The arena was filled with chatter as ninja from all countries talked about the new Jounin exam that was to take place shortly. Many huddled in clusters of their own teams and villages, examining the competition, marking down those they see into the bingo books. Looking around I could only see the villages of Hidden Rain and Stone surrounding me. I sat in a small dark corner, a tall stool present to rest my aching hips from the traveling needed to get to Konoha. As a result, I choose not to bother with any social etiquette and watch the shinobi closest to me.
"Rain seems to have a few good ones this year." I said to myself. 'There are only six of them here though; I thought they would send in more.' I questioned as I continued to eye a boy with teal-like hair leaning on the wall a few feet away from me.
"So how are they going to arrange the fights, you think?" He said to me at random, trying to cut the tension surrounding himself. I turned and stared at the boy, analyzing his eyes as the gray color almost faded into the whites of his eyes seamlessly. His skin was pale with freckles lining the tops of his cheeks, nose, and forehead; his form, slender but toned. His face was angular, cheekbones defined with a jawline that was just as sharp, contrasting the soft curve of his full lips. He looked back at me focusing more on my headband under my chin, noticing I was from the Sand Village.
"I don't know" I piped up moving my hood to my shoulders to get a better look at him and try to better dissect his body language. "But I think it is more than likely they'll pick people at random mirroring the Chunin exams" I said, turning my body to face him fully.
"Oh yeah, that would make sense, huh." He said with a smirk, rubbing the top of his head. "Hey, you're from wind country right? Suna." He said as he looked to the other shinobi, trying to find sand nin.
"Yeah, I'm from Sand." I said blandly, trying not to sound so forced.
"Where's the rest of your team? Are they out gathering intel on the rest of the ninja here?" he shot with a grin that creased his eyes. I gave a small laugh in response, shifting my gaze to the crowd noticing the other sand ninja were on the other side of the arena.
"I'm not really the sociable type to be perfectly fair, but no, I came to participate in the exams alone. I lost my team during the assault on Suna a few years back." I added with a half-hearted smile. His face turned grim, giving a somber nod in understanding.
"the name's Sakuno. Sakuno Kemuri, sorry for the late introduction. I'm from Rain Village. Sorry about your team, by the way. I know losing friends is always a hardship that takes a lot to pull through." Sakuno said with a wide smile. It was a genuine smile that felt warm and pulled a small smirk from my own face.
"My name is Lirit. Lirit Higanbana" I mumbled under my breath as quietly as possible.
"Higanbana? As in the Higanbana Clan from Stone country, that wa-?!" Sakuno exclaimed, going wide eyed. In a quick gesture, I grabbed him by the collar and pull him down to sit by me, bringing a finger to my lips with a hushed and fierce 'Shh!'
"Do you want everyone staring at us?!" I hissed as I glared around at the other shinobi that happened to turn. "Yes, I was a part of that clan, but we weren't even ninja. We were just really good at agricultural manipulation and happened to earn a kekkei genkai generations ago… sort of." I said greatly downplaying my heritage. Sakuno carried a cheeky smile, picking himself up off the ground and standing close in front of me.
"Anyways that is something I really don't wanna talk about here of all places." I grumbled rolling my eyes. Sakuno scuffled and rested his hands behind his head staring at me as if I cut gossip short.
"I'm sorry you lost everything." Sakuno said as he brought down his hand in front of me in an almost playful manner. I shook my head and looked back at him with a smirk. "The rumor of your clan was that the villagers didn't want to be in your debt, so they hired rogue ninja and they were killed, burned everything, and buried everyone. That's the rumor that floated in Rain though." He said while I took his hand to lift myself up, dusting the brown fine powder from my coat.
"It was an accident if I can remember it correctly." I said faintly, as I watched a couple of shinobi start an argument not too far behind us.
"You survived the storm in your loneliness though, right?" He questioned words ringing true to his own heart. Placing a hand on his shoulder I gave him a gentle smile for reassurance. "That I did, Mister Sakuno. Learning about the accident was the catalyst that awoke my gifts." Grabbing a small chip of concrete from the floor I focused my chakra into the sliver as it floated in my palm. The form shifted into liquid and color vanished leaving it a clear, blob crystal. Sakuno stared in awe, now almost dazed by the shift of presentation from the former bland piece of stone.
"Our kekkei genkai, Saku Kokoro, allows us to manipulate the world around us. We were great farmers because we allowed our chakra to grow with the wilds and used it to grant bountiful harvest no matter what the weather promised. The drawback was if not trained properly, it would be the end of the user." I stated grabbing his hand and sliding the now clear, smooth stone into his palm.
"Okay, now that's pretty cool. I've never seen chakra manipulate matter like this permanently." Sakuno grinned, gazing at the stone holding over his head through the light. I watch him gawking at the small piece of earth in wonderment. A radiating pain in my shoulders reminded me to lean on the rail, resting on my elbows. Even that small stun without prepping took a toll on me.
"That's gotta have some perks I bet." He muttered, fixing his eyes to my hands, now shaking. "Only thing in my past was I was orphaned by a rogue nin. Nothing left to say other than I became a ninja to become stronger." he said distantly, fidgeting the stone in his hand. "He was never found, and my family wasn't as wealthy as he expected, leaving only with a few silver candlesticks and plates that were heirlooms." Clearing his throat, he turned to me and offered the stone back with an open palm. I glanced over, reaching my hand over and closing his over the stone.
"Keep it." I chimed with a smile moments before a large thunderous 'boom' was heard from the center of the arena. A thick cloud of purple smoke hazed the silhouettes of four individuals. I straightened up and pulled out a few food pills from my weapons pouch, tossing them into my mouth. Raising an eyebrow Sakuno stayed silent and turned to the shinobi in the center of the ring. Brushing my hair behind my ear I stumbled to grab the railing, looking down to the instructors as they got the attention of the arena.
"Alrightie! Thank you all for your attention and attending our new examinations." The man with a senbon sticking out of his mouth belted to the audience. "My name is Genma and myself as well as Iruka, Ibiki, and Anko will be monitoring and ranking scores for the new preliminary exams for our next generation of Jounin. "He gestured to the three as he stated their names.
"I understand that a few of you are eagerly already at each other's throats, and I would have to advise that fighting outside of competition matches can lead to instant disqualifications. If you two up there choose to ignore the rules and continue this squabble, I would have to advise that you WILL be forced to forfeit from the exam; in which case you will have to wait another two years to re-apply, keeping your Chunin rank." A stern tone echoed as he called out to my direction.
"This is how it's going to be played out via the new rules, your names were picked at random for the competition and let there be no surprise that this will be a match up that to win your opponent would have to fail to gain conscientiousness in 20 second from hitting the ground or they unfortunately meet their death." The woman explained curving her lips into a smile.
"In addition, all and any contestants are forbidden to step out of this arena till exams are over. Due to death being a foreseeable result, ambassadors from each village will be here to reclaim their fallen shinobi to be tended to until the exams have been finished." Iruka continued flatly. "When there is a loss not resulting in death, you will be cared for by your home village accompanied by Konoha medical teams till you're in a stable walking condition in which you can reside in lodging at the other side of the arena." Iruka explained, pointing to the pair of large red double doors to the east.
"There are a total of 42 contestants and a hundred rooms with full amenities and a recreational area. The predicted amount of time for the exams will be three days in which everyone but the winning live contestants will be excused. The final matchups will be held six months from now where the final contestants will receive the mission breakdown for the second part of the exams." Iruka finished. The arena, still calm with small murmurs among the shinobi.
"Now, to add to Iruka's rules, I want to make one thing abundantly clear. If you fail to win the fight here but still manage to stay alive, you will be reviewed by your respected Councils and attending Kage. Meaning you may still pass the preliminary rounds and be seen fit for the final portion of the exam. Are there any questions?" Ibiki delivered with a cold steel voice that received only a hollow silence.
"So, without any more interruptions let's start the exams and get things underway." Genma said as he turned and implied Ibiki to reveal the large screen on the northern wall, names flashing rapidly.
Genma peered over his shoulder in a daze waiting for the names to be selected while the other three instructors were already starting their stroll to the stairs to join the ambassadors on the second floor. The masses in the arena mingled amongst themselves, visible prepping eagerly for the two names to emerge. During this my eyes roamed unguided over the crowd, fingers fiddling and braiding my teal hair into something manageable for the upcoming fight. Sakuno straightened up and readjusted his baggy gray pants under the weapons pouch resting on his hip. Taking his lead I removed my battered trench coat, laying the bulky gray thing on the railing to fix my holster more snuggly to my back.
A low buzzer rumbled and echoed in the arena with two names and faces revealed on the large flat screen.
"Roka Yushimoto from Kirigakure and Lirit Higanbana from Sunagakure. Enter the fighting ring." Genma announced.
"Looks like I'm up." I puffed, grabbing the railing and tossing my coat and myself over. The contact of my boots reverb in the quiet arena when my coat echoed a small thud. I sighed while straightening up and walked to the ring. All the while, my opponent emerged from the west staircase entrance to the ground level. Her physique was broad and skin glowed a soft cool chestnut, having soft strawberry tinted hair that ended at her ears. Pale gray eyes meet my lavender orbs as I examine her face, noticing the petal-pink scars that ran across her nose and left cheek disturbing her smooth features.
"A fellow weapons user." She announced from the opposing side of the rings. I smiled and nodded, removing my bow from my back holster and held it in front of myself. She rolled her shoulders and clicked open the weapons pouches on her thighs.
"I think a weapon does come in handy from time to time." I retorted analyzing her clothes. A dark green fitted turtleneck top. It hugged her toned core while a black mesh jacket loosely draped over her shoulders, and a baggy pair of black pants hugged her wide hips. Their pants ending just above the calf, having wrapped bandages from the mid calf down to her sandals. She chuckled at the response, honing her eyes, following my hands as I handled my bow, standing it parallel to ourselves as we stood in the ring squaring up.
"Fighters ready." Gemna belted stepping backward away from the center.
"Begin!" He barks, having her form appear before me, slicing the air with a wired kunai, making contact with an auditable 'thump' to my bow. She continued the attack causing my body to tremble under the pressure caused by the added force of her blows. Trying to readjust my footing I felt the ground slideout from under my feet. Watching my bow stand firm and a smirk claim her face.
'She's going to try and break you physically. She's a hell of a heavy hitter it looks like; so it's more than likely she can take some heavy damage.' I thought flowing chakra to the bow having it erupt into splinters, forcing her back as I stumbled to the ground. Snorting, she pulled a few kunai with her free hand and jumped into the air. It wasn't long before she had me scurrying around the area avoiding the multiple paper bombs and shuriken being flung in her frenzy.
"You remind me of vermin I used to train on as a child." She laughed. I puffed, feeling the sharp jolting pain flash through my legs from my knees as they hit the floor in my exhaustion.
'I haven't needed to run this much since I was 10.' I said silently as I worked to slow my breath, feeding my chakra to my bandaged hands waiting for her next bombardment of attacks. She began a sequence of hand signs ending them with a manic smile.
"You were not as entertaining as I'd hoped you'd be. Shame." She said thick and toneless, having her eyes burrow into me. "Water style: Black Rain Jutsu" She uttered, having black oily droplets cascade from above. She pulled a kunai out of her pouch readying herself. Ambient chatter could be heard as the ink colored sludge came. It was a refreshing relief on my behalf, little to her knowledge pushing myself off the ground.
"I feel like you're not giving me enough credit." I phrased breathy and hoarse, smiling ear to ear. My thin body presents itself as my obvious flaw to everyone watching the match. "I've got more bite than bark." My brittle voice cracked as I stood ready, hunched over to support myself.
With a swift fling the kunai landed at my feet, buried into the gathering oil and tainted dirt. The paper bomb attached was already beginning to sizzle smoke. She smiled landing on clear ground and looked at the instructor, glowing as if the fight was already over, but the counter was my saving grace.
"Don't be so sure you've won yet... I don't fall easily" I dotted, grabbing the flashing kunai and sent it back singing with a high pitched whistle as it flew. Piercing the bandages and cloth on her shin, cutting through flesh, piercing through bone to continue and lodging itself on to the ground behind her. With a gasping scream she fell to a kneel on the floor reaching for a kunai to sever the wires dancing inside the bone. Raising my hands I began my signs and inhaled deeply, "you're insane" she began, her eyes widened in realization.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu" I exhaled, the raging flames down the lines in a spiraling frenzy of heat consuming my immediate area leaping along the wires reaching her in a blaze that continued to grow, having a blossom of light and power exploded with the help of her black rain. The arena windows shook, cracking while others broke open with the sudden rush of pressure and force. Flames engulfed us both within the lines of the ring. As the fire system began the gentle showers, the smoke and ash cleared the arena floors prompting both Genma and Iruka to the ring. The medical teams waited close by the east entrance, until two figures were finally coming into clear view.
Staggering at this point I ambled to her burnt body now lying on the ground. I stopped just feet away before plopping by her mangled legs, now charred to the bone from the thigh down and having third and second degree burns branching out from the contact source. The air permeated with the scent of burnt hair mixed with an overcooked roast. The smell and smoke didn't wait to overwhelm my senses, nauseating and making me dizzy as I swayed from exhaustion.
"H-how did yo-" she stuttered with cracked lips.
"I manipulated the wire to loop and curl in your flesh." I interrupted, catching my breath. "I wasn't planning on you using the black rain but that was the help I needed that actually made the last move for me." I explained hovering my hand over her hip, chakra gathering within my palm and out dropping down to the wires, contorting them to thread its way out, unwrapping itself from her chard bones. She writhed in agony from her burns, but she would be a hard save if the wires stayed, breaching through the skin of her abdomen. As they rose from her skin, she only stared exclaiming she doesn't feel anything below the waist.
"Have you heard of the Higanbana Clan? Our kekkei genkai involves object control by infusing our chakra with the basic elements that make them. Almost to the level of close range telekinesis." I mentioned clasping my hand molding the hovering wire into a small tight ball that now hung over her. The arena was at a dead silence with almost an eerie calm from the sprinklers drizzling down. She started wheezing when Iruka appeared at her side while Genma extended a hand to support my weight, helping me up and away from her.
"This fight's finished. The winner is Higanbana" Genma announced, placing his hands back into his pockets. Walking away I gathered my coat and stumbled to the staircase, starting my short journey to a bench with my name on it. The arena was now in a slow roar of conversations, shinobi taking note of the damage to the opponents and the ring. When I finally reached the doorway, I draped my coat over my shoulders enjoying the new warmth on my icy skin.
My vision started to blur when I reached halfway up the stairs. 'Shit. I really overdid it this time. I need more pills.' Shakingly, I thought as I leaned against the wall having trembling hands dig into my pouch. "Ten left." I said, tossing two into my mouth and chewing them slowly. Hands still trembling as I struggled to chug water from my canteen. In a daze I examined the thin dainty fingers and wrist with dull olive skin now stained with soot as they held a now empty container.
"Food pills won't fix the issue you're currently having." A dark rumbled voice echoed in the stairwell. My head snapped up, having my eyes meet with deep jade. His hair was a bit ruffled while he dressed in his maroon garbs, hung in a semi loose fit to his body but hugged his wide shoulders. A blush crept over the tops of my cheeks as a weak smile tugged my lips.
"Kazekage-sama." I whispered in a breathy hushed voice. "I see you're the ambassador for the Suna village. I thought they would have picked your councilors." I blurted out with heightened anxiety falling into a deep bow. He raised an invisible eyebrow as he noticed the sudden change of demeanor.
"You need to see a doctor. Starving yourself isn't becoming of a kunoichi, it'll soon likely become the death of you." He explained nonchalantly stepping down to stand beside me. I pushed myself off the wall and stumbled before Gaara grabbed my arm gesturing for me to allow him to help. I nodded silently while the blush on my pale skin now became even more visible.
"This is normal, I can fi-" I feel my body decided after a couple more steps that the floor became that much more inviting. Having it begin to sway under my feet and the hallway spinning as my balance tilted. My equilibrium became nonexistent, and my vision hazed. It was then that everything went black.