Dying Embers

Chapter 7The Exam – Part One – Mitzuki, Hentai san and the Whispering Breeze

Ah! I'm sorry, so sorry that this has taken so long to come out – even though we still aren't being reviewed glares accusingly at audience - but what with school work, swimming, galas and just the need of a good old break, I've been behind in both starting and writing this chapter. But all is not lost, due to the amount of stuff I need to get in here, believe me it's going to be a looooong chapter. In return for my efforts I only ask one thing – review! O-ne-gai! As this one's rrreeeeeaaallly long, it's being split into two parts, Mitzuki's exam, and then Momoko's.

Now on with the story….

----------

Mitzuki smirked to herself, this was way too easy, it had to be a joke. She struggled to keep the ridicule out of her voice as she decided to play her role well and ask some questions on what they were about to do; saying that it had its uses as well. Knowing Momoko she wouldn't have paid attention the first time, so now she could gather the key details. Oh, how wonderful I am, thought Mitzuki.

"So, any questions?" asked Kakashi, looking at the two girls standing before him. His eyebrow rose as he saw Mitzuki waving a tentative hand in the air, he had expected Momoko to be the one, but…

"Er, hai, Kakashi sensei. I'd just like to make a summary, just to make sure I know exactly what I'm doing," said Mitzuki concentrating a glare at Momoko, who stood nearby looking oblivious to the world as she stared her nails. She felt Mitzuki's heated glare however and looked up, returning one of her own.

Mitzuki rolled her eyes, sheesh; you'd think she'd be at least grateful, me playing the fool for her and all. Luckily it seemed Kakashi knew the truth behind the whole charade as he nudged Momoko in the ribs,

"I'd pay close attention if I were you," his voice muffled from behind the mask.

Momoko grinned sheepishly and looked at Mitzuki, urging her to continue.

Clearing her throat, Mitzuki started,

"So, firstly, this trial consist of two parts, and in each part we have to compete individually against one of the current chunin teams?" she looked mock questioningly at Kakashi, who seemed to have gotten into the spirit of things as he nodded with much exaggeration.

"Yes good so far."

Mitzuki grinned, "The first part is a stealth and recover type, where we have to get past the various traps and decoys that particular team has set up, and then recover a scroll with a hidden message. We must return the scroll and uphold the shinobi code of honour by not looking inside. The second part is a battle and endurance exercise in which we will individually fight the second chunin team, and be given marks by the judges watching. Although it is not necessary to win, it is important to gain enough marks to pass. The marks are given out of ten. How's that sensei?"

"Splendid, I'm surprised you did so well," spouted Kakashi.

Gai, who didn't seem to have gotten the joke, turned to Momoko with a proud ruffle of her hair. She frowned.

"I'm glad you aren't that dense, my cute student, and manage to absorb it all the first time. Oh I'm so proud!" He added as tears streamed down his face and he held his fist up tight, gazing at the setting sun….even though there wasn't a setting sun, it was still the early morning….and those waves, and that ocean? Yeah they're part of Gai's World too, ignore them.

Mitzuki and Kakashi grinned deviously at Momoko, who through the whole charade had been growing steadily red. It seemed that Gai's statement was the last straw, as she through her hands in the air, representing her surrender, and fumed.

"Okay, okay I get it, I'm dumb, happy now?!"

She stormed off in a randomly chosen direction, as a poor Gai ran after her, at a loss to know what he had done wrong.

"Momoko chan, matte! My kawai student, what have I done? Only complimented you and your brilliant mind, not to mention your looks-" Here Momoko growled audibly and hastened her pace. Gai, flinching, continued at a distance, complimenting everything from her shoes and her hair, to the way she breathed and spoke. He was fighting a losing battle, and just as they disappeared from view a loud "ouch!" was heard, resulting from the fist which had descended on his skull.

Kakashi and Mitzuki started as they realised their close proximity and jumped quickly apart. A rose hue had already coloured Mitzuki's cheeks and she examined the ground with a sudden interest. Kakashi was hard pressed to hide the pink tint which had appeared just above the top of his mask, though he had no idea why he'd be blushing at all. Trying to break the awkward confusion Kakashi cleared his throat, which was suddenly oddly dry.

"Well, um, yes, I suppose that means that you'll be the first to take the exam then, right Mitzuki?"

Mitzuki didn't look at him; afraid of showing her blush she kept her fringe shadowing her face, as her gaze remained constantly down. "Um, hai sensei, glad to do so…"

Both laughed nervously, and Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, uncertain.

"Mitzuki, the exam will be held as soon as I manage to round up a few judges, I trust you'll be ready at the designated point, you may bring only the basic equipment, however use of any abilities you know is allowed, as long as you don't endanger the lives of the team in the exam."

Embarrassment forgotten, Mitzuki looked straight into his face, completely solemn, and saluted with a touch of her hand on her head, causing the ribbon-tied pigtails to bounce and the sun-like tresses to shiver from the sudden movement.

"Hai, sensei! Youkai!"

Kakashi didn't laugh as some may have done. Many students would do this as a joke, Mitzuki looked completely serious, however, and Kakashi wondered whether this would have been an extra for show in her previous home, or a matter of life and death. Mitzuki seemed to read his thoughts as she quickly tried to brush off this abnormal behaviour. Dropping her shoulders and her ruler straight posture, she relaxed and gave him a serene smile.

"Don't be gone too long Kakashi sensei," she purred with a wink and a little wave. Kakashi cheeks burned as he nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke, mind reeling with confusion.

Better be embarrassed than suspicious she reasoned with a grimace as she turned towards the forest, convincing herself it had been the right move… well, maybe…

----------

Mitzuki stood at the edge of the forest, and gazed at the trees, dark and menacing, towering over her. A large enclosure surrounded this space, and she had heard tell from Kabuto san that this was where Naruto, Sasuke and the other chunin had taken their own chunin exams, though at the time with the disaster at the fights and the Hokage's death, only the one known as Shikamaru had succeeded in becoming a chunin…because of, what was it? She strained her memory, because he had a big head? Maybe a big brain? She failed. It wasn't important anyway.

Mitzuki turned quickly as she heard approaching footsteps. Surprised, she started as she saw the sheer number of people approaching. Of course Momoko had returned with an ecstatic Gai, bounding in her wake, Kakashi was back leading the two chunin teachers she immediately recognised from the previous passing; Kurenai, a lady with flowing black hair, which curled and waved in cascades about her face, with full red lips, eyes of a similar colour, and her white black outfit, which hugged her figure perfectly, and a tanned man, named Asuma, constantly with a cigarette in his mouth and a trademark beard, the standard Jonin vest and a slight smile on his face. She presumed that they along with Gai and Kakashi were the judges. Both nodded politely to Mitzuki, who bowed immediately, earning a laugh from the chunin teams. She didn't get it though, what was there to laugh at from respect? Maybe they weren't punished at a lack of...

Team Gai was there of course, all too close for Momoko's taste it seemed, as she kept walking in an oddly diagonal direction, away from a smiling Lee, cheerful TenTen and indifferent Neji, one of the few who hadn't laughed. Lee, bowl cut and eyebrows ever in tact and TenTen, dark haired with pretty features, smiled at her, as Neji, composed and distinguished nodded, which she returned.

Then there was Team 7, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. Sakura and Sasuke…Though her interest in him had waned a little since the incident where he had left to go to Orochimaru, she still maintained that her love was alive and bubbling below the surface, and kept glancing at him with a warm smile. Naruto still seemed as fond of her as ever, as he kept asking her, "Ne, ne, Sakura chan, isn't it cool, we get to help Mitzuki chan in her exam. Isn't it, Sakura chan, ne? Ne?" Her temperament seemed to have improved as she hit him after the 10th repetition, rather than the first.

Team 10, was a group led by Asuma. A blond haired girl with pastel blue eyes walked confidently towards the enclosure with a look which obviously said she had many memories of this place, Yamanaka Ino. Akimichi Choji seemed to be engrossed in the packet of crisps held in his hands, though proved he was aware of his surroundings as he neatly sidestepped a small rock in his path. A rock which Naruto, walking behind him failed to notice and tripped over. Nara Shikamaru, who had, up to that point been gazing at the clouds above, looked at Naruto with a look of sympathy, but kept quiet, it was after all too troublesome to get involved.

Team 8, made of Hyuga Hinata, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba, was less known to her, though they seemed a nice bunch. Hinata was a quiet girl with pale purple tinted eyes, and a serene smile gracing her face; it made Mitzuki warm just to look at her. Shino also appeared quiet, though not due to shyness; he had dark sunglasses and a stern face and appeared as though laughter was a foreign luxury. Kiba looked like the live spark in their team. A wolf grin spread across his face, with slit like eyes and a cheerful outgoing personality, Mitzuki squealed as she saw the small puppy poking its head out of his jacket. Though she had already met these people yesterday, she had paid more attention to Naruto and Sasuke to know them well, and so surprised herself when she ran to Kiba and scooped Akamaru out of his jacket.

"Oh you must be Akamaru," she cooed stroking his small furry head with her fingers, "aww aren't you the most adorable thing ever? Yes you are, yes you are." Akamaru barked cheerfully and planted his damp nose on her hand. Smiling she continued stroking him in delight.

Kiba, though, initially startled, grinned at Mitzuki, "well you have good taste, Akamaru really is one of the best ninja dogs around. Sure there's a lot at home, but this guy, he's special. We spend all our time together and he's my best buddy, ne Akamaru?" Akamaru barked his agreement. Mitzuki looked at Kiba eyes sparkling,

"You mean you actually live with dogs, just like him?"

Kiba nodded, uncertain. Mitzuki jumped and leaned forwards, face close to his,

"I love animals, puppies- kitties – bunnies, anything! Please, please, please show me them one day."

Kiba blushed lightly at their close proximity, but nodded, and was saved when Akamaru tilted his head cutely. Too much for Mitzuki, she hugged him close declaring she'd never let him go.

The whole group turned to one another unsure. Was this girl really a ninja? It looked doubtful. Only the jonins looked knowing, Kakashi and Gai exchanged darkly significant looks: their act was pretty good, it almost fooled them that these girls were from a destroyed village and not Orochimaru, no wonder the chunin were at a loss.

It was Momoko who finally burst Mitzuki's bubble. Tired already from spending her time with Gai, and then being ambushed by the mini Gai tornado, known as Rock Lee, she had endured the "fruits of an eternally beautiful friendship" between the three of them, and of course enjoyed her dash for survival as the two chased her with the aptly dubbed "suit of eternal suffering". She had come here in a light sweat, and had not suffered the tantrums of the 'Caterpillar Brigade' to sit here and watch Mitzuki declare everlasting love for all things living and green…it brought back too many unpleasant memories, and had to be stopped.

"Mitzuki chan," she said, walking to stand above her kneeling, puppy hugging friend, and stuffing her hands in her pockets she dropped the bombshell, steeling herself. "Mitzuki chan, you see, you have to let go of the dog."

"Huh, why?" Mitzuki looked suspicious.

"Well Kiba's gonna need him for the exam, and besides, there's no way you can use your weapons and junk, while holding that fur ball."

Mitzuki looked crestfallen, but Momoko could see that she had seen sense. Slowly the grip relaxed on the furry body, and with a deep breath Mitzuki stood, fringe covering her eyes. Oh no, thought Momoko, here come the water works.

Mitzuki raised her head…and revealed an unnaturally happy smile, which made Momoko cringe. The sugar sweetness meant that Mitzuki was angry, and very upset. Those guys had better watch out, she thought with a sigh.

"Well then, let's get started, shall we, senseis?"

----------

"Kamio Mitzuki, your opponents for this first part of the exam will be the members of Team 8; your aim is to reach the large building at the centre of this complex. Within you will find a scroll marked with a red dot and two lines. You are to return this scroll to this same position, the south, and are not to look inside there will be consequences if you do so. If you give up or find yourself in trouble, use your knowledge to send a distress signal." Kurenai rolled up the scroll she had been reading from.

Gai looked around, unusually serious,

"Have you, or anyone else, any questions?"

Mitzuki nodded. "Are Team 8 to be given a head start into the enclosure, and if so, how long?"

Asuma smiled; the cigarette bobbing as he spoke, "Good point, yes, they will be given a ten minute head start to set traps and attempt to plan the route you will take."

Kurenai looked over at Team 8, "I would like to remind all of you, that this is also a test of your own abilities. Use this as a chance to improve them."

"Hai sensei!"

Kakashi surveyed the group for a moment. "I suppose that's all the questions, now-" He almost let out a sigh as he saw Naruto wave his hand in the air. "Yes, Naruto…?"

"Ne, ne sensei, are we all supposed to just sit here? Can't we go watch them?"

Kakashi nodded, "Yes I suppose that's alright, as long as you don't interfere with either the team or the entrant, or distract them in anyway. This is to be an unbiased event, ok?"

"Hai sensei!" they chimed.

Momoko rolled her eyes. She looked at Mitzuki and smiled, "Good luck yeah?" She winked.

"Arrigatou, Momoko chan," smiled Mitzuki, returning the wink, "It'll be a piece of cake."

"I'm sure it will," muttered Momoko darkly, as Kakashi announced the exams start and the gate was thrown open.

----------

The wind whistled past her ears and though it was dark, her eyes had become accustomed to the meagre light so her movement was precise and graceful. Landing on a branch she concealed herself in its leafy canopy, to take a short breather and get her bearings. She had been travelling in here for about 5 minutes, she estimated, and that meant that Team 8 had had 15 minutes in which to familiarise themselves and prepare. She hadn't encountered any traps so far, and could easily sense their movements a short distance away. Her plan was simple, so as not to resort to actual combat she would sense their chakra and just avoid going where they had gone. If it meant that her route would be slightly longer, so be it. She glanced about and sensed the presence of the watching examiners and chunin. She tried to block them from her mind. They were a distraction and nothing more. Not at this point in the game anyway.

Taking a breath she powered a small amount of chakra into her hands. Not a lot, but enough to let them know where she was. The chakra began to take a shape, and its colour changed to that of fire. Within moments, she truly was holding flames in her gloved hand. A finely covered bird head emerged from the flames and a beady black eye peered at her curiously. It stretched its wings wide, its wing span growing with the strength and size of the flame. In moments it was the size of a small swan. The sharp curved beak was golden as were the creature's claws, the body was red, gold, orange and purple blue, with flames burning hungrily on the top of its delicate head and along its wings. Its tail was longer than twice the length of its body, and a multitude of brilliant colours from powder blues and pinks, to hues of yellow and orange as fierce as the sun, gorgeous greens and purples, while violet streaks and flames danced about them. A phoenix.

Mitzuki held out her arm in the same way a trainer for a bird of prey would. The bird sat there, claws gripping her skin tight, eyes turned towards her, full of wisdom and understanding. Its eyes, once black, now reflected Mitzuki's sky blue pools of ocean, it cocked it head to the side. The eyes of both suddenly reflected flames, which seemed to consume the whole of the iris, leaving the smouldering clack of the pupil at the centre.

"Natsuyume Hoshi." (Natsuyume Hoshi's name - Translated, the words are: Natsu – Summer, Yume – Dream, Hoshi – Star, so its name would be SummerDream Star)

The phoenix tilted its head very slightly,

"Hoshi chan, distract them, please."

A musical note escaped the bird and in a flap of colours and flames it had flown high, like an arrow through the leafy canopy.

"Don't hurt them though, 'kay?"

In moments it was out of sight. A singular feather floated down amongst the leaves and twigs, gracefully dancing on the air. Smiling lightly Mitzuki plucked it out of the air and continued onwards.

Half an hour later Mitzuki was assuring herself of the direction she was travelling in. She had come from the south, and from what she could tell she was heading in the northerly direction, the right way, luckily. The sun was still to the east, though now coming up higher in the sky, and that was on her right. Considering, she thought of the group of shinobi ahead. Yes, she was definitely safe, but… To play the game right she would have to make contact with the group at some point, despite her original plan of side stepping them, she realised this was better done sooner rather than later. She whistled a melody softly, heard only in a metre radius, and continued increasing her pace.

She moved her head to the side, avoiding a branch obscuring her path, as in a burst of falling leaves; the phoenix reappeared, flying beside her at a perfect pace, the great wings barely flapping, streaks of heat singing the leaves about them.

Mitzuki, looked at her out of the corner of her eye,

"Hoshi chan, I've decided it's probably better I meet them now, play their game, they went to all this trouble after all. Show me the way."

The phoenix blinked once, then veered to the right sharply. Mitzuki followed her course.

"Are there traps?"

A soft tune responded.

"How far ahead?"

A melody of notes.

"About 5 minutes as the phoenix flies, they decided to trap me in the middle of the stretch I see," Mitzuki grinned, "I wonder why…well we shall soon see." She called to the bird ahead of her, "Hoshi chan, go ahead to the building in the centre, I'll go take care of them," an oddly sinister grin crossed her face like a shadow. Catching herself Mitzuki shook her head clear of those unwanted and…cruelly brutal thoughts. This always happens on the missions, damn you Orochimaru samma.

She continued ever forwards like a kunai. Withdrawing her own set and a few strings she smiled. She couldn't kill them, that she knew, she didn't really want to either, but no one said anything about burning them…as long as it wasn't life threatening.

But then again, she smirked darkly; they shouldn't be playing with fire.

The phoenix had gone…

----------

Hinata fumbled with the final trap. It had taken a long time but they were finally done. She wiped a sleeve across her forehead and sighed. She had feared that Mitzuki would have caught up with them by now, but they hadn't seen a trace of her, not yet, though an odd chakra pattern was continuously racing about. It was really distracting and had made the job longer than it usually would have been. It had flared suddenly about a half hour back, then grew and settled at a constant. It moved so fast she hadn't had a chance to use her Byakugan, however…now she felt it approaching fast. She looked towards Shino and Kiba standing on the next branch from her. Yes, they both sensed it too.

"Ano…"

"Hai, Hinata, use the Byakugan; find out what it is, and whether or not it's as dangerous as it feels," interrupted Shino in his calm voice. Kiba tensed as it came closer and Akamaru growled.

Hinata nodded and formed a seal with her hands. She tensed her muscles.

"Byakugan!"

The veins flared on the sides of her eyes, and the pale white of her eyes intensified. She always found it an odd sensation of tingling and tension, she now knew this was the chakra flowing down the veins to her eyes. She concentrated on the approaching chakra signal and narrowed her eyes.

It was close and seemed to be living. The chakra pulses were faster than that of a human as the pulse of the heart was faster. She felt the creature's heart in her veins and searched harder to pinpoint it. Suddenly she saw it. Higher than the tree tops, skimming the small chakra signals of the leaves was what looked like a bird. It had a similar chakra pattern to a bird, and wings and a beak to match. But its size was that of a swan, not a common sight in these areas, and its tail feathers were abnormally long. Its speed too was abnormal, and as most beings have a stronger concentration of chakra near the centre of their bodies, waning on the edges she found it hard to understand why it was even all over the body, even at the tips of the feathers…the only thing that created that phenomenon was…fire. Yes! Fire, where energy burned throughout. Ever changing, as the water, it could in some cases create such an effect, she knew. So that meant that this bird was on fire, not just in terms of speed! But literally!

Breaking her Byakugan, she turned to Shino and Kiba,

"It's a bird, large as a swan, it has long tail feathers, a great wing span, and a strange chakra signal…it seems as though it's on fire."

Kiba stared, "A bird, on fire?"

Shino gazed up "Or…" they turned to look at him, "a fire bird."

Hinata gasped, "Shino, you don't mean a phoenix?"

Shino shrugged and redirected his gaze at her. "I don't know, all I know is – it's plausible."

Seconds after he said that the trees swayed losing some leaves, as a great wind passed overhead. Hinata shivered, leaves danced about them, as the signal grew weaker,

"Do you think it has something to do with Kamio san?"

Kiba smirked, "No doubt about it, that thing's headed to the base," he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, similar to a hitchhiker, "what's the bet that Mitzuki will be here in the next ten minutes following her pretty little bird?"

Hinata looked at Shino, who nodded "Probable; we should get ready." She returned the nod.

"Hai."

Digging into her pouch she succeeded in finding her shuriken and kunai. Positioning themselves around the clearing where the majority of traps had been set, they were well hidden from view. They'd hear her coming if she set off the traps but, all they could do now, not knowing her position, was wait. Wait for the inevitable arrival of Kamio Mitzuki.

----------

Kakashi glanced at Asuma, and they silently agreed. Neither of them had seen such a technique before. Calling a phoenix? Sure there was summoning, just as the three Sannin, had proven, toads, slugs and even snakes of abnormally large sizes could be summoned using a contract, but a lot of spiritual energy was needed to accomplish such a feat, and a seal. These were the basic rules.

They had just seen Mitzuki break these rules. Number one she hadn't create a seal, just poured an amount of chakra into her hand and seemingly created a living being from the fire which had ignited from it. Secondly, it had grown and matured from just a small chick to a fully grown wise creature within the space of just a few minutes. What the Sannin did was summon. Not create life. They transported a being to their exact location so as to use their abilities in battle. It wasn't right.

Kurenai also seemed vaguely unnerved and even Gai stood silent and thoughtful, though this couldn't be said for the other ninja standing on nearby trees. From where he perched on a branch, Naruto's eyes sparkled, it was obvious the next chance he got, he'd be asking Mitzuki how he could do the same. TenTen and Sakura chatted fascinated calling the creature 'beautiful' and 'stunning,' while Lee seemed to share their fascination as he regaled Neji with tales of just what he'd do with such a power. Neji didn't seem to be listening but gazed ahead, a slight frown creasing his forehead. Ino seemed enchanted and stood, hands clasped together, obviously in her own little dream. Choji and Shikamaru exchanged significant glances, and Sasuke seemed a mixture of angry and confused, he didn't like not knowing things that was for sure.

Kakashi concentrated his eyes on Momoko who alone seemed unimpressed by what they had just witnessed. She seemed to have trouble stifling a large yawn and stood rubbing her eyes tiredly. If something like that was easy game for them…just what were they capable of? Breaking his thought Kakashi called to the group,

"We should probably follow, but keep your distance."

Naruto, only two eager leapt forwards at the word "follow," whether he had registered the rest of the sentence was a mystery, though Kakashi highly doubted it.

"Yes, finally! If I stood any there any longer I'd look like Tsunade oba san."

----------

In her office Tsunade clenched her fist and banged it on the desk, hard, knocking over a bottle.

"Damn that Naruto, he had better not be talking about me again!"

She failed to notice the sake slowly sleeping onto the documents in front of her. She was alerted by the shrill battle cry of Shizune,

"Tsunade samma!"

----------

Mitzuki narrowly avoided the swinging log that swept across her path. Stifling a squeak she rushed to catch it before it hit the tree in its course, alerting Team 8 with its wooden echo. Racing it she withdrew a kunai and threw it at the tree in front of it. It sunk into the softest part of the log and tree, giving off barely a sound.

Mitzuki wiped her arm across her forehead, embarrassed.

"Thank Kami…I almost blew it there…"

Silently she cursed her carelessness and looked back at her original path. She could tell there was a clearing just ahead, and if there was a trap here… well she could almost be grateful for setting it off, now she knew where they were and could leap in prepared… she wouldn't admit it, but she had almost leapt straight into it unknowing. She just couldn't stand Momoko's teasing if that had happened. She shook her head trying to erase Momoko's voice already taunting her in her mind.

She growled. This was it.

She took one branch, and then jumped to the next, then the next, the thickest part of the trees just before the clearing was right ahead. If she went through the rustling noise would be almost unbearably to a shinobi's highly trained ears. They'd know, they'd be ready. Well, it was now or never. With a final jump she passed through the cloak of leaves, which hit her face in their thousands before she made it through, resisting the natural urge to close her eyes. Consequently she felt a slight tingle in her eye where some dirt had entered, but better that than risk her life.

Light, momentarily blinded her, and she felt a kunai whiz by her left knee. Blinking once and sight regained, she sensed more closing in, the air whistling off their smoothed edges, deadly. Rolling forward in the air she knew they'd miss, she stretched her arms out as though flying; lifting her head she spied the trees around the clearing. Perfect. Kunai in hand she threw one, then another and then another six or so sprayed forth like a barrage from her hands as she spread her arms wide, like wings. They hit their marks perfectly. No, not human flesh, but the bark of the eight trees at different locations around the clearing, the points sinking deep into the bark.

She heard a gasp. She smirked, it was feminine. It was Hinata. Her highly trained ears combined with her sharp eyes pinpointed the source. Barely visible Hinata sat concealed in a tree 10 degrees to the right of her field of vision.

She didn't know Mitzuki had seen her, but the sound of a shuriken whistling through the air, aimed at her was a bit of a give away. Resisting the urge to turn and run, a crucial mistake, she concentrated her hand into a seal.

"Byakugan!"

Barely seconds to spare she knocked it away, a sigh escaping her lips. Not fun. She then saw Mitzuki giving her the thumbs up sign as gravity drew her to earth again.

"Not bad, Hinata chan, that would have hit a normal ninja no doubt, but your special, I guess."

Flattered by the comment, Hinata forgot where she was, and stuttered a quiet, "Arrigatou, Mitzuki san." Kiba, disbelieving, leapt from his hiding spot, a few metres to Mitzuki's left.

"Hinata, this is not the time to be thanking her! Remember where you are!"

Mitzuki smirked.

Shino shook his head, baka, he fell for it.

Not only had he given himself away, he'd trapped himself.

----------

Before he knew it Kiba found himself tangled in strong, steel like string. At first confused, he realised seconds later that they had been tied to the kunai Mitzuki had thrown minutes earlier. Even now he couldn't see them due to their width, but now he knew they were there…

Mitzuki jumped, up and landed on one of the strings, one which also happened to be wound tightly around his right arm. The added weight made the string pull tighter, and despite the thickness of his jacket he began to feel the pain of its pressure. He winced slightly. Akamaru, sitting within his coat was also trapped and growled, whether at the predicament they were in, or his master's mistake, only Akamaru knew.

Mitzuki walked towards him, arms folded, with the balance of a tight rope walker, still smirking, a dark hint of cruelty flashed across her face, causing Kiba to shiver. She bent down when she reached him, she then smiled sincerely, smirk gone, cruelty vanishing,

"Not the best move ace."

Kiba frowned, struggling to turn his face away as she squatted next to him. Here was the torture part he thought bitterly, not literally, but she'd totally rub it in his face.

"Don't patronise me."

"Hey, don't worry about it, things like this happen, just be grateful I don't intend to kill you, not with Akamaru chan there anyway."

Kiba suddenly noticed a slight movement. Marching silently towards them on the invisible wires were tiny insects. It had to be Shino. Kiba almost breathed a sigh of relief, but instead hoped nothing had shown on his face. Best keep her talking; give Shino and his little critters time to work.

"So, um, how can you know exactly where these things are anyway?"

Mitzuki tilted her head, looking rather cute, like a little girl. "Huh? Eto….ah! You mean the wires? Well that's kinda simple. Just look down."

Kiba shifted his head and succeeded in seeing a fraction of the ground. Thin shadows ran across it, the shadows of the wires many metres above. He looked back up,

"Oh, I see, pretty clever…eheh heh."

Mitzuki started to shift as though embarrassed, while ever so slowly the insects were making their way closer.

"Kiba, you're just flattering me now, and it won't work! I'm soo not gonna let you go. By the way, you shouldn't be looking there."

Kiba, trying to shift his head ever so slightly to get a better view of the insects, jumped thinking she had cottoned on.

"I um, I …"

"Hentai san, stop it now."

"Sorry I-" wait a second, "Hentai" san? What did she mean? Realisation spread through him at an incredible speed, but not as fast as his blush. He now realised that he had a clear view of her underwear, and by craning his head it must have looked as though he'd been trying to get a better look.

"I wasn't – I didn't, - I swear I don't do that sort of stuff, I mean-" flustered and stuttering he had no idea what to do.

Mitzuki smiled and began to lean forwards, her face coming closer, ever so much closer. He tried to squirm, but found he couldn't move, he was frozen rock solid. Mitzuki's breath tickled his ear,

"So Kiba kun, I guess you now know why I wear this short skirt, huh? I learnt a long time ago that men can be easily distracted, and that includes shinobi, so I just play to my strengths." Her voice was slow and like a purr, his blush deepened. "Oh, I better tell you now, I know all about those bugs," Kiba's heart missed a beat, mind racing, she knew? "You were just the bait for my plan Hentai san, and now it's time. Make sure to scream real loud, 'kay? Or I'll tell all your friends about your ways, Hentai san." She pecked him lightly on the nose, drew away and stood up suddenly. Forming a seal, she took a deep breath.

His mind dull from a sudden information overload, never a good thing, he managed to register that the seal and the phrase didn't coincide, but he was left to wander as the flames rushed along the wires from all directions towards him.

"Katon: Karyū Endan!"

----------

Mitzuki dashed towards her goal as shouts of "Kiba!" echoed behind her. Scared for their friend both Shino and Hinata had come out into the open, mission forgotten and were trying to help their comrade. Mitzuki tried hard not to giggle as she rushed past the final lining of trees about 15 minutes later. They would have realized by now, she knew it, that the seal and what she said weren't the same. What had supposedly been the "Fire Dragon Flame Missile" technique was nothing more than a subdued Ryūka no Jutsu, or "Dragon Fire" technique, combined with a little illusion in the form of a genjutsu, and it was enough to make the victim, and those in the surroundings believe that he was being burned alive. In reality the flames were so minute and weak they'd barely tickle his skin. If there was one thing she was proud of, it was her ability to control fire. She could make it as hot as the inside of a volcano, or as gentle as a trickle of water on the skin, depending on the situation.

She stopped outside the large building, before the entrance, and smiled when she saw the phoenix, casting a shivering light about the grass creating a dappled effect. Really quite beautiful...

"Hoshi chan!"

The phoenix circled lower and then fluttered just above her head.

"I'm gonna go inside and get the scroll, I should only be a few minutes, but I need you to keep an eye out for Team 8, you know, those three you saw earlier. By now they'll probably have realised what I did, and they'll be coming with a vengeance no doubt. If they come warn me, 'kay?"

Natsuyume Hoshi nodded its head softly as they parted ways. One through the doors into the darkness within; the other to continue her endless flight above.

----------

"Argh! It's burning me! Burning me! Help! Help!"

Kiba writhed on the ground, as Akamaru sat beside him, once just as scared, now completely bored. The flames had succeeded in cutting the wires a short time ago.

Hinata knelt beside him looking slightly embarrassed, whilst Shino standing a short distance away, echoed Akamaru's feelings. At first both had been terrified at the thought of losing their friend, but after seven minutes of "burning" they noticed that he didn't seem to actually be burning. Shino had suspected a genjutsu and was the first to form a seal and dispel the technique. Hinata had followed suit, and now both marvelled at the size of the actual fire. It was noting more than the size of a match flame, it even seemed to be contained by chakra, and so couldn't grow or spread.

Deciding to put him out of his misery, Hinata dispelled the illusion, Kiba starting in surprise.

"Huh? What the -?"

"Ano, Kiba kun, it was an illusion, you see that's the real fire." Hinata pointed.

Kiba glanced down at the small merry flame on his coat. It seemed to mock him. Slowly he turned red; embarrassment has that effect after all.

"Um, Kiba, it's okay, you see we were fooled too," said the soft-spoken Hinata.

Kiba kept his gaze focused on a small stone in front of him as he sat up. His mind was numb with disappointment, how could he have been tricked like that? Not only had she called him "Hentai san" but she'd also made him a laughing stock – wait a second…

Kiba's head snapped up suddenly. Hinata jumped and looked at him worried; Shino's attention had also been caught.

"She called me a hentai!"

The shout caused a casual flock of roosting birds to take flight from the nearby trees. Hinata exchanged a glance with Shino, unsure of what to do. Shino shook his head,

"We should carry on, maybe we'll be able to salvage this mission, after this um, mistake," he stated, unusually kind.

Sadly it wasn't going to be Kiba's day, as not far away in the trees at the edge of the clearing, an orange clad shinobi, held his sides from laughter.

----------

Sadly for Team 8, they arrived too late at the destination, Mitzuki had already left, and with such a great head start, for a team specialised in surveillance and traps, there was little they could do. Mitzuki had taken a different route, and would already have the scroll.

They returned to the entrance where they found the main group of shinobi waiting, Mitzuki with them. She didn't gloat, but congratulated them.

"You see, you guys really are good, but as Momoko chan and I have had to travel around a lot we've been in those sorts of situations every day, while you have to wait for missions. Besides it was only luck anyway, if I hadn't seen Kiba looking at – those insects – heh heh, I would have been a goner, I'm sure Shino would have seen to that."

She gave them a sincere smile, to assure them she wasn't mocking. Hinata returned it with a timid,

"Ano, you were very good Mitzuki san."

"Arrigatou Hinata chan, but call me Mitzuki chan, san makes me feel old." The Jonin cringed at this statement, if sixteen was old, they were ancient…

Naruto sidled up to Kiba, a large grin plastered on his face. Kiba stiffened.

"Hey, Hentai san."

A vein rose at Kiba's temple. Naruto didn't seem to succeed in reading the warning signs, and continued to probe,

"Ne, ne Hentai san, why did she call you Hentai san? Hentai san, that's funny, I never knew you were a hentai, Kiba. Ne, Ne, Hentai san what was it like -?"

With a great force Kiba brought his fist down on Naruto's head with a loud crash. Naruto toppled over in a daze, as Gai smiled,

"Now, now Kiba, don't knock him out just yet, he's needed in the next exam."

Mitzuki laughed softly and caught Kiba's eye, remembering their position earlier he blushed lightly as she winked at him, and turned to Momoko giving her a high five. Akamaru shook his head, humans…

Gai turned to Mitzuki who was being congratulated by Momoko. Resisting the urge to pull his "Momo chan" into a bone crushing hug, he tried and failed to put his attention on Mitzuki,

"Keep that scroll safe, if you pass the next part of the exam, as I know Momoko chan will, you can read it."

Mitzuki tilted her head, is he talking to me? I mean he's looking at Momoko and he mentioned her name so…She looked questioningly at Kurenai, the closest Jonin, and mouthed, is he talking to me? Kurenai nodded with a smile, it troubled her slightly as despite what she'd been told, they both seemed like good girls…it was very…misleading.

Mitzuki looked up as Asuma cleared his throat.

"Well then shall we carry on? We still have one more exam after this part."

Kakashi nodded, "Team 7, you're up."

Sakura smiled and shook hands with Mitzuki, Sasuke smirked and nodded, and a recovered Naruto punched the air.

"Yeah! Man this is gonna be sweet! It's my turn to rock!"

----------

The arena was to be the outside of the enclosure, so as to allow a minimal amount of time between this exam and Momoko's. It would extend within the local vicinity, including the patches of vegetation, but there was to be no entering of the enclosure itself, or the buildings in the area. Any weapons could be used; Mitzuki was glad she'd have access to her sword, and returned it with its sheath to her belt smiling.

Mitzuki didn't have to actually win the fight against Team 7, just prove her abilities to the four judges and convince them that she deserved the rank of Chunin. The exam would last up to ten minutes. It sounded easy enough, but for one of Orochimaru's soldiers it was hard to refrain from killing let alone not winning. It just wasn't in the mind frame after years of training. This may prove to be difficult, more so for Momoko who, though usually calm, when rattled found it hard not to give way to a terrible temper, maybe it was good that she would be the one facing Sasuke – he'd rattle Momoko in seconds.

"When you're ready," goaded Sasuke, standing, arms folded, with Naruto and Sakura beside an abandoned shed, or something. He smirked, "Hey, we may even let you have the first shot if you want. Seeing as there's just one of you."

Mitzuki clenched her fist as a vein flared in her temple. He was trying to get her mad, that much was clear, but she had to calm down, not just for his sake but for hers. Killing one of Orochimaru samma's most wanted accessories wouldn't be cool.

"Eto, there's a cloud just there," she pointed at the sky where a fluffy white cloud floated along on the wind's current, "it's gonna pass over the sun any second now, and when the first light of the sun is seen after, we begin. That ok with you?"

A nod. Mitzuki decided this was a yes from the whole team, and turned on the spot, reabsorbing the surroundings into her mind's eye. Then she felt the cold from the cloud finally obscuring the sun's light, the shadow passed lazily overhead. The tension grew, as it does before a fight, or perhaps merely a violent storm and hands reached for weapons, muscles tightened, eyes locked on targets. Seconds before the first rays cleared the cloud, a thought entered Mitzuki's mind: they had already witnessed some of her techniques, and she had no idea of their fighting style as a team…damn. She'd have to keep her mind clear if she wanted to outwit them, and not be forced to resort to more dangerous techniques.

"Man, this is so troublesome…"

----------

The instant the sun's first ray hit the ground, Mitzuki formed a seal. Various weapons had, at that second, flown, trained at her. Not nice. Inches from impact, they were forced to continue their course as they passed harmlessly through a cloud of snow white feathers, with hues of pink and orange at their tips.

Naruto grinned, "That's pretty cool."

Mitzuki, crouched in her position behind the shed, felt a slight wave of relief: despite numbers, she now had the element of surprise and she was only too happy to use it.

Like sitting ducks

The three shinobi attempted to run for cover as they realised what she was doing: Mitzuki had leapt from behind the rotten shed performing the seal for Katon: Karyū Endan, as the flames poured from her mouth. Sasuke turned and performed the same seal. The flames from both attacks were at a similar strength, cancelling each other out. In a cloud of hot ash that followed, both Mitzuki and Team 7 had succeeded in hiding themselves from view.

Mitzuki took a breath. She wanted to up the fire level, she always took it as a personal insult when she met another fire user who thought they could best her, and today was no exception. While pondering her next move she heard breathing behind her, slowly she turned her head.

"That was too close, dattebayo, Sasuke baka should watch where he's aiming that thing, and he singed my pants! I-" Slowly Naruto turned his head, meeting a pair of eyes as blue as his own.

There was a shocked silence. Then –

"Argh!!!"

"Eeeek!!!"

Mitzuki and Naruto burst forth from behind the small building, to the dismay of the watching shinobi.

Now in the open there was nothing to do but regain themselves and fight. Not knowing where his team mates where, Mitzuki realized she'd have to knock Naruto out, or distract him if she was to gain the upper hand in anyway. Her hand quickly performed the necessary seals, but Naruto had already kicked the game off with an old favourite.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Mitzuki found herself staring at five Narutos; all smiling the same annoying smile.

"Pretty cool, Naruto," forming the final seal she smirked, "Kaze no Yaiba! I'm pretty blown away, seriously!" She had drawn her arms back and flapped them like wings, forming a powerful gust of wind, combined with strength of a blade; the Narutos were blown back, the clones bursting into puffs of smoke.

Naruto landed unceremoniously on the earth. He sat up, slightly dazed and smiled,

"Well, I guess it worked then." His eyes reflected what stood behind her, and turning with a gasp Mitzuki saw Sasuke sprinting towards her with a powered up chidori. She swore and unsheathed her sword in a fluid motion, holding it high above her head. Sasuke had that annoying smirk again; she didn't like it and frowned deeply.

"Now, now, girls shouldn't be using that kind of language should they?"

"Tch, like you don't." Standing stock still she merely adjusted her sword positioned over her head, waiting. Drawing back his hand, he was ready to strike as a harsh light, burning white made him stop wincing. The sun's light had been reflected in the sword's sharp edge, leaving him momentarily blinded. He swore. Mitzuki took this chance to back away as far as she could, eyes never leaving his face.

"Heh, see I told you."

Which reminds me, an extra pair of eyes would be useful, Naruto and Sakura won't stay quiet for long, with that she started pouring chakra into the sword, eyes still concentrated on Sasuke. Any second now he'd be coming again, she had to hurry. This method was far faster than the first, which she had demonstrated in the forest, with her sword she could now, pinpoint the energy faster. Ready, she thrust her sword into the earth, a burst of flame erupting from the impact. That was it, Sasuke had recovered there wasn't time left.

She tugged and the sword's tip left the earth, in time for her to counter his attack briefly, the chidori resting on the sword, as she held it in front of her face. If only he wasn't taller…she didn't like having the enemy pushing down on you, it made it look as though they really were above you. However, being below, she could borrow the earth's strength… With a great push she succeeded in making him stumble ever so slightly, enough to give her the space to run…

Anyuuu, so embarrassing…this isn't my most graceful fight, no doubt…Momoko doesn't care about that sort of stuff…but…

"Eeeek, what am I thinking? I forgot! The keyword!" She glanced at the small flame, "Kaze, koe." (Breeze, whisper) The flame burst into life, and immediately Natsuyume, the phoenix stood in its place, fully grown. "Just watch them for me Hoshi chan," she looked behind her, Sasuke was coming again, "soo not cool!" She added as she formed a seal just in time. Feathers replaced her once more, and the chidori was smashed angrily into the earth, the force from the impact left a large crater. Ouch, that would have hurt…

She heard someone clear their throat, and narrowly missed a punch aimed at her head. Sakura smiled.

"Nyuu…I guess this is far from over huh?" She frowned, having resorted to cat like 'nyuu's and 'anyuu' was something she did out of habit. It made her look cute and weak in front of the enemy... soooo not cool!

Sakura's smile widened, "It sure is."

"Anyuuu…"

----------

This was getting harder; Team 7's team work was beginning to show. While Naruto kept her busy with shadow clones, while being kept busy himself by the annoyed phoenix pecking at the back of his head, Sakura threw numerous kunai and shuriken keeping, Mitzuki on her toes, while Sasuke insisted on trying to knock her head clear of her shoulders as he went in for close range results with his chidori.

If she couldn't kill them there wasn't a lot she could do… she had been trained to kill, not to act, but… this called for something which could take them out, a big attack, but one which she had to make look convincing to have taken her chakra supplies. She wasn't an actress, but now was as good a time as any, right? She wasn't enjoying this anymore.

Now or never…

"Hoshi chan! Defence!"

The phoenix left her pursuit of Naruto and flew above Mitzuki's head. Suddenly it stopped flapping and descended. About a metre above her head it stopped body unmoving, eyes turning and unreal blue, a mystical unearthly music began as a light blue barrier encircled Mitzuki. Kunai and shuriken, even the chidori would take some time, nothing could penetrate the shimmering blue at this point. The members of Team 7 moved closer, trying to use their combined strength to succeed, while all the while Mitzuki was forming seals at an incredible rate.

It's working, at this distance I can get 'em all

Taking a deep breath she signalled Natsuyume to hold the barrier, this way the attack would only knock them out. By being forced to break the barrier only about 10, would survive to hit the shinobi, a perfect amount to make them lose consciousness.

"Katon: Sora Hikari!"

A great wind formed like a tornado, a bright light shining from its centre. It happened too fast, one moment it was struggling with the barrier, next it had burst through with an explosive force that sent Team 7 off their feet, through the air. The barrier had burst at three decided points. In front of each shinobi, Natsuyume had made the barrier slightly weaker, so the ever building pressure found the weakest points to break, and at precise angles, a small amount of energy was aimed directly at each of their temples. Barely enough to flick someone in the nose with, this pressure to the temple, nonetheless made each collapse on the ground in a heap.

Time to act Mitzuki thought. She fell to her knees breathing heavily, and wiped her forehead with her sleeve. Natsuyume disappeared in a flash of fire; Mitzuki added a bit of shuddering for effect. While in reality barely any of her chakra was gone, this looked better for show.

"Anyuu…. I'm tired."

They bought it.

Ino grinned, "After that, I'm not surprised, well done!"

"Yeah that was really cool!" Cheered an ever happy TenTen, "How'd you do it?"

Mitzuki plastered a tired grin on her face and struggled to her feet; she shrugged, and made her way over. "Not sure. But at any rate they should be waking up at any minute." She glanced at the Jonin, "Um, did I pass?"

They exchanged looks. Kakashi smiled through his mask, eye creasing, "We'll give the results after Momoko's exam."

"Ah, that's nice," Mitzuki sat on the floor, playing exhaustion on her features. She caught Momoko's eye and winked, I deserve an Oscar for this, "Good luck Momoko chan!"

Momoko grinned and shook her head, luck? I don't need it.

----------

Chapter 7 - Part One by Kamio Mitzuki

A word from the author

Man that's a lot of writing. I haven't written anything since the last chapter, so the creativity and stuff is lacking, besides, 22 pages is a lot to write for someone like me. Maybe after I post part two, I'll have had time to get the flow again. It's coming soon, so look out for it!

Anyuuu, I have to write more…Momoko chan soo totally owes me,

Hugs and Huggles from,

Mitzuki