Sorry for the wait, but here is the fourth chapter! We have seen perspectives of three very different Genin. Now we will see how they are linked and the mystery figure is revealed!
~~~Daichi's pov~~~
I stared down at the note with disbelief. The paper was light, but it felt as heavy as stone. I heard footsteps paced around from behind me, on the kitchen floor.
"So Daichi, what does it say? What does this mean?" my mother snapped irritably.
For a moment I couldn't reply, but then I found my voice.
"A Jonin has accepted me into a group. I... can be in a team," I answered, hardly believing what I was reading.
"So what? You will receive the same pay that will be split three ways? How the hell will that help me!" She screamed and raised her hand.
I closed my eyes and as a loud clap echoed through the house, pain exploded on my face. My cheek throbbed as I opened my eyes and my mother glared at me with her harsh, dark brown eyes.
"If I am a part of a Genin team, we will do higher ranked missions and get more money. Also we will have a chance to become a Chunin," I told her once again, but I avoided using a demeaning tone.
We had had this discussion many times, especially when my mother was in one of those moods. She was always worried about how much money she would get and if I would be away for long. I thought she was just scared of losing me.
My mother didn't look away from me but her expression softened. She stroked my sore cheek ever so slightly and I winced at the pain.
"I am sorry, baby," She cooed gently.
"I have to go, I have to meet them today at twelve," I told her as I rushed past her and up the stairs.
My house was small and two storey, we have a small shop at the front of our house and a small kitchen and toilet at the back. The second storey was smaller than the ground storey, around half the size, and only had two small bedrooms.
I ran to my bedroom and grabbed a bag from under my bed. I knew make up was girly, but I didn't want anyone to know what my mother did to me. She would break down if I was forced to go away.
As I raced out the front door, after saying my goodbyes to my mother I ran into Hikaru.
"Daichi, I was accepted into a Genin group. It is with the Jonin who was really mean, but I'll still be in a team!" Hikaru said excitedly, her pale blue eyes shined with delight.
"That's great," I replied, "I was accepted into a group too."
"Really, you didn't tell me you had an interview?" Hikaru said, her voice revealed hurt.
I paused, "I didn't do an interview with anyone. I guess they stuck me with some no hoper"
She moved close to me and entwined her pale arms with mine. I pressed my nose into her soft white hair and embraced her scent. No matter what, Hikaru always smelt good.
"You weren't stuck with a no hope of a teacher. You are too good for that!" Hikaru told me as she looked deep into my blue eyes.
"Thank you for your support. I wish I could spend more time with you, but I have to meet my new team," I apologised.
Hikaru leaned closer and gave me a brief kiss on my lips. She pulled away and looked at me and smiled.
"Good luck"
I smiled at Hikaru before turning away and racing to the meeting point. I had no idea who my sensei would be, or my team mates and I would have been lying if I said I wasn't curious.
I was at the meeting place early. The meeting place was on the outskirts of the Hidden cloud Village, on a small plateau that was cut out from the side of a mountain. The plateau was covered in soft springy grass and there was a small thick tree in the middle of the plateau.
I headed towards the tree and sat by the trunk in the shade. Although because of missions, I was in the sun a lot but I tended to burn easy.
It wasn't long until another person showed up. There was a guy my age, with white hair and orange eyes. He was wearing baggy black cargo pants and a fishnet shirt with light blue, loose fitting jacket over the top of it.
I remembered him from the academy, he was Akuma Shikaru. I remembered hearing rumours that his dad had kicked him out of his house and the clan, because he was gay. But they were just rumours.
Akuma's orange eyes stared at me and I got to my feet. I walked over to the other teen and outstretched my hand.
"Hi, I am Daichi Nakahara," I announced and smiled.
Akuma grunted and turned away from my hand and folded his arms. I was stunned and quickly retracted my hand in embarrassment and spent time looking around the plateau.
How am I going to work with someone that hardly acknowledges me? I thought to myself.
I saw a figure out of the corner of my eye and turned to see a girl below average height with shoulder length, light brown hair.
She wore pale green robes and a miniskirt over fishnet stockings with typical ninja shoes. Her top was being held together by a black sash that opens up in the middle, showing a small amount of the fishnet material below the nape of her neck. The sleeves on the robe were long, and her right arm had bandages from her elbow to her wrist.
I recognised her; she was Amai from the Makijiku clan. She was a fairly average girl and I had known her since the academy, but rarely talked to her, but she seemed nice enough.
"Hi, everyone, I'm Amai Makijiku" Amai said in greeting as she approached us.
"I am Daichi Nakahara," I said with a smile.
"Akuma," The white haired male grunted.
"And I am Ashika Sokumaru and there are too many names that start with the letter A in this group," a mysterious voice spoke.
I looked to the tree by the side of me but I couldn't see anything unusual. Suddenly a figure flew down from the side of the mountain and landed by us gently.
The man had light red/orange hair and light brown eyes. He looked fairly toned and had light skin like us with an average tone. He was wearing a dark gray, short sleeved turtle neck with an odd looking Hidden Cloud jacket on around his stomach in a belt like fashion. He was wearing long baggy pants and his forehead protector on his upper arm. He also had a red belt that held an ordinary sword.
The man looked at us and smiled, "So the white hair guy is the emo of the group, the black haired guy is the bubbly, friendly one and the girl is the passive quiet one."
"You can't just group us," I told the man with a frown.
"So you are our sensei, Ashika Sokumaru?" Amai asked politely.
"Yes, I am Ashika Sokumaru, but I am not your sensei. I am a Jonin sent here to test whether you three are worthy. No Jonin had accepted your talents," Ashika explained.
"But the letter we were given said we had been accepted!" Akuma growled in frustration.
"Well, you could be. Your potential sensei is watching as we speak, but only if you pass a test," Ashika said calmly, ignoring Akuma's grumpiness.
"How do we pass this test?" I asked, slightly annoyed that we were lied to.
"Well whoever lays a move on me before I get to the other side of the mountain will be accepted by the sensei. That means only one of you pass," Ashika said seriously.
"That's not fair!" Amai shouted, her eyes were wide.
"I agree," I commented with a frown.
Akuma sighed, "So we are playing catch with a Jonin? Great, this is just how I wanted to spend my day."
"Your test begins now," Ashika announced before leaping away.
Akuma tore off after the Jonin with Amai at his heels. Without another moments thought, I raced away after them.
The ground beneath my feet quickly sloped upwards and grass turned into rock as we climbed the side of the mountain. There were many parts where I needed to use my chakra to cling to the mountain side, and while it slowed me down a little, Ashika kept running at a fast pace. I knew by this rate, we would all fail.
The rocks smoothed out for a bit and I saw Akuma gaining on Ashika. I stopped and gave them both space, as I was unsure of their powers and I was exhausted. I bent over and panted as Amai joined my side.
I watched Akuma gain on the red head and bring his hands up to do hand signals. Slowly a mist spilled out around Ashika and he started to move more slowly. I watched in amazement at Akuma's abilities. I knew he was from a strong clan, but I didn't know how good he was until now. I couldn't see why no one wanted him as a part of their team.
Suddenly chunks of ice flew at Ashika and as quick as a flash of lightning, Ashika's average looking sword deflected them and sent them back at Akuma. The white hair teen must have seen it coming as he stood so his left side was facing Ashika and let the chunks of ice fly right past him.
Both Ashika and Akuma sprinted towards each other, with Ashika holding his sword in hand. At the last moment Akuma leap away from Ashika who had swung the handle of the sword in the space where Akuma's head once was. Looking from the strength used, the Hidden Cloud Jonin had planned to knock Akuma out cold.
I watched Amai move from my side, and used the rocks as coverage. I had wanted to help her, but I didn't want to get in the way. But something told me she had a plan.
Akuma had ice forming on parts of his body and I stared in amazement. I couldn't imagine how cold that would be for him, yet the orange eyed Genin didn't look phased.
I saw a ghost of a smile on Ashika's face as more chunks of ice flew at him. Ashika dodged the ice with ease then dashed towards Akuma and slashed with his sword. A few pieces of ice fell off but Akuma smiled and ice grew around the sword while it was touching the ice on his arm, Ashika scowled and let go of his weapon, and I could tell he wasn't pleased.
Ashika spun and was behind Akuma and started running around the teen. Akuma grabbed some shuriken he had stored and threw them at Ashika who was still running around him. None of them hit Ashika and they embedded themselves into a nearby boulder.
I saw wind currents forming around Akuma and slowly a small typhoon was formed. Akuma was hurled up into the typhoon and Ashika stopped running in a circle and leapt into the air, at Akuma.
Ashika punched Akuma wherever he could, where the ice wasn't formed. I winced as I heard a loud thud and Akuma was sent crashing into the ground, and was rendered unconscious. It was all over in a matter of seconds.
I watched the white haired boy and the ice on his skin had broken off. Ashika bend down to pick up the sword, which was now free, and I saw a pale green blur.
Scrolls from Amai's sash went flying but Ashika jumped backwards towards the mountain wall behind him. He flipped off of the wall and launched himself at Amai, who was quickly trying to gather up the scroll she has thrown.
Ashika landed behind her and threw a hand full of kunai. Whatever Ashika was doing, he had terrible aim, as the kunai fell around Amai and wasn't close to hitting her.
Ashika did a hand sign and the kunai begun to crackle and I saw sparks of electricity come off them. Amai frowned and threw a kunai at the space in between two of the kunai as a test. Bolts of electricity snapped around and the kunai fell harmlessly to the ground by Amai's feet.
Ashika flashed as a smirk before racing up the side of the mountain again. Looking at the other Genin, I felt compelled to help them, but I wanted to be put into a team so badly it hurt. I couldn't look Amai in the eye as I left her behind.
I kept Ashika in my sights but as we got closer to the top of the mountain. I waited until the land was flatter before I made my move.
I threw some shuriken at Ashika which, as I expected he easily dodged. I focused the chakra to my legs and dash forward quickly. This technique allowed me to gain on the highly skilled ninja, getting so close I could touch his clothes.
Ashika moved to the side and I followed him. He raced up the face of a cliff and manipulating the chakra in my feet, I stuck close to him.
Ashika, while still on the cliff face, turned to me and drew his sword. He swung at me and I could tell he was going easy. I threw a kunai at him; with he grabbed the middle of and threw it back. I moved to the side and heard the kunai fall down and hit the ground.
Ashika quickly climbed to the top of the mountain, where there was only a few feet of flat rock. I chased him up there and was greeted with a kick in my stomach. I dropped like a dead fly and pain shocked through the back of my head and everything went black.
"Daichi, are you ok?" I heard a feminine voice ask me.
"If he is unconscious, then he isn't going to hear you" A masculine voice answered the first voice, with an air of distain.
Everything was blurry when I first opened my eyes, but finally my eyes begun to focus. I saw Akuma and Amai standing over me. I got into a sitting position and rubbed the back of my head.
"Ashika must have really done a number on you, you have two huge bruises on your head," Amai told me, her voice was full of concern.
My hands went to my face, to the bruise where my mother had hit me. I felt that the makeup had rubbed off, and by my guess, I must have sweated it off. I looked around and saw I was still on the top of the mountain. It was a miracle I had stayed on the top, there was barely enough room for me on here and Amai and Akuma were clinging to the side, using their chakra and hands.
"I..." I begun, "am fine. He only hit me once, but I must have hit my head on the way down," I lied.
"We better hurry, Ashika is half way down the mountain," Akuma spoke up; his eyes stared at my cheek.
"Has anyone managed to land a blow on him?" I asked as I got to my feet. My head throbbed but my ears weren't ringing. I would be well enough to complete the challenge.
"No, but I have an idea," Amai spoke up as she looked at the both of us boys.
"What?" Akuma asked as his orange eyes narrowed.
"We could work together. At this rate none of us will be accepted into a Genin team. If we work together then one of us has a chance," Amai explained quietly.
"Well I am up for it," I told her with a smile, "how about you Akuma?"
"Fine" Akuma sighed with a shrug.
"Great, because I have a plan of attack," I told them with my voice brimming with determination.
With Akuma and Amai at my side, I felt more confident as we gained on Ashika. We had a plan under our belts, we would definitely beat him.
I nodded at my companions and Akuma sped off, while I and Amai separated. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Akuma approached Ashika. As quietly as I could, I tracked the pair through the mountain side.
Mist spilled from Akuma's mouth around Ashika and I could hardly see the Jonin. Wind whipped around and the mist was dispersed. I moved closer as Akuma drew a kunai out.
More ice chunks flew and Ashika predictable dodged them. Akuma's kunai caught the light and it shined in the red head Jonin's eyes.
In that brief moment of hesitation I launched out from my hiding spot. I centred my chakra on my legs and hands. Within seconds I was in front of Ashika and aimed a series of punches at his stomach.
Ashika blocked with his sword and my eyes widened with surprise. Ashika struck out with his foot which caught me in the chest and I fell back. As I was falling I saw Amai rush forward, with two scrolls in hand.
Ashika saw her coming and Moved to the side, where Akuma was awaiting. An ice barrier rose up from the ground, forcing Ashika to bump into it. The paper from the scrolls wrapped around Ashika's arms and legs, effectively binding him.
As I got to my feet, Amai and Akuma dashed forward and punched Ashika in the gut. They both jumped back and held their hands and Ashika cut through Amai's scrolls.
"Well done you two, I guess you pass" Ashika congratulated my companions.
"So we all pass?" Amai asked, "We all came up with the plan to attack you. Daichi recommended a counter strike, Akuma developed the counter strike to your counter and I knew how to bind you. So you shouldn't pick one of us, but all of us."
"I agree," I voiced while Akuma shrugged.
"Well then how can I refuse?" Ashika said with a hint of a smile.
A ninja with the Hidden Cloud headband on his head and covered in dark cloth joined Ashika with a scroll in hand.
"These Genin did well, better than expected. I will recommend this group to the Raikage immediately," the clothed ninja spoke with a raspy voice before disappearing into thin air.
"Was he our sensei? Why did we have a test?" I asked confused by what had just transpired.
"Well young Genin, welcome to Team Ashika. Not all Genin teams are recommended to the Raikage, on average only three are. We are one of those teams, so good work," Ashika
"Great!" I said happily as I raised my hand for a high five. Amai high fived me back in an unsure manner while Akuma ignored me.
"But don't forget we have a lot of work ahead of us. Akuma, you need to work on cooperating, Amai, you need to build up some strength and Daichi, I know you're not from some fancy clan but you need more Ninjutsu" Ashika grunted, his words swiped the smile off of my face.
Ashika continued, "So tomorrow, I want you at the 3rd training field at 7 am and if you are lucky we might have a mission."
"Yes sensei," I murmured alongside my new teammates.
Even though I was unsure about my teammates, I passed this test and I was on track to being a Chunin and now I had teammates that could help me and I could help them too.
~~~ Ashika's pov ~~~
"Do you think they are ready Ashika?" A man with black hair and golden eyes snarled.
"I believe so, as does another Jonin who assessed them," Ashika replied while waiting outside of the Raikage's office.
The man chuckled, "well make sure you don't lose this lot, okay?"
Ashika's fists clenched and the man walked away, but Ashika didn't watch him go. He knew that man had his own problems and he was just venting them on him, there was no need to get angry.
But pain stabbed Ashika's heart like thorns and three bright, happy, childlike faces appeared in his mind's eye. They were prodigies and they were dead.
I'll do everything in my power to make these kids the best ninja they can be and I swear I'll make sure they will survive, or I'll die trying.
So the sensei of the dynamic trio has a sad past. How does that relate to Team Ashika and what will happen next? Read on to find out! Review?