The Genin Test

Kirisho woke every day at six am, carefully cleaned his ninja gear, sorted it, and then went downstairs, ate breakfast, and went to the academy.

Today was different, because to start, he didn't sleep very well the night before. He had run through a dozen tactical analyses in his head through the night, but he knew they were all in vain, because he had no idea what their new sensei was capable of.

So Kirisho had woken at 5 with his uncle, and went into the office with him. Unfortunately, even after all of the digging Kirisho had done, there was almost nothing on their new teacher. According to the files Kuroda had moved to Konohagakure when he was ten, completed the academy by twelve, and done absolutely nothing of note for the last four years.

In short, Kirisho had absolutely zero information to go on for the upcoming test, and it bugged the crap out of him.

Tyler was used to waking up early, but since he had counted on there being some type of combat in the coming test, he decided to wake up around seven so that he had plenty of stamina. He ate a hearty breakfast made by his father, and went on his way to the training grounds.

He whistled softly to himself, thinking of Sasuke, becoming a genin, and what this new test might have in store; completely unaware of his teammates tension.

Sentai, in spite of being nervous for the test, slept relatively well, woke up at his regular time, and did some warm-up exercises for the coming day. He looked around at his shabby apartment, as he ate instant-ramen, and decided that today would be the day he cleaned it. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was 7:30, and hastily dressed, grabbed his gear, then dashed out the door in a hurry.

As he passed Naruto's apartment he bid the blonde a good day and ran out into the sunlight, wincing a bit at the sudden change in brightness

Sentai ran as fast as he could, hoping that he wouldn't be late.

Kuroda awoke at six, trained for an hour, showered, and made his way to the training ground his new team would be meeting at, thinking about how he could trip up each one whilst gauging their skills.

He arrived at the training ground at about 7:25, and waited.

Kirisho was the first to arrive at about 7:40. Despite not seeing his new sensei anywhere he was vigilant, and very careful to note any change in the scene around him in case he had been caught in a genjutsu. Tyler was the next to arrive at about 7:50, and he glanced around the training ground, noting that Kuroda was nowhere in sight, and sat down in front of one of the large training posts.

"So Kirisho," Tyler said, hoping to break the awkward tension, "What do you think we're in for here?"

"No idea," Kirisho said with a shrug as he continued to survey the scenery, "But I am almost positive that it'll involve combat."

"Yeah, most likely," Tyler said with a nod as he began thinking about what his role in combat might be, "Should I run medic/support and Sentai can run assault?"

"I don't know that we should rely on Sentai as a team player or an effective assault nin." Kirisho said firmly, "I believe that at best he will be purely ninjutsu."

"Really?" Tyler said with some surprise, "What makes you say that?"

"I did my homework." Kirisho said quickly, hoping he wouldn't have to explain that he used his uncle's chunin status as a way to access everyone's files.

"What does that mean?" Tyler asked suspiciously, getting an uneasy feeling from the way the other boy had replied.

"Nothing," Kirisho said, trying to think of a way to shift the subject, "When you say that you like Sasuke-san, what do you mean?"

"What?" Tyler asked in surprise, the question catching him off-guard.

"I mean do you like him as a person or as something more." Kirisho stated flatly, knowing this line of conversation would be sufficient to distract Tyler from their earlier topic.

"Well, I guess I mean I like him, like him." Tyler said with a deep blush, and then he quickly turned his head away to hide it, "Not that is any of your business."

"I apologize if I offended you," Kirisho said as sincerely as he could, "I just didn't quite understand what you meant when you said that yesterday."

"It's okay," Tyler said with a sigh, "It's just not something I want to talk about."

"It's eight ten." Kirisho said, trying once more to distract the conversation, "Kuroda-sensei should be here."

"Here comes our other teammate." Tyler said, pointing to a figure running up the path to the training ground, which rapidly resolved into Sentai.

"Hey guys," Sentai panted as he ran up and nearly doubled-over in exhaustion, "Where's the sensei?"

"Here." Kuroda said as he stepped from behind the tree in the center of training ground, startling Kirisho, who hadn't seen him despite his scrutiny of the area, "You're late Sentai."

"I'm sorry sensei," Sentai said, still trying to catch his breath, "So what is this test?"

"You don't get to know, you were late." Kuroda sneered, "Walk twelve meters that way, and come back when I call you."

Sentai grumbled in annoyance as he walked away and Kuroda motioned for the other two to come closer.

"You two need to retrieve these bells," He whispered, gesturing to two bells tie to one of the belt loops of his khaki cargo shorts, "By any means necessary." When they both nodded, he whistled, and Sentai returned to the group, "Okay, Flamer, Creepy," He said pointing at Tyler and Kirisho, "You get a one minute head start."

"Sonovabitch." Kirisho muttered angrily, but Kuroda ignored him.

"You know those aren't actually our names." Tyler said with well hidden annoyance.

"I don't care," Kuroda said in annoyance, "You, freak boy." He said, gesturing at Sentai, "If you move from that spot for sixty seconds, I will hunt you down and make you regret it."

"O-okay Kuroda-sensei." Sentai said as he shivered somewhat under the white-haired boy's deadly glare.

"Ready?" Kuroda said, glancing at the three of them then flicking a tag into the air, "Go!" He yelled, as the tag exploded with a blinding flash.

Kirisho and Tyler's training kicked in, and they leapt off to either side of clearing, instantly doing their best to hide amongst the brush. Sentai, on the other hand, stood completely still; hoping nothing that his sensei wasn't going to attack him.

The battlefield was silent for twenty long seconds as the three genin-hopefuls studied the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of their prey. Suddenly, two kunai came whistling out of the tree line and landed in front of Sentai.

"Screw this!" Sentai yelled as he leapt up into the air and flashed through some hand seals, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower!" He shouted, and then fired a dozen small fire balls into the surrounding forest that the kunai had come from. Sentai cheered as he saw the brush rustle as someone fled.

"Okay, let's do this!" Sentai shouted as he dashed off into the brush in pursuit.

"He's going to get destroyed," Kirisho muttered, "As long as he doesn't get us killed it shouldn't matter."

As the ruckus died down, the forest went silent as Kirisho moved carefully into the woods after Sentai and Tyler lay in wait. After a minute Tyler determined that the other three had all moved deeper into the training ground, and began to circle around in the direction they had gone.

Suddenly, Tyler felt a chill up his spine as he entered a clearing and the bushes in front of him rustled. Tyler prepared himself for battle as a figure staggered out into the open, then Tyler paled as he recognized the figure.

"Tyler," Sasuke said as he hacked up blood, "Please help me."

"I." Was the last thing Tyler said before passing out completely, and the image of Sasuke disappeared completely.

Meanwhile, Kirisho hunted carefully through the forest, doing his best to find Kuroda, but having no luck with it. After almost half an hour, Kirisho came upon a single line of ninja wire between two trees, and decided that now would be the best time to check for genjutsu. Kirisho brought his hands up into a familiar position, and flared his chakra.

All at once, his world went dark.

"Where the hell is he?" Sentai grumbled as he picked his way carefully through the brush, then stopped dead as he saw an ill-concealed ninja wire.

Sentai followed the wire to its origin, and discovered that there was a few dozen strings holding a bush high in the air.

Sentai scratched his head in confusion, until he heard Tyler approach behind him.

"Holy crap," Tyler said, tapping Sentai and resetting his chakra system, allowing him to now see Kirisho tied up, with each string having at least five tags, either explosive or lightning, "How can we do this?"

"That trap cannot be disarmed," Sentai said analytically, "It's too complex and too dangerous."

"Leave me." Kirisho said solidly.

"We can't just do that," Tyler said testily, "He's our teammate."

"But he asked us to leave," Sentai said with a dismayed shake of his head, "There really isn't anything we can do at this point."

"Are you going to save him?" An annoyed voice said from a branch above them, and the two genin on the ground whirled to see their white-haired trainer resting on a branch several meters up into the trees.

"It's a trap," Sentai said carefully as one hand edged towards a kunai, "The moment we mount a rescue you attack."

"Maybe," Kuroda said with a sneer, "Or maybe I want to see how well you disarm traps."

"Good point." Kirisho said, then began carefully observing Kirisho.

"It seems impossible to disarm." Tyler said carefully.

"It isn't," Kuroda said with an exasperated sigh, "Just step back and look at it as a problem that needs solving."

"Instead of as a deadly trap?" Tyler asked, receiving a nod from the other boy, "Great." Tyler said with a huff.

"The wires are all connected to various trees and branches; each wire has enough tags to kill Kirisho and anyone trying to disarm it." Sentai said carefully, addressing Tyler, "Unless you are a trap maker in your spare time, we can't do this."

"We should at least try to help," Tyler said carefully, "If he's going to be our teammate then we need to do our best for him."

"I'm going to be useless in any combat." Kirisho said coldly, "I'm as good as dead."

"Fine, no problem." Sentai said with a shrug, "Let's get out of here."

"We need to at least try," Tyler said testily, "If we don't we don't deserve to be a team."

"I'm leaving." Sentai said angrily, and began to walk away.

As they walked away, Kirisho slipped a blade carefully out of his holster, and cut a single wire.

Then all of the tags ignited, and Kirisho was engulfed in flame, and his vision went dark once more.

"The big clearing," Sentai said quickly, "That's open ground, no cover, perfect for what I think he's planning."

Tyler nodded and off they went in search of their teacher, and after several minutes, they found him.

Kuroda was standing against the tree in the shade, his eyes closed as if deep in thought.

"This is going to be," Sentai began to say thoughtfully.

"Damn," Tyler said out loud, causing Sentai to give him a raised eyebrow, "Look at his poise, I'm jealous." Tyler said, turning his face away from Sentai.

"His poise," Sentai muttered as he studied Kuroda, "He is rigid as a rail, no sign of slumping, almost haughty. He's obviously used to good physical practices."

"I'll say," Tyler muttered, "If I had half a mind,"

"You'd stop talking so damned loud." Kuroda yelled angrily, eyes still shut as though deep in thought, "Just figure out how you are going to attack and cut the chatter."

"You go straight in, I'll flank him and try to hail him with kunai." Sentai whispered quickly.

"You're going to hail the area I'm in with kunai?" Tyler hissed, earning a nod from Sentai, "Well I guess you're right, that is our best shot."

"Okay, go." Sentai said as he made a circular dash around the clearing and Tyler took a deep breath and charged.

Kuroda smirked as Tyler ran straight at him, and his eyes shot open. Tyler threw a strong right, but the white-haired boy immediately noticed that there was no discipline or training behind the attack. He spun, kicking out Tyler's left leg as he deflected the punch harmlessly, then noticed that a fireball and several smaller ones rained towards them.

Kuroda sighed as Tyler fell to the ground, and Kuroda put one foot on the medic's back as he drew a kunai. Tyler gasped as Kuroda flipped the weapon into a backwards hold as though to strike down at Tyler. As the flames grew nearer, Kuroda charged the kunai with a small amount of lightning, and hurled it at Sentai, then picked up Flamer and dashed out of the attack area.

"Terrible," Kuroda muttered as he set down Tyler, "He needs to work on his aim, badly."

"He said he was gonna use kunai," Tyler muttered in angrily as Kuroda held him down, "I'm going to kick his ass."

"Okay kids," Kuroda said in annoyance as he drew a short blade from his back, "Get out here or he dies." He said coldly as he pressed the tip against Tyler's neck.

Sentai emerged slowly from the bushes, one kunai in hand, "No way," Sentai said coldly, "Tyler understands that the mission comes first."

"Really?" Kuroda asked, tipping Tyler's chin up with the tip of his blade, "Is that what you think Flamer?"

"Are you going to keep calling me that?" Tyler asked with a nervous chuckle, despite his position.

"I think it's funny," Kuroda said with an honest shrug, "So, kunai down or he dies."

"No." Sentai said, as his eyes narrowed.

"Lightning Style: Stun Bolt." Kuroda said quickly as he dropped his weapons and formed the necessary hand seals in a flash, and then fired the bolt at his target with one hand.

Sentai tried to dodge, but failed miserably, and was instantly knocked unconscious.

"Are you gonna knock me out as well?" Tyler asked as he eyed the sword Kuroda had dropped.

"Answer my previous question." Kuroda stated.

"No, saving the lives of your teammates is more important." Tyler answered quickly.

"Good answer." Kuroda said as he aimed two fingers at Tyler, "Stun Bolt." And with that, it was over.

Kirisho gasped as he awoke, then quickly took in his situation. He and the other genin were each tied to a post, and none of the others seemed to be conscious just yet. Tyler was next to awaken, and he began to examine his surroundings as well.

"Where's Kuroda?" Tyler asked groggily as he shook off the shock attack.

"Here," The boy's cool voice said from behind them out of their sight, causing Sentai to awaken, "Now, what do you have to say for yourselves?"

"That was bullshit!" Sentai yelled angrily.

"Except for you," Kuroda snapped, "You were disappointing."

"We were outmatched," Kirisho murmured as he shook off the shock, "But the combat wasn't the point."

"No, and I'm not telling you what was." Kuroda snapped angrily, "You are all poor excuses for ninja, and none of you deserve to be genin." Suddenly, Kuroda drew a kunai and threw it at Tyler, cutting his bonds, "But he at least deserves lunch, Flamer, if you free them or feed them there will be harsh punishment." Kuroda warmed as he set a box two box lunches at his feet.

"You have fifteen minutes until I get back," Kuroda said coldly, "When I do, you all are done." And then he disappeared.

After a minute, Tyler shrugged and opened the first lunch, after a eating a bit of it he looked at his two forlorn teammates and sighed.

"Here," Flamer said as he stood and readied some chopsticks to feed Kirisho, "Just don't tell Kuroda that I fed you anything."

"Thank you," Kirisho said as he took it and ate quickly, "Why me and not Sentai?"

"Yeah!" Sentai said quickly.

"Because he almost set me on fire," Tyler said angrily, "And he isn't a team player."

Suddenly, there was a crack of lightning, and Kuroda appeared, eyes blazing in anger.

"What the hell did I say?" Kuroda snarled.

"He would've done the same for me," Tyler said with resolve, and a barely veiled undertone of fear, "I couldn't just leave him."

"Not even for fifteen minutes?" Kuroda sneered, earning a nod from Tyler.

"Well done Flamer," Kuroda said as his expression turned to one of cold satisfaction, "You should never leave a teammate to any such fate, because you must always be on the side of your team in the face of any obstacle." Then Kuroda turned a steel gaze to Sentai, "But if you won't play by the rules then I won't have you on my team, are we clear?"

"Yes." Sentai said quickly, hoping to avoid what Kuroda's eyes promised was a very painful event.

"Good, now everyone go home and eat, we're done." Kuroda said finally.

"Sir?" Tyler said quickly, causing Kuroda to raise an eyebrow, "Did we pass?"

"Unfortunately," Kuroda said with feigned disdain, "Yes, I have command of Team 6 now."

Tyler smiled, Sentai cheered, and Kirisho smiled with disturbing satisfaction, and Kuroda chuckled to himself and began to walk away.

"Sir?" Tyler said again, causing Kuroda to turn and face him with an exasperated sigh, "Are you going to have lunch with us?"

"No." Kuroda said decisively and began to walk away.

"That's too bad," Sentai said quickly, "We were going to Ichiraku."

Suddenly, Kuroda was stock still, then he whirled around, "You are buying." He said with a hint of annoyance.

"I'll buy," Tyler said with a smile, "It's the least I could do for my new sensei and my new team."

"I see Flamer has some class," Kuroda said with a chuckle, "Let's get going."

"Kuroda!" Ayame said warmly as the white-haired ninja stepped into the stall, and she saw the other three enter as well, "And you brought friends."

"Not friends," Kuroda said quickly, "Students unfortunately."

"Students that are buying you lunch," Ayame said with a chuckle, "You must of made an impression."

"Mostly one of fear I think." Kuroda said with a cold smile.

"I can't just buy my new teacher a lunch?" Tyler said with a laugh.

"Hmm, fine." Kuroda said in resignation as they ordered.

"So, Kuroda, where are you from?" Tyler asked curiously.

"North." Kuroda said tersely.

"That's not very descriptive." Sentai grumbled, but when Kuroda did not answer Sentai just huffed in annoyance.

"Do you have any family?" Tyler asked, "Maybe, a girl-friend?" He probed.

"Neither," Kuroda snapped, then caught himself, "I mean that I have neither family nor a lover."

"Oh, cool." Tyler said, and then realized his mistake as Kuroda glared at him, "I didn't mean cool as in 'that's good'."

"Whatever." Kuroda grumbled as his ramen arrived in front of him.

"What about your sister?" Ayame asked, causing Kuroda to give her a glare, "You used to talk about her all the time." She said shyly as she withered under his gaze.

"A sister?" Kirishio said inquisitively.

"Enough." Kuroda snapped, silencing the ramen stand, "My life is not a book, and it does not matter if you know it or not."

There was silence, and then a loud shouting.

"Why the hell did I have to carry that damned cat?" Naruto said loudly, "Kakashi has got it in for me."

"Hey Sasuke," Tyler said quickly, "How are you doing today?"

Sasuke shrugged as Sakura entered behind him, "Hey Tyler," Sakura said happily as she sat next to him and hugged him, "How'd the test go."

"Not good, but we're genin now." Tyler said happily.

Sakura glanced at the rest of Team 6 and leaned close to Tyler, "Your right, if it weren't for Sasuke, I'd be all over your sensei right now."

"Right?" Tyler whispered, "Just be careful, he has ears like a hawk."

"Yes, I do." Kuroda muttered in annoyance, causing both genin to jump, "So cut the gossipy crap."

"God she's annoying." Sentai mumbled angrily.

"Hmm," Sasuke said with a nod, "I know exactly what you mean."

"If I had her on my team I'd tie her up and leave her in the Forest of Death." Sentai said with a chuckle, then ate some more ramen.

"Not a bad idea," Sasuke said with a nod, "I'm almost impressed."

"So, how about the weather?" Naruto grumbled, knowing no one would respond.

"It's nice." Kirisho said, startling Naruto as he realized the boy had been there the entire time.

"Why do you freaking DO that?" Naruto yelled, causing everyone to stare at him.

"Do what?" Kirisho asked in confusion as all the genin gasped as they realized Kirisho had been there the entire time, and Kuroda grumbled in annoyance at their response.

"That!" Everyone but Kuroda exclaimed again.

There was a long silence.

"I'm confused." Kirisho said with a resigned sigh.

"So are they creepy," Kuroda said with a similar sigh as he patted the boy on the shoulder, "So are they."

"Are you always going to call me creepy?" Kirisho asked.

"Probably until you stop being weird, yeah." Kuroda said with a shrug.

"Okay." Kirisho sighed.

"Are we all going to get nicknames?" Sentai asked hopefully.

"I don't know," Kuroda said with a sigh, "Why are you three bothering me and my team?"

"They aren't really bothering us," Tyler said quickly, hoping to keep Sasuke and Sakura around a bit longer, "Are they Sentai?"

"No, not really." Sentai said with a shrug.

"Whatever." Kuroda muttered, then returned to eating his ramen.

"Isn't he just a bundle of sunshine," Naruto grumbled in annoyance, "Great teacher."

"Kakashi-sensei hasn't taught us anything either," Sakura said in annoyance, "So shut your trap Naruto, I'm sure he'll get around to it."

"Unless he doesn't," Sasuke mumbled, "Then we're in trouble." Sasuke sighed and stood, "I'm going to go train," As he said that Sakura and Tyler stood as well, "Alone." He snapped, then left quickly.

"Damn," Tyler sighed as Sasuke disappeared down the road, "Worth a try."

"So, you want to be friends with Sasuke too?" Naruto asked Tyler.

Tyler gave Naruto a blank look, then laughed, "Yes, I just want to be his friend."

"Cool," Naruto said, "He's kind of a cold jerk, but he's good on the inside."

"Oh, I'm sure." Tyler said with a grin that caused Sakura to chuckle at Naruto's ignorance.

"What's so funny?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Your thick head, as usual." Kuroda said with a snort of derision

"Jerk." Naruto snapped.

"Good comeback." Kuroda said with a haughty smirk.

Naruto chuckled in victory, "Naruto," Sakura said with a defeated sigh, "It was sarcasm, because of how stupid that was."

"Huh?" Naruto said as he scratched the back of his head in confusion.

"Don't bother." Kuroda said with a sigh of derision, "I'm done, thanks for lunch. Be at training ground six by eight am tomorrow." Sakura and Tyler stood again and Kuroda glared at them until they returned to their seats. Once they had retaken their seats, Kuroda huffed in annoyance and left quickly.

As he walked away, Kuroda heard Sentai yell, "Stop staring at me you creepy bastard!" And Kirisho mutter, "I'm not creepy." And then devolve into Sentai and Naruto talking loudly about how creepy Kirisho was whilst Tyler and Sakura talked about how annoying their teammates were going to be.

"This is going to be a very interesting team." Kuroda muttered to himself as he walked away.