Chapter 8: The Six
Trials; Trial One
Sakura:*was practicing with Tenten when she
heard the howl.* "What the?"
Tenten:*stops cold*
"Trudgen?"
Sakura: "Sounds like him."
Kiba:*steps
outside* "What's going on?"
Tenten: "I don't know. Go
find one of the senseis."
Kiba: "Right."*turns right at the
corner and stops* "Don't gotta."
Kurenai:*coming around the
corner* "I take it you heard Trudgen."
Sakura: "Yeah. What's
going on?"
Kurenai: "There's trouble in the village.
According to Lord Hokage, there's someone setting buildings on
fire."
Tenten: "Then what are we standing here for let's
go!"
Kurenai: "We've been ordered to stay here. Lei and
Kakashi are already on it."
(In the village...)
Lei:*throwing
kunai and shuriken at Jasmine* "You know your not suppose to be
here, so why are you?"
Jasmine:*throwing them back as she
dodges* "Why I'm here doesn't matter."
Lei:*dodges her
throws* "Today would be nice Kakashi-san!"
Jasmine:*looks
confused*
Kakashi:*prepares his Chidori and strikes*
Jasmine:*is
knocked back about 100 yards*
Lei: "Perfect shot."
Jasmine:*gets
back up* "But hardly effective. Why drag it out Lei? Why not take
things to the next level?"
Lei: "What are you talking about
Jasmine?"
Jasmine: "Reflection of the power within. You know
what I mean."
Kakashi:*turns to her* "What is she talking
about Lei?"
Lei: "I'll explain later."*she removes her
forehead protector and ties it around her waist at the same moment
Jasmine does. Her irises turn a dazzling white*
Jasmine:*her
irises turn a startling black*
(The scars on both their foreheads
glow with he same color as their eyes, reacting to each other. Little
to their knowledge, Naruto was already in the village and watching
the goings on.)
Naruto:*"That's Jasmine, the Sacred Phoenix of
the Outlaws?"*
Lei: "We'll take this to the skies. That way
one gets hurt but me and you."
Jasmine: "Why so protective of
your people? They're nothing but pawns to be used in war. Are they
not?"
Lei:*scowls* "Don't you dare speak of the people of
Konoha like that. They are far from pawns."
Jasmine:*smirks. A
black circle appears around her and she floats into the air. High
above Konoha.*
Lei:*follows her with a white circle at her
feet*
Naruto:*comes from around the corner and into Kakashi's
sight*
Kakashi: "Hmm, what are you doing here Naruto? You're
supposed to be at the mansion with the others."
Naruto: "I
never heard that. I was still in the village when she
attacked."
Jasmine:*looking down.* *"The Nine Tailed Fox?"*
"Well Lei, seems Naruto has come to see the festivities. To bad he
won't be able to stay any longer."*she aims an un-signed Chakra
ball at Naruto*
Lei: "You wouldn't dare."
Jasmine: "I
can and I will."*she fires it and it hits Naruto directly in the
chest, knocking him out.*
Lei: "No, Naruto..."*she descends
only to be grabbed by the hair by Jasmine*
Jasmine: "Your not
going anywhere. You're gonna stay here and finish our match."
Lei:
"When hell freezes over."*she punches Jasmine in the stomach,
releasing her hair. She drops to Naruto's side and lifts his head
and body.* "Naruto..."
Jasmine:*comes back
into reality. She looks down at them and scowls* "You'll pay for
this, Lei. Just you wait until you and Nokki get a piece of each
other, I can't wait for that day."*she flies away, being watched
by Kakashi with a hateful eye*
Kakashi: "She never gives up does
she?"
Lei: "That's not what I'm worried about right now
Kakashi-san. He took a direct Chakra Cannon to the chest and he
didn't have time to block it. We need to get him back
home."
Kakashi:*puts a hand on her shoulder* "We will."*he
helps get Naruto onto her back and to the mansion.*
(When they get
back, everyone watches Lei walk by confused. She takes Naruto into
his room and places him on his bed.)
Naruto:*has started to breath
on his own again but still unconscious.*
Lei:*gently stroking the
top of his head, humming her song quietly*
Naruto:*as she
continues to hum, he begins to regain consciousness. When he opens
his eyes, he looks directly at her* "Lei-san...?"
Lei: "Shhhh.
Yes Naruto, it's me."
Naruto:*tries to sit up but a pain in
his chest stops him*
Lei: "Take it easy."*helps him up to a
sitting position* "That Chakra Cannon did a lot of
damage."
Naruto:*sarcastically* "I couldn't tell."*he has
a hand on his chest in pain*
Lei:*unzips his jacket and places a
hand on his chest*
Naruto: "What are you doing?"
Lei:
"Helping you."*she sings in her funny tongue. Her hand glows a
translucent green. She removes her hand after a minuet or so and
stops singing*
Naruto:*sighs in relief* "Thanks. That feels a
lot better."
Lei: "I hope so. It's a healing jutsu
specifically designed for the phoenix."*she folds her arms, her
right ring finger exposed.*
Naruto:*see's the ring* "Where'd
you get that?"
Lei:*looks down at her hand and lightly blushes.*
"Kakashi..."
Naruto: O_O "YOU TWO ARE
ENGAGED!?!?!?"
Lei:*slaps a hand over his mouth* "Shhhh,
nobody's supposed to know yet."
Naruto:*sweat drop. He moves
her hand* "I won't tell. Sheesh."
Lei: "I hope not; unless
you don't want me to make you any more ramen."
Naruto:! "No.
I won't tell anybody without your consent."
Lei: "I thought
not."
(In the meantime…)
Sei: "Say wha?"
Kakashi:*groans*
"You're such an idiot. I've already explained it five times and
dummied it down enough for Naruto to understand it. Jasmine wants Lei
dead."
Sei: "Oh. Well, why didn't you just say
that?"
Kakashi:*heavy sweat drop* "I did. Six times
now."
Sei:*nervous-embarrassed sweat drop* "Oh."
Kakashi:*sighs*
"Red headed but dumb as a blond."
Sei:*vein* "Hey!"
Kakashi:
"Hate to break the news to you but you are."
Sei: "Only Lei
can call me dumb."
(Tenten and Sakura decided to walk in at the
wrong moment [when Sei spoke].)
Sakura:*raising an eyebrow* "And
yet Konohamaru disses you almost constantly."
Sei:! "What was
that?"
Tenten: "You heard her."
Sakura: "Besides, I
need to speak to my sensei."
Sei: "Hmph, be that way."*stands
and leaves the room*
Tenten:*bows to Kakashi and leaves*
Kakashi:
"Something wrong Sakura?"
(Two hours later, Sakura, Tenten and
Lei are outside training. Tenten and Sakura are sparing as Lei judges
the match.)
Tenten:*standing ten yards away from her. Breathing
heavily*
Sakura:*breathing heavily* "Is that all you
got?"
Tenten: "I've got plenty more."*charges at
Sakura*
Lei:* "Both girls have incredible will power. But one is
about to fall, and that will be the end of the
match."*
Sakura:*charged *
(The two of them collide in the
middle of the field, fist to face, knocking each other back. The two
of them keep on their feet. After about a minuet or so, Tenten
finally falls back.)
Sakura:*she goes over to Tenten's side and
helps her up* "You okay?"
Tenten: "Yeah, I'll be fine. You
put up a pretty good fight."
Sakura:*smiles* "So did
you."
Lei:*walking up to the two of them* "Battles aren't
always about rivalry. Sometimes they can only strengthen friendships.
I would know; Kakashi, Iruka, Kurenai and I fought so much it wasn't
funny. But look at the four of us now, close as can be."
Tenten:
"What about Gai Sensei?"
Lei: "We never really faced each
other in bouts. He was afraid I would really give him a
beating."
Tenten:*sarcastically* "Gee, and I thought he was
afraid of you now."
Lei: "Hah! He's not really afraid of me
anymore. Mostly because he's a Jounin and I'm a Chuunin."
Sakura:
"Pretty lame excuse. You could probably knock him out in one
hit."
Lei: "Now Sakura, don't judge. You get some rest so
you're fresh for the battle tonight."
Sakura:*helps Tenten to
her feet* "I know. I'll take it easy."
Lei:*nods* "Good.
Tenten, you should probably take a rest too."
Tenten: "I will.
Guess I'll see you later then."*she turns around and walks
off.*
Sakura:*turns to Lei* "Lei-san?"
Lei: "Yes
Sakura?"
Sakura: "Just out of curiosity, what will it take for
me to learn to use my Second Sight?"
Lei: "Six trials. They
prove to me that you are dedicated enough to learn this jutsu. If you
prove to me that you are not, I can revoke you of the Second Sight.
But from what I've heard from my fiancée, you almost never give up
when you want or need something badly enough."
Sakura: "Huh?
Fiancée?"
Lei:*nervous sweat drop* "Oops."
Sakura:
"Kakashi sensei proposed, didn't he?"
Lei:*lightly blushes*
"Yes, but please don't tell anyone. Naruto already knows and has
probably already told Kakashi that I opened my mouth about
it."
Sakura: "I doubt it. Did you threaten him with
ramen?"
Lei: "Kinda."
Sakura: "Then he won't. Trust
me."
Lei: "Oh good."
(At around six o' clock, Sakura
heads out to the gates of the mansion, her forehead protector on her
forehead. Ino, Asuma, Chouji, and Shikamaru are already waiting there
with Lei's guard and Lei herself. Ino looked at Sakura as she
walked up, her forehead protector on her head.)
Ino: "It took
you long enough."
Sakura: "I'm at least on time."
Ino:
"Hmph. Whatever. Let's just get this over with."
Lei:*stepping
to the side to judge the match** "I should be thanking Ino for
accepting Sakura's challenge, but Sakura wouldn't like that. I'll
keep this as a secret till later."* "Let's keep this as clean
as possible girls. You may begin when ready."
Ino:*is the first
to charge, running at Sakura at top speed** "I'll end this quick;
just to save her from the humiliation."*
Sakura:* "She's too
hasty to start. She wants this done now."*
Ino: "What are you
waiting for?"*within Sakura's reach*
Sakura:*disappears in a
puff of cherry blossom petals.*
Naruto: "Well that's new.
Where'd she learn that?"
Kakashi:*looks over at Lei who
doesn't acknowledge he did* "I believe from Lei. Those two have
been training together a lot lately."
Ino: "Huh!? Where'd
she go?"
Sakura: "Take a look around Ino. Maybe you'll get
lucky."*her voice appears to come from all directions*
Ino:*is
looking around frantically. Until a cherry blossom falls on her nose,
then she looks up seeing Sakura standing on a collection of the
blossoms* "How'd you-?"
Sakura: "When you were busy
charging at me, I used a jutsu to dodge your onslaught. You didn't
see because it was done to quickly for even the Sharingan to
see."
Lei:*sweat drop* * "Okay Sakura, don't over do
it."*
Sasuke:* "Why do I doubt that?"*
Ino:*scowls* "Get
your ass down here so I can walk all over you."
Sakura:*she
jumps down. Landing behind Ino.* "Care to try again?"
Ino:*pulls
out one of her kunai and throws it at Sakura*
"Gladly."
Sakura:*nimbly dodges* "Nice try...But not good
enough."
Ino:*scowls*
Asuma:* "Your barley giving her a
workout Ino. She's been training under Lei for the past few
days."*
Sakura:*signs seven, creating a small ball of Chakra in
the palm of her hand.*
Naruto: "What good is the Chakra Bomb
gonna do? It'll just blow up in Ino's face and not really cause
any damage."
Sei: "Put a little more faith in her."
(Naruto,
Hinata, Lee, Tenten, Sasuke, Kiba, Shikamaru, Chouji and Shino look
at him confused)
Sei: "She's been training under my sister,
the most powerful Chunin in the ranks. And you of all people Naruto
would know. Don't underestimate the power of another's Chakra
until you've seen the full extent of it."
Kakashi:* "He's
trying to act like a team bound Jounin and he's
not."*
Sakura:*slips the ball into the ground*
Shikamaru:
"What the-?"
Lei: *"Never you mind where she learned her
techniques Shikamaru. That is her business and she will keep to it. I
suggest you do as well."*
Ino: "What are you doing? Playing a
game of tag with your new jutsu's?"
Sakura:*with a smile* "No,
doing things in a whole new way. A way even you couldn't
predict."
Ino:*a little confused.*
Sakura: "Well, you gonna
come get me or not? I'm wide open."
Ino: "Hmm..."* "She
did something with that Chakra ball. I'm not sure what, but it
can't be good."* *takes three shuriken out of her pack and chucks
them at Sakura*
Sakura:*quickly pulls up the Chakra shield. The
shuriken bounce off*
Naruto: "Nice one!"
Sei: "I hate to
say I told you so, but I told you so."
Ino:* "That didn't
work! Now what? If I attack her from the distance she puts up that
shield. Attack at very close range? She'll never see it
coming."*
Sakura:*closes her eyes. She sees an image of Ino
running toward her and the bomb going off. Right where Sakura wanted
her*
Lei:! * "Her sight! It's power just
doubled!"*
Ino:*charges, pulling out a
kunai.*
Sakura:*unnoticeably smirks* * "Right where I want
you."*
Ino:*after about twenty feet, an explosion occurs at her
feet and she's hurled into the air. She lands at Asuma's feet,
facedown. Lifts her head up* "What the- where did that explosion
come from?"
Sakura: "Simple. The ball of chakra, was a Chakra
bomb. I planted it into the ground and created a Chakra mine field.
When you took your first step, I calculated where you were going and
set multiple bombs around me to create an unbreakable defense. I
placed it far enough away from me so I wouldn't get hit by the
blast or let you touch me."
Kurenai: "But how was she able to
calculate where Ino was about to run?"
Iruka: "Sei, do you
have something to do with this?"
Sei: "Nope. It's entirely
Lei and Kakashi's fault."
Naruto:-_-; "Right. Remind me not
to hang around you whenever we're watching a battle in the same
room."
Sei:*vein*
Ino:*stands up* "You're going
down."
Sakura: "Take your best shot."
Ino: "Oh I will.
Count on that."
Sakura: "Well then, what are you waiting
for?"
Ino: "Nothing."*she takes off leaving only a trail of
dust behind her*
Chouji, Asuma, and Shikamaru: O_O *Blink.
Blink*
Ino:*is launching unsuccessful attacks at Sakura.*
Sakura:
"What's the matter Ino? Can't keep up?"
Ino:*with one
kunai in each hand she swings in time*
Sakura:*blocks with the
kunai in her hands.*
Lei:* "This is gonna get real old, real
quick."*
Sakura:*skips a beat and shoots off to the
side*
Ino:*turns to face her with a glare.*
Sakura: "I'll
end this hear and now."*puts her hands together and signs three,
points her fingers directly at Ino as she moves up the field toward
her. Her chakra focuses to her fingers.* "Chakra Cannon!!!"
(It
fired and hit Ino directly in the chest. She was knocked back and
fell to her knees. She couldn't stand.)
Asuma, Chouji,
Shikamaru:*stare*
Gai:* "That was quiet the blast of
chakra."*
Kiba:* "Whoa!"*
Ino:* "What the hell?"*
"Why can't I move?"
Sakura: "Depending on how much chakra
I channel into the cannon, I can set it how I please. I set it for
stun and paralyze just now. You won't be able to move for
awhile."
Shikamaru: "Hmm..."
Chouji: "That's one kick
ass jutsu."
Asuma: "Techniques like that are what the
Mortagashi Clan are known for."
Chouji: "Using their chakra
directly?"
Lei: "Precisely. It's a version of the Hyuuga
traits of the Gentle Fist. Instead of just putting it into one kind
of move, we've developed several techniques such as the one you
just witnessed."
Ino:*can't really move*
Lei: "And since
Ino can't move, the match is called as follows: The battle goes to
Haruno Sakura."
Sakura: "But how? It'll wear off soon."
Lei:
"That doesn't matter. I've seen what I needed to Sakura."
(They
all look confused. Except Ino, she's in on this.)
Lei:*sighs*
"Trial one, is now complete."
Sakura:*still confused*
Lei:
"The first trial normally presents a battle you must overcome, and
against someone close to you."
Ino: "She's telling you; you
won Sakura."
Sakura: "Wait, you're in on this?"
Ino:*nods*
"She told me about it earlier before we collided in the
store."
Sakura: "Now it makes sense."
Inner Sakura: *
DAMN IT!!! LEI'S GOIN' DOWN FOR THIS!!!"*
Sei: "Wait, I'm
still lost."
All:-_-;
Kakashi: "I said it once I'll say
it again. Red headed but dumb as a blonde."
Ino:*finally stands
up* "That's better. I can move again."*she walks up to Sakura
and holds up her hand* "You did well, congratulations on passing
your first trial."
Sakura:*smiles and takes her
hand*
Ino:*vaguely smiles. She aims a punch with her other hand
and throws it*
Sakura:*catches it in her opposite hand*
Ino:
"Oh it's on now."
Sakura: "Got that straight."
