It would be best to ignore any feelings of deja vu that may arise while reading the text. The situations in this chapter are purely original and not based off of anything previously in the Naruto series.*

Sasaku ran down the street as fast as he could. Today was Monday, so class started again. He had slept in, and was running really close. He couldn't be late today, they were going to be practicing some special jutsu that is supposed to have the same effects as a military rations pellet. He turned a corner and bumped into a pole. He swore as he stumbled back, then ran at top speed again, turning on the Byakugan to avoid doing that again. Sasaku barged into the classroom, everyone was there, but it didn't seem he was late. He then noticed that Karei wasn't there. He saw Naruto sleeping on his desk and grinned.

Right before Sasaku sat down, Iruka said, "You will not be in class with us today Sasaku, Lady Tsunade has requested that you come see her." Sasaku looked at him questioningly and Iruka shrugged in response. When he shut the door, he heard Iruka begin speaking again. "So Naruto," he said, "how did the weekend training go?" Sasaku only heard grumbling, meaning that Naruto failed miserably. Looks like wind was his only element.

Sasaku walked out of the academy and to the Hokage mansion. He tightened his headband and straightened his swords before walking in her office. Just as he expected, Karei was in there, but so was another boy he didn't know. It was, of course, Ishimaru. "Ah Sasaku, you're here." Tsunade said, "Now we can talk." Sasaku raised an eyebrow and said, "About what?" He walked foreword and stood in the gap between Ishimaru and Karei. Tsunade set her elbows on the desk in front of her. "The three of you," she said, "Enkou Sasaku, Uindo Karei, Keigai Ishimaru, will make up a new squad of genin, commanded under the jounin Arashi Raiden." Thunder and lightning storm.

A man with white hair and a purple vest over a black shirt with navy pants walked in. It must have been Raiden. "Raiden will now take you with him so he may see what you are capable of." Tsunade said. Sasaku smiled as he stared at the man. He looked like he was nothing to sniff at. But the man had a dead serious face. "Come with me," he said, "I will not be waiting." Karei looked at him with a look that said both don't-boss-me-around and you-don't-have-to-tell-me-twice at the same time. Ishimaru stepped out the door after Raiden.

Sasaku shrugged and followed after, followed quickly by Karei. The new squad walked through the village, all the way to a training field. It was a grassy plain surrounded by dense wood. Raiden turned to the squad. "This test will be an all out battle between genin and jounin." he said, "You have until sundown to draw blood from me. If I end up bleeding in any way shape or form, you have succeeded, and may sit back." Sasaku laughed. "Piece of cake!" he said, "This will be a snap!" Karei sighed and said quietly, "Loudmouth..."

Raiden glared at him, with a strange look in his eye. "The first two of you to succeed in drawing blood will pass," he said, "but the third will be required to go through the most severe training. It will be so grueling, I can personally promise that you will regret becoming a ninja." The three of the students looked at each other. Sasaku swallowed hard. "Begin!" Raiden said, vanishing. Sasaku swore and instantly jumped into the woods to track him. Karei jumped in a different direction and Ishimaru put his ear to the ground. He then stood up and shot in one direction.

Ishimaru spotted Raiden hiding in some bushes. He made the sign of the snake. "Earth Style:" he said, "Earth Manipulation!" The ground sprang out from under Raiden. He swore as it put a cut in his leg. Raiden stood up and faced Ishimaru. "Good job," he said, "you found your opponent before he could find you, then unhesitatingly struck from the shadows, you will be a strong shinobi, but there are qualities you lack." Ishimaru shrugged. "Can I take a rest now?" he asked. Raiden sighed and nodded, then took off as Ishimaru dozed in a tree.

An hour passed, Sasaku had finally found Raiden. Sasaku threw a rock to the side of Raiden opposite him. Raiden turned to look and Sasaku silently drew his swords and jumped at him. He was about to strike, when Raiden blocked his katanas with two kunais. Sasaku remembered some of the dual wielding techniques he'd learned, and spun around, one blade following the other. Raiden dodged the two of them and tossed a kunai at Sasaku. Sasaku swore and knocked it down with the Kumori Tora in his right hand. He then thrust at Raiden with the Demon Sword in his left hand.

Raiden went past the sword into close quarters with Sasaku. He kicked Sasaku in the chest, making him fly back into a tree. Sasaku winced in pain and when he opened his eyes, Raiden was gone. He swore again and went searching. "Why the heck are you sleeping?!?" he heard Karei yell. He ran towards her voice and saw her standing over Ishimaru with her arms crossed. Ishimaru looked as if he'd just been woken up. "Ishimaru was asleep?" Sasaku calmly asked. Karei nodded. "The tall guy here already succeeded." Ishimaru sighed and nodded.

Sasaku looked at Karei. It was either him or her now. He looked at the ground. 'I could probably handle the training,' he thought, 'but I don't know about her.' Sasaku thought for a minute as Karei and Ishimaru stared at him. "Karei," he said, "I'm going to help you finish this." The other two looked at Sasaku in shock. "But then you'll have to go through the intense training." Karei said. Sasaku shrugged. "I think I can take it." he said smiling, "Alright here's the plan..."

To be continued...

*Okay, so that's a load of BS, but I thought it'd be a cool situation. Besides, it's not totally similar... Read and review!