Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Lost Soul ❯ Paths Undecided ( Chapter 10 )

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. I'm sorry to say this but my updates are going to slow down soon now that I'm heading back to university. I'll try to keep one a week as my pace but I may slow down to one every week and a half. I don't particularly like this either, but if I end up not updating for over two weeks please PM me and tell me to get my ass in gear and write. I'm also celebrating now that I've passed the 100 000 word mark and I still have plenty left to write. If anyone feels like sharing a bit of inspiration with me I'd be glad to hear it. Ideas for a story are always welcome, even if they don't end up fitting in with my basic outline. Well, enjoy the story!

 

Chapter 10: Paths Undecided

 

Main Gate of the Village Hidden in theMist

 

The two Mizu Chuunins on gate guard duty watched as a lone cloaked figure appeared out of the mist. They took note of what he was carrying as they did for all travelers: the cloaked figure was carrying a rather large bundle strung across their back. One of the Chuunin stepped out to find out what the traveler's business was for entering their villages. He waved the traveler over, “What is your business with entering our Village traveler? And what are you carrying with you?”

 

The cloaked figure dropped his hood down and stared right into the eyes of the Mizu Chuunin. The Chuunin froze up as he stared into the yellowed, snake slit eyes of Orochimaru. Orochimaru grinned, “Kukuku. I guess you could say that I came here in person to prove how serious I am about wishing to speak with the Mizukage. Now, as for what I'm carrying with me, well, let's just say it is only part of what I wish to speak to the Mizukage about. I would highly recommend that you that you go and tell him I'm here as things would get very unpleasant for you if you don't.”

 

The Chuunin visibly gulped before he ran off to tell the Mizukage who was here to request an audience with him. Orochimaru flipped his hood back up as he stood just inside the main gates to wait for the return of the Chuunin that he had just scared senseless. He leaned against the gate as the second Chuunin came out to find out what was going on.

 

“What's going on,” the Chuunin demanded as he stalked up to Orochimaru, “What did you say that caused my partner to run off like that.” Orochimaru merely turned his cloaked face in the Chuunin's direction and the Chuunin continued his rant, “Answer me dammit! Who the hell are you?”

 

“You're lucky I don't just kill you right now for you insolence,” Orochimaru said as he lowered his hood once again, “But then I don't think that the Mizukage would take my words very seriously at all. After all, I did come here to talk with him didn't I? Go cower in your little guard post. I'd rather not have to deal with underlings like you today.”

 

The Chuunin guard only paused to consider his options for a moment before he headed back to the little booth that was just inside the main gate of Mizu. He knew that he didn't stand a chance against an S-ranked Missing Nin, not to mention one of the legendary three Sannin. `Great,' the Chuunin thought, `just what I needed to start my day. I've got a ninja at our gates that could kill almost anyone here in our village and he was also crazy enough to start a Village of his own. I'm not sure how this day could get any worse. But when it rains, it pours.'

 

After waiting at the gate for close to fifteen minutes the first Chuunin arrived with a full team of Anbu behind him, “Orochimaru-san, the Mizukage has agreed to meet with you pending a full search of your person. That includes what you have strapped to your back. I was told to tell you that this condition is non-negotiable.”

 

Orochimaru smirked as he set down his pack and tossed his cloak off to reveal his battle outfit. He unclasped his hip pack and tossed it towards the Anbu team before he spoke, “My, my, it seems that my reputation precedes me wherever I go. Your Mizukage was quite wise to demand a search. Be sure not to accidentally miss a weapon I've hidden on my body now or you might be in trouble.”

 

The Chuunin nervously stepped forward and began to give Orochimaru a pat-down to look for any hidden kunai or senbon. After quickly ensuring that there were none on him he pulled out a device that looked very similar to a metal detector. The device was designed to scan for the faint energy signatures that come from an explosive note. Scanning all over Orochimaru's body the Chuunin found no trace of an explosive note hidden on Orochimaru's body. He quickly backed away and picked up Orochimaru's hip pack and delivered it to his partner in the guard booth.

 

One of the Anbu team members moved forward to quickly check what was in the pack. He pulled the bag open and found a strange looking electronic device inside of it. Orochimaru smirk at the pause the Anbu member did when he saw the device, “That device happens to be a very high powered explosive device.” Orochimaru's smirk never left as the Anbu suddenly all drew their weapons, “Which happens to be conveniently inactive. By the way, your Chuunin friend over there did a rather poor job in searching me. I still had this tucked inside my belt.” Orochimaru pulled a small tube out of his belt and flipped the top open to reveal a tightly packed collection of poisoned senbon. He recapped the container and tossed it towards the Anbu, “The poison those senbon are dipped in is quite potent. I highly doubt that any medical expert besides the Hokage would be able to create an antidote just based on what they extracted from the victim's blood.”

 

The Anbu lowered their guard slightly. The Anbu who had checked the pack Orochimaru was carrying was the first to speak, “Why in hell would you bring an explosive in here strapped to your back? Do you have a death wish or something you damned fool?”

 

“Far from it,” Orochimaru said as a grin split his face once again, “I brought it as a bartering chip to use with your Mizukage. It wouldn't be wise to show up with nothing to offer the man, now would it? I'd like to get on with meeting him if you don't mind.”

 

The same Anbu member snatched the pack up off the ground, “Fine. But I'll be taking this explosive with me. You're not getting you damn bloody hands anywhere near it. Follow me.”

 

The Anbu team surrounded Orochimaru and took off, leading him in the direction of the Mizukage's office. They sped over the rooftops towards the center of the Village where a Blue tower could be seen sticking up in the middle of a large area of low lying buildings. A few minutes later they arrived at the entrance and walked into the reception area. The Chuunin who was sitting behind the desk looked up at Orochimaru with trepidation on his face, “The Mizukage is available to see you right away Orochimaru-san. I must warn you that he isn't all that happy to have to meet with you though.”

 

“Very few people are,” Orochimaru remarked as he strolled up the stairs with the Anbu team close on his heals. Walking slowly up the stairs Orochimaru did his best to keep the Anbu on edge by allowing his chakra to remain only partially suppressed. He enjoyed watching them squirm while they were supposedly under the pretext of guarding against his actions. `As if any of these weaklings could really give me a challenge,' Orochimaru thought as he stared down another Anbu, `They don't even realize that I still have the Kusanagi on me. It's easy enough to summon it from my mouth after all.'

 

The door opened on the Mizukage's office to reveal a very irritated Kiriken glaring at Orochimaru, “What the hell do you want? This had better be worth my time or else I'm just gonna send you right back out the door.”

 

“I have a proposition to make Mizukage-sama,” Orochimaru said as he took a seat across from Kiriken, “One that will benefit both of our villages, although you won't walk away empty handed if you are willing to at least hear me out.” Orochimaru motioned for the Anbu to set down his pack, “Mind setting that down between Mizukage-sama and I so that I can show him what I have to offer?”

 

Kiriken stared down at the electronic device that was put in front of him. I looked at the computer screen and the number pad beside it before he stared Orochimaru in the eye, “I take it that this is a duplicate of the device that was used to obliterate the Grass forces during the Rock invasion?”

 

“You always did have a keen eye for observation Kiriken-san,” Orochimaru said grinning, “The schematics for the devices was part of the bargain for allying myself with the Rock for the invasion of Grass. I no longer have any interest on the going-ons of that region and would like to help resolve the little…`disagreement' between yourself and Kumo. Frankly, Kumo cut off all trade to my village in terms of necessary ores and I'm rather annoyed. I'm giving you this explosive as a gesture of good will and potential use in your conflict. Also I'd like to reestablish a trade agreement with your village for the very ore that Kumo has refused to trade to my village. What do you say?”

 

Kiriken took a close look at the explosive device. It seemed relatively straightforward to use but it disturbed him to think that it was Rock who had enticed Orochimaru, not the other way around. `He isn't called the `Snake-Sannin' for nothing. I find it very hard to believe that Rock manipulated him into acting for their interests and not the other way around. I'm trying to convince that fool Tatsumaki to have a peace talk with me, not utterly destroy him. Still this will give me an excellent opportunity to study how this device actually works, maybe even giving me a chance to figure out how to disarm one used against my village. I think a limited trade agreement would suffice if it will mean getting my hands on this device.'

 

Kiriken decided to let Orochimaru stew for a few more minutes before he gave his answer, “Alright, you've got a deal. But I want the blueprints for the explosive as well otherwise you're not getting any of our ore. It's limited enough as things are with the conflict between Kumo and my village. Do we have a deal?”

 

Orochimaru sighed, “I figured that would be the case. The blueprints are on a scroll tucked inside the bag I brought the explosive in on. They're surprisingly simple as long as you follow them to their exact specifications. Otherwise you'll end up with a dud. I tried experimenting with the schematics that Rock gave me but to no avail.” Orochimaru leaned in conspiratorially, “Just so you know, if you need assistance in handling Kumo the Sound will be willing to help if you offer us the proper incentive.”

 

Kiriken shook his head, “That isn't likely to happen just so you know.”

 

Orochimaru just grinned, “Fine, fine, then I guess it's on to the trade agreement.”

 

 

 

When Orochimaru left the Mizukage office an hour later a huge grin was splitting his face. Everything had gone according to plan. He had planted the seed of doubt in Kiriken's mind and had left a vicious surprise behind for their village. The original explosive he had left behind was linked to a remote detonation device that was in his own war room. The blueprints that he had left for the creation of his explosives explained them perfectly, but allowed Orochimaru to have two advantages of the Mizu: the blueprints were designed with a sensor that would cause the explosive to detonate if the proper sound frequency was used. Also they didn't clearly explain how to disarm one of the explosives manually without the use of the keypad and number code.

 

`That went perfectly,' Orochimaru thought as he sped through the trees, heading for his own Village, `I have the ore I need along with another piece in place to set up the Mist for destruction. It's only a matter of time before their usefulness in distracting Kumo runs out. Then Mizu is mine, along with every jutsu that they posses.'

 

Orochimaru began to go over the plan that he had in his mind. The Akatsuki were definitely going to be a wrinkle that would need to be ironed out. How, he wasn't sure but they could easily become a problem in the future. He knew that Konoha needed to be isolated from Suna in order for his success rate to dramatically increase when the time came to deal with Konoha. `Ah there is so much for me to do. A divide between Konoha and Suna is unlikely, especially with the bonds as strong as they are between the current Kazekage and Tsunade. Hmm, that's going to be a difficult situation to judge, especially since they are so close to each other. I suppose I'll just have to see what fate deals my way for now.'

 

 

The Konoha Library - 7 Days untilthe Gennin Graduation Test

 

“Alright Mikomi,” Sakura said as she dropped a massive stack of books in front of Mikomi who had been waiting patiently in a corner away from the other people, “Hinata and I have to cram the basic knowledge that you're gonna find in all of these books into your skull in a week.” Sakura pulled the first few books off the top and laid them out in front of Mikomi, “Alright now, do you think that you'd be able to passably explain the basics of chakra control if you were asked to do so on a test? Please have a flip through these five books and then pick the book that is closest to describing your level of understanding.”

 

Mikomi decided to start off by taking a look at the book entitled `The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chakra and Chakra Control' and began to flip through it. The book turned out to be more pictures and diagrams rather than truly in depth explanation. Some of the terms used to describe chakra really cracked her up, `Start by separating your energies in your mind to Body A and Body B. Then to attempt to mould chakra, smash the two together in you mind and image the resulting energy flowing through you. Oh and try and make sure that they are equal the first times you try otherwise it will be like the giant smashing the bug to death.'

 

Tossing the book aside Mikomi began to flip through the others: `Chakra Control and You - How to Get the Most out of What You Got,' `Basic Chakra Control and Manipulation,' `Tips and Tricks to Build Your Chakra Stamina and Control,' and finally, `Advanced Chakra Control and Manipulation - Going Beyond Gennin.'

 

“Some of these books describe control in a far easier way than I would have though of it,” Mikomi admitted as she flipped through the `Advanced Chakra Control' book, “Although I have to admit that I'm finding that I understand most of the concepts in these books already. I guess whoever trained me really drilled control into me or something. I guess I didn't have much when I first started off.”

 

Hinata smiled at the stack of books. Mikomi had already cut them in half by having a good understanding of what chakra control was all about. Hinata smiled and pulled the next book off the top of the pile entitled, `The Way of the Shinobi - Konoha's Ninja Rules,' “This book is one that you're going to have to do your best to memorized Mikomi. A lot of the rules are rather simple and to the point but you also have to memorize what number the rule is. That's the difficult part. Just remember one thing before you read the book: these rules are necessary for the test but not all of them should be followed. The rule that you must put the mission over your teammates for example, shouldn't be followed. A phrase our Yondaime Hokage used a lot was, `Those who break the rules are trash. Those who abandon their teammates are even worse than trash.' Don't let yourself start to believe that you need to put a mission over the lives of your own teammates.”

 

Flipping open the first page Mikomi saw rule number one written across the top of the page and a brief explanation for why the rule was in place. Mikomi sweat-dropped, `this is going to be a looooong week.'

 

 

Konoha Training Ground # 37 - 5 Days Later

 

Relief had flooded through Mikomi earlier that day when she had been told by Hinata and Sakura that her knowledge on the Ninja Rules and Konoha's history was sufficient to at least pass the written portion of the Gennin test. Mikomi began to stretch and limber up at the edge of the training grounds with Hinata and Sakura, eager to do a little bit of actual physical training. Books were just to plain. Mikomi felt a lot more at home learning how to fight by example rather having to `use her cognitive faculties' as Sakura had suggested. When it came time to review the basic jutsu the academy tested for Sakura had tried to teach Mikomi how to perform a Bunshin Jutsu from one of the academy textbooks. Needless to say, Mikomi hadn't even been able to get a Bunshin to take shape. All that had happened was a minor detonation of chakra that knocked all three of them off their feet.

 

“Okay. Here we go Mikomi,” Sakura said as she glared at Mikomi, “Please watch closely. I really don't feel like getting blasted off my feet by that…whatever it is that you did. To start with you make the ram seal and concentrate you chakra throughout your body, using the ram seal as a focal point. Then you have to imagine what you look like in your mind and split it and make your chakra take that image. Once your chakra has that image inside your body expel it to make a basic, illusionary clone of yourself. Now watch.”

 

Mikomi watched as closely as Sakura began to move very slowly through the steps that she had just described. Sakura gathered her chakra and made a perfect clone of herself. “There. That's all there is to it.”

 

“You give a try now Mikomi-chan,” Hinata said as she activated her Byakugan, “I'll try and see what you're doing wrong with my Byakugan.

 

Setting herself, Mikomi formed the ram seal and prepared to try again. She gathered her chakra inside herself and made the mental image in her mind just as Sakura had described. She focused on transforming her chakra to look just like she did as if she was trying to perform a Henge of herself. Then Mikomi split the images in her mind into three and expelled the chakra she had gathered in a burst of energy, “Haaaaaaaaah!”

 

Two far larger chakra detonations took place in the clearing.

 

When the smoke cleared you could see a very dazed trio sprawled out on the ground. Mikomi sat up red-faced and looked at Hinata as she shook herself off, “Eh he, I guess that didn't work out too well did it Hinata? Did you figure out what I was doing wrong? `Cause I really don't want to knock my examiners silly with what I'm doing now.”

 

Shaking her head to clear the ringing in her ears Hinata tried to keep her vision from swimming, “Ugh. If nothing else you may have developed a rather interesting attack to stun a target.” When she felt her disorientation pass, Hinata got to her feet, “Well, from what I saw you did the first steps that Sakura described to you perfectly. The chakra was evenly spread out and but concentrated on the ram seal. However, when you went to release the technique your chakra completely destabilized, resulting in that explosion.” A contemplative look passed of Hinata's face before she looked Mikomi up and down, “Do you ever remember using a technique that required more control that chakra to power it Mikomi?”

 

Mikomi shook her head, “Not that I can remember. I know that my Futon and Raiton Jutsus require a moderate amount of control. They came easier than others to me. I guess that's `cause I've got a connection to those elements or something.”

 

“Well, from what I could see,” Hinata began, “it seems as if you have very little control over your own chakra once it's outside of your body. Maybe you are incapable of stabilizing your own chakra outside your body. That would explain the jutsu affinity a little bit because you start the chakra development for both Futon and Raiton jutsu occurs almost entirely inside your body. Try again, but this time try to picture your chakra spinning and flowing to help your Bunshin keep its shape.”

 

Once again Mikomi gathered the chakra and repeated the steps that Sakura had taught her, this time adding a spin to her chakra. It didn't change the results much. This time instead of just being blown back from the explosion of chakra the three of them were picked up and sent spinning head over heels.

 

Sakura got up and tried her best to make her way over to Hinata in a straight line, “That was a total failure Hinata. Got any other bright ideas that we should be trying? Cause many more like that and I think I'm going to be sick.”

 

Mikomi just got up easily and jogged over to the two of them, “It's not that bad is it? Sure the explosion gives ya shell shock for a second but it doesn't seem to disorient me the way it's doing to you two.”

 

“Yeah, well the two of us don't have healing chakra constantly being emitted into our bodies. We have to try and recover our senses without any help.” Sakura gave a laugh when Mikomi frowned, “Don't worry about it. You should be thanking your lucky stars that you have that chakra. I'd image that it would be rather handy.”

 

Hinata squared herself before she marched a good distance away from Mikomi, “Sakura get over here. I guess all that we have left to do is have you try again and again until we can correct your mistakes.”

 

For the next two days excluding meal times you could hear what sounded like a mantra coming from Training Ground # 37. Advices was given by Hinata and Sakura who stood at the far end of the clearing while Mikomi continued to create explosions.

 

Boom!

 

“Again, this time try it with less chakra.”

 

Puff!

 

“Again, this time try and add a little more. Think about the image you want to project.”

 

Unfortunately for Mikomi, every single try, every single attempt ended in a complete disaster. The chakra simply refused to materialize into the illusion that a normal Bunshin would give off. By the end of the first day Mikomi had started to feel the same disorientation that Sakura and Hinata had been experiencing when they were struck by the exploding chakra. As the end of the second day rolled around, Mikomi thought that she was going to be sick.

 

After another failed attempt sent Mikomi to the ground once again she gave shout of exasperation, “GOD DAMMIT ALL! Grrrrr, Hinata, Sakura, I just cant do a Bunshin. I can't do it at all. Do you think that Hokage-sama would write me a note explaining to the Gennin examiners that I can't do it at all so I could do a different test?”

 

 

Outside Orochimaru's Chambers

 

A feeling of dread hung over the Chuunin that Kabuto had sent to report the results of the search for Mikomi. Since the results were a total failure - to the point where a four man team was found dead in the woods to the west of Sasuke's fight with Itachi - he knew from experience that he wasn't going to get a good reception. Steeling his nerves, the Chuunin knocked on the door that led to Orochimaru's `Throne Room.' When there was no answer the Chuunin knocked even louder. After knocking a third time a voice finally sounded from inside the chamber.

 

“What the hell do you want? I thought I had made it very clear that I wasn't to be disturbed unless a report on the search for Mikomi came in. You better be reporting about the search or you're going to be used in my next experiment!”

 

The Chuunin breathed a sigh of relief that Orochimaru wasn't going to kill him for reporting on the search for Mikomi when he responded, “Y-yes Orochimaru-sama. I've come with the progress report in regards to the search for Mikomi. May I enter and tell you directly?”

 

“Get in here and tell me then you damn fool!” Orochimaru shouted.

 

Quick as a flash, the Chuunin slipped inside the room to deliver his report to a pacing. Bowing, the Chuunin crossed his fingers that he made it out of this report in one piece, “Orochimaru-sama, the news isn't all that good. Of the four teams that were sent out to search for Mikomi only three returned. The fourth seems to have chased her in the direction of Konoha and were apparently ambushed just outside one of the villages on the way. There is only suspicion at the moment, but we suspect that Konoha now has their hands on Mikomi. Another team has been organized to try and infiltrate Konoha again and verify whether or not she is located there.”

 

When Orochimaru stopped in his tracks and turned his anger filled face towards him, the Chuunin nearly wet himself. `Oh shit, I'm gonna die,' was the panic thought that flew through the Chuunin's mind.

 

The Chuunin's heart nearly stopped when a wide smile spread across Orochimaru's face, “This may be an opportunity in disguise. I'm sure that little brat fled the second that Sasuke died as he seemed to be the only anchor that was restraining her from fleeing earlier. I'm guessing that she will tell Tsunade about my plans in exchange for asylum. That will only breed further dissention and mistrust if I try and strengthen my story in Mizu and create one in Kumo. Kukuku, and since she has the collar on we can easily…persuade her to come and rejoin us.”

 

Relief was flooding through the Chuunin. He wasn't go to die or even get punished it seemed. He thanked his lucky stars that Orochimaru had decided that it didn't really matter that the search parties had failed. Then the smile left Orochimaru's face, “What are you doing just standing there? Get the hell out right now!”

 

Konoha Academy

 

To say that Mikomi was nervous would have been like saying that Itachi was a weakling. She was positively quaking in her boots at the prospect of being in a classroom with so many other people all around her. It didn't help matters much that she had to carry around a doctor's note for the examiners that was signed by the Hokage telling them she physically couldn't perform a Bunshin. Letting out a deep sigh, Mikomi tried to gather her wits as Hinata led her across the Academy grounds towards the classrooms. Clenching her hands into fists, Mikomi tried to suppress the shakes that were going through her body.

 

“Hey, Hinata, who should I be giving this doctor's note to before I take the exam?” Mikomi asked with a pained look on her face, “I hope that the guy's nice.”

 

Hinata gave Mikomi a warm smile, “I'm sure you'll like him. His name is Umino Iruka, a Chuunin like myself. He's very kind and I have no doubt that he'll help you out as much as he can. He isn't the sort of person to just ignore a doctor's note, especially one signed by the Hokage herself.” Relief passed through Mikomi for a moment before thoughts of a crowded classroom filled her mind once again, “Iruka will be working with an assistant by the name of Nara Shikamaru. He's in charge of the written test. Don't be deceived by his laziness. He's really quite sharp.”

 

Nodding, Mikomi pushed open the front doors of the Academy only to recoil at the sight before her. There were tons of people packed into the hallway waiting for the room for the Gennin tests to open up. When Hinata gave Mikomi a little push to get her through the doorway Mikomi immediately pushed herself against the wall before give Hinata an uncomfortable look.

 

“Hinata, uh, do I really have to get through here?” Mikomi said as she motioned to the group of students with her head, “I really don't feel too comfortable. I'm mean, sparing is one thing but this just doesn't sit well with me. Can I…”

 

Mikomi just trailed off when Hinata shook her head, “I'm afraid not Mikomi. Think of this as a training exercise. You might even be even shyer that I was, although it may have a connection to what you've forgotten. I used to stutter and hide myself all the time but I have worked really hard to overcome that to prove that I can become a better person. All you need is…the proper motivation. Come on. Just close your eyes and I'll lead you through them.”

 

Shutting her eyes as tight as she possibly could, Mikomi let Hinata lead her through the crowded hallway. Hinata almost laughed at the absurdness of the situation since they were drawing a lot of odd looks. Mikomi on the other hand felt as if her skin was going to jump up and crawl right off. She was constantly brushing up against people or bumping into them. Mikomi finally risked cracking her right eye open to see how far she was from the door to the classroom. To her dismay, all Mikomi saw when she opened her eye was the back of someone's head. In bemused fright, Mikomi noted that the person had a hairdo shaped like a pineapple. Then they stopped.

 

“Excuse me Shikamaru,” Hinata said to the pineapple haired guy, “Can I speak to you for a moment inside the testing room?”

 

“Eh?” Shikamaru said as he turned around to see Hinata leading a girl several inches taller than her towards the testing room, “so it's about her eh? Well, you came this far so you might as well come on in I guess.”

 

When a door slid open just to the left of where she was standing Mikomi sighed in relief and didn't hesitate to follow Shikamaru inside. Mikomi stood a little away from Shikamaru and just held out her note to him once they got inside. Shikamaru took the note away from Mikomi and started to read it as Hinata began to explain why she had brought Mikomi there, “This girl's name is Mikomi and she is the one who was recently added to the test list. She was…home schooled. The note explains everything but I just wanted to make sure that you don't give the Bunshin test to her for to the Ninjutsu portion of the exam. She physically is not capable of performing it.”

 

“Ugh, how troublesome,” Shikamaru said as he scratched his head, “I guess we can work around this. The Bunshin test was going to be worth exactly thirty-five point seven percent of the Ninjutsu test, same as the test's overall worth. Feh, I'll need you to show me what happens when you attempt a Bunshin first to ensure that this isn't a fake. I'll figure out what to do after that.”

 

Hinata left the room and turned Mikomi over to Shikamaru shortly after that. When all of the other students were called to come and take their seats Mikomi quickly secured the one closest to the windows right at the front of the room. She knew that everyone would want to sit near them but it was also the quickest way to escape if things turned ugly. She sat down and closed her eyes, trying her best to ignore all of the other students coming into the classroom.

 

Since Mikomi was doing her utmost to ignore everyone she completely missed all of the attentive stares that she was getting. Mikomi's height and scar drew their eyes to her like magnets - being a new face didn't help matters much either. Whispers were whipping around the classroom with most of them focusing on the new face in their midst. Mikomi finally caught what was going around the classroom when a guy behind her tapped her on her shoulder. Mikomi visibly flinched but turned around slightly as the guy whispered to her, “You're a new face. Could I get your name?”

 

“My name's Mikomi.”

 

“Alright everyone, listen up,” Iruka shouted as he entered the noisy classroom, “We're going to get cracking on the Gennin testing.” He paused as he noticed a lot of attention focused on the new girl in the classroom, “Looks like everyone noticed the new face here in the room. Well, if you want to get to know her it'll have to wait till after the tests, got it? We're gonna be starting with the written test first and it will be supervised by Shikamaru here. Then we've got the Shuriken throwing test I'll be supervising. The both of us will be supervising the taijutsu and Ninjutsu tests after the other two are finished.” Iruka saw a couple students roughhousing at the back of the room, “HEY YOU THREE! Cut that crap out, this is a test! Or do you want to fail right now?”

 

Shikamaru began to pass out the tests as he explained the rules, “Here's the written test. Don't turn them over till I tell you to start. You have one hour to complete the test once I tell you to start. I catch you cheating and you fail.” Shikamaru started heading back to the front of the room once he had handed out all of the papers, “Oh yeah and just so you know, I've worked out that this written test is worth twenty-six percent of your overall grade. Good luck. Now…Begin”

 

Mikomi flipped the paper over and looked at the first question: `What is Shinobi Rule # 33?' Mikomi sweat-dropped. `I have no idea how the hell I'm going to be passing this exam.'

 

 

A dreary look was worn on Mikomi face along with a few other students as they headed out to the shuriken practice grounds. The test had been rather brutal in some aspects but Mikomi was hoping that she would be able to scrape by with the explanation she gave on chakra. The fact that the question was so open-ended - `Give an Explanation on Chakra' - and that it was worth twenty out of the exam's sixty points may have pushed her just over the fifty percent margin. When they gathered outside Mikomi made sure to stay a few feet outside the group of students.

 

Iruka greeted the students when Shikamaru headed back inside to mark the tests, “This is how this test is going to go: I call your name and then you step up for your attempt. You get eight shuriken to try and hit the eight critical points on the human body. You can throw a minimum of two at a time. However, accuracy with a higher number of shuriken will give you a higher overall score, got it? Oh and Shikamaru also mentioned that this test is worth seventeen point eight percent of your overall grade for this examination.”

 

While Iruka quickly checked over the list of participants the group burst into chatter again. Iruka waved his hands as he tried to get the group to quiet down, “Hey, Hey, Hey! I'm starting the test now! Mikomi, you're up first.”

 

A murmur went through the group of students when Mikomi's family name wasn't announced.

 

“Alright Mikomi, step up to the line here. How many shuriken are you going to throw at a time? Two? Four?”

 

Mikomi just shook her head, “Nah Iruka-sensei, I'm gonna go for all eight.”

 

Iruka raised an eyebrow as he handed Mikomi her eight shuriken, “Are you sure? You do know that misses still have the same deductions from you score no matter how many you throw at a time?”

 

Nodding, Mikomi quietly slid the shuriken into her fingers and set her self to throw them. Iruka just sighed, `Great, she may have just ruined her chances. Wanting to prove yourself for being a new face is just stupid.'

 

Rearing back Mikomi let all eight of her shuriken fly at the same time. They arced across the thirty foot gap and thunked into the wooden dummy. Mikomi sighed as she looked at her results, “Damn, two of them are just off. I was able to get them most of the time in practice.” The class stared at the dummy in surprise. The two shuriken that Mikomi claimed were off target were only in the first line around the bulls-eye that was painted on the eight kill zones.

 

Iruka grinned, “Great job Mikomi. Well, Amari Rurin, you're up next.”

 

 

Shikamaru joined up with Iruka just as he was brining the group of students around to the marked off sparing ring. Everyone formed a ring around the roped off area and paid close attention to Iruka and Shikamaru as they stepped into the center. Iruka began to explain the next exercise, “Where going to be pairing you off for a quick sparing demonstration going in alphabetical order. Two at a time will enter the ring. There will be a minute for both in the ring to only defend or attack. After that there will be a quick three minute spar. Marks will be individually analyzed and marked according to the rubric that we've developed. This test is worth twenty point five percent of your total grade. Mikomi and Amari Rurin, please step into the ring. Decide between the two of you who will be on defense first.”

 

Mikomi rolled her shoulders as she hopped the rope. For some reason contact didn't bother her in a fight; in fact contact just felt natural to her. She bowed to Rurin, “Amari-san, if you would like I'll go on defense first.”

 

Rurin just smirked, “I'll take that but you're asking for it Mikomi. I won't hold back even though you are a girl.”

 

“I would feel insulted if you did Amari-san. Give me everything you've got.”

 

Iruka clipped Rurin's rubric on his clipboard while Shikamaru slid Mikomi's into place. Shikamaru raised his hand into the air Mikomi and Rurin slid into their taijutsu stances. Shikamaru recognized both of them, `I guess Mikomi knows the Iron Fist that Lee uses. Amari looks like he's using the Senken style. “Begin!”

 

Amari charged Mikomi rapidly off the start and pumped chakra into his arms before he unleashed a barrage of lightning fast punches up and down Mikomi's body. The fight seemed almost surreal to Mikomi. She could easily see and defend against every punch that Amari was throwing at her, as if she was used to far faster opponents. She just tucked that piece of information into the back of her mind as she blocked, ducked and weaved across the sparring ring.

 

Switching things up, Amari tried to leap into a rising kick only to find Mikomi's hands catching his foot, tripping him up. Mikomi had to restrain herself to keep from attacking Amari in such a vulnerable position so she just leapt away to give herself some room. Amari felt anger starting to rise at being humiliated so badly and kicked a section of loose dirt right at Mikomi's face. She snapped her arm up to block it but felt dirt enter her eyes despite her efforts. Sudden fear shot through her system for a second and she acted completely on instinct. Her hand shot out and caught one of the punches and spun to back of Rurin. The other punch only clipped her shoulder as she leapt away and wiped the dirt from her eyes.

 

“Time!” Iruka called before Rurin could attack again, “Mikomi it's your turn.”

 

`This is one exercise I know that I'm good at. I'd better make this count and use my full speed from the start.' Mikomi put on a burst of speed that put Rurin's opening charge to shame. She saw Rurin's guard slowly coming into place and ducked under it. Leaping up Mikomi put her elbow into Rurin's chin and her knee into his stomach lifting him right up off the ground. Flipping over Rurin's head, Mikomi snapped a flipping axe kick into the back of his head before landing and turning around to charge once again. She brought herself up short when he didn't get up.

 

Shikamaru sighed at the sight of the unconscious boy, “How troublesome. Mikomi, would you mind brining him over here? I'll call a Medic Nin to take care of him and any other injuries that might occur.”

 

 

Everyone was called back into the classroom to prepare for the last part of the Gennin Exam: the Ninjutsu test. The techniques that they were going to be tested on were posted beside an adjoining room where the test would be held. Mikomi tried her best to read what was posted by the door but couldn't see what was there because of how far away she was. Circling around to the outside of the group Mikomi finally sucked up her nerve and tried to repeat what Hinata had done to her that morning. She put her hands on the wall, closed her eyes and began to inch her way towards the listed techniques. Mikomi's back was as ridged as a two by four as she felt her back brushing against people constantly. After a few minutes of creeping her way along the wall, she felt the doorframe and looked up at the Jutsu list.

 

Jutsu Test

Henge Jutsu

Kawarmi Jutsu

Bunshin Jutsu

 

Mikomi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the other two jutsu that she was going to be tested on. She knew that she could perform the Kawarmi quite well and she was decent at performing a Henge. Plus she had the note which got her out of the Bunshin test as well. Just as she was starting to relax a little bit someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to stiffen and press herself against the wall once again. She glanced backwards only to get an eyeful of the crowded room and felt faint. Mikomi thought that she was actually going to pass out when Iruka and Shikamaru made their way through the crowd of students.

 

Iruka pushed his way to the door just off to Mikomi's right before he turned around once again, “Listen up, this is the last section of the Gennin exam. It's worth just over thirty-five percent so I want you to all do your best. For those of you who haven't seen the jutsu list we're going to be testing you on Henge, Kawarmi and Bunshin Jutsus. Now if you will all take your seats we'll begin calling you alphabetically once again.” Iruka noticed Shikamaru glance to their left and saw Mikomi pressed against the wall, “Well Mikomi, seems you're eager. You're up first so come on in.”

 

When they entered the little side room Mikomi saw all the leaf headbands laid out on the table in front of her. For some reason the display filled her with a little more confidence that she had felt before. Squaring herself, Mikomi stood before Shikamaru and Iruka as they sat down behind the desk.

 

Making a little notation on his rubric Shikamaru addressed Mikomi, “I want you to start off by doing a Henge of me. Then I want you to Kawarmi with that log over there in the corner. Before we come up with a substitute exercise for the Bunshin I want you to show us what happens first.”

 

Mikomi smacked her head at the news she was supposed to demonstrate her Bunshin anyways. With a shrug Mikomi performed a Henge of Shikamaru, remembering that he had switched his hip pack from his right leg to his left. She gave a slow turn to show them her work.

 

Shikamaru gave a lazy appraisal, “Good. You have to pay more attention to facial features and skin though, you've got them looking like a girls.”

 

With an embarrassed nod Mikomi quickly performed the Kawarmi as Iruka gently tossed a kunai at her. It embedded in the wood and Iruka dove for cover as three kunai shot back at his head from the corner where the log was placed. Mikomi gaped at her hands in surprise, “I'm sorry Iruka-sensei! I didn't expect you to actually throw a kunai at me and I kind of reacted on instinct.”

 

Sliding back up to his feet Iruka yanked the kunai out of the wall and handed them back to Mikomi, “We're not going to deduct points from you for that. It's what you're supposed to do anyway. I should have been paying more attention. Excellent work on the Kawarmi, you've got it down pat. Would you please demonstrate your Bunshin for us? It's just to verify Hokage-sama's letter before we give you a different test.”

 

Almost every student sitting in the classroom jumped at the massive bang that knocked the door to the testing room partially off its hinges. Quite a few people got up to see what had happened. The sight that greeted them was rather hilarious: Mikomi was flat on her back with her head resting against the wall looking very irate, Shikamaru and Iruka were starting to upright their desk and the Konoha headbands had been thrown all over the room.

 

A furious Mikomi jumped to her feet, “That's why I got the doctor's note in the first place! I PHYSICALLY CAN'T PERFORM A BUNSHIN!” As laughter at that statement filled the classroom Mikomi stormed over, forced the hanging door upright and slammed it shut.

 

Looking at the scattered headbands Shikamaru grumbled, “How troublesome. Feh, what test do you want to give Mikomi instead Iruka?”

 

Iruka leaned back in his now upright chair and stared at the ceiling for a moment, “Alright, just show us an elemental jutsu of your choosing I guess. Aim it out the window towards the training dummies.” Iruka almost felt ashamed for giving an unknown Gennin applicant such a difficult test.

 

Mikomi smiled at the test she was given. After all, she did happen to know four elemental jutsu. Iruka and Shikamaru watched with interest as Mikomi threw the window open and flew through twenty-one familiar seals, “Raiton: Lightning Strike Jutsu!” The attack was quite a shock to see. The bolt of lightning itself was massive, blowing the training dummy apart and a group of Academy students heading for the practice dummies witnessed the attack along with Iruka and Shikamaru.

 

The Academy Students outside began to applaud at the demonstration as all of the Chuunin teachers except Shikamaru stared dumbfounded at the kid who had just unleashed the attack. Mikomi just turned and faced Iruka with a massive grin on her face.

 

“So, how'd I do?”

 

Iruka only sweat dropped, `And here I was thinking that I was giving an unfair test! That was definitely more than I expected.' He picked up a Hitae-ate and tossed it over to Mikomi, “Great Job Mikomi, you pass. I would recommend that you brush up on your knowledge a bit though. You failed the written portion, although you did have the best explanation on chakra out of the entire class.”

 

With a sigh, Shikamaru handed Mikomi a note, “I was told by Tsunade-sama that you were to get this note if you passed the Gennin placement tests. That's it, you can leave now. Just be sure to be here tomorrow for the team placement.”

 

Tearing open the letter Mikomi quickly scanned it, “Uh, this note is telling me to report to Training Ground number eight tomorrow at eight in the morning. Apparently Hokage-sama wants me to act as a replacement team member for Team Eight since Hinata became Hokage-sama's assistant. I don't think I'm not part of the team placement.”

 

“How troublesome,” Shikamaru said as he looked down at the list of students. There were still twenty nine students left to test.

 

 

Konoha Training Ground # 8- 8:00 am

 

Mikomi was a nervous wreck that morning. She had been up and pacing around her room at six in the morning and then begged Hinata to take her out to the grounds at seven. Things had only gone downhill from there. She had started by trying to pass the time by pacing again but found that she didn't help calm her at all. She had tried to juggle rocks while she paced only to end up crushing them using the strength that she had re-learnt from Sakura. She had tried pushups, meditation and even tree climbing using chakra that had left Hinata gaping. Nothing had helped dispel the butterflies in her stomach. By the time Yuhi Kurenai showed up at the training grounds at exactly eight o'clock Mikomi still felt as if her stomach was trying to do a nose-dive off a cliff.

 

Kurenai gave Mikomi a once over as she came onto the training grounds, “So you're Mikomi eh? Looks like you passed the first step of the Gennin examination.”

 

“What?” Mikomi burst out at this news, “I thought that test meant that I was a qualified Gennin? What other part is there to the exam?”

 

Shino gave a slight nod and Kiba smirked, “Hehe, course there's another part to the exam. Three of us all took it in order to keep Kurenai-sensei as our sensei in the first place. So, what kinda test are we gonna give the newbie Kurenai-sensei?”

“You and Shino are part of the test as well you know,” Kurenai said, almost laughing at the incredulous expression on Kiba's face, “You really didn't think that you were going to get out of it that easy, did you? Anyway, your task is simple: you have four hours to find me and steal the flag on my waist. I'll be hiding within the forested section of training ground eight. That's it.” Kurenai set two alarm clocks down on a nearby rock, “The exercise will begin in five minutes when the first clock sounds and end when the second alarm goes off.” With the exercise explained to the group Kurenai disappeared into the woods.

 

Still feeling a little frustrated at having to go through this crazy test again Kiba decided to get things off to a quick start, “Hey Mikomi, Shino and I have worked together with Hinata-chan for a while but not with you. This exercise is obviously about teamwork so we gotta know what sorta stuff you're good at. Me and Shino both are excellent trackers. Shino fights using his family's jutsu, attacking with his kikai bugs to sap the chakra from an enemy. I use my family's animal based jutsu as well, tag teaming enemies with Akamaru using the Man Beast Clone. Now you tell us what you can do Mikomi.”

 

So caught up in Kiba's speech Mikomi failed to notice how close he was to her as she began to tell them what she knew she could do, “I've kinda concentrated mainly on Taijutsu. I'm really good at that and I know two styles that I can mesh together. One of them is called Iron Fist and the other is the same style that Hokage-sama uses. For Nin-“

 

“Holy shit, you know Tsunade-sama's crazy ass strength? Hell yeah, we got us a serious powerhouse! Man, it's always the girls who learn that strength stuff.”

 

Mikomi blinked at Kiba's outburst and finally realized how close together the two of them were. She let out a gasp and jumped back, “I really don't like being too close to other people Kiba, and I mean anyone. I can remember four Ninjutsu, three Raiton and one Futon. There all pretty powerful and I can keep using them all the time.”

 

Kiba looked a little confused at Mikomi's last statement, “What the heck do you mean `I can remember four Ninjutsu?' You mean you only know four of them or what?”

 

Mikomi stared at the ground as she tried to explain what was going on, “I don't know if you've been told yet but I apparently have a rather severe case of amnesia. I've only been able to recall basic functions and speech, along with how to fight. That and feelings such as the fact that even without knowing who they are I hate the Village Hidden in Sound. I think certain events stimulate my memories `cause I learned how to use Tsunade-sama's strength from Sakura in roughly five hours.”

 

“She can't remember her past Kiba,” Shino said when Kiba looked confused at Mikomi's answer. Kiba just shrugged.

 

Then the first alarm clock went off.

 

Taking charge, Kiba started to get things moving, “Mikomi we'll need you to stay fresh for when we catch up to Kurenai-sensei since you're not a tracker. Shino, Akamaru, let's find her scent!” Kiba and Akamaru put their noses to the ground starting from where Kurenai jumped into the trees while Shino let his bugs fly off in every direction.

 

“She's surrounded us with a Genjutsu,” Shino calmly said as he looked intently out at the forest, “My bugs just turn around and head straight back to me.”

 

“Aw come on!” Kiba complained as he suddenly realized that he too had turned right back into the clearing, “Kurenai-sensei didn't pull this sort a thing on us last time. I suck at dispelling Genjutsu. Hey Mikomi, you know how to do that sort a thing?”

 

Mikomi grinned as sudden inspiration hit her, `I guess certain situations do trigger my memories `cause I'm sure I didn't know how to do this before Kurenai surrounded us in a Genjutsu.' Slapping her hands together in a ram seal Mikomi looked straight at Kiba, “Thanks for giving my memory a kick start with that question Kiba. KAI!” Mikomi let loose a surge of chakra that caused Shino's eyebrow's to shoot into his hairline, Akamaru to let out a couple of barks and Kiba to start shouting.

 

“Damn you're packing a lot of chakra there Mikomi. The last time I felt a chakra that big from someone your age was from Uzumaki Naruto. We got us another stamina freak here!”

 

Kurenai felt her Genjutsu get dispelled and knew that the chase was on, `I wonder what else you know how to do Mikomi? Maybe I'll be able to jog your memory a little bit. Either way this is an excellent exercise for Shino and Kiba.' She spun away and ran away from her students, weaving through the traps that she had spent several hours this morning making. `Let's see if you can find the path that will take you right to me.'

 

Shino had sent his bugs out ahead while Kiba and Akamaru led the way via Kurenai's scent. They had only traveled for about a minute through the woods when Mikomi felt that something was off. Her feelings were confirmed when Shino threw his arm out in front of Kiba to stop him.

 

“Traps,” Shino said quietly, “Lots of them. My Bugs will let us know where they are.” Mikomi and Kiba were forced to wait for several minutes as Shino consulted with his bugs on the location of the traps, “They spread out a distance either way.” Following his bugs, Shino made his way to a wire trap and pointed at it.

 

“That's the easiest trap to bypass huh,” Kiba said as he followed the crisscross of wires in the area, “I'll trigger it with my kunai.”

 

As Kiba reared back to throw his kunai a flash of recognition went through Mikomi's mind, “DON'T!” She grabbed Kiba's hand and pulled him off his feet, “You idiot! I recognize this trap. It's a variation of the four quadrant trap. Here, watch this.” Mikomi leapt into the branches of a tree just behind and to the left of them and cut some branches away. What was revealed was a scroll, “See? This baby is wired to go off with the other three. They would have tilted in the direction of the attack and pin-cushioned you. Get up here Kiba. I'll need a hand disarming this trap.”

 

Leaping up onto the branch Kiba waited patiently for Mikomi to tell him what to do, “I need you to hold the wire taught Kiba. Make sure it doesn't loosen up or we become pincushions.” Mikomi carefully cut the scroll away from the wire and tossed it down to Shino. She quickly pulled some wire from her own pack and sliced enough off to tie the wire back down to the branch. “That's all for this one. The others can be handled in the same way.” After a few moments work they were on the third one.

 

Kiba was holding the wire in place just fine…until he pulled it too tight. Mikomi saw the last scroll start to unravel and activate and acted on instinct once again. She pumped as much chakra as she could into her defense and tackled Kiba from the branch.

 

As if in slow motion, Kiba saw the last row in the wall of kunai strike Mikomi in her back, “MIKOMI!”

 

When the landed on the ground Kiba was shocked when Mikomi leapt off of him completely unharmed. She ran her hands down back and didn't even feel a cut in her clothing, “That's…awesome! Either my reinforcement technique is a hell of a lot stronger than I thought or else my clothes are like flexible body armor. Sweet!”

 

“If you can take a direct hit like that I'd hate to have to take you on using only Taijutsu Mikomi,” Kiba said with a faint laugh, “Rock Lee might be the only one who could hurt you with Taijutsu if that's the case.”

 

 

The chase for Kurenai and her flag was still on three and a half hours later but the three of them were finally catching up. It had been a vicious obstacle course of traps, Genjutsu and natural obstacles that the three had run through but their teamwork had helped them to prevail. Kiba had kept on Kurenai's trail by scent the whole time while Shino and his bugs had spotted the traps and other specific signs of travel. Mikomi turned out to have a wealth of knowledge on traps, disarming quite a few of them. When Kurenai's trail had crossed a set of rapids that ran through the edge of the training grounds all three of them helped to ensure their balance and safety as they crossed the river - without Mikomi flinching away from their touch quite as violently.

 

There was only fifteen minutes left in the exercise when the three of them finally caught sight of Kurenai at the edge of the clearing where they had started the wild goose chase. They slowed down to try and come up with a battle plan. Mikomi was the one to come up with a plan of action and whispered it to the others, “Shino, your bugs suck chakra right? Send them around behind Kurenai-sensei to flank her. I'm going to come out and attack her head on. Kiba, you and Akamaru do that clone thing of yours and attack from the sides to get the flag. Shino, if Kiba and Akamaru miss, you come out from behind me and take it. How's that sound?”

 

With nods of agreement from the two of them, Mikomi waited a minute for Shino to get his bugs in place and Kiba and Akamaru to split off to the side. Then she burst from her cover and charged Kurenai at full speed. The second that she left the cover of the woods Kurenai threw a minor Genjutsu over Mikomi. Quickly dispelling it in mid charge, Mikomi jumped and threw a downwards punch at Kurenai. Kurenai leapt back away from Mikomi only to receive the shock of her life. The ground had exploded into a crater at the epicenter of Mikomi's punch and had hurled chunks of earth straight into Kurenai's guard.

 

Kurenai glanced behind her to check on the wave of kikai bugs that she saw coming at her, `This make things a little more difficult,' Kurenai thought as she leapt straight up to dodge Kiba's Gatsuuga, `I did not anticipate Mikomi to have been taught Tsunade-sama's strength let alone have mastered it in so short a time.' When Kurenai looked down to see Mikomi giving Shino a boost right at her she tried to cast a Genjutsu on him. A chain of kikai bugs exploded from Shino's body in an attempt to at least capture Kurenai with them. Shino was lucky enough to catch Kurenai's right arm with his bugs as he flew past.

 

With her chakra and strength being drained slowly Kurenai tried to rip the bugs off. Kiba met Kurenai's fall with another Gatsuuga and this time he didn't miss. He was able to hit Kurenai with a glancing blow before she could perform a Kawarmi giving Mikomi just enough time to slip in and snatch the flag from her belt. Just as Kurenai had put a Genjutsu over Kiba and turned to get the flag back from Mikomi the shrill ring of an alarm clock rang in the clearing to signal the end of the exercise.

 

Using a quick pulse of chakra, Kurenai undid the Genjutsu that she had placed on Shino and Kiba and called them all together. While Kurenai was looking the group over Mikomi voiced the question that Shino and Kiba were thinking, “So, do we pass?”

 

Kurenai forced the three of them to squirm anxiously for a few minutes before she answered, “Yep, you all pass. Good job, the three of you can remain a Gennin team under me. Your teamwork was excellent and that is what allowed you to succeed. If you hadn't worked as a team you would have gone right back to the academy. That's right, even you two Kiba and Shino.”

 

Kiba's outraged cry echoed throughout all of Konoha when he found out that he had nearly been sent back to the academy, “WHAT? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!”