V8 ch 4

Preparation

Idai laced his fingers through Gin's as they stood together waiting on the other kids. The Chuunin exams were coming soon. Idai hadn't been with his team in a little over two years. Was he ready to face other ninja for a serious event? He rubbed his thumb against Gin's hand. She appeared to be tense as they stood alone together.

Gin blushed badly. She was afraid her hands were sweating. Gin felt nervous due to the fact she had confessed to Idai and he, her.

Idai smiled softly as he watched Gin panic. She was such a shy girl. He bent down to move her long bangs away from her face with nothing more than his lips. He kissed her skin delicately.

Gin's blue eyes lifted to look at him fondly. She touched his cheek softly. Was Idai really in love with her like he said? "Idai, you don't have to be nice to me," she said assuming his feelings weren't the same.

Idai looked at her with a concerned gaze. "Gin, as much as you've cared about me and fought for me, I can't simply choose to ignore you. What kind of man doesn't want to feel the emotions a woman has for him?"

Gin felt like crying. She latched onto him putting her cheek on his chest. "I wish I was taller," she said about her stature. Gin was the shortest female out of the others on the teams.

Idai smirked as he picked her up. "I like you just the way you are," he said about her size. She was easy enough to carry. He kissed her tenderly before he let his forehead rest on hers. "I want you to train your best today, Gin. I know you're taking the exams next month. I don't want anything to happen to you." Idai closed his eyes. He didn't want to let go of her. However, he soon heard the teams approaching.

Idai ran his thumb across her lips. He brought his index finger close to his mouth in order to kiss it. He then placed his finger against her lips. Idai set her down.

Gin swore if the others hadn't been approaching, she would have fainted. All of his romantic gestures made her feel light-headed. She supposed that's what love was.

"We're going to do things a little differently in order to prepare all of you for the exams," Lee said as he stood in front of the students. "All of you will be fighting someone amongst you. We've taken the liberty to ask for help in picking the fights. We want it to be as random as possible."

"No one will be fighting anyone on the same team, or another person he is close to," Shikamaru said as he blew smoke out of his mouth. He lifted the clipboard. "We want all of you to fight as strongly with each other as you would an enemy."

"When you enter the exams, you'll be faced with hardships that will test your judgment, physical and mental strengths, as well as, your flaws and weaknesses," Sasuke said. "The students who participate from all of the villages have their reasons for joining the exams. In saying so, some of them are playing for keeps. They'll take your life if your guard is not up; especially if you are caught unprepared. All of you will face opponents whose abilities and ways of thinking are going to be different than your own."

"Each year the exams take the lives of students who participate. Twice a year, it is held in a different village each time it is given. The exams get more challenging depending on which village is giving it. It helps weed out weak ninja. As you all know, it's in the Mist Village this time. They are known for their ruthless attacks. That's not including the various clans that reside there. A clan trains its members to be the most deadly of any in a village so missions can be completed without failure. We don't know who you will face at the exams. Our jobs are to prepare you the best we can for what all of you are going to face."

"In saying so, I'll announce who you won't be fighting," Kiba said to add a twist to the details as he opened the scroll in his hands. He started to read down the scroll. "None of you may fight anyone on the same team. Eiyu, you're not allowed to fight Kandai. Ryu may not fight Takeru. The both of you are close. Daiya may not fight Onari, Takeru, Yanagi, or Idai. Saori may not fight Yanagi, or Areku. Takeru may not fight Ryu, Daiya, or Masaru. Onari cannot fight Daiya. Idai will not fight Gin, or Daiya. Gin, you won't fight Yanagi, or Idai. Areku may not fight Saori, or Idai. Kandai is not allowed to be teamed with Onari, Saori, or Yanagi. Masaru will not be paired with Takeru. Yanagi cannot be paired with Daiya, Saori, Gin, or Ryu."

"That only tells us who we can't be paired with," Masaru said as he crossed his warms. "Who the heck are we fighting?"

"It tells you it's obvious who we're close to," Idai said trying to quiet the blond haired youth. "If Kiba knows that easily, than whose to say someone else can't find out the same information? Who's to not know that someone we care about won't be used against us?" He turned his head to look at Masaru.

Masaru blushed with wide eyes. "Who said I cared about Takeru?" He pointed at the black haired boy. "Nobody can use him against me!" He yelped as Takeru glared at Masaru. Masaru ran to hide behind Areku. He peeked out. This is embarrassing.

"The reason you two are together is because you've

known each other since you were toddlers," Sasuke said to end the argument.

"Who are we fighting? I can't stand waiting around," Ryu said as he looked at the other teams. "Let's get this show on the road."

Daiya stared at the ground. "The exams aren't a sure fire answer to who we're going to fight. It can be anyone from another village, others teams, or are own. We could be fighting each other to the death. Our own family or best friends are liable to be used against us during the trials. And if you manage to get far enough, you will be fighting someone whose life you value. The trainers are just being nice to us for this session."

Everyone became quiet as they stared at Daiya. The realization of their training and what it entailed stood out before them. Surviving a ninja village was hard. It took skill, friendship, and one's own personal sacrifices.

Yanagi pointed her finger at Daiya with her arm out. "I won't back down at the Chuunin exams! I have to become the type of woman who can protect her family! You won't stand in my way, Daiya Uchiha!"

Daiya just looked at the woman he loved with an insane expression. "Yanagi, that wasn't what I meant!" He tensed his shoulders as he barked, "If you don't watch yourself, you won't have a family to protect!"

Yanagi put her hands on her hips. "If I lose my life to another at the exams, I don't have the right to be a Shinobi! I also can't be the type of woman you want! Nor

will I get married to a lightening bug!"

Daiya's face turned so red, he felt hot. His legs went out from under him. Daiya lowered his head with his hat falling forward. No one knew about his secret proposal to Yanagi. "Shut up!" He pulled his hat down to cover his

face more.

Yanagi smiled. She thought he was cute the way he got embarrassed. "All joking aside, we know what it means to enter the exams. Yet, we can't live in fear of other ninja. If we do, we won't ever get the experience. Nor will we know what we're truly capable of, Daiya. I fight for my team's survival as much as my own."

"No one's going to protect us, but ourselves," Ryu said as he looked down at his team mate. "That's what it comes down to. You get it so far? If you want to become an ANBU, you better do your best at kicking our butts," he said under his face mask.

"Alright you guys, that's enough. It's time to see what all of you are bringing to the exams," Sasuke said as he nodded to his wife. "And we happen to have someone from the Mist Village who will determine your fates."

Izumi walked to the front of the teams. She looked at each one of them with a cold stare. She wanted to see how each of them reacted to the eyes she used against her enemies. Izumi watched as a few of the students met her gaze, as well as, others who averted their eyes. "Those of you, who looked away, need to prepare yourselves mentally for what you're fixing to be up against. The Chunin exams are not to be taken lightly.

The Mist Village where I come from puts out a few of the toughest, most sinister opponents one may encounter. I don't know what all of you have heard about me, so I'm here to give you a fair warning. It's all true." She heard a gasp emit from one of the students. "I was the elite of the Mist Village when I was younger and in my prime.

I was assigned missions that couldn't be completed by anyone else. They were ruthless and skillful in their own ways. I'm here to sign all of you up with each other. You mighty not want to fight the person you're up against. In fact, most of you have known each other for a long time. I'm here to break you," she said seriously. "Let's begin shall we?" Izumi turned around. She started to walk off. "Now," she said with aggression laid in her voice.

The students started to walk slowly to follow her. They were unsure what was going on. She could sense how they were worried about her plans for them. Izumi led the unsuspecting Genin to the large arena used at the exams for Konoha. She led them all of the way up the stairs to the area where previous students had waited until they were called. Izumi turned her head to face them. "This is the arena for Konoha. This is where dreams are made reality and also crushed. The ones before you have fought tough opponents to make their marks in the village. There are no rules here.

If an opponent is left unconscious or dead, the fight is over. Forfeiting will not be allowed at the Chunin exams next month. Win, or lose. Those are your only options. Today, you're going to fight each other for recognition. I won't tolerate disobedience, or disrespect. Face each other as adults starting now."

Izumi smiled with a cold gaze as she took out a device. She hit a button on the control. A screen lowered to start going through names. It had been pre-programmed not to set up certain students with others. "As soon as I press this button, the first pair will be up for the match." Izumi touched the button slowly. "Masaru Uzumaki vs. Daiya Uchiha."

Masaru narrowed his eyes. He gritted his teeth as his body became tense. He was up against Yanagi's boyfriend; the one person he had problems with. Masaru thought of him as a stern, uncaring guy who viewed others as idiots. I can't lose to him. I won't lose to him. Takeru thinks Daiya's the coolest person out here next to Ryu. I have to prove to my team I can handle him.

Daiya leapt over the side with Masaru. He thought the boy was spoiled and hid in Idai's shadow to avoid responsibility. He narrowed his eyes back at Masaru. He didn't like the way the boy was looking at him and viewing him. It was a disgusted look. He had seen it often by his birth mother, as well as, by adults who looked down at Idai.

Masaru stepped forward as Izumi instructed them to face each other. "I don't know what either of them see in you," he said slowly. Masaru parted quickly reaching behind his back to unclip the large shuriken. He rotated the shuriken as he came running at Daiya. Masaru threw the weapon as the boy stood still. He formed hand seals quickly. Two clones popped in the air with him as he jumped.

Yanagi watched as the shuriken went through Daiya. He poofed into a log. She brought her hand up to her mouth. Masaru seemed to be on fire about fighting Daiya. Her team mate's anger was exploding.

Masaru and his clones ran around Daiya trying to confuse him. The wind started to increase. "What kind of ninja doesn't use shrunken or kunai? You can't possibly get close enough to hit me, much less, find out which one I am!"

Daiya lifted his arm out with his fist closed. In the time Masaru had shot the shuriken at him, he had charged. "Fool," he said as he erupted an electrical charge at Masaru with his palm open. As one of the clones was hit, he rotated on his heel, bringing his leg up to strike. The other clone groaned as it was knocked away. It poofed. He narrowed his eyes taking out a rod to block the kunai in Masaru's hand.

Masaru became furious. Daiya was blocking him single handedly with a metal rod. The boy moved his body to the side as Daiya attempted to punch his chest. Masaru turned his spine back to rotate as he brought a leg up to kick Daiya in the side.

Daiya caught Masaru's leg. He latched onto his ankle with a firm grip. "Let's see if you can fly as high as your ego," he said as he swung the boy around. Daiya let go. As Masaru soared through the air, Daiya took off after him. He wasn't going to give Masaru a chance to get up. Masaru hit the wall hard. His arms swung forward like a rag doll. He gritted his teeth in pain. As he opened his eyes, he saw Daiya coming for him again. Masaru let his body sink to the ground to avoid a direct punch at his face. He slid through Daiya's legs and lifted his body off the ground.

Masaru placed his hands on the ground to do a hand stand. He moved his legs over to kick Daiya hard in the back. Daiya slammed against the wall. Masaru pushed himself up and off the ground. He twisted his body to nail Daiya in the face with his ankle. Masaru kept twisting and kicking making contact with Daiya. Daiya was knocked off his feet.

Daiya hit the ground on his back. He tumbled over several times until he hit a tree. Daiya fell to the ground panting. His aggression was increasing.

Takeru watched Masaru stand. He looks shocked that he got Daiya. He saw his brother stand shaking his head. Come on, Daiya. Takeru watched his brother take a rod out of the casing on his back. Masaru's too far away. What good will that do?

Masaru ran at Daiya. He threw several small shuriken at the boy as he darted. Daiya avoided them easily. He started to run straight at him. He's lost it! The closer he gets, the more chances I have of doing some serious damage. Masaru sprinted around the metal rod as it was thrown at him. He met Daiya head on with his own attack.

Daiya brought up his arms to block the kunai. The weapon tore at the bandages on his arms, causing them to bleed. He fake kicked at Maseru. The boy reacted to block and Daiya hooked his arms and legs around Maseru. The turned his body around so he was in front of the rod lodged into the ground. Daiya pushed Masaru back hard.

Masaru's feet sunk into the ground as he was sent backwards. He threw three kunai straight at Daiya. He growled as the foreigner. The other he avoided, but one of them got him. Masaru smiled as he ran towards Daiya again.

Daiya pulled the kunai out of his right shoulder. He threw the weapon straight at Maseru. The boy used a substitution jutsu to avoid it. It was all Daiya needed to continue with his plan. He jumped as Masaru came out of nowhere. Daiya's foot landed on top of the rod he had thrown previously. His weight caused the rod to thrust into the ground. Several rods popped up around them when Daiya used his electrical currents to stretch out under the ground.

Masaru threw the other large shuriken on his back at Daiya. He's a sitting duck! The shuriken flew at a forty-five degree angle at Daiya as Masaru fell from the sky.

Daiya tried to twist his body to avoid the spinning weapon of death. The last thing he saw was the weapon coming at him. He felt the wind of it on his face as it closed upon him. There was a scream and then everything went black.

Ryu held onto Yanagi as she shook with fear. Her eyes were wide from what had almost happened. Masaru had come close to getting Daiya. He pressed Yanagi to him trying to comfort her. "He's okay," he said softly. "He was retrieved before it hit." Ryu closed his eyes. It had been a close call.

Onari lifted her brother. His head hung over her shoulder. "Daiya?" She opened his vest and sat him down against the wall of the upper seating area. Onari moved her head to listen to his chest. The panic of the match had caused an upset. She placed her hand over his heart.

Onari concentrated. She focused her chakra to push at his heart in slow rhythmic pulses. Daiya jerked slightly. He started to groan. Onari pushed her chakra out until his breathing became normal. She took the mask off of her face. She leaned closer to move his bangs out of the way. "Daiya?"

Daiya felt awful. He grimaced at the feeling he had of being sick. He opened his eyes to see Onari watching him. "Where… are we?" He moved his head slowly to see rows of seats.

"We're above the ground in the stands," Onari answered. She pulled him closer. "Masaru Uzumaki won the match. He came close to ripping you to shreds," she said seriously as she began to bandage his wounds. "Yanagi screamed."

Daiya stared at the floor. "So that's who it was," he said softly. He had tried to get Masaru in a trap, but it seemed the arrogant boy had gotten him in turn. "That bastard doesn't want me near Idai. And… I have a feeling he likes Yanagi."

Onari cleaned the wound on his shoulder. "Anger makes opponents stronger. You were not as angry as he was."

Daiya smirked. "I suppose not. Ah, Onari, do you have to press it so hard," he complained.

"If you want to stop bleeding, yes," she answered never skipping a beat.

Masaru walked back up the stairs with confidence. He had proved he was capable of taking Daiya down. As he made his way back, he saw Ryu turn a corner with Yanagi. She seemed quite upset. He followed them for a little ways to find out where they were going. He stopped at the corner to peer out at numerous rows of seats. Masaru watched Yanagi run as quickly as she could to Daiya. He was standing with Onari holding him up. Masaru frowned as he averted his eyes. He went back to the others with his head hanging.

The moment everyone was back, Izumi proceeded with the results. "The winner of the last match was Masaru Uzumaki." She wrote it down onto the clipboard. "Let's find out whose going next." Izumi pushed the button as it went through the names on the screen. It soon stopped with the results. "Gin Akimichi vs. Saori Nara."

Gin and Saori walked down the stairs together not saying a word to each other. They entered the arena with tense shoulders. Both of them had improved in skills and had been fighting hard for their teams. However, Gin's strength had only recently shown when she had defeated Ryokuzu. Saori was more focused on the demands Ryu put on her, as well as, Sasuke.

The two girls approached each other out in the field. Saori stood with an intense gaze focused on Gin. The girl was able to use plants and seeds to her advantage. She had to be careful. A particular indecent where Takeru was thrown by the branch of a tree resurfaced in her mind.

"Begin," Izumi shouted from the upper level.

Saori shot backwards to get as far away from Gin as possible. She threw Rose off her back and stood watching Gin perform hand seals. Saori formed hand seals of her own. Plants shot up from the ground where she stood. They started to block her off to keep her from escaping.

Gin moved her arms signaling the plants to latch onto Saori and the puppet encased in wraps. She watched the vines enclose around both of them. Gin threw a kunai at Saori and a shuriken at the puppet. She had to make sure Saori wouldn't trade places with her weapon.

Saori fought the vines as a kunai came straight at her. She forced her arm to come up to use the vine to block it. The kunai went through the vine. The point of it met a millimeter from her eye. Saori gritted her teeth. Gin was fighting dirty.

Saori crouched as the vines started to tighten around her limbs. She bent her body to the side and kicked her leg as hard as she could to free herself. As her leg went up, the vine pulled her back down. Saori swore.

Gin moved her arms out opening her kimono sleeves to the fullest. She spun on her heel to cause large pointy seeds to be shot at Saori. Saori had managed to get her shuriken case and was hacking through the vines.

Saori pushed herself behind Rose with her feet. She held the puppet firmly as the seeds hit all around her. She formed hand seals quickly. Saori and Rose sunk into the ground.

Gin whirled around expecting Saori to pop up behind her, but she wasn't there. "Chain link," she said concentrating. Thin green lines went from her hands to the bushes and plants around here. Where is she? The plants didn't form a picture in her mind. Gin opened her eyes. Looking back at her was herself. She gasped before she moved back in a defensive stance.

Saori moved her chakra strings forward from behind a bush. She wrapped them around Gin and tightened her grip. "Python hold," she said as she lifted Gin into the air. She turned her upside-down to spiral her towards the ground.

Gin couldn't get out of the hold. She tried to move, but her arms and legs were pinned. She screamed as the ground met her head on. Once the dust cleared, it revealed Gin lying on her side unconscious.

"Winner: Saori Nara," Izumi said. She signaled Onari to retrieve Gin. "Five minute break before the next pair fights." She started to write down her comments about their performance. Izumi was grading them fairly.

Onari laid Gin against the back wall. She glanced up to see Idai looking over them. "She is fine," Onari said, but Idai took off his kimono to put it over Gin. Underneath the blue kimono, he wore a netted shirt and blue pants. Onari could tell Idai had remained focused on his training in the time he was gone.

Idai couldn't help the way he was feeling. He placed his hand on Gin's head. Saori came back to the group. Idai didn't have to look at her for what he wanted to say. "Did you have to use that technique of yours on her?"

Saori looked at Idai out of the corner of her eye. "Considering she threw a kunai straight at my face along with sharp seeds, I think it was a fair defense." She stood her ground giving him one hell of a look.

"That's enough," Izumi said coming between them. "There isn't going to be any disrespect. You will fight as if you are up against an enemy. If anyone out here goes soft in his attacks while preparing for the exams, he'll have to answer to his team, trainer, and the Hokage." Izumi met both of their gazes. "You two assume I'm here as a substitute. And that's where you're wrong."

Izumi went back to her position in front of the group. She wrote even more comments down on Saori and Idai's names. "The next pair needs to get ready," she said as she pressed the button with a click. Names started to sift in front of the kids. "Areku Inuzuka vs. Eiyu Hyuuga."

The students lined the window eagerly to see the sparring match. Areku was not accustomed to training with Eiyu. In fact, the two boys rarely glanced at each other. Both of them were confident in their abilities.

"Begin," Izumi shouted.

Eiyu threw a kunai at Areku. He scowled as he ran towards him. Areku's dog, Ichigo, caught the kunai in her mouth. As Eiyu came towards them, he made hand seals quickly in front of his body. Two copies of himself poofed beside his body. They started to run around Areku to get him from all angles with multiple hits and kicks.

Areku whirled around attempting to block the three clones from hitting him. Eiyu was desperately going after his chakra points. He growled as Eiyu hit Ichigo in mid-air with his palms open in a thirty-two palm attack. The dog hit the ground sliding on her side. Areku came back at full force with blocks and attempted hits. Eiyu was blocking every strike perfectly.

"Areku can't seem to budge from where he is. Eiyu has him right where he wants him," Takeru said. Eiyu was a strategist. He knew his training and what it took to overcome his opponent.

Areku took a chance to rotate on his heels slashing in all directions with his claws. He made one of the clones poof. However, Eiyu was right on the top of him hitting the chakra points on his right arm. Areku rebounded by kicking Eiyu back.

Eiyu went into a defensive stance the moment Areku's leg came up. He slid back a few feet. As the Inuzuka boy threw kunai at him, Eiyu brought up his hand to throw kunai, in order, to deflect them.

Areku checked on Ichigo quickly. She was alright, but couldn't get up for the time being. Eiyu had stopped her chakra flow from critical points on her body. Areku went after Eiyu and his clone again. He wasn't backing down.

Eiyu waited until Areku was within close range. He rotated three hundred and sixty degrees using his chakra to block the other boy's slash attacks. Areku was thrown back as Eiyu's defense was activated. "You're not going to get me that easily," he said.

Areku popped a pill into his mouth. His body tensed as his hands turned into massive claws. His nails were even longer than before. The muscles on his arms, legs, and chest increased. His slit eyes narrowed. Not only did his physical appearance alter, but also his voice. "Is that so," Areku said in a deeper, more aggressive voice.

"Eiyu's in trouble," Kandai said with a slight laugh. He knew his team mate a lot better than his brother did. Areku was aggressive and violent when threatened. He was an Inuzuka, after all.

Areku Inuzuka ran at Eiyu Hyuuga with speed and accuracy. He formed hand seals to unleash his clone. Ichigo was still down for the count. The poor pup was slowed down tremendously by Eiyu's chakra block. As his faithful companion dug a large hole, he began to rotate his body with his clone. Areku honed in on Eiyu. "Let's see if that fortress of yours holds!"

Eiyu's eyes widened as the two clones came spiraling down upon him. He rotated his body putting his defense up. As Areku and his clone came barreling down, they hit Eiyu's chakra defense. There was an intense flash of light. Eiyu kept focusing on his defense to keep Areku from hitting him. Areku and his clone were hitting at the sides of the barrier instead of at the front. Eiyu gritted his teeth trying to keep it going.

Areku wasn't giving up. He kept rotating trying his best to wear Eiyu down. Eiyu's defense was strong, but his offense was just as strong. Areku's aggression started to kick in more. His muscles tensed hard as he started to twist his body in the other direction.

Eiyu's chakra started to wear down. He couldn't keep going. It was like trying to ward off a powerful hurricane. Eiyu yelped as Ichigo popped up below. She had dug a hole and tunnel to get inside. The dog bit his leg hard. His chakra defense disappeared as he lost focus. Eiyu was hit from both sides by the rotating clones. He was thrown forty feet into the air. His limp form started to fall towards the ground.

Izumi signaled Onari to retrieve her team mate. "Winner: Areku Inuzuka," she said writing her notes on the paper. Onari came back with Eiyu over her shoulder. She was carrying the boy like a bag of rice. Izumi pressed the button again. "I wouldn't get too comfortable." Her lavender arms glanced at the students. The names began to sift through the remainders. The names slowly stopped.

"Oh, no." Takeru looked at Onari. She was already getting serious. Her posture was intense, head lowered as she stood waiting for the signal. "Um, good luck, Idai."

Idai raised a brow. He turned his head to see Onari jump over the edge. Idai lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile. This was going to be interesting. He followed Onari down to the large area. He turned his body to face her. "You appear rather serious. How's it going, Onari?"

Onari kept her wild eyes on the boy with long red hair. She let her head remain forward, long bangs hanging. As Izumi instructed them to begin, Onari loosened her body like that of a hanging puppet. Idai tried to punch at her head, but she cocked it to her left.

Idai knew what she was pulling. Each attempt he had at striking her failed. Instead of her movements being direct, they were indirect. She was able to block or avoid easily. Time for a different tactic.

Idai threw a kunai at Onari to make her jump back or

get in a defensive stance. He unsheathed the swords on his back. As he brought on of the swords behind him, he started to rotate his wrist. The wind around the sword increased. Onari is mainly focused on her Taijutsu. Her strategy involves taking someone out quickly. Kind of like a rhino. Let's see how much she's improved. Idai sent a wave of channeling wind at Onari.

Onari dug her heels into the ground as she tried to guard, but the force of the element sent her small frame flying backwards. She tumbled over in the air until the wind subsided. Onari hit the ground landing on her back of her shoulder blades. Her legs came up over her head as she hit on her stomach. It took a moment to get her air back. Onari got up searching for Idai. He had already moved to attack again. This time, he was coming from behind her. And she was ready for him.

Idai knew it was hard to catch Onari off guard. He ran at her as quickly as he could. Onari turned around to attack, but as he jumped at her with his swords sending a wave of air at her, she bent backwards to avoid it. Onari disapaited. Idai's eyes widened. She had teleported to another location. She… moved as quickly as I did.

Onari popped right behind Idai in mid-air. Her body was turned sideways with an arm in a ninety degree position with her elbow anchored towards his spine. She came down on his back hard with sheer force. As he yelled in pain, she kept jabbing him to stop him from attacking.

Idai's back arched as he was hit with lightening speed. He went down fast. Onari wasn't giving him an opportunity to strike back. He felt her hook her arm under his. She began to lift him up and off the ground. Idai fought to overcome the pain. He forced himself to struggle against her strength. He gritted his teeth feeling her dislocate his shoulder. She was seriously trying to hurt him.

Onari had been trained by four trainers. One of them was a deadly water user. She brought her other arm up to hook around his throat with her body bending backwards. Onari increased the pressure on his throat to confuse him. She wanted to prevent him from defending himself against her attacks.

Idai was forced to drop his swords. They hit the ground with a clang. Stars were starting to show in his vision. Dammit. Onari's trying to black me out to win. He closed his eyes trying to think of a solution before she did him in. Think. Think! The way she's fighting – there's something about it. He yelled as the pain from his back resurfaced.

"Forfeit," Onari said in a hollow emotionless voice. Idai was trying to free himself against her grasp. Her fingers dug into his skin as she tightened her body. "Forfeit," she said again. Idai refused to stop fighting her. He was trying to use his weight to flatten her as she bent her back in an arch. Onari used all of the weight in her ankles to help keep herself balanced. She thrust Idai's body up hard to slam his head on the ground. Onari let go in order to let him fall. She crouched, waiting for him to move.

Idai blackened out for a few seconds. He coughed and rolled over with his throat and back hurting. He tried to swallow, but it caused him to wince. He brought his hand up to clutch at his neck. Idai gritted his teeth in pain. Was his neck broken?

Onari knew the match was over. She lowered her head to look up into Idai's face. As suspected, she had wounded him more than what she had been planning. "Idai, Onari needs to take you away now."

Idai tensed the second he saw her try to touch him. "Stay away from me," he said quietly. He gave her a cold look. Idai stood slowly faltering on his feet. He walked away from her on his own.

"Winner: Onari," Izumi said. She watched Onari stand by herself on the tournament grounds. Something happened between her and Idai. She's taking it hard. She's never raised those deadly hands of hers to a friend. "We'll take a break for lunch. There are four of you left."

Onari sat by herself with her legs raised and her arms over her legs. She had never fought against anyone hard like that but Izumi. It wasn't in her nature to fight those she knew –especially Idai. He had had to overcome so much in his life. She clutched her kimono hard, her nails digging in.

Daiya knew he'd find her at the top most part of the tournament area. He walked to her. Onari was troubled by the match. He lifted his hand to run his fingers through her hair. She moved her head to look up at him. Daiya took the mask off of her face. His eyes softened at the tear streaks on her cheeks. He lifted her up and sat her between his legs.

Daiya wrapped his arms around her. He wasn't thrilled at how Onari had attacked Idai. Yet, he couldn't hold it against her either. It was a preparation for the real exams. "He went to the hospital, Onari. I'm not sure if you broke his neck or if it's merely bruised. You did a number on his back also."

Onari hid her face harder on his attire. Is this what it felt like to be guilty? She didn't want to fight another for a title. Onari was only interested in revenge for her parents. "Onari does not want to go to Chunin exams. Idai is Onari's friend," she said unsure of the last word. The expression Idai had given her haunted her.

"I can't make that decision for you. Everyone has their own reasons for competing. If you choose to enter, I don't expect you to back down. You're not a weakling, Onari," he said knowing the aggression that lurked behind her eyes. Her training was similar to his own. It made both of them powerful adversaries.

Idai clutched his throat as Kiba carried him on his back. Onari had wounded him pretty badly. Kiba had said his back was black and purple from the attacks. He tried to speak, but he whimpered in pain. I'm going to get her back for this! She broke my neck. I know she did!

Kiba tightened his grip on Idai's legs. He felt the boy's body become tense. Idai was fuming. "You can't hold it against her, Idai. The worst thing to do is get in close range of someone with strong Taijutsu."

Idai dug his nails into Kiba's skin when his anger resurfaced. "She… deliberately broke… my neck, Kiba. I hate that girl! She's nothing more than a mindless… attacking drone!"

Kiba tried to reason with Idai, but the boy refused to listen to him. He determined Onari to be a realistic threat. Kiba entered the hospital carrying an angry sixteen-year-old. He laid Idai on a table as a medic assisted in checking the boy out.

Idai stared at the ceiling as the medic moved a machine over his head. The table he was on was cold. The medic told him to remain still as he pressed a button from another room. The procedure was over. "What did he do," he asked as he glanced at his trainer.

"He took an x-ray of your neck. It'll help determine if your neck is broke or bruised. Don't try to get up," Kiba said placing his hand on Idai's shoulder. He saw the medic come back. "How is he?"

"His neck is fractured. We'll have to get him set up to fix the damage. It looks like you had one serious training session," the medic said. He flinched as Idai glared in his direction. "I'll get Doctor Lee," he said in a way to dismiss himself.

Idai scratched his nails into the metal. "I'm going to kill her," he said angrily. He looked up into Kiba's face. "What," he demanded of his trainer.

Kiba lowered his face to where it hovered an inch above Idai's. He looked at him seriously. "You won't harm another in a fair fight. I've taught you better than that. Have you forgotten she's Daiya's sister? I think you're just angry at how you got defeated. You have a lot of time to cool off before Sakura comes to help you," he said as he stood up.

Idai narrowed his eyes. The pain he was in got to him. He had never hurt anyone from another team before. He had always avoided hurting anyone. Idai slammed his fist on the table.

Izumi tapped her foot impatiently as the students started to enter the area. "Come on, I haven't got all day!" She formed hand seals in front of her body. Izumi moved her hands as if she were shaping a bowl in the air. She threw the water at the students. They ducked as it hit the wall. "I wouldn't get too soft after eating. Who's to say what all of you ate isn't poisoned?"

Masaru grabbed his mouth. "You wouldn't! You'd poison your own kids?" He saw Izumi's cold eyes track his every movement. The other students were on guard. "This is another test! You wouldn't harm anyone out here! You'd be tracked and killed by the ANBU!"

Izumi smiled cruelly. "Who's to say I am who I am, Masaru Uzumaki?" Izumi's form melted away from her body. Her face oozed and fell off to reveal the face of a dead man – Orochimaru. The face smiled. "Why you kids act as if what you're seeing isn't real," he said with a smooth haunting voice. His hair hung loosely as he tottered on his feet.

Ryu appeared out of the wall behind the pale, raven haired man. He threw a chain to wrap it around his neck. Ryu proceeded to tighten his grip and pulled. "I don't know who the hell you are, but I'll kill you if you touch them."

Orochimaru turned his gaze to stare at the boy who was halfway through the wall. "You're the spitting image of Kakashi. My, my, did I hit a nerve? Are you as good as your old man? He wasn't able to beat me."

"I don't care what he wasn't able to do. You harm them, I'll slaughter you!" Ryu's eyes widened as he saw poisonous snakes hanging from the ceiling.

"I'd watch who you're threatening. It only takes one bite to end a life," Orochimaru said taunting the boy. "Your grasp is a bit cold. Would you mind loosening up a bit?"

"Hell no," Ryu said his voice low and serious.

The snakes hissed as they dropped from the ceiling towards the students. The kids froze where they were. Each snake had a target in its range. Ryu narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what games you're playing, but I'm too old for it."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. Everyone likes games. Let's play for keeps," Orochimaru said as he commanded a snake to lunge at Takeru.

A clone of Ryu lifted out of the floor to block the bite. The snake sunk its fangs into the clone's leg. The clone's eyes rolled back into its head as it fell over. It poofed.

"You can't stop all of them," Orochimaru said with his smooth voice.

Gin formed hand seals in front of her body. A stump formed through the cracks of the floor. She blocked another snake from biting Daiya. Its fangs went into the wood. It flicked its body back and forth trying to get free. "I'm not scared of you. I know what I'm capable of."

Orochimaru let his long tongue hang out of his mouth. He moved it around, his mouth in a subtle grin. "Brats can't defeat me."

Yanagi punched the top head of a snake as it tried to bite Areku. She slammed its skull into the floor. Yanagi picked it up, twirled it around, and threw it at the man in front of them. "There's your toy back," she said to the pale faced man. Its lifeless body hit the man's legs.

"There are more of us than there are of you," Takeru said as he threw kunai at two snakes. They wriggled around trying to get free, hissing. "It'd be embarrassing to get beat up by a bunch of kids, wouldn't it?"

Orochimaru watched as all of the kids started to move from their positions. The kids were retaliating against the fear he was trying to put in them. Each of them was watching each other's backs as they got rid of the snakes. He tried to move from his position, but Ryu pulled the chain around his neck so tightly he saw star lines in his vision.

"I wouldn't try to move. You've got an appointment with the angry brats," Ryu said. He signaled for all of them to gang up on the old man. The kids all ran towards him.

Orochimaru put his hands up in defeat. "Alright, you kids play too roughly for an old man," he said as he started to melt to the floor. "See you later, Kakashi's son."

Ryu's chain went slack as the man disappeared. He came out of the wall fully to stare at the space on the floor. "Who the hell was that?"

Sasuke flopped down against a tree rubbing his

neck. "They've improved about guarding each other. In fact, Ryu didn't back down when I mentioned Kakashi to him."

Naruto smiled as he leaned against the tree. "You pulled the Orochimaru scare didn't you?" He heard Sasuke smirk. "You weren't there long. What happened?"

"They all decided to gang up on me," Sasuke said matter-of-fact. "Ryu was the first to attack. He was ahead of me by one move. He defended the others and was on the verge of strangling me to make his point clear."

"He's come a long way. Do you remember how he used to shy away from attention? He had difficulty adapting to other students or showing what he knew," Naruto said. He was impressed with the progress. "How far do you suppose he'll get?"

"I'm not sure. He shows a strong brotherly attitude

toward the boys. I know Daiya respects him to the fullest extent. He normally doesn't disobey an order Ryu gives him." Sasuke's mind flashed to how Takeru acts towards Ryu. "How Takeru perceives him, worries me."

Naruto only smiled.

Izumi Uchiha narrowed her eyes as her son kept her from entering the area where the trainees competed. Takeru was standing as serious as he could with a kunai out in a total defensive stance. She moved a foot towards him. Takeru threw the kunai at her before he started using hand seals. Izumi disapaited and appeared behind him. She grabbed him around the throat as she stopped the others in their tracks with a death glare. "What. Is. Going. On?"

"Let go of me! You're not my mother," Takeru yelled as he tried to get out of the hold. He was being dragged backwards.

"Takeru Uchiha, what has you on the defensive?" Izumi noticed only Areku and Onari were not on guard. Her eyes shifted. "Daiya, you try it and your butt's mine." His eyes widened.

"Takeru, it really is your mother," Areku said as he held Ichigo. "The other person wasn't. She smells like she's supposed to."

"What other person," Izumi said loosening her hold

on her son. She was now catching on to what had happened. It seems something occurred while she was out with Temari for lunch.

"There was a man with pale skin who summoned snakes to bite us. He had long black hair and was extremely creepy," Areku answered. "I couldn't tell you who it really was. The scent was masked."

Oh, this has Sasuke written all over it. Izumi rubbed her temples. "You guys, I'm not the only one who can summon snakes." She let it sink into their brains.

"Sasuke," Onari said.

"That's right. Sasuke. You guys can get him back later. We have work to do," Izumi said trying to get them back into order. She pressed the button to activate the shifting of names. "Kandai Hyuuga vs. Ryu Yuhi. Get busy."

Ryu cracked his neck then rubbed the back of it. He would fall for something Sasuke pulled. He sighed as he looked at Kandai with lazy eyes. "I don't feel like fighting."

"Ryu, Ms. Izumi isn't going to let you forfeit," Kandai said with a patient smile.

"Who said something about forfeiting?" Izumi tried to come out onto the grounds. A few of the kids were pulling her back. Her routine had already been interrupted for the day. She growled. "You better start, Ryu, or Sasuke will be the last of your worries!"

Ryu rolled his shoulders. He spun a kunai on his fingers before he scratched his head with it. He watched Kandai get in a defensive stance. Ryu unclipped the scythe on his back. It was linked to another scythe by a chain. He ran at Kandai and began to move the pair of scythes to slice off the boy's arms and legs.

Kandai moved his body backwards darting around to avoid the dangerously sharp weapons. He whirled around bringing his leg up to block and push Ryu back with a kick. He spun on his heel to lift his body off the ground in a roundhouse kick.

Ryu poofed on him. He came back behind him at an angle. Ryu hit Kandai in the back then spun his body to dig his feet into his spine. Kandai went straight to the ground.

Ryu had him trapped. He grabbed Kandai's wrist from underneath the ground with a clone. The clone started to pull on his body like a mole carrying food into its den. Kandai's arm went through first. He yelled as his shoulder entered then his entire body. Ryu watched him kick his legs furiously trying to get free.

Kandai grunted as the clone kept pulling him into the dark hole. Now only his calves were visible. The clone smiled at him through the face mask, waved, and poofed. Its job was finished. Kandai couldn't move his shoulders or his body. It was defiantly a tight trap. He grunted.

Ryu crouched letting his arms hang. He could see Kandai struggling to get out of it. "I haven't got all day, Kandai. Pop out already so I can hit you on the head like a mole with a mallet."

Kandai had to stop struggling. It wasn't getting him anywhere. How was he going to get out of this? He pulled his arm up hitting the top of the tunnel with his hand. His other arm was stuck between his body and the wall. Kandai tried to pull himself forward with his one outstretched hand. How long was the tunnel? He wasn't sure.

"Ryu got him fairly easy," Yanagi said as she watched from the top. Kandai was having trouble getting out of the trap. "Where did he learn a technique like that?"

Daiya glanced at Yanagi. From his father. His eyes shifted to see Ryu becoming annoyed.

"I've got something planned for you, Ryu," Sasuke said as his student tensed. "What do you think about learning one of your father's techniques? One he particularly used on me?"

Ryu blushed slightly. He crossed his arms trying not to be heard. "You'll teach me my father's technique?" He felt happy, but embarrassed at the same time.

Sasuke glanced at Saori and Daiya who were watching Ryu's reactions. "Why don't you two practice your tree runs," he said. Sasuke waited until Saori and Daiya were started before he continued. "Your father was very talented. I thought since you never knew him, you'd like to know more about him, in some way."

Ryu stared at the ground for a moment. "Sasuke, will… will you show me what he looked like? I've never seen his face. My mom gets upset when I ask. Sasuke, please-"

Sasuke placed his hand on Ryu's head to quiet him. "You don't have to beg me, Ryu. I can show you a picture of him that I've had for a long time."

Ryu was highly agitated. "Time's up, kid. I'm not waiting all day." Ryu formed hand seals in front of his body. He began to close the tunnel on Kandai.

Kandai's eyes widened in the darkness. He heard the earth coming towards him. He lifted his hand and forced chakra out as powerfully as he could to deflect the dirt. Kandai moved his free hand in various directions trying to keep his face clear. If it covered him, he'd be in trouble. He yelled as he shielded his face from the dirt. It was impacting him from all around. Kandai coughed trying to breathe. It was pure darkness in the tunnel.

Ryu knew Kandai was finished. There was no way out from being buried alive. He waited several minutes until Kandai's body stopped moving. He grabbed the boy's legs and began to pull him up with all of his strength. Kandai came back to the surface, his body covered in earth. His eyes were closed. Ryu turned him over. He started to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Kandai.

Eiyu tensed. Was his brother dead? His nerves were on edge until Kandai coughed hard and wheezed. He grabbed his clothing. Onari placed her hand on his to try and calm his racing heart.

Kandai sat up with help from Ryu. He looked up at the older boy. "Why'd you save me?"

"You're not my enemy. This isn't the exam. It's a tough training session. However, if we do face each other next month, you better be prepared," Ryu said. He stood to go back to the stands.

"Winner: Ryu Yuhi," Izumi said as she marked her clipboard. She was disappointed in Kandai. He got beat so easily and seemed to be unprepared. "I think the last two know who you're fighting. Get started Takeru and Yanagi," she said. She watched them exit. Izumi wondered if Yanagi fought like her mother. Takeru could be sinister when he wanted. Something had changed in his fighting styles since he and Onari had come to an understanding.

Takeru smiled at Yanagi Lee. She was grinning at him with her hands on her hips. "Yanagi, you're about as confident as Lee sensei," he joked. Takeru knew her strength sand weaknesses. She was still advancing with her Genjutsu – a technique that wouldn't work on him.

Yanagi pretended to be waiting for the signal to start. However, she was heavily thinking about how to approach Takeru. He studied from her father, but also took a lot of outside direction. It wasn't his parents that influenced him heavily, but his peers. He copied Ryu a bit and wanted to learn Daiya's skills. She frowned as Izumi told them to begin.

Takeru was already spinning in the air with a kunai in his hand. He rotated the blade and threw it quickly. It went straight through Yanagi. Her form shattered turning into pink butterflies. He blinked his eyes to activate Sharingan.

Yanagi smiled as she sat on the branch of a tree. Takeru thinks I'm going to appear from behind him. She formed hand seals fast. "Billion eyes jutsu," she said. Pink butterflies escaped her clothes. They fluttered around her waiting for her command. "Takeru needs a lift."

Takeru didn't see Yanagi anywhere. He turned his head around several times trying to catch a glimpse of her. Where is she? This is annoying. He turned his gaze to see butterflies moving above the ground. Takeru threw shuriken at them. Those are Yanagi's! He felt his shirt being pulled up over his head. "Ah!" Takeru waved his arms as numerous butterflies hovered in the space over his head. They began to lift him into the air.

Yanagi came out of hiding when she heard Takeru yelling her name. she whistled as she waved. "Hi, Takeru. Don't you like flying as a bird?"

Takeru started to swing his legs. He arched his back getting his body to lift his legs up in a flip. He managed to let the shirt be taken by the butterflies. Takeru bit his thumb and made hand seals to unlock a summoning jutsu. "Summoning jutsu! Uso!"

Yanagi watched as a medium-sized white dragon with red eyes formed below Takeru's outstretched hand. The beast turned its head to regard her. Takeru was caught by the ankle with the creature's tail. "You're not supposed to use a summoning!" Yanagi took off running with the dragon tailing behind her.

Izumi put her hand to her forehead. "You kids don't listen. If Uso eats Yanagi this will be bad," she said to herself. Izumi was slowly losing control of the last match.

Takeru tried to hold on while Uso chased Yanagi around the field. He slipped one time grabbing frantically at Uso's scaly skin. "Uso, you can't eat her! Ah!" Takeru grunted to lift himself up as the dragon turned in a wide curve.

Yanagi narrowed her eyes. She formed hand seals again and concentrated as her feet flew. Yanagi's body went through the ground. She used the Genjutsu her mother had taught her in order to hide. Yanagi breathed hard. Takeru would use it as his trump card! Her heart raced in a panic.

Uso halted on her feet. Her claws dug into the

ground. Takeru finally fell off onto his side. He sat up rubbing his head. "You can't eat her. Daiya would kill me."

(If the girl is not a threat, do not call me! I am not a pet, Takeru Uchiha.) Uso snuffed her nostrils at him blowing starry smoke in his direction. She stuck her long head into the air. The white dragon began to fade away into mist that was carried by the wind.

"Oh, great. I got lectured," Takeru said as he hung his head. He turned his head to see a nasty caterpillar coming at him. It opened its mouth to spew horrible foam at him.

Yanagi petted the caterpillar as it cocooned Takeru in its sticky foam. He was trying to get his hands to touch. Yanagi leaned on the insect. "The dragon was unnecessary, Takeru. You're a bit of a show-off."

"Get me out of this, Yanagi!" Takeru kicked his legs unable to get free from the foam. It had hardened to that of stone. He couldn't figure out how to get out of it. His hands wouldn't connect so he could make hand seals. He growled as the pink haired girl smiled.

"If you can't get free, then perhaps the match is over," she said as she jumped onto the hardened foam. She rotated a kunai in her hand. Yanagi moved her arm to let the sharp end of the blade touch his throat. "If this were a real match, you'd be dead."

Izumi lifted her hand. She called it. Takeru wasn't able to get free from Yanagi's caterpillar attack. "Winner: Yanagi Lee." Izumi lowered her hand. She sighed. "I need a break."

Yanagi put the kunai back. "Should I leave you here, or let you out?" She petted the large caterpillar fondly. Takeru was complaining outright. "Mahari, time to eat."

Takeru's eyes widened as the over grown, slimy caterpillar began to eat the hardened foam. He freaked out as its mouth came close to his body. "Yanagi, why didn't you ask Onari to get me out?!" He yelled watching the insect's mouth come close to getting his chest. "You're enjoying this aren't you?!"

Yanagi kept smiling as she stood with her hands on her hips. Just a little. I think I enjoy this technique the best. Maybe I shouldn't tell Takeru Daiya helped me with it. She giggled.

Sasuke scrubbed his arms with soap as he sat on the stool in the bathroom. He glanced at Daiya rotating his wounded shoulder. Takeru was busy scrubbing himself so hard his skin was turning red. Sasuke and the boys eyes widened the moment they heard Onari trying to get into the area. Izumi was attempting to push the girl back. "Not good," he said getting up suddenly to move away from the shoji screen.

"Onari wants to bathe with Takeru," she said pushing on Izumi. "Onari is not a child, Izumi. She can bathe with Takeru," she said again trying to make the woman understand her frame of mind.

"That's all the more reason you can't go in there," Izumi said as she pushed her back again. "All of the guys are in there! Onari!"

Onari made it past Izumi to slide the shoji screen aside. She saw Sasuke and Daiya covering themselves with wooden tubs. Onari signaled out Takeru. She tilted her head. "Did the caterpillar bite Takeru there, too?" She pointed and turned around to look at Izumi for an

explanation.

Sasuke sweatdropped. "So much for the adult talk Izumi had with her. She still doesn't understand the difference between males and females, does she?" He looked up to see Izumi trying to force her out.

"Nope," Daiya said to confirm the suspicions.

Onari got free again to come running at Takeru full force. She tackled him outright. Takeru lost his footing and they both went over into the large tub. Onari hugged him around his chest.

Takeru shook the water out of his long hair. Onari was in the water with him. "When did she get over her fear of water?!"

Daiya held up his hand. "Sorry, I've been helping her for a while." He could feel the death glare on his back.

"What else are you not telling me," Takeru yelled. Onari lifted her head. She kissed him full on the lips. Takeru's anger blew out of the window.

"Onari loves Takeru," she said softly, her eyes fluttering.

Takeru blushed. "Do you have to when I'm naked?" He stared into her wild eyes and moved his head closer to kiss her. As he did, his eyes lifted to see his mother, father, and brother staring at him in shock. Takeru's heart leapt into his throat.

"You two are too young to even think about being that close," Izumi said as she grabbed Onari from behind. She lifted the girl out of the tub.

Daiya relaxed once the shoji screen was closed again. He went back to bathing. Takeru fell back into the water. He groaned. Onari was something else.

Daiya lowered his head as he clutched his shorts. He was sitting in front of his adopted parents. He lifted his arm to rub at his eyes, hiding his face. It was a heavy discussion.

Sasuke walked over to the defiant teenager he had taken in. he sat on the floor in front of him. "Daiya, it's not an easy decision for us to make. We're not trying to hurt you."

"He doesn't understand that, Sasuke. I think he's more worried about letting his team down and himself," Izumi said trying to let her husband have control over the situation.

Sasuke took his son's arm away from his face. He grabbed Daiya and shielded him from the world. "The hardest thing for me to do right now is be your trainer. I don't think I can hold onto that persona. So I'll approach this as your father. We don't want you to lose your life because of your ailment. It's now to the point of causing you to black out when it's under heavy stress."

Daiya clutched to Sasuke hard. "I want to follow Ryu! Can't he watch over me? He promised! He PROMISED!"

Izumi hugged Daiya from behind. She laid her head on his back. "Shh," she repeated rubbing her hands up and down his sides. "Shh, Daiya, it's okay. No one's trying to hurt you. We need to make sure you're safe."

Takeru leaned on the wall as he listened in on the

commotion in his parents' bedroom. Daiya's worse off than I thought. He's wanting to tag along after Ryu. Takeru tensed as Daiya's anger sparked, literally, in the room. Uh, oh.

Takeru opened the door to run inside. His parents were trying to calm Daiya down, but his brother was sparking everywhere. Takeru lunged to grab Daiya on the side.

Daiya went to the floor with his brother on top of him. He gritted his teeth as he felt the charges erupt for a few seconds. Daiya panted as Takeru held onto him hard. Soon it ended. He looked up tiredly to see Sasuke hovering over him.

"We'll have to talk about this further, Daiya. It's time for bed," Sasuke said as he signaled Takeru to get off of his brother. He picked Daiya up and carried him out of the room. You're incredibly stubborn, Lightening Bug.

Ryu sat on the bed with his back against the wall. He looked at Saori who was helping him go through all of the scrolls he wanted to use for the exams. He picked up a particular scroll and moved it aside. He decided it was time to break the silence. "Sensei is wanting to pull Daiya from participating in the Chunin exams."

Saori's hand froze over a scroll. She looked up at Ryu. "Is it because of him passing out the other day?" Ryu nodded. "If Daiya remains behind, we will have to withdraw."

"I know, but his ailment is getting worse, Saori. Sasuke told me Daiya got upset and his charges went wild the other night. He's losing control of his kekkegenkai." Ryu closed his eyes. "He wants me to watch after him so he can participate."

"So instead of Sensei making the decision, he's leaving it up to you." Ryu nodded. Saori thought for a moment. "You shouldn't be the sole guardian. I'm part of the team, too."

"What are you saying, Saori?"

"I'm saying, I'll help take care of Daiya. It'd be wrong to disrespect him as long as we've known each other. A team should be like a family," she said as she slipped one of Ryu's scrolls into Rose's mouth. The puppet was laying on the bed with its head turned towards her.

"And families shouldn't steal from each other. Put the scroll back. You must think I'm going to use it on you," Ryu said eying her.

"It wouldn't surprise me," Saori said as she took the scroll out of Rose's mouth.

Saori looked at Daiya when Ryu left to go get bento lunches after their training. "We have to talk." Daiya only stared at her with his normal blank expression. "Why did you ask Ryu to look after you at the exams? Are you embarrassed about it?"

Daiya lowered his gaze. His hands balled up. "Shut up. It's none of your business."

"It is my business. We're a team, Daiya. I agreed to help watch you. Ryu can't do it by himself." She walked up to him. He was shaking with anger. Saori put her face into his view. "I thought we were friends. Do you not want to be?"

Daiya didn't understand. "What does this have to do about Ryu running his mouth?" He turned his head away.

"You never tell me anything. You always seek out Ryu. I don't know whether you distrust me, or simply don't like me. We have a very formal relationship," Saori said. She glanced at him. He was not listening to a word she was saying. "I'll help Ryu look after you. You're my team mate –friend or not." She sat on the bench by herself staring at the ground. Daiya truly only responded to a selected few.

Daiya watched Saori sulk. The way she was acting got to him. He thought she was only stepping up to the plate as a favor to Ryu – or Yanagi. He sat down beside her with his elbows on his legs. "I don't want to let Ryu down. He's done so much for me. But… so have you."

Saori lifted her head. She turned to look at him. "I don't understand." She tensed as he suddenly hugged her. The actions didn't make sense. He was being sincere. He really is physical in everything he does. Saori slowly moved her arms up to hug him in return. It was strange, at first. "We'll keep you safe, Daiya. I promise."