Deidara sat, watching the trees blow from his room on the fifth story of the Tsuchikage's palace. Today was the day that the Chunin exams began, and he was nervous. It wasn't a scared kind of nervous, but more of an excited kind of nervous.

"Well guys, it's time to go, un!" He quickly slid on some gloves. Though he hated to do it, his team had talked and thought it would be better if no one saw his hands. Yoko had called it a precaution, while Bushio called it a surprise, or last minute resort. Deidara smiled at his hands. If they could talk, he was sure they would be berating him right now.

"Come on! We have to go, Deidara!" Yoko was at his door, yelling from the other side.

"Just a minute!" He grabbed his pack, which was full of kunai, shuriken, and other implements that he was sure he would need, and left the room, waiting for a moment until he was sure he hadn't forgotten anything. Satisfied, he opened the door, staring at Yoko and Bushio who were waiting impatiently in the hallway.

"Ready yet?" He nodded, and all three walked down to the main room, where Genin from the Village had gathered. There were other Genin as well, some from the Hidden Rain, some from the Hidden Grass, and a few scattered among them from the other villages. Though Konoha had done its best, Deidara could only see four teams. The others must still be trying to patch the village up. Deidara clenched his hands...just one more reason to rid the world of the demons.

"Everyone! Silence!" The entire room quieted down as the Tsuchikage addressed them, standing on a podium. Deidara watched as the old man took a pipe from his clothes, puffing on it thoughtfully, before addressing them again.

"Now! We all know why we are here. This is the beginning of the Chunin exams, and from here...your lives will no longer be easy." Deidara could see the other students, some of whom were visibly shaken by the Tsuchikage's words. He smiled, thoughtfully, as he scanned the crowd. "Some of you, honestly, may not make it out of this exam alive. That being said, anyone who wishes to leave may do so," he said. He again waited, scanning the crowd. Deidara could see Yoko gulp, and she was shaking, her hand clenched in a ball. Deidara thought he might be able to lighten the room up, so he smiled, pointing his head towards the ceiling.

"No way, Tsuchikage-sama! We're here to become Chunins, un!" Everyone turned, facing the yellow-haired kid as he slid a hand behind his head, only now realizing the mistake he had made. All attention was still focused on him as another boy on the other side of the room gave voice to his opinion.

"Yeah! If the squirt ain't scared...then I ain't. Bring it on, old man!" Soon, everyone was clamoring, the tension visibly lightened as Deidara took Yoko's hand, giving it a squeeze. She looked at him, smiling.

"Thanks, Deidara..." He smiled up at her.

"Don't worry, Yoko! We'll be Chunins in no time, un!" She smiled again, looking up at Bushio.

"Bushio-kun...what do you think?" He grunted, turning his head away.

"We'll do fine. I am on your team, remember?" Yoko sighed, but his words did encourage her. With him and Deidara on her team, she didn't see a way for herself to lose. But, she did feel that she would hold them back.

"I'm glad everyone feels that way. Now, let's get started. If all of you will follow me, I believe that we can start the first round of the Chunin exams!" He got off his podium, walking through the massed Genins and to the door. He opened them wide, walking out into the morning sun. The group followed him, gazing about curiously. Deidara wondered what the first task was. No one knew, as the Tsuchikage preferred to keep it secret. After an hour of aimlessly walking through the city, they came to the main doors. The old man signaled, and two Chunins opened the gates, revealing a grassy meadow. A large mountain loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, where clouds already massed. He smiled, nodding. Turning back to the would-be graduates, he held his arms open.

"This is your first task! You all will begin here, at the main gates. When I give the signal, you will go towards that mountain, using any means necessary to arrive safely. Along the way, there will be traps, snares, and ninja instructors to stop you. You must use your cunning and wit to survive. Also, this is a new rule for everyone. You no longer need your teammates! If just one of you gains the mountain, that one will go on. In the past, all three of you would have had to arrive at the mountain...but we feel that it is worthy of some to arrive alone. That is all...good luck. Wait for my signal..." With that, he turned, walking up the stairs.

"What did he mean by going alone? Don't the teams have to arrive there?" Yoko was amused and quizzical at the same time. Deidara shrugged.

"Maybe if one of your members dies, you can still pass the test if you make it to the mountain, un!" He gazed at the mountain peak. It was some miles away, with grassland, woods, and a river seperating them from it.

"You guys just try not to slow me up," Bushio said, gazing out over the plains. Deidara huffed, but said nothing. Again, Yoko began feeling like the weak link.

"Remember, you do not have to have your teammates with you when you reach the mountain! Ok, that being said, let this portion of the test...begin!" The Tsuchikage pointed towards the mountain, and all the Genin rushed from the portal, some being tripped and knocked over. Some of those injured in the resulting rush were immediately pounced upon, their items and weapons being stripped. Only a few of the injured's teammates sat back to help. Some rushed ahead, leaving their companions to fend for themselves. Deidara and his group were some of the last to leave. Wisely, they had stepped to the side to be out of the way of the mad rush. Deidara grinned, walking over to a Konoha ninja who had been abandoned.

"Hey...are you alright, un?" The Genin looked up at him, spitting at his feet.

"I'm fine! Leave me alone!" With that, he got to his feet, taking a few steps and stumbling. A tear coursed down his face as he began crawling, one painful stretch at a time. Deidara shook his head, noticing that no one was helping him.

"Well, let's go!" Bushio and Yoko began running, trying to catch up to the others. Taking one last glance at the fallen Genin, Deidara followed, running out onto the flatlands and catching up to his partners.

"Well, they're off. Do you still think this was a wise idea?" Tazuriko glanced to the side at the Tsuchikage, who nodded.

"Yes. I believe that they will do well. Deidara will see to it that the team is together the entire way, and Bushio will make sure that they get there. I am worried about the girl, however. She doesn't seem to confident," said the Tsuchikage, taking a puff on his pipe. Tazuriko nodded.

"I know. During training, she was always behind the boys. But, maybe this trial will do her some good," he said, thoughtfully. Picking up a pack, he put his hands together. "Well, I'm off to my designated spot in the field. Wish me luck!" With that, he vanished in a puff of smoke. The Tsuchikage watched as the dust clouds settled, allowing him to see the progress of the Genins.

"Good luck, Deidara...you'll need it."