Kishomi froze in total awe as the taki genin continued to smirk while doing multiple katas. She observed the hand motions closely as she backed away even more. Seal of the horse…dragon…ram…ox…bird…monkey…boar…and then snake. "What the?" Kishomi thought warily as water formed around her arrogant opponent.

"You'll never defeat me with the power and skill I use now, Kishomi! The Kyoretsu bloodline will crush your clan and send them to hell…" the genin smiled slyly as a stream of water shot at Kishomi, full speed. Kishomi was yet too slow to block even this vigor of water.

"AHHHHHH! –spits-"Kishomi sputtered as the torrent of water coiled stiffly around her body. The water was like steel, overwhelming her helpless self slowly and painfully. Kishomi struggled with endless efforts to break free of the iron grip the waterfall genin had on her.

"Die here Kishomi, for your clan will be no match against my elite family!" the taki genin said grimly, eyes glazed with vehemence. Kishomi gritted her teeth harder as the water compressed tighter around her.

"So…-gasp-…all this was...for…rivalry…between your clan…and mine? A set path? Some…incomplete mission!" Kishomi gasped out as water filled her mouth to silence her. The genin laughed, and made a fist.

"Nothing matters now! If I kill you…I will make my clan top in the village…and the world!" the genin declared. Kishomi gazed annoyingly at him.

"No matter how hard you try…your hopeless efforts won't…beat ME!" she yelled, and broke free from the grip of the water coils. Kishomi huffed and spat out water. She hung over greatly, but endured the pain.

The waterfall genin gasped. Had she the strength to destroy his steel coils of water, one of his specialties? He receded and jumped high, using chakra focused into the soles of his feet. Kishomi's glare followed the genin as he dove for her from above. His hand snatched out kunai blades and he flung the knives at Kishomi, who whisked out a kunai knife just in time and knocked out all the daggers with her own agility. The taki genin hurled himself at her but Kishomi blocked his fists with her arms held over her face.

Kishomi scoffed as she twisted her left leg to kick the genin aside. He was thrown back by the blow into his stomach and coughed out blood. But the waterfall genin wasn't ready to give up so easily though. He got back up and wiped away the ruby red liquid that trickled down from his half opened mouth. The genin lunged for Kishomi again, but she slid out of the way. The taki genin skidded across the dirt. Kishomi was good, as well as fast in speed. He made another fist and went for Kishomi, but she blocked it with no sign of sweat.

His other hand went for her face. She had blocked that too, but his free leg twisted to the right and broke her stand. Kishomi slipped and fell to the ground, sprawled out. The genin slammed his fist down on Kishomi's stomach before she could force herself up.

"K-Kuso…my back…" Kishomi stuttered, then spat out warm blood. The crimson liquid dripped onto the dark forest floor. The taki genin smiled again. Score.

"Seems you're not up to snuff- eh, Kishomi?" he said, grinning wider. "Looks like your pitiful clan is nothing compared to mine!" Kishomi narrowed her eyes as they glittered with killer sanity in the night.

"Shut up…I will exterminate you!" She growled back at he opponent. "You're just all talk and your stuck up clan is nothing but a mystery to me! I know you're not after my stupid scroll anyway!" the genin sneered.

"Ah… so desu. The Kyoretsu, fierce waterfall ninjas. Ore wa Nagare. Kyoretsu Nagare!" he said, giving a cocky look. Kishomi gave him a scowl. What a horrible intro.

"You keep your dirty looks to yourself! We'll see who's gonna make it out of here alive!" Naruto protested, drawing a kunai out of his holster. Kishomi only sighed.

"You're just a full-time bragger…all talk and no action bores me, Nagare." She said, getting up and stumbled to her feet. "Come at me and see what you're in for!" Nagare nodded and small smile formed on his lips. Kishomi stood, ready to attack. The opponents had kunai knives gripped in their palms tightly. They charged for each other at the same time.

CHINNG! The kunai blades collided with each other concurrently. Neither of them was thrown back. Kishomi and Nagare were now both in a wrestle with weapons. Both of them shook, trying to withstand one another's overwhelming strength.

"You wouldn't want me to scar that sweet face of yours, would you?" Nagare said coolly. Kishomi gave him an intent glare. She released one hand's grasp on the kunai knife, but yet she could hold Nagare's strength of both hands. Kishomi reached for her last blade. Nagare's eyes widened in surprise.

"You wouldn't dare would you?" he said, eyes glittering frigidly at Kishomi, who smirked. She flicked her blade and cut him on the shoulder. The wound opened a layer of flesh, bleeding freely down his arm. Kishomi cut his stomach, which caused Nagare to fall back, gripping his abdomen.

"Chikuso…" Nagare cursed as his hand was soon soaked in warm blood. Kishomi didn't back down so much though. She headed for him, determined to make her point to kill his overconfident attitude he was displaying so proudly before.

"Look who's talking now! You really think you'd endure my strength? Get a load of THIS!" Kishomi yelled, and focused chakra into her feet. She charged full speed, encircling Nagare with her two kunai blades. Repeatedly, the genin had one new crimson mark on his skin.

"AUGHH! You BASTARD!" he shouted, clutching his head to shield his face from getting wounded. His efforts were hopeless. Kishomi just kept going. She intended to cut Nagare to ribbons, no matter what. That's what you get for insulting my clan, Fierce Stream (Kyoretsu Nagare…), Kishomi thought.

But it had to be stopped at one point. Kishomi skidded to a halt when she felt Nagare had had enough of his own medicine. "That serves you right, baka." She sneered. Kishomi stuck down one of her kunai knives before the wounded genin and looked up. The sun was slowly inching over the horizon. Dawn had come. Kishomi hesitated, then disappeared into the forest with a whish of wind.

Nagare wouldn't let her get away with this so fast. "Kuso…I can't end here like this!" He sputtered, and then threw up blood. His body looked so gruesome and useless, only gashes marked his well-built frame. His overcoat was nearly in shreds from the sharp touch of the kunai knives. That girl, Kishomi…is someone from a high caliber clan, but my elite family fights…to the death—it is our code, Nagare muttered, tone filled with bloodlust. He steadily stood up, staggering. His arms tingled with the tautness of dried blood as he made two fists.

Kishomi jumped far over rows of trees and think branches. She skidded to a stop when a strangely familiar tone startled her pathway. Her body was partially hidden in the brush as she watched three people converse. Her eyes concentrated for a better look. "Eh?" Kishomi thought, heart almost stopping. "That's…Kiba's team…-glare- what would THEY be doing here- in my way?" The three rookies stood while Kiba's dog rested. Kiba produced two scrolls and held them up to the light with a proud look highlighted on his face. Kishomi gasped.

They had already gotten the two required scrolls? "That's crazy…" Kishomi mumbled, gripping the wood branches for support. FWAM! A kunai knife barely missed Kishomi's hair as it hit the tree trunk.

Kiba was looking her way. It seemed he didn't recognize it was her. "Show yourself! We're on if you want to pick a fight coward! You're gonna be sorry for spying on US!" he yelled, pointing up into the trees. Kishomi stared dumbly at the dog boy. He apparently didn't know who he was messing with. (Uh…N/A)

"What the HELL do you think you're doing…KIBA!" Kishomi shouted as she slipped quickly out of the brush and onto the flat tree trunk where Kiba's teammates were standing. "I don't want to fight you… BAKA YAROU!" Kiba grimaced and took a step back as Kishomi glared at him with flaring anger. Her eyes were burning with sheer annoyance. His face flushed in embarrassment as he took another step back behind his teammates. Hinata stared in confusion while Shino furrowed his brow with aggravation.

"Sumimasen…Kishomi-chan…heh heh…" Kiba started nervously, but then his tone changed to a cocky voice. "Where's your weakling team? Did you ditch them for good this time?" Kishomi sneered.

"ME? Hah! I wouldn't leave them if my life DEPENDED on it!" she shot back. Kiba smiled. Hinata had a pained look on her face now. She didn't like fights stirring up in such a vast forest. It would only draw more attention. Kiba ignored her fruitless protests and looked down. Kishomi had no time to waste on this dog boy and his little friends. –Eye turns suddenly with a sharp look to the left…- She ran over at full speed to Kiba and slammed him into the tree, just as a cluster of kunai rained down where Kiba previously was. Hinata and Shino had also made it in time. Nagare appeared out of the midst of a dirt cloud.

"Found you…" he said viciously, and drew out a kunai knife, held over his face. Kishomi's dim reflection shone off of the blade from the faint brightness of the sun.

Team 9 and Kishomi stood in awe as a bloodied taki genin stood before them, bloodshot eyes set on Kishomi, filled with a hunger to kill. Kishomi's eyes grew big as she slowly stepped back. "I…thought…I thought I finished you off!" she said, voice faltering. Kishomi pointed at the cuts marked all over Nagare. He scoffed weakly.

TEAM 9?

Kiba: Who the hell is he? Is he here for Kishomi? That bastard's all bloodied, by the work of Kishomi-chan! –Shiver-

Hinata: Oh no! That enemy doesn't look too friendly at all! And the state he's in… so horrid!

Shino: -Hmph- That girl sure put that waterfall genin through some misery.

Akamaru: -Whimpers- His chakra and scent is strong and both unpleasant!

"Sorry, but my clan just doesn't go to shame in front of me!" Nagare said, and hidden blades shot out from inside his large overcoat. Although it was tattered, it seemed to be a nice cover-up for him. Kishomi took another small step back. She couldn't fight much more, especially without any weapons of any sort. Kiba shifted from the tree and took his place in front of Kishomi. He lowered his head and his sharp eyes glared at Nagare poisonously.

"If you try to even hurt Kishomi chan… Omae o KOROSU…" Kiba said lowly, and he removed his hood. Kishomi looked down and bit her lip. Kiba didn't have to make a scene. She slowly put her hand lightly on his shoulder.

"Kiba…" She began, but Kiba shook his head and moved her hand off. No, he wouldn't let her fight this creep alone. Nagare stifled a disgusted laugh.

"Trying to save her skin, eh? Nande? Is she so precious to you…dog boy?" he said, smirking in triumph. His words had a sharp edge in them that irritated Kiba.

"You can save your words! I will protect her even at the cost of myself getting killed! Who gives you the right to call me dog boy? Only Kishomi-chan can label me that!" Kiba retorted. It seemed his eyes were blazing now, but Kishomi put her hand on his shoulder again to silence him.

"Kiba…this isn't a fight you'd understand… Kishomi said, trying to hide her gentle tone. If she was mistaken for Kiba's lover, it would be worse than embarrassment. "Nagare doesn't FULLY understand what it means… to be a Sakada!" Kishomi snatched some kunais from Kiba's pack and jolted for Nagare from below. He fell back, but threw shurikens. Kishomi used one of her borrowed kunai blades to shield the ones coming for her.

"Your aim… is horrible!" she yelled, and flung kunais at Nagare. He smiled as he caught them with his web-like hands. Kishomi and Kiba gasped. Nagare smiled again and started making seals. So many unknown ones, he even had time to speak a few words.

"Don't forget I am from a kekkai genkai as well, Kishomi! I can store away huge reserves of chakra at one time, then use it as regen to boost my spell power and strength later! I'll never be defeated by weaklings like you!" he said too overconfidently, and stopped.

"Water technique! Iron water-grip hallucination chamber!" he yelled as water came out of nowhere and encircled Kishomi. Claw-like features snatched at Kishomi, who tried escaping the water. Kiba looked bewildered along with his teammates. There was nothing he could do. Kishomi coughed and sputtered as the water filled her mouth and tied around her legs. She scrambled for a kunai blade and flung it at Nagare, who didn't notice it in time and ended up having to let the spell go to retrieve the knife from his chest.

"You aren't going to beat me…Nagare." Kishomi spat out, drawing out loads of ninja stars. (I wonder…how many weapons did she steal off of Kiba?) Nagare took a big step back. Kishomi jumped onto a tall tree branch and jumped down, throwing out shuriken at Nagare, who shielded his face to block the attack. –SPLASH- Kishomi landed on the ground firmly in surprise. A water doppelganger? Nagare's voice trailed in the forest.

"I will come back for you Kishomi…right when you least expect it…" he said, and faded away. But before Kishomi could react to the voice, a water ribbon shot out from nowhere and knocked her up into the air.

"ARGHH!" Kishomi yelled as she hit the tree branch from below and fell back down with a deafening thud firmly, right on her two feet. Kiba stared in terror as he rushed over to Kishomi.

"Consider this attack a warning…" the same voice said maliciously and trailed off once more. Hinata and Shino ran over to inspect the lifeless girl.

Kishomi dropped to her knees, eyes glazed with unconsciousness, but her eyes were still open. She tried to hold herself up, but dropped down once more. Kiba caught her head right in time as she slumped into his lap.

"Kishomi!" Kiba cried out as the girl looked dead. Her eyes had closed, but her body lay limp. Hinata bent over ad examined the unconscious Kishomi. Her face was pale white and felt frigidly cold. Her headband had come loose and was now dangling helplessly over her brown hair.

Akamaru shrank down and crawled into Kiba's jacket. Kiba, Hinata, and Shino watched helplessly as Kishomi struggled inside her dark mentality to break free from Nagare's water hex.

Kishomi heard voices. So many voices. The slurred into a big jumble inside her head. She was caught once more in her own memory. Flashbacks appeared repeatedly as she crept through her shadowy mind.

:Flashback:

Kishomi walked the path to her house from the training grounds in the forest. She had been training again and was sweaty and cold from the bitter winter. She shivered as a drop of cold sweat trickled down her face and into her open hand. Kishomi slid open the door into her room. She glanced around, tired. Her eyes fluttered for a second, and she crawled onto her small wooden board bed. The shiny glaze gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, as the window blew open. An icy breeze flowed in. Kishomi shuddered as she pulled on a blanket to keep warm. She wiped her wet face with a damp cloth from a bowl set on her bureau.

A bowl of steaming rice and vegetables were already resting on her bedside table. At least her parents still cared for her health and well-being. Unraveled scrolls littered the floor of her room. A large oak bookshelf was laden with ninjutsu textbooks, master scrolls, and weapon holders, all arranged proudly by Kishomi when she had first started teaching herself ninjutsu. Kishomi sat cross legged, but her foot slipped out from under the blanket and kicked the window shut. A loud click was heard even before her toe barely touched the wood.

Kishomi let her foot dangle openly over her bed. She shifted positions and sat at the edge of the bed instead. She tried desperately to get up, but her sore body wouldn't give in to such simple movement. The little ten-year old ninja girl had learned her master technique, Berserk Strike.

:End Flashback: