. ôItÆll take more than that to...AAAAGH!ö She gasped as a swinging log came down from the trees behind her.

ôA ninja sees the deepest of the deep.ö Mech grinned, popping out beside Kerrus. Kerrus nodded with a satisfied smile as the two gave each other high-fives.

ô....ö Eterna rubbed her painful back while taking out another chakra detonator and blew up the landmine under the two, sending them flying off in different directions. ôJerks...ö She muttered to herself. ôYes, a real ninja sees the deepest of the deep.ö

Eterna turned around to look over the clearing to see Zeni in a tight taijutsu brawl with Mick and Zeph, kicking up dead leaves, while Sidhe-chanÆs bunshin clones were dancing around Janus and Xerxezz who were trying their best to pin the real one somehow.

A pair of kage shurikens whizzed out of the air and split up the brawling groups, causing them to all to leap aside.

ôLooks like just another unbalanced battle...ö Watcher sighed, appearing atop a branch of a tree. ôDo please stop picking on the girls...ö

ôHeh, youÆre always on the girlsÆ side, arenÆt you?ö Xerxezz grinned.

ôAm not! Real gentlemen shouldnÆt gang up on girls like that.ö Watcher said, folding his hands. ôRight, Akira?ö

ôHmm...Inhale...KILL...Exhale...Inhale...KILL....Exhale...ö Akira murmured under his breath beside Watcher.

ô....what on earth are you doing?ö Watcher asked.

ôOh? Uhh, yeah, no picking on the girls, you meanies!ö Akira shouted, standing up and readying his claws.

Watcher sighed and facepalmed, shaking his head.

ô...well...brawl?ö Xerxezz asked .

ôOk...ö Watcher sighed.

And the clearing exploded into battle once more.

It was a few moments later before...

ôOk....letÆs call it a tie...ö Zeni muttered, her hakama and gi pinned to a tree by means of a motherlode of kunai and shuriken.

ôThatÆs how many ties now?ö AkiraÆs muffled voice asked from underneath a pile of trees. ôOuch...get out of my face, Zeph. Or IÆll poke you with cheese.ö

ôTell Kerrus to get his hands off my butt first! Or IÆll smite you with popcorn!ö Zeph threatened.

ô...ö

ôItÆs our gazzilionth or so?ö Eterna asked, dangling by ninja wires from a tree like a rather limp puppet.

ô....no...fair...ö Mech coughed up smoke from a crater he shared with Watcher and Xerxezz. ôXerxezz, you had to blow us all up at the last minute, didnÆt you?ö

ôOk, the thing was a little volatile...hey, itÆs called advancing science...ö A scorched Xerxezz muttered.

ôWe should be getting back....ö Mick muttered, his head poking out of the ground, the rest of his body obscured by a mound of dirt.

ôYes.ö Janus nodded in agreement from where he hung from a low branch. ôI second the notion.ö

ô....ö

ôNow....how do we do that?ö Zeni asked.

And silence descended upon the clearing once more....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

In a room, Futakoihana Shrine, Futakoihana Hill, Konohagakure,
Day 1,
09.50 AM
Post EXP 5

ô...and then the door slowly slid open....oh so very gently....ö Sidhe murmured in her usual ethereal tones as she continued another story for the orphans. The effects of the morning sunlight were lost on the children as SidheÆs genjutsu skills emanated an aura fitting for the horror story. ô...and then...ö

ô....THEREÆS NOT ENOUGH MAYONNAISE!ö Eterna screamed, her eyes wide and bloodshot, her hair messy and falling over the front of her face Sadako-style, as she slammed open the door behind Sidhe-chan, causing the orphans to jump in shock and horror. In her hands was a bowl of ramen which was hidden under a gigantic pile of yellowish white substance which, if it werenÆt for the sheer illogical volume, might have been mayonnaise.

The screams of the orphans echoed throughout the shrine as Sidhe pulled her bunny ears down flat against the sides of her face while giving Eterna-chan a rather disapproving look.

Meanwhile, the phone rang out in the corridor....

ôHello, Futakoihana Shrine here.ö Zeni said, picking up the receiver.

"Your genin exam has been moved up from 2 PM today to 10 AM. Please do make sure you make it on time. Thank you." The voice on the other side said in a sing-song tone before hanging up.

The receiver fell loosely from ZeniÆs limp hand as she stared in shock at the phone.

ô....Zeni-chan...ö Sidhe came up to her and patted her on the shoulder. ôZeni-chan?ö She leaned in in front of her and looked up at her blank face. She waved a hand in front of her face for a moment, but no effect.

She padded off quietly down the corridor and returned with a box of items. With nimble dexterity worthy of a kunoichi she places a red nose, bunny ears, and kitty whiskers on Zeni, before adding a catÆs tail with a little ribbon and bell on it to her back.

...And still Zeni remained in shock....

And then she began to pose her favourite sailor senshi dolls on ZeniÆs shoulders and head before topping it off with her beloved masked kamen doll at the very top. She stepped back to admire her handiwork with pride and smiled a sweet little smile.

...And still Zeni remained in shock...

ô....Zeni-chan...ö Sidhe blows gently in her ear....

"WHAT?!" Zeni screamed, turning super-saiyan right before SidheÆs eyes. ô10 PM?! WHAT?!ö Zeni spins around on Sidhe, her eyes blazing. ôSidhe-chan! We have exactly 5 minutes to get to the academy! We must move, NOW!ö she shouted.

It would have been quite impressive, if only it werenÆt for the little additions Sidhe had placed on her.

ôThose....eeeergh! Why do they always, always do this to us?!ö Zeni fumed as she stormed down the hall, shedding slightly singed sailor senshi from her smoking head and shoulders.

ôZeni, weÆre out of mayonaise! I need mayonaise!ö Eterna shouted, sliding open the door to the corridor.

ôWeÆre out of time, Eterna! We need to go to the....what the heck is that?ö Zeni asked, curiosity getting the better of her as she looked down a the bowl in EternaÆs hands.

ôRamen.ö Eterna replied.

ôThatÆs not ramen! ThatÆs yellow goo floating in water!ö

ôItÆs ramen!ö

ôCrappy ramen isnÆt ramen at all!ö

ôCALM DOWN YOU TWO!ö Watcher shouted. ôNow....what is this about being late?ö

"...and why do you look like that monster we found under the refrigerator?" He added, noticing Zeni's red nose, rabbit ears, cat tail, and whiskers.

ô....well...ö Zeni began...

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Atop the City Rooftops, Konohagakure
Day 1,
09.58 AM

ôI canÆt believe you people had time to worry about ramen when weÆre all late for the exams!ö Watcher shouted as the Futakoihana Shrine residents leapt over the roofs of the city towards the Main Academy where the exam was to be held.

ôBut it needed more mayonnaise!ö Eterna protested.

ôShut up Eterna!ö Watcher and Mick shouted together.

ô....but...but...ö Eterna fell silent.

ôWhyÆd they move it up on such short notice though?ö Mech asked, narrowing his eyes in the wind.

ôJust to make it inconvenient for us?ö Watcher suggested. ôItÆs no secret that they hate us.ö

ô....ö

ôPhew...weÆre here...ö Zeph breathed a sigh of relief as they landed in the academy courtyard at exactly 10:00 AM.

ôLate. 2 points off for each.ö A Jonin standing in the courtyard said, tapping his clipboard with a pen. ôOk, thatÆs the lot of them. Now, gather around.ö

ô2 points off already?!ö Xerxezz groaned.

ôBut, we made it here on time!ö Kerrus protested. ôWhat, you want to be pedantic about a few SECONDS?!ö

ô...ArenÆt those ninjas from the main academy?ö Sidhe asked, pointing at a group of academy students who were sporting their new shiny Konoha hitaiates (headbands). ôOh wow, theyÆve graduated...ö She murmured, sounding somewhat envious.

"Heh, it was a breeze for ninja of our caliber. I mean, c'mon, bunshin-no-jutsu? That's kindergarten stuff, man. There's no challenge in it." One academy graduate boasted.

"Oh, it's only the bunshin-no-jutsu." Mick sighed with relief. ôThat should be easy. WeÆll ace this one, eh guys?ö He asked, looking around the group.

ôNaruto-kun?ö Zeni looked around and noticed Naruto sitting alone on a swing hanging from a tree in the courtyard.

ôNaruto-kun....what happened?ö Sidhe asked, as the group approached the blond in orange.

ôOh, Hi guys...ö Naruto said, in a rather depressed voice. ôWell...I like my goggles too much to trade it in for a simple headband, you see...ö He said, suddenly grinning brightly as he looked up at the group.

ô....Off course, Naruto-kun.ö Eterna laughed, patting the boy on the back.

ôHey, mind telling us what the exam was?ö Xerxezz asked, before earning himself a violent nudge from Zeni. ôOuch! What was that for?!ö

ôAh, itÆs only the bunshin-no-jutsu. Should be easy for you guys.ö Naruto said, grinning up at the group. ôWell, good luck guys. IÆm just going to go and see if I can get some Ramen off Iruka-sensei.ö He said with a smile as he fixed his goggles and walked off towards the academy gates.

ôWell, this is going to be a piece of cake, eh?ö Akira smiled, rubbing his claws together.

ôHeh, yeah, bunshin no jutsu, how hard can it be?ö Janus nodded in agreement as they made their way towards the jonin conducting the exams and the group of TFF Academy students gathered around him.

ô....ah, jinx...ö Sidhe murmured.

ôOh, hey, guys.ö A young, purple-haired boy greeted the group.

ôHey, Leon!ö Zeni called back. ôReady for the test?!ö

Leon gave a confident thumbs-up.

ô...poor kid, itÆs his first time, isnÆt it?ö Eterna asked.

ô...shut up, Eterna.ö Zeni muttered under her breath.

ôHi, Koneko-chan!ö Eterna called out to a red-haired young girl in the crowd. The girl looked back at her and gave her a tiny nod while mumbling something which may have been a greeting.

They exchanged quick greetinsg with other members of the group as the Jonin began to drone in a flat voice about the honour of taking part in the exam and the virtues of being a genin and so on and so forth and....

ô....can I kill him?ö Loki finally asked from KerrusÆ shoulder.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Entrance to The Great Catacombs, Underneath Konohagakure Village,
Day 1,
10:15 AM

ôYouÆve....ö Xerxezz began.

ô....Gotta....ö Leon continued.

ô...be kidding....ö Zeph finished.

The sound of dripping water echoing off the stone walls of the giant catacombs permeated the air. The smell of stale air mixed with dampness and perhaps a hint of death assaulted their noses. A few rats slithered around their feet before scampering off into the pitch black darkness.

ô....your exam is to go in to the center of the catacombs underneath the Hokage Tower and retrieve your headbands.ö The Jonin said, tapping his clipboard yet again. ôNow, listen. There is only 1 headband for every 2 examinee. ö He explained as briefly as he could. ôNow, the teams for this exam...ö

ôTeams? But...donÆt we get teams AFTER we make genin?ö Janus asked.

ôBefore that, wait, you said thereÆs only 1 headband for every 2 examinee?! Which means only half the examinees will pass?!ö Mech asked.

ôWe make the rules here, mister.ö The jonin said. ôEach team will be taken to a different catacomb entrance and will make their way towards the central chamber as a team. Now, team 1 will be....ö He began announcing the team assignments.

ôOh...no....not him...ö Mick muttered, looking at Vee.

Vee looked back at Mick with a look of utter loathing, contempt, and hatred for every little molecule that made up MickÆs being.

Mick returned the look with a look of fierce cheerfullness.

ôNow, one jonin will guide you to each entrance. From then on, youÆre alone. Now go. Try not to die.ö The jonin said, tapping his clipboard for the last time before turning around to leave. ôSeal the door.ö He called back as the stone doors to the catacombs shut behind them.

ôFollow us.ö A few disgruntled jonin said.

ô....do they get paid enough?ö Kerrus asked.

ôCan I kill them?ö Loki asked from his perch on his shoulder.

...and thus, in the best of spirits, began the genin exam...

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

OOC: The TFFA genin exams take place in the great catacombs underneath the city, a remnant of the Ninja World War times when secrecy and security were both in high demand. Now only ruins remain of the old bunkers, storage rooms and secret tunnels underneath the city. It is now infested by Inuzuka clan nin-dog rejects and insects even the Aburame clan wouldn't love as well as rats the size of dogs...and who knows what else lurks in the inner darkness of the labyrinths?

 

[parker]

Entrance to The Great Catacombs, Underneath Konohagakure Village,
Day 1,
10:17 AM Post/EXP: 2

I'm mad, some worthless messenger had interupted my work, and setting me back weeks, this morning to tell me that my Genin exam had been moved forward and I would need to come to the acedemy at once.

I look around the shit hole that they had stuck me and the others in. It was huge, smelly, and probably full of diseases that hadn't been around for at least a century. The proctors were idiots, plain and simple. I would have to use my team to get this fuck job the idiot proctor set up.

My eyes rest on one of the shrine maidens, one of the twins. Her team is about to leave.

"Shrine maiden," I call out, my voice made metalic by the breathing mask I wear. She looks up and catches the package of pills I through to her. "That package has pills for one of the children, make sure they get it." She nods and I know that the child will get them. I feel Stabby crawling on my back and settling on my shoulder. I cast an almost hateful look at what is supposed to be my team.

"If I'm not out of here and at the Medical Center in time for my test I will feed you to Stabby" I say to my team and scratch his little troll head.

 

[twin blade]

Ignore.

 

[Kerrus]

Catacombs, Konohagakure
10:15
Post 3, Exp 3

"Can I kill him?" Loki asked for the fourth time in the last five minutes. Kerrus doubted the Jounin could hear the bird, or even cared.

"No... you can't kill him," Kerrus chided. "That being said... My only quantification was that you can't kill him."

The bird chuckled slightly, as they pressed deeper into the tunnel. Here and there, some of the Jounins split off, taking some of their number with them. Eventually Kerrus was left with his so called team, which really just consisted of Parker and Vex. Which was all told, fairly balanced. Parker covered the medical aspect of things from what Kerrus knew of him, and Vex was an Uchiha. Speaking of Vex....

"Hey, hey, mister Jounin, but aren't we supposed to head towards the center of the catacombs?" Vex asked, annoyance slipping into his voice. Kerrus looked around, then spotted a hole in the wall of a particular shape.

"Shut up and follow me, we'll be there soon enough," The Jounin ordered. Parker wondered why they were going in circles, and Kerrus began thinking about ways to gank the Jounin. That decision was made for them when the Jounin reeled around, snapped off a dozen hand seals- then started screaming as Loki attached himself to the guy's face, plucked out an eye, and swallowed. The Jounin swung his hands up to his face with a yell, but Loki danced out of the way. Barely.

However, it seemed like he had forgotten about all that chakra he had focused, as with nowhere to go it had started releasing it from his tenketsu. Violently. Not that this mattered to the rest of the team, as they were already in motion. The moment Loki had acted, Kerrus had ducked and snapped off a quick genjutsu. It wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, but it would prevent anyone from hearing the screams. Or at least he hoped so.

"Damn, Kerrus, your bird is nasty!" yelled Parker. Who grinned, and ducked under the flailing arm of the jounin. Though he hadn't seemed to touch the man, bloody strips appeared gouged into his arms. When Parker turned away, Vex spotted the familiar blue glow of chakra scalpels. Unfocused, but still capable of potent damage.

"I resent that!" yelled Loki, who doged under a taijutsu attack by the Jounin, and responded in kind with a blast of wind. The Jounin, meanwhile, seemed to have recovered enough. Though still in horrendous pain from the loss of his eye and the clumsy attacks by Parker and Kerrus, he managed to gather his chakra enough for a very familiar set of handseals.

"Katon: Grand Fireball no Jutsu!" he shouted. The attack screamed at the three pre-genin. With them at a near dead end, there was nowhere to go but back. But Kerrus had never been one for retreats, and instead dashed forward towards the flame. Loki landed on his shoulders and cawed a mighty caw, then the two of them forced their chakra to do something that Kerrus had only previously managed on a small scale.

It was enough. They managed to create a wall of Vacuum. With no oxygen, the fire guttered and died in a manner of seconds. Kerrus slumped soon after, from chakra exertion. The Jounin, however wasn't quite so lucky.

"You're one mean son of a bitch," remarked Vex. He took up a stance that was both familiar and hated to the Jounin, who charged at him. Vex whirled and stepped out of the way, then was tossed down the hall as the Jounin snapped off a quick "Doton: Earth Style Catapult!"

He landed with a grunt, and sent a pair of Kunai flying back at the Jounin. The man managed to dodge, but had forgotten about the others. Parker landed on his back like a madman, his fingers glowing a brilliant indigo as they carved great wrents into the Jounin's back. He screamed and tossed Parker off, only to be caught in a three way attack from Kerrus, Vex, and someone else. As the attack consisted mainly of Shuiken, the Jounin managed to protect himself by snapping off a quick pair of Earth Walls, effectively sealing the tunnel off. A muffled thump-BANG! sounded, and the walls cracked and fell.

Within was only rubble, the Jounin having managed to Kawamiri out of the way at the last moment. Kerrus sighed, then attached another explosive note to his Kunai, looped a bit of wire around the handle, then readied it.

"Where the hell did he go?" asked Kerrus. Vex started to respond when a hand latched out and grabbed Kerrus by the foot. He had all of a moment to shout before he was pulled down into the ground in the Doton: Decapitation no Jutsu.

"You brats are going to pay, Council's orders or not," the Jounin growled, then snapped off a dozen handseals. "Doton! Earth Wave technique!"

And nothing happened. Point of fact, the Jounin seemed frozen on the spot.

"Hurry the hell up, I can't hold him for long!" shouted the newcomer, who Vex recognized as Blade. The older boy was sweating from the exertion of holding the genjutsu over the Jounin.

"Righto, Vex announced unslinging his bow. He notched a pair of arrows and let loose. At that moment a number of things happened. The Jounin breached the Genjutsu, Kerrus Kawamiried out of the ground, the Earth Wave technique fired off, the Jounin Shuushined down the hall, Parker's goblin Stabby drove his knife into the Jounin's calf with a noise that sounded an aweful lot like *Doink!*, and the jounin reached for a storage seal only for his hand to come back covered in sticky explosive notes.

FWOOM!CRASHBANGBANGGUNK

Two arrows, expertly aimed richocheted off the walls of the catacombs and shattered into accelerated wooden fragments. While they wouldn't deal much damage, against the wounds the Jounin had suffered they were the perfect weapon.

While the chakra enhanced splinters drove into his back, Stabby pulled off another *Doink!, the Earth Wave caught up with them and knocked the Jounin off his feet, and Loki appeared and dove towards the Jounin's face.

As for Parker, he was nowhere to be seen, indee-oh.

The Jounin Kawamired again, replacing himself with some rubble. Then there was the sound of rocks falling as part of the ceiling caved in. Parker strode out of the dust cloud looking rather satisfied with himself.

"Who knew, chakra scalpels work on rock just as well as they do on flesh, even better in some cases," he remarked. Stabby climbled up his pantleg and onto his shoulder. The rest of them gave into a bit of a chuckle or a light smile, depending on their disposition. Then the pile of rocks fell in on themselves, and they turned with a start. The Jounin was gone, leaving only a bloody headband and melted weaponry.

"Just who the hell was that guy, anyways?" Kerrus asked. Then crumpled. "I... I'm alright, just a little winded. There's a difference between combat training a- and that.