Lively Lake

[Miku]

Enter || Yes! I made it, but I wonder where my team is? A slight frown emerged on the young Kunoichi's face as she wondered just where did her two mist comrades disappear to. Slowing making her entrance to the destination that they were instructed to go to, she noticed the many other shinobi already waiting there for further commands. Interesting, there seems to be people missing. Honestly she was glad less people made it, that means less competition, but then again she was all by herself now, and that wasn't the original plan when she had joined these exams. Whatever. Standing there idly, she awaited for the second round of the exams to finally begin...

[|Ayame Unbound|]

Athena nestled against my neck as I looked around the area. I looked for the familiar faces of the Leaf ninja and my own ninja. My mind was still reeling from the last exam. I did a quick tally of my weaponry. Everything was in place and nothing was visible. I didn't know what this exam was but I was prepared. I was also prepared to shed my kimono and go down to my fighting gear if I needed to. I kept very alert for what might come. I would not be caught flat footed.

[Solus]

"Interesting offer, one I cannot refuse. One thing, however, to make an alliance you have to do one thing: don't talk to me like I'm important or achieved something noble. Fact of the matter is, I'm nothing more than your average decrepit old man." Solus chuckled. Interesting guy, it seemed that this Hyuuga had seen enough of life to see only futility in fame, trouble in being a legend and irritation in admiration. The Genmaster would take the extended hand and gently shake. "If that is all, I think this will be a most fruitful alliance. Minamoto Solus... No scrap that, call me Kazeraikou Hououza."

[/blockquote]

[Kyogi]

He had important things to purchase before the next round started.

/exit

[Kyogi]

[Clone Entrance]

Now that he had been freed from that terrible room he walked into the lively lake as Kyogi sat in his room watching everything and he would speak to his clone if needed. As the clone walked around he sat near himself in the last exam he hadn't made any friends and he didn't know if he wanted to be friends with these people. They hadn't done a thing to help save those around them. They only cared about these stupid exams. He would succeed in these and help those around him time would tell for the next piece. Now he waited, Kyogi had arrived.

[torankoku]

It seemed as if the exams were put to a halt for the time being. I looked around, seeing who is here and who isn't. Nodding, I fell asleep, thinking about the move that I never thought I would complete...

50|60

I made my way through the foliage, my blade in my hands as I hid behind one tall and thick trunk of tree. Using my eyes, I watched as ten people got out, and a lone mad walking out of the deep shadows that seemed to surround him. The ten rogues bowed to him; their knees and head touching the ground as they spoke with utmost respect, "My Lord, greetings" I watched with my eyes full of scorn and not a damn pity for any of them, "My Lord," one said, getting up, "The boy is troublesome. Already he can track us down and is ruthlessly killing our men. What should we do?" The man had scarlet red eyes, and oh yes, it was that infamous Sharingan as he eyed beyond the area. I gripped my blade, ready as he spoke with a calm voice that seemed to have merged with solid ice, "I don't think we will have a problem with that anymore. My friends, he is already here." The shockness hit them like a wave as I stepped out of the foliage and turned to them, my hood covered my face as I smiled , white optics gleaming in the darkness of my hood, I spoke, "Greetings 'my friends'."

They roared in anger, swarming towards me like a virus. I had to be careful not to reveal too much to the infamous sharingan as I decided on speed and speed alone. Dancing from one person to another, I pushed my way towards the sickly disease as one by one they fell by my blade. I danced as if I was doing it for years, showing my real enemy that I was quick indeed. The attacks that did manage to lay upon, however, all faded into toughness of my armor. I moved with the speed the gods gave me as I quickly sparkled with electricity, and quickly disappeared towards the tall man with scarlet eyes. Of course, he could follow me with those accursed eyes of his, for the man raised his hand against my blade, the crimson liquid trickling down the azure blade. He gripped the blade firmly, proceeding to remove it from me as my eyes saw it through; my hood covering my face as chakra surged through my body, leaping into my arms and traveling through the blade. Alas, there was electricity that burst out of the blade, but still the man held the blade firm. He smiled as he kicked me in the stomach, but I, thanks to the armor, held my ground as I kept the electricity running, blood seeping more through his hands. He would eventually have to fall back; he coughed blood as it spat on my armor. Finally, I let go one of my hands as it produced a thin metal dagger purged purely from my body as I quickly aimed to thrust it deep into his chest. Moving back fast and thus letting go of the blade, he retreated to the shadows as I watched him still. I decided to now end it once and for all but was disturbed by three shinobis that was clothed in black completely. If it was night time, they could surely blend right into it, merging with the shadows that was, oh ever so present. One ran at me, producing a sword that was as black as their clothes as one did quick hand seals, and the last one simply stood there, watching. Within moments I killed them all and all went black once more.

I sat there on the soft ground, cross-legged as my sword lay across my lap. Opening my eyes, I saw the four clones that were positioned in a way to trap me. Quickly summoning chakra, I pushed the immense energy down into the Gaea, asking for her assistance once more. At this time, two of the four clones moved to attack, their slim and built figure moving along with the winds. Their blades sharp and eager for blood, they slashed at me with such intent for murder. Their blades failed to touch my skin for all they touched was the Gaia's armor that clamped onto my body. I jumped into the air, spinning as I landed twenty meters away from the clones. Azure sword in my hands, I welcomed their adversity. The two clones rushed onward pass their comrades as one of the two quickly went through some hand seals. They must have forgotten my bloodline, for my eyes could see through their seals and I prepared myself for a wild ride. The clone would conjure up a mud wave as I quickly send electricity running through my blade. The first two clones rode the wave as I ran towards it. The first clone tried to interfere with my fast break with rocks and such, but as surely as the electricity surged throughout the lazuli blade, I cut them down. Running through the giant mud wave, I was met in close combat mode with the third clone. My body moved with such speed and grace given to me by the gods above.

My blade met theirs as theirs couldn't penetrate the Gaea's strong armor. In time, my victory would surely be grasped firmly in my hands as I ended the clone's life. Not stopping there, I moved swiftly past the decaying body to attack the fourth clone. The clone merely stood there, as if it had all the time in the world. Hand seals made before my very eyes, I too would do the same. Our mirror attacks cancelled out which was followed by a shushin from me. Coming up close behind the foolish and cocky clone, I stabbed him in the back as debris splattered all over the ground. I took my blade out as the clone fell to the ground; turning around, I met the two clones from before, the war is just beginning. Fifty meters apart, we moved towards the center of the field where we must dance once more and Death's cold and harsh judgment must decide who is to die here and now. I prayed to the gods above, my white optics following through their every move. I danced among the two clones, my earth armor proving its usefulness once more. Their words were like the hate of a snake; their hiss and their sneaky ways like a snake's venom. I hated it all, and wanted them to die a very painful death. Electricity sparkled through my right hand as I switched my blade over to the left. My hand cut through the body of the second clone; then I proceeded to spin around like a merry-go-round and use my blade to cut through the first clone. Standing erect, I looked around at the glory my victory and thanked the gods above and Mother Gaea.

I awoke.

[loyal]

+ten.

[Deleted]

{OOC- Please note I am only a spectator}

[Enter]

I walked into the area, coming upon a great lake with many people relaxing around it. It would appear that the information I had received was to be proven accurate, that this place was where the participants of the Chuunin Exams had gathered, seemingly on break. However with the amount of people present here for a multitude of purposes, it was quite difficult to break the normal apart from the shinobi.

It served me little purpose to stand around and gawk, so I decided to converse with someone nearby, and perhaps gain some information. I noticed one small group of people standing off near the lake, and decided to go join them. Perhaps they could help grant me information. With Rakurai riding upright upon my right shoulder and Makura coiled and lying around my body, resting but alert, I proceeded forwards, taking care not to offer any harmful intent, and instructing my companions to follow suit.

As I walked up to the group (Solus, Fish, and Kaeor), I smiled charmingly at them and spoke but a couple of brief words.

"Good afternoon gentlemen, I hope I find you well this day. I am trying to find out a little more information about the happenings here. Would anyone care to fill me in?"

[Solus]

Above in the tree a raven would start to 'sing'. Its raw barking would reach the eardrums of the Genmaster who would search fro the whereabouts of this notification. Immediately it became apparent why Ho had yelled. A boy would be encroaching on their position. "Good afternoon gentlemen, I hope I find you well this day. I am trying to find out a little more information about the happenings here. Would anyone care to fill me in?"

Solus would raise a single eyebrow for a second and contemplate on an answer. "Good afternoon indeed. It seems that you have stumbled into the site of the Chuunin exams. I haven't seen it earlier, so I take it that you've entered as a spectator..." His purple gaze would be locked on this boy, he had some strange antics about him. "A snake and a bird? Isn't that a very bad combination?" He already knew what the answer might be though, this boy had them under control.

No matter if it was through an enforcing hand or friendship, he kept them down. And that meant this guy would either be good with animals, or a fellow ninja. A headband seemed to indicate that this boy was from the Waterfall village. He hadn't heard much of the exploits of this village. Let's see who you are and what you want...

[/blockquote]

[Deleted]

A singular man turned to acknowledge me for the moment, and I took in his appearance in a moment, as well as the Raven sitting in the tree above him. Rakurai was tense, her talons gripping my shoulder through the leather with intensity as she sighted the opposing bird. Chittering to her for the briefest moment, I reached up and began stroking her back slowly. Slowly she calmed down, reassured by my words and touch.

"Good afternoon indeed. It seems that you have stumbled into the site of the Chuunin exams. I haven't seen it earlier, so I take it that you've entered as a spectator... A snake and a bird? Isn't that a very bad combination?"

"Oh? No, I would say they work quite well together actually. And from your prior statement it would seem that you are in fact a participant of these Exams. I assure you I have not 'stumbled' here, as it was completely intentional."

I paused for a moment, peering at the other two standing nearby. It would be reasonable logic to draw the conclusion that these two as well belonged within the exams, and it was quite possible that they were even a team together, noting their matching headbands. From the hidden village in the Leaf, if I was not mistaken. Very interesting.

"It does not appear that I have come during an active portion of the exams, or am I wrong? Would you care to tell me a bit about what has happened?"

[DeeDub]

"Ahh... Him"

Jiro said as he scanned the horizon. He spotted him and another Leaf ninja. The one who attacked after Jiro answered their question. Being that he was here and not on his way back to Leaf Village, he was continuing in the exams. Both Jiro and Toru had a history with Leaf. Being that their mission together pitted them against other leaf ninja made him wonder.

"You think he bears a grudge for what happened at that mansion?" He said turrning to face Toru.

[Molokai]

A grudge? Surely any leaf ninja that knew the situation might be upset, since they lost four of their own in one fell swoop, but there was no guarantee any of the leaf ninja present knew anything about it. However, the exact opposite could also be true. In any case, the safest bet was to go ahead with the assumption that they all knew of the event, but not whom perpetrated the event. A thorough investigation would reveal that a wood release user had been present for the battle, and currently Mist had only one shinobi capable of such feats. That shinobi was Toru himself.

Which meant, hypothetically, the leaf ninja could know that Toru was one of the shinobi who was at the mansion, and thus potentially have it out for him. Rather, they would have it out for him if he revealed his capability for wood techniques and tied it back to what they saw at the mansion. Since the mansion event was a long time ago, and not likely to be on the minds of the leaf ninja due to the stress of the exams, Toru felt that they wouldn't take notice. "All things considered, I doubt we'll have to worry about it unless it's somehow brought up. We should still keep on our toes around them, though."

[Solus]

"Oh? No, I would say they work quite well together actually. And from your prior statement it would seem that you are in fact a participant of these Exams. I assure you I have not 'stumbled' here, as it was completely intentional. It does not appear that I have come during an active portion of the exams, or am I wrong? Would you care to tell me a bit about what has happened?"

Solus merely nodded, he didn't feel much like talking about the first test to an 'outsider'. It had been interesting enough without people like this boy poking his nose in their business. In the background he noticed the Rain nin talking, it seemed that he was the subject of their conversation, as they looked at him. "We just had our first test, let just say that it has been... Enlightening... We are waiting now for the second test to start."

[Deleted]

In response to my curiosity, he merely nodded. Odd that he did not wish to share any information with me, but perhaps understandable if the exams were as taxing as I had heard they were supposed to be. His attention seemed to be drawn away from me, peering at some other people behind me for a moment before he spoke.

"We just had our first test, let just say that it has been... Enlightening... We are waiting now for the second test to start."

Simple, to the point, and completely vague and non-descriptive. Well, if he didn't want to talk about it, I wouldn't press the point. I took a moment to scan the horizon briefly, noting the scenery as well as the general locations of several others around the area. My gaze shifted back to this man in front of me, and rested upon his arm. A certain thing stood out to me immediately. The tattoo upon his arm, with two interlocked ravens. It was a seal, if I was not mistaken.

"I see that you are a summoner, correct?" I said, indicating the seal. "I have a contract with some clan summons myself. I don't suppose....

I paused, wondering if I should ask such a thing from a stranger. After spending a few moments thinking it over I decided that asking couldn't hurt.

"If its not too much of an imposition.... I have always wanted to be able to use a summoning seal." I looked towards his face to try and gauge a reaction. "Of course I would be happy to pay you well for your troubles."

[Solus]

"I see that you are a summoner, correct? I have a contract with some clan summons myself." Solus looked at his arm. His seal was clearly visible. Quickly he would push his sleeve down to conceal it again. "And what if I am? It's not something I shout off the roofs though."

"I don't suppose.... If its not too much of an imposition.... I have always wanted to be able to use a summoning seal. Of course I would be happy to pay you well for your troubles." The Genmaster rubbed his chin, as if he would be pondering on this request. "I see where you are going. What kind of summoning seals do you want? I am skilled at more than one seal. As for payment, what did you have in mind?"

[/blockquote]

[Deleted]

"And what if I am? It's not something I shout off the roofs though."

I nodded profusely. Definitely a good secret to have. After I spoke my hesitant piece, he rubbed his chin and responded.

"I see where you are going. What kind of summoning seals do you want? I am skilled at more than one seal. As for payment, what did you have in mind?"

More than one seal? I thought. Quite interesting. Could he be talking about.... That?... It couldn't hurt to ask...

"Well I was hoping to receive the mythical animal summoning seal, the one I saw on your arm. Actually, if possible I would like to get three of those seals, since I am already capable of summoning two families and am working towards a third. You mentioned other seals.... you wouldn't happen to be talking about the weapon summoning seal would you? I am a weapon specialist myself, and had wanted that one for a long time as well. Unfortunately I was not aware how to get it, until now."

I paused for a moment, waiting for his response, before suddenly remembering I had not spoken yet about payment.

"Oh of course, payment. I have money, if that's what interests you. I also happen to use quite the helpful poison derived from my friend's venom." I said, petting Makura's head gently. "I have many weapons with poison already applied, and some of the extract in a vile as well. All depends on what you are looking for in exchange."

[Solus]

"Well I was hoping to receive the mythical animal summoning seal, the one I saw on your arm. Actually, if possible I would like to get three of those seals, since I am already capable of summoning two families and am working towards a third. You mentioned other seals.... you wouldn't happen to be talking about the weapon summoning seal would you? I am a weapon specialist myself, and had wanted that one for a long time as well. Unfortunately I was not aware how to get it, until now. Oh of course, payment. I have money, if that's what interests you. I also happen to use quite the helpful poison derived from my friend's venom. I have many weapons with poison already applied, and some of the extract in a vile as well. All depends on what you are looking for in exchange."

Solus raised a single eyebrow, that was quite a lot of seals. "Yes, the weapon summoning seal, it is within my possibilities. On the Saisokufuins... I can only give you those that correspond with families you already have a link of blood with. I am sorry, but I am not a miracle worker. You are asking for quite a lot of seals, I warn you, when your body shows signs of not being able to handle it any more I will stop applying more seals. And the payment... Depends on how much you have, but I'd prefer to be payed in cash, store workers tend to react badly when I try to pay them with deadly poisons."

[/blockquote]

SPOILER: Click to show

How do you want to fit all that on your body? Check your sealist spec limits.

[Deleted]

"Hmm I see your point. Well how about this then. Lets do the weapon summoning seals now, and I will pay you 10,000 ryo for the pair. Once I sign a contract with the third summoning family, I will send word to you and we will meet again for. That way I can have time to study the effects it would have on my body. Does that sound fair?"

If he agreed I would indicate the locations where I wanted the seals when requested, one upon each palm of my two middle arms.

[Solus]

Very well, let's get this started in that case, shall we? However, 'pacta sunt servanda'. Give me 5,000 Ryo now, then I'll perform the seals and when they are working properly you give me the second 5,000 Ryo, bringing us to the full sum of 10,000 Ryo. Once the boy had handed over the first payment Solus would form handseals and hold out his first glowing hand. "Target area..." Once the Waterfall shinobi had presented his first hand the Sealist would continue and apply the second seal.

"See if they work." He would speak, and once the boy had tested this Solus would hold up his hand for the rest of the payment. "If you want to contact me again, send a messenger animal to me in Konoha -my name is Minamoto Solus- and then go to the Eastern entrance of the ancient temple in your country five days after sending the message. You will receive instructions there on where to go for a meeting, just a safety measure, mind you." Sitting down next to the tree in lotus seat Solus would start eating chocolate, he wanted to replenish the chakra he had lost quickly by resting a bit now he had the opportunity.

[/blockquote]

SPOILER: Click to show

2x
Bukifuin Ichitsuke (Weapon Seal Placement)
Rank: B
Skill: Fuinjutsu
Effect: Allows the user to place the Bukifuin (Weapon Seal) on someone.
Special: Tiger, Dragon, Rat, Boar, Snake, Ox, Bird, Tiger, Dog, Ram, Rat.
Drawback: Takes some time, must be precisely done, and consumes an A rank amount of chakra.
Description: The user completes a number of hand seals and slams their right palm onto an area of the body. Then the kanji symbol for weapon soon appears. The seal can be placed any where on the body, but is usually placed on the hands or arms. The seal becomes permanent, and can never be removed. Only two can be placed on the body. However having two does not double the amount of weapons that can be carried, it just allows one to summon twice as fast or two at a time.
Limit: Must be at least “C” Class.

[Deleted]

I liked the way this man did business. I handed over half of the money with a smile, and help out my hands as requested, staring in wonder at the glow emanating therein. As he prompted me to try them out I paused for a moment. I wasn't even sure how to do so really.

"I...I think I need to learn how to summon objects normally before I can do it by using this seal. However, I can see it in my flesh, and I by reading the kanji I can tell it is the correct seal you have applied. So here is the rest of the money."

I handed him the rest, and listened carefully to his instructions. I quickly memorized the details of his message even as he spoke it, and would remember it perfectly for the future. After that he sat down upon the ground and began eating chocolate. It appeared our conversation was over.

"Well thanks so much for your help, and I hope to see you work with you again soon."

I gave a small bow from the waist, and turned to leave. My original intentions of watching the exams were all but forgotten, entrapped as I was by power of this new tattoo upon me.

[Exit]

[10,000 ryo to Solus please]