Yes that's right! The semester is over and we begin christmas holidays with an update!!!
For those of u still in time, college is a real pain, beware!
This chapter is twice as long as the usual to try and compensate for the long wait
Okami was, as usual, the beta for this chapter
I hope u guys enjoy, please! R&R!
The extremely difficult 'Real Final Gennin Exam'!
The door slammed open; suddenly a large amount of purple smoke came into the room obscuring the vision in that area.
From the dark cloud four kunai blades flew towards the blackboard, a large sign was pinned with the blades. The sign, once in place, read:
"Team 5: Meet me on top of the Hokage Mountain in 3 minutes. Mitarashi Anko-sensei"
"Anko-sensei?" asked Naruto-kun repeating the name that was written
"Yeah!" a mature female voice came loudly from behind us sending a terrible shiver from my feet to my neck "You have a problem with my name?" How long had she been there? When did she get there?
I turned around to see her. She wasn't very tall (but for us 12 years olds she did seem tall), she was wearing a brown full body coat, unzipped; bellow she used a body fishnet and protection on her legs. Her hair was purple and short, and her eyes were keen and brown. She seemed battle forged and experienced
"So you three are team 5?" she asked pointing at Naruto-kun, Midori-sempai, and me "This might actually be interesting. Don't be late!" she said smiling, disappearing in a white smoke could.
"How are we going to reach the Hokage Mountain in just 3 minutes? Maybe if it were 5…" I asked worried "We have to run a lot to get there in time! And even then I'm not sure if we can get there fast enough" even if I could draw chakra for an hour I couldn't use my moon jump to get so far!
"Don't worry Hina-chan!" said Naruto-kun with a confident grin "I'll get us there in 2 minutes!" even if we were running over the rooftops 2 minutes was an impossible time
"Don't worry about me" said Midori-sempai "I can get there by myself, sadly I'm not strong enough to take you guys with me"
"Don't worry, I'll take Hina-chan there in no time" Suddenly Naruto-kun carried me bridal style "We'll see you there Midori-sempai" I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks "Get ready Hina-chan, this might feel weird"
That was his warning seconds before Naruto-kun's chakra started to flow from his body, adding pressure to the air around us. Naruto-kun jumped out from the window and into the village rooftops. An orange tone dyed lightly everything around us, and the world seemed stopped, frozen in time, and it was difficult to breath, the air was heavy and thick.
"How you holding up Hina-chan?" he asked me, but I could hardly breath, I was in no position to answer him… then I heard a voice, my own voice, in my head…
"Naruto-kun!" slowly the village faded away, I was pulled into darkness…had the blood in my head finally gotten the best of me?
I was immersed in utter darkness, but there was a loud noise around me
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto-kun's voice
"Naruto! Hinata!" Mitarashi-sensei's?
"You are no match for my speed" a new voice, I didn't recognize it, but sounded like a deep female voice
"HINATA!" a scream from Naruto-kun that ripped the darkness, pain and sorrow clear in his voice. I could finally see something, but I would have preferred to be left in darkness: Naruto-kun was carrying me bridal style, but he was crying. I was bleeding direly…what more, I wasn't moving!
Suddenly the image changed. Naruto-kun was kneeled on the ground heavily wounded, the place was covered in mist and somehow I knew we were in grave danger. The image didn't move, it was like looking at a picture. The image changed and I was looking at a masked figure in a mirror…was that my reflection? The image changed again back to the painful image of Naruto-kun wounded on the ground, unable to move, several senbon were stabbed into his body. A new barrage of senbon was flying towards him.
"Faster!" I could hear my voice "Faster!" the figure of Naruto-kun grew bigger, I was moving towards him "Faster please! Faster!"
Again the image changed, once again Naruto-kun was carrying me bridal style, my face was pale.
"Is this the first time someone precious to you dies?" that same cold deep female voice. Naruto-kun raised his crying face from my immobile body, his eyes were red and his pupils were slits, like an animal's.
"I'll destroy you!" his voice was deep and feral, full with hatred…the image faded away and I felt relieved. I couldn't see Naruto-kun like that…
"Please wake up" Naruto-kun was worried I knew it by his voice "Hina-chan!" Slowly I opened my eyes, I saw a blue sky, a shinning sun and the golden face of that boy: Naruto-kun "Are you ok, Hina-chan?" he asked me offering his hand to help me stand up
"Are you ok?" Mitarashi-sensei was looking at me with while eating some dango "I was worried when you got her unconscious..." the comment seemed for Naruto "even more when you didn't woke up" she said now looking at me.
"How long was I out?" I asked taking a hand to my forehead trying to ease the headache I was having
"Half an hour" replied Midori-sempai "Naruto-kun was very wor-"
"That doesn't matter!" cut her a blushing Naruto-kun "the important part is that she is ok now" a small smile appeared on his face...not his usual toothy grin nor a confident smile but rather a normal one, like that of a person who is rewarded in abundance
"Very well!" said Mitarashi-sensei "are you feeling ok? This first day is intended for Senseis and students to know each other a little, so if possible I'd like to get started with the introductions"
"Sensei! Let her rest!" asked Naruto-kun, but I was feeling all right now
"No, it's ok, I'm feeling ok now Mitarashi-sensei" I said getting on my feet, but sensei's face changed from her usual easygoing expression to a very serious one
"How did u call me?" she asked with a threatening tone
"M-m-m-m-mita-tarashi-sensei?" I asked scared
"A-N-K-O" she said slowly "If you guys have to add some honorific to my name 'san', or 'sensei' will be more than enough ok?" she said projecting a huge killing intent
"O-ok, Anko-sensei" I accepted
"Great!" she said with a cheerful voice again. She sat in front of us Indian style on the ground "Take a seat! Take a seat!" we did as she said "Very well, I don't actually feel like doing some new dynamic so I'll go with the ones I already know and which I'm sure that work" she said with a small smile "so! I want you to tell me your name, likes, dislikes and dreams. Why don't we start with you 'faint girl'?"
"My name is Hyuuga Hinata" I said after a few seconds of silence "I like cinnamon rolls, herbology, and above anything else I enjoy spending time with Naruto-kun. I dislike not living up to the expectations and giving up. My dream…is to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life" I couldn't admit just like that that I liked Naruto-kun; that disliked when people treated him badly and that my only dream has for him to be happy.
"A happy and fulfilled life can be obtained in several ways, it just depends on your effort and what are you looking for in life, but I'm sure that if you look forward and give your best at all times you will be able to live without regrets" said Anko-sensei, we all stayed in silence, impressed by the words of someone with clearly far more life experience "you could be happy with a dango stand! Very well" she continued causing us great shock! Admiration was pretty much gone. "Next, the other girl please"
"I'm Kawamura Midori, I like peace, helping others, and nature; I dislike war, conflict, and troubles; my dream is to create a world where everyone can smile without worries or sorrow, but I'm realistic and know that I can't create that Utopia so I'm happy just helping others"
This sounded even stranger than what I had said, why was Midori-sempai a ninja? A rather good one I had to add, if she didn't like conflict as she said? Shouldn't someone avoid the things he or she doesn't like? Or…was she like me? Someone who was born into a ninja clan forced to train, someone who had a tradition to follow? I wondered…
"Well" Anko-sensei's voice pulled me out of my thoughts "that's an utopia dream indeed, but I'm sure we would all benefit from it…even if we were unemployed as ninja and would be useless in such a world! The Grand Final, I already know Hinata and Midori, but I'm missing you 'Sunshine'"
"It's my turn! Finally! I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I like, besides being with Hina-chan of course, Ramen; I love to try and compare different kinds of ramen, I hate the 3 minutes I have to wait for the instant ramen to be ready, My dream is to become the most powerful Hokage ever so that the whole village will acknowledge me!" As expected Naruto-kun talked with bravery, energy, and conviction
"Hey! I like your style 'Sunshine'! So, Hokage huh? That's one big dream, second only to the Utopia our teammate Midori here just said…so you're willing to take on the hardships of becoming a Hokage?" Anko-sensei asked with a daring voice and a smirk
"You bet!" he replied with his usual confident and determined smile
"Very well! My name is Mitarashi Anko, I like sweets and desserts, I hate to be bored and bitter things, my dream is to eat the best dango in the world" up to this point Anko-sensei talked with great energy using the same daring voice, however "No, wait! I already had it; it was last year in the Rice country! I'll need a new dream…" she paused just for a moment and suddenly smirked "my dream will be to train you three into great ninja" these words raised my spirits, I felt almost as if a gigantic flame had ignited inside me "We'll begin tomorrow, meet me at Training Field #53 8 o'clock sharp, and by the way, don't have breakfast, unless you want something bad to happen" she smiled and disappeared into a white cloud of smoke
"I guess that means we are done for the day" said Midori-sempai "and although I'm sure you guys have tons of questions about my whereabouts these last years we'll have to wait a little more before we can catch up"
"Wait, Midori-sempai" I asked her, apparently she was going to leave quickly "a little while ago, when we were in the academy, your eyes-" but I was interrupted by her
"Don't let yourself be fooled by the simplest of Genjutsu Hinata-san, don't go making weird assumptions about me ok? That was only to make fun of Sasuke-tan" she winked her eye "see you tomorrow guys!" Without saying anything else she disappeared into a shadow
"And she's supposed to be a Gennin too?!" asked Naruto-kun "I'm nowhere close to do something like that!"
"Midori-sempai's specialty has always been ninjutsu" I recalled him
"Even so, she's mysterious! She was able to control Sasuke just like that"
"She made him lose his cool"
"Still that's mysterious; what you wanna do now? Wanna grab some ramen?"
"Ichiraku's?" I proposed smiling
"Of course!"
That day finished without us even noticing it, we had ramen at Ichiraku's, the old man that runs it with his daughter has always been very nice to both Naruto-kun and me. After lunch we went to our house to receive our usual treatment with Sora's training routine. For me, I had to add Habataku's training, it wasn't exactly a relaxing everyday's life, but this time it felt like nothing.
Next day came with a blinding mist and thin dew covered the courtyard, it was almost dark when I woke up, the sun wasn't even in sight, but its rays already showed in the horizon dying everything with a beautiful fan of colors orange and pink.
"Good morning Habataku" I greeted opening my eyes, watching the pendant that rested on my bedside table
"Good morning little one" she said, I could almost imagine her smiling
I walked to the bathroom and cleaned myself, returning to my room after that got changed and combed my long hair; I almost never used any makeup, although I had a small kit, birthday present from Naruto-kun. As usual my outfit was a light lavender dress with a flower pattern in the lowest part of it, with my mother's jacket over it, unzipped; warmers in my legs and the regular ninja sandals, all over a fishnet bodysuit.
I met up with Naruto-kun in the courtyard to receive Sora's morning training session. After that the family had breakfast, but we didn't had anything today, because we feared whatever repercussion would come, since we had Anko-sensei's warning from yesterday hanging on our memories.
At 7:30 we departed towards camping field 53, arriving 10 minutes before the hour. Midori-sempai was already there, she was reading a book.
"Hello guys!" she waved at us as we came walking "still sharing roof, yes?" she asked smiling, I blushed looking away "you look cute blushing" she continued giggling
"I-i-i-i-i-i-i" my stuttering was terrible, but just at that moment a mass of golden and scarlet passed in front of me
"You! Arrived early! Are you a morning person Midori-sempai?" was…Natuto-kun blushing too?
"Yes" Midori-sempai said "actually I am, and today I had nothing else to do but get here, so I have spent here almost an hour"
"W-what were you reading?" I asked trying to control myself
"Oh just something someone sent to me as a gift" she said closing a book that had a leather cover "actually, it's the same person that taught me that Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, although, I'm sure that by now you are better than me in that technique right?"
"I'll just say that you'll be surprised!" he said with a big smile
"I'm glad you are here earlier than told!" Anko-sensei appeared in a smoke cloud "this way we can have more fun" she had a fine smile in her lips, looking inside his coat she pulled out two lunch boxes "very well this will be a survival test, but with a twist" she placed both lunch boxes near a tree, inside a small bag "right now it's almost 8 o'clock, the time limit for this test is midday, this test is pretty simple, all you guys will have to do is land one hit on me, that's all, you can use any technique you may know or create on the moment, those that hit me can leave the exam and grab one of those lunch boxes"
'So, that's why she told us not to have any breakfast…' I thought with a sad smile
"Time out! Time out!" called Naruto-kun "but you there are only two lunch boxes and we are three!" Anko-sensei smiled
"You're very perceptive Sunshine" apparently she had liked yesterday's nickname; I really hoped she wouldn't call me 'faint girl' from now on! "that's because, only the first two who land a hit on me will pass this test and have lunch, the last one will be tied to a tree while we eat" she turned around and took a few steps before facing us again and she added "Oh! And those who fail to land at least one hit on me, and therefore fail the exam, will be sent back to the academy"
"W-what?" I asked surprised, but it sounded more like scared
"Each Jounin-sensei is to apply a test to his, her, assigned Genin team to see if they are fit as ninja, those who are not approved are sent back to the academy, and are given the opportunity to try again next year…however, most of them forever drop the ninja life"
Naruto-kun, Midori-sempai and I were completely in silence
Anko-sensei's smirk widened "Very well! The test starts…now!"
In less than a second Naruto-kun and I were no longer in the field with Anko-sensei, each one of us were hidden in the woods surrounding said field…I was completely terrified! If only two of us were going to pass the exam, then that meant Naruto-kun and I were 'enemies' in this test? Each one of us would have to see for ourselves.
"This is a mean test" said Midori-sempai loudly. She was still in the middle of the field! "You really enjoy playing with our minds, don't you?" her tone was defiant, Anko-sensei smirked denoted that she was uncomfortable with her words
"Looks like we have a cocky brat here, you think you can take me on?" she asked, changing her standing to face Midori-sempai in a three quarters angle
"That's not what I'm trying to do, let's just say I have an objective way larger than this; I won't be stopped by your test, Anko-sensei" her voice carried determination "we'll-" but she got interrupted because Anko-sensei disappeared from her position and reappeared behind Midori-sempai, holding a kunai against her neck
"Ninja don't live out of words, but out of actions" but just she said that Midori-sempai disappeared into the wind, a bunshin"
"Nice, Genjutsu uh?" praised Anko-sensei "but don't look down on us Jounin" she marked a few seals and suddenly the air was filled with green mist, slowly my legs and arms went numb
"Poison!" I cursed under my voice
Far away from Anko-sensei, Midori-sempai appeared, her genjutsu canceled
"Shoot!" she cursed trying to hold herself "I screwed up, I never expected such a long range attack"
"This will teach you not to be too full of yourself Midori-chan" said Anko-sensei, back to her usual cheerful tone getting closer to her
"Tsk! It doesn't matter, this only affects a little my plan" with difficulty Midori-sempai stood up and charged at Anko-sensei, and although Midori-sempai's movements were fluid and extremely fast, Anko-sensei stopped and defended from all of the attacks. They stood there, fighting several minutes; Midori-sempai threw everything she had, including ninjutsu from every element I knew, and yet she hadn't landed a single blow on Anko-sensei. In the end, from Anko-sensei's sleeve several snakes came out and managed to grapple and pin down Midori-sempai, rendering her unable to move
"I guess that's it" said Anko-sensei, "maybe I overdid it a little"
My body was numb from the poison, I could barely move, let alone fight, and even if I were able to it would be pointless, if Midori-sempai hadn't been able to do it, neither Naruto-kun nor I would stand a chance…
This was an impossible exam!
And that's all for now! dont forget to leave a little review ^^
Beta's note: I was really, really out of it when I was checking the chapter (final exams and lack of sleep can get to you sometimes, ya know? nnU) I'd be delighted if you could point out any mistakes or weird grammar you find. C ya next time.