Hiya

Okay so yes, the action part of this chapter is relatively small, but the reason for that is due to A HOLIDAY SPECIAL. More info is at the bottom

Anyhow~ chapta 13!

In my mind, I take the power given to me by Hanketsu. My chakra doesn't bend easily, continuously fighting against my attempts to use its power. I feel my nerves fraying, veins popping, and cold sweat against my burning forehead. Painful? Yes. Unbearable? Almost. If I stagger at any moment, I could be in trouble - my heart could suffer from a cardiac arrest, killing me. That moment scares me. The moment everything I die. The moment everything is over, just because I couldn't take the pain. I clench my fists fighting to stay focused, but my side track doesn't go unnoticed. The pain spears though my body, stinging my heart. The pain peaks, but then slowly ceases, calming my mind and my body.

I glance up to see the immediately interested faces of the officials, just before entering the time-space dimension. I flicker in and out of the real world, sprinting towards the Anbu before chopping at his neck and ribcage. I summon a violent charge of electricity, sending it through his left shoulder. He skids back. We freeze at the spot, glaring at each other. I let my guard down, assuming that out match is over. I would take my mask, go home and sleep. But that would have to wait. With the last of his will, the Anbu slashed through my side with his claws.

I grimace and jump back. My right abdomen is stained crimson, gushing out a mass amount of blood. Damn. This guy is persistent. I pressed against the wound, squatting to catch my breath. Lazily I glanced at my opponent, he too was bleeding from his shoulder. It wouldn't be too long before one of us collapsed dead. He ruggedly slouched, readying his bagh naga. His posture gave it away, he was purely moving out of will power. He lurch forward, almost collapsing, but bolts in my direction, claws outstretched right at my heart. I push myself to duck. Right when he was over me, I lurched my index and middle fingers up, lightly touching the bloody hole I previously caused. In a low voice, I quietly whisper, "Sorry." and release a wave of electricity at the site. The Anbu groans in pain and collapses, shallowly breathing.

I take a deep breath, and extinguish the flame of chakra inside me. I watch the officials with a cold glare, letting the remaining chakra mend my wound. All the officials gather to talk about something, then nod to the woman. She clears her throat and announces, "You have passed the test. All the operatives here will guide your training and further evaluate your skills. We will start your training tomorrow. An operative will retrieve you from your estate when it is time. You are forbidden from telling anyone of this, including your guardians." She then pulls out a mask - a fox with vertical markings coming down from the top and meeting at the nose, and two curved lines on the cheeks.

"This is your Anbu mask. During field-training, you will wear this along with a change of clothes. Any questions?"

I keep up my ice stare for a moment, then close my eyes. "No, ma'am."

"Dismissed." And with that, she puts down the mask and all operatives leave, carrying the unconscious two out with them. Soon I am left in the arena, alone and panting. My rapid heartbeat pounds in my chest. I swallow hard. Will all Anbu missions be like that?... No… I collect my mask, slipping it to my side, and make my way out of the arena, my pupils rapidly adjusting to the light - or should I say dark. Nighttime already? How long was I in there? Outside the building, I stroll down the path to the gate. The cool night breeze blows my hair back. Footsteps clack right in front of me.

"...You again?" Sasuke glances at me as he sets down Sakura on a bench. "I thought you left."

"I was just leaving…Don't tell your family about me."

"And her?" I gestured to Sakura.

"..."

I smile. So….you actually do have a soft heart. "So, this is it?"

"Yeah."

"Don't go-"

"Charging head first. I know," He finishes.

I stride up and pat him on the shoulder. "Then don't. Good luck."

"Hnn….. 'Nee-san'." And with that, I walk off, down to the estate. Once he leaves, everyone is going to freak. He's going to be seen as a criminal, just like his brother… I arrive at my home and evade the guards, sitting on the outer walkways, facing the pond in the middle of the garden.

Plink! Plop! The small pebble I skim finally sinks down. They are going to fight to the death, one day. The two people that mean so much to me, are going to kill each other… Damn… Stone in hand, I throw it violently at the pit of water. One's too goddamn stubborn on his revenge to listen to anyone, the other - heck, no one knows what's up with him! I march into my room and change into my night clothes. As I am about to blow the candle out, the soft shine of my Anbu mask catches my eye. I take it into my hands, feeling the fine markings and detailed indentations. Anbu is going to be dangerous - the intense training coupled with my abilities can turn me in a killing machine. Either way, I am going to have to train hard. I may end up killing my friends and family. I set my mask down. Or I can protect them.

And end scene!

Okay after this is going to be(drum roll please)...SHIPPUDEN! Yep, you hear me right the next chapters are going to be set IN SHIPPUDEN!

Unfortunately I'm going to take a one week break from this story to prepare a story line and all that jazz.

But, as you may or may not of read at the top, THERE ARE GOING TO BE HOLIDAY SPECIALS!

That is right! Cotic and I have been doing some last minute writing for a holiday special, about the Korean boy band, Got7. So if you aren't interested in that kind of stuff, around New Years time I'm going to attempt a spin off for this story.

The specials for Got7 are going to either be posted later today or tomorrow at the latest.

Bye-bye!~Grai