Chapter 8
I remember when I saw my first demon. It was during the first few years of my existence. The years before Hisui became my mentor along with Father Daniel.
I had a strict teacher, who lashed at me with a sharp ruler every time I made a mistake. Father Abel was still my teacher, but he wasn't as close to me as he is now.
Or was.
It was autumn, during the time where the crisp gold leaves fell. I wasn't allowed to enjoy it. As think tank candidate and the successor to the ice angel, I had to prove my skills and power.
In freezing an entire river.
I never got to do it. We barely had reached the river when the teacher called us back. I was in the front because of what I had to do so I was really the only one who saw it.
It was huge, with red eyes and dark fur. A ringed tail flickered behind him and his fangs gleamed at me. I stood, frozen in the intensity of his gaze.
Suddenly, it's body fell apart and blood gushed out from sudden wounds. He had destroyed it for my safety yet I felt the wrongness of it all.
When I saw the boy, that same feeling came back. He was standing upside down on a branch, looking cool and reserved. Sort of like me in a soul breaking mission.
Like everyone I have met, excluding the Ichirika owners, he was dressed in a similar ninja fashion like the girl, with fish nets sleeves and wrappings. A huge gourd was strapped on to his back with symbols on it. He had red hair, with a tattoo over his left eye.
He also had the most beautiful eyes I ever seen. They were outlined in black, as though by eyeliner, and irises were a pure green.
A demon's eyes.
Like Naruto , he also had a feature revealing his secret- he was a demon vessel, too.
The newcomer said rather coldly, "You're a disgrace to our village."
Everyone was shocked, including Sasuke.
"Gaara…" the boy stuttered.
"It annoys me that you'd loose control in a quarrel with children! Have you forgotten why we came here?"
"But Gaara…They started it. The little one slammed me!" the boy whined in what sounded like fear.
"Shut up. Or I'll kill you," he warned cruelly.
"Do that boy and you'll regret it." Everyone gasped at the newcomer's voice. Up above the same branch, Aries gave his own warning. "I will not let my lady witness unnecessary deaths," he growled, baring his canines.
"Aries. Why are you here?" I asked, as he came forward, landing in front of me with ease.
"I felt something… I didn't like," Aries told me, looking back at the boy again.
"Whoa Aries! That was cool how you snuck up on him," Naruto praised.
"Naruto! Now even a talking dog's better than you!" Konohamaru complained.
"Hound!" Aries snapped. "I am a hound!"
I smiled and looked back at the boy. We locked eyes before he dissolved into sand, standing by what I assumed where his acquaintances.
"Sorry about my friends," he said in that same tone. "I know we're a little early…but we didn't came here to play around."
"I swear it wont happen again." The boy again trembled.
"Let's go." The boy, who was obviously their leader, turned to leave.
"Wait!" Sakura called out.
He turned back around. "Yes?"
"According to your headband, you three come from the village hidden in the sand," Sakura began. "Your country is one of Konoha's allies…but according to our treaty, your ninja are not permitted to cross the border without authorization. State your business! We cant just let you go your merry way."
"Ever heard the old saying about its being darkest at the base of the brightest lighthouse? Weren't you informed?" the girl asked, taking out her travel papers. "As you guessed, we're junior-level ninja from the Hidden Sand Village. We're here to take the chunin selection exams."
"What's the chunin selection exam?" Naruto asked.
"What he said," I pointed at him.
"You really don't know? Junior ninja are sent from the Hidden Sand Village and the minor lands between our home and yours to compete against Konoha's own candidates," the girl explained. "Mainly to maintain the skill of all shinobi at the same high level of excellence. Also to foster friendship and understanding between the lands themselves."
"Hey Konohamaru! Hey Eie! Maybe I should enter this chunin selection exam thing too, huh?"
"Yeah!" Konohamaru agreed.
"Um…" I muttered. "But I still don't really get it."
"Listen you! When you ask someone a question, it's considered good manners to listen to the entire answer!" the girl yelled at Naruto.
Aries growled in the way when he was annoyed.
"Hey! You there! What's your name?" Sasuke suddenly appeared in front of us.
"Huh? W-who me?" The girl blushed with surprise.
"No! I was to the spook beside you."
The boy hesitated before answering, "Gaara of the desert, at your service. And you are…?"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
The two boys suddenly stared at each other. The air began sizzling with their clashing energy.
"Hey! Hey! Don't you want to know my name?" Naruto asked cheerfully.
"No. Let's go."
"Wait!"
"What now?"
I grabbed hold of Gaara's hand and pulled him to face me. I missed the scared looks of his partners while I looked him over, from the odd color of his hair to the strange markings around his eyes.
"You know? I could kill you for just touching me," he told me.
Aries growled, and crouched low to strike.
"I know. But I am not afraid. I just don't feel the desire affect around you," I said and smiled. "Just like I thought. You're just like Naruto! You have one, too! And you're also very pretty."
Those awesome eyes of his widen in shock. I let go of his hand and reached out to the other boy.
"Kankuro, right? Let me see the hand I touched."
He warily reached out like I said. I lightly held his wrist with the tips of my fingers as I concentrated on unfreezing the blood. The hand gloved blue as I absorbed the ice within.
"There. Next time, don't make me mad." I walked away, back towards Naruto.
"You!"
I looked over my shoulder.
"What's your name?" Gaara asked.
I smiled. "It's Eie. Nothing else." I continued to walk towards Naruto, who said, "What in the world did you tell him?"
"Let's go," Gaara told his teammates and they vanished.
"Why did he want to know you name, Eie?" Sakura asked.
"Probably because her and Mr. Showoff over there look a like," Naruto grumbled. "Konohamaru, do I look like a big loser to you?"
"Next to the big guy…Yeah."
Aries walked past me. "Raccoon-dog," he whispered before disappearing.
So there was a raccoon dog demon in Gaara. I looked towards Sasuke to see that he was also staring at me.
I had a feeling things were going to get even more complicated.
++++++++++
"Did you hear that? I cant believe she called Gaara pretty," Kankuro whispered to Temari.
"I know. And when she grabbed him, I thought she was a goner!"
The two siblings watched their younger brother who stood before them. They were waiting for their sensei to arrive and tell them what to do now.
Not like if Gaara would listen…
Gaara stared at his hand. The one she touched. No one had ever touched him, has never dared. Not since him.
He clenched his fist. "You're so pretty…You're just like Naruto! You have one too!"
She knew. She knew, yet she wasn't frighten.
"But I'm not afraid. I just don't feel the desire affect around you…"
She had smiled at him, knowing yet willing to touch and say nice things about him. And neither were words of pity.
'Eie. I very much want to learn more about you, Ice Maiden,' Gaara thought as he looked up at the sky.
The angel looked down at the demon vessel. It's time…
"Iruka-sensei, what's the big deal about these…chunin exams?" I asked him.
He sighed before answering, "It's a test that will determine if genin are ready to become chunins, or journeymen ninjas."
"So, it's a test to raise your rank?" I asked to make sure.
"To put it that way, yes." He sighed again. "I still cant help but wonder if it's too early enough."
"If they're striving to become ninjas, they should be fine," Aries growled. "Nothing's too soon."
"But Aries, they're human children, not angel candidates," I pointed out.
We were in the place where teachers reported their missions. At Iruka-sensei's request, Aries stood guard here, keeping the peace in case someone decides to make trouble because of what mission they have. Once Naruto had left, I sought out Iruka-sensei to ask him about the exams. Naruto was up all night talking about them, much to the displeasure of Aries. It was only pure luck that I managed to make him not to burn the apartment down.
"So if it's just the test, then there's nothing I should worry about, right?" I hoped that was true. I had gotten that feeling again. The feeling that I was being watched. The feeling that something bad was going to happen.
"Well-"
"Eie! Miss Eie!"
We turned to see a ninja there, waiting.
"Yes?"
"Lord Hokage has requested to see you now in office. May you please come with me?"
'What now?' I thought, the feeling growing.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" I went inside the secluded office and stood at attention.
"Yes, I did," the Hokage said. "I wanted to know if you knew about the exams we're having?"
"Yes. I learned about them yesterday." I narrowed my eyes at the serious of this mission. "Is there something wrong?"
"I have no doubt that Naruto is ready. Even Kakashi thinks so. But there's still a chance…that Naruto might not come back. Alive."
"Uh!" I gasped. "What!"
"The chunin test are no laughing matter," he continued. "There will be deaths, for the exam itself tests one expertise on the battlefield." Sarutobi sighed. "I wanted you to hear that from me first."
I was looking at the floor, immovable. So this is what the dreadful feeling was for.
"Eie." I looked up.
"I wanted to ask you if you were interested in being one of the proctors."
"I would," I said, seriously. "Don't worry. I wont go easy on anyone. Not even Naruto. I think this will help greatly."
The Hokage nodded in approval at my answer. "I also have a job for that hound of yours."
"Aries?"
"Yes. I believe he will be enough to put everyone on their toes," Sarutobi said with a smile.
I smiled as well, though I couldn't help but think he was hiding something. "I'll ask him. Just don't let it interfere with his sleeping schedule."
The Hokage chuckled. "Very well. You are dismissed."
"So, not only am I a watchdog, I'm a billboard as well?"
We made our way through the streets towards the apartment. I had to go early to cook dinner.
Hmm….I wonder if Naruto's here yet….
"Don't treat it that way, Aries," I said. "Think of it as a honor. Besides, you'll be allowed to scare top young dogs into shape."
"You have a point," he muttered.
"Good! Show those maggots what being a hound really is!" I cheered.
We stopped. The apartment was in front of us.
Only the aura we felt…wasn't Naruto's.
Aries moved his head and disappeared. I nodded and continued to go forward, as though everything was fine. I opened the door and went inside.
"Good evening, Eie."
I jumped back. Rubbed my eyes a couple of times. I just couldn't believe it. She was not here! She couldn't be!
I went on my knees anyways.
"Lady Rosalite. To what may I have this honor?" The greeting rolled off my tongue in a habit too impossible to break.
"Stand up, Eie," Rosalite commanded. "We are not in Heaven anymore. And…I'm afraid I don't hold that title anymore." She went to sit on one of the couches. "Sit down. We have much to talk about."
"What?" I couldn't believe what I just heard.
"Please sit down," Rosalite repeated.
"No! Not until you tell me why are you here!" I demanded, getting angry.
"You're on your guard. I see," she murmured. "Then again, you should be around all angels, especially around former acquaintances." She looked up and her childish face smiled. "Especially when some of them are after your blood."
I tried not to growl in frustration. The ever enigmatic angel of children always left her sentences half spoken. She never gone directly to the point, always being distracted by the littlest things.
Much like a child.
"Please sit down," Rosalite said for the third time. "There is so much to talk about and it shall take more than a day."
"It'll have to wait. I have a life now," I snarled.
"Precisely. And I hope your dear human boy will allow me to stay." She stopped to give a humorless laugh. "Fine. I'll stop. The reason I want to stay here with you is because…I'm dying."
My eyes widen in shock. I fell into a chair in disbelief. "W-what?"
"It cant be!" Aries padded inside, closing the door behind him. "Rosalite, surely you must be jesting. You cant die! There is no other angel who can bear the title 'angel of children' better than you!"
Rosalite sighed, her smile never wavering. "It's true. Look at me. Stuck in the body of a child. My hair and nails grow only when I cut them, and even then they grow to a certain length. It just happen one day. While my fellow think tanks grew according to their power, I stayed the same. My body stopped growing, even if my power did. A angel more fitting to be the angel of children. But…that does not protect me from Heaven's traitors." This time her smile did waver, growing sad. She was breaking the main rule for an angel: Never show emotions other than respect.
"Hmph." Aries growled with displeasure. "I have no doubt that it's the same group who ruined you, Eie." His fur bristled with barely contained anger.
"But I don't understand. What benefits will come from your death?" I asked Rosalite.
"Many. Such as…" I leaned forward as she raised her eyes to mine. "A puppet. If I die, someone needs to take my place. Our conspirators must have enough power to pick whom they want to replace us, to serve our intentions instead of God's. Also, if you control children, you control our future. Because isn't that what children are? Our future?"
"And the key to better soldiers," Aries growled.
"And ice," the words came through my lips. "If you control ice, you control feelings. With it, you can freeze the hearts of your soldiers. And for wind," I swallowed at the thought, at how Hisui's death might benefit. I've never thought about it before, never wanted to. "And for wind, you'll be controlling one of the four deadliest elements. The ultimate weapons."
"Wind is suppose to be one of the gentle elements, yet it can be deadly," Aries shut his eyes tight as he said this. "My poor Lady Hisui…"
"Eie." I looked at Rosalite, smiles gone and had a full look of seriousness and determination on her face. "I always knew you didn't kill Hisui. Even now, Heaven's using that in their slogan of your execution. That might cause the entire cosmos to hate you. But know this, I never blamed you. Hisui meant too much to you. Killing her would have been like killing yourself."
I bowed my head, feeling so much emotions….yet feeling none at all. I felt the ice comfort me, absorbing my pain beneath its cold surface. It was a strange, yet thoughtful thing to do. But it felt almost exactly what…Exactly what….
Exactly what Lucifer used to do during our secret meetings.
"Hey Eie! Guess what?-Huh?" The door slammed opened and Naruto stopped, his smile falling as he stared at Rosalite. She gave him a smile.
"Hello. You must be the one who is taking care of Eie. It's nice to meet you. My name is Rosalite."
"Um, Naruto? This is a friend of mine who came to visit. Can she stay here for a while?" I asked him.
"Huh? Oh yeah ! Sure. But one thing." Naruto's face turned serious.
"Huh? What is it?" I blinked, wondering what was it that he wanted.
"I'm not sleeping on the floor!"
"Well okay. Rosalite, do you wish to sleep on the couch?" I turned to her.
She gave a heart-warming smile. "Anywhere' is fine with me. Besides, I don't sleep often."
"Now that's settled, what was so important for you to break down the door in such a hurry?" Aries grumbled in annoyance.
"Oh yeah!" Naruto dug inside a pocket of his orange coat and pulled out a wrinkled paper. "Look! I'm going to take the chunin exams!"
I stiffened. "I have no doubt that Naruto is ready. Even Kakashi thinks so. But there's still a chance…that Naruto might not come back. Alive." The Hokage's words played in my mind.
"Can you believe it? Master Kakashi recommended me! Isn't he the coolest? If I pass this test, then I'll be made Hokage in no time! But…" Naruto looked sort of embarrassed. "Ban you help me fill it our? I don't get some of the questions."
I nodded . The ice was cracking, but water filled and froze in the cracks.
That didn't mean my heart was breaking inside.
For some reason, I was scared. When I saw someone there with Eie, I thought she was leaving. For some reason, I became so scared that I nearly screamed. Screamed and fainted. Heh, not so manly and Hokagish. But that was what I felt like doing.
Something inside me laughed at my pain. I shivered as I remember it. It was a cackling laugh, something a bad guy would do. Sound sort of like Mizuki's when he told me about the Kyuubi. When I found out, everything made sense. Why everyone hated me so much, why I was called a monster. I was prepared to abandon it all, to forget such a ungrateful village. But then Iruka risked his life to save me. Then she came. Never have I felt so happy.
I never want to let her go.
"Hey Sakura!"
"Uh, hi. Huh? Eie, why are you here?" Sakura looked confused. "And who's this?"
"Aries has a job to do here," I answered, tying up my hair with the ribbon Naruto gave me.
I can understand Sakura's questions. Since I had no idea what I should wear as a proctor, I wore a suit robe with red crosses pins on the collar's flaps and wore black boots. Underneath, I wore a white polo shirt with a black tie with another cross pin and a long black skirt. I had my black book under one arm, to take notes in.
Aries grumbled something I couldn't understand.
"This is Rosalite. She's here to help me at the hospital today," I waved at her.
Rosalite wore a black dress with a white shirt under. She wore black buckle straps shoes and white socks. She also had her hair up in a bun.
"Hello," she smiled.
"She is also the angel of children. So maybe her mere presence might give you luck," I said, looking at Rosalite.
"Hn. I don't need luck," Sasuke muttered.
"Hey Sasuke! Be nice to her! She's only trying to help," Naruto yelled.
"Eie." Aries glanced at me.
"Well Naruto, I have to go send Aries off," I said as I hugged him. "Good luck. You too, Sakura, Sasuke." I gave each of them a hug, though Sakura glared at me when I hugged Sasuke. What was her problem with him, anyways? "Let's go, Rosalite."
We left them and went inside the building, out of sight from Naruto. I didn't tell him of my new job. didn't want him to expect any special favors from me.
"Hello. I'm Eie. I'm here as one of the proctors," I told the receptionist.
"Yes...and do you have the dog with you?" he asked.
"Dog?" A vein twitched on Aries's head. "Dog?"
"Yes, I have him here." Thank goodness I managed to convince him to wear a color.
"Please come this way." He began to lead us to a different room.
"Go on ahead. I'm sure I can find the hospital on my own," Rosalite assured me.
"Okay. See you later." I followed the man and went inside the room.
"Ibiki, sir? She's here."
"Welcome. You must be Eie." A tall man dressed heavily in a black cloak surrounding his ninja clothed stood there. He was surrounded by ninjas of all gender. "And Aries?"
The ram nodded.
"Good. My name is Ibiki. I am told this is your first time judging an event of ours, correct?"
"Yes sir. But I have judged before," I told him.
"Really? Where?"
"In-"
"Where we're from," Aries interrupted me. "That's all you need to know. Now tell her what to judge and tell me how to scare."
"Straight to the point, aren't you?" Ibiki smiled in amusement. "Well, it's simple. The first part of the test is a written exam that will need…certain abilities to complete."
"Such as?" I asked.
"Such as cheating…without getting caught." He smiled. I didn't like that smile. "Your job is simple, Eie. All you have to do is report any you see who are quite obvious. Then, you write it down on this." He handed me a clipboard with a blank sheet of paper. I took it and nodded with determination.
"And me? How should I scare them?" Aries asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Ibiki answered with a question.
"You don't wanna know," I said, seeing Aries's sudden grin. "Aries behave. Don't explode anything," I whispered.
"Hmph." Aries looked to the side, so I couldn't see his expression.
"When does the exam start?" I asked, still looking at the ram.
"In twenty minutes."
"Okay. May I go check on someone? I need to make sure if she found the hospital okay," I said.
"Of course. Don't be late."
"I'll stay with them, so hurry up. Rosalite doesn't need a babysitter," Aries said.
"Okay."
"Seriously Eie. I'm fine," Rosalite said as she adjusted her already bloodied apron. "Besides, this might be my last chance to do something…angelic."
My expression didn't change, for she continued. "Please Eie. Let me have some fun before my time. Now go support your friends."
"….Okay."
I sighed. This wasn't like me. What happened to the determination I felt earlier? It was probably swallowed by all these feelings I have inside. I was so worried about Naruto. From what I heard from Iruka, he could barely handle his tests. And Rosalite. Didn't she say that she was dying? Wasn't healing people a faster way to waste your inner energy? I know this is what she wants…but still. I didn't want to lose her too.
I sighed again. I just hope everyone will be okay in the end.
"Hm…? It's you."
I looked up sharply. "Oh Kakashi. What are you doing here?"
The jounin gave one of his hidden smiles. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Or do they have a new hospital wing here that I haven't heard about?" he asked good naturedly.
For some reason, I felt as though he was testing me. Would I tell the truth, a half truth, or a lie?
I picked the closest to a lie.
"Lord Hokage asked me to bring Aries to 'put everyone on their toes,' to quote him exactly," I told him. "Also, I went to go check on a friend of mine just now. She's new in the hospital. By the way, have you seen Naruto? I want to give him one more hug before I leave."
That black eye showed understanding. "He told you about the tests, correct?"
It was involuntary, but I closed my eyes as I nodded. "Can you blame me?"
"No. I cant."
I looked up and opened my eyes at his tone. It held such great sadness, not what one would expect in the ninja.
"Kakashi, sir? Is there something-"
"MY NAME IS UZUMAKI NARUTO!! AND NON OF YOU ARE GONNA BEAT ME!!!! YOU GOT THAT?"
Kakashi gave a nervous chuckle. "Does that answer your question?"
"Yes. Well, see you soon." I moved past him through the door.
"Soon?" He sounded confused.
"Oh dear. Didn't I mention it?" I looked back and smirked. "I also happen to be one of the proctors of this exam. Well, bye bye Kakashi!"
Wow. I've never imagine to be this much ninjas here. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were going to get heavy competition.
"You idiot! What are you doing blathering about?!"
"I'm telling the truth!"
Not far away from the door, Naruto's team were surrounded by a few other teams, some people I've never met. Also with them was a taller, silver haired young men who shook his head at Naruto's foolishness.
'Ah Naruto,' I shook my head. 'Never knows when to quit.' That was actually a good thing, since Aries had yet to complain about Naruto's weaknesses. For some reason, Aries was extra protective of Naruto. More than me….
There! Someone was making their move this way. I moved forward but the new ninja intercepted it. He dodged the two kunai knifes thrown at him, but was later faced with the other heavily wrapped ninja. He took a swing which the silver haired ninja dodged it. He gave a smirk of triumph.
But then his eyeglasses shattered.
Everyone looked surprised. 'That…that was like Dimitri,' I thought, remembering the sound angel with a shudder.
"What's going on?" he dodged the blow, but something broke his glasses!" Sasuke muttered.
"His nose probably got grazed…Serves him right for acting all superior," huffed the ninja next to him.
Not good. His body gave a shudder. I caught him around the middle as his legs fell underneath. I let him bend forward to vomit, remembering Dimitri's victims after his attacks.
There was no doubt about it. This was definitely an attack made entirely of sound.
"Aw man! He's hurling!"
"Kabuto! Huh, Eie?" Sakura looked surprised.
I glanced up, feeling the ice take control of me, to see the three sound ninjas.
"Hmph." The one who wore a face cast on the sides sneered.
Still, despite their confidence, they all stiffened at my glare.
"That…was completely uncalled for," I said slowly. Pure hate and venom dripped from my words.
It's been awhile since I became pure ice. But I allowed it to thaw for me to answer Naruto with feeling.
"Eie, what are you doing here?" He shivered. "Brrr… Is it just me or did it get cold?"
"Just here to wish you luck," I said. I looked at the ninja in my arms. "Are you okay?"
"Hmph. Interesting." The wrapped ninja moved his body forward. "So you think you are better than us to tell us what to do? Protecting an applicant for four years now. Tch. Pathetic."
"Better add this to your cards," the mask wearer ninja with the giant tattoo on his shirt said. "The three applicants from Sound Village will all make chunin this year!"
"Say that, after you get a new hairstyle," I told him.
"What you say-?" He moved to strike.
Again, like with Kankuro, I froze his arm and both legs. He gave a shaking moan as his body fell to the floor.
I narrowed my eyes. "Pitiful. You wouldn't last a minute in Yeztirah."
"Would everyone please shut up?!"
"Whaa?!"
An explosion in the front of the seats brought Ibiki's presence, along with all the other ninja in that room. So, I ignored him and instead placed my hands on the man's head. Instantly, my hands began to glow, healing what the sound shattered.
I smiled as I ask, "Are you all better now?"
"You… The kids from Sand Village! You cant carry on any way you please when the exam's about to start!….Or do you want to be disqualified?" he asked ominously. "Eie!"
"Yes sir?" I stood up.
"Release the boy form whatever spell you put on him and try to reframe form doing it again!"
"Yes sir!" I bowed. "You have my word!"
"Uh…Eie?" Naruto looked confused.
"Sorry Naruto. But I couldn't tell you." I glance at him. "I'm one of the proctors for this exam."
"Oh….WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT???????????//" Naruto exclaimed.
I waved my hand and absorbed the ice. The next thing, I appeared on Ibiki's right side.
"Sorry sir…It's our first exam, and we got a little carried away." The sound ninja explained.
"Is that so?" Ibiki sneered. "Then it's high time someone laid down a few ground rules. From this point forward, there will no more fighting within the express permission of the examining officer…And even if that permission is granted , anything that endangers another applicant's life is strictly forbidden." Ibiki's sneers turned to a outright glare. "Any of you little piglets who break that rule are out. Disqualified. No second chances. Got that?"
"So this is a test for little girly men?" the boy asked, rubbing his arms.
The other ninjas sneered.
"Say that after you have broken the ice." A familiar ram hound appeared behind him, making him jump. Aries walked forward slowly, nodding at Naruto and the others. "You are still girly as long as Eie can freeze your heart."
"Aries," I warned as he stood beside me.
"He has a point, though," Ibiki said, excusing him. In a louder voice, he announced, "As you wish. The first part of the Selection exam is about to commence. Turn in your written applications, take one of these seating arrangement cards," he held up a card with a number on it, "and report directly to the seat indicated. When everyone's seated, we'll pass out the written part of the test."
An ninja on the far left lifted a stack of papers.
"A-A PAPER TEST!?" Naruto exclaimed.
Aries sighed as I bowed my head. I knew it.
"Here. Before I explained the tests, put this on and take out the clipboard I gave you," Ibiki instructed. He handed me a headband with Konoha's symbol on it.
I nodded. "Sure." I placed the clipboard in my chair and put on the headband around my neck. I sat down and Aries laid down beside me, his eyes stripping everyone of their secrets.
"I don't like those sound ninjas," he muttered.
"Neither do I, but behave," I told him.
A certain blonde boy had the look of doom on his face. 'Oh no,' I thought, 'I already knew that Naruto's enemy was written tests. I hope he comes through this okay.' I put my hands together and whispered a quick prayer.
The ninja sitting next to me looked at me sharply. His eyes were shadowed by his blond bags, yet I felt their serious gaze.
I smiled assuring. "Don't worry. It's just a prayer in my language," I told him.
He looked at me one more time before looking away again.
"While you're at it, start using it," Aries commanded.
"Don't you think it's a bit early?" I asked.
"No," I said bluntly.
I sighed and slowly opened my eyes. My double vision was in full force, so any rotten moves will be seen.
Hey! There's Gaara! And Sasuke's there too. Now where's…There he is! Poor Naruto. He was talking to a white eyed brunette who was blushing, and twiddling her fingers.
Aw…Someone has a crush. On Naruto! What a change from the usual 'Demon boy' hating villagers. I smiled, feeling happy for him for him, though Naruto looked dense about the whole thing.
"Papers face down until I give the signal. Now listen up. there are a few big rules that pertain to this first test," Ibiki explained. "I'll write them on the blackboard and explain them all, but I'm not taking questions, so listen carefully. I will only say this once."
'So pay attention Naruto and you'll be fine!'
"Rules?" Sakura asked.
"Rule number one!" Ibiki began to write. "Each one of you starts out here with ten points. The test has ten questions, each worth one point. For each question you get wrong, subtract a point from you. Get all ten right, and you retain the ten points you have. But if, for example, you answer three questions incorrectly, we take your ten points, subtract one point for every wrong answer, and your total drops down to seven."
'So if you answer all of them incorrectly, then you'll have no points left.' I thought about it was a good grading scale…if you were smart.
"Rule Number 2...This written test I still a team event. Passing or failing will be determined by the sum of the points held by all three members of each cell. The object is for each team to have as few deductions as possible from it's joint thirty point total."
Sakura slammed her forehead on the desk. She then raised her hand, screaming, "W-Wait a second! The whole concept of starting points and the deduction is hard enough to follow…But what is this 'team total' you're talking about?"
I was surprised that Ibiki even chose to answer. What he did say, however, did not answer her question. Rather, he scolded her. "Did you not hear the part about 'No Questions'? We have our reasons. Shut up and listen. You might learn something." He continued to explain. "This next bit is crucial. Rule number 3: If, during the course of the exam, a candidate does anything out of the ordinary…In other words, anything that leads the proctors to determine that he or she has cheated…We subtract two points form each of the cheater's team."
I get it. I'm suppose to point out the obvious cheaters. 'So that's what he meant earlier. I hope Naruto gets it and not be too obvious.'
"Exactly! In all probability, some of you will run through your entire allowance of points during the test. If so, you'll be failed and asked to leave."
"I'll be looking over your shoulders when you least expect it," one of the ninjas said.
That seem to scare a lot of the would-be-ninjas.
"If you let the proctors catch you cheating, you'll bring yourself and your friends down! If you aspire to become chunin….If you want to be the best shin obi you can be…Then you'd better start acting like you're already are!"
I swallowed, feeling nervous enough for everyone in that room.
"Be calm, and believe in the boy," Aries whispered.
"I know. I do. I do believe in Naruto with every fiber in my being!" I told him.
"Then start acting like it."
"One more thing," Ibiki added. "If any individual loses all of ten of his or her points, that persons entire cell, regardless of how the other two members do…WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!"
"Oh no," I sighed, touching my forehead. 'Naruto, don't screw up!'
"You have one hour…starting….NOW!"
"The time has come. I cant wait any longer or I'll explode." A tree burst into hungry flames to emphasize the Furie's point.
"I'm with her. I'll do anything to eat. Anything!" The Reject rubbed her hands in anticipation.
"What of Carno's angel? This is not the time you've agreed on," a quieter voice said under the covers of a tree.
"She'll understand. She better, or she'll suffer if she gets in my way."
The Furie of lizards smiled. "Carno's not going to be happy with you if you hurt his favorite angel," she pointed out.
"Ah! Carno's too busy mind wrestling to do anything!" the Reject said. "Let's go!"
"She's right, Alexa. Besides, we wont hurt his angel." The dragon Furie licked her lips.
The dragon heads roared with want. Want of food. Want of flesh. None of them, not even the more human of their armies, have eaten in such a long time. Not until they awaken. "We're going to test her. Nothing will happen to the humans so God wont be suspicious. But everything and more will happen to her. We need to make sure if she's the one. And she better be…if she wants to live."
"I think the first exams have started."
"I hope everyone does well."
"Where have you been, Maya? The chunin exams are noting like a D-ranked mission. I've heard that people have even died taking them!"
"Oh no!"
Rosalite looked out the window. His presence was not far away. She could hear his screams, feel his pain. She knew that day would come for him, but she had always pictured herself there next to him, giving him her support. But she was dying. Nothing can save her mind now.
Nothing….but another angel.
'Carno, be safe,' she quietly prayed.
Fire erupted, devouring a tree not too far from Carno, but even closer to the village. Three presences, two fire, one water.
Rosalite narrowed her eyes and contained her anger. "She lied."
A/N:Sorry for the long wait. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Chapter 10 will be the longest chapter yet since it will be made up of different P.O.V.s. Watch for the next one soon as possible. Also, no the Furies aren't evil.
