The hot water helped to cleanse the children of the blood that seemed to be coating them everywhere, but even after the second rinse the water still held a pinkish tinge. Team Twelve seemed to be holding up the best with the guilt of killing as they were older and had dealt with such intense violence and death before. Team Three on the other hand required more comfort and reassurance from each other, as this had been their first time with such quantities of human death.

The bath was like a baptism for the young children, for when they finally came up for the last time all the blood and grime was washed from them. Leaving the cooling water, the small group felt lighter and less burdened, which made them more pleasant people to be around.

As everyone started to dry off they began to talk again, comparing their kill-count and the nations.

"So you caught a Sound team?" Meigestu asked her cousin as they braided each other's hair.

"Yes, they were very cocky, having killed off a Leaf team they were on an adrenaline high, too easy to capture in a 'death-view'." Hisho replied in a calm tone. The team had been scum, wonderful tools, but horrid people. No ninja should revel in killing that is the first sign of a damaged mental state. For team Twelve killing those Sound Ninja had been a mercy killing.

Everyone nodded at that, understanding the unsaid words. Kiko smacked Leo as he nodded while she was braiding his hair. All the tension finally dissolved with Leo's offended sounds and string of swears, which continued to the main camber where the other teams were loitering.

It was obvious the others were sizing up the Nadeshiko group, and found them wanting at their relaxed posture and comfortable air around each other. As they did nothing to insult or provoke the other teams they were left alone for some time. Getting comfortable in the few lounge chairs scattered in the room, the kunoichi dragged the biggest vacant couch over and plopped down in their respective seats. Miso and Leo just laid out in the middle of the chairs and couch that were in an oblong shape.

What happened next may go down as the greatest card battle in history, as four different decks were procured and then shuffled beyond hopelessness. The kuniochi were each given a hand of random cards, even split between the five, with Leo not participating. Dice and kunai were also involved, and the game had no clear way of winning, but Shiroko seemed to win two out of three games. Sadly one of the decks did not make it out unscathed and ended up missing ten cards and the rest were mildly scorched.

"What just happened?" asked a confused genin to his teammate, whom also had no clue and just shrugged in response.

"It is called 'Petal'; it is an old kunoichi training game at home." Replied Leo, who was now covered in destroyed cards and unsuccessfully trying to pluck scraps out of his hair.

"How does it work?" Asked one of the older genin, a blonde, sand kunoichi.

"Deception and Luck," replied Hisho, "Two traits all good kunoichi require."

The discussion was dropped after that, and many genin kept themselves entertained by watching the group of women play other games. All of the games were just as confusing and convoluted as 'Petal', but some made sense when explained. One of the games called 'Bomb-Tag' was the simplest as all it needed was a deck of cards and basic seal knowledge. A person would place bomb-seals on all the cards, but only one actually activates. They then play a ninja version of old maid that ends with someone activating the tag and having to escape as quickly as possible. It helped with reflexes and speed, as the two have to trade cards as fast as possible.

The most interesting thing to happen though is when after the last two days only seven teams made it, including the two Nadeshiko teams. The death count was also announced and the genin were informed of the loses. It seemed the team with the Uchiha boy did not make it out alive, a pity to lose such a strong bloodline.

The seven teams were then lead to a large indoor arena, and the Hokage along with the team leaders came out onto the balcony. Leo and Kiko in their exuberance waved like mad at their sensei when they spotted her. Her scowl in return could have peeled an onion, but just encouraged the two.

The Hokage then proceeded to give an impressive speech about the reason for the exams, and why there was to be a preliminary, something that did not surprise the more mature genin. The outbursts from the Konaha side was embarrassing though, who let these children graduate, Nadeshiko would have never let this level of immaturity and nativity leave the academy. They were then asked if they would like to quit now, only a white haired boy raised his hand. At the end of the powerful man's speech the group of kunoichi let out a small applause, which startled many. There was no reason not to respect the man, and the women were trained to respect power, so why everyone seemed startled never crossed the young ladies' minds.

The seven teams were then ushered up to the surrounding balconies and stood near their teachers. Everyone was told to watch the screen for the match-ups, and the preliminaries began.