Ani: Hey guys! Sorry about the late update on the previous chapter. Things kept piling up and up and up. Well, I hope I can get this out within a week or so of Chapter nine, since I have a bit of time off (where I should be doing homework but… You guys are worth it!) Thanks for all your support and your reviews so far. It makes me happy to see that you all enjoy my story so much. Please leave a review for an Idea of the Story Title since I still want to change it but I have no idea what I want to change it to. I hope you guys like the new POV that I included this chapter! ;)
Also, please give this awesome guy some support in his upcoming story. He hasn't uploaded yet but please, do give him some support. Name: Nath-Kun (ID: 4720331) – the ID is there just in case he changes his user name again
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
'Inners/ demons/etc.'
"Demons"(From Hell)
'Demon's Thoughts' (From Hell)
"Angels"
'Angel's thoughts'
Flashbacks
"Song lyrics"(If I have any…)
(Authoress notes)
(If there's anything I've missed, tell me in a review or PM me and I'll rectify it as soon as possible)
Chapter 10: Shit Hits the Fan.
When Sakura awoke that next morning she felt the same feeling that she felt the previous morning: the familiar noose that hung her gut and twisted it into knots. She as she sat up in her bed and ran her fingers through her tousled hair. She quickly noted she was in bed and not on the floor where she allowed herself to 'rest'.
Silently thanking her brother she got up, slowly, and headed out into the bathroom after grabbing her towel. She took a cold shower and washed the dirt out of her hair. Sakura got out the shower some moments later and the moments seemed to blur past and before she knew it, she was sat down at the table with Shade, Afael and a bowl of grapes.
"He said what now?" Sakura asked as she was about to put a grape in her mouth.
Afael took a drink from his cup before his golden-yellow eyes locked with her blue-emerald ones before he sighed. "Lucifer-sama needs you to collect more souls." Afael replied and Sakura glared at the last grape in her hand before eating it.
"How does he expect me to train Hibiki-Nii, go through with the Chuunin Exams AND get him some souls? What about some of the Soul Reapers?" She mumbled as she picked up another handful of grapes.
Afael shook his head. "No can do. The majority of the other Soul Reapers are on duty in different time periods…" Afael trailed off. Sakura looked at him, knowingly. He sighed again. "God has been Ferrying off some of the new Soul Eaters." His words made both Sakura and Shade simultaneously choke on their fruit.
Sakura slammed her hand on the table with enough force to tip over her fruit bowl. It fell to the floor and rolled until it hit Sakura's ankle and came to a halt. "Is he trying to wage a war with us?" Sakura yelled. Afael waited for her sudden anger to subside. She fell back onto her chair and picked up the plastic fruit bowl and the (probably bruised) fruit. "The souls that he's taking from us are no longer his to take."
Shade patted Sakura on the hand when she finished picking up the fallen fruit. "It will be okay Sakura-chan! We can manage it!" Shade reassured but even he himself wasn't too sure what to make of the situation or if it would even be alright.
Afael watched the two as he pulled a scroll from his pocket. "Here's the list of people that need reaping. The more expensive ones are at the front." Afael spoke.
Sakura took the scroll with a shaky hand and heavy mind. 'Is this really it? Is this REALLY an act of starting a war? Does it really start with something as small as this? Why do I feel afraid…? Why…? Is it because… I might be next…?' Sakura shakily opened the scroll and peered down the list of names and faces, misdeeds and rewards. She unconsciously bit her lip. "I need to speak with Lucifer." Afael nodded and stood up. Sakura turned towards Shade. "Would you mind staying here with Hibiki-Nii…?" Shade nodded before wrapping his small arms around Sakura's fingers. Sakura let out a small laugh. "I'll be okay Shade. I just need… time…." Sakura whispered and Shade let go, still worried. Sakura stood up and attached her blade to her side.
At the click of his fingers, Afael opened up a portal to hell and walked in, with Sakura on his tail. They walked down the red stairway straight to Lucifer's Throne room. Sakura immediately swung the doors open to the event of an extremely irritated Lucifer and three beings dressed in white and silver. No-one bat and eyelid at her loud entry and Sakura stood with the door handles firmly within her palm.
"You should keep your Vixens on a leash, Lucifer." The man who spoke was tall, his dirty blond hair reached his shoulder blades and Sakura could just see his forest green eyes. His body was covered in metal plating littered with foreign symbols that Sakura could only fathom were some form of written charm. In his gauntlet-concealed hand was a large spear, almost as tall as the man himself.
Both Lucifer and Sakura bared their teeth viciously in unison at his insult and she was just about ready to storm over there and rip him into ribbons, all trace of past fear dissipated and reformed into rage. Afael held her shoulder and pulled her back. She turned her heavy glare towards him and he fired his own, making her back down in surprise.
"Keep your tongue in your head, Elba. For the second time: we are not here to provoke." The woman on the far right side spoke softly, but her voice held authority. The tall man, Elba, scowled. The woman who spoke was of medium height and delicate build. Her hair was auburn in colour with traces of coffee brown. It fell long past her back and down to her thighs, some of which had been braided into a headband. She turned her head to face Sakura. Her ice blue eyes making contact with Sakura's rage filled green. "I apologise for my partner's… insolence." She spoke before turning back to face Lucifer. "There is no purpose in continuing. His Majesty expects your answer within the week." She replied as white feathers sprouted from their backs.
Sakura turned to take in the appearance of the third member of the group. Her pure white wings parted the sea of dark black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her crystalline white dress was short but silver chain-mail leggings continued on in the place of the material before tucking into flexible black boots.
The girl moved and white lights began to fill the room. Sakura looked to see her face and saw a blue Dahlia flower pinned in her hair. Her eyes widened as she shook out of Afael's grip on her shoulder and ran towards the girl. One name came to mind as she ran across the throne room. 'It's… IT'S…!'
"…HIKARI-SAN!"
At the sound of her name, the angel turned and her blue eyes widened before Elba stepped in front of her, blocking her from view. At that moment, the lights seemed to fade. "Get back HELL SPAWN!" He yelled back as he swung his feathered wing. Kunai-like feathers flew at her with speed and Sakura drew her blade to block them. Elba scowled and swung more in her direction, and Sakura blocked most. All but two Kunai-Feathers flew past her defence and sliced into her cheek and her neck but Sakura kept running. She watched as Hikari broke free from behind Elba, and ran towards Sakura.
She was almost there.
Then everything seemed to slow down as Sakura watched as the other angel disappeared and reappeared in front of Hikari, holding her harshly by the arm. Her lips moved in slow motion, "Cathetel…!" It was a strained, pain-filled, whisper that reached Sakura's ears. Sakura felt a gust of wind hit her and she jumped to the left and skidded to a stop. Elba stood where she was running only seconds ago. His arm was extended and the end of his spear had blood dripping from it. "Elba…! Stop it…!" It was another strained cry from Hikari.
Sakura's brow furrowed as she felt the blood drip down from the other side of her cheek. "Be cleansed, Vixen!" He yelled and Sakura's eyes widened as he disappeared. Her eyes darted everywhere but there was no sign of him anywhere. Sakura blinked and he reappeared just feet from her with his spear, ready to impale her. Sakura pushed backwards, only to find that she was falling backwards from slipping on one of Elba's well-placed feathers and said man accelerating towards her at an alarming rate. 'Is this… how it will end...? Without even changing anything…?' Sakura thought sourly as her eyes closed.
"SAKURA-SAN!"
Hikari screamed. Sakura felt herself stop falling and something splatter across her skin. All was silent. Sakura opened her eyes. Lucifer was kneeling over her, his right arm wrapped around her frame whilst his other held the blade of Elba's spear in his hand. Her bright red blood mixed with his dark red and dripped down the tip of the blade at steady intervals. She looked up at Elba and took note of the long talons at his neck, nearly drawing blood. She followed them, and the black feathers that were becoming less and less apparent, up the arm. Afael. His usual golden yellow eyes had tuned into deadly maroon slits.
Sakura looked up and noted that Lucifer's eyes had turned black with unmatched fury. "Get out of here, Pixie-Scum and don't return…" Lucifer growled as he tightened his grip on the blade and it shattered into tiny fragments. "Unless you plan to wage war with Hell!" He roared and Elba backed up. Afael glared up at him as his feathers retracted into his skin, standing between the angels and Lucifer and Sakura.
"Elba, get over here! We are leaving NOW. That is an order!" Cathetel yelled to him and Elba scowled. He threw a glare at them and jumped back before the white light appeared with a flash and they disappeared.
Lucifer stood up and turned to face Afael. "Afael, gather the council, immediately." Afael nodded as he rolled up his torn sleeves and hurried out the door.
Sakura stepped away from Lucifer and looked down at the floor. "My apologies, Lucifer-sama. It was not my intention to become a problem to you." Sakura whispered, not once looking up to meet his gaze. There was only one thing that was running through her mind as if it were a broken record:
'You fucked up. You fucked up. You fucked up.'
Sakura bit her lip. "Look at me." Lucifer spoke and Sakura didn't move. 'You're destined to be a failure. A weakling. Insignificant.' Sakura felt tears slowly line her eyes. She felt herself slowly curling into a ball. "Look at me, Sakura!" Sakura gasped in surprise as her negative train of thought crashed and burned. She looked up at him, eyes wide and her tears spilled over. "Stand up and get ready to be briefed. We don't have time for tears." Sakura looked at him as he walked with long proud strides to his throne and nodded, wiping away her tears and steeling herself.
"Understood."
(Earlier that day... Angels POV :)
Hikari walked down the white stone staircase, the banister had Yggdrasil's minor roots coiled around it. It made him able to see, able to hear, able to feel everything. To say Hikari was nervous at this very moment would be a huge understatement. She had just gone to visit Yggdrasil with Cathetel and Elba, two angels of much higher rank than herself, to receive a mission. The mission of passing on a message from him, Yggdrasil, to the King of Hell himself, Lucifer.
Yggdrasil had long told them about the souls that had not reached heaven and were taken from under their nose. The only other place that could have gone is Hell. Her mission specifically was to pass on the message; Elba and Cathetel were there for her protection in case anything was to go wrong. Hikari moved the quiver and bow on her back to a more comfortable position as she descended down to the lower levels of the stone tower.
"Mama! You're back!" A young voice cried and she saw her son running towards her. She wrapped her arms around her son and ruffled his maroon locks. She kissed his forehead and he laughed.
"Hey, how's Mommy's little boy doing?" She asked as he grinned. "You haven't been causing trouble for Hayyel-Chan, now, have you?" Hikari asked and he shook his head.
"No! Hayyel-Chan was really nice and she let me pet a rabbit and a doggie!" He replied happily. Hikari laughed and took note of the approaching figure which was Hayyel herself. Her long Golden brown hair fell to her backside in beautiful waves and her green-yellow eyes sparkled in delight.
"Don't worry about it, Hikari-chan. Even if Hiroshi-Chan was a troublemaker he'd be the cutest one!" Hikari smiled happily at Hayyel's statement and cuddled with Hiroshi.
"Hayyel… You won't mind looking after him for a few more hours? I was assigned a mission to go…" Hikari trailed off but pointed downwards in a spiral motion and Hayyel understood. Hikari pulled him away from her at arm's length. "Alright honey, Mommy is going to be gone for a few more hours, so do you think you can be a good boy for me while Hayyel-Chen takes care of you?" Hikari spoke up and Hiroshi nodded. Hikari planted a kiss on his forehead and watched him run over to Hayyel and take her by the hand, excited to spend more time with her.
Hikari decided to head home to drop off her bow and pick up her twin daggers. She had the feeling that the bow wouldn't help much down there. She opened the door to her house and ran to her bedroom, where the weapons hung proudly from the walls. She hung up the bow and clip-on quiver before plucking the twin daggers from off the wall and strapped them to her belt.
Hikari sighed and left her house and jogged to the meeting point. It didn't take her long to get there. Cathetel and Elba waved and she walked over. Greeting them they walked down, together, to the base of the stone tower. "So, this is your first Diplomat mission. Are you looking forward to it?" Elba spoke up and Hikari gave him an incredulous look.
"I have to play mediator between His Majesty and that King, who could potentially rip me into shreds within seconds… Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this mission! I'm not at all nervous either!" Hikari rambled and Elba laughed, making her rambles increase.
Cathetel sighed. "Elba, refrain from scaring the poor girl. This isn't just any Diplomat mission either. It is one of highest priority." Cathetel spoke and Hikari felt her stomach sink a few inches.
Hikari bit her lip, "Thanks for reminding me that this is the most important mission since… forever." Hikari whispered, frowning. The trio had reached their departure portal. "I'll just have to do this right… No slip-ups…" Hikari mumbled to herself, reassuringly. She stared down at the swirl of blue at her feet and took a deep breath.
Cathetel sprouted her wings. "Hikari, on this mission you are to remain between us at all times. Even now on the journey to Hell. We must be prepared." Cathetel began as she ruffled her wings. A couple feathers came out and she frowned. "Follow my lead!" She spoke back as she jumped through the blue portal. Hikari steeled herself and jumped after her with Elba right on her tail.
Hikari watched the scenery change at they began to free fall down to earth. They had fallen quite far within the first few minutes. Hikari flipped over and flapped her wings following as close to Cathetel as she could. Cathetel let them to a forested area near a bustling town.
Not that it mattered.
Regular people couldn't see Angels or Demons, unless they have died and come back to life, at least come close enough to death or if an Angel or Demon purposely show themself. On the other hand, people could see Soul Reapers and the Angel of Death, for reasons unknown but with all the stories that people tell, it's hard to distinguish what an actual, stereotypical, soul reaper looks like and also to know what the Angel of Death looks like. 'Although… everyone knows His Majesty's biggest weapon, Ezekiel, the (Arch) angel of Death.' Hikari thought as she landed next to Cathetel. She watched as Cathetel urged the ground near the base of a tree to open up with a blazing ring of red fire.
When the fire faded Cathetel motioned for Elba and Hikari to follow after her as she jumped in. The trio fell into a white room with shades of royal red décor. They extended out their wings to give them a soft landing. Hikari looked up and immediately bit her lip in nervousness. Lucifer's ruby eyes were trained on her in the most menacing fashion. Though he was of the Chaos alignment, he was technically a superior. She felt herself drop into a deep bow. As she rose to meet his eyes, she steeled her nerves.
"My apologies for the sudden interruption… Lucifer-sama." Her voice was steady thankfully. She addressed him formally and he clicked his tongue in slight vexation, but let her continue. "I am here on the behalf of His Majesty, Yggdrasil-sama, to bestow a message to you." At the mention of His Majesty, Hikari noted that his rage in his eyes seemed to amplify and his eyes seemed to literally darken.
Lucifer growled at her words. "I do not wish to hear the drivel that old tree has come to speak. Leave here." Despite the anger in his eyes, his voice was calm. Hikari shook her head.
"I believe that isn't an option, Lucifer-sama. Unless the words pass my lips, we will remain here." Hikari spoke sternly but on the inside she was sweating bullets and shitting bricks. 'Am I trying to get myself killed!? Where's all this back-bone come from!?' She yelled in her mind as Lucifer bared his teeth at her and gripped at the arms of his throne.
A moment passed before Lucifer sat back in his throne and released his death grip on the arm. "…Fine. Deliver this message and disappear from my sight." Hikari nodded.
"His Majesty is concerned. There have been many souls that were expected to voyage to our Gates to be judged by Rashnu." Lucifer looked at her, his fine black brow raised. "Only one third made it to Rashnu, the rest were never seen. They have vanished from His Majesty's boundaries." She spoke up again. Her ears picked up on Elba's annoyed huff from beside her.
"Look, what we're asking here is: Where are the rest of the souls?" Elba's (irritated) add-on made Lucifer's anger flare once more. He threw a glare over to him and Elba paled but hid his fear well.
"Keep with your attitude Man-Pixie, and you'll be a pile of ash." Lucifer hissed. Hikari simply watched the exchange, unsure on what to do. She heard Cathetel shuffle before turning to look at her. She glared right past her and straight at Elba.
"Elba, refrain from interrupting. We are not here to provoke, only to pass on His Majesty's message." Cathetel instructed and Elba returned it with a frustrated glare but didn't speak up again.
Hikari sighed nervously. "My apologies for the rudeness, Lucifer-sama." Hikari spoke up, she cleared her throat. "But the message has been passed, in a much less delicate method than I had planned. His Majesty would like to know: 'Do you know have the missing souls?' and if you do, His Majesty would like it if you returned them or else we will have to continue with our current methods." Hikari finished.
Boy she wished she hadn't said anything. She watched as his face seemed to contort into one of wrath and annoyance, all in slow motion. She felt her heart beat quicker before he even got to saying anything the throne room door slammed open but the situation between the four of them was so unimaginably tense than no one moved at the sound.
"You should keep your Vixens on a leash, Lucifer."
At his words, Hikari's heart beat a thousand times per second. "Damn it Elba, did you REALLY just do that!? You IDIOT! Are you trying to get us all KILLED!?' Hikari mentally screamed, while her face displayed as much emotion as a brick. Hikari watched as Lucifer bared his teeth at them again for at least the third time. The killing intent coming from behind them didn't help calm her nerves at the moment either.
"Keep your tongue in your head, Elba. For the second time: we are not here to provoke." Cathetel spoke up. Hikari didn't have to look to see that the scowl was back on her pretty face. Though she caught Cathetel's movement in the corner of her eye. "I apologise for my partner's… insolence." She moved again. "There is no purpose in continuing. His Majesty expects your answer within the week." Cathetel spoke and the sound of her ruffling her feathers seemed to calm Hikari. She allowed her wings to sprout from her back also. She turned to face Cathetel as she began to open the portal back up to where they had entered.
"…HIKARI-SAN!" She heard her name being called and as she turned to face whoever it was, Elba's left wing came into view.
"Get back, HELL SPAWN!" He yelled and she watched as his right wing whipped up a wind and some feather daggers with it. Hikari pushed past Elba and began running towards the voice. Familiar pink hair came into view and her eyes widened. Why did the girl seem so familiar?
Before she realised it, Cathetel was stood before her, holding onto her arm with a firm, iron grip. She winced. "Cathetel…!" She let out a pained whisper. She watched as Elba advanced on the familiar pink haired enigma. She watched as he thrust his spear forward, nipping the girls cheek. It all seemed so… wrong. "Elba…! Stop it…!" Her voice strained but he clearly ignored her.
"Be cleansed, Vixen!" He yelled, almost bitterly as he began his signature move. She'd seen it before. It was one of his more brutal finishers, but it was extremely effective. She watched as the feathers appeared beneath her feet and how she slipped on them. She watched as defeat and disappointment flashed in her eyes before Elba's body covered the girl from sight. 'No..!' She yelled in her mind as her eyes shut and then her lips moved, her voice screamed.
"SAKURA-SAN!"
At that moment: Silence. Hikari opened her eyes. Lucifer had protected Sakura. She could see from where she was stood that Lucifer had grabbed Elba's spear with his hands by the splotches of blood on his face and neck. Her eyes turned to the person on the other side of Elba. His hair was black and he was dressed in a suit, though the sleeves were torn from the sudden hypertrophy of his arms and the feathers that were becoming more apparent.
She turned back to face Lucifer and Sakura. "Get out of here, Pixie-Scum and don't return…" He began and Hikari heard his shatter the blade of Elba's spear. "Unless you plan to wage war with Hell!" He snarled and Hikari jumped. Elba stepped away from them.
She heard an annoyed growl leave Cathetel's throat. "Elba, get over here! We are leaving NOW. That is an order!" Her voice boomed in Hikari's ear, almost enough to make it ring. Elba jumped back to them and Cathetel wasted no time in opening the portal. With a flash of white, they were back on the surface. Hikari fell back on her rear when the fatigue hit her. She let out a breath of relief. She looked up towards her partners and saw them in a heated glaring match.
"What's your problem, Cathetel?!" Elba broke the silence. Hikari winced at his tone. Cathetel opened her mouth to retort but Elba quickly shut her up with a harsh glare, which he soon turned on her. "And you! Why were you screaming for that Demon-Scum?!" He yelled and Hikari bit her lip as he carried on his verbal assault. "Are you really an Angel then? Or are you a demon spy?!" Her eyes widened at his words as they cut deep into her heart and conscience.
Cathetel scowled as her hand did the talking. Elba's cheek reddened. "You have no right to say such things. You were out of order in more ways than one. I will not fail to report this Elba. You had jeopardised the mission not once, not twice but three times." She spat as she walked over to the, slightly teary-eyed, Hikari and helped her up. They ruffled their wings and took flight towards the clouds. When they re-entered the stone kingdom through the Departure Portal. "Hikari, some with me to report to His Majesty. Elba, do what you want." Cathetel spoke and Hikari nodded. Elba scoffed before sprouting his wings and flying up the side of the stone building. Cathetel and Hikari took the stairs and it took just under fifteen minutes to stride to the top where Yggdrasil awaited them.
At the same time… With Sakura:
Sakura frowned as she left the throne room with Afael. They had begun planning for a possible war with the Angels. As a result, Lucifer agreed to cancel her training with her brother and Afael volunteered to take over. He was granted permission as it also allowed Lucifer to have a valuable set of eyes and ears on Earth. Afael led Sakura back up the red staircase and opened the portal to her training grounds. "I'll head to your house to pass the message onto Hibiki and Shade. We'll talk later." Sakura nodded before he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Sakura tuned to face her teammates before advancing towards them. "Sakura-Chan…! You're really late!" Naruto called to her as she made her way over. Sasuke turned to face her also. "Where were you?" Naruto asked and Sakura shrugged
"I had to go sort something out." She replied before collapsing on her rear under the shade of a nearby tree. She looked up at the sky and saw that it would be quite some time before Kakashi would turn up. She closed her eyes and let herself relax from the tense situation earlier. Well, she tried, but, of course, Naruto and Sasuke were arguing. She rolled her eyes from behind her lids and tuned them out slightly before falling into a light meditative state.
When she felt Kakashi arrive she opened her eyes and sat up. From there, Kakashi didn't waste any time. "I've nominated you three for the Chuunin exams." He started and his eye crinkled as he handed them their forms. "I want you to go out there and kick some ass!" It was a very un-Kakashi-like sentence, but it made Sakura smile. Naruto cheered and Sasuke smirked. Sakura rolled the scroll up and put it in her pouch. "If you want to get some last minute training in then let's go." Kakashi spoke up.
Sakura grinned as she followed Kakashi into the middle of the training ground, she figured since Afael was going to be with Hibiki she wouldn't have to worry. Naruto and Sasuke soon appeared next to her and they all took their stances. "Alright: Let's begin!" Kakashi called and the three Genin jumped into the leaves. They trained for the whole day, stopping for a break only once for lunch, where they actually ALL ate together. They trained late into the evening before finishing for the night.
Sakura made her way home and unlocked the door and climbed up the stairs. She headed straight for her room and crashed onto her bed and her eyes slipped shut.
When she woke up the next morning, the majority of her body's aches had faded into small, unnoticeable throbs from time to time. She rolled out of bed and onto the floor, rather ungracefully before grabbing her towel and heading for the bathroom. She showered and rinsed her body without using soap, since it wouldn't be long until she was walking in the forest of Death, and there were many ninja that tracked by scent.
She dressed herself in clothes in shades of earthy colours. She tied her hair up and looked in the mirror as she tied her forehead protector around her neck. She walked down the stairs and saw Afael waiting in the Kitchen. "Morning Afael." She greeted and he nodded. "Do you want something to eat?" She asked and he shook his head. She shrugged before making herself a hot drink and she set a cup down for Afael also.
"My thanks." He spoke as he took the cup. Sakura sat down at the table and pulled out the form Kakashi had given her yesterday before filling it in before making small talk with Afael. After about twenty minutes Hibiki came downstairs, fully dressed and ready to train. He sat down at the table after grabbing something to munch on.
"Morning, Sakura-chan, Afael." He greeted and they returned his greeting. Hibiki turned to face Sakura. "So the Chuunin exams begin for you today?" He asked and Sakura nodded. "Good Luck Sakura-chan!" He grinned.
Sakura beamed back. "Thank you, Hibiki-Nii! Good luck in your training also!" She replied as she reached into the fruit bowl to grab an orange. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be the one to see it through though."
Hibiki waved her off. "Afael filled me in on what's going on. So it's understandable. This can be my starting point to prove that I'll be a good asset." Hibiki spoke up and Sakura grinned.
She looked up at the clock and decided it was time to go. "Well then, I'm off to ace an exam!" She spoke as she stood up, picking up a handful of grapes. She walked out the door to the meeting place. 'I don't think now is a good time for me to mention Hikari…' She thought to herself as she speed walked. When she got there, Sasuke was already there and Naruto came a few minutes after her.
The trio walked to the exam area and they conversed lightly until they came across a crowd trying to get into the room that was under Genjutsu. The team decided to ignore it and continue on to the next floor. "Hey, where are you going!? The exam room is here!" One of the 'kids' blocking the door yelled after them.
Sakura waved him off. "Your Genjutsu sucks." She spoke and with a small flux of her own chakra, the Genjutsu faded. "Feel free to dispel your Transformation Jutsu too." She spoke as she turned back around. She felt one of them rush towards her but Sasuke intercepted him. 'Usually, that would have been Lee. Another change huh…?' She thought to herself as she glanced back at the crowd and not spotting any familiar faces. "Come on… let's just go." She spoke and she left with her teammates.
They walked up the stairs and Kakashi greeted them with a two fingered salute and an eye smile. "My cute little Genin you've come so far." He smiled, proud before letting them in. This is it.
Where the fight begins.