Hello everyone all is well I hope. Anyway a big thanks to everyone that reviewed last chapter. With that said let's keep things moving and I present to you chapter 14.
Chapter 14: Getting the Bells
Kimimaro slowly opened his eyes and stared around his dark room tiredly. Casting his sights to his alarm clock that read 5:56 he narrowed his eyes. He always hated when he awoke before his alarm clock sounded, considering it was a wasted effort to set the damn thing if he was simply going to wake before it.
Crawling out of his bed Kimimaro ventured to the bathroom to get prepared for the day ahead. After showering, brushing his teeth and changing into his clothes for the day he made his way down stairs towards the kitchen to have himself a decent breakfast.
To his surprise Tsunade was there and apparently preparing breakfast, something she rarely if ever did.
Quirking his eyebrow Kimimaro walked towards an empty seat and sat down. "Morning Kaasan." Kimimaro offered.
"Good morning to you too Kimi-chan." Tsunade replied back as she turned around and brought a plate over to Kimimaro and sat it down in front of him. "You slept well I hope." Tsunade finished while taking up the empty seat next to Kimimaro.
"More or less." Kimimaro replied simply before digging into the food before him. "Although I must be feeling somewhat anxious considering I woke before my alarm went off." Kimimaro added.
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully while taking a sip of her coffee. "Yeah you are looking a tad paler then you usually are." Tsunade noted as she observed Kimimaro's features. "You normally never get anxious or lose your calm, you sure you're not coming down with something?" Tsunade questioned as she put her palm on Kimimaro's head to feel his temperature.
"I'm fine kaasan." Kimimaro defended while lightly brushing Tsunade's hand from his forehead. "I'm sure it's only because I've never felt this kind of pressure before."
Tsunade didn't look completely convinced but figured she'd take his word for it for now.
"So kaasan why exactly are you up this early making breakfast anyway?" Kimimaro pried.
"I just wanted to make sure you were in tip top condition for your test today." Tsunade answered easily. "I know what kind of test Kakashi plans on giving you, considering I had to take the same test for my Genin exams." Tsunade explained.
"Really" Kimimaro questioned with an interested look across his face. "Was it difficult?"
Tsunade laced her fingers together as if she was in deep thought. "I can't give you the details, but I will tell you to use your mind in this. You know all that looking underneath the underneath crap Kakashi's always going on about, don't take it lightly." Tsunade advised.
Kimimaro was about to voice his understanding before he erupted into a fit of coughs. Tsunade eyed Kimimaro carefully with a raised eyebrow as he coughed into the palm of his hand.
"What's wrong Kimi-chan?" Tsunade asked worriedly as Kimimaro continued to cough before it finally subsided.
"It's nothing" Kimimaro explained weakly. "Just a cold is all."
Tsunade quickly grabbed Kimimaro's wrist and turned his hand over. She narrowed her eyes at what she saw. "I don't think coughing up blood is nothing Kimi-chan. Just how long has this been going on?"
Kimimaro sighed as he pulled his hand away. "It's been going on for a little over a week now."
"And you didn't think to inform either me or Shizune about this?" Tsunade scolded Kimimaro with a scowl on her face showing her disapproval of Kimimaro's actions. "This could be serious for all we know, and you thought it was a good idea to just brush it under the table?"
"I'm sorry I didn't wish to burden you with my problems." Kimimaro retorted as he bowed his head down.
Tsunade rubbed her temples in an attempt to elevate her current frustrations. "Kimi-chan you'll never be a burden to me." Tsunade explained while using her hand to tilt Kimimaro's head so he was looking at her in her eyes. "You're one of the most important things in the world to me and I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you. I know how much you want to be there for everyone around you, but you have to understand we feel the same way about you. So don't be afraid to seek help when you need it understood?" Tsunade concluded prompting a slow nod from Kimimaro.
"You have my word it will not happen again." Kimimaro stated before grabbing a towel to wipe away the blood from his hand.
"I'm sure it won't" Tsunade added before placing her hand on Kimimaro's chest. "I want to run a quick diagnosis to see if I can determine the problem." Tsunade explained as her hand began to glow green. Kimimaro shut his eyes as he basked in the calming feeling that coursed through his body as Tsunade applied the Jutsu.
A moment later Tsunade released the Jutsu and her eyebrows scrunched together. "The problem seems to be developing in your lungs." Tsunade began to recite. "From what I can tell there's a build up of excess fluid in your lungs." Tsunade explained to Kimimaro with a perturbed expression on her face. "I don't know what's causing it, but we at least caught what ever it is in its early stages." Tsunade concluded.
Kimimaro nodded his understanding. "And what of its potential…complications?" Kimimaro asked carefully.
Tsunade had a pained look in her eyes as she addressed Kimimaro. "I'm not going to lie Kimi-chan, I haven't exactly seen anything like this before, and from what I can tell that if we do not treat this problem there's a chance you could drown in your own blood."
Kimimaro's eyes widened as realization of him actually dying dawned on him. "I see…" Kimimaro stated quietly.
Tsunade placed her hand on Kimimaro's shoulder and smiled at him. "Now don't you go worrying about this matter, I promise I'll get to the bottom of the problem and fix it." Tsunade assured Kimimaro. "Once you ace your Genin exams I want you to report to the hospital immediately afterwards. That way I can run some proper test and we'll have this problem of yours solved in no time."
"I'll do just that." Kimimaro confirmed as he stood from his seat and bent down to hug Tsunade. "Thank you kaasan for everything." Kimimaro whispered.
Tsunade returned Kimimaro's embrace. "Anything for one of my boys." She whispered as quietly as Kimimaro had. "Now why don't you get down to that training field? I mean how would I look if you showed up late after I made Kakashi drop his tardy habits?"
Kimimaro had a genial smile on his face. "Yeah you're right; it defiantly would make you look like a hypocrite."
"Precisely why you'd better make it on time." Tsunade warned. "Now get going already."
Kimimaro nodded before giving one last good bye and heading out the door.
Tsunade watched Kimimaro go, before she slouched down in her chair. 'I guess I have a lot of work ahead of me.' Tsunade thought mournfully.
(Meanwhile)
Sasuke was walking to where his team was to meet for their test with a little extra pep in his step. He couldn't quite place his finger on it but for some reason he felt strangely calm and dare he say…happy. It had been quite some time since he felt that emotion what the hell triggered it he didn't know or care for that matter.
As he traversed the streets of konoha he was gaining many odd stares from the merchants that were in the middle of setting up shop and getting prepared for the day. The last time they had seen the self proclaimed avenger sporting a smile on his face was years previous during the time his clan was still alive.
Some that were particularly interested in Sasuke's mood swing dared to wave at the Uchiha seeing that he was in a cheerful mood. Expecting Sasuke to merely grunt in response they were thrown for a loop as Sasuke actually smiled and waved back. Okay hell had definitely frozen over some summarized at the event.
As fate would have it Sakura was making her way down the street in Sasuke's direction. So far she hated her Sensei for the simple fact that he'd actually made them get up at four in the morning to commence their testing. For the most part the testing was simple enough, they were just meant to knock out Asuma's cigarette from his mouth before he finished smoking the damn thing. Thanks to Shikamaru they were quickly able to formulate a plan that ended in them successfully completing said goal.
Now Sakura was on her way home to recover some well deserved sleep when she spotted Sasuke up ahead in the road. She debated with herself to ask the object of her affections if he'd like to accompany her on a date. But she figured her attempt would most likely prove futile, so she opted for a simple "High Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke stopped in his tracks and observed Sakura all the while sporting a bright smile on his face. To say Sakura was taken aback by the gesture would have been an understatement. "Sakura-chan good morning to you." Sasuke started in a cheerful tone that didn't fit the boy's usually stoic expression in the slightest.
'Chan? He just called me Sakura-chan!' Sakura thought with uncontained joy.
"By the state you're in I'm guessing you just completed your Genin testing." Sasuke questioned curiously although he couldn't figure out why he even cared.
"Actually yeah me and my team just passed ours." Sakura answered as her mind began to work out this new puzzle that was Sasuke and she eyed him carefully. 'Ok Sasuke-kun actually called me Sakura-chan and he actually wants' to know how my Genin exam went!? Something is definitely up here either he's an imposter or…It's a Genjutsu.' Figuring it was the later Sakura checked to see if she or Sasuke were under a Genjutsu and sure enough she could feel a disturbance within Sasuke's chakra. Sakura mentally sighed. "I should have known it was too good to be true." Sakura announced with her head down.
Sasuke stared at Sakura with a curious look on his face. "What's too good to be true?" Sasuke pried.
Sakura quickly masked her initial saddened look with a fake smile. "Nothings wrong Sasuke-kun." Sakura lied. 'If what ever Genjutsu that has been placed on Sasuke makes him this cheerful who am I to remove it? Besides I might be able to use this to my advantage.' Sakura thought with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Sasuke-kun you wouldn't happen to be doing anything later tonight would you?" Sakura asked in a sweet tone.
(Ten Minutes Later)
Sasuke made it to the training field they were to meet for their testing before he sat down in the grass whistling a catchy tune.
"And what's gotten you into such a good mood?" A voice called from above Sasuke.
Sasuke quirked his eyebrow as he looked into the tree above his head. "Kimimaro good to see you, and if you must know what's gotten me into such a good mood is because I have a date tonight." Sasuke answered while putting his hands on the back of his head and leaning back against the tree. "And before you ask its Sakura-chan."
Kimimaro sighed before leaping down from the tree. 'For him to call me Kimimaro instead of Kaguya, and to accept a date with Sakura Yakumo-chan must of held nothing back with the Genjutsu she's placed on him.' "Well I'm glad all is well for you Sasuke." Kimimaro offered as he took up a seat across from Sasuke. "By the way you did have breakfast before you came didn't you?"
Sasuke nodded vigorously. "Of course for some reason I felt inclined to, I don't even know why. And I even brought extra just incase you or Yakumo-chan had forgotten to have any before you left." Sasuke noted as he pulled out two wrapped packages from his bag. "Here you go eat up." Sasuke offered while thrusting one of the packages into Kimimaro's hands.
Kimimaro actually chuckled as Sasuke's behavior. "Okay this is too much; I mean I almost feel guilty watching you like this."
Sasuke had a bewildered expression on his face. "What do you mean watching me like this?"
Kimimaro choose to ignore Sasuke's question and focused his gaze past Sasuke. "Looks like Yakumo-chan is coming."
Sasuke turned his sights around at his teammate's proclamation and spotted Yakumo heading in their direction.
"Morning Kimimaro-kun Sasuke" Yakumo announced at her arrival. "You guys ready to stomp a mud hole in this test?"
"I'm ready to do what has to be done" Kimimaro answered.
Sasuke nodded his head in agreement. "Me too, no matter what Kakashi-sensei throws at us I'm sure we can handle it."
"Oh I seriously doubt that." Kakashi announced from the tree branch Kimimaro had been occupying moments earlier. "Especially after I make you release the Genjutsu you've placed on Sasuke." Kakashi stated with an eye smile.
Sasuke quirked his eyebrow at Kakashi's statement, while Kimimaro muttered a quiet damn under his breath.
"But why Kakashi-sensei?" Yakumo protested. "I mean he's so much better like this, just look at him. He's smiling, none of us are arguing with each other I mean we'd make the perfect team if he stayed like this."
Kakashi looked at Yakumo with a bored expression on his face before he shrugged. "I'm sure you would make a better team like this, but having Sasuke under constant Genjutsu is literally stripping away his free will. Not to mention this Genjutsu Sasuke's placed under his highly advanced, not even I could place someone under such an elaborate illusion."
"Okay what's going on Kakashi-sensei, why do you keep saying I'm under Genjutsu?" Sasuke cut in.
Kakashi sighed. "Just release the Genjutsu Yakumo so I can explain the test."
Yakumo mumbled some impolite things under her breath before she snapped her fingers and for a moment Sasuke had a far away look in his eyes. As quickly as it had come it was gone and Sasuke stared venomously at Yakumo.
"Have you any idea what you've made me do!?" Sasuke shouted in rage as he sprang himself at Yakumo, only to be caught in an arm lock by Kimimaro. "Let go of me Kaguya." Sasuke demanded through gritted teeth. "It's only fair she get's what she deserves for making me act like a damn fool."
"I fail to see how making you into a decent person for a short time is the same as making you act like a fool." Kimimaro countered.
"I agreed to go on a date with Sakura." Sasuke hissed. "That alone warrants retribution."
Kimimaro released his arm lock on Sasuke and sighed. "Is it really all that bad, I mean Sakura has been pestering you about a date for years now?" Kimimaro summarized. "Just maybe if you give her a shot you may not regret it. Besides you mentioned in our introductions that you wanted to restore your clan did you not? Now forgive me if I'm wrong but that feat can't be accomplished by yourself." Kimimaro concluded.
Sasuke looked appalled at what Kimimaro had suggested. "No chance in hell Sakura would ever be the matriarch of the Uchiha clan. I expect my spouse to have exceptional skills that make her worthy of bearing the Uchiha crest, not a damn fan girl."
"Alright that's enough you two." Kakashi stepped in. "Not that this conversation isn't amusing I'd much rather we move on to more important things like how you three plan on getting these." Kakashi announced while pulling out two bells from his pocket and shaking them to clarify exactly what they were.
"Bells?" Yakumo questioned while eyeing the tiny metallic objects.
"That's correct." Kakashi confirmed. "Your test for the most part is simple, all you have to do is take these bells from me before noon." Kakashi explained as he pulled out a small timer and set it.
"That's it, that's all we have to do?" Sasuke asked feeling that the test was already proving too easy in his eyes.
Kakashi smiled underneath his mask. "Well yes, although there's a catch." Kakashi stated letting his answer linger for a moment before he continued. "You see for the one that doesn't retrieve a bell they will promptly be tied to that post and forced to watch while I eat your lunch." Kakashi stated while jabbing his thumb in the direction three post were located.
"So that's why you advised us not to have breakfast." Kimimaro piped in. "Although we failed to heed that warning." Kimimaro finished with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"I should have known tricking you would be difficult." Kakashi offered with a shrug. "Oh well, but like I was saying the one that ends up tied to the stump will not only receive no lunch but will also be sent back to the academy."
All three Genin eyes narrowed on Kakashi, as they observed the two bells dangling from Kakashi's hand.
"But Kakashi-sensei you only have two bells so there aren't enough of them to go around." Yakumo protested.
"Good observation Yakumo, and that just means no matter what at least one of you are sure to fail." Kakashi answered simply while ignoring the glares his Genin were sending him. "Now if there are no further questions let's begin this shall we? Oh and please come at me with the intent to kill." Kakashi finished.
Without a word from the three Genin each of them quickly disappeared from view.
Kakashi looked around for a moment before nodding his head approvingly. "It would at least seem each of them is capable of concealing themselves well." Kakashi noted as he reached into his flack jacket and pulled out his favorite reading material.
Meanwhile Sasuke had fire in his eyes at seeing Kakashi reading the book without a care in the world. Nothing fueled his rage more then being underestimated and he was determined to make Kakashi pay for the insult.
Yakumo only had one thought when she made out the title on the book. 'So our Sensei's a pervert?'
Kimimaro for his part shook his head in disappointment at Kakashi's actions. It would seem no matter how many times Tsunade had scolded Kakashi about his habit of reading smut in front of kids he just never seemed to learn his lesson.
Casting those thoughts aside Kimimaro began to focus on the test. 'Ok if the breakfast bit was any indication I can already tell Kakashi-sensei is testing our abilities on deception.' Kimimaro summarized. 'But this bell test is even more complicated in that sense. If Kakashi-sensei's believes in teamwork with so much conviction why would he have us take a test that completely goes against that moral? Not only does this test purposely split us up, it also pits us against one another.' Kimimaro thought while rubbing his temples in frustration. 'I guess I'll have to get the answer from the horse mouth myself.'
As this was going on Kakashi stood where he was in the middle of the clearing with his nose buried in his book. Although he appeared to be reading his attention was completely focused on the task at hand. To be honest with himself pulling out the book was only for show, and to hopefully ignite a fire within his Genin.
'Good none of them have charged in right off that bat meaning their at least giving this test some thought.' Kakashi summarized before he spied Kimimaro shifting through the bushes from the corner of his eye. 'So it would seem Kimimaro will be the first to try his luck huh?'
Without warning a barrage of finger bullets fired out of the brush towards Kakashi. Kakashi took that moment to snap his book closed before he ducked and weaved between the miniature projectiles.
Kimimaro used that opportunity to try and flank Kakashi from his blind spot. Unfortunately the spiked haired Jonin had already anticipated that move and ducked under Kimimaro's rather aggressive kick. Before he countered with a kick of his own only to have Kimimaro back flip out of range.
Kakashi eye smiled. "Kimimaro why am I not surprised to see you were the first to make a move?"
Kimimaro's answer was to stomp his foot down hard on the ground. Kakashi's one visible eye twitched as he launched himself in the air to avoid the spiked bones that erupted from the ground directly underneath him.
Kimimaro smirked as he began firing off a consecutive amount of finger tip bones at the now air born Kakashi. Kakashi pulled up his forearms to guard himself from the bone bullets and was promptly pelted by them.
Kimimaro's smirk soon vanished when Kakashi's body popped into a cloud of smoke revealing a tattered log in it's place.
"Kimimaro haven't I warned you not to let your opponents get behind you?" Kakashi's voice sounded from behind Kimimaro before he placed his two index fingers and middle fingers together and drove them up Kimimaro's rectum. To Kakashi's surprise he didn't receive the desired effect from Kimimaro instead Kimimaro merely smirked before turning to face Kakashi.
"I believe you should follow your own advice Sensei." Kimimaro remarked before collapsing into a pile of mud.
"Earth clone?" Kakashi muttered only to be greeted with a vicious blow to the back of the head curtsy of Kimimaro.
Kakashi went skidding across the ground from the blow before he popped into a cloud of smoke.
"Damn" Kimimaro grunted after watching the event. "Just when was it he replaced himself with a shadow clone?"
"Not bad Kimimaro." Kakashi's voice cut in from behind Kimimaro. "Although I can't figure out why you didn't try to retrieve a bell during all that." Kakashi concluded in a bored tone as he flipped to the next page of his book.
"That's because I came here for answers." Kimimaro started.
In the forest Yakumo and Sasuke watched the exchange between Kakashi and Kimimaro with interest. Yakumo was simply amazed with Kimimaro's skill; she figured if she'd approached Kakashi head on she would have been done in before the match even started. Sasuke for his part just watched carefully awaiting for a chance to catch Kakashi off guard.
"Answers?" Kakashi questioned with a slightly raised eyebrow. "What could you possibly want to know form me?"
"Simple, what the hell is the true purpose of this test?" Kimimaro inquired. "We all know teams have to consist of three members not two. Not to mention none of us stand a chance at getting a bell on our own so what are you really playing at?"
Kakashi placed his hand on his chin in a thinking pose. "Hm maybe you should try asking your teammates that same question." Kakashi offered before he was struck with a hail of kunai that pinned him to a tree.
Meanwhile Sasuke smirked at seeing that he managed to hit Kakashi, but his smirk was replaced with a scowl as Kakashi turned into a log. "Damn another substitution?" Sasuke proclaimed as he darted away from his current hiding spot considering he'd just exposed himself.
'So if Kakashi-sensei doesn't actually plan on making only one of us fail, the bells must not be the true meaning of the test.' Kimimaro pondered. "Then what?" he then recalled Kakashi's last words try asking your teammates. 'Teammates? That has to be it this is a teamwork exercise, but how to make Sasuke see that?' Kimimaro wondered as he dashed into the forest in search of Yakumo.
Elsewhere Sasuke was dashing through the forest only to be stopped by Kakashi's voice. "Going somewhere Sasuke?" Kakashi questioned in a lazy manner.
Sasuke turned his attention to the silver haired Jonin behind him. "You should know I'm different then any ordinary Genin."
"Oh is that so? Then why don't you proclaim the same thing after you get one of these bells." Kakashi challenged.
Meanwhile Yakumo was stealthily making her way through the forest in search of Kakashi when someone clasped their hand around her mouth. Acting in a fashion most would in that situation she shouted a muffled scream as she tried to free herself from the person's grip.
"Calm down Yakumo-chan it's only me." Kimimaro assured her before slowly pulling his hand from her mouth.
"Well you didn't have to scare the hell out of me." Yakumo scolded.
"Sorry I just didn't want to give away our location." Kimimaro explained.
Yakumo nodded her understanding. "Since you thought to seek me out I'm guessing you figured something out?"
"Yes I think I know what the true meaning of this test is." Kimimaro stated.
"I'm all ears." Yakumo confirmed as Kimimaro began to recite his hypothesis.
Meanwhile Kakashi stood crouched over Sasuke whom he'd just pulled underground to head level. "Well you are certainly different, but different isn't always better." Kakashi explained to the fuming Uchiha. "Now while you sit here and mull over things I think I'll go and locate your teammates to continue my fun." Kakashi concluded as he walked off leaving Sasuke where he was.
A moment later Kimimaro and Yakumo emerged from the brush and headed towards Sasuke.
Yakumo couldn't help but laugh at Sasuke's predicament while Kimimaro let out a sigh. "I remember Kakashi-sensei did the same thing to me Naruto and Haku in one of our training sessions with him." Kimimaro stated as he got to work in digging Sasuke out.
Five minutes later Sasuke brushed the dirt from his clothing as he turned on his heels and began to walk away from Yakumo and Kimimaro.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Yakumo questioned Sasuke.
Sasuke turned his attention to Yakumo. "What do you think I'm going to get my hands on one of those bells before we run out of time." Sasuke answered.
"Surely you've figured out you can't get one of those bells on your own by now." Kimimaro piped in, only getting a scowl from Sasuke in return.
"Before you two came along I touched one of the bells, and next time I'll get it." Sasuke proclaimed.
"As grand as that feat was it won't happen again." Kimimaro assured Sasuke.
Sasuke rounded on Kimimaro. "Then what do you suggest Kaguya?"
"I suggest that we get those bells as a team." Kimimaro offered. "With us three working together we stand a greater chance at success."
"I'm not buying it." Sasuke stated firmly. "Kakashi said that the one that doesn't get a bell will be sent back to the academy and that's not going to be me."
"Well he's lying, or have you forgotten what he told us about breakfast?" Yakumo cut in. "Teamwork is the objective here." Yakumo concluded.
Sasuke took a moment to ponder what Yakumo had said before he gave his answer. "Ok so let's say we decide to work together and retrieve the bells, only for Kakashi to still say teamwork wasn't the objective then what?"
"Then I'll volunteer to be the one that get's sent back to the academy." Kimimaro offered.
Sasuke grinned at the proposal.
"But if I'm right and the objective is teamwork then you have to do something for me in return." Kimimaro explained with a devious grin on his face.
"And what's that?" Sasuke asked carefully.
"You have to continue with the date you agreed to go on with Sakura during the time you were under Genjutsu." Kimimaro answered while extending his hand towards Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at Kimimaro's hand for a moment before shaking it. "Fine" Sasuke grumbled.
'So looks like they figured it out.' Kakashi thought as he watched the three Genin from his hidden position in the trees. 'Guess I'll return back to the original clearing to see what they come up with.' Kakashi concluded as he launched himself away from his squad.
"So what's the plan Kaguya?" Sasuke pried as they walked in search of Kakashi.
"Just fight Kakashi-sensei as you normally would and leave the rest to Yakumo-chan." Kimimaro explained.
Sasuke turned his attention to Yakumo and quirked his eyebrow as he watched her paint on a canvas she summoned from a scroll from her pouch. "How is her painting going to take care of things?" Sasuke asked not entirely convinced with their plan.
"My most powerful Genjutsu derive from paintings I create. The only problem with these forms of Genjutsu is they take time to prepare but I promise you Kakashi-sensei won't be able to break it." Yakumo confirmed.
Sasuke didn't answer but simply decided to see what would happen once they encountered Kakashi.
Ten minutes later Kakashi stood from his position as he watched Yakumo emerge from the forest. "Oh so you're the next one that wants to try their luck huh?"
"Actually we'll be testing our luck together." Yakumo announced as she held up the canvas she had been painting on and revealed it to Kakashi. "Tell me Kakashi-sensei what do you see in this painting?"
Kakashi squinted his eye at the painting. "Hm looks like me standing upside down in this clearing were standing in."
"That's correct." Yakumo confirmed with a smirk on her face.
Kakashi's one visible eye widened as the world around him distorted and everything suddenly appeared to be upside down. 'What the… Genjutsu' Kakashi thought as he muttered "Kai"
"Sorry that won't do you any good Kakashi-sensei." Yakumo answered Kakashi's unspoken question before Kimimaro dashed out of the forest from behind Yakumo and charged Kakashi head on.
"A frontal attack won't work on me even if you do appear upside down." Kakashi summarized as shifted into a Taijutsu stance.
Kimimaro played Kakashi no heed as he fired off a straight right jab towards Kakashi's gut. Kakashi swiftly brought up his hand to guard the rather predictable blow only for him to feel the force of Kimimaro's hit from behind. Kakashi grimaced in pain as he was sent skidding across the ground painfully.
"I don't understand how did Kimimaro get behind me?" Kakashi questioned as he stood from the ground and dusted himself off.
"It's because you're currently in the reverse world Genjutsu." Yakumo answered. "To you right is left and left is right up is down and down is up front is back and back is your front."
Kakashi one visible eye widened. 'To think a Genin could be capable of producing such a powerful Genjutsu. The Kurama clan are truly masters at the art of it then. And the fact that I rely more so on instinct my body will react accordingly to what it sees. This Genjutsu is actually bettered suited to combat higher skilled ninja as opposed to lower level.'
"You should probably just surrender Kakashi-sensei" Kimimaro advised while pulling out a bone sword from his shoulder. With this handicap you don't stand a chance against all three of us."
"Three?" Kakashi muttered before Sasuke appeared above and tried to bring his foot down directly onto Kakashi's forehead. Kakashi on instinct brought up his forearm to defend only for Sasuke's kick to nail him in the chin from underneath him. 'Damn of course the attack was coming from underneath me if it appeared to come from above.' Kakashi thought as he was sent crashing into a tree.
Sasuke quickly followed up with a series of hand seals as he shouted. "Fire style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" The massive fire ball traveled directly towards Kakashi, but Kakashi righted himself and avoided the blast by leaping to the left.
Kimimaro used that opportunity to move to Kakashi's left side and delivered a swipe. Kakashi tried to avoid it but felt the bone sword tear into the right side of his hip as he stumbled away.
After regaining control Kakashi stared at the three smirking Genin before him. "What's so amusing?" Kakashi questioned. "Just because you have me at a disadvantage at the moment doesn't mean it'll stay that way for long."
"Then it's a good thing this test is already at an end." Kimimaro announced as he pulled out the two bells from behind him and jingled them in front of Kakashi. "I'm sure if granted enough time you would have become accustomed to fighting through the Genjutsu so we aimed to retrieve the bells as soon as possible."
Kakashi eye smiled. "So that previous swipe with your sword is when you cut the bells from my waist." Kakashi noted. "But that still leaves the question, who do you plan to give that other bell to Kimimaro?"
Kimimaro leisurely tossed the two bells to Sasuke and Yakumo. "I'm giving both of them to my teammates." Kimimaro confirmed.
"Is that so? Then you know what that means don't you?" Kakashi questioned with a serious tone in his voice.
All three Genin waited with baited breaths as Kakashi stared at them. "…You pass." Kakashi announced cheerfully. "Although I know you guys mostly agreed to work with each other to pass this test. I completely expect you to continue to work as a team is that understood?"
Kimimaro, Sasuke, and Yakumo simply nodded there understanding.
"Good now that we got that out of the way I'm sure you three worked up an appetite even if you did have breakfast so what do you say we eat?" Kakashi offered.
"Sorry." Kimimaro piped in. "But I promised Kasaan I'd meet her at the hospital as soon as our testing was over." Kimimaro explained.
"That's fine us three will just have to do without you Kimimaro, right Sasuke, Yakumo?" Kakashi asked sporting his infamous eyes smile.
"What ever." Sasuke replied bluntly.
"Sure why not?" Yakumo answered with a shrug.
"Great and one more thing, would you mind releasing me from this Genjutsu already?" Kakashi asked Yakumo.
"Oh I'd almost forgotten, but I can't." Yakumo replied bashfully.
Kakashi paled "What do you mean you can't?"
"Just what it sounds like you'll just have to wait for it to wear off." Yakumo answered easily.
Kakashi deflated at the comment, considering he knew he was in for a long day.
"Cheer up Kakashi-sensei Yakumo-chan's only teasing you. Her painting Genjutsu's only last for ten minutes at a time." Kimimaro explained. "Well anyway I need to get going and I expect you to live up to our agreement." Kimimaro concluded directing his attention to Sasuke.
"Hn it'll be done." Sasuke retorted not caring to mask his irritation at losing his wager with Kimimaro.
Well there you have it readers I hope you liked the chapter. And I know there wasn't any Naruto in this chapter but every now and then I'll switch between teams six and seven so you get to know what's going on with both teams. Anyway please review and I'll be seeing you with the next chapter.