Thank you soo much for the review, xekii! Brain hugs to my first reviewer! XDDD LOL
Yuri nodded and they all started off in search of Kisho. They knew that he was going to hide amongst the rocks almost as well as they knew that Sora was afraid of heights. Kisho liked to use this rock technique because he made it into a mind game for his students. His procedure was to first set traps on and around some of the rocks in the area and then disguise himself as a rock as well. The student's job was to find the correct rock that was their sensei in disguise. If they didn't, they would set off his traps and have to avoid them…or fail trying.
They approached a rock wall that had a pile of fallen rocks at the foot of it.
"Is he serious! There are over a hundred rocks here; how are we ever supposed to find him without getting killed first!"
"Well, Sora, not all of these rocks have traps set for them; see--" Shigure reached down and picked up a small, smooth stone. It was only after he had picked it up that he realized that the stone was red hot. Shigure cried out in pain and dropped the stone…right where Kisho wanted him to. It burned through a thin rope that snapped and suddenly, four kunai knives were flying at them out of nowhere. All three dropped to the ground as the knives flew over them. These projectiles were stopped by a big rock that was behind them. This cut a rope that had been laid across it which triggered three other ropes to go off and the next thing they knew, the boys were hanging from the trees above them-- two of them by the ankle and one, unfortunately, by the tail (two guesses for who it was).
"Well, since you obviously won't be able to find me now, I guess I'll have to find you." Kisho said as he jumped down from one of the trees above.
"W-what! Sensei? But we thought-but I thought-" Shigure said as he dangled from his ankle (ok, one guess). He was speechless as he kept looking between his sensei and the rocks.
"Yes, Shigure, that is what you thought. You thought you had me all figured out and that I would be hiding in the rocks just like every time before," Kisho's lynx ears twitched, "You see, every day your mind is telling you something that it believes is right for the situation. That is how we were born. But, as ninja, you must train your mind to think outside of the ordinary. You must always be ready for the unexpected. If you're not, well it can get you into quite a tangle." The sensei smirked as though he were laughing at his own joke. The boys glanced around at each other.
"Ok, ok, Sensei, we understand, we understand! Can we please get down from here now!" This was coming from Sora who was the unfortunate to be caught by the tail.
"I'm not so sure. Are you going to remember this exercise and your lesson learned during future challenges?"
They all sighed in unison. "Yes, Sensei." Although they were in unison, Sora's voice was a little more stressed than the others. More like, a little more "pain-filled" than the others.
Kisho threw a shuruken at the ground, slicing a rope which dropped the boys on their heads.
"Ugh!" It came in unison again.
Kisho smiled. "Well, I suppose we should restart this exercise. Who is the new 'seeker', Shigure?" He eyed Sora as if he already knew.
Shigure turned to Sora and smirked.
"N-no! I hate being 'seeker'! It's so much easier to hide."
"Sora, I'm serious, the Chunin exams start tomorrow. If you don't conquer your fears and you don't find a way to bring up your self-confidence, you won't be able to make the cut and you will end up stuck-- still a Genin while your friends have moved on to the Chunin level," Kisho sighed, "I have confidence in your ability and skill, Sora; it's your emotions that concern me. I don't want to watch you fail because of something like that." Kisho looked around at all three of them. "In fact, I don't want to see any of you fail this exam. After our exercise is finished, we will, hopefully, have reviewed over most of the essential elements that you may have forgotten. I hope you will all remember today and yesterday and the year behind us that first taught you all that you know."
Everyone smiled, except Sora. He was looking down at the ground. Sora's confidence was one issue that was not normally discussed. Sora may be a good fighter, friend, and wolf. He may have a general mindset of a shenobi. But, he could never break his barrier of fear and lower self-confidence. This being one reason that Sora and Shigure are so drawn to each other as friends. Whenever Sora would be in a mood of despair, Shigure would come in, give him a big hug, and flash him a smile. A smile filled with more compassion and love than any other friend in the world. It was Shigure's smile that brought them together in the first place.
End…Chapter Four: Hide-and-Seek, Part Two
I hope you've enjoyed the last few chapters as much as I have!
Sora: Whatever, you've slaved for hours writing about us!
Shigure: Seriously, you should take a break...good lord it's like all you can think about is this damn story!
Well, that's because it IS all I think about! Unless you want me to start on another story instead...
Shigure and Sora: NO NO NO! THAT'S OK!
Sora: Um…we are aware of your amazing ability to not finish stories-
Shigure: -and we'd rather you complete ours'…
Sora: Yeah, you can't just leave us hanging like this!
Shigure, Sora, and Yuri: WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU?
That's more like it…
PLEASE R&R!