Konnichiwa, this is the second chapter of Lotus of Sand and Blood. I hope you all will like this. I've had a long writer's block, so I'm sorry for the late update. I'll try to work with shorter waits on the chapters.
Hope you enjoy and remember, I own nothing of Naruto. I own Keira, Tyra, and everything else that will be introduced in this that isn't in Naruto.
Chapter Two: Big surprises and new lessons
"I bet it'll be easy!" Sakura said, laughing slightly.
If only you guys knew, Tyra thought. If only you knew…
"Let's just hope some of you don't break." Gaara said, closing his eyes.
Tyra looked at Keira, then to Sasuke. The two stayed quiet for a while as they walked down the halls to the door to the exams. They stopped at double doors on the third floor.
"This is where you five walk in without me. I have confidence in all of you." Tyra said, then walked in the opposite direction, hoping she would see those kids again.
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Sasuke looked around as he thought of who he would have to beat. The doors closed behind him as he thought of where Keira went to.
"Did any of you see where Keira went?" Sasuke asked, looking around slightly.
"She didn't come in. She said she wasn't able to go into the exams." Sakura said, looking at Sasuke.
So, Sasuke thought. We're alone for now.
"Wonder why she can't.." Sasuke heard Naruto ask.
"Stop wondering, idiot and let's just go and do this." Gaara said, walking to the large group of people. Sasuke followed Gaara's lead and sat down in a random seat in back. He watched as Naruto made a fool of himself and Sakura trying to get him to stop. Sasuke could only laugh at the sight.
Naruto was always a goofball, but he was powerful mainly because of the demon fox that resided in him. He could be a pain in the ass at times, but he wasn't bad.
Sakura was a little bit weird and Sasuke always thought that if she would just shut that mouth and just work on the things at hand, she'd be a wonderful ninja. Her and that girl, Ino, were always fighting and Sasuke wished for a moment that they'd leave him alone.
Gaara was a different story, along with Tashcun. They were shrouded in mystery and they usually never told about their past. All Sasuke knew about them was that they came from the same tribe and were a close knit of friends.
Sasuke's thoughts often came to the new girl they met, Keira. He didn't know that much about her, but she was a quiet and fun-loving girl. He wondered where her village was and why she was chased by the shadow tribe.
"Sasuke?" A voice called, pulling him from his thoughts of the girl he hardly knew. He looked up and came face to face with Sakura.
"What is it, Sakura?" He asked, closing his eyes.
"What do you think will happen? Do you think the exams are going to be easy?" Sakura asked. Sasuke could see she was shaking a little.
"We'll have to work with it, I guess. If we lose, we lose." He said, smooth and cool headed.
"Oh… O.. Okay." She said, standing in front of him, fiddling with her fingers.
Grrrr, go away, Sakura. Sasuke thought, rubbing his temples hard.
"Alright, you little maggots! Sit down!" A voice called, hostility dripping from the masculine voice. "It's time for the exams."
Here we go. Sasuke thought, looking up from the table.
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Keira stood by the big double doors that Tashcun and the rest walked into. She sighed and walked down the hall, looking for something to do for the time they were in the exams.
You need something to pass the time by, Keira. She thought to herself, then sat down as she walked out of the building. She quickly looked around at the area around the building. She sighed, then stood, walking around the building in a daze.
"Well, well… How are you fairing out here, Keira?" A voice called. Keira spun around and looked franticly about. She looked up and found Kakashi-sensei in a tree, holding a book.
"Kakashi-sensei?" Keira said. "What are you doing?"
"Hmmm. I just wanted to know how you were fairing, since you didn't go into the exams. I was wondering why you came with, though.." Kakashi said, closing his book and looking down at Keira.
"I guess to get some people's thoughts on the exams. I know there are more than the written exam and also how much it can torture someone who is weak and not able to become a genin."
"Listened to Tyra a little too much?"
"Of course. She had a lot of students come back from the exams horrified and scarred. Plus, she's my.."
"I know who she is to you. Do you think you're ready for the exams?" Kakashi asked suddenly, looking down at her. Keira looked at him.
"No, I don't."
"I believe that it'll be a good exercise for you. Also, it'll be a perfect time to show the new ninjitsu to the kokage."
"… Oh. Well, how do you get me in the exams?" Keira asked, a little afraid.
"Don't worry, I'll get you in. Just get ready, alright?" Kakashi said, then jumped out of sight. Keira sighed, then walked to the next arena for the testing.
Why is he wanting to show the new ninjitsu? Not many can use it and some people can get hurt if it goes the wrong way. Keira thought, rubbing her temples and closing her eyes. She sat by the doors to the arena and waited for someone to direct her. She fiddled with her hands, then summoned a bit of water, using her finger to swirl it in mid air.
In the way of disaster is the riddle of calm. Keira thought, willing the water to create specific shapes. Sighing again, she let the water fall from her grasp, where it splashed to the floor, hugging the concrete lightly. She stood as she heard voices come from inside the arena, then cursed herself lightly.
"Damn, forgot there was another entrance.." She mumbled.
"But you did good by coming to this one." A voice said, catching Keira off guard. She spun around to see Kakashi standing there, Tyra next to him.
"Hey, Keira." Tyra said, smiling.
"Let's get in there, then." Kakashi said, walking up to the doors and pushing them open. Keira was pushed in by Tyra, then was led to the side of the door. Kakashi walked out to the arena, talking to the lone woman. She nodded a few times, then Kakashi walked back.
"Okay, we've got permission. You can enter the exams as I suspected." Kakashi said, looking at Keira. Keira nodded slightly.
"When will we have to demonstrate the new ninjitsu, Kakashi?" Tyra asked.
"A little bit into the tournament. They'll tell you when to come and demonstrate." Kakashi said, looking at Tyra. "If you want to," He added, looking at Keira, "you can stay right here until you are summoned, alright?"
"Yes. Thank you." Keira said, then watched as Kakashi and Tyra walked away to the other side.
For the next few hours, Keira watched as kids from different tribes worked with everything they had, some failing horribly.
"Didn't know you were in the exams, Keira." A voice called, cool and collective. Keira looked to the side to see Sasuke, his hand on the side of his stomach. Keira smirked.
"Didn't know you'd make it this far." Keira countered, then watched as Sasuke grew a mock hurt face.
"Oh, don't be so harsh, Keira." Keira couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Seriously, what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked as soon as Keira and him gained control.
"Kakashi told me that he'd get me in the exams, but I don't know why for now. I don't think I'm ready, but apparently he thinks I'm good." Keira said, closing her eyes.
"Damn, never thought Kakashi would do something like that. Welcome to the exams, where the questions are staged and the fighting is ruthless." Sasuke said, reaching his hand out to her. She shook it hard.
"Gee, I guess I came at a good time, huh?" Keira asked, letting go of Sasuke's hand.
"Heh. Yeah, you did." Sasuke said. He looked up, then whispered, "You might want to look up, Keira." Keira looked up and found her name on the board, along with another.
"Well, well. I think I've been found out, huh Sasuke?" Keira said.
"Yup, and you have to fight against Ino as well." Sasuke said, then looked at a lone woman in the arena. Keira looked at the woman, noticing her long blonde hair and slim figure.
"Let me guess. I have to go against little miss perfect, there?" Keira asked.
"Yup." Sasuke said simply.
"Right." Keira said, walking out to the middle of the arena, facing the woman, Ino.
"Get ready, girl. You've messed with Sasuke, now you'll be beat by me." She growled. Keira sighed, then pushed her hair back.
"You better listen to me, girl." Ino growled again.
"Yeah, I'm listening and I figured out you talk too much." Keira said, looking at Ino. Keira could see she pushed the girl's pissed button. Ino charged at Keira, then worked with her hand signs. Keira just stood there, motionless, then tripped the girl and watching her hand signs break.
Too close. Keira thought. Better work with my weapon.
Keira closed her eyes, bringing one arm up, her index and middle fingers up, and the other arm horizontal from the other, her fingers the same. She stood there, mouthing words. She felt Ino charge at her again, and she opened her eyes, smirking widely.
This girl hasn't a chance, now. Keira thought.
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Tashcun watched Keira's stance, then watched as she opened her eyes, revealing silver coated eyes, the pupils masked with the sharigan eye signs. Tashcun watched Keira smirk, but never moved at bit.
"Kakashi-sensei, what's with her eyes?" Tashcun asked as Kakashi walked up to the group.
"Are they a new sharigan transformation?" Tashcun heard Sakura ask.
"No, they aren't." Tyra said, Tashcun watching her walk to the railing.
"What are they, then? Tyra-sensei?" Tashcun asked. Tyra looked at Tashcun and smiled.
"They're what my tribe calls Silvers." Tyra started, looking at Keira as she countered every move Ino made. "They're a rare race, like Sasuke, but instead have this particular maneuver."
"What does this maneuver do? Is it like the Sharigan?" Sakura asked.
"You could say that it's a little like the Sharigan, but there is a few different things." Tyra said.
"Like what?" Tashcun asked.
"This maneuver doesn't work like the Sharigan. Yes, it can see what the other person does even before they do, but it can't copy it. It also takes a lot more chakra than what the Sharigan needs." Tyra said.
"So it's almost like being psychic?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, but it can bring a lot of pain for the Silver. If the Silver doesn't have a counter for the move that'll be used from the other person, the gift can also be a curse. It'll immobilize the Silver and make sure the Silver is vulnerable to the attack."
"Whoa… So, it's like it's teaching the Silver to think on his or her feet?" Tashcun asked, watching Keira counter another move from Ino.
"Yeah, but there is one other thing it'll do for the Silver." Tyra said, then added, "You better watch, or you'll miss what she's about to do."
Tashcun watched Keira more carefully, hoping to not miss the new move Tyra talked about.
Keira used her stance to balance herself as Ino came at her, her two weapons drawn. Keira pushed her hands in front of her, letting Ino come closer to her. Ino thrusted her weapons at Keira; Keira grabbed them, blood seeping from her hands. Tashcun soon saw that Ino's weapons shot through Keira's hands, blood pouring from the fresh wound. Keira smirked, then flipped Ino with the weapons imbedded in her hands.
"What the…?" Tashcun asked aloud.
"It allows the Silver to feel no pain at times, if the Silver is fast on their feet. Keep watching and you'll learn more about it." Tyra said.
Tashcun returned to watching Keira with a new fascination. For several minutes, Keira just countered Ino's incoming moves. Keira then used the stance she did when she was summoning the maneuver.
Tashcun watched as Keira balled her hands up and opened her eyes again, the silver coating still on her eyes. Ino thrashed back, grabbing her hands, then looking down at them as Keira opened her hands.
The wounds were gone on Keira's hands, but Ino had the exact wounds on her hands.
"Magic?" Sakura asked.
"No, it's a more difficult way of physics, but what it allows the Silver to do is to move a wound that the Silver required from the enemy and place it on their body. That takes a lot of time and energy on the Silver's part, but if the Silver can uphold it, it'll allow the Silver to do just about anything." Tyra explained.
"Neat." Tashcun said, watching as Keira flipped Ino repeatedly every time Ino came at her with her blood covered weapons. "What is the maneuver's name?" Tashcun added.
"No one has come up with a good enough name to express the nature of the maneuver, but I usually call it Collag. It's an ancient term for mystical in my tribe." Tyra said.
"Collag…" Tashcun said, not meaning to say it aloud.
Keira had won, Ino on the ground coughing hard and Keira without a scratch on her. Tashcun could feel the Collag had gone from Keira as she walked to the abandoned door on the other side of the arena. Tashcun was astounded by the Collag and Keira's ancient race that she transported herself from the balcony of the arena to Keira.
"Hey Keira." Tashcun said.
"Tashcun.." Keira said, bowing her head slightly.
"Hey, I was wondering about what you did out there."
"I know Tyra told you all about it. There's no need to tell what you already know." Keira said, sitting down.
"Yeah, but I really want to know about your race, about this ancient people that I've never heard of."
"They weren't much, just a bunch of people that were cast out because of the gift they had. They had made a little clan and tried to work together to get a place in the social status." Keira said.
"What happened next?"
"Well, they ended up fighting each other. A lot of my people died by the hands of their own. They realized that they were never meant to live together, so they spread out to make sure they never went after each other. All that did was get the other clans and tribes pissed off and started to hunt and kill them off."
"Oh…"
"Not to worry. Not all of us are dead. We're just a little isolated from the rest of the world."
"I can see why.. If I was a Silver, I'd be in my own little part of the world, hiding myself." Tashcun said, watching as Keira laughed.
"You know.. You have been the only one who wanted to know about my people. Everyone who heard of my little gift cast me out or wanted to kill me. You guys haven't tried, yet." Keira said. Tashcun looked at the silent Sasuke for a moment, then looked back at Keira, smiling.
"Come on, Keira, let's go up to the balcony with the others." Tashcun said, watching as Keira stood. She nodded and Tashcun transported her, Keira and Sasuke to the balcony.
"Hey all!" Tashcun yelled, getting the attention of everyone.
"Keira, you've finally decided to join us?" Tyra asked, smiling at Keira.
"Yup." Keira said simply.
"Hey Keira." Naruto said sheepishly. Tashcun could tell that he was a little nervous.
"It's time, you two. Keira, Tyra. Go and show us." Kakashi said, finally. Keira and Tyra both nodded, then jumped to the ground floor, walking to the middle of the arena.
"What are they going to do? Kakashi?" Tashcun asked, watching as they pulled out swords from mysterious places.
"Showing the new ninjitsu. It's for people like Keira." Kakashi said, watching them as well. Keira drew out one sword and let her arms fall to her sides, looking lifeless. Tyra had one sword as well, but kept it in front of her.
"People like Keira?" Gaara asked, finally joining in on the conversation.
This shall be where I stop for now… I've delayed this chapter a little too long because I was trying to wait for my little niece to comment on the progress on it. I hope you liked it and thank you all for reviewing, it tells me that at least my stories are a little bit worth reading.