It was early in the morning and I, a ninja in the woods training, practised and sharpen my strengths in hope to improve my survivability. I decided to break from my normal day to day training routine and instead I practised shuriken exercises. Still dark the pale blue chill of the air only now broke with light, It was then I heard the hawk call...

My targets the trees couldn't move out the way, and so to give them at chance at avoiding me I ran alongside them and picked my opponents from behind the rush of passing branches and tree trunks.

The Leaf had taken up using Hawks to send messages of alert to call ninja to the mission assignment desk. Not only faster than other birds, the hawk was also a bird of prey making it more resilient to the threat of being silenced.

As I made my way to the mission desk, I wondered…

'In our efforts to train how might we develop skills of our own to help us endure as the hawk? As we are summoned to answer the call of the Hokage, like the hawk I wonder how we will fair against the threat of being silenced?'

Making my way to the academy I was prepared to confront Tsunada. My forehead dotted with beads of sweat due to my tireless exercises and the rapid pace I kept thereafter, but with the swipe of my palm I worry that perhaps it isn't only the heat that parches my throat and soaks my chainmail vestment...

"Morning there Argies" I turned around, and there was Hakari, ready to face our Leader together.

"Morning Hakari, ready?" I asked looking around for Amoroto, feeling with every ninja to falling in step behind me I might find the courage not to fall back on our plans. We joint the queue as many more filed in behind us.

"I think I saw him earlier, he got here before you!" Hakari smiled sensing my unease, and with her smile I felt the constriction in my chest unfastened with a laugh. Yet it felt with every stride closer in line, the feeling of constraint built and shortened my breath.

"Ha that means you were here even earlier than me!?" I held a false vista of confidence steady to my lips, a smile, they were waiting for me. The line ahead of us was reducing by three to four every minute. Assignments were being handed out fast. I wonder if she will even have a moment to listen to my argument? Maybe this isn't the best of times to demand leave from duty.

"Do you think we will be assigned on the same team?" Hakari spotted Amoroto and waved him over before she continued to speak. "Your plan would kind of suck if you are the only one there to demand time off."

"*Sigh* Well that's great." I exhaled but then took in optimism with my next breath. "Even if this mission doesn't result in a ninja vacation, there is always the next mission ahead."

Amoroto bowed greeting each of us before bumping into line ahead of me. There were no complaints, no one was about to defend their place in line to a mission assignment that might result in death. "Argies san, did you find any records of other ninja declining missions? How did it go for them?"

"Since the new Hokage no man has been willing to decline, but I did find an interesting report of Hatari refusing a mission because the members weren't to her liking" I chuckled at this but put aside my smirk realising the others didn't know who my special assignment commander was. If Naoki were here he might have laughed at the joke, but then again maybe not... it wasn't that funny

"Being on a team is weird" Hakari pondered, collapsing a hand to my shoulder with a thwack, her face an image of provoking thought. "I almost never know who you are speaking about and yet you speak as if I should know purely because we are teammates?" She looked up at the impact reinforced ceiling in thought humming queasily in jest, to which I turned to catch Amoroto smiling, dazzled with humour.

"Find but you will understand someday" I smiled to each of them in turn "You know, when you get a real mission" I felt my unease break as if broken by our mocked offence.

Before either of them could shoot me disapproval or retribution as I'm sure Hakari had fully swung, I heard my call next in line to the guillotine. "Next!"

We moved on ahead into the next room, the line being paused just behind Hakari.

"I'm glad all of us get to experience this together."

Shizune greeted us with a clip board, looking over our heads and checking the details she had written down without speaking a word. "Alright, I want all three of you to follow me please"

"All three of us?" I thought out loud. No excuses this time Argies, it is now or never, who know when the next opportunity to refuse a mission together will arise.

Stepping a foot forward into the Hokage's office, the soft green carpeting gently collapsing under the weight of my foot print. The sectional square vomit green floor stretching forward ahead of us like the no man's land, and yet we kept placing one foot ahead of the other in line behind Shizune. Until finally we lined up shoulder to shoulder awaiting orders while Shizune took up her place next to our honourable Hokage.

"Good morning Senju sama" Hakari stepped forward and bowed to the seated kage. I forgot that this would be the first time, for both of them, being assigned a mission directly from our new Hokage. My guess is her missions weren't assigned from behind the mission desk, though I remember Hakari was assigned her D rank mission to capture Naruto and I after we escaped the hospital, I'm sure as all inter-village ninja she enter from a side room dedicated to less qualified tasks.

"Senju?" Tsunada looked up from our profiles. "It has been quite a while since last I heard someone address me as a Senju. Thank you for the reminder" By the widening of her eyes I couldn't tell if her appreciation was sarcasm or genuine gratitude. The silence continued for a few more paces of the heart and while Tsunada finalised her thought on the mission ahead I wondered when it would be best to interrupt her with my agenda.

Hakari might of mentioned our Hokage's clan the Senju out of reverence for the first Hokage or to flatter Tsunada and lower her defence against the attack I am to supply. Still I hesitate… Tsunada might not think of her address in a flattering light. The first Hokage accomplished many things thought impossible. An instant healing jutsu and a Natural transformation in his mastery of the element of wood, the only wood seal release ninja ever to exist! Although I have seen the exception, the ANBU elite during the Bukijutsu demonstration, but I'm sure that still means the art of the Senju is considered lost.

Now we haven't seen much of Tsunada to speak of what she is capable of, but I have heard of her Strength of a hundred Seals allowing her to amply her chakra enhances beyond compare of any other ninja. Giving her super speed, strength, endurance and an almost endless supply of chakra to quantify any of her abilities. I imagine in battle she would be a force to be reckoned with, but, in comparison to the accomplishments of the Senju her enhancers aren't new jutsus but rather already existing techniques Fantastically intensified. She might feel somewhat belittled under the shadow casted by her Clans accomplishments. Meaning her address as a Senju might be seen as an insult, only further encouraging her to decline my request...

Then again I might be over thinking it.

I stepped forward determined despite my concerns. I am ready "My Lady Fifty, though I appreciate that you have called us all here together. I must ask on behalf of my team…"

"Yes?" Tsunada looked up, interlocking her fingers to stare over them at me, enticing me to go on.

…

"Ergh" Argies faulted, his hands still raised in gesture, he continued in trepidation now that he had awaked her full attention. "Yes, my…Lady. If it is not too much to ask I request-decline…" He gulped and cleared his voice starting anew. "I would like to decline this mission in favour of a request for time off from our ninja duties, in order to focus our efforts into strengthening our team bonds and capabilities"

"I see…" The Hokage said nothing more and flipped through her mission assignment before finally coming to an end. Placing her hands on the closed document and earnestly addressing the squad in front of her, she began her investigation. "What has brought you to this sudden request and formal refusal, Argies Ages?"

"In part, it was my decision alone, but when I consoled my team with my request they likewise agreed"

"Hahaha, how polite but that was not what I meant Argies" Tsunada's soft laugher broke Argies square shoulders and formal demeanour with a blush. "Though a formal response is appreciated I would like an explanation rather than another a proper but unclear response" Her eyebrows creased in a smirk to accompany her open hand, welcoming Argies explanation.

Argies stepped back. "An explanation…?" looking from left to right at his teammates he asked. "Ergh, wa-what do you mean… My-Lady-Fifth?" Cracking his left wrist out the comfort of formalities.

Amoroto cautious of trouble added his own reasoning. "Honourable Sannin, the fault is mine. My ninjutsu discomforts my team, as both my skills and my techniques are not yet to a point where I am confident in my ability" He though he likewise remained formal in the presence of the Honourable Hokage, gave his explanation facing Tsunada with all the bravery he could muster… before shifting his line of sight to stare down at the floor… to remain standing firm with his team.

Hakari thinking it best, reined in the slack that Argies empty mouth was reluctant to pull in. "My talents, Senju sama, haven't been put on as much strained as the intensity I have experience here as a member of this squad" The Crystal ninja smiled, looking to the two boys at her side with pride in her eyes and a boldness of heart reflected in how she carried her statement. "I haven't been tested enough, it seems, because every day I walk alongside them I find I have new strength I never knew I had to spend."

Smiling Tsunada looked up at her assistant before turning to Hakari "Aha, I image they can be quite a hand full but don't let them give you too much trouble, and don't let them get carried away with their formalities either"

"Don't worry Sama, I have them well trained…. A little too well trained it seems... but they aren't too much trouble honestly. We are a team, we do our best to support each other and we let each other know when we need a break. Like I'm sure Argies intends, to let you know we need a time off" Hakari nudged Argies forward with the jab of her shoulder, breaking formalities was Hakari's new found technique.

Argies stumbled forward a little lost for words. "I expected… Will you accept our request?"

"You expected that my Lady would decline your request?" The Hokage's assistance picked up Tonton "Didn't you!" Shizune squeezed the pig caught in her arms, it squeal sounding just in time to drown out Argies guilty denial.

"No! I…" Argies let down his guard and relaxed, conceded in defeat he pat a hand to his back pocket full of notes. "I suppose I had all this preparation and these notes prepared on proper etiquette and previous requests refused dating back to war times. *Sigh* Sorry, I judged your reaction to soon… but that still leaves your answer unsaid my Lady fifty. If you would be so kind to relieve me of my doubts"

"Well it is not an unreasonable request at all Argies" Tsunada began writing out their permission slip. "Newly formed teams, especially Genin students, usually start out their careers on very low lethality missions while its members begin to understand each other." She handed the slip to Shizune who handed it to Argies. "Just don't let it get to your head. An official allowance by the Hokage doesn't mean you can ignore every Hawk call and alert, just that the minor bird calls are exempted."

This spun another question in Argies head, even as he accepted the pink slip handed to him. "…but then why were we sent on the Yokai human faced owl mission?"

"What?!" Tsunada looked at her assistant who likewise gave a shrug of no registry. "I haven't heard of this before, your mission assignments have been very low ranked. I only assigned you the temple mission due to Hakari and your actions in apprehending the beastly brothers scroll thefts. There have been no high level missions assigned to you. Not by me anyway."

…

I creased my brow looking between my comrades, before pointing my doubts at our Hokage. "…but that was the mission assigned to us by Tensue."

Tsunada made no attempt at answering and then doubt hit back at us, searching for a new point of accusation.

Amoroto and I both looked to Hakari and she stepped forward, quite hurt by the accusation in our confused stares. "I was in the hospital looking to take on a new D-rank mission when Tensue handed me the assignment…" Hakari trailed off, not knowing what more she could say.

Coming to Hakari's defence I stood firm with my team mate "I recall you mentioning that Tensue said it would be an uncertified mission, because he had yet to confirm our squad statues since we had only recently completed our Sensei test."

Amoroto too voiced his knowledge of the event "We were told we shouldn't speak of the mission to anyone, it was classified once the existence of a yokai was confirmed by the evidence we brought back."

"That man!" Tsunada suddenly slammed, making us all jump, the air thick with tension.

"You don't mean Dan…" Shizune cut herself off before quickly crop-dusting her words with administration "My lady we should get back to the duties at hand"

"Yes, I see…" Recomposed Tsunada tilted her head, silently acknowledging our concerns before giving her final address. "Argies Ages, I hereby grant you and your team three days leave from duty. In this time you may take up training anywhere here in the Leaf or outside its borders. I entrust you as Chunin to make wise choices for your team, and that on your return this squad will be fit to take on the assignments I have waiting for you. You are dismissed!"

Bowing and backing out with our pink slip in hand, I heard one last remark from Tsuanda before closing the door.

"Shizune, get me a bottle of wine!"

…

"Hmm interesting" Tsunada denies knowledge of the HFO mission and yet she remembered that I was sent on that temple decommission assignment. Which means two things. Either she didn't know about the Yokai mission, as Tensue had claim it as uncertified, or is she lying? It also makes me question, how did she remember the decommission assignment? I mean the Hokage handles every mission assignment, and yet she somehow remembered exactly which mission I was on last?! This means that she must still be watching me closely, like Kazumi warned. Yes! Kazumi the Yokai herself, she said that the Hokage ordered the mission she was assigned to kill us on. Surely my childhood friend wouldn't lie to me but I remember in that time the Hokage was elsewhere before and during my trial, likely not even in the village, so she wouldn't have been available to give such an order… Curious, so what is your ploy Tsunada, are you against us or with us? "Hmm" It is all so unclear…

"Why are you humming so much?" Hakari poked her nose under me, I was staring at the ground in thought while we gravitated in the direction of our distant training grounds.

"I think Argies san, that you are thinking too much to be on holiday" From the corner of my eye I could see the grin on Amoroto's face, and at this I looked up to ruffle his hair.

"Super cute Amoroto… I guess you are right." He pouted up at me in question. "We are finally on holiday now. I guess all that ninja paranoia can wait till we get back"

"Ninja what?" Hakari made quite the displace of empty hands and empty thoughts "Never heard of it" I was just about to explain when I caught the smile in her voice.

"Ninja, What's that?" I played along.

"Nin-ja, yes I've heard of those… they're a type of dog I think?" Amoroto awkwardly added in, depreciating the role of ninja with a wince. "But I think Argies and Hakari san, that we needed this holiday. We were all going to start humming like Argies very soon"

"Hey!" I contained my laughter with a slap of his shoulder. "…and when did you become so witty" Amoroto merely shrugged as we continued our walk.

Turning her back to our path, with her footsteps in reverse, Hakari made a proposal "We can't spend all three days in our training grounds, besides it being super boring that place is also a little creepy. Let's go somewhere new, moreover returning home at the end of every day is going to be a problem. It might land me in a lot of family duties once they find out I'm off duty…So…Where to?"

Both Amoroto and Hakari look at me and I stopped firm in my tracks thinking it over. "Well we can't go anywhere near the land of Waves and Winds…" Because Tsunada will think I'm a spy, there are already rumours about my Guardians disappearance in the direction of the Mist and the possible ties with the Sand Ninja Invasion. "Uhm… Does anyone else have a preferences?"

Amoroto cleared his voice, "Land of Stone and Land of lightning are not on friendly terms with the Leaf, excluding them from our selection." He calling up text book knowledge. "Most places outside the Land of fire would take a day's journey to reach by foot."

I started walking again, but this time exiting our training grounds. "I think it is best we go local, unless any of you want to run a marathon for a day"

Hakari fist pumped the air and jumped between the two of us "Hot Springs win hands down!" Then righting herself and shaking the hair out of her face, she clarified in the most lady like manner. "There is this place near the Hokage monument that I've always wanted to go to. The Leaf might still need us, the invasion didn't happen too long ago" Her voice quietened down a little to the memory. "For our own safety and not to deprive the Village of able ninja in case of another attack. We should go local, and if the Village suddenly needs us this location has the perfect view over the whole of the Leaf"

"Right!" Amoroto and I confirmed

"Go home and get ready for a three day spar stay, pack a towel they are very expensive, and meet me at Argie's favourite restaurant… their food is pricy too"

"Hmm" I hummed and Amoroto merely looked at me. "No I'm not thinking anything ninja this time… I'm just wondering who is going to pay for all of this… Not it!"

"Not it!"

"Shoot!"

…

Pulling tight a string of wires, and fastening flash bangs to their end to be set off when the trigger was sprung. Argies felt secure in leaving his Guardians home unattended for the three days he would be away. With his warning posts set up, threatening disclaimers hung like alarm bells, he prepared his camping gear though he doubted he would need it on their spar adventure. "Nobody is going to be sneaking around in the dark here, if they do they are going to wake up the whole village in the process" He gave his dreaded half smile, admiring his handy work, only to be taken aback by a familiar voice.

"Agh, I see my s- student is up to no good"

With an air of indifference, Argies rolled his eyes and regarded his Sensei over his shoulder "How did you get passed my defences?"

"I was told that you will be leaving the Village, why was I not informed of this directly!" staring down at Argies from the bridge of his nose, Tensue commanded "In future you must always tell me immediately if you plan on leaving the boarders of the Leaf… or you will find that I have a unique set of punishments in store for you" A flash of light beamed off his glasses, Argies however was unimpressed with the sudden switch in personalities.

"I am on home ground now Tensue, there is no better place I can make true on my threat." Shouldering his away bag, Argies stepped forward to confront the mad doctor "Unless you plan to continue rambling, I would like to lock my door now so if you would."

"A locked door isn't going keep the determined out" Tensue philosophised, before going silent to Argies narrowed eyes. "There is a lot you still need to learn, your squad will benefit from my company"

"*Sigh*, fine you can come along"

…

On the way to Nasantot's, Tensue revealed he was not their merely to tag along but rather that Tsunada assigned him the very important task of watching over his students. In the back of my mind I wondered if that was merely an excuses, would Tsunada even assign such a mission to a Jounin like him?

Once Nasantot bid us well, and our rucksack were full of treats. We headed off to Hakari's mystery spar, but not before Tensue halted our footsteps.

"What is it now?" I scratched at my eyebrow tempestuously.

The Tensue we saw before use was very formal, in his white coat he started to look more like a Doctor instead of… him "I have many tasks to attend to and I'm afraid I cannot join you in your training…"

"Pfft" Hakari interjected with a shared sentiment, as if we wanted him there, his absence was nothing new.

"Yes as a medical ninja I have many students under my charge, and I am responsible for them and all my other duties. However…" He paused and my eyebrows raised up waiting for his conclusion. "I am also responsible for you, and as I understand it I have done you all a disservice" I stepped back as he swayed his arms in an open gesture of apology. "From this moment on you all can call me Sensei. Congratulations, you have passed the sensei test" In a puff of smoke he produced three books and handed one to each of use.

Hakari put aside her crystal bolder and bag to take a closer look at her book "'Everything you need to know about herbs, and more…' Hey wait a minute, What do you mean we can 'all call you sensei'!?"

"'A herbal Healing Guild'?" Amoroto traced his fingers over the raised title he read, "Does this mean we can learn to be real medical ninja?"

Taking the book handed to me I stubbornly replied "'By The Great Medical ninja; Tensue, Six Palms'" but I could not hid my appreciation. "I can't believe you managed to get them to add in your title" I smiled up at him and along with the rest of my team, we bowed in appreciation that he had finally taken up his role as sensei in earnest.

"Thank you…sensei"

…

In the woods before their final destination, Tensue gave them their first lesson on basic Medical practise before he departed to other duties. Then, when they had finally entered the spar and on speaking to the attendant behind the front desk, they decided to split the grand price of admission. The hot spring would have to wait. The spar so expensive because of its view of the Leaf below and its hot mountain sourced waters from above, however the Inter-village ninja were not here to relax but to train!

Into the woods where they had first arrived, they searched for a place both far and wide, in which they could practise their new jutsus undefied.

Looking across the gap between each other, they waited for who should begin learning what they knew not. None of them had any idea where to begin not even Argies who had developed new jutsu's before, not Hakari who had no one but herself to teach what she alone could manifest, and neither Amoroto who had always relied on ancient songs and his talent to create in the midst of battle.

Eventually it was Hakari who was first to turn away and face the forest around them, beginning anew as the first to craft something more of oneself. Amoroto soon followed, lighting up a pray seal with shimmering blue in the dim light. Argies looked across the divide they had placed against each other, a distance of safety to practice without harm, but in the leafy patches of dappled light he felt the air between them freeze him alone.

He was without his Guardians and although he had Kosuke for when he sought advice, would he be able to trust the old man for safety? Amoroto had his Grand Mother, Hakari had her large family, but what did Argies have? He knew that this was strange, to focus on something so trivial in the sight of the free time allowed to them, but he could not help himself from reminiscing.

Under the canopy of the forest and the grassy scent of the dew filled air, Argie's mind reflected back to a day much the same yet far back into his past to a time he had since forgotten.

His Guardians and he were lost, their journey to the Leaf found them surrounded by the trees that guarded its boarders and obscured its location. However his Aunt and Uncle were well versed in their ninjutsu and nothing could ever stand to halt them for very long….

…

"Lost again, I tell you this Leaf is a very strange place" Anisue looked down on young Argies as she spoke to his uncle, with her nephew's hand in hers her voice held a strain of distaste. "Every tree is the same, and yet I know this tree, because every tree here is of the exact same variety!" Picking up Argies she continued her lecture as they marched ahead, even without direction. "This is an unnatural forest, and not in the structure in which these trees plant themselves but in that it lacks rivalry. This can only be the work of a Jutsu, and no not a genjutsu but a jutsu that has created these trees to mask the location that we seek. Unless you have faltered and lead us to be trapped in a spell of illusion, but you a genjutsu master yourself, I surely hope not?"

Dismissing the possibility, Reno took out his short cane. "If it were an illusion, not only would I sense it but the spores of this wood would tell me so and the spell would break even before we step in." he regarded the tree before him and took in an appreciation of the wood around them, though not as unique as the cane he held, these trees had chakra in them too just as Anisue had said… they were created not grown.

"Good" Anisue stretched the word, stepping ahead of Reno. "if you were but a genjutsu spell place on the boy and I, you would not know as much as you have conveyed… and yet" Anisue looked back at her husband, concern in her eyes. "I question why you have yet to use the cloud walking technique to see ahead, unless you truly are a spell of the chakra worked mind" Putting down Argies, her eyes narrowed and her steely gaze threatened a reply.

"As directed" Reno triggered his Gentle Breeze, and like a wisp the smoke like chakra collected to form a cloud underfoot. "I was with holding our techniques." He said as the cloud hovered up above the ground, with him on it. "For we are so close to the Leaf, but as you have said it, there is no point in marching forward without direction"

Caught in laughter, Argies held out a hand feeling his fingers tingle in the bright colour of the condensed chakra cloud.

"Come now Argies, you are too old for that!" Reno stood tall above his nephew but Argies looked to his Aunt with a quivering lip, hoping she would allow him to play in the misty coloured fun.

"Your Uncle is right, Argies, come away!"

"One day I'll be able to make my own cloud!" Their eyes spoke a thousand punishments to his outburst "...Yes Aunt Anisue"

…

"Cloud jutsu?" Argies whispered to himself, and he wondered if that day would be today. He could not remember how such a memory was lost to him, from which corner of his mind it had come from, but his thoughts were elsewhere as he focused his chakra and turned outward to face the forest and join his friends in self-discovery.

…

There is still so much I don't know about my crystal. In the books Argies read and explained, crystal users could do so much that I can't. They could see through the crystal and sense things that I can only shiver and feel, like my ability to sense a henge when it is near my stone. They could shoot lightning out of their eyes, though I question the accuracy of the tale Argies spun I cannot deny the cornel of truth to it. I killed one of the beastly brothers and I still cannot explain how, though he deserved it, it wasn't a miracle that he burst into flames. Then there are some stories that I know from hearsay to be fact. The same knowledge has been repeated so many times that it must be true, like my Mother's story of a crystal user who could form her crystal at a distance. If only one of my brothers had the technique, then he could teach me, but I feel this is something I have to learn on my own anyway.

If I can sense a henge with my crystal at a distance from me, then it means the crystal and I are connected in some way. I can also make my crystal explode, which I have never heard from any tale no matter how farfetched, so if I can figure out that much maybe I can make the ground in front of me burst with a crystal formation?

Our lesson on medical ninjutsu made me realise that the road ahead of us isn't going to be easy. Argies might think that being a medical ninja degrades us as shinobi, and because we are so valuable to the Leaf it does in a way. We will likely never be sent on high risk missions, but that also makes us the target of enemy ninja. The practise of medical ninjutsu itself isn't the easiest thing in the world, if Tensue didn't have so much faith in us I wouldn't believe we could ever understand it. I can't help wonder if he really is a master medical ninja, that he could turn anyone into a medic nin just because he knows so much, and he's not even as great as Tsunada. Oh what wonders the Hokage could teach?

During our sensei test Tensue said that my crystal jutsu was formed from the physical aspect of my chakra. He had only just met me and already he knew more about it then I did. I always knew my ability is limited because I'm so short, even a normal ninja would have trouble keeping up in battle without a physical body to generate and store as much chakra. My crystal ninjutsu lets me break those limitations, by storing my charka outside my body, but I've never been great at creating a lot of it fast.

Well I guess it is time to break the limitations I myself have kept, if I can't do that, then I'm just wasting my time.

…

It was my duty to hang new pray seals around the Leaf's dojos. Our honourable Hokage was kind enough to consider my black eye as a serious enough injury that I wasn't sent on any risky missions. While Hakari was sent to capture and release tigers and Argies was sent to a secret temple with mysterious dangers, I was sent on a different gauntlet.

My abilities are Unique to the Leaf, valuable as well as unknown and as such I'm often ridiculed for what I can and can't do. They thought it fun, to poke remarks at me that I managed to get injured while sitting in the back. As if they know me, they treat me like a genjutsu user just because my abilities take time. As I walked through crowds, as I stopped at dojo's and the training fields of the clan born, I was casted under a hail of hurt. My abilities are unique… it takes emotion and inner strength to focus my chakra into a pray seal. While others can freely user their anger to supply their ninjutsu with power, my impact comes from feeling every word I sing as every song is felt.

I can do this, I can learn to empower my pray seals to help others. I know I can, but what if I lose heart in the middle of battle? There will be so much in front of me, it won't be like focusing on charms in the village, it won't be as easy as blotting out their hurtful words. We will be in the field, we will be sent to aid injured ninja, bloody scenes, cruel destruction. Will I be able to focus on my seals when cautious of danger, when fearful of harm, when the enemy is watching with sharpened steel veering for open flesh?

It won't be easy to care for them, to focus my charka into devotion for a stranger, not when I'm worried about my own security. No I must do this. In the dojo's I falter whenever I think of my past team mates. I have so much regret, and I… I hate them, I hate myself. All the things I've done, all the things I've failed to do in the past. Was it really all my fault? Argies and Hakari have shown me so much, they have shown me how to be a ninja regardless of my abilities. That they value me not as the genjutsu type nin, but as an equal. My pray seals won't shimmer and fade for them, my spell of empowerment won't break for a friend but will it shatter when I have to confront a memory from the past? If I ever have to empower those that have done me wrong, will I be able to focus and keep away my regrets from turning my seal into a lie? Could I truly care for them, even when they have hurt me? I cannot sing a lie, so could I learn to love those I hate?

Sensei Tensue said my songs inspirit the world around me. Inspirit, a word I've seen reflected in the pray seals my Grandmother showed me, until that moment I always thought inspirit was only used as a word to mean empower but… Our sensei also told me that day that my abilities use the spiritual aspect of my chakra. Spirit, my mind. I've always know that my songs require my emotions, that heart was the basis of my technique but spiritual energy is more than heart. Maybe this is what I need to learn, how to focus my mind to accomplish a task that my heart cannot do alone. If in my mind I can forgive them, if I can resolve them of what they have done, then maybe my heart can learn to love.

…

Every time I form my gentle breeze at a distance from my body, it wisps and disperses into nothingness. Without it being in direct contact with me or within near confines, there is nothing there to hold it together. Like trying to capture the wind, manipulating my gentle breeze outside of my body is challenging, but not impossible. It couldn't be impossible, I saw my Uncle use it but maybe his technique is far beyond what I'm currently capable of.

During our leaf walking experiment, with Neji and Naruto, I employed my gentle breeze to gain an advantage over the others. I saw Neji use a net of chakra which he filmed into a web like thread. During the Chunin exams there was a puppet ninja who used chakra threads much the same, and my Aunt used chakra as a material too. Even I used it once, demonstrating to Naruto that you could encircle a leaf with chakra so that it did not crumble when you stepped on it. Perhaps this could be the way chakra, and the gentle breeze, is manipulated from outside the confides of your body.

If I enfold myself with chakra and then release the gentle breeze, the chakra around me would have no way to disperse. Then I could form the cloud under foot and from there I can try cloud walking for the first time.

Letting out a breath, my heart sinking low under the threat of failure knocking at my self-worth, I began forming the film first. Chakra encircled around me as a soft shine of an invisible membrane, the delicate curtain around me was so thin that I felt even the slightest waver in my concentration might break it. Then slowly I released my chakra breeze. as a true Drifter in Mist I required no hand signs to perform my ninjutsu, least I reveal the secrets of my technique.

The film around me grew thicker as the mist of my chakra collided and added to its walls. The vision I saw before me faded with the smoky apathy of chakra trapped in the film around me. Taking in a breath, I felt the air heavily oppressed, I breathed in my own chakra and condensed breath trapped within the film too. The hairs on my arm, the chill around me, lifted with warning as the temperature increased to my body heat surmounting. Even the world outside grew deaf to the entrapment I cast around myself, and then I could take it no more!

"Gagh!" I breathed out the futility, my arms breaking the thinly veiled chakra around me. "Wow" I looked across at the shadows stretched around us. "Were we really training for so long? It is already closing to sundown"

"Yeah I think it is time we head back" Hakari picked up the crystals she casted around herself.

Amoroto remained silent, rolling his scrolls up and clearing his eyes of their tired gape.

"*Hooo*, I think we could all use a good hot bath"

…

"Interesting…" I voiced again. Amoroto and I were lone, together to enjoy the hot springs. Hakari being female was on the other side of the wooden divide between male and female. With the light slowly fading from the sky, we could see the Village just below the rock pool that held the hot waters we were soon to enjoy. For a onsen the place was quite empty but I understand since the Village has recently been invaded, that there were likely less people willing to visit the Leaf for a holiday and the Leaf had probably increased their scrutiny of visitors anyway. However that wasn't what I thought to be interesting.

The book Tensue handed to us was in print, not in cursive, I wonder if that is because he took in consideration my inability to read cursive or was that the standard way his books were mass produced? Actually come to think of it I don't believe I ever mentioned not knowing cursive to him, I only shared that knowledge with Hinata who was kind enough to read the Medic's handwriting for me. "Hmm" but there is something else, Tsunada said 'I entrust you as Chunin to make wise choices for your team' soon after stipulating that we were allowed to train outside the Leaf. "Certainly Interesting…" It was a warning not to go searching for my Guardians. A warning, if she were trying to mark me as a traitor she wouldn't warn me against exposing myself. Maybe she is not as malicious as I had thought…

"Argies San!" I looked up to the raise in Amoroto's voice. "You are not allowed to wash yourself there"

"Where!" I looked down on my body "…but how else am I supposed to get it clean"

"No… This is the washing area, behind these walls… if someone sees you we could get in trouble!" I looked to where Amoroto was, standing behind a small wall next to the short shower.

"Oh…but there is nobody around. Besides don't you hate those short showers? It is better to stand up and wash" They were sitting down showers, often sitting down on a bucket, although since we are young they aren't too inconvenient but the water still only hit chest height.

Amoroto's face went bright red and instead of arguing any further he sat down to continue washing off the grime of training today.

I looked around myself, searching for the source of his embracement but there was no one around to reprimand me. "Bunch of prudes" I whispered knowing full well that would include Amoroto too, but what was wrong with a little exposure… I suppose it wasn't the best of places to wash off the dirt, but it wasn't like I was contaminating the pool. "Psh, ok Amoroto I'll follow the rules…for now"

I couldn't help circle evil thoughts in my mind, I suppose it was the good training of the academy biting back. I wonder if retired ninja ever have this problem, do we all just remain paranoid until we die?

I unfastened the bandages on my right shoulder, exposing the scare and rippled flesh from where Katsumi had struck me. During that time, before the final rounds of the Chunin games, I had to heal and recover from her injuries while I trained, but in truth it was her lost which was truly the hardest injury to overcome. As I trained the pain of her absence inspired me to fight harder for a victory, that my Chunin vest was earned not only for myself but for her, for us. Though I would enjoy bonding with Amoroto through the exposure of my scare, the memory of her past hurt too much for me to reveal right now." I henged the scaring, 'I hope Amoroto doesn't asked any questions' for why might I bind a none existent wound?

After washing up Amoroto handed me a short sheet towel, insuring I followed wash-up protocol. I decided it was only fair and handed him my own towel in return. "This is kind of cute, trading towels, what next maybe we should trade ninja gear. I bet Hakari will get a real shock from that one" I pocked my tongue out, I am feeling much like the kid in this situation even though Amoroto is one year younger.

Amoroto muttered inaudibly with distain under his breath, but then his voice cracked as he straightened himself with a question. I stood still for a moment, worrying that he might focus on my shoulder now so bare. "When did you get those bruises?"

"Oh these?" I pocked at my chest, checking to see if my ribs were still sore. "Ouch, Remember Hakari's brothers? Well it turns out they did more damage than I thought. Your black eye is healing up well though, I can barely see the injury now" I eased into the water, taking off my towel and folding it to place it on my head.

"Bruises shouldn't remain purple like that for long" Amoroto stepped into the warm water, taking his time entering the pool. I wonder why? "You should get a doctor to heal them?"

"Why didn't they heal your bruise? I mean a little chakra green palm action and I'm sure that bruise would have vanished in an instant… although I suppose the hot springs will do both your eye and your groin a favour" I snickered, that is why his taking so long to jump in.

"Hey you said you wouldn't tell!" He splashed some hot water at me in frustration

"Ha! Splashing is against the rules!" I shouted, a little too loud, I'm sure Hakari could hear from across the divide. "No come on you going to get us in trouble" I teased while splashing back, being that I was the main culprit.

…

The steamy rock face of the open spring water, splashed with the delight of laughter resounding off the reflection in the rippled pool of the stars that shone so bright. With all their fun well met, they quieted down to enjoy the hot water soaking into their muscle and bone. Tired joints that Argies didn't know where sore, relaxed and let paranoid concerns fall away. Soft flesh Amoroto hadn't noticed to be so wounded, were soothed as his internal pains let go of their hurt. A sigh so sweet as Hakari let out the strain, whispered tranquillity to all their troubles in training forgotten.

Then just as the boys found comfort in the heat of the pool they relaxed in, a familiar scream could be heard to bring them out of their restful breath.

…

After Bathing and wading through the pool to relax her arms and back against the wall entering the hot spring, Hakari noticed two older strangers exit from the private section of the spar. The private hot springs area was a lot more expensive for it allowed for intimate relaxation and undisturbed rest. There were many reasons why someone might choose the private section. Families would hire the private hot pool to enjoy it in the company of each other, different sexed children and parents alike, those that would rather not expose their bodies and were a bit shy about their battle scares could also enjoy the solitary springs. In their late teens, these two strangers however fit none of those categories as they quickly wash and joined Hakari in the pool.

"See, it is empty and I'm sure this girl won't mind" The taller of the two girls reassured the other, and Hakari smiled up at them tilting her head politely that she truly didn't mind.

Hakari wasn't really concerned by whatever reasons they may have had for leaving the private section or why they chose to rent one but not use it. She could hardly see their faces through the steam, her own face muzzled in the heat so that only her nose and eyes appeared above the water. She was relaxed and wasn't about to get out for anyone.

The taller girl spoke again to her younger sibling, "There, now we can get a full view of the Leaf, just like you wanted" Hakari looked to her side at the lights of the Leaf at night, she had yet to fully appreciated it… the fact that the public section pool has a fuller view. Hakari wondered why they would limit the higher paying guests, but then she supposed that the public pools provided more customers along with their money than the private section could offer. A higher demand overcoming the glory that privacy could afford. Now she wondered why the two would give up their privacy for something so small as a glimpse of the Leaf, they could have just as easily visited the monuments just outside the hot spring if it were purely for the view...

"Hmm" Hakari hummed to herself before considering, 'Amoroto is right, I'm beginning to sound like Argies. Next thing you know I'll be talking about perfect strangers and expect my team to know who they are' she giggled to herself but then regarded the two strangers again. The itch of being a ninja refusing to go unscratched.

'Well if they are suspicious I might as well account all their details in case I need to make a report later' "Sigh" 'So much for relaxing. Well let's see now. The younger of the two looks to be about 18, with black hair, milky white skin, huh a seal on her right arm. That could be why they requested the private onsen' Looking to the older of the two girls, Hakari casually stretched her back by twisting at the hip, as to not make her spying on them obvious. 'Brown hair about the age of 19, pale peach skin colour she probably isn't originally local, unusually enhanced body features probably a beauty henge though my crystals aren't saying anything but that might be because it is too hot for me to shiver in here, a small stylized flower between her shoulder blades probably not meant to be seen. They both have tattoos and they don't seem to the type of girls to be part of a gang, no scares'

Criminals are Labelled in the Leaf with tattoos by law enforcement to mark their crime, permanently tagging them with the crime they committed since the Uchiha law enforcement has been disbanded because of their clan's massacre. Usually the tattoo is marked on their forehead or tongue, as it is more likely a victim might see the tattoo before the criminal can strike. However in recent law changes the idea has been abolished, marking citizens permanently resulted in mass unemployment and gangs. Still Hakari didn't think their tattoos marked them as criminals but as Ninja, and she knew exactly who they were!

"*SCREAM!*"

…