Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Lost Soul ❯ The Exam Begins ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and not me, but I do claim the Yominokunis, Yakubyougami and the Tekigougan for myself!
A Note from Katana Haibane: I'd like to thank everyone who had reviewed my fic (although I still wish more would review!). Reviews are part of my inspiration to keep writing.
Chapter 12: The Exam Begins
Shinigami's Realm
“What am I going to do with you? What indeed Uchiha?” Shinigami rumbled as he inspected the spirit form that Sasuke's soul had taken on. Shinigami had to suppress a laugh: Sasuke refused to back down even in the presence of the very being that controlled death itself. Either he was a pathetic fool, a brave idiot, or someone who truly believed himself to be unbeatable.
The ancient script that was marked all over the Shinigami's body flashed briefly, blinding Sasuke for an instant. When the light died down Sasuke found himself in a room that was almost completely white. Besides a bed in a corner that was outlined in a black boarder, the walls and the door all had a faintly black outline to them. Sasuke had had enough. Snapping his hands together in a tiger seal he activated his Sharingan and tried to dispel the illusion, “KAI!”
Nothing happened.
Trying two more times with and increasingly larger amount of chakra Sasuke began to feel the first tendril of fear he had felt since Mikomi had nearly died in his arms. After the third try Sasuke felt his legs nearly give out and glance down to see why. Where his body had once been completely opaque it had taken on a translucent appearance, the whiteness of the room faintly visible through his body. Sasuke rounded on Shinigami as his laughter echoed even louder than before within the room he had created.
“Where the fuck am I you piece of shit? There is no way I'm dead! NO WAY IN HELL! I STILL HAVE TO KILL MY BROTHER SO WHAT THE HELL KIND OF TWISTED ILLUSION IS THE YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” Sasuke was starting to become hysterical as the entire time he yelled at the figure claiming to be `Shinigami' only kept smiling more and more as he laughed.
`I suppose it's time I explain to him why he's here rather than awaiting reincarnation in the afterlife' Shinigami thought as it snapped its fingers.
Sasuke suddenly felt a surge of energy shoot through his body and up to his eyes, forcibly deactivating the Sharingan. He let out a scream of agony and fell to the ground holding his eyes for a moment before the pain left just as quickly. Opening his eyes and blinking, he realized that his body had become almost transparent.
“Foolish boy,” Shinigami rumbled, “Do you want to destroy you own soul? You are dead. As with most souls whom are forced out of the afterlife into this intermediary realm you have no memories of how you died. Your soul does not want to accept that fact and buries it deep within itself to protect your sanity. I will force it to the surface.” The script on Shinigami's right index finger glowed briefly as it shot out and tap Sasuke's forehead before he could react.
Sasuke began to scream in agony, clutching his right side as the memory played itself behind his eyes and on each section of room around him
Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw what Itachi did at the last second before their massive attacks met. He activated the first three gates and blasted under his own Raikiri. Then he was hit. Sasuke couldn't even scream as he felt the entire right half of his ribcage get ripped away from his body. His right leg struck Itachi and caused him to rebound of his brother and land directly atop Mikomi as she started to sit up.
Even greater pain shot through his body as Mikomi instinctively flipped him off of her body. He watched as tears sprang into Mikomi's eyes and she vomited. Sasuke used the last of his chakra to try and speak, “Mikomi-chan…I-I'm glad I…m-met you. Y-you…began t-to mean s-s-so much to me. D-d-d-don't d-d-d…” As he felt darkness begin to over take his body Sasuke tried to will his final thoughts into Mikomi's mind, `Don't die on me Mikomi-chan. You were someone I could have loved someday, enough to want to restart the Uchiha clan with you.
As the memory ended Sasuke began to cry for the first time since he had witnessed his family being massacred by Itachi. He cried and cried, his agonized wails resounding off the walls of the room as he shrieked his agony and despair as loud as his spiritual body would allow. His entire world, his very happiness had been taken away and destroyed once again by his brother. Mikomi, the very first girl he had ever felt anything towards was more than likely dead and he could do nothing. The sudden urge to want to protect the girl with his life was almost overpowering, causing Sasuke to spiral downwards even further in despair. He could not ever remember feeling grief such as this. He hadn't felt much beyond rage and the desire for revenge since his family died.
The entire time that Sasuke was weeping on the floor of the spiritual room, Shinigami watched over him. It had to admit that it was impressed with the Uchiha boy. Despite having such a twisted psyche his mind was still strong enough to avoid destroying itself upon the discovery of his own death. `It seems that he is drawing his strength from a will to protect that girl in his memories. A very different attitude than anything he has had in the last two years, three months and seventeen days. Perhaps my ends will be accomplished by this boy.'
Time meant nothing to the Shinigami besides a marker to judge how long a soul has lived for. So he simply watched as Sasuke wept for close to three days straight before he began to regain his composure. Sasuke slowly hauled himself into a sitting position and began to look at his own hands, seeing the blood staining them in his mind as Shinigami spoke once again.
“Congratulations boy, you have passed the first test.”
Startled, Sasuke looked up at the Shinigami with dull eyes, “What do you mean test? I'm dead. I have nothing left no matter what I want to do. An eternity locked in a white room. Why are you still here anyway?”
Shinigami just shook his head in amusement at the boy in front of him, “You would be in the afterlife if you were completely dead.”
That got Sasuke's attention. His eyes cleared and his mind sharpened itself once again to focus on the situation, “What? I'm not completely dead? What the hell does that mean?” Leaping to his feet Sasuke vaguely noticed that his body had taken on a more solid appearance once again, “You showed me my own memory of dieing right next to Mikomi-chan! Tell me what the bloody fuck is going on!”
“Good,” Shinigami nodded its approval, “you'll need that kind of focus if you want to survive what's next. Giving you the memory of you own, physical death was merely a test to see if you were mentally strong enough to survive the breakdown you mind would undergo upon the realization you had died. Only a few others have passed that stage. I will now explain the situation to you Sasuke of the Uchiha clan. The man that you had chosen to study your fighting arts under has discovered a way to break the fundamental rule of life and death in the universe. He has discovered a technique that will restore a body that has killed back to life, but without the soul that should reside within the shell. It is an affront to nature, and an affront to my own powers and the restrictions on them. As it is, by all rights Orochimaru's soul should belong to me. His original body perished long ago.”
Sasuke only frowned, “So then where am I? If my soul is here only because my body is no longer dead then what is going on? What use could you possible have for me? What could you possible offer me that I would want in the first place? Mikomi is probably already dead so I really don't have anything else in the world besides revenge to live for.”
“I offer you a chance at life,” Shinigami began as Sasuke's eyes widened at the offer, “and the news that Yominokuni Mikomi's soul has not entered this realm, or the realm of the afterlife.”
An immense wave of relief and joy began to flood Sasuke's body as he slowly sat down on the edge of the bed in the room, “Mikomi…She…is she really alive?”
“She is.” Shinigami said. `You humans are such fascinating creatures,' Shinigami thought, `Your ability to change and adapt astounds even me sometimes. Even more so is the ability to change each other by your own actions. A being who has given themselves the fate of an avenger suddenly caring for the life of another is a rarity among your kind.'
Sasuke's face hardened once again, “What do I have to do to regain my life? I will do anything you ask of me to be able to return to Mikomi and to exact revenge on my accursed brother Itachi. I still want to personally deliver his rotten soul to you myself.”
Shinigami nodded slightly, “I don't care one way or another what you do in the feud that you have with your brother. His soul is of no consequence to me. One requirement for you to have a chance at regaining your life is to spend it in service to me until the day that Orochimaru is destroyed and his soul is delivered to me.”
There was no hesitation when Sasuke nodded his ascent, “I'll serve you if it means I'll be alive. I'd take any chance that I could get.”
The markings on Shinigami's left arm lit up this time as he placed his hand over Sasuke's head, “Then let's get started right now.”
Sasuke felt a sudden rush of energy flow into his body, filling his entire chakra reserve in a matter of seconds. Then the world slowly began to fade and swirl around him as Shinigami's voice echoed in his ears, “You have less than nine months to complete the tests. Once Orochimaru gains control of your original body then any chance at resurrection you had will have passed.”
Steeling his resolve, Sasuke closed his eyes and waited for the world around him to take shape.
Outside the Konoha Academy
It was a little after noon when Mikomi arrived in front of the Academy for the initial stage of the Chuunin exam. She was feeling a little nervous as neither Kiba nor Shino had shown up yet. Clutched in her hand was the signed sheet that allowed her to enter the Chuunin exams in the first place, and Mikomi tried her best to cling to the pep talk that Hinata had given her that morning.
“Just do your best Mikomi,” Hinata said as she tried to calm down a very nervous Mikomi, “You'll do fine in the exam. You're very strong, stronger than I was when I took the test the first time. Trust in Kiba and Shino and you'll have no problems at all. You're a team and helping each other out is all you have to do to make it through this.”
Mikomi smiled at the memory of Hinata's pep talk. Hinata had been incredibly supportive over the last month in helping her adjust to her life in Konoha and had been a source of comfort each time memories resurfaced from her past. `She really is an incredible person,' Mikomi mused, failing to notice Shino and Kiba coming up from behind her, `She works so hard for Tsunade-sama and still can find time to help me out. I hope that I can find some way to repay her for her help.'
“Hey Mikomi!” Kiba called from right behind Mikomi, startling her and causing her to whip around to face him, “Ready to kick some ass during this exam?”
Once her heart rate resumed a normal speed Mikomi stalked over to Kiba and whacked him over the head, “Don't scare me like that,” Mikomi said as she held her ground, not allowing herself to flinch away from her friends anymore, “I was scared the two of you weren't going to show up!”
“We wouldn't miss this,” Shino said as he looked a Mikomi closely from behind his glasses, “we wish to become Chuunin.” He paused for a moment, “Overcoming your fear of being close to people will help for the first part of the exam.”
Mikomi blinked, “You mean you know what the first part is going to be?”
“Yeah,” Kiba groaned as Akamaru gave a deep bark from beside him, “It's gonna be a pain in the ass this time. It's a written test that we have to cheat on and Akamaru is too big to get the answers for me. The exam proctor has a bunch of Chuunin in the room watching to make sure you don't cheat and if they catch you, you loose marks.”
“Are the questions really that hard?” Mikomi asked with a bit of trepidation, “Cause I don't know any ways of spying that can be done if people are already watching me.”
“Wait for my bugs,” Shino said as he started to head into the building causing Mikomi and Kiba to trail along behind him, “I'll give you the answers.”
Kiba gave Shino a funny look as they walked into the building, “You're `bug scrolls' again? Those are a pain in the ass to try and read! The writing is so small.”
The Hokage's Office
As Hinata went about filing the various finished paperwork that Tsunade was completing she couldn't help but notice how tense he sensei was. Her entire body was tight like a coiled spring: her arm's seemed as if she was constantly trying to flex her muscles, her back was ramrod straight, her face was set in a tight grimace and even her neck had veins bulging slightly out of it from the tension. Hinata hated seeing Tsunade like that and not being able to do a thing about it, `It's no surprise that Tsunade-sensei is acting so stressed. Last time that the Sound were allowed to compete in the Chuunin exams was when Konoha held them just over two years ago. Their attack is still fresh in many people's minds.'
Hinata sensed a slight pulse of chakra within the Hokage Tower and activated her Byakugan to spot Hyuuga Shiro entering the office. She bowed low to the kneeling Shiro and tapped Tsunade on the shoulder, “Tsunade-sensei, Hyuuga Shiro is back with his report.”
Tsunade's eyes never left the paperwork in front of her as she snapped back, “I sensed his entry Hinata-chan. So what's the status on Konoha's defensive network?”
With his falcon mask firmly in place, Shiro rose and stood at attention before he gave his report, “I have the entire Anbu corps as well as every available Jounin working on Defense. The Gates and surrounding area are locked down incredibly tightly with a Hyuuga at each entrance to turn away anyone with a developed chakra system and no passport. The shifts are on a rotating eight hour cycle to keep everyone as fresh as possible. For interior security I have stationed four Anbu squads around the Academy and I've also got the entire Aburame clan creating a tracking network in the surrounding countryside with their bugs. They are being pushed to the limits, but they are gladly taking up the responsibility. In training grounds # 44 where the second task is to take place Maito Gai is supervising the creation of the seals needed for the exam with Kakashi-san actually heading the group who are creating them. As for the area where the final part of the exam is to be held the Inuzuka Clan is in charge with the Hyuuga clan supporting them during the actually exam itself. Everyone else is acting as a part of the defensive network during patrols or guarding the walls themselves. It is going to be very difficult to launch an attack that we don't know is coming.”
The tension eased only slightly from Tsunade's body, “Thank Kami that our defenses are in place. But don't forget that we have to pay very close attention to the team from the Sound that's being entered. They could very well act as a cornerstone for an invasion in much the same way the Suna team was supposed to act last time. Be damn sure not to let them escape your notice at any time.”
An idea sudden crossed Hinata's mind as she went to leave the room and continue her medical studies, “Tsunade-sensei, what if you assign their team their own, personal training ground within Konoha surrounded by Anbu. If they make it to the finals I mean…” Hinata trailed off looking a little sheepish when Tsunade gave her a hard look.
“That's…not that bad an idea Hinata. And if we post guards outside their residence at night then we would be able to keep them contained at all times. Shiro-san set this up immediately. Be damn sure to force them to leave immediately once their entire team fails. Dismissed!”
Tsunade glanced up after a few minutes of continued paperwork to see Hinata still standing in front of her desk nervously. Holding her head in her hands, Tsunade spoke at last to Hinata, “What else do you want Hinata?”
Hinata bit her bottom lip in nervousness before she spoke, “I'm worried about Mikomi Tsunade-sensei. What's going to happen to her or even her teammates when she runs into the team from the Sound during the exam? What if they recognize Mikomi?”
With a deep sigh, Tsunade look Mikomi in the eyes, “I really don't know. I want to protect her, but I also don't want to stop Mikomi's team from taking part. No matter how much I don't want to see that girl hurting anymore she will never be whole again until she recovers her memories. The best we can hope for is that Mikomi doesn't collapse under the stress of recovering her memories again. At worst, she won't be able to finish the exam. All we can do is hope.”
The First Floor of the Konoha Academy
The sight that greeted Team Eight upon their entrance into the Academy one of total chaos. Stretching from only a few meters inside the front entrance and right around the corridor were ninja's from every single Shinobi Nation. The only Village that they couldn't see being represented was the Village Hidden in Sound. The air was crackling with tension as various groups of Genin stared each other down, their hands twitching to pull out their weapons and put them to good use.
Kiba just groaned, “Come on guys, looks like we have to push our way through this crowd. They're doing another stupid unofficial test to keep people from passing yet again this year. At least the first part of the exam in on the first floor in one-oh-seven this year.”
Kiba stood on top of Akamaru with his head nearly reaching the ceiling. Mikomi and Shino stood close behind the giant dog as Kiba signaled Akamaru to let loose a few window shaking barks. With the amount of noise being made already, only the back section of the group noticed Kiba and instinctively parted to make way for the massive dog. Kiba, Mikomi and Shino moved through the crowded hallway slowly but surely as the crowd opened a gap to watch the odd procession moving through them. Mikomi noticed that a few of the people taking the exam seemed to actually be frightened by Akamaru which got more than a few dirty glares sent their way.
As they rounded the corner in the hallway Kiba frowned at the scene taking place in front of room one-oh-seven. Especially when he realized that the three Genin that were blocking all the other exam participants from entering the classroom were from the Village Hidden in Sound. “Hey guys, looks like trouble ahead,” Kiba said as he turned around and sat down on Akamaru, “Three Sound Genin are blocking the path into the exam room. I can't believe that they actually allowed those bastards into our village after what they pulled here!”
Mikomi was a little confused about what the Village Hidden in Sound did to Konoha but she tried to just think about the upcoming exam, “Think we can get past them?”
“Pffff, no prob,” Kiba exclaimed as he stood up to get a better look at the Sound Genin as they got close to the team, “Hell, I even took out one of their Elite Nins myself. One of the so-called Sound Four.” Kiba's grin left his face for a second as he watch the guy who looked like the Sound Team's leader land a punch on a Rain Nin worth of Rock Lee. “This might be a little harder than I thought. Mikomi, Taijutsu is your specialty so you might have to deal with their leader. He packs one hell of a punch.”
With a nod, Mikomi moved ahead of Kiba and Akamaru as they finally broke from the crowd of ninja to come face to face with the Sound Team. A sigh of relief escaped from Mikomi at the open space. Gingerly stepping over the bodies of several unconscious ninjas - including a few from Konoha even - Mikomi headed towards the Sound Team Leader. She felt her body tense up as the guy's face began to fill with unbridled rage and hatred. He stood easily over six feet tall, a good ten inches taller than Mikomi was. His face was scared and he had a long scar that traveled down the length of his right forearm. Emerald coloured eyes shone underneath a wild mane of pitch-black hair while his clothes consisted of the purple outfit every Sound Nin wore, but was accompanied by a purple rope belt. `He's elite,' passed through Mikomi's mind, causing her to pause and wonder why she had thought that.
“You're the one I've been waiting for you little bitch,” the Sound guy said as he spat at Mikomi's feet, “I've got a score to settle with you: one that I've been force to wait damn near five months to settle.”
A strangled snort escaped from Mikomi as she held back a laugh. She had never seen this guy in her life, “Look, I don't know who the hell you are or what kind of grudge you think you have with me, but I've never seen you before in my life.”
The Sound guy began to circle her slowly in a clockwise motion, showing no signs of backing down. Now slightly confused, Mikomi began to follow the same circle the Sound Nin had started keeping him in sight at all times.
“Don't dare try to fucking bullshit me you little twat,” the Sound guy seethed, “Name's Tegatai Kinniku and you better not have forgotten it. You owe me a fight and we're settling the score right her and now you red-eyed wench.”
Mikomi was starting to get really annoyed with the Kinniku guy in front of her, “Look you asshole, I've got no clue who the hell you are! I've never met you so I couldn't possibly have a score of any kind to settle with you! Why don't you just buzz off and leave me and all these other teams be!”
Kinniku snapped a quick fake punch to force Mikomi to throw her right hand up to block. Slightly misjudging Mikomi's speed, Kinniku didn't move his arm aside quite in time. Mikomi's fist smashed straight through Kinniku's concealed sound gauntlet even as he caught her arm with his other hand and slide right beside her to whisper in her ear, “Orochimaru-sama doesn't like it when people betray him. You've just signed your death warrant. I'm going to kill you before the exam is over you -”
Kiba had stepped up and socked the distracted Kinniku in the side of the head, forcing him away from the shocked Mikomi, “GET OFF HER YOU ASSHOLE!”
Even as Kinniku fell away from Kiba and Mikomi his hand shot out and grab Kiba's wrist. With a quick pull, Kinniku recovered his balance, pulled Kiba towards him, and hammered a punch into his stomach that caused him to double over. Mikomi, Shino and Akamaru immediately moved up beside Kiba as Kinniku back up a little bit. Tearing his broken sound gauntlet from his arm he glared at Mikomi once again, “Your life is beyond forfeit now you traitorous bitch. Nobody leaves the Sound and gets away with it.”
Kinniku turned away and headed into the examination room even as Mikomi turned pure white. Shino moved quickly to pull Mikomi off to the side of the doors when he realized everyone was starting to rush into the classroom. Moments later, Kiba and Akamaru broke free from the Nins rushing into the exam room at last recognizing what was going on.
“Are you with me Mikomi?” Shino said as he knelt down in front of Mikomi, “Are you alright?”
Nodding slowly Mikomi gasped softly as the colour started to return to her face. “Yeah…I hear you Shino…” Slowly, Mikomi's face began to darken in rage. The memories of Sadisuto beating her suddenly had the Hitae-ate of the Hidden Village of Sound proudly displayed, tied around his right bicep. Her hands began to quiver as her anger built even further when the memory of kneeling before Orochimaru as he laughed his disgusting little laugh burnt its way into Mikomi's mind once again. Small wisps of chakra bled away from her body as the memory of the ever present shadow man handed her a Sound Hitae-ate and proclaimed her to officially be a tool for the Sound. Mikomi's right hand enclosed around the blade of a kunai that was lying near here and crushed it in her hands her anger was so great. She hardly felt the pain as it cut her hand open.
Shino raised an eyebrow when Mikomi raised her head. Her irises and pupils had inverted their colours turning them the colour red. The information on DNA that once again streamed into Mikomi's mind was forced back once again, causing her eyes to return to their former state once again.
Mikomi tossed the mangled kunai down the hallway. “Kinniku's going to die,” Mikomi hissed, “them and every one of those bastards from Sound. I'm gonna kill `em, I'm gonna kill `em…”
“What happened,” Shino asked as he watched Mikomi constantly repeat the mantra of `I'm gonna kill `em,' “Why do you want to kill the Sound Nins Mikomi. What did you remember?”
A feral gleam was in Mikomi's eyes Shino felt her looking straight through him, “The Sound. It was the Sound. Hehehe, it was the mother fucking Sound!”
“What was the Sound?”
“They're the ones responsible for my hated past,” Mikomi's chest began to heave as she breathed deeper and deeper, “All those beatings…all those killings that I had to do…all the pain that I've felt from every single freaking memory that I've recovered…the Sound is responsible for it. All of it. Everything.” Mikomi's voice dropped down to a fierce whisper, “They forced me to be part of the Sound. That mother fucking bastard Orochimaru forced me to become part of the Sound and kill for him. They stuck a fucking shock collar on my neck and took away everything from me. I was a slave to them.”
Both of Shino's eyebrows had shot up to his hairline while Kiba had his eyes almost popping out of his head and his mouth hanging open in a big O shape. Neither of them spoke for a moment until they shared a glance at each other in understanding.
“You're not there anymore Mikomi,” Kiba said quietly as Akamaru gave Mikomi a lick on the cheek, “You're here in Konoha with us. We're your teammates and your friends. We will never abandon you just because you were forced to kill for Orochimaru. He's our enemy just as much as he is yours. You didn't choose to go to him; he forced you to come him.”
The pained rage that was contorting Mikomi's features slowly died away as Kiba did his best to console her. The pain she felt from her past hadn't gone away, but it just didn't hurt as much anymore. Her friends and teammates didn't think any differently of her. They didn't want to throw her away like yesterday's garbage. She felt accepted by her friends.
There was only one thing that Mikomi needed to say, “Thank-you…”
Hokage's Office
Tsunade felt a little bit more of the tension drain out of her when one of her Anbu search teams brought back an old man who said that he knew the Yominokunis.
And he also knew that Yominokuni Kitoushi and Shizuka had a daughter by the name of Mikomi.
“I'll be sure to give you a bonus in your paycheck for your hard work,” Tsunade said as she dismissed the Anbu team who had brought the old man in to Konoha. Turning her attention to the old man, Tsunade began to talk with him, “Would you mind telling me your name sir?”
Despite being so old - in his mid sixties - the old man's voice was strong and full, “My name is Liam Hokage-sama. What can I tell you about the Yominokunis?”
“Everything that you can remember about Mikomi would be helpful. Anything else you'd like to tell me would be much appreciated as well Liam-san.”
“I'll start from the beginning then I suppose. I have known Yominokuni Shizuka since she was a child, before she took the name of Yominokuni. She was a bright child, always fascinated by medicine and the healing arts, not to mention my sweets shop. All the Yominokunis seemed to enjoy my sweets. Shizuka-chan married Kitoushi-san when she was…nineteen I believe after she met him at a clinic she had been apprenticing at. They…well, lets just say that they were a match made in heaven. After getting married in Ko Village they traveled around the Shinobi Nations for a little bit - close to a year I believe - before returning and opening up a medical clinic. Shortly after they returned, Shizuka gave birth to Mikomi.” Liam had a faraway look go through his eyes, “Mikomi was like the child I never had. She loved coming by my shop all the time, even if only to talk to an old codger like me. Just like her mother, Mikomi loved the healing arts from a young age. Was good at it too, an excellent medicine maker even at the tender age of nine. `Course, that's when my story turns ugly: you see, the day that little Mikomi-chan learned her first medical jutsu was also the day the village believed that the Yominokunis' were all murdered.”
“What?” Tsunade exclaimed as her eyes widened, “You mean that Kitoushi-san and Shizuka-san are dead? Who would have killed them? They were well known doctors in some areas, especially in Mizu and Kumo despite their closeness to Konoha.”
Liam smiled sadly, “When their first patient came to their clinic in the morning they found the place a mess. The front doors were broken open and smear trail of blood led into the woods behind the house. Once the law enforcement was called in they discovered a bone dagger covered in blood near the smear trail that went out the front doors. They also discovered a splatter pattern near the front door where another one of them was believed to have been cut down. The only body that was found…” Liam paused and drew in a shuddering breath as a tear made its way down his cheek, “The only body they found was Shizuka-chan's. A…A knife had been put through the back of her neck. They said that it was a kunai that was used to kill them. An assassination. They believed that everyone had been killed even though Kitoushi-san and Mikomi-chan's bodies were never found. I didn't learn how true their hypothesis was until a year and half later.”
“Then there's a chance that they are both alive is there?” Tsunade asked seriously, “Kitoushi-san and Mikomi-chan might still be alive, right?”
“The blood trail that led out from the front door was thought to be Kitoushi's. They gauged that he had lost too much blood to be alive.” Liam did crack a smile however, “But I found out a year and a half later that Mikomi-chan was alive! After I had poured out all of my sorrow and grief through tears she came into my shop a young woman. A ninja even!”
Frowning Tsunade held up her hand for Liam to stop, “Wait a second; you met her again after she had become a ninja? Alone? What Hitae-ate was she wearing? I need to know.”
Liam sighed sadly, “She told me that she hadn't come alone. Had a partner with her apparently and she said he was a dark and brooding fellow. She wore the Hitae-ate around her right arm. But, as incredible a reunion it was, she told me that she had been kidnapped. Kidnapped by the Village Hidden in Sound.”
“Could you describe what Mikomi looks like?” Tsunade asked with dread.
“I suppose so. She was close to five and a half feet tall I think. She also had dark purple, almost black hair that came down past her shoulders as well as incredible red eyes. I think she had on a black t-shirt and shorts as well. Do you know where she might be?”
Tsunade felt Liam's words hit her like a punch to the gut. She had had her suspicions when Mikomi had described the bloody memories of her past to her, but she hadn't wanted to believe her suspicions entirely. Mikomi had been partnered with Uchiha Sasuke while she was in the Sound. The description fit too perfectly. Mikomi had helped in the destruction of the Village Hidden in Grass, had helped assassinate the Advisor Kokoro Tadashii, and even had been part of the reason that Mizu and Kumo were at each other's throats. Tsunade could only assume that she had been with Sasuke even as early as when he had been discovered within Konoha itself after the assassination attempt the Sound had done.
Tsunade sighed deeply, “I thank you very much for your time Liam-san. You have cleared up a rather problematic issue for us. We do know the location of Yominokuni Mikomi: she has become a Genin for Konoha.” Liam's eyes widened in surprise as Tsunade continued on, “One of our recently promoted Chuunins found her being chased by a group of Sound Nins, saved her, and brought her back to the Konoha hospital for medical treatment.”
“What happened to Mikomi-chan,” Liam blurted out, “Why is she a Konoha ninja? I thought that once you were part of a village that you could never leave it? What happened to put her in the hospital?”
“You're not going to like the answer much,” Tsunade said sadly, “but she was taken to Konoha hospital initially for extreme chakra depletion. She very nearly died from that alone. However, once I gave her a physical examination I discovered that she had suffered severe head trauma located directly in the memory sector of the brain. It was caused by a Bloodline Limit Genjutsu that I've encountered before that caused the victim to be rendered into a comatose state, but I'd never encountered damage to the extent Mikomi had suffered before. Whatever the illusion showed Mikomi traumatized her greatly. I allowed her to become a ninja here in Konoha because she had nowhere else to go. I didn't believe that she would harm my village and it seems unlikely that she will do so now. Especially since I doubt she would follow any orders given to her from the Village Hidden in Sound.”
“Would there be any way that I could see young Mikomi-chan?” Liam asked, “I would very much like to see how she has come along since she has come to Konoha.”
Tsunade shook her head, “I'm afraid you can't just yet. She recently entered the Chuunin exam that we are hosting and will be occupied for another month.”
Liam didn't speak for a moment as he thought about what to say next, “Isn't there a month between the second exam and the finals? And what if she doesn't make it to the finals in the first place?”
“Believe me,” Tsunade began, “Mikomi is more than strong enough to make it to the finals of the Chuunin exam. As for why I don't want you visiting her until the exam is over, it's because I don't want to risk her having a breakdown due to further return of her memories. She was out of it for almost a full week not too long ago due to a massive recall of bad memories. I want Mikomi to have the best chance that she can to succeed and make a new beginning for herself here.”
“I understand,” Liam said sadly as he got up to leave, “I suppose that I'll just have to wait until after the finals to be able to speak to Mikomi again. Now, the Anbu team that brought me mentioned compensation for my traveling here. Would it be alright if I collected it now before I leave?”
“Yes, that's just fine Liam-san. I left it with the secretary at the front doors. He knows you're coming so just ask for it on your way out.”
Room 107 Konoha Academy
“Well this is a familiar sight,” Kiba exclaimed as Team Eight finally entered the examination room - only a minute before they sealed the doors shut - and took a look around. “Depressing as all hell though on one level,”
Mikomi looked around the room with excitement starting to fill her features as he anger drained away, “Why would this be depressing? It looks like it's going to be a ton of fun. I can't wait to get started!”
“It's depressing because Shino and I are the last to become Chuunin from our graduating year,” Kiba explained, “We've only taken the Chuunin exam twice. The first time I got taken out by Naruto in the preliminaries and Shino never got a chance to strut his stuff `cause the Sound invaded Konoha.” Kiba couldn't help but smirk when he saw Mikomi get pissed at that bit of news, “The only other time was also in Konoha a year ago. Rock Lee took me out in the finals to gain the title of Chuunin while Shino had gotten caught in Ino's Mind and Body Switch Jutsu. Dumb luck they beat us.”
“Now I'm looking forward to the exams even more if they gave you two a hard time to complete them,” Mikomi said while she was rubbing her hands eagerly together, “You guys are incredible as is, so if you can be beaten then I want to fight those guys.” Mikomi glanced over at the Sound Team and gave Tegatai Kinniku a glare cold enough to freeze blood, “Especially those guys from the Sound. I'd like to see them dead by my hands if I even get half the chance.”
“Revenge isn't worth it,” Shino said with a shake of his head, “Don't follow the same path another from our village took. It only leads to more pain.”
“Whatever,” Mikomi said stiffly as she tried to calm down, “And where they heck is the proctor for the exam? Wasn't it supposed to start at one o'clock? It's freakin' quarter after!”
Kiba glanced at the clock and then at the hand written message on the front board that read: Rules and Exams will be given upon the arrival of the Exam Proctor and assistants - Hatake Kakashi. Kiba let out a long groan as he noticed every other Konoha team starting to put their feet up and relax in a corner of the room.
Shino was a stoic as ever when Kiba started to complain, “Aw, come one! Not that guy! Ugh, well Mikomi, Shino, guess we can relax for a while. Mr. Chronically late with a crappy excuse is running the first part of the exam for use this year. We got at least another hours wait before he shows up.” A few of the teams from other villages groaned when the overheard Kiba's comment about Kakashi as did Mikomi. Everyone just wanted to get on with the exam.
Heading over to the classroom windows Mikomi watched the academy students practice throwing shuriken. Kiba and Akamaru just lazed about in the sun, while Shino very slowly let some of his bugs get into position around the room.
“Think you'll be ready Shino?” Mikomi asked rather nervously after having waited for a little over an hour already, “'Cause I really don't want to end up blowing this written portion of the exam for you guys.”
“I already am,” Shino said as he finally took the opportunity to relax completely.
As two-thirty in the afternoon rolled around room one-oh-seven in the academy was filled with half asleep Genin. Every single one of them leapt to their feet in surprise when there was a sudden explosion and burst of smoke at the front of the classroom. As the smoke cleared it revealed Hatake Kakashi and all of the Chuunin assistant proctors for the first part of the Chuunin exam.
“Yo,” Kakashi said with a wave of his hand, “Sorry I'm late. I had to take a scenic route to get here as swarms of crows kept on attacking me. Then a black cat crossed my path causing me to take even longer so as to avoid any bad luck.”
“LIAR!” yelled a certain pink haired Chuunin from behind Kakashi as she whacked him over the head, “Stop making dumb excuses and start the exam.”
Kakashi only smiled, “Yeah, yeah, Sakura, I'm getting to it.”
Kinniku chose that moment to burst out into laughter, “Hahahahaha! Man you Konoha Nins are just so god damn pathetic! You're supposed to be a Jounin and yet you just got put in you place by a Chuunin girl with the biggest mutant forehead I've ever seen!”
Almost everyone noticed the twitch that had developed in Sakura's right eye and Kiba grinned, “This is gonna be good.”
Sakura snatched the stack of exams off of the desk in front of her in one hand and smacked them into Kakashi's chest. In the next second the desk in front of Sakura literally exploded into millions of little splinters as she hammered her hand down into it, “WATCH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU LITTLE SHIT OR I'LL MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST SECTION OF THE EXAMS!”
While more than half of the Genin in the room were giving Sakura a fearful look, Kinniku's eyes just narrowed in angry recognition at Sakura's strength. Kakashi stepped in to prevent anything further from happening, “Now, now Sakura, calm down. We have and exam to run. Well, everyone come up here and get an exam. On each sheet is a random seat number where you will sit. There are exactly two hundred and ninety three of you in here so…” Kakashi quickly had the Chuunin's line up side him and handed them all a stack of tests, “you have all have three minutes to get a test and sit down or your team fails.”
In the mad rush for the test papers that followed there were three people who ended up getting trampled by everyone else. Three teams got eliminated already. `So far so good,' Kakashi thought with amusement as a team from Rain, Mist and Rock got booted out of the classroom, `now for the fun part.'
“Now for the rules of the first part of the Chuunin exams. Whatever I say goes, so if I say that you all have to take the exam while sitting on the ceiling, that's what you have to do.” There were a few looks of mild shock that caused Kakashi to chuckle, “But of course I won't be doing that. This exam works of a ten point system: one point for every question. If you are caught cheating you will have two points subtracted from your score. If your score reaches zero then you and your entire team will fail. If one of the Chuunin proctors asks you to leave the please do so or I'll sick Sakura-chan here on you guys.” Sakura look a little annoyed at Kakashi but proceeded to crack her knuckles for the class anyway, “If your score works out to zero by the end of the grading process then your team will fail. There will be absolutely no talking during this exam. If I hear you talking then you will fail.” Kakashi paused for a moment to think, “Hmm, oh yes, I'll be giving everyone the final tenth question after forty-five minutes have passed.” Kakashi grinned once again from behind his mask, “Oh and don't think you'll have much of a chance to cheat.” Kakashi slid up his Hitae-ate to reveal his Sharingan eye, “I see everything.”
Quite a number of Rock and Kumo Nins shot Kakashi angry looks when they saw his Sharingan eye.
Mikomi on the other hand was pressing her palms against her eyes gently as she felt an intense pressure on the back of her head after seeing the Sharingan. `Oh hell, I can't collapse now because my memories are returning! Argh, later, come on, later!' With great effort Mikomi was able to force away the pressure at the back of her mind only to find that the exam had already begun.
Flipping the test over Mikomi took a look over it to see if she would be able to answer any of the questions. The first question read: Describe, in detail, the differences between a Bloodline Limit and a Bloodline Jutsu (four differences minimum). Mikomi sweat dropped as she read the question. She had absolutely no idea how to answer that one. Moving onto question two it read: Give the standard Jutsu formula used to start all Jutsu equations for the theoretical creation of new Katon Jutsu. Mikomi slapped a hand to her face. This was going to be an annoying test if every question was this hard. With a sigh, Mikomi resigned herself to having to wait for Shino's bugs.
As Shino concentrated on his bugs that were circulating the room inconspicuously he was able to pick up a recognizable face that was already writing down the answers for the exam. Shikamaru was acting as one of the placed test writers. With that little bit of information discovered Shino quickly had his bugs converge a little bit so as to observe Shikamaru a little better.
After the exam had been taking place for a little over ten minutes everyone heard a strange giggle coming from the front of the room. The Chuunin proctors smirked at Kakashi's planned ploy while almost all of the Genin face-faulted upon seeing the head proctor reading the hentai book Icha Icha Paradise. One girl from Rock and another from Konoha leapt up and screamed at Kakashi, “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU PERVERT”
Kakashi merely looked at the girls with his eyes curving upwards in a smile and said, “Both your teams fail because you talked out. Good-bye.”
Both girls started to protest along with their entire teams when another loud cracking sound could be heard throughout the room. The two teams glanced over to see Sakura cracking her knuckles and very quickly took the hint got get out of the exam room. Fast.
Soon after the two teams were eliminated for talking out one or two teams were eliminated every minute. Mikomi stoic stared only at her own test so as not to be believed to be cheating.
After twenty-five minutes had passed Mikomi noticed once of Shino's larger bugs making its way across the top of her test. She reached out her hand to see if she could find the scroll but when her hand touched the bug it made a slight popping sound and turned into a miniature scroll. Trying to discretely unroll it, Mikomi looked down at the contents of the scroll. One it Shino had written the answer for every question on the test. `Shino you are such a life saver right now,' Mikomi thought as she quickly started to fill out the test.
Then Kakashi decided to provide yet another not so subtle distraction in the middle of the exam. With a quick hand seal Kakashi produced ten Kage Bunshins. This time everyone in the entire room was able to ignore the burst of sound and smoke that the Kage Bunshins produced upon creation. Unfortunately, not many people were able to ignore what came next.
Kakashi's Kage Bunshins started running around the room, leaping of the desks, ceilings, walls and even the exam participants just creating havoc in general. Nobody was ignored. Kakashi sometimes looked at peoples exams while standing on their shoulders or even started poking them to try and get a reaction. Shino was one of the people ignoring Kakashi entirely and was saved from the worst of the distraction. Amazingly enough, not a single person made a sound vocally despite how annoying Kakashi was being. Eventually once he had gone through bugging everyone in the classroom he allowed his Kage Bunshins to take a blow and effectively dispel them. Kinniku's reaction was especially impressive as he caught a Kakashi on the fly by the neck and proceeded to throw him clear across the room and into the chalk boards. They cracked under the Kakashi clone's body before it disappeared.
By the time the forty-five minutes were up almost everyone left in the classroom was staring daggers at the smiling Jounin. Even Kakashi had to admit that the collective killer intent from the group of Genin was quite impressive.
“Mah, seems that you were able to survive the first forty-five minutes so I guess that means it's time for the final question. Please fold your papers in half twice and stand up where you are seated. There is no more time to answer the first nine questions.”
Quite a number of the Genins had to work rather hard to keep from speaking out when Kakashi announced that little twist to the exam. However, everyone folded their tests and stood up without saying another word. Kakashi looked over the group and saw that roughly fifty teams were still left in the room, `Not to shabby. More than half of them weren't caught cheating the full five times. Well, I'm sure my next question will knock at the least half of them out of the exam.'
The attitude that Kakashi was displaying took and abrupt one-eighty from amusement to severity. He stared the class down making sure to put a little chakra to his Sharingan to start the tomoe spinning as he told the class the final question, “Listen up and listen good. This question has far more consequences than any of the others do. If even one person in your group gets it wrong then you all fail. Got it?”
The anger in the room directed at Kakashi increased once again but he stared them down, “The question has only yes or no as an answer. To answer yes, remain standing. To answer no, sit down. You'll have the remaining time to decide on your answer and I will give you a ten second warning when time is almost up. Once time is up you will not be able to change your answer. Now I'm going to cast a Genjutsu over all of you to ensure that you answer the question individually. I'll release it once time is up.” Kakashi activated a Genjutsu that caused all of the Genin to see nothing but blackness. Once he felt the Genjutsu to be entirely in place Kakashi told the Genin the question, “The question is simple: would you give up everything besides your own life so that you could achieve your dreams, goals or ambitions? You now have twelve minutes to think the question over.”
To say the least, the twelve minutes given to decide and think over the answer felt like a very long time. Most of the classroom was able to make a snap decision off the start only to question themselves and change their minds several times throughout the twelve minute period. Close to two thirds of the teams gathered in the room had a member flicker and waver in their decision multiple times.
And the uncertainty that those people who were straddling the fence by constantly switching their decision were the very people that the proctors were looking for.
“Alright,” Kakashi said, “You have ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, and time's up. Nobody more or they will fail.” Kakashi dispelled the Genjutsu to reveal the every single group had at least one person standing or sitting down. Before the grumbling could begin at the concept of everyone failing Kakashi spoke once again, “Hold on, I need all Chuunin proctors to hand me their list of participants now. Oh, and since the test is over you can talk again.” The entire classroom breathed a sigh of relief.
Once he had the list in his hand he surveyed the class severely, “I'll now explain the final question to you. Neither answer was right or wrong.” The entire classroom burst into noise until Kakashi called for quiet once again, “I was testing everyone's resolve and ability to make a snap decision. What we were looking for were the people who were able to make a decision and stick with it. Now there was a little bit of leeway to allow people to change their answer once after they had decided in the first minute. Beyond that, anyone who showed indecisiveness was deemed unfit to carry on and become a Chuunin. I'm going to read off the list of everyone who failed the exercise.”
By the time Kakashi had finished dismissing all of the failed teams seventeen teams remained behind.
Kakashi smiled at the seventeen teams left over - one of which was Team Eight - and put his Hitae-ate back down over his eye. “Well, I'd like to congratulate everyone who is remaining on passing the first part of Konoha's Chuunin exam. Now if you'll just wait a minute, the next exam proc-”
The congratulation speech that Kakashi was giving was interrupted when the classroom doors burst open and two green figures came flying in amidst an earsplitting shout of, “DYNAMIC ENTRY!”
Everyone's eyes nearly bugged out of their heads as they watched the unlucky figure of a Chuunin proctor get booted into chalkboards at the front of the classroom, stopping the green figures from coming any further into the room.
“YOSH! THE FIRES OF YOUTH BURN STRONGLY IN ALL OF YOU FOR PASSING THE FIRST PART OF THE CHUUNIN EXAM!” screamed an exuberant Rock Lee to the stunned classroom.
“I AM MAITO GAI AND THIS IS MY EXCELLENT STUDENT ROCK LEE!” Gai shouted to the room, “WE SHALL BE THE HEAD PROCTORS FOR THE SECOND SECTION OF THE CHUUNIN EXAMNS!”
Everyone in the entire classroom sweat dropped at the antics of the spandex wearing pair's antics. Kakashi was finishing pulling the unconscious Chuunin off of the wall when he turned towards Gai and Lee with a sigh, “Would you two quit shouting the place down and just get up here and explain test that you two are giving everyone? Before you give everyone an aneurism from your insane shouting?”
In a flash, Gai and Lee were standing at the front of the class room giving of an identical pair of `Nice Guy' poses. Lee started to speak first, “This next section of the exam that we have lined up for you is the ultimate test of you physical and stealth abilities!”
“That's right!” Gai exclaimed just as enthusiastically as Lee, “It is the ultimate test! It will allow everyone with the Fire of Youth burning inside of them to cut loose and show the world their inner flames!”
Then, shouting together at exactly the same time, Gai and Lee told the class what the next event was, “ALL OF YOU ARE GOING TO BE PLAYING A MASSIVE GAME OF FLAGS! EVERY THREE MAN TEAM FOR THEMSELVES!”
Gai and Lee nodded to each other as they threw open one of the windows, “YOU HAVE ONE HOUR TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO KONOHA TRAINING GROUND # 44, THE FOREST OF DEATH!”
A/N: yeah I know, I know, Sasuke was rather OOC at the start of the chapter. But ask yourselves this question: what would you do if you had just discovered that you were dead, and you still had an attachment to life? I would think anyone would break down under that kind of stress. Next chapter the tests for Mikomi and Sasuke continue.