Chapter Twenty-Five
The second ANBU came forward and pulled out a simple map of the area. "The rules are simple. Over the course of seven days and six nights, you are allowed to go anywhere within Fire Country. However, Uchiha, you must stay in the region between the East and South lines." He pointed to the lower right section of the map. "Hatake, your boundary is between the North and East." Again, he indicated to the section. "If you cross the line, you are immediately failed. This includes any of your weapons that you may throw."
"Everything else is allowed," said the first ANBU, "Which includes you killing us, and us killing you. Understood?" Although taken aback a little, they both gave nodded and each received a basic map.
"Then if you are alive, you will return to this gate by sunset of the seventh day," Kazuma concluded. His face didn't show the usual, casual smile and his eyes seemed a little closed off from the two boys. His voice was more official as well. "The sun will rise in a short while, and that is when these two will pursue you."
Both of the ANBU disappeared and a moment later, the wooden gates swung open. Now they could see the eastern sky beginning to dim, very lightly. A gust of cold wind blew at them through the open gateway and beyond it, the thin branches were swaying to and fro, while the thicker ones were too burdened with snow.
"Go," Kazuma commanded.
"Hai," they replied in unison, and ran past their teacher. Kazuma didn't turn around to see them immediately spring away in the opposite directions, Obito to the South and Kakashi to the North. The two ANBU came back down, one of them landing and remaining in a relaxed crouch while the other turned to look at the sky.
"They must have quite some talent if you're letting them take the Jounin exam this early, Kazuma-san," said the man who was crouched down.
"I'm expecting a lot from them as well," said the other.
"Indeed, there's much more to them than meets the eye," Kazuma responded, turning his head a little to glance over his shoulder. Much, much more.
"Well, I guess this is better than doing missions." The ANBU straightened and stretched his arms. "But," he added, his voice becoming serious, "that's no reason to underestimate them."
After another short while of silence and waiting, the sun's edge peeked over the horizon. It was hard to tell because of the clouds promising even more snow, but it was definitely visible to the trained eye. Without a sound, the two elite ninjas disappeared, each going after a participant. Kazuma turned around completely now and stared at the light area through the grey clouds. Good luck, Obito, Kakashi.
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Kakashi had made his way due north, matching the landscape with the map. It wasn't much to compare with, but he needed to know his limited space. He knew it was quite a large portion of land, but he needed some reference to the exact borderline. He went along for a while before he saw the sun rising. He had gotten to know the vague area so he was content with how he had spent the handicap time.
Now he stopped traveling and hid himself in the shadows of a dense patch of tree limbs. Despite the sunlight, it was still relatively dark and there were plenty of shadows he could hide in. His right hand hovered over his weapons holster while he left all his senses open to detect anyone. His muscles were loose but alert, enabling him to spring into action.
"Hatake." The ANBU landed on a branch higher up and to Kakashi's right side. "You can come out. I'm not going to attack you at the moment."
Kakashi didn't move. He had no idea whether the elite ninja knew where he was, but he continued to watch the ANBU carefully. The man sighed and shook his head a slowly.
"Well, in either case, I know you're close enough to hear me," he said. "A lot of people call me Yuki. I won't reveal my real name at the moment. I'll be your examiner for this exam. I just thought it would be nice to introduce myself…Ah, here you are."
Kakashi's eyes widened as he snapped his head to his right, finding Yuki crouched on the branch immediately next to his. He glanced at the place where he had last seen the examiner, but found nothing there, meaning it wasn't a Kage Bunshin. He hadn't encountered anyone so fast besides Kazuma.
"Don't worry," Yuki said, "I told you, I'm not here to attack. It just feels better introducing myself face to face with someone." He lifting up the animal mask and revealed a fairy young, smiling face. He seemed to be in his mid twenties, his dark brown hair pulled into a tight ponytail and a small golden ring hung on his left earlobe. "Anyways," he continued, "Nice to meet you."
"Uh…nice to meet you too," Kakashi mumbled, still quite baffled by Yuki's behaviour.
"So, did you get a chance to note your boundaries?" Yuki asked, shifting into a more comfortable position, his mask balanced steadily on his head.
"Some," Kakashi replied.
"Good. Best is if you stay away from them as much as possible. It's hard to know the exact line. Do you have enduring food supplies? I suggest you use them, instead of trying to cook fish and show so many defenceless openings. And avoid sleeping too deeply. I can cost you you're life. Oh and lastly, you'll be following my orders." Yuki's eyes arched up into very casual, friendly smile. "I wish you good luck."
"Aren't you supposed to be the hunter?" Kakashi asked with a slight frown.
"Hm? Hunter?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, then shrugged. "No idea."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Yuki said, turning his head fully to look at Kakashi, quite seriously, "it is for me to know, and you to find out." Then he grinned again, straightened and brushing small pieces of dust off his clothes. "In any case, we're going to be stuck together for the next week, so let's take it easy," he said, turning away and waving his hand back at the boy. Then he turned his head slightly, and added, "Unless, of course, you die before the week is up." Without waiting another second, he disappeared, leaving Kakashi quite wary and more than little confused.
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It had been about four hours since the beginning of the exam, and Kakashi had seen no further trace of Yuki anywhere. He didn't even feel the ANBU's presence, though he knew that would be hard to detect. The weather didn't get any better, the sun remaining hidden behind thick, grey clouds that hung low. He roughly estimated that it would probably snow towards evening.
Kakashi suddenly stopped and spun around on the high branch. There was nothing there, but something was giving him a prickling sensation. Slowly, he rotated, searching the area. Something wasn't right. Then he noticed it. He felt the wind blowing quite strongly against his face, but nothing else was moving, not even the thinnest branches. He then heard, then saw weapons slicing the air towards him. His hands came up together quickly and he gathered his chakra. Kai.
Immediately the illusion broke away, and the kunai disappeared with it. His surroundings weren't very different from what it had been like inside the Genjutsu, but he found the branches swaying to and fro against the wind. He also found himself one tree branch away from the East line border.
Without another moment of pause, Kakashi jerked out a kunai and used it to bat away two others, which fell down harmlessly at his feet. Looking beyond, he saw an ANBU standing on a thin branch not far away.
"Yuki-san," Kakashi muttered. "That Genjutsu just now…" He didn't have enough time to finish his train of thoughts as Yuki seemed to disappear with the same speed he had shown before. Kakashi flipped backwards off his branch, catching another and looping around it once before dropping down onto a fairly thick limb. Yuki came out of his dive onto the branch Kakashi had formally occupied, with a wakizashi (1) in his hand. A small rip was visible on Kakashi's sleeve, though the blade hadn't reached down to his skin.
"Yuki-san!" Kakashi called, somewhat uncertainly.
"Hatake," Yuki said, suddenly appearing behind him. Kakashi spun around to face the masked elite ninja. "Are you intending to die so early?" Kakashi pushed off the wood just in time to lift his feet above the slicing sword. He landed on another branch slightly higher than the last.
"No," Kakashi replied.
"Then fight." The answer was cold and demanding. Kakashi met the short sword this time with his kunai, the two blades grinding against each other for a moment. Yuki pushed him off balance and they fell down together. Kakashi saw Yuki pull out a shuriken and flick it at his unprotected torso. Acting quickly, he lifted up his foot and the metal clanged against the shuriken that he always kept in the sole of his shoes. Kakashi let the wakizashi slip down and caught Yuki's shuriken. He then threw both shuriken and kunai at Yuki's back, but they hit a kawarimi.
Kakashi landed abruptly and while trying to search for Yuki, he vaulted back from the territorial line he had almost crossed again. Using the branches, he sprang away, and not soon after, he was forced to dodge a number of weapons while still moving away from the east line.
Yuki suddenly appeared directly in front of him, and the quick kick was impossible to avoid. Kakashi brought his hands up by reflex, which absorbed most of the force, but he was still shoved back against the tree trunk. He didn't wait to try and get his knocked out breath back. Gathering chakra on his hands and feet, he flipped 180 degrees, sticking to the tree with the chakra, and so avoiding the wakizashi that created a deep gash into the wood.
As soon as the sword was out of harms way, Kakashi pushed his feet off the tree and swung it down with as much force and speed as he could gather, towards Yuki's shoulder. The ANBU was quicker though, and leapt back, flicking a kunai. Kakashi landed in a crouch and caught the weapon, immediately throwing it back. Yuki disappeared, the weapon sticking into the wood with a dull thud. Kakashi pivoted on his left foot, his right swinging in a smooth arc and connected with Yuki's metal arm protector. He was getting used to the speed and pattern of the ANBU. He suddenly noticed a small green gem embedded in the golden ring hanging on Yuki's left ear. Had that been there before?
He was given much time to ponder over it, as Yuki took a small jump back and brought his hands together in seals that Kakashi wasn't familiar with. The affect was quick though, as he suddenly found himself in the midst of a whirlwind. It wasn't as simple as a normal gust of wind, he quickly figured. In the span of a few seconds, he found movement an impossible choice. The wind just came from every direction, restricting any possibility of moving, and he could feel the chakra mixed in the air.
Squinting through all the dust and small twigs, Kakashi saw Yuki standing near the trunk with his arms crossed, observing. Moving forcefully caused small cuts into his skin, sharp enough to draw blood. He grit his teeth, his mind racing, trying to find a solution.
…The only thing that can really slow down wind is water…
The sudden memory of the past struck him. Midori had said that during their training, as she had often manipulated the wind with chakra. Water… he thought. There isn't any though…He happened to glance down at that moment, and his eyes widened. Snow!
Bracing himself against the stinging pain of the cuts, Kakashi stepped off the branch, his body tumbling down from the high branch. The wind kept up with his fall and he landed on his knees in the deep snow. Ignoring the increase of small wounds along his arms, Kakashi went through hand seals. Katon Housenka no jutsu. He kept the power to a minimum, and the balls of flame spread out around him, melting the snow. It was obviously only a small amount of water that was created, but even a little was enough to allow Kakashi to escape the wind enclosure. As soon as he was out, Kakashi threw himself across the snow, barely managing to avoid the wakizashi that pierced the ground. He didn't waste time staying still though, and he immediately created several replicas. They all went different ways, making their way up the trees, back to where Yuki was.
"Impressive Hatake," Yuki said, the divided winds already settling down. Kakashi's copies all disappeared in puffs of smoke as well. Although as one, the wind could trap him, but divided, it would be nothing more than the level at which Midori had used. Kakashi landed further out of the branch Yuki stood on, looking more ragged than before with all the small cuts, the latter noted, but his breathing hardly different. "But will your stamina hold out?"
Without warning, the ANBU charged Kakashi, and they once again came into taijutsu combat, the former now constantly pushing the boy, forcing him to push himself to the limit and also making him run. Will you make it until sunset, Hatake? Yuki asked silently. There's at least six hours left…
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Translations:
(1) Wakizashi: a short sword in the style of a katana, but much smaller. But it's still bigger than a tantou.
Everyone thanks for your feedback! My interpretations of the Jounin Exam has officially begun!
Leilani: As always, thanks for the review!! Pakkun…yep, I'll make sure to add him in for the sequel!
sUmbOdi: Thanks! Not too quick, but updates sure came!
Rurikat: Yeah, Kakashi and Obito are kind of highly skilled for their standards…Thanks for your review though! The review isn't what counts. I'm happy merely since your reading!
HikaruOfArrow: Thanks for reviewing! Um…Team 7 huh….I may, I don't know…I know that I'll definitely write about Kakashi's ANBU years, but I honestly don't know yet. If I get create ideas of how I might be able to change the storyline, I might, or make a completely new AU story. I'll tell you when I've made up my mind!
Katzuki: lol. Yeah, Kakashi was a bit mean…Anyways, thanks for always reviewing!!
Alana: wow…That was long. Hehe. But thanks! I really appreciated everything you wrote, especially the compliment about the fighting scenes. Thanks you so, so much! At times I thought I was writing too much of them when a lot of people would hardly even understand what was written. I'm glad you told me! I honestly love your review! And, it's the 100th review!! (hugs very tightly) Again, thank you very, very much!!
Chaotic Demon: Ooh. Nice idea! Will have a think about that! Thanks for the review!
Thanks again!
-Fanyar-