"You nervous, Kaira?" Kimiko asked, looking at Kaira, who was leading them into the building. Kaira shook her head confidently. "Why not?"
"I know we'll all pass." Kaira gave confidence to her teammates. Zai grinned and closed his eyes and Kimiko smiled. "Isn't that right, Mei?" Kaira asked, cuddling against Mei.
"So, where to, Kimiko?" Zai asked, opening his eyes again and going back to his blank face. Kimiko took looked around as they started going up stairs.
"Room 301." Kimiko replied.
"Where's that at?" Kaira asked. Zai shrugged and crossed his arms and Kimiko ran around, checking every door they saw.
"Not this one." Kimiko said, going to another door. "Or this on either." She ran farther and farther away from Kaira and Zai. "Or this one." Kaira grinned at Kimiko. "Not this one either."
"Kimiko sure is a handful." Zai sighed, shaking head and putting his hand to his forehead. Kaira looked back at Zai and smiled.
"But she's fun to have around; beside, she's strong." Kaira said, her smiled fading and becoming dark when she said the last sentence.
"I agree, but I just have a feeling she'll put us into danger." Zai said. Kaira bobbed her head to the left, then the right side. Zai does know Kimiko better than Kaira and it seems as though Kimiko brings Zai a lot of trouble, but she's sure Kimiko won't be a problem now. "If danger does come to us, I'll protect you, Kaira." Zai muttered. Kaira looked back at him again and smiled.
"Really? I'd appreciate that, Zai." She replied, completely misunderstanding what he was trying to say. He sighed and gave up. They saw Kimiko run up some stairs, but now she was running back down them.
"I found it~" Kimiko sang and jumped up and down. Kaira felt relieved as she and Zai started running for Kimiko. "There's a big crowd of kids up there though."
"A crowd?" Zai repeated. Kimiko nodded and showed them the room and the huge crowd. As soon as they got up there, they saw someone falling to the ground.
They saw two kids blocking the door, guessing they punched the kid.
"What the-?" Kimiko asked, taking a step forward, but stopped when Kaira pulled her back and shook her head.
"Zai?" Kaira asked, turning back to him. He nodded and put his hands together and closed his eyes to concentrate. The two guards started talking, but Kaira and Kimiko were too far back to hear anything, plus they were a little distracted by the other angry kids.
"Hey, look, Kaira, it's Sasuke and his squad." Kimiko said, signaling for Sasuke, who was standing near the front. Kaira turned away and looked at Zai. Did she just ignore Sasuke for Zai!
Kaira had to worry about her teammate, plus, Sasuke looked fine in that crowd. Zai finally opened his eyes and Kaira patted his back.
"These are two are actually Jounin using genjutsu on these gullible genin." Zai explained by whispering into Kaira's ear. She nodded with each word her said. Kimiko crossed her arms and huffed over to them. "They're trying to see who'd give up so easily."
"So this isn't the real room 301?" Kaira spoke softly. Zai shook his head.
"It's over there, at the end of the hall." Zai said, signaling for the left hallway.
"Shall we go, then?" Kaira asked, stepping up and being the leader of the squad. Kimiko straightened up and Zai nodded, this time actually smiling. The twins accept Kaira as their leader. Mei trotted over to the left hallway and led them. It appears like Mei is the leader. Kaira and the twins snuck away from the crowd to make sure no one else caught on. "Phase ½, completed!"
"½?" Kimiko questioned. Zai smirked and put his hand on his sister's shoulder.
"We got past an illusion before the actual exam." Zai clarified. "Kaira's saying we've improved, right, Kaira?" Kaira nodded and Mei meowed. "Hey, Kimiko, I noticed the scratch Mei gave you didn't heal yet." Kimiko jumped and pulled away from Zai's hand.
"O-Of course it didn't! It's only been three weeks." Kimiko huffed.
"Shouldn't they have healed by then?" Zai asked more himself than Kimiko.
"Meoww."
"It's okay, I forgive you, Mei." Kimiko smiled at Mei. "Speaking of cuts…"
"Hm?" Kaira hummed. Kimiko shook her head, dropping the subject.
"Never mind~" Kimiko sang. They kept going down the hallway, but heard noises behind them. "Looks like the other students figured it out." Kimiko stated, watching some squads run past them.
"Doesn't matter; it's just more people we'll beat out." Kaira smiled. Zai and Kimiko nodded. This is the Kaira they've known for the past three weeks, during missions and intense training.
They finally reached the real room 301 and they all took a deep breath. Kaira walked forward and opened the door. "Geez, you two are frozen or something." Kaira shook her head, seeing Kimiko shiver. Kaira walked in and the twins followed. As they walked in, they saw many other teams, sitting down, glaring at them, the newcomers.
"Can we sit down, Kaira? These glares are starting to give me cold feet." Kimiko said, whispering to Kaira.
"Being scared of others won't do you any good, Kimi." Kaira laughed. Zai pulled Kimiko back from Kaira. "Fine." She turned away and started walking along wall, but they didn't move much. Kimiko started getting scared from all the eyes on her. Maybe they've never seen a ninja like her? She was pretty unique, you could say. Or maybe just because she looked weak.
The doors opened and more students kept pouring, gaining the attention that squad 9 once had. After the room was almost filled, squad 7 came walking in. Kaira smiled and leaned against the wall when she saw Sasuke.
Hm? Ah, Shika! Kimiko thought, seeing Shikamaru, Chouji, and Ino walk towards squad 7. When did they come into room 301? Maybe they came in while Kimiko, Zai, and Kaira weren't watching, who knows. Kimiko pointed towards team 7 and team 10 and Kaira shook her head.
"We're here on business, not to socialize." Kaira lectured. Kimiko frowned and did her puppy-dog face. Kaira quickly looked away, realizing that, in the past 3 weeks, Kimiko has a strong puppy-dog look.
"Kaira's right, Kimiko." Zai cut in, stepping in front of Kaira. Zai was one of the few who could resist Kimiko's face. Kimiko then pouted and crossed her arms.
"No fair, Zai! Of course you'd take Kaira's side." Kimiko ranted. Zai looked back at Kaira, who nodded her thanks. Just then, Kaira looked up and saw team 8 approaching the other two teams.
"Y'know what? Never mind, you're right, Kimiko. Talking to our friends would relax us." Kaira finally said. Kimiko stared at Kaira, then looked at the other 9 rookies.
Ooh I see what she's talking about. Kimiko grinned, happily skipping over to the rookies. Zai and Kaira quickly followed behind their cheerful teammate. "Shika!" Kimiko called, going straight to Shikamaru.
"Oh, you guys are here too?" Shikamaru asked, looking past Kimi and at Zai and Kaira, who waved. Kimiko nodded enthusiastically. Shikamaru then saw Team 6 enter the room and he walked away from Kimiko and towards them.
What the-? Kimiko thought. Oh, hey! It's that girl from the other day! Uh, what was her name again? Ah! Yamouri Kesaki! Kimiko looked at Yamouri, walking back to the group with Shikamaru. Hm? Kimiko looked past Yamouri and saw the rest of team 6, going to find a seat. Huh. Who's that? Kimiko asked, starring at Neji Hyuuga. He's so….mysterious.
"Hi, Kiba." Kaira greeted, stopping right by him. Hinata was startled by how Kaira just fit between them. Kiba looked over and smiled at Kaira.
What's going on here! All the other rookies thought in their heads. That's right, they don't know about the time Kiba helped Kaira and the beginning of their small friendship. At least they don't have the urge to knock each other out anymore. Well, it's not as huge of an urge.
"Oh, no." Shikamaru sighed, putting his hands in his pocket. Kimiko cocked her head to the side. What Shikamaru saw, was that Ino was grinning as she looked at Kaira and Kiba.
"Ooh, what's this?" Ino asked in a mocking tone. She looked at the tiny area of space that Kaira and Kiba had between them. Kaira noticed that Ino was talking about her, so she took a step forward.
"Shut up, Ino." Kaira hissed, making the atmosphere tense. "You always get rejected by Sasuke, and now you're trying to act like you know something? You don't know anything." Ino glared at Kaira, who just smirked. Sakura was standing to the right of Kaira, whereas Ino was to the left. Sakura was trying to hold back a laugh. Kaira noticed and directed her attention to Sakura. "Something funny, Sakura? I think it's funny how you try to act superior to Ino when you're even worse. Sasuke only pays attention to you because you're on his squad. Nothing else. If you weren't on his squad, he'd treat you the same way as he treats Ino." Kaira huffed, crossing her arms smugly.
Bold. Taking them both on. Shikamaru thought.
Is she suicidal! Kimiko yelled in her head.
It seems I like her more and more. Kiba laughed in his mind.
"What did-"
"You say!"
Both Ino and Sakura leaped for Kaira, who didn't even flinch. As soon as they tried, the person near them grabbed them. Shikamaru grabbed Ino and held her back, while Naruto grabbed Sakura and held her back from Kaira.
"You're dead!" Sakura hissed.
"When I get my hands on you-!" Ino screamed. Kaira smirked and glared them.
"Is that so? Well, I'm ready!" Kaira said, her cat instincts arising.
Kaira's angry! Kimiko thought, reaching for Kaira. Kaira looked at Kimiko and she froze. When her eyes are slits, she looks scary.
Kaira raised her arm up to attack, but Kiba jumped forward and held Kaira back. "Let me go!" Kaira ordered, squirming just as much as the other girls.
Kaira… Sasuke shook his head as he watched the whole scene.
"Sakura, calm down." Naruto tried, but was unsuccessful.
"C'mon, Ino, get a hold of yourself." Shikamaru said, before looking back at Yamouri. Kimiko looked at all the angry girls and sighed.
It seems only me and Hinata are the only calm ones here. Kimiko shook her head.
"Meoww." Mei finally cut in. Everyone went quiet and looked down at Mei. The girls instantly hushed.
"I'm sorry, Mei." Kaira said, being released from Kiba's hold, but not fully.
"Shouldn't you be apologizing to Ino and Sakura?" Naruto asked, letting go of the calm Sakura now. Kaira gave Naruto a look like he was crazy.
"No." Kaira replied, then resumed petting Mei.
"She's not worth it." Ino huffed, crossing her arms as Shikamaru let her go.
"You rookies are causing a scene." Said a boy with silver hair and glasses. Kaira picked up Mei and looked at the newcomer.
"Who're you?" Naruto asked, stepping forward. Kaira pouted as she grabbed Kimiko and Zai away from the crowd.
"C'mon, let's go sit down." Kaira whispered.
"He looks like he has something interesting to say." Zai said, pouting to the silver haired boy. Kaira shook her head.
"Let's go." She insisted. Zai nodded, openly obeying Kaira.
"You two go ahead, I'll stay here for while." Kimiko replied. Kaira stared at Kimiko. "I'll be right here when it's over." Kimiko pleaded.
"Fine." Kaira puffed. Kimiko smiled and returned to the other 9 rookies. Kaira and Zai went to find a seat close. When they did, they quickly sat, but decided not to say a word, fearing they might be attacked in this crowd of strangers. They can see why Kimiko wanted to stay behind.
"Kaira, I-"
"Ssh, Zai." Kaira hushed. Zai leaned towards her when he started talking. "I have a favor to ask of you." Zai nodded slowly. "I want you to read as much of these kids' chakras as you can."
"I can do that." Zai whispered back. Kaira smiled and nodded as Zai closed his eyes and concentrated. Kaira leaned back and put Mei in her lap.
"Meow."
"I know, Mei, I know." Kaira smiled, hugging her feline.
"Meow."
"You're so smart." Kaira squealed.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I will not lose to any of you!" Naruto yelled, pointing to the large crowd. Kaira and Mei looked at Naruto and Zai opened his eyes.
"He's got guts." Zai muttered. Kaira smiled and nodded.
"I like him." Kaira said, startling Zai.
"B-But, Kaira!" Zai tried, but Kaira shut him up by smiling at him. He eventually closed his eyes and returned to reading people's chakras. Kaira kept smiling as she watched Sakura and Ino fight, but her smile faded when Sakura started choking Naruto. She was apologizing to the crowd for Naruto.
Pfft. Taking back what he said is such a wimp's move. She should have just left it. It would have made it more epic. Kaira mused. Hmm? Kaira looked over to the large crowd surrounding her.
"Meow?" Mei asked, feeling the same thing Kaira felt.
Mei's right. It's the sound ninja. Kaira deduced. But what would they want? Kaira asked. Her question was soon answered when the sound ninja started attacking the silver haired boy with the other rookies. Kaira jumped up when she saw it. Wait, that boy dodged that attack. Kaira crossed her arms. Guess the sound ninja aren't as fast as they think…. Huh? Kaira looked up and saw the boy throwing up. What the-? They didn't touch him though!
These chakras are strong. Zai thought, forcing his eyes to stay closed when he wanted to look at who they belonged to.
"Thanks for waiting." A man, the first instructor, appearing in front of the room with many more adults behind him. "My name is Ibiki Murino. And I will be your first instructor for this exam." He said. He looked at the sound ninja. "There will be no fighting unless you have permission from the instructor, if you do not obey, you will immediately fail." Kaira quickly turned around and touched Zai's hair. He blushed and opened his eyes.
"Looks like the instructor here." Kaira said. Zai looked up to the front.
"He sure looks scary." Zai observed. Ibiki soon told all the squads that they have to give the people at the front their permission slips and when they do, to pick up a number and their paper exam. "Paper exam?" Zai repeated. Kaira clapped.
"This'll be good." Kaira said, smirking. "Zai, you're smart, so you should be able to do great on this. As for Kimiko and I…" Kaira glanced at Kimiko, who was walking towards them. "Well, good luck." Kaira said, giving him a thumbs up sign.
"Are you implying you aren't very smart, Kaira!" Zai rose.
"Sorry to keep you two waiting. Shizuka-sensei gave me the permission, so we should go get our test." Kimiko said, budding into Kaira and Zai's conversation.
"Right!" Kaira said, watching other squads going to get their tests. Team 9 got into the line right behind an older looking squad and waited and waited till they reached the front of the line.
"Application?" asked one of the guards. Kimiko handed them the slip and they looked it over before giving them each a test. "Here's you number." He said, giving each on a different number. They all walked away from the front and looked around for their table.
"What's your number, Kimiko?" Kaira asked, peeking over Kimiko's shoulder.
"24." Kimiko shrugged. "Guess I'm sitting near the front." Kimiko whined, quickly finding her seat.
"Good luck, Kimi!" Kaira cheered, waving as she walked past her. "What about you, Zai?"
"…"
"Zai?" Kaira asked. Zai made a face as he showed Kaira his number. "Ooh!" Zai's number was 1. "You're in the first seat in the corner up there." Kaira tried to sound cheery, but it didn't help Zai any.
"What's your number, Kaira?" Zai asked. Kaira looked down at her number.
"60." Kaira read. "Zai, shouldn't you take your seat?"
"I'll walk you to your seat, first." Zai replied. Kaira half-smiled in an annoyed sorta way. She was just trying to be nice, she doesn't want him thinking anything more.
"It's fine, go take your seat. You need to pass this test, for Kimi and my sake." Kaira said, gently touching his arm. Though she doesn't want him thinking anything more, she doesn't know what she's doing.
"Okay." Zai said, quickly taking off from embarrassment. Kaira cocked her head to the side.
Such an odd boy. Kaira viewed. She shrugged it off and looked around the rows of tables. 60. 60. 60. Oh there it is. Kaira smiled as she took her seat, three away from the aisle. She had a boy sitting to her left, but no one to her right. Everyone around her started finding their seats and nearly all the seats were filled up.
"No way."
Oh, please don't let that voice be… Kaira looked up. Kiba… Standing above Kaira was Kiba, with Akamaru of course.
"This isn't really your seat is it?" Kiba asked, sitting down to the exact right of her. "Look, I may like you a little bit, but I still can't stand sitting next to you." Kiba said.
"Yeah? Well same here!" Kaira hissed, quickly looked away from him. "I should ask for someone to switch with me." Kaira mumbled.
Out of everyone here, why did I end up getting stuck sitting next to her! Kiba commented in his head.
"Arf!"
"Meow."
"As long as you're happy, Mei." Kaira easily smiled when the subject turned to Mei. "Mei said I should put up with you because Mei is thankful for you helping me, so…" Kaira faded out. Kiba looked at Mei, in Kaira's lap, and smiled at her.
"You're so cute, Mei." Kiba said, reaching over and petting Mei.
"Arf, arf!"
Out-of-nowhere, their instructor started explained the rules for the exam. How there are 10 questions and if you were caught cheating, it'll be a 2 point deduction and if you reach zero, you and your team will be disqualified.
That's a lot of pressure on the team. Kaira thought. 10 questions, 10 points, you can't blow this, Kaira. Kaira side-glanced at Kiba, who was just listening attentively.
"You may begin… NOW!"
Eh? Wait! Now? Kaira flipped over her paper and read the questions carefully and very slowly. T-This isn't… this isn't genin level questions! Kaira cried, clenching her fist. How can anyone answer these…?
Zai, in seat number 1, started answering all the questions. These questions are so easy for me. I'm glad I always studied.
Kimiko read the question and rolled her eyes. He said no cheating, so I guess I'll do it in a way that won't get caught. Kimiko secretly looked around and saw someone who was answering the questions already. There we go. I won't let you down, Kaira and Zai! Kimiko closed her eyes. I'm glad Shizuka taught me her mind reading jutsu, though… Kimiko started sweating I can only hold it for 5 minutes… Kimiko thought as she entered the person's mind.
Kaira looked down at Mei, who was licking her paw. Oh, Mei, I just don't know what to do. Kaira complained. She glanced at Kiba and saw him whispering to Akamaru. That idiot is cheating! Though I must admit, that's a clever way of cheating; no one would suspect it. Kaira nodded. Mr. Ibiki said no cheating though, well, he said we'll get panelized 2 points for getting caught. So, as long as I don't get caught, it'll be fine, won't it? Kaira touched Mei's ear and Mei got up.
"Meow?"
"Can you get me the answers from Kiba's paper?" Kaira asked, whispering. Mei looked over at Kiba and nodded. Mei jumped on the table and started stretching, secretly peeking at Kiba's paper while she was doing so.
"Meow, meow, meoww."
Kaira quickly wrote the answer that Mei just told her. Mei continued stretching.
"Meow, meow."
Kaira wrote more. With Mei, this will be easy.
.:40 Minutes Later:.
"Alright, I will now reveal the 10th question." Ibiki said, making the remaining squads stop writing and look at him. Over have the squads they started off with here already disqualified. Thankfully, all the rookies were still hanging in there. "I will give you a choice to answer the 10th question, you don't, you and your team will instantly be disqualified."
Many kids said they're obvious answer the 10th question.
"If you choose to take the question, but get it wrong, you'll be stuck as a genin forever. You'll never be able to take the exam again." He finished.
What! That makes things more difficult… Kaira thought, biting her lip.
"That's bull! There are kids here who have taken the exam before and failed, but they're still taking it over." Kiba busted out, standing up and pointing towards the instructor.
"Well, I wasn't their instructor before, so I'm changing the original rules." Ibiki answered. Kiba just stared in awe. Kaira reached up, grabbed his sleeve and pulled him to sit down again.
"Relax, Kiba, it's your choice now." Kaira whispered, surprised Kiba.
"If you wish to not answer the 10th question, please raise your hand." Ibiki said. A large amount of hands were raised.
"Aren't you going to raise your hand, Kaira?" Kiba asked, looking at her.
"Of course not. My team and I are going all the way." Kaira smirked confidently. Kiba's smug smile appeared on his face before facing forward. Naruto? Kaira saw Naruto raise his hand. What is he doing? Suddenly he slammed his hand down and talked about how a ninja never goes back on his word. He sure is amazing. Kaira smiled.
You have my respect, Naruto. Kimiko said, crossing her arms. Even Zai smiled at Naruto's courage.
"Congratulations, you all past the first part of the exam." Ibiki said.
"W-What? How?" Kaira asked.
"That was the last question." Ibiki said. Kaira looked down at Mei who cuddled against her.
"I don't get it. How was that the last question?" Kimiko asked, piping up.
.:10 Minutes Later:.
I get it! Kimiko smiled and nodded her head. Zai was spacing off and Kaira was playing with Mei and making fun of Kiba. Poor Kimiko was probably the last person in the room to understand what Ibiki meant.
Suddenly the side wall broke and a sign appeared before all the students. "Everybody, there's not time to be happy. I am the second examiner, Anko Mitarashi! Let's go to the next exam. Follow me!" The woman says. Everyone in the room is either too stupefied to say anything.
Wow, she's so pretty! Kimiko squealed, putting her hands together and admiring Anko. Anko then complained to Ibiki about the large number of students who passed the first exam.
"She's a show-off, Kaira, reminds me of you." Kiba said, finally paying her back fro calling him names to Mei. Kaira jumped and glared at him.
"Don't push it." Kaira warned. Kiba grinned and Anko returned to talking to the room.
"I'm going to make more than half of the teams fail in the next exam. I will explain the details tomorrow. I will tell your teachers were we will meet at. Dismissed."
.:The Next Day:.
All the remaining teams meet at a training ground for higher ranked ninja. Many of the teams already start getting scared.
"Kaira, this looks scary!" Kimi whined to their team leader. Kaira crossed her arms and weighed her head.
"You're right." Kaira agreed.
"You two are such girl." Zai said in a monotone. "Kaira, where's your confidence? Yesterday you kept saying how we'd beat everyone here." Zai forced. Kaira blinked and nodded.
"You're right, Zai! We will beat everyone!" Kaira agreed.
You were the one who said it first, though… Zai rolled his eyes.
"This is where the second part of the exam will take place." Anko said, appearing in front of the crowd. "The 44th training area… also known as the Forest of Death."
"Did you hear that, Kaira? That doesn't sounds good!" Kimiko cried.
"Kimi, don't worry, we'll all be together." Kaira tried, not sure about Kimiko.
"I'll need to have everyone sign these consent forms. Just in case anyone dies, so I won't be held responsible." Anko laughed like it was just a joke, but on a completely serious manner.
When Zai got his paper, he quickly looked at Kaira. He was pretty shaken up too, from what Anko just said.
I have to stay strong, for the sake of this team. Kaira sighed, signing the paper and urging her teammates to do so too. I just wish my team wasn't relying on me so much… Anko to finish explaining the rules.
"Each team will be given either a heaven or earth scroll and your objective is to get the scroll you don't have. When you get the scroll, you must reach the tower, in the middle of the forest. There are 44 locked gates which circle around the forest of death in which the participants simultaneously use to enter the forest. There is a river, forest, and a tower in the middle. Each scroll is given out in secret so no other teams would know what scroll the other team has, and which person is carrying the scroll. You lose if someone on your team is killed, tries to open the scroll or doesn't make it to the tower with both scrolls."
Many teams shivered at the rules.
"Anything goes to get the scrolls." Anko finished. "Turn in three consent forms in exchange for your scroll and gate number in the tent over there." Anko said, pointing at the gate. Everyone nodded as Anko went inside the tent. Team 9 waited around until many other teams already got their scroll and gate numbers.
Kaira gather her team's slips and went into the tent and handed them to Anko.
"Oh, a tough girl, huh?" Anko questioned, studying Kaira. "Are you trying to act tough for your team?" Kaira flinched. "You shouldn't burden yourself, you know." Anko grinned.
"It's my choice." Kaira replied. Anko handed Kaira her team scroll and their gate number. "Thank you." Kaira said, walking out of the tent and running into Sasuke. Kaira covered the scroll with the cloth Anko gave her with it.
"Oh, hello, Kaira." Sasuke said. Kaira blushed and backed away from Sasuke. "You haven't talked to me at all during the exam, are you avoiding me?" Kaira jumped and shook her head.
"Of course not, Sasuke! You just seem to busy, that's all." Kaira replied. "I'm really glad you past the first part of the exam."
"It was no problem since you were cheering for me and all." Sasuke said, smirking as he remembered what she said the say before the exam. "Well, I guess I better get the team's scroll and gate number." He said, looking past Kaira.
"Oh, right." Kaira said, walking past him. "I'll still be cheering for you." Kaira smiled. "Stay safe, Sasuke and… good luck." Kaira said gently. Sasuke nodded.
"Stay alive, Kaira. I'll see you in the third round." Sasuke said, waving as he walked into the tent. Kaira smiled as she walked back to her team.
"What's our gate number, Kaira?" Zai asked, taking the paper from her.
"Hey, Kaira," Kiba and team 8 said, walking over to them. Zai jumped and hid the paper.
"Oh, hi, Kiba.." Kaira replied in a confused tone.
"I just… wanted to say… good luck." Kiba forced out. Hinata and Shino looked at each other.
"Oh, well, thank you. I hope you do good as well." Kaira smiled and Kiba nodded.
"Let's go." Kiba said to his teammates, who nodded and followed him away.
"Why did Kiba just come to say good luck?" Kimiko asked suspiciously. Kaira rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"Gate 12." Zai whispered. Kimiko and Kaira looked at one another. Now to find their gate and they're off! The team was starting to get scared and looking at Kaira for support, but then team 9 looked down at Mei.
"Meow!"
"Mei's right." Kaira cheered.
"Yeah, we have to give it our all." Kimiko added. Zai smiled and nodded.
