Okay, I was pretty much out of ideas for this story, but NO FEAR! I'M STILL UPDATING THIS A FEW TIMES A WEEK! SORRY IF I MADE YOU DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, STICK TO THIS! XD

Enjoy!

I settled on a mossy trunk, heaving for as much air as I could inhale, and glanced up. The sunlight struggled to break through the misty air, trying its best to make contact with the frosty ground. The morning birds of winter fluttered by, some hummingbirds chirped softly in the snowy atmosphere. Not a single rough footstep broke the icy yet mysterious silence, yet drops of sweat was breaking through my forehead.

Will wiped off another sweat reaching for his eyelid, letting the salty liquid settle on the ice, and it thawed, releasing a small clump of smoke. Kai watched it as it disappeared into the mist, and sighed. "We got to go now, guys."

I nodded, and we reluctantly resumed our trekking down the patched lane, partly gazing at the snow aimlessly falling into the camping area. Lloyd looked like he was itching to complain, but he kept his mouth shut, though his face was glowing brightly with his emotions. Finally, we could hear shouts piercing our eardrums, and alertness crushed my peaceful mood.

Kai advanced, aware of the bushes beside us moving. "IT'S THE SONS OF ARES!" The Green Ninja hissed sharply. Ashlyn gave herself a deep breath loud enough for us to hear, and quickened her speed. There were roars now, and a branch was tossed from a random bush, almost knocking my balance, if there wasn't a nearby trunk for me to support while I gain my footing.

Jay was giving something near a deep breath and a hiccup, and one of the buff guys burst out of their camouflage bushes, roaring and aiming for Will. I glimpsed as the blond haired guy's hazel eyes blazing hazardously, Will on the verge to burst into pieces, half frozen with fear.

I was ready to protect my friend when Zane stepped up, and kicked the poor guy, the speed as blinding as the speed of light, knocking his down with a groan. We heard shouts of annoyance, and the whole group emerged from the bushes, like a flock of annoyed swarm of bees and we were the honey stealers.

"RUN!" I could hear another few teams catching up, leafs snapping, a relieved yell that they were in the right track thundered on the thin cover of woods. Cole yelled for us to move on, and Jay cried as he was shoved aside, sending the poor ninja tumbling down. I helped him up, and a light, sharp pain suddenly snapped at the back of mine.

I rubbed my back, only to find thick, rich blood staining my gloves when I withdrew. Fear dawned, and Kai and Jay helped me up, before leaving me to myself to continue the journey.

"It's not far! Just a few meters left!" Zane cried, and that gave us a small light of motivation. I gritted my teeth furiously, and zipped off with the rest of the team, ignoring the screams of agony splattering my senses dully. Gotta move on... gotta move on...

"WE'RE HERE!" Jay cried, whooping up and down, the map crumpled in his hands. The team hushed after a second of admiring the feeling of triumph, and started searching for a certain wooden/silver box with metal linings and a semicircular cover. The teams paused here too, and the Sons of Ares shoved everyone, hoping to find the treasure first.

I got tired, and excused myself for a few moments of rest. Kai frowned with protest at first, and finally gave me the permission. I slumped on a patch of snow with pure exhaustion, and tilted my head, letting the sunlight project my face, warming it up. I brushed my wound, and felt a sudden chill running down the spine.

I touched my wound, feeling the blood tumbling through my hand, though in small amounts. Then I concentrated, letting bits of my power flow into my hand, intersecting with the wound. I could feel the relief as it bonded the damaged skin once again, and no blood was under my touch once more.

I bounced up, feeling slightly drained, but still okay. Healing had never been one of my advantages. My powers were made for combat, and the power will retreat in reluctance as I wanted it for a bandage make up.

Satisfied, I continued the search.

Seconds flew.

Minutes passed.

Hours glided through.

And still nothing worthy was in our hands. Disappointment was breathed out when I looked as the game clock ticked to its last minutes- when a formal accent from a thick voice came in.

"Greetings, camper."

I whirled around, followed by the rest of the campers, to come face to face to a man in his eighties. He was dressed regularly, a simple striped T shirt, a pair of baggy jeans and winter boots. His hair was neatly cut, and his chin was shaved pretty decently. A glint of wisdom lit his eyes.

"If you're not involved in this Hunt, get lost, oldy two shoes." One of the campers sneered. "We ain't got much time left."

There was no hurt or signs of taken back in his eyes, nor face. Instead, he chuckled, and fished out a hidden bag. "Unfortunately, I am. I'm in charge of your target the treasure." He took out seven glittering gold bars, sparkling under the faint rays of the late morning. It looked so real it took our breaths away, letting it dance with the winds.

Then he took another seven things- lockets. Not so sparkly. I looked at it blankly, not sure what to do. The old man laughed again as soon as we revealed our confused faces. "Each of the team must chose only one of these two things- the gold bar- or the camera- to present it to Sensei Nokami. Remember, the time is ticking. Whoever chooses the correct thing gets to take back their treasure."

Most of them knew what they wanted. They lunged for the gold bars, their eyes glinting with greed. Kai was lunging for the last gold bar when it struck me.

This test was so easy. Friendship was worthless, even more precious than gold, and a locket is a perfect thing to resemble it. Yet the mention of they could take the gold bars back got them brainwashed, and all the morals were abandoned miserably. I glimpsed as Will made his way to the last gold bar, and I lunged to grab the locket.

"Quit it, Will! You're proving yourself as greedy as them!" I pointed to the already scampering team. The old man still stood, a amused smile tugging his dried lips. Will was confused for a moment, and glanced at the locket blankly, before light returned to his pupils. "Of course! Stupid!" He cursed himself, and Kai made me toss the locket to him, before we disappear into the afternoon.

"Do you have any idea how FAKE the gold bar is?!" Sensei Nokami huffed at the crowd, which was pushing back and forth to let the Sensei confirm the 'treasure'. The word 'fake' was dropped the whole's atmosphere's thrilled spirits, and some of them even glared at the women, dying to throw the golden brick.

"Screwed," Lloyd commented, before Cole shot him a look.

I looked at Kai, who glanced at the locket, his once doubtful eyes grew trustful, and he smiled, before pushing himself into the crowds, presenting the locket to the sensei. Murmurs of wonders and curses spread through the teams like virus. Sensei rose a eyebrow, and looked at the locket with slight surprise.

"You passed the test." She said simply, and the League of Spinjitzu burst into triumphant cheers, holding the locket in our hands, before piling up into another group hug for the day.

Nothing can part us. I smiled as the warmth of five ninjas body begin to settle on me. Nothing. We trailed back into the camp, and got ready groaning for survival lessons.

Days whizzed past, as smoothly as the wind, as fast as a horse galloping in the field. There was no more Ken- no more serpentines- no more near deaths and almost sacrifices. Nothing disrupted our peace, and miserable practices. We didn't win all of the morning activities, and mostly the Sons of Ares reigned them, with-of course, cheating. We didn't really care. Soon it was what we longed for so long- the Team vs Team free Martial Arts match.

There were rules, of course. But we were happily surprised when we were given the permission to be in our free attire. Jeans, t shirts, gi, anything was possible. "YES! FINALLY I CAN SHOW OFF MY NINJA SUIT!" Cole gave a comfortable sigh as he changed into his black suit, and tugged a little of the flexible fabric. I laughed, thrilled, and looked down at mine. To be honest, it was so good to be back into my suit. As if the power flows even more powerful with the right clothes on.

We exited the camp, hoods on, and everyone looked at the multi colored suited team with wonder. I lifted my hood first, letting the copper locks tumble onto my shoulder. The Sons of Ares came out of their tent, suited in heavy gunner attire, hungering for attention. Camo, bulletproof outfits was attached to their chests, backs, and pants. Their gloves were armed with iron knuckles, and Shruikans lined across their backs, waiting to be unsheathed.

Sure enough, there were some attention drawn, but was bounced back to us. My face went red, not really wanting to have so much attention, and pulled back my hood again. Soon, there were rumors of ninjas going through the camp. Ashlyn giggled, and Will tried to scare her with his daggers, groaning like a pirate while making our way to the arena. Kai was tossing his blade up and down, and Cole was marching proudly along the ice patches. Zane was holding his Shurikans, but his face remained bland.

The leader, known as Jonathan, growled at us as we bumped into each other. "Let's see which era wins, ninja. The Japan retards or the Marine suited pros." The guy hissed, and for a while, his veins came to sight, before sinking back again in his neck. I gulped at the sight of his dangerous blue eyes, and averted simply as Lloyd tugged me slightly.

"We can beat him up later legally in the arena." Will reminded me. I smiled a little.

Okay, I admit, there's nothing effecting here. Finally! I got into my favorite part! =D Will they win? I really appreciate reviews! X3