AN: I just wanted to update one more time before I leave for Peru on the 6th on January since I will not be back until the 16th. Anyway wish me luck and enjoy yet another chapter of The Bird and The Bug.

Sono Tori Ken Sono Konchuu

Chapter 5: Pass or Fail?

Mizuki had just gotten out of bed when the servant Shibi had promised opened the door. "It is time for you to be on your way now, Mizuki-san." She thanked the older woman and fastened her pack of supplies to her side. The sun was lower but still hanging on when she arrived at the academy. The students were filing out when Mizuki walked down the hall. Iruka met her in the hall. "Go on in, Mizuki. Shikamaru will give you the oral test." She did as he said and found Shikamaru straightening up some papers from behind a desk.

"Ah, Mizuki. This will only take a moment. Have a seat." She occupied the middle seat in the very front. He straightened up and cleared his throat. His first time giving a test? She mused. "Now, I will ask you a question and you will give me an answer that best fulfills the requirements of the question." She shot him a confused glance. "You'll understand when we begin." He clarified. "I will also repeat the question once if you request it. Do you have any questions before we begin?" Mizuki shook her head.

He looked down and began reading. "This series of questions all take place during a mission you have with two team mates and a sensei. The sensei has rushed ahead to look for danger and has not come back. Your group is attacked. What do you do?"

"I would get in a triangular battle formation with my two teammates." She replied.

"That seems more like a defense position." Shikamaru stated. Mizuki nodded.

"The best defense is a good offense. You never stated where the attack was coming from or how many attackers there were. I simple turned a defensive stance into an offensive one." Shikamaru nodded at her explanation.

"Okay, so now you have defeated the enemy. Chances are they know your position and will attack again. One teammate wants to look for your sensei and the other wants to stay put in the small hideout. You decide to vote on it. The last vote is up to you. Which do you chose?"

"I would vote to stay because chances are we wouldn't find our sensei if we went looking and he or she would return to look for us at the spot he or she left us. Even if the enemy knew where we were it would be a while before they came since they sent one squad already and they could still find us if we went tromping along looking for our sensei." Mizuki paused and then nodded. "Yes, I would go with the second option."

"Very good. But now your teammate is injured and the mission is incomplete. What do you do?" She smiled.

"Camouflage the teammate in a secured area and continue on with the mission." Shikamaru shook his head. She frowned.

"That's not an option. The area is hostile and there is no cover." Mizuki sighed.

"Then the mission would have to stay incomplete because I can not leave a teammate behind. Even to finish a mission." Shikamaru nodded.

"Is seems you do understand the importance of teamwork. You are mentally ready to be a genin but Iruka-sempai has set up a few stations outside that will test your physical abilities. Follow me."

Iruka had set up four different stations. The first two were throwing stations. "Now, these will test you ability to throw kunai and shuriken." Mizuki picked up five shuriken. "Please try to hit the middle of the target." Mizuki hit the target with ease. "And do they same with the kunai." She complied with his order. "Okay." Iruka mumbled as they moved to another station.

"This one is based on agility. On my mark please run to the marked tree circle it once and come back here as quickly as you can." Iruka readied his stopwatch and Mizuki's leg muscle coiled in preparation. "Go." Mizuki sprinted to the tree and then slowed just enough to circle it without falling and then sprinted back.

"Wow, that was pretty fast. Forty-five seconds. Alright the last one is strength. Hit this target as hard as you can." Mizuki froze. She laughed a little hysterically.

Mizuki promptly gave the target a swift kick that sent it flying. "That wasn't exactly what I wanted but okay."

"How did I do?" She questioned hesitantly. Iruka smiled.

"You just fine." Shikamaru handed her a black hitai-ite. "This forehead protector symbolizes your loyalty as a shinobi of Konohagakure. Wear it with pride." She tied it on as a headband and smiled.

"Does it look okay?" The two men nodded.

"That is becoming a popular style nowadays. I think the trend started with Sakura." Iruka mused.

"She's pink haired medic-nin who is training under the Hokage." Shikamaru explained.

"I don't believe I have met her." Mizuki stated with a shrug of her shoulders. "I should get back now. It's getting late." Iruka nodded.

"Make sure to see Lady Tsunade in two days. She'll let you know what she has planned."

&&&

"Shibi-kun! I passed!" Mizuki showed him the decorative scroll and her headband. He smiled.

"Very good. It seems you have done well, then." Mizuki nodded.

"Oh, and I have to go see Lady Tsunade in a few days, as well." Shibi put a hand to his chin in thought.

"She will most likely give you a D ranked mission. Well, are you hungry?"

"Very." She replied cheerily.

Mizuki was a little worried at Iruka's earlier statement.

-To Be Continued-

AN: I believe this is my shortest chapter ever. I really just wanted to update before I leave for boarding school and ultimately Peru. So please don't hate me for its shortness. I promise the next one will be my usual length or even longer. =] I'll update again after the 16th of January. Review please.