Two in the back, two on each side and two to the front, with one person in the center. "Hello everyone." said the woman in the center. "All those from Banju should already be aware of who I am. For those who don't I am Jikokuwa Misano, the Head of Anbu Psychological Operations of the hidden village of Banjugakure." Misano narrowed her eyes and continued saying "This test won't be as simple as you think, that is unless you pay close attention. There are fifty questions, on the papers I'm going to pass out to you." A low rumble began amongst the students in both classrooms. "Quiet down." Misano said sternly. She was heard in both rooms, the other classroom held more members of the Psy Op Anbu. Misano handed a stack of papers to one of her subordinates, who then placed them on the closest desk. "This is the test; Don't do anything until I tell you to." The papers were passed around the entire class, all the while Misano and the other Anbu watched the genin closely. The other Anbu proctors passed out pencils to everyone in each room not before giving each ninja an ominous grin. "Before we start let me just say this one thing, pay attention and listen well. Begin!" The sound of papers ruffling could be heard in each classroom. Nanako reached for the test in front of her, hands shaking uncontrollably, sweat dripped off her brow and onto the desk.
The girl next to her slapped her hand away from the paper saying "Don't touch that, just sit there." Nanako felt relieved but confused saying "She said we were supposed to begin the test, right?"
The kunoichi raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Nanako out the corner of her eye.
"You weren't listening were you? What exactly did she tell you to begin doing?" Asked the ninja.
Nanako giggled nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck baffled, by the kunoichi's answer.
"Uhm, Hina maybe you could just tell me, I am new to this ninja thing and all. Nanako asked anxiously.
Hina closed her eyes and sighed in dissatisfaction, saying "What do you think sister?"
Hina's twin sister Rina never turned to looked at either of them saying "There's no need, the first part of this test is over already."
Misano slammed her hand down on the desk closest to her, the genin jumped in their seats from the sudden noise.
"Pencils down." she said calmly
All those who had been diligently answering the questions on the paper stopped. Tension was high in both rooms, no one knew what to expect, or, why the test had ended so soon after beginning, many thought to themselves.
Misano spoke saying "Did anyone notice anything odd about the questionnaire?"
The entire class remained silent for a few seconds longer before someone raised their hand.
"Yes you, Teisei ninja, stand and tell everyone what you thought was off about the test? she commanded.
Ai stood saying "The questions were, . . . advanced. They asked for definitive answers, on opinionated questions."
Misano smirked saying "Such as?"
"Such as questions like, what makes a ninja." replied Ai.
Misano locked eyes with Ai saying "I'm sure at the Academy you attended there was a definite answer for what made a ninja, in multiple textbooks. You may not have been paying attention, though."
Ai sat back down crossing her arms upset about what was said to her. Laughter was heard and quickly quelled by the proctors. Misano walked in front of the desk where Ai, Rai, and Batsu sat. She looked down at their papers.
"Blank, of course. There was something very specific I told all of you before you started writing on these papers in front of you. Do you remember, Uchiha, Ai?"
Ai was startled by the fact that Misano knew her name, Ai looked at her with confusion saying hesitantly "Don't do anything until you tell us."
Misano walked away from the desk and back toward the chalkboard saying "Good then you remember and if you can recall what I said, then all of you should be able to. With that having been said. . . when did I tell anyone to start writing on these papers?!"
A feeling of dread blew across both rooms, looks of despair were on the faces of many of the genin in the two classrooms.
"Wow, I had no idea I'd be able to fail so many in the first round. All those who wrote without permission you and the remainder of your team are dismissed from the chuunin exams." Misano said.
No one moved for a moment, the proctors began to walk closer to the desks. Genin began to shuffle out of each room some crying, others in a rage.
"Well, congrats are in order for those of you that remain, whether you manged to stay by trickery or treachery it matters not at this point. Although, Ai you did still break the rules by looking at your test. So now, answer me this, what was the lesson that was just learned?" Misano asked.
Ai looked at her, sitting upright in the seat saying "Pay attention to details."
The proctors began collecting up all the sheets of paper as Misano now sat on the desk in front of the chalkboard.
"That's correct Ai, attention to detail. A skill that any good kunoichi must have if she is to successfully achieve her mission and keep those she would care for safe. Good job, I will allow you to stay. Bring the rest from the other classroom in here, we should have enough room now." Misano commanded looking to one of her secondaries.
A few moments passed and the class was again packed with genin. Nanako sighed in relief saying "Are these the kind of mind games that all ninja play?"
Rina smiled looking out the corner of her eye at Nanako saying "Yes, but, that was a very simple test, under ordinary circumstances I'm sure everyone would have passed-"
Hina continued her sister's sentence "With all the stress brought on by the Chuunin exams, and the intimidating overseers watching are every move. An atmosphere tailored for interrogation, to make even the most enlightened monk nervous.
"Ohh, so does that mean were done, because I'm not sure of how much more of this I can take? Nanako said fearfully.
Hina smirked as she grasped Nanako's hand saying "All you need do is trust in Nakamaru, rely on the seal he gave to you for empowerment. I'm sure it will guide you in the right direction."
A sincere look lay on the face of Hina while, Rina laughed devilishly to herself.
Rai sighed in relief as she sank down into her seat saying "That would have been us if you hadn't said anything. But why did you look at the test?
Ai looked over at Rai and Batsu, who was also interested to know the answer.
"No reason, I just wanted to see the questions."Ai said nonchalantly.
Batsu and Rai looked at one another, Rai shrugged her shoulders.
Misano looked out at the genin in the classroom and began saying "Answer this question: what makes a ninja? There is only one answer that I will accept, you cannot discuss it with others and only one of you may give me the answer I seek. I've already chosen that person by the way. Tenjhou, Sakurai."
Rai's heart sank, eyes widened, breathing sped up, hands began to sweat and shake uncontrollably.
Batsu looked at her with an encouraging smile saying "You've got this, I'm sure what ever you say will be just what she wants to hear."
Rai nodded her head returning his smile, as she began to relax.
Misano started to laugh aloud saying "I'm sorry, I forgot something that is very important to this portion of the test. And that is what will happen if you answer incorrectly, which will be very easy for someone in your position to do. If you fail to give me the answer I want, everyone here will fail as well. You have ten minutes to give me your answer. Begin."
Rai gripped the desk like it was a log and she was floating in the ocean, alone, the desk being the only thing keeping her afloat. Her whole body shook from fear, her eyes began to swell with tears. Her ears began to throb, as blood rushed to her face.
"Everyone will fail, everyone will fail, everyone will fail. And it will be all my fault, Batsu and Ai will hate me forever. Genki, Mother and Father won't love me anymore, no one in the village will even look at me. Sensei will dismiss me, I won't be a ninja. I knew I couldn't do it, I'm just as worthless as Fu says I am. I'm weak." Rai thought to herself.
A voice from deep within Rai spoke out to her saying "Isn't this quite the trap your in, sadly I can't help otherwise I would just answer the question myself. As much as I hate supporting you in anything you do,. . . You know the answer to this question so just relax-"
Rai gasped in surprise as Batsu placed his hand on her shoulder "Did you hear me, relax, okay. It's like I told you, you know the answer." Batsu said as he patted her on the shoulder.
Ai looked at Rai smiling and nodding in agreement. Wiping the tears off of her face.
"You have five minutes remaining miss Tenjhou." Misano said nonchalantly.
Rai swallowed deeply and took a deep breath saying "A, a ni. . Nin . . ninja." She paused to catch her breath as her heart pounded in her chest. "What makes a ninja, is be. . being . . . able to do what is necessary and th, . .the willingness to sacrifice yourself for the sake of your village and those you love!"
The entire room turned all eyes toward Rai who had hers closed in anticipation. Misano didn't say anything and simply stared at Rai with a look of contempt.
She shook her head in disappointment saying "I was really hoping you of all people would get the answer right. A Tenjhou, user of the Reigan, the spirit eye. Legend has it, you all are supposed to understand the souls of men better than any man would ever understand himself, too bad."
The room was deathly silent, the whimpering that came from Rai was all that could be heard.
"It's over, we failed." said Nanako in disappointment.
The eyes of Hina and Rina stayed glued on Misano who walked toward the chalkboard, grabbed a piece of chalk and began writing on the board. Once she finished she threw the chalk at Rai's forehead, Batsu caught it and glared at Misano who began to walk towards the door as all the proctors followed her out. Batsu's expression began to change as he read the board, a smirk on his face.
"YES!" Batsu yelled.
Rai jumped, her eyes opened and fell on the chalkboard which read: I suppose the legends are true. Believe in yourselves more and continue to do what is necessary for those you care about. Above all else grow and learn. You all passed!
The classroom shot into an uproar as they all cheered, many of the genins thanked Rai. On the inside she heard Fu saying "Even a broke clock is right twice a day..."
AN: Trying a new way of writing the story, hope you all enjoy.
