RPG Fallen Leaves [PG-LV]

[JJ]

[I]?They really weren?t that bad.?[/I] Junko thought to himself as he and Kazuko sat down to eat. June and Kana-sensei had gone to gather some herbs for their packs, so the men had decided to grab a bite to eat. Ramen, as Junko put it, was always solid. Kazuko had also grabbed ramen, but he did not seem too overjoyed. ?What?s up?? Junko asked in between bites. ?Nothing, nothing. Just thinking.? Kazuko replied. ?Seems that?s all you?ve wanted to do as of late. Anything you feel like sharing?? Junko questioned. ?Naw, just the Chunin exams that are coming up.? Kazuko said. ?As much as I?d like to brag that we could do it, I don?t think we could.? Junko explained carelessly. ?What makes you say that?? Kazuko asked. ?Well, look at our team. We all have our specialties, but have we really learned to find something that allows to really fight together? I mean, yeah, in the end we?re on our own, but still.? Junko explained. ?I see your point, but we just need to work. I think we could do it.? Kazuko started. ?Your probably right, but we?ve got like a week. Could we do it?? Junko asked skeptically. ?No question. We start training tomorrow then?? Kazuko asked. ?Right then. I?m going to head off for a bit then. We?ll see each other tomorrow morning at the training place, no?? Junko said, standing up. ?I?ll talk with June and Kana-sensei and if anything changes, I?ll contact you.? Kazuko said, tipping Junko off. Junko waved and walked off back towards town. He wanted to talk to Katsuo and Neji today, so it looked like he was in for a long day yet. He sighed and walked down the main street. He was not sure where he could find either of them, so he started at the most obvious place, home. Unluckily for him, no one was home that he wanted to talk to, so he headed back out to wander for a bit. His thoughts began to drift upon his conversation with Kazuko and what he said. He was lying when played the blame around on all three of them. The only one he had to blame was himself and his unwillingness to trust. He had to get over that if he wanted to accomplish anything in life. Hopefully he would, one day. For now, it would just sit there, burdening him and everyone around him.

[KKC]

[size=1][color=deepskyblue] Kazuko walked towards the forest that rested with in the village after his meal with Junko. His head was buzzing with thoughts of the Chuunin exam and nothing else. They were ready, he could feel it. They had trained hard, learned to work as a team, and himself and Junko didn't look at each other in disgust anymore. In Kazuko's own oppinion they were iternal rivals, but now beyond the immature behavior of hating the other. Junko did have a point though, they would need to train hard to proove this to Kana-sensei. "We're going to be awesome." Kazuko said aloud to himself, full of confidence in himself and in his team. He walked into the clearing near the river where the three wooden pillars stood along with the memorial stone. The red head leaned against a tree and tryed to get his mind onto something else, but it was useless. The thought of battling other genin and becoming a chuunin continued to rattle his brain. He wanted to train. Now. Sitting around doing nothing wasn't going to help them in them during the exam. Kazuko pulled a leaf off of a low lying branch and layed flat on the ground. Gentaly, he untied his headband and layed it down next to him and placed the leaf on the center of his forehead. This technique was a supposed to help chakra control and was one of reasons Konoha recieved its name and symbol. A few weeks after becoming a genin Kana-sensei had informed Kazuko that his main problem was his chakra control. During their tree climbing lesson he had failed miserably at first while Junko and June had climbed up and ahead of him. Kazuko closed his eyes and started to concentrate all of his chakra on the spot on his forehead. After a few minuts had passed tiny beads of sweat started to form on Kazuko's face. The leaf started to produce a strange glowing, as if it was now radiating chakra. He slowly lifted up from the ground and watched the leaf gently fall to the ground. The young genin stared hard at the leaf, not really knowing why. [i]"We can do it... I can do it... Look out Chuunin exam..."[/i][/color][/size]

[Annie]

[b]"The mission went--"[/b] Hokage hesitated, trying to find the right word, [b]"rather well. The Genin handled themselves impressively." "Of course they would, they're my kids,"[/b] Sho beamed in delight. Several images flashed in his mind; Daisuke becoming assertive, Imi drop kicking the nutcase in the face, and Ginmaru's stunning performance. Although Shogo was a bit short with him afterwards, the coy sensei couldn't help but admire the drunken Genin's accuracy under the influence. Hokage hung his shoulders, sighing slightly before handing Shogo a bulking scroll. [b]"Anyhow, Sho-kun, that contains your instructions for the Chuunin Exam,"[/b] Hokage grunted as he rose to his feet. Shogo waltzed to the Hogake's desk to lay the scroll flat. Running his fingertips over the specialized paper, the Jounin's face dropped its playful demeanor. Slowly, Shogo stood straight and directed his concern-ridden face towards his respected leader. The tired Hokage shook his head and raised his hands in defeat. [b]"I'm sorry, boy,"[/b] he started, making his way to put his hands on the Jounin's tensed shoulders, [b]"but it has to be done. If we turned our backs, the Hidden Leaf may have stood in jeopardy. With the Exam there, we may gain the trust and ally. You, of all people in Konoha, should understand this."[/b] Sho remained silent and rolled the scroll. Thousands of dreadful thoughts swarmed around in his skull. He left Hokage's office quietly to find his Genin. The turn of events just took a sudden left from a child-like anxiety to a morbid worry. The Chuunin Exam was never easy, but for this generation under Sho's command, it was going to be the '9 Hells'. Some time after wandering around the village in search of the three, Shogo finally found them. Naturally, in their usual condition; Imi and Ginmaru ready to tear each other's throats out, and Daisuke trying to keep things from blowing up. With his keen eyes, Daisuke was the first to spot his Jounin atop the hillside. With a roll of his head, which would be his eyes if he had any, Shogo tucked the scroll under his arm and reached into his pouch to pull out two kunai. He launched the daggers just as Daisuke got the two ferocious rival's attention. The daggers made a small tuff of sand at their feet and Shogo started down the hillside. [b]"At it again like an old married couple,"[/b] he chuckled at Imi's fuming chakra, [b]"I'll never understand it. C'mon you three, I have something to tell you."[/b] He walked between Ginmaru and Imi, throwing a demand to pick up his kunai. Daisuke reeled in his fishing line, pouting something along the lines of never catching a fish with such noise. Imi shot him a raspberry and strode up to Shogo's side. [b]"Is it about the Chuunin Exam? We do get to go, right?"[/b] Imi's curiosity flared as fiercely as her red hair. She did her best to conserve her excitement, but as a result, her restraint joy burst through her "badass" facade. [b]"Patience, you nut,"[/b] Ginmaru murmered, keeping his distance behind the three. [b]"The day I need your advice, jerk, is the day I'll be in a pickle,"[/b] Imi hissed over her shoulder, running into the very calm Jounin. He growled and turned to face the young ninjas. [b]"That day will come sooner than you think, Kagami Imi,"[/b] Shogo's tone froze the three Genin in their tracks, [b]"So, I suggest you two drop this immature, wannabe rivalry act before it sinks to a low you wouldn't be able to crawl out of. Because, let me tell you all something."[/b] Shogo took the scroll from under his arm and shook it at Imi and Ginmaru. They stood stiff as totem poles. [b]"This Chuunin Exam is [i]nothing[/i] you could ever prepare yourself for. This Exam is going to be the one test that will change your lives forever. The Genin Exam is a fu-"[/b] Sho caught himself and straightened out, [b]"The Genin Exam is an elementary playground compared to what you're going to face next. Kagami, I want--no, order you to attack Ginmaru right now."[/b] Shogo sat the scroll on a boulder and motioned for Daisuke to step aside. Imi shifted her stance a bit, blinking at Shogo then at Ginmaru. The silver-haired ninja folded his arms across his chest, one hand secretly gripping tightly on his katana's hilt. Imi looked to her teacher. [b]"A-Are you serious?"[/b] she half-believed. [b]"Do I look like I'm jerking you around? Quit blinking at me, and do as I told you. Stab Ginmaru,"[/b] growing impatient and angry at Imi's hesitation, Shogo boomed, [b]"If you do not attack your rival, whom you are so desperate to squash, you [i]will not[/i] see the Chuunin Exam. You want him to suffer, here's your chance, Kagami!"[/b] Daisuke's heart pounded so loudly, he held his hands to his ears. His face nearly matching the pale white of his eyes, Sho ordered him to sit down. Ginmaru's cold eyes flared to life, waiting to see Imi lunge at him. The red-head reached behind her back to grasp one of her nunchucks. Ginmaru stood still, his chest rose and fell softly but inside, he was dancing. Imi's eyes spoke all, and he was feeding on her feelings. [b]"I'm going to give you ten seconds,"[/b] Shogo started, his voice colder than ever, [b]"And if you aren't swinging that chuck at him, then I'll swing my axe at him."[/b] Imi's eyes bulged as Shogo pulled one axe from its customized holster. [b]"10....9....8....7.."[/b] Imi's face twisted. She really wanted to hurt Ginmaru, but not like this. This wasn't the way she wanted to accomplish her victory. Shogo stirred more terror in her as he twirled his axe, reaching for its twin. [b]"6....5....4....3..." "Imi,"[/b] Daisuke covered his face. [b]"..2...."[/b] Sho's lips curled into a snarl, [b]"....1."[/b] In less than the time it took to blink her eyes, the petrifying Jounin launched an axe at Ginmaru. [b]"NOOO!!"[/b] Imi's scream rang out, and she sent her nunchuck flying just in time to catch Shogo's axe and take it across the field. With her breath staggering and catching, Imi fell to the ground and hung her head. [b]"I've said this before. And I'll say it again,"[/b] Shogo unzipped his vest and laid it next to the scroll, [b]"This is just the begining."[/b] Daisuke started for Imi, but Shogo grasped his shirt and jerked him back where he was. Ginmaru smirked under his mask and released his katana. [b]"This, my children, is where your real training is to begin. No more horesplay, no more Mr. Nice Sensei, and no more empty threats,"[/b] Shogo cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders, [b]"When I tell you to do something, I expect it to be [i]exactly[/i] as I said. If I tell you to murder Hokage, it better be done."[/b] Daisuke and Ginmaru flinched, but nodded. Imi still shook softly, never looking up at Sho. [b]"Do you understand, Kagami?"[/b] [b]"Yes, Sensei,"[/b] her voice meak and so soft, it was barely a whisper. [b]"The Chuunin Exam is going to challenge your consciousness harshly. Even more than how I just challenged Imi. Genin have went into the Exam with much confidence and come out completely insane. If they even came out at all,"[/b] Sho perched on the boulder, [b]"If you wish to survive, you have to learn survival. You may end up facing who you think to be your best friend, but in fact, they don't see you as your best friend anymore. Instead, you are in their way from surviving; you become their enemy, their rival. And they will not hesitate to take you down. The Chuunin Exam is to take place in the Hidden Eye."[/b] [b]"But..I thought,"[/b] Imi started. [b]"The village is rebuilding itself. The new Hokage has requested the alliance of the Hidden Leaf for protection, and help to rebuild the village and economy. With the village in such a brittle stage, they are most vulnerable. Hosting the Chuunin Exam will provide great protection,"[/b] Sho explained, [b]"Though, as friendly as this may seem, keep your senses aware of every little detail going on around you. You are going to meet hundreds of new faces, faces who don't trust you to button your pants. Any seemingly harmless word could spark a fight you may wish you had never have started; and depending on the opposer, you might not be able to finish what you started. From here on out, I am not your sensei, or your protection; I am a mimic of your enemies. You will fight me, whether you like it or not. If you cannot match me, or strike an impression, then you will not last five minutes in a Chuunin match."[/b]

[Lionheart]

[SIZE=1]Akira stared dead red at the old tree. Sweat poured down the young ninja as he hold his Fuuma Shuriken in his hand tightly. He bent down and forced himself into the air, pulling back the giant shuriken. He roared as he threw with all his might at the adult tree. It cut right in half as the top half fell to the ground. He landed quietly as more sweat formed on his body. He fell on his butt, breathing heavliy after his rough training session. Of course, he wouldn't be training like this alone, but Sasuke-sensei was with Munemura, improving some of his defense techniques. He wasn't sure where Nariko was. [B]"There you are!!!" [/B] Akira snapped away from his thought process and looked up to a nearby tree. On the top branch stood Nariko, a sun flower in her hair. She seemed alittle mad, staring at him. [B]"Yeah, I've been here for around three hours." [/B] He answered as he got up from the ground. She jumped down gracefully and took a look back at long trail of destroyed trees. [B]"I told you to wait for me and you ditch me on that trail! We're supposed to train together today since Sasuke-sensei is with Munemura!" [/B] Akira sighed, scratching behind his back. His memory was coming back to him. [B] "Sorry about that, Nariko. I was all ready and then...Well, you know." [/B] She brushed her brown hair behind her shoulder and quicky cracked her knuckles. Akira sensed she was going to give him a beaten. He hold his arms in alarm. [B]"Hey! Come on! I've been training none-stop for three hours!" [/B] He pleaded as he began to back away. She got ready and launched herself at Akira. Of course, Nariko was the stronger at taijutsu then Akira and Munemura. Then again, Akira had the Sharingan, but he was too weak to use it, much less to use it against Nariko. [B] "Hold it!!"[/B] He yelled as Nariko stopped, inches away from him. He smiled as she waited for him to explain himself before she gave him a beaten. He placed his hand on her shoulder. [B]"Now, give me a break. Why don't ya let me escape my beaten and I'll go pick some sun flowers for you?"[/B] She blushed when he touched her shoulder, but was erased when she smiled. [B]"Yeah, why don't ya go pick some for me?" [/B] That was easy. He grinned and turned around. He know had to find a batch of flowers for her. He heard her take afew quick steps. He slightly looked back to ask her if she wanted to come. That's around the time he blacked out. He remembered her kicking him right in the jaw and him flying into a couple of young trees and into a nearby stream. When he woke up from the black out, he was wet. Nariko stood over him, breathing down over him. He got up from the ground and rubbed his jaw. He winced as it was sore. [B]"I think I deserve that." [/B] He whispered as Nariko looked at the bloody towel she was holding. She must have cleaned the blood from his face during he was blacked out. [B] "Next time, stay with me. We're a team, remember that much?" [/B] He grinned slightly, not as much as he would. She put away the towel as she turned to him. [B] "Let's go find Munemura and Sasuke-sensei. And this time, stick with me." [/B] She said as they traveled towards the village.[/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=Silver][SIZE=1] Ginmaru kept his eyes narrow and trained on Shogo's bandaged face. This had been a relatively extreme change, and not one that was entirely unwelcome. He was tired of pussy-footing around - he had too much to do and too short a life to waste time handling drunkards. It was time for a real challenge, and maybe Shogo-sensei would finally dish something out worth taking on. The Chuunin Exam would certainly help him advance, and if he couldn't cut it, well, he wasn't worth his ambition, then. In the tense pause that had formed, the silver-haired shinobi let his gaze wander to his two teammates. Daisuke seemed more capable than he'd initially gauged, certainly more than just another Hyuuga dog. But Imi hadn't the stomach to attack him? He'd been itching for the work out, but she'd just let him down. He had expected so much from a rival, but it was nothing more than a disappointment to his high expectations. Shogo-sensei was moving again, so Ginmaru shifted his stare once more. The Jounin was stretching again, readying himself for the fight with his students, perhaps? He was blind, yes, but Ginmaru would not underestimate him. The blind man was still a Jounin, and a lethal master of genjutsu; certainly not someone to take lightly. If he had to, Ginmaru told himself, he would release the Kingatana if he had to. There was no time to waste, and no trick was too powerful to use now. His opponents, now and in the future, would want to destroy him. He had to allot them the same courtesy. [B]"I'm ready, sensei,"[/B] the swordsman said softly, almost too quiet to be heard. [B]"What was that, Ginmaru?"[/B] Shogo replied loudly. [B]"I said I'm ready,"[/B] he repeated, voice resonating in the field. [B]"Ready to fight, and ready to kill. I will [I]not[/I] hesitate."[/B] His gaze flicked to Imi again for the briefest of seconds. [B]"I don't know if I can believe you, boy,"[/B] Shogo said, tone half condescending and half disbelieving. [B]"Are you sure you could kill another man? Even your father? Can you kill your heart to truly be a shinobi?"[/B] [B]"If given the chance, I would take his head from his shoulders,"[/B] Ginmaru growled savagely. [B]"You say my opponents will destroy me without hesitation? I'll do the same."[/B] [B]"Such bravado from a child,"[/B] the blind man chuckled. [B]"Don't act so tough, idiot,"[/B] Imi snarled. [B]"And don't act like you know what it's like to have to kill someone."[/B] In a flash, Ginmaru had his sword drawn, the tip glittering in the sun as it pointed at his sensei's heart. The younger ninja felt cold satisfaction as Shogo tensed slightly, his honed reflexes telling him to react. [B]"On this blade, I swear, I will cut down anyone who stands in the way of my ambition."[/B] [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Retribution]

?Bring it on, Keiji. I can take you!? Hart boasted to his comrade. Keiji returned his smirk confidently. ?Oh yeah? If only Naruto were here to see me kick your ass,? Keiji said. Naruto was out training with Meiko and instructed the duo to spar until they returned. He also said he had an important announcement once he got back. Behind the façade of apathy, both Hart and Keiji sorely wanted to know what he was. Secretly, they both assumed it was the Genin exams and if they were fit to take it. The two kept walking down the path until they got to a pond with several large stones jutting out of the pool and odd angles. Keiji assumed his position on one of the rocks, while Hart did the same on the opposing end of the pond. ?So, do you wanna play whoever falls in loses, or what?? ?Sure, why not,? Hart replied, ?As long as I get to kick your ass!? Hart and Keiji?s rivalry was a strong one, but with it carried an even deeper unspoken bond. They both trained their hardest so that the other would improve. They had become brothers in the deepest sense of the word, unafraid to deal out tough love or brag about their latest victory. But after it was all said and done, they?d pick each other up and walk home friends. ?Bring it on.? Keiji took out two scrolls, holding one in each hand as he jumped from rock to rock. His elusive opponent flipped and dodged Keiji?s movements, and for a time both moved solely to gain an advantageous position. The physical chess match continued before Hart threw barrages of shuriken at the oncoming Keiji. Taking evasive maneuvers, he rolled on the rock, letting the knives pass over him, then leapt over the next ones, landing on the same rock as his foe. He landed with his arms crossed and his mouth spouting fire in Hart?s face. For an instant, he thought he had actually incinerated him, but saw a substituted log in his position. A square kick caught him in the back, sending him flying. With the agility of a cat, Keiji landed on his hands and flipped back onto his feet several rocks away. Wasting no time, he gestured once more, and made the water shoot high-pressured jets of water at Hart. The first one caught him off guard, knocking him sideways ? just enough off balance to be knocked over by the oncoming hurricane created by Keiji. OOC: Tag, White.

[Cambrian_Explosion]

[COLOR=White]Daisuke activated the Byakugan as Ginmaru made his boast. He normally wouldn?t do this, but in a case like this he needed the added insight of his bloodline limit. What he saw didn?t necessarily surprise him, but did unsettle him. Imi opened her mouth to lampoon her rival, but Daisuke cut her off, ?No Imi-chan, he means what he says. He is seriously capable of killing his father, and anyone who gets in his way. He can kill intentionally.? As soon as Daisuke mentioned Ginmaru?s father, Ginmaru whipped his head around to face him, though the katana remained trained on Shogo?s heart. Daisuke saw in his eyes, just as surely as if he had told him, that the only reason Ginmaru didn?t immediately attack him was he?d leave an opening for Shogo to attack. Imi glanced nervously between the two pale-eyed companions, wondering at the sudden murderous intent from Ginmaru. After a few heartbeats Daisuke broke direct eye contact, and seemed to draw into himself. ?But then again,? he said quietly, but still loud enough to hear, ?so can I.? Shogo laughed outright, and shaking his head said, ?Now this is too much. You Dai-chan? Kill? I don?t think so. Gin-kun, maybe in time, but certainly not you.? Daisuke saw in his periphery vision Imi staring at him with wide eyes. So she had never heard? ?Shogo-sensei, with all due respect, you may be blind, but you aren?t that blind,? Daisuke stated, ignoring the sudden threatening ?stare? from his sensei. ?You know that I got in a fight with a fellow student late in my second year. He was hospitalized with a ruptured spleen, from my jyuken (Gentle Fist). I forced chakra from the palm of my hand into his inner coil system, thus damaging his internal organs. If Yamanaka-sensei hadn?t intervened, I would have killed him. But everyone assumed that I hadn?t meant to hurt him that badly, that I would have stopped, because I?m a nice guy. But you know sensei,? he said, walking towards him, stopping off to Ginmaru?s left, equidistant from his sensei, ?I cease being ?nice? when I get angry.? He reached behind his shoulder, and took one of his two sais from its harness. He?s picked them up soon after becoming a genin, spurred on by Shogo?s subtle hint at their first meeting as a team. They?d proved invaluable, especially when sparring Ginmaru. He held it in an offensive position, fingers between the three prongs, thumb hooked around the handle, and pointed it at his sensei?s heart.[/COLOR]

[Annie]

Shogo's smirk faded. The young ninja's chakra levels began to soar. Most impressive was Daisuke's spirit. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Sho knew Daisuke wasn't weak; but not exactly abrassive. This was just as he wanted, to provoke the inner beast and see what the Genin had within themselves. Ginmaru's ambition and inner self was not a surprise, but a relief to see him come forward. Sho was worried that he may have gone postal and blew up everyone in his sight. With three sharp edges aimed at his heart, Sho clapped his hands together and bowed. Without a blink, Daisuke was the first to lunge. Swiftly, Shogo flipped backwards, dodging Daisuke's sai and landing a foot on his wrist. A single sai sailed through the air. Just as the Jounin landed, another, more precise blade glinted straight for his neck. Ginmaru's chakra hit Shogo like a brick, knocking him to the ground. [b]"Impressive,"[/b] he uttered before rolling away from a ounce from Daisuke. Sho sprung to his feet and backflipped a few swings from both Ginmaru and Daisuke. Landing once, Shogo sunk to the grass and swiped his leg under Ginmaru's feet. The silver-haired shinobi growled, reaching into his coat to throw a kunai. Sho countered with one of his own before barreling to the left, avoiding a stab from Daisuke. Quickly, Shogo reached behind his back and into his small pouch. Aiming for the ground underneath the advancing Genin, the sensei tossed several makibishi. The spikes of the makibishi caught their sandals. [b]"Gah!"[/b] the boys screamed aloud as the small, spikey balls dug into the bottoms of their feet. [b]"Always be aware of what your opponent is doing,"[/b] Shogo jumped into a nearby tree, [b]"You'd better stop for now before you bury those makibishi deeper into your foot. Otherwise, you'll never be able to pull them out."[/b] [b]"That was a cheap shot,"[/b] Daisuke grunted, wincing in agony as Imi helped him slowly pull out a makibishi. [b]"Doesn't matter, Daisuke-kun,"[/b] Ginmaru bit at his lip as the spikes ripped out from his sandal, [b]"We should've seen that coming." "You should have. After your feet stop bleeding, we'll start training. You two have proved you are ready to start. I needed to see if you could disregard that I was your sensei, regardless of my little speech,"[/b] Sho sat down on the limb he perched upon. [b]"You would wound your own subordinants, just to see their anger?"[/b] Imi tilted her head. Her red hair danced as a gust of wind picked up. [b]"Not to see their anger, Imi. To see if their conscious would allow them to attack a figure that used to be friendly. Because when you get to the Chuunin Exams, your best friends will be competing against you. If you cannot get through your mind that they are no longer your friend, your teammate, you'll fail miserably. That is why I ordered you to attack Ginmaru,"[/b] Sho gritted his teeth. Imi's face flushed in embarrassment, Ginmaru taunting her with his gaze. The three Genin continued to doctor themselves as Shogo contemplated the first step in training. [i]Ginmaru and Daisuke will be able to handle themselves with little help. Imi-chan, however, needs to break barriers...[/i] [b]"Imi, come with me,"[/b] Shogo snapped out of his thoughts and jumped to the ground below. [b]"Looks like someone needs a tutor,"[/b] Ginmaru wrapped his feet in muslin. Imi hissed, but bit down on her tongue. Her anger and embarrassment swelled under her pride. It was the perfect opportunity to lash out, he was wounded and she clutched the kunai Sho launched at them earlier. She looked towards the Jounin and immediately knew the opportunity would show its face later. Striking a man when he's wounded was very dishonorable. And Shogo's stance looked ready to pounce if she had made her move. [b]"You two,"[/b] Sho called out over Imi's shoulder, [b]"Once you're done nursing yourselves, seek us out."[/b] The sensei lead the way into the lush woods. After a couple of silent moments on the path, Sho shifted his course and drifted off of the trail. He weaved in and out of the trees as if he planted them as he went. Confused and a bit frightened, Imi kept her nunchucks unholstered. The sound of birds and the wind slowly melted away from earshot. The temperature dropped steadily from a mild warmth to an almost uncomfortable cool. Green around the two ninjas was no longer bright and vibrant under the sun, but dark under the shadow. Whatever sunlight shone through the tops of the trees got caught up in the heavy air and lingered high above. Still, Sho lead on until the colors of the forest turned grey and lifeless. Finally, he stopped in the middle of a grassless, shrub less area. Whatever vegitative plantforms were in the surrounding area seemed to be wilted and decaying. And to Imi's dread, Shogo stood right on top of a mass of what she hoped to be animal bones. [b]"Shogo-sens-"[/b] Imi started. [b]"You can call me 'Shogo' now,"[/b] the blind ninja turned to face her, [b]"I'm no longer your sensei." "Right, Shogo,"[/b] the girl stammered, still trying not to call him 'sensei', [b]"Do you know where we are?"[/b] The Jounin turned his head to the left then to the right, [b]"I don't know, you tell me. You're the one with eyes." "It looks as if we're standing in the middle of a graveyard. Can't you sense that?"[/b] Imi nearly shrieked. [b]"Well, not exactly. I can sense anything that can give off chakra. I sensed we went from an area full of life to a sudden baron, lifeless are. Does this upset you? Death?"[/b] Shogo stretched out his arms. [b]"N-no, I was just wondering how you knew this place was here,"[/b] Imi chuckled, shrugging half-heartedly, [b]"It's like you knew where to go. And if you couldn't sense it, I was just curious." "I come here from time to time, to think,"[/b] he began, kicking a skull out from his way, [b]"It's the perfect place to meditate."[/b] Grunting lightly, Shogo sat down on the pile of bones, folding his legs. Imi blinked impatiently and in shock that the Jounin would disrespect the deceased, even though they were animals. [b]"Meditate? Is that what we're doing for my training?"[/b] she huffed, slouching against a branchless tree. [b]"You'd be amazed at what you can see in meditation. You sort of have an out-of-body experience, allowing you to use your mind as you'd never used it before. You can see further, you can feel more deeply of what's going on around you; basically, you open all the doors to every sense,"[/b] Sho explained, picking up a femur and waving it around like a sword, [b]"Meditation is the best way to get in touch with the world around you. It allows for a more reflexive prespective. You'll be able to sense what is coming to you, and prevent it. Sit down."[/b] Imi sighed lightly in annoyance and sat across from Shogo. [b]"Now, close your eyes and tune out everything in your head. Forget about Ginmaru, forget about the Chuunin Exams, forget training, forget you're a ninja,"[/b] Shogo instructed. [b]"I don't un-" "Just shut up and concentrate on relaxing. Focus your energy onto the sounds of the forest,"[/b] Sho interrupted, [b]"Don't even think what you're thinking. 'But there are no sounds, Shogo-sama.'"[/b] Shogo mocked a girlish voice and scolded Imi again when she giggled. Imi tilted her head down, letting her unruley hair dangle. She exhaled heavily as her entire body weighed down. For a moment, she searched the forest for birds, then for crickets. She heard nothing. Not a sound of life. But the feeling of Shogo's threatening chakra forced her temper to subdue and search some more. After several minutes, the sound came softly to her ears like a soothing summer breeze. It was a distant trickle from a brooke. Soon after was an array of movement in the forest floor. Imi ruled out to be wildlife scrambling around for food because small squeaks of squirrels accompained the rustling. Taken back with all the sounds she caught with just following the brooke, Imi's body toppled over gently. [b]"See. Once you found one sound, you were able to branch out to the area around it,"[/b] Sho smiled. [b]"Wow..."[/b] the red-head breathed. [b]"Meditation is very useful when on espionage missions. Practice this enough, and your sense of hearing will be so sharp, you'll be able to hear Ginmaru's mask shift when he smirks at you,"[/b] Sho laughed at Imi's sudden flare from trance to anger, [b]"Now, you're going to use this ability to defend yourself." "What? How do you mean?"[/b] Imi repositioned herself, closing her eyes. [b]"You'll see,"[/b] Sho whispered as Imi relaxed once more. With her red hair covering her face, Imi settled into the meditative state. Shogo picked the minute, and tossed a pebble at Imi's head. Her hand snapped into the air and caught the stone in mid flight. [b]"Wha-!?"[/b] her eyes shot open wide. She examined her fist, opening it slowly to reveal the stone in her grasp. Smiling proudly, she looked to Shogo. [b]"Beginer's luck,"[/b] he blew a raspberry, [b]"But you understand what I meant by using it to defend yourself?" "Yes! I was able to hear the scraping sounds you made while picking up the pebble. Then, I heard a soft rubbing from your bandages as your arm went back to get a good aim,"[/b] she exclaimed, her face beaming in delight. [b]"Exactly. But tell me what you heard that you were able to catch the stone just before it would've hit your head." "I heard,"[/b] the joyful girl paused, [b]"I heard a whistle."[/b] [b]"Good job. You can also utilize this technique to sneak up on your opponents, as well. Perhaps we can make use of this approach to surprise your teammates when the come looking for us,"[/b] Sho smiled and instructed Imi to continue meditating.

[Revelation]

Sitting in front of Naruto were piles of Cup Ramen as he sat in the Ramen Shop with onlookers watching him as he ate, furiously slurping at the Ramen like a beast. Everyone had known him to have an affinity for Ramen but they had begun to worry for the reason that Naruto rarely ate as much as he had at that moment; even the owner began to worry for the look on Naruto?s face was also plagued by something else. The thud of his bowl echoed throughout the silent shop as he wiped his lips clean with his sleeve. His thoughts ran wild like ravaging wolves in the forest, hungry for answers and reasons. He was caught within the crossfire of the Chuunin Exams and where it was held. There had been rumors, mere rumors, that fled about the villages but to hear the news that he had was something he couldn?t stomach and had to wash it down with something else. [i]?Naze? Naze?[/i] [B]NAZE?!?[/B] The entirety of the shop turned to him now, even passersby stopped to wonder. [B]?Why do I have to give them up? Why do I have to put them through all of that? Why? Why? WHY?!?[/B] With a sigh, Naruto paid the Ramen Shop owner and left with his hands dug into his pockets. On his way, he was stopped by Konohamaru, but he still went on. His prodigy ?student? kept badgering him with a smile on his face, it wasn?t something that Naruto needed and instead, he walked away, leaving Konohamaru behind scratching his head in question. After some time, Naruto came to a small forest within the Village, the very same place he had trained to use Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, a forbidden Jutsu in the Hidden Leaf Village. Memories began to flood him as he became surrounded by the sounds and movement of the forest. Thoughts of him being manipulated by Mizuki to steal the Scroll of Seals, of him believing Iruka was dead, and him performing the Forbidden Jutsu, which soon became his signature move, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. There was much that happened in the forest, something he would never want to impose on his Genin students. Slowly his furiousness began to overwhelm him but then the remembrance of Kakashi and the ninjas that died to save Konoha swept it away and it was that memory that he wanted to impress upon his Genin. [B]?Iie, I can?t give up now. We have so much to do and I have so much to teach.?[/B] Cracking his knuckles, Naruto began to walk back out of the forest, [B]?I?ll be the best damn Jounin they know and I?ll make sure they pass the Chuunin exams or else my name isn?t Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage.?[/B]