There were many Genin's that had made it...and even more that hadn't. Deidara took a quick glance around. He figured that maybe one out of three teams had made it to the mountain, even less had all their teammates still intact. He shook his head. How close had his team come to be being broken up?
"Hey, Deidara...what are you thinking about?" Yoko stood beside him, peering down at the boy through her dark, hazel eyes. Deidara grinned up at her.
"No...nothing. Just thinking about the rest of the exam, un!" She smiled, looking up at Bushio.
"You know, Bushio-kun...you still owe me that date..." Bushio just rolled his eyes in reply.
"Yeah yeah. Let's focus on the next task, alright?" Yoko sighed, but nodded. Deidara was eager, waiting for the rest of the teams to arrive at the mountain. He could see the Tsuchikage and a bunch of other Chunin's and Jounin's standing near the base of the mountain. Suddenly, another Jounin appeared, and he and the Tsuchikage held a whispered conference.
"I wonder what they are talking about, un?" Deidara glanced at Bushio, who shrugged.
"I don't know...but it looks important," he said. Yoko nodded her agreement. The field of Genin's got quiet as the Tsuchikage approached, raising his hands.
"Well done, all of you! You have made it to the second round of the Chunin Exam!" The crowd let out a cheer, no one cheering louder than Deidara, who was basically screaming. The Tsuchikage let them rave for a few seconds before holding his hands up again to restore order. "Now, for the second part. You have all come to this mountain for a reason!" With that, he turned, motioning towards the mountain. A cloud system was slowly forming at the top...and lightning was beginning to flash. Deidara shook his head in wonder at the height that the mountain went. "For the second task, I wish you good luck! You may begin, Tousu!" With that, he stepped aside, allowing the Jounin to walk up front.
"Ok! Listen up, cause I am only going to tell you this once!" All eyes were on him as he held out a scroll. "This is a very important scroll! You will all be given one! Each and every one of you! You will line up here at this point to get your scroll!" He pointed to a table that had been set up. Two Chunin examiners were sitting, waiting for the Genin's. "When you get your scroll, you will be taken to a special spot around the mountain! Each team will have their own spot! When the time comes, you will all run up this mountain. You will be given a time frame of three days! In that three days, you will accumulate as many scrolls as possible...your own scrolls! You will take them from your teammates...and from others around you! Take them any way you can! That is all. After three days, a Chunin examiner will help you off the mountain!" He turned, but stopped as one boy asked a question.
"Wait! Why do we need these scrolls? Are they special?" The Jounin laughed.
"Only those with scrolls with pass to the next round. If you don't have one...you lose! Got it?" The Genin's looked at each other, and then back at the Jounin.
"But...didn't you say that we should take scrolls? What if we stay with the one we have and don't get more?" The Jounin shook his head.
"You guys just don't get it, do you? The ones with more scrolls than the others will prove to everyone how good they are. Not just that, there will a special bonus for those with the most scrolls. Now, I will give you guys an hour to pick your scrolls up! After that, a Chunin will be around to pick you up and take you to your spot on the mountain. After that, it's all up to you!" With that, he waved, leaving the spot. The Tsuchikage nodded to him, and turned to address those assembled.
"Very well...you know what the second task is. Now, as I have said before, you don't need your teammates to go through to the next round. If you are the only one with scrolls in your team, then you will go and they will not! Now that I have that clear, please line up to pick up your scrolls!" He waved as the Genins flocked to the table, waiting to pick up the scrolls. Bushio grunted.
"Might as well wait...they won't be done passing them out for a while..." Diedara nodded, sitting and rubbing his feet.
"Well, how is it going now?" The Tsuchikage had walked over, and was addressing the three. Bushio bowed low, and came back up.
"Well, Tsuchikage-sama." The old man nodded, turning to Deidara.
"I have heard about how you three made it to the mountain. Very well done, Deidara. You to, Bushio..." The two boys nodded, thanking him. With that, he turned to Yoko, who was looking sadly at the ground. "Do not give up so easily, young lady. Remember, the heart of a great ninja beats in you...you will know what to do when the moment comes." He smiled, and his smile gave her hope. She smiled back, bowing.
"Thank you, sir. It is well to hear that from you." He smiled at the three.
"Well, good luck on this next trial. I will be rooting for you," he said, and he turned, walking away.
"So, what's the plan then?" Bushio glanced at the other two. Yoko shrugged.
"Well, I guess we should get as many scrolls as possible, un! That way, we have a good chance at making it to the finals..." Deidara said. Bushio nodded.
"Maybe..." Yoko started, but stopped. Bushio looked at her, eyebrow raised.
"What?" Yoko glanced at both of them, then back at the ground.
"Maybe I should give my scroll to you guys...I mean, it's just wasted being with me..." she said, but Deidara stopped her.
"Don't talk stupid, un! You need your scroll as much as we need ours! Now, let's go get 'em and beat this thing!" With that, he strode resolutely to the stand, signing a waiver and grabbing his scroll. Bushio did the same, and Yoko followed, albeit half-heartedly. After all the Genin's had acquired their scrolls, Chunin's ranged themselves in the crowd, picking out teams to take to their designated spots.
"Come on, guys! You're with me!" One Chunin took possession of Deidara's team, leading them around the base of the mountain. It was an hour later when they arrived at their spot, and Deidara took another glance up the peak. It was craggy on this side, but not overly so. It would be easy to scale it. "We have another few minutes or so...so, what's up?" The Chunin was trying to make light-conversation with them, but none of the three were very talkative. He grunted, then looked at his watch. About fifteen minutes later, he got up, walking away. "You can start now! Just run up the mountain, and good luck...you'll need it!" Deidara jumped up, smiling.
"Alright! Let's get going, un!" He ran up the side, hopping across rocks and over crags. The other two were a bit more cautious, taking the climb easily instead of haphazardly. All around the mountain, other teams were doing the same...as the second part of the Chunin Exams began!
Now begins the second part. Review right now...or Deidara will come in the night and blow your house up...or I will...I haven't decided yet!