I was trying to get this up before, but I had Senior Prom on thursday! Best night of my life! I was awake from 8am to 7 30 am (party-hardy all night long~) anyway, This is a bit rushed, sorry about that. Like i said i was trying to get this up sooner (like before prom but...yeah lol) Hope this will hold you over, I started writing the next task already so hold on for that.~ P.O.G

First Task

Neji stood before the Royals, his hands at his sides, knees locked. His competitions stood beside him, each feeling a ting of anxiousness as they awaited their first task to be announced. He clenched his fists as he glanced between the Prince and his uncle. The Assassin was woken up early and instructed to dress in what he pleased, then was shuffled out to a waiting carriage to be brought to the area prepared for the competition.

"Candidates, the time has come." The King's advisor stepped forward.

The silver haired man began to explain the first task. The competitors will be tested on their swiftness and speed. There were hidden treasures in the snow bliss of the forest ahead. The forest expanded out miles and miles to a mountain head.

"You four will be given your assigned weapons." Kakashi announced as Sasuke and Itachi approached them, each holding two leather sacks.

"The item you receive will be yours until the end of the second task. It may be helpful, or it may not. However, it all depends on how you use them.

"For Sai, a dagger."

Itachi threw the first sac at the artist. The emotionless teen looked down at the ordinary dagger and nodded.

"For Kabuto, a metal staff."

The specked teen pulled a cylinder out of sac. He glanced up at Itachi in question. Itachi said he could not give him any hints of how to use it.

"For Haku, a supply of 10,000 needles."

Sasuke handed the Kiri assassin a pouch. Haku peeked inside of it; indeed, there were plenty of needles.

Then the Advisor turned to the final competitor.

"And for you, Hyuga Neji..."

Sasuke handed him the sac, giving him a hard look before returning beside his brother. The Hyuga opened the sac to find...

"A spool of thread?" He mused.

"Indeed. Now that you have your objects, you may return to your tents. We shall wait til night fall to begin the competition." Kakashi announced before dismissing the group of teens.

Neji glanced at his uncle before walking back to the camp area where he sat himself inside his tent and glanced down at the thread. What the fuck was he supposed to do with that? It is a rather large spool, he sighed. Summoning his magical eyes, he examined the strong more closely. A smirk came to his face as he looked at the strands. They were laced with steel micro strands. Steel is a conductor of Magical energy that the chakras pour out. This could be useful, he thought.

The princess sat against the window sill of the Desert Princess' room. She gazed out toward the forest where the games had begun. Her brother was allowed to attend, however, she was stuck on palace grounds. Shikamaru had traveled to the outer parts of the kingdom, making his way to the west. Supposedly, a duke had requested his services to help handle the small army that was to be formed over there to protect the lands. So that left Temari and Tenten to dwell in the palace until everyone returns...whenever that may be.

"Where's Gaara?" The blonde princess asked one of the maids.

"The prince is in the training chambers with the Master, your highness."

Temari sighed and began to pick at her nails. It was truly a drag to have nothing to do. She had ran with Tenten earlier today (had a little trouble keeping up) and sat in on one of her lessons. Now they just sat in the Desert Princess' chambers and wasted the day away.

"You've been silent."

There was no response.

"Oi, I'm talking to you." Temari threw a tube of lipstick at the brunette.

Tenten turned and leaned back, dodging the object that had flew past her head.

"Sorry. I zoned out."

"I can see that." Temari murmured as she resumed to pick at her nails.

The Golden Princess sighed and leaned back against the windowsill. She wanted to see the boys off, and watch them. Her brother promised that he would tell her everything that went on, but she wanted to actually see it for herself. It was "no place for a princess", Lord Hyuga had told her father when she had confronted him about the matter.

"Are you thinking about him?" Temari asked.

"Him?"

"You know," She winked at her. "That Hyuga boy."

Tenten scoffed and rolled her eyes. As if. Crossing her arms over her chest, she simply stated that she didn't need to worry about an arrogant prick who had done nothing but harass her ever since he arrived. If it was up to her, she would have been rooting for Haku or Kabuto to do their best. Temari chuckled and shook her head.

"Don't play yourself. I bet the Great Goddess above can see right through you to the point where even she is shaking her head."

The bun head grunted and rolled her eyes. She admitted when Shin-Ten told her about the tasks she was a bit frightened. The enchanted forest was a beautiful sight during the day, she used to play there with the pixies as a child.. However, at night it was dangerous-for her anyway- to be walking around in. They say that shadow creatures like roam around as well as different beasts that are nocturnal. But that shouldn't be a problem, right? Kabuto knew the place around by heart, Sai could just draw something, Haku could take care of himself...and Neji...

And Neji.

Tenten pursed her lips together. He was the one who would probably prance his way into it and do as he pleased. If he wanted to he could cut down the whole Forest, pixies and all; not caring of whether he was supposed to do that or not.

"Don't go tearing down the whole forest, Hyuga." The prince said as he stood with the Assassin by the entrance of the enchanted forest.

Neji rolled his eyes and murmured something under his breath. The crowned prince huffed and just looked at him. Hopefully he didn't make the wrong decision digging him out from the cell. But he couldn't take it back now...well, he could, but he won't.

"You got some nerve smuggling me this string, Prince." The Hyuga murmured.

"Sorry, I can't take that credit."

"Oh?"

"You should thank my sister for that. She always had an eye for detail." Shin-Ten ran a hand through his brown bangs.

Neji looked at him. So, it was Tenten who got this past the Uchihas. Adjusting his back pouch, the Hyuga looked toward his Uncle. Lord Hiashi had his chin lifted toward him, his ivory eyes watching him expectantly.

"Sly bastard..."

"Now, competitors." The King's Advisor announced.

"There are four beasts in the enchanted forest who harbor a small treasure. Your objective is to track this beast and retrieve the treasure. However, you must bring proof that the beast has been killed. There is a white silk cloth inside of you pre-packed pouches. Use that to bring back proof."

Neji reached behind and felt the piece of fabric brush against his fingertips.

"At the sound of the gun, you may enter. Your time expected at the top of the mountain is one week."

Neji glanced at the others. Haku had his hair up in a bun. He had used the cloth to cover his bun and tied it with a scrap piece of thread. He exchanged glances with the Hyuga before covering his face with a white mask with a red design; a Kiri symbol carved into the forehead.

"Do you have a plan?" The prince asked.

Neji adjusted his head band and the shot went off.

"Nope." Was his reply before running into the dark Forrest.

Shin-Ten blinked as he processed that answer. Sighing, he turned on his heel and walked back to his tent.

"May the great goddess protect that one..." he grunted

Neji didn't have to look back to know he was the first one in the trees. He landed on a high branch and glanced around. He was to look for a beast? No leads? No description? The Hyuga sucked his teeth. Well, since it was a magical beast, he could easily track it. Closing his eyes, he opened his chakras and focused his magic to his eyes.

"Byakugan!"

Opening his ivory eyes he looked around the area. There was pixie dust everywhere, he noticed. Deciding to continue on, he hopped onto another branch, this time lower, and scanned the ground.

"Ah..." He hummed.

A sliver of what looked to be shadow magic was trailing toward the mountain base. It had to be invisible to the naked eye for him to have barely noticed it. Neji paused, making sure that nobody was behind him before jumping into the next branch. He jumped from tree to tree, following the line of shadow aura until he reached a dead point. It had split off into four different directions.

"How unsettling."

Neji shook his head.

"Following me isn't going to get you anywhere...you three."

He shut off his eyes and smirked as the other three competitors appeared below him. Gathering magical energy at his feet, he swung himself on the branch and hung upside down facing them.

"It was actually Haku who managed to catch up with you, Hyuga. We merely followed." Kabuto called to him adjusting his glasses.

"Yeah, whatever." Neji murmured.

"Where did they go?" Sai asked.

The Hyuga Assassin shrugged. The trail split off. One path for each of them. He could tell that the beasts they were chasing were of the same species, due to the matching auras. So, now they just had to each pick a direction and hope to get lucky.

"Your tip is much appreciated, Hyuga Neji. However," Kabuto shoved his hands in his pockets. "How are the rest of us supposed to track the beast?"

Neji's vein popped. He turned up right on the branch and glared at the silverette.

"I don't know... nor care. I'm not going to waste my time helping you either. You're a big boy, figure it out." He spat before disappearing in the direction of the beast to the far right.

"My my... Not very nice..." Kabuto sighed.

Haku remained silent as he took toward the beast heading to the far left. Kabuto and Sai went their ways as well.

"Bastards..." Neji grumbled as he scanned around with his Byakugan again.

He came upon a nesting ground. The Hyuga crouched close to the branch as he forced his magic to expand the area in which he was able to view. The treasure, he noticed, was buried under the nest. But where was the beast? Steadying his breathing, Neji jumped to a higher branch. It was no where in sight.

"This is too easy..." He whispered to himself.

The aura was encircling around an area that was not too far from the nest. But why was it staying in that one spot? Closing his eyes, he tried to get as much magic as he could, without draining himself, to boost his sight. Ah, he smirked. That king pulled a fast one on them. He doubt that the others would get it at first like he...well, maybe Haku, but he was certain the others were in for an interesting fight. He stayed crouched on the branch, watching the aura pace back and forth.

The sun began to rise, and the Hyuga noticed that the aura became faint. Neji sat back against the tree, his legs speed forward on the branch. That's why they set out at night, he thought as he deactivated his eyes and closed them. It was easier to track. But then this held the question of; why pick a beast that only he was able to track? Surely there were other ways for the beast to be found. Of what Kabuto said was true, then the Kiri assassin could sense the dark aura. Kabuto probably didn't trust his own senses enough to go ahead alone. And Sai...he wasn't sure he would last long.

"Now to wait until the evening, it's probably sleeping right now..." Neji yawned to himself and closing his eyes.

Haku crouched in the snow, his fingers itching at the needles that were given to him. He had found the beast. Or at least he thought he did. There was no way his senses could have fooled him after many years of training. And besides, this isn't his first time in an enchanted forest before. The sun was up and he could feel the faint aura seeming from the middle of a grass-snow patch.

"What the hell..." He groaned to himself.

It's here, he thought. He knew it was. The aura began to fade more and more. Shit, he had to wait now.

Hyuga Neji cracked an eye open as he hear a groan. The beast was close to waking up. The sun was beginning to set. The assassin had been observing the aura for the last three days, making sure it's patterns didn't change. It was now day four and he was ready to move forward. Taking out the string, he unraveled some of it and tied it to his branch. Activating his eyes, he swiftly moved around the faint aura, making sure not to startle it until the trap was in place. He tugged on the thread, making sure it was tightly in place before tiptoeing closely around the aura, crouching down and he set the threat loosely on the snow covered grass. Slowly, he told himself. The beast was laying on top of the treasure, he noticed as he looked down under the nest.

"Ggghhhrr..." The beast moaned.

Neji stopped in his tracks and made his breath shallow. He didn't dare move until the beast's breathing was returned to a slow steady pace.

"Easy..." He whispered to himself as he weaves through the threads to get back to his tree.

Clenching the spool in his hand, he waited. The sun had fully gone down now, so any minute it would wake up. Neji stayed perfectly still, his veins were protruding from the sides of his temples as he watched the beast's aura become more defined under the dark sky. The Pixies began to travel back to their Hallows, their lights leaving trails of dust in the snow. The beast's aura moved, Neji mused as he crouched down on the branch. Puckering his lips he let out a whistle. The aura shifted.

"Good..." He murmured.

"Now to put him to sleep for good."

Neji jumped down from the branch and landed in front of the aura. A loud growl was heard as it was entangled with in his threads. The Hyuga gripped the threat with his teeth, struggling to keep hold. Bringing his hand to the thread in his mouth, he summoned his magic. The energy traveled from his hand into the micro fibers of the string, bouncing off from tree to tree until it reached the aura, if his guess was right...

"Sleep tight." He murmured and pulled harder.

There was a loud groan and a loud snap. The aura had faded as green blood spilled onto the white snow, and all over the Assassin. He didn't need his eyes to see it now. The beast had a large dog like head with curled horns and two black eyes. It's fur was purple and leaked blood due to the cuts that were caused by the strings. It's head was slumped on the ground, spine still attached. Sucking his teeth, the Hyuga released the string, causing the trees that made contact with it to collapse. Pocketing the spool, he walked over to the almost beheaded beast and kicked it.

"You annoying little shit." He breathed.

Grabbing the bare bone, he twisted the spine till it snapped completely. Some of the bone was still sticking out from the head, but that was too much work to take out. Neji stuffed the bloodied head into the same sac he got the spool in yesterday and began to move branches around. Ah, he grunted as he moved twigs over. Under the twigs were a hole. it contained a small chest. Cracking it open, not caring that there was a key, laying next to it, he pulled out a gold small gold ring with a red ruby stone.

"Huh, how small..." He murmured.

It almost perfectly on his pinky, which is where it was going to stay for the rest of the trip to the mountain. He jumped up into the branches and glanced ahead. From his current spot to the base of the mountain was a good few hours. The Hyuga sucked his teeth. If he were to go now, he would rest once he got there. But he didn't know what was waiting for him at the mountain. A trap seemed to be typical, but then again by his encounter with this shadow beast, he was probably not going to have to face any kind of trap. He heard shuffling behind him. Pressing his body against the tree, he tilted his head toward the shuffling. Two people, he mused as he slowly reached behind to his spool of thread.

Clink

Clink

Grunt

Clink

Neji's eyes watched as Kabuto and Sai clashed with each other.

"By the looks of it, that faker was able to get a treasure." he mumbled to himself.

The Hyuga waited until the two were running off in the opposite direction before jumping to the next tree branch. Clicking his tongue, he decided to keep moving for a little while, rest, then continue in the morning so he was fully awake just in case something were to jump at him.

And so dawn came. Neji breathed in the morning scent of the crisp snow covered grass. A breeze flew by and he embraced it. His breath was visible when a sigh came to his lips before jumping down on to the ground. He straightened himself and looked around. There were foot steps left from where Kabuto and Sai went at it, along with a few blood stains. But something else caught his eye. Hakur must have strode right passed him during the night when he was asleep. The third pair of foot steps were shallow, as if the Kiri assassin had been levitating. Tightening the head band that covered his tattoo, he activated his eyes and scanned the older teen's foot prints. They were laced with an aura. A smirk came to the Hyuga's face. So, either the Kiri assassin knew the Hyuga was resting in the tree above, or he noticed the foot prints and blood splatters and was trying not to get jumped by either Kabuto or Sai. Neji went for the former, it was only logical that Haku knew he was there. A true assassin isn't afraid of some foot prints and blood splats. Adjusting the pouch with the beast's head, he deactivated his eyes and began to sprint toward the base of the mountain.

Haku was laying down in a bush. Pixies began to settle upon his chest and his mask, curious as to who he was and if he was alive. He was breathing heavily due to overworking himself. He had had trouble with the beast, he admitted. A shadow creature was never easy to defeat granted, however he felt that he was brought behind time due to his difficulties with lack of resources. His aim wasn't every accurate, but it wasn't horrible either. The needles barely pierced the beast's flesh, but he was able to send on straight into its eyes and pounce on it. The two small organs bounced around in the small sac he had at his side. It wasn't much, but it was good enough. Aside from that, the treasure he was able to acquire had to be very expensive. Two gold earrings with rubies. Interesting he thought. Pieces of jewelry had been scattered among the forest for them to pick up. Each one delicate, but held some meaning to the King if he went through all the trouble as to having someone hide them.

The Pixies began to walk all over his mask, their tiny foot steps barely audible to a normal ear. He listened as them knocked and talked among themselves, unsure of how to see what he looked like. Haku smiled under it, maybe he should stop stressing and try to rest. He still had ways to go, but he can't work with being exhausted.

Neji reached the base of the mountain in the matter of hours. It was no shock that he was the first one there. Now it was crunch time. Along the way he picked up a few needles that Haku had dropped. The convince was unexpected. Taking out his spool, the Hyuga tied the needles to it, tugging them to make sure they were secure. Gathering this magic, he threw the first needle up, getting it latched in between stones. Taking in a breath, Neji lifted his foot into the rock and began to climb.

Neji loves to talk to himself...lol Anyway, I know i didn't focus too much on Sai and Kabuto, but here is the first task. Second one is soon to come. If there are any suggestions of Tasks that you have just PM me and we'll talk about it. ~ P.O.G