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."