Team Rin: The Chuunin Exams

[ZeroNumerous]

Haigakure

The day passes quietly. The genin train while their chuunin teacher goes out to find several medical herbs for her medical kit. Tomorrow comes with clouded skies and a morning of mist and rain greets all four of you. The rain comes down in thick sheets and by the time you dress it's already turned the roads to mud. Rin and her genin have already received their letters informing them to meet Kei-sama at the gates of the village to complete a mission given by Kei-sama himself. His letter tells you that you are to escort Yusa-hime to Konohagakure so that the Leaf Council can decide on what to do with her.

[Malek]

Matsuo

- So it is a mission day, eh? - Matsuo comments to himself upon seeing the weather. He quickly dons his outfit - including a raincoat - and goes out.

- A trip to Konoha, this should be interesting... Though Yuu might react badly to this. - he ponders while walking. He also briefly remembers all the absurd rumors around his father, but quickly forgets about that when he realizes he has to speed up not to be late.

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

The rain set the mood, he had to admit. Horrible weather for a horrible mission. It took everything he had to hold himself back from doing something he'd regret for the rest of his life. His hand was on the verge of spurting blood from how tightly he was gripping his sword. Kuromaru, sensing his master's mood, raised his hackles and growled at Kei-sama throughout the entire briefing.

"Why in the hell are we treating her like she's some kind of no-good prisoner?! We agreed to help her get back to Sunagakure! She should be our ally! And even if she is, what possible reason could they have for turning her over to those Konoha bastards? They'll probably think she's a rebel, torture her for information, and then kill her. I don't know how much more of this I can take before I have to do something."

[The Unborne]

Hibiki

To most kids, a rainy day meant a day spent indoors. Not so for Hibiki who woke up with the bickering of seven rowdy people in his head. The day of silence was no longer for poor Hibiki; after the morning scramble to change into new trousers and flight jacket, the genin looks at himself in the mirror. Something was off. The ash-nin reaches down and unzips one of the pant legs.

"Rule 1: Heroes wear the same clothes day by day so people don't forget what they look like. Yeah!" Hibiki pivots his body to look at his asymmetrical style and smiles, "Alright! Mission time!"

When the crazed genin reaches the gates he is already soaked. His flaxen hair is damp and clinging to his face, but his childish smile is as broad as ever. Without saying a word, he looks up at the cloud covered sky and opens his mouth for the falling rain. "Haha!" Hibiki does this for several minutes until Akane arrives.

[Valgunn]

Rin

"Damn rain. Should've spent some time on Inner Fire." Rin's thoughts turned away from the unpleasant task that lay before her Genin. She had buttoned her coat to protect her from the rain, her hair matted to her face with the rest held in a bun with three throwing needles. The five Needles of the Wayward Doctor kept safe in her light but more versatilely stocked backpack. Hibiki and Yuu were both determined and if things went bad again... "Damnit Kei-sama. Why us?"

Rin dropped down next to her Genin with a slight splash her own brand of warm and friendly insanity shining through her ever present smile. "Hey-o." She said warmly whipping some of the rain from her eyes. "What a blessing this rain is, when we get back all the flowers will bloom brighter for this bad weather. It'll smell wonderful." To some perhaps this might seem a forecast for their own journey, that despite the bad weather they were in they would soon bloom brighter for their adversity. Rin herself meant both the literal and implied with that particular sentence. She also avoided meeting Kei's eyes, fearing she might not hide just how much she hated him for doing this to them.

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

A quartet of dark shapes in the mist wait patiently for your appearance. The first two are immediately recognizable as Konoha ANBU due to their animal masks marked with the symbol of the Leaf. The third is also recognizable very quickly, as her soft features are only accentuated by the rain. She turns toward the team while wearing the face of someone used to abuse and ostracization. Her twin brown-yellow eyes are half-closed while her child-like face is framed by wet black hair. Strangely, Yusa doesn't carry her trademark gourd today. Neither does she have a raincoat or sakkat to protect against the cold spring rains. The only thing different from her shorts and tank-top from yesterday is a little metal color hugging her neck tightly. It bears a single pair of kanji for "War Prisoner".

The final shape turns out to be Kei-sama. His body is covered by a thick black rain-slicker and his head covered by a sakkat. He doesn't look toward the team, but you can all see the cloth bandage wrapped around where his eyes would be. He speaks calmly and obviously addresses the team. "I apologize for the sudden mission, but Team One was already on a mission while Team Two has a mission later today."

He coughs a little, covering his mouth with a closed fist, then motions in a general direction toward the two ANBU. "They will give you a map and compass. You will escort the prisoner, Yusa-hime, to Konohagakure unharmed and turn her over to the Uchiha Police Force there. Your mission is handed to me from the Hokage personally, so do not fail. Dismissed." Kei-sama moves his hands around behind his back and waits for you all leave.

The ANBU simply stare at you with an strong feeling of arrogance in their stance. They obviously intend for you to beg for their help, and don't seem to be willing to give it for anything less.

[Malek]

Matsuo

Matsuo's eye catches tension in in Yuu's stance. Not good, with his grudge against Konoha he might do something rash. And who know how Hibiki will act so... - he quickly steps forward and speaks to the nearest ANBU trying to be as polite as he can without loosing dignity:
- Excuse me , but could you provide us with the map and the compass Kei-sama mentioned? It would be the best if we get going as soon as possible...

[Valgunn]

Rin

"They can not help the way they act Matsuo. Just a pair of brats. Like school kids they're bending the rules as far as they dare." She smiled in a strange obtuse manner as she spoke. "So, are you two done with playing chicken or do you really want to oppose your Hokage." The unnatural emphasis on your and her obtuse smile, to those who called themselves leaf-nin this was pushing the bounds of what they could take. Rin didn't like giving credence to the anti-Haigakure bull**** but when she saw two brats like this, she really couldn't help but push them.

[ZeroNumerous]

DM

The ANBU look at one another, then one produces a small blue compass and the second produces an aged and rolled up map tied with a bit of string. The dog-masked ANBU speaks first. "The compass will not point north, but will point toward Konohagakure." The bear-masked ANBU picks up where he left off. "The map shows the entirety of the Fire Country, but will not mark either Konohagakure or Haigakure. Therefore, you must use your own wits to find Konohagakure."

The two ANBU hand the items over to the first ash-nin to take them, then proceed to head out the gate and back to guard duty. Kei-sama's already limping back to the main building, and doesn't look back toward you.

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

Once the group was well away from Haigakure and either Kei-sama or the ANBU agents assigned to the village, Yuu rounded on his Sensei. His eyes were blazing, and he was clearly struggling not to let his expression spread to the rest of his face. Those looking could see his jaw twitching as they moved away from the village. Biting off the words from between clenched teeth, Yuu looks as if he's only seconds away from drawing his sword.

"Sensei, you'd better have a damn good explanation as to why we've taken Yusa-san prisoner and why we're cooperating with the bastards who destroyed our village. Because I can't see it, and this mission is making me sick."

[The Unborne]

Hibiki

Hibiki's eyes go wide with excitement, "OH! Compass!" Before Yuu makes his rant about Konohagakure, the crazy genin flies through the air with arms forward. He grabs both items from the ANBU and bows graciously towards them. Once the leaf-nin walk away, Hibiki stares intently at the equipment.

The map was boring so Hibiki threw it over his shoulder, but the compas... "Look at this Akane-sensei! No matter where I go...It points thata way!" Hibiki points forward towards Konohagakure and does a spin around. Every time he pauses mid spin, the needle points in the same direction.

"I always wanted a compass...."

Hibiki smiles and holds the compass close to his heart.

[Valgunn]

Rin

Rin stood and looked at Yuu after he finished ranting for a few moments. Her face a blank canvas. Compared to her normal expressive face this sudden blankness was noticeably creepy. "Hypothetical situation then. If I agreed, told you I'd go along with this insanity, what would you have me do?" The rain offered itself as it fell to the ground. She hated the rain. It might have had to do with her fire natured chakra and the cold sting of falling water, but she just hated it. Her hair had matted against her skin, outlining her face. The water soaking her coat and lining that against the contours of her body. "You do seem to have all the right answers, so tell us."

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

"You didn't answer my question, Sensei. As for what I'd do? I agreed before to help get Yusa-san back to her village unharmed. I have yet to see anything about this situation that makes me want to change my mind. I don't have all the answers. That's why I'm asking questions. My father always taught me that the best way to get more information is to answer questions. So I'll ask again. Why are we doing this?"

[Valgunn]

Rin

"Is that all? We were ordered to do it. Ninja are tools. Like the sword you carry. We serve our master." Rin was annoyed. Yuu couldn't be that ignorant. For her it was hard to believe that he had become a ninja not knowing what that meant, or was she meant to tell them after the fact. Now that they have given over their lives. "Kei-sama is a bastard." She thought and spoke out loud in a mumble as she thought.

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

*Crunch!*

Yuu slammed his fist into a tree, coming away with his knuckles bloodied and the bark dented.

"That's not good enough, Sensei!"

He pulled out a kunai, holding it before him and breathing heavily, his eyes burning.

"This is a tool. Swords are tools. Shuriken are tools. People are not tools. I can't...I won't ever accept that. The history I learned...the stories my father told me of the great shinobi of the past...they're not full of automatons who mindlessly carried out their orders without thought or questions. Those heroes...those people who did great things...they questioned why, they fought evil whenever they saw it. To see us treating Yusa-san like she's a prisoner, to turn her over to those bastards in Konoha, when she's done nothing wrong...It's sick. If our village is full of nothing but people who just mindlessly obey orders, even in the face of evil such as this, I'm better off leaving. I don't want to do that. So tell me! Why isn't this evil?! Why are we doing this?!

[ZeroNumerous]

Yusa-hime

The silence that settled after Yuu's rant was cold and unforgiving, but a cracked and hoarse voice shattered it. "But I am." Yusa stood behind Matsuo and in front of Hibiki with her head raised high. "No matter how you look at it, I am a prisoner. Sunagakure, Haigakure and Konohagakure are all at war even in times like this. Peace treaties, alliances and pacts mean nothing when each nation competes over clients as much as they compete in missions. No matter how you look at it, I am a prisoner of war."

The woman looks down and seems to fold in upon herself as she shrinks down in a vain attempt to make herself appear as small as possible. "And, if you were to leave Haigakure you would be branded a traitor. No matter what, I can't have that on my conscience. Please, just do as you are told."

[The Unborne]

Hibiki

Hibiki's eyes open up with surprise. "Yusa-chan!" The genin wraps his arms around the princess, letting the compass fall to the ground, "I'm so so so so sorry about what happened. Really, I even beat up Rin-sensei, but they had to be so stupid like this." Hibiki releases his grip and looks at the beaten Yusa, "Don't worry though, heroes are never traitors. I'll make sure you are safely taken wherever you need to go. Besides we have this!" The childish genin grabs the compass off the ground and shoves it into Yusa's face.

"We can't go wrong with a compass. Especially a magical one! Every great hero has something magical in their possession and this is my first one!" Hibiki holds the compass close to his chest and smiles broadly.

[Valgunn]

Rin

Silence. She stared at Hibiki and ten to Yusa. Yuu had been silent and Matsuo would likely remain silent. "I really didn't expect you to do this."

"Hibiki. Leave it be. If we tried to help her, we would all die. She is doing the only decent thing left to her."

[Malek]

Matsuo

Hyuuga stood through the whole thing and observed. During Yuu's ourburst he seemed as if he wanted to add something, but after Yusa beat him to it he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. Hibiki's chatter was met with an disgusted glare - the childish genin had apparently started to get on Matsuo's nerves, though even that he didn't comment on directly.

- So if the drama's over can we get on moving? - he remarked dryly - Or are we going to stand here in the rain arguing the whole day?

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

Yuu fell silent at Yusa's comment, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He had been dreaming to think he could take on both the people of his own village and Konoha itself. There was something wrong with what she said, but he couldn't tell what. It ate at him, but not as much as his inability to help Yusa did.

Yuu ignored Hibiki's comments. Were he a little more dedicated to seeing justice done, and a little less concerned with saving his own sorry skin even if it meant letting this innocent woman die, Hibiki could have come in handy, but right now he was just an irritating distraction. He similarly ignored his sensei, who clearly would not be giving him an answer.

Yuu's eyes flashed at Matsuo's comments, and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword...before his shoulders sagged once again and he let his hand fall. He mumbled, the rain dripping from his hair into his face.

"Fine, let's just get this over with.

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Ah, self-pity. Yuu's going to be a right pain in the ass to be around for a while.

[ZeroNumerous]

Travel

Silence and even more rain are the only things that greet the ash-nin as you walk an invisible path through the forest toward your goal. The compass never changes and never abates as it always points unerringly toward Konohagakure. The map proves rather useless as Hibiki's poor treatment of it damaged the paper. Fortunately at least the southern half of the Fire Country is visible, but the northern half is just one giant ink smudge.

Yusa-hime is quiet the entire way except for the occasional rumble of her empty stomach. Unless provided with a raincoat or umbrella she continues walking in her rain-soaked clothes from the day before, and makes no attempt to discuss her condition with anyone else. When talked to or looked at she doesn't make eye-contact, and seems thoroughly demure. It's painfully obvious that her time spent with Kei-sama was not joyous.

Konohagakure

The great Village Hidden Among Leaves looms into view some six and a half hours after leaving Haigakure. It's great gate lies open but remains a towering presence as you approach. Six ninja dressed in long raincoats and wearing animal masks wait at the gates for you to arrive. None of them appear armed and all six seem to be wearing more ceremonial robes than actual armor and weapons. As you draw closer, the six part and allow a seventh to step forward and meet you.

Now at the forefront of the group stands a reserved looking dark-haired and mature-looking woman wearing a long, flowing but completely undecorated white robe. A triangular white hat--coupled with the red tip and the kanji for Fire decorating the front--balances delicately atop her head. A pair of solid white eyes focus first on Matsuo then to Rin, Hibiki, Yuu and Yusa in turn. She smiles a genuinely soft smile and opens her arms in both a real and symbolic gesture of welcome.

Her voice is soft and barely above a whisper but you do not need to strain to hear it. "Welcome, Kazan-nin. I hope your trip was well." She breathes in a deep sigh, drawing a slight bit of attention to the impressive bosom hidden beneath her robe. "I apologize for this, but I requested that Kazan-nin guided the sand princess here so that I may see who Kei-dono would send for our Chuunin Exams.." She lets the statement die and poses a quick question. "May I ask your names?"

The Hokage doesn't wait for an answer when she calmly motions for the ANBU. The white-cloaked figures silently move forward to cover Yusa-hime and escort her into Konohagakure. At first, she only smiles at Rin's question before moving closer to inspect each of the genin. Her robe flutters lightly in the wind and rain, but the first thing both Matsuo and Rin notice is that her footsteps make no noise in the muddy road.

She approaches Matsuo first. Her hand reaches out calmly and comes to rest on top of the boy's head while she draws herself up to her full standing height. The woman seems to measure Matsuo's height against herself, then smiles and pulls the boy into an impromptu but tender hug that puts his face just above her chest. She releases Matsuo and, without skipping a beat, steps over to stand in front of Rin. She would be looking at the Haigakure chuunin eye-to-eye, were it not for her eyes being closed from the wide and seemingly genuine smile on her face. Rin too finds herself drawn into a hug that feels soft compared to the tenseness expected of a Konohagakure ninja.

She seems to hold Rin's hug a little long, but she stops as quickly as she began. Another smile and another step puts her in front of Hibiki, whom she has to lift off the ground to hug appropriately. The crazy genin finds her chest squeezed against his along side her cheek rubbing his own. The hug gets a bit tighter before the Hokage releases Hibiki and moves on to her final victim. She stands in front of Yuu with her arms behind her back and her ever-present smile. She scoops him up in one great arm full and lifts Yuu off the ground with the warmest bear hug she can manage. The ash-nin finds himself back on the ground and the Hokage back in front of Rin before he can even protest.

"You have raised them well, Chimera-sama. I would expect nothing less from the only Kazan-nin to achieve a flee-on-sight order."

Matsuo

Spoiler

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Malak's eyes only.

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Last warning

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She whispers to you: "You have grown much. I have missed you."

Hibiki

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Unborne's eyes only.

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Last warning

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She whispers to you: "Remember to keep your hands under control."

Yuu

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Rogue's eyes only.

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Last warning

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She whispers to you: "You hold much anger, Ninja-kun. I am sorry."

[Valgunn]

Rin

"Uchiha Rin." Rin bowed as was acceptable for greeting the Hokage. She had not been to Konoha before and had never met the replacement for the previous Hokage. She was taken aback by the real gesture of welcome. "Brought as given to us." She mulled her words around her head. Chuunin exams?! That wasn't right. "Hokage-sama, there must have been a mistake. I was told nothing of my Genin entering the Chuunin exams." In truth she doubted she Kei-sama would have told her, but those particular orders she was eventually expected to carry out would have been a huge tip. This was either a mistake or something had changed in how things were done, while Rin hoped and prayed for the latter, she expected the former.

[Rogue 7]

Yuu

Yuu's mood failed to improve significantly over the course of the trip. When spoken to, he responded shortly. He didn't seem to be angry, funnily enough. Or at least not the "lashing-out" kind of anger. It was more "I hate myself and the whole world" type of anger.

His first look at the massive gates of Konohagakure astounded him. No wonder this village was capable of annihilating his hometown when its wall stretched far off into the distance and was higher than the tallest building in Haigakure. He was confused. Unprepared. He had not planned on ever coming within twenty miles of this village if he could. Here were the people who had destroyed his village, plunged so many of his friends and neighbors into poverty and misery with their policies He had enough history in him to recognize the Hokage when he saw the hat, and enough sense to know to keep his head and his tongue in the face of her and seven ANBU agents, any of whom could probably slaughter him, Matsuo, and Hibiki with little effort.

Still, it was fortunate that he was not the first person hugged or else the sheer surprise of the situation would have caused him to try and pull a knife and that would have made for a very difficult situation. As it was, he simply tensed up as the woman did so, his body going absolutely rigid. Were it possible, he would have gone even more rigid when she whispered into his ear. Certainly she was right, but what did she have to be sorry about? Impressed by this civil demonstration of goodwill, and very much confused by the sudden hugs all around, Yuu can only bow, fairly deeply considering his general opinion on the village, and give his name softly.

"Nagase Yuu, and my companion, Kuromaru."

The words the Hokage spoke to Rin-sensei caused him to pay more attention. It seemed as if there might have been a reason for bringing Yusa-san to this village other than torture and death. He was familiar enough with the wheels-within-wheels machinations of the various villages that there might be some hope for her. And what was with her referring to them as Kazan-nin? He had thought that only the older people of the village still called them that. His father had done his best to adapt to the new scenario and tried to do nothing but say Haigakure in front of Yuu, but occasionally it slipped out. Yuu, having grown up during the occupation, could never call it by anything but Haigakure. So why was the Hokage calling the village by its old name? Surely they would want to preserve the image of Kazangakure as a defeated village still under their heel by referring to it as Haigakure? Yuu was thoroughly confused.

[The Unborne]

Hibiki

Staring at the gates, Hibiki imagines the sight of a giant castle. The huge doors are the portcullis allowing knights in army entry, the congregation of shinobi are knight defenders welcoming Ser Hibiki to their lovely home, and the woman in a funky hat must be a queen with her giant, gold-crested crown.

Hibiki's eyes open with amazement.

"She's so beautiful...I want a hug Queen!" The daft genin jumps up and down excitedly wanting a hug from the Hokage, "Hi I'm Hibiki!" Before he knows it, his legs are swept up from the ground as he is embraced by the whispering woman. Inside Hibiki's mind is the familiar voice of Lust, "Oh what comely breasts brush against us! This my friends is heaven on earth." The other sins nod in agreement.

Then as he is gently put down she whispers something to him. Hibiki stares at his hands which he practices gripping with. I didn't touch anything yet... The genin's mind tries to contemplate what the Hokage meant by her warning. I guess the Queen must already have a King. I'll need to find my own Princess then. Hibiki's eyes pass over Yuu and Matsuo and land on Rin.

Too old.

His eyes then fall upon Yusa...Hibiki imagines her in a silk pink dress with a crystal tiara on top of her head. There she is, my Princess. When I strike down villains and other evil-doers I'll do so in her name. A tear escapes his eye at the thought.

[Malek]

Matsuo

Matsuo again remains silent during the trip, knowing all too well the tension that has grown in the team was not without his recent actions. Instead he focuses on the surroundings as they travel, both trying to remember the way and enjoying the sights. When they come near Konoha though it's the village that catches his attention - he has heard tales from his father, but nothing is as good as own eye-witness, especially when it comes to the land of which his clan originates.

- I'm Hyuuga Matsuo. - he responds to the question with a polite bow. He takes the examination without batting an eyelash, but the hug that follows and the words he hears leave him with a surprised look on his face for a moment. After a moment of contemplation of what he heard, and the earlier mention of Chuunin exam Matsuo pulls himself back together, he concentrates on Hokage waiting to see what will happen next.

[Valgunn]

Rin

Rin herself had not received much physical contact that didn't end in one or both being hurt. Her first reaction was to move back but her keen mind stopped her before she made any significant movement. As the Nanadaime Hokage pulled away from her a shadow fell across her visage. She still looked like the normal Rin but something warm and bright inside her had been snuffed out, if even for a short while. "I hope they do not disappoint anyone." She finally said. Her voice bright as normal but without that bounce it had held so masterfully before.

[ZeroNumerous]

Nanadaime Hokage

The seventh Hokage shows a bright and genuine smile as she clasps her hands together. "But I bet you're all tired already", she says, "so lets get some lunch and have a nice relaxing day before I explain." Her smile becomes a quick and mischievous grin that makes her seem much younger than she really is. "Hibiki-kun? Yuu-kun? Would you be so kind as to carry everyone's things to this address?" She produces a small slip of paper with the name of a popular hotel--Beds of the Emperor--and an account number. "Matsuo-kun? Rin-chan? Do you want to take a quick bath before lunch?"

[The Unborne]

Hibiki

Hibiki drops to one knee, "Anything for the beautiful queen!" He runs up an takes the note from Nanadaime. The genin then runs back to face Yuu, "Let's ride!" With the paper firmly in his hand, Hibiki gallops away towards the address.

As he is skipping a thought occurs to the crazed Ash-nin, Did they mention the Chuunin Exams? The sound of seven hands smacking against seven faces reverberates across the mind of Hibiki. "Oh! Yuu-san! If we become Chuunin we'll be in the same league as Rin-sensei! She's getting uncooler by the second!" The genin jokes when his comrade is close enough to hear.

[Valgunn]

Rin

A little taken back by this odd turn she looked to Matsuo and then back to the Hokage. "Together?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.

[ZeroNumerous]

Nanadaime Hokage

The Hokage claps her hands together. "Of course not. The boys will have their own bathing area, but obviously a quick dip in the hot springs will melt away all your troubles!" For a few moments, she seems very childish despite her maturity.