Riko nodded earnestly, and reached into his gi. To Akura's surprise, he pulled out a small package from a pocket within the folds of the clothing. "I'd love to stay over, Akki." Riko said, with a smile. "Besides, it's not like Tatsuya cares." They walked up to Akura's room, and Riko too a look around.

Akura's bed was sidled up against the corner near her window, with a body-length mirror facing the side of the bed from the opposite wall. The room was mainly decorated in a dark red color that gave the room a feeling of granduer and wisdom, quite unlike the typical room of a Genin. Riko frowned as he observed the various items in her room: Pictures of people he had never seen (and had a feeling Akura never did either), useless decorative ornaments, and a dusty smell that gave the illusion of an older resident. This was Akura's room? He had never been in here before...

"Your room is... different." Riko commented. "It feels like you're not really living in it, like it's someone else's bedroom that you're borrowing.

Akura looked at Riko in surprise. "Is that what you think? I suppose so... Mother was the one who put everything in her, but she's been acting strange recently."

"How so?"

"She's been acting... ...normal."

"Oh."

Riko knew full well of Juuli's former habits, but had abstained from saying anything around Genonosuke or anyone else. Something else caught Riko's eye - The hint of a magazine peeking from beneath Akura's bed. "Hello..." he said, interested, and picked it up.

"Riko-kun! That's-"

Riko smiled as he realized he had the newest copy of Sailor June in his hands. "This is the one where Sailor August fights against Decembria, right?" Akura raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How did you know that?"

"Apart from the caption on the cover that says it? Eh, I read this manga occasionally."

Akura was surprised. "I've known you for a long time, Riko... I didn't know you read Sailor June." Riko shrugged. "I read a lot of things, including manga. Every now and then, I'll go into Genonosuke's room and read Mobile Suit Gun-Gun. Manga is an artform, in my opinion. A media that expresses story in both words and images, without the reality of the movie theatre. When I read a manga... I can almost imagine the scenarios being acted out, with voices and everything. It's that realistic, sometimes."

Riko put the manga down and mused for a moment. "Wouldn't it be something, Akki, if we could watch manga as it were as real as life?"

Akura thought on this. "That sounds interesting, Riko... But how?"

Riko smiled. "Well, you know those little flipbook things that they make for kids? Imagine something like that, but much longer and more fluid, and displayed on something like a theater screen. Inanimate drawings brought to life... Animated, if you will... 'Anime' sounds like a cool little name for it. Man, that sounds nice. But it's a silly dream in the wind, unfortunately."

Akura smiled. "I don't think it's silly... It's good to think about your dreams, and your wishes. And this particular dream sounds pretty good. Maybe one day... we can make that dream come true?"

Riko thought, with a delighted expression on his face. "Yeah... Maybe one day..." By this time, they were both sitting on Akura's bed. Both began to yawn at the same time, and as they talked, their eyes drooped, and eventually...

Juuli smiled as she looked into the room. Akura and Riko had their legs draped over the side of the bed, and Riko was laying on his side, with Akura slumped over him. It was a cute sight. She looked at the unused sleeping bag on the floor. "Hee... Don't let me down, Riko. For the sake of my daughter... I want to see the day the two of you get married. I want the two of you to live that long... So Riko, please..." She picked up the sleeping bag to place it in the wash.

OOC: Wow. 400 posts. 3rd largest on the front page. o.o

xxxx

Juuli sighed as she stared out the window, gazing at the starry night sky. Reiki was sleeping behind her on the couch, and Riko and Akura were sleeping together like little children...

The woman sighed as she rubbed her eyes. She was feeling a bit better than she had in recent years...but there was still a gaping hole left...a hole shaped like Genki.

Another sigh. The woman decided to go ahead and sleep.

xxxx

Genonosuke sat on his bed, Chakentetsu in his lap. The wooden sheath was very cool to the touch...and the hilt was equally comfortable to his hands. He had already gotten back into the groove with his longer blade...as a matter of fact, the longer reach was more of a boon to him. Along with his ability to use chakra-based attacks, ala Goukamaru's Chaketsu...

One kick-ass blade, thought Genonosuke with a smirk.

"Having trouble sleeping?"

Geno looked up to see Hyuu standing in front of his bedroom door, his eyes looking narrow and weary. "I've got a feeling in my bones...something's going to happen soon."

"Yep. I feel it too," replied Geno as he slid Chakentetsu out, looking at its silvery shine. "And all I know is that I'll be ready for it."

"I'm sure you will," remarked Hyuu as he turned to leave...and paused. A small booklet of sorts was sitting near Geno's bed. What's this?

Geno watched his friend pick up, commenting, "It's Mobile Suit Gun-Gun."

"You mean manga?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"We never had manga in Kirigakure."

"Oh DUDE. You've been missing out."

Hyuu blanched at the sight of Geno pulling out 15 volumes. He went to work reading them.

By the time Hyuu finished volume 3, Geno was asleep on the bed.

By the time Hyuu finished volume 7, he fell to sleep on the floor.

xxxx

Izzy put down Icha Icha Tactics. He had read the entire book.

And oddly enough, he was feeling frightened. What if I screw up somehow? What if I only drive her away?

The Genin scratched his reddish-brown hair irritably. He had never been the most successful ninja at the academy...he had started at the age of 8 like almost everyone else (some started at 7...but he also heard of some dedicated children who started at an even younger age). His grades weren't that good at first...he had been held back twice because of poor showings at the final exam. That's why he was 14...two years older than everyone else in the squad. Out of all Special Squad One members - leader included - only Hyuu and Hiroto were older than him.

A sigh. "Man...I'll just let it flow. What happens will happen..."

He went to sleep.

xxxx

Kai looked at the huge slab of meat he had bought, roasting on a stake over an open fire. He was sitting in his backyard, staring at the fire.

Daio had already gone to sleep; he was the only one left awake.

The hanyou grumbled as he thought of all the stares he had received that day...and throughout the previous days...it had hurt...but he was grateful for his sister. Without her, he probably would've become a recluse by now, afraid to show his face.

Eh, even if it's only sympathy...it's good sympathy. Shiake Kai pulled the fully cooked slab of meat off of the stake and started eating it. An ironic thought crossed his mind; he could eat with his hands now...after all, his hands were too big for utensils. HA!

xxxx

Suki slept soundly in her bed as she subconsciously scratched her side.

"Mmm...yummy..." cooed the girl in her sleep.

Carefree, isn't she?

xxxx

Ryu stared at his ceiling in silence, thinking of Rico'ki and their conversation earlier. It was quite...enlightening, so to speak.

And it had made him very curious and interested in 'Will'...

Ambient chakra... He clenched his fists, staring at them silently. I wonder...would it be possible to use my Wood jutsus using the chakra within the plant instead of suffusing it with my own?

Those thoughts accompanied Ryu as he slept.

xxxx

Hiroto stood atop Monument Range, his body still and silent. He was 'sleeping'...although it was odd for someone who had no eyes. Most blind people still possessed their eyes, even though they didn't work...

As the Jonin slept, he thought about tomorrow.

The night passed.

When the sun's edge pierced the horizon, the Jonin was awake. He quickly performed the necessary hand signs and said, "Kage bunshin no jutsu."

Six Shadow Clones.

All of them spread out, going for the homes of Akura...the Chakuya...the Shiake...Izzy...Ryu...and Suki.

xxxx

Reiki pocketed his dosukunai. He was in uniform...and he was ready for what awaited him. He stared at the slumbering Akura and Riko. Sleep well.

He turned around...to face Hiroto (his Shadow Clone). "Hiroto?"

"You should get going. I've come for Akura and Riko." The Jonin walked beside Reiki nudging Riko's side. "Wake up Riko. It's time."

Reiki walked to the Monument Range. The sun had only come up, and it was needless to waste any chakra before noon to get to the battlefield in a hurry. It didn't take him long, before he realized it, he was face to face with the Star Ninja, and Yashi.

And Mishimo, who was still grinning like an idiot. And now it looked like the Soul Reaver of Hoshigakure had something to say.

"You know of the Hoshi ritual jutsu that is used to extract souls from living beings?" Mishimo said, chuckling. Reiki didn't respond. "It's so slow and idiotic... It can't be used properly on the battlefield. There is a technique that sends one's essence into another person, that allows them to control that person for a time. I've done some research... Hehehe... And I've found a way to do the reverse, to simply pull the soul from the target. It does nothing unless a specially charged Hoshi Orb is present, though. Good thing I have one. Hehehe." He displayed the Hoshi Orb from yesterday, its insides literally clear as glass with no soul inside. "Personally, putting your opponent's soul to good use is more effective than sacrificing both your souls to damnation, eh?"

This remark was unexpected. Reiki raised an eyebrow. He knew Mishimo was referring to the Fuuinjutsu Shiki Fujin, the Demonic Soul Seal jutsu. It was a special type of technique that would summon Death himself to harvest the soul of both the target and the jutsu user. If Mishimo had really found a much more efficient technique...

Reiki had a feeling one of them wouldn't be leaving the battlefield alive, today. In any case, he began to observe the area, and then began to meditate.

OOC: Eh, Ultra. It's ok if you want to speed up the day to the actual time of battle. I know Hiroto has to brief the Genin and all, so... Well, anyway, I'd like to be the one who actually starts the battle sequence. =P The Star Ninja have a ritualistic way of doing things, almost.

And yay, I got the 400th post. =)

OOC: I know.

xxxx

Riko frowned as he sat up, causing Akura to stir. Time for the battle...

xxxx

Genonosuke yawned as he and Hyuu followed the Shadow Clone. "Man, why'd we have to wake up so early...? And why'd you ask us to come in our ninja gear?"

"You'll see," remarked Hiroto.

As they neared the base of Monument Range - near the massive ramp that led up to the top - they saw the rest of Special Squad One as well.

The Shadow Clone dissipated, and Hiroto - the real one - was seen standing on the ramp. "You all sleep well?"

"Eh, so-so," muttered Izzy.

Hyuu grimaced. "I got the floor..."

"I...had a wonderful sleep," muttered Akura with a slight blush.

"Good. You'll need all the energy you'll need. Because we have a Super-A rank mission waiting for us."

A thunderbolt of shock roared through the Genin...except Riko. Even so, he felt a chill run through him...because the words finally finalized it for him. Things were about to get hectic.

"WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA. Hold up here...are you kidding?!" exclaimed Izzy, his jaw so loose it looked broken. "ANOTHER Super-A Rank mission?! We've only been home for about a week!"

"And I'm telling you that missions don't wait for your consent," replied Hiroto humorlessly. "Bachiwaka Reiki is engaging in a duel with Star ANBU atop Monument Range...our job is to make sure any other ANBU that come for him don't interfere. And most ANBU are Jonin rank...if we're lucky, some of them will be Chuunin, but considering that Reiki's the target...I doubt we'll be that lucky."

Hyuu's eyes narrowed as his battle instincts flared up. He was more ready to go into battle than any of the other Genin there. "I see. So our objective is to merely keep other ANBU from interfering with Reiki's duel?"

"That's the gist of it," replied Hiroto. "Reinforcments will be waiting near Monument Range in case things get hectic...though I have to say, I wasn't expecting this kind of mission. Even though it's in our home, the opponents will be of a significantly higher caliber than most of the ninja you faced in Kirigakure."

The nine Genin were silent as the pressure of the upcoming mission began to bear down on them. However, Riko broke the silence with a hardened stare; he was not afraid. "We won't back down."

"Heck no," said Geno with a smirk as clutched the hilt of Chakentetsu.

Yagami Hiroto smiled. "All of you are willing...good. Then I only have one rule for this mission: don't die." He turned around, walking up the ramp. "We'll conserve chakra for the battle...and the duel between Reiki and the Star ANBU doesn't start for awhile."

The nine Genin calmly spoke among themselves as they followed the Jonin up the mountain.

Hiroto paused momentarily hearing something in the bushes. A white wisp of a vulpine-like animal landed softly into their path. Paused, @#%$ its head questionally, then retreated into the underbrush letting out a loud yipping noise. The same noise seemed to echo, as if the one cry was being sent all over the area.

Good, a byakko, Rico'ki is already scouting the area. He's probably up ahead somewhere. Hiroto thought to himself. He knew the sound of Rico's scout foxes very well, that aside he continued their climb glancing around with some degree of relief.

Reiki opened one eye. Yashi, Kentsu, Nappu, and Mishimo were each standing at a post, each holding a rather large glass sphere that appeared to have green spirals within them, twisting in such a complex pattern that it hurt his eyes looking at it. At the same time, they set the spheres onto the posts, and then dropped a Hoshi Orb into what was apparently a hole in the top. Each sphere began to glow green, and then bolts of lightning arced within the ribbon field, and then died down. Reiki could hear a faint hum coming from the spheres, now.

"That must be the anti-healing field they mentioned..." Reiki said to himself. He looked around. Tosu was looking at this whole thing with contempt; with no arms he couldn't carry a sphere. Buugen was missing, presumably screwing around somewhere. Oh, well.

xxx

Glaive had finally reached the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Konohagakure, where he was sure Reiki was. He had climbed over the wall near a mountain range, and evaded several Ninja, but he had made it. Standing from a vantage point on the mountain, he looked around. Approaching from below, appeared to be a group of ten, eight children and two adults. They both appeared the same age, about twenty or so, and one was wearing his hitai-ate over his eyes.

"Hmph. A Jonin Squad leader? A camping trip? Well, whatever. I must find Reiki." He scratched his right cheek, and then realized that half of his mask was missing, the right cheek and lower half. "What the-? When did this-?"

FLASH

"GLAIVE! THE VOLCANO'S GOING TO EXPLODE!" Naginata yelled, as the ANBU unit tried to pursue Reiki from within the fiery mountain.

"I know, dammit! C'mon, let's get out of here!"

"Go on without us... ...Captain. We will fulfill your orders and capture the rogue."

"But.. But Nagi-chan... The volcano... He's almost at the top! Let's pursue him from outside! The rest of you won't make it in time..."

Suddenly, the volcano shook, and the platform Naginata was on began to crumble.

"NAGI!" Glaive shot out his arm, and grabbed Naginata's hand. He pulled her up, and they attempted to go out of the lower exit... But a crumbling ceiling halted their progress. "Dammit!" Glaive kicked at the rocks, and freed a small pathway through them, and began to crawl. He turned, and stuck his left arm through to help her. She grabbed...

And then she let go. Glaive didn't know what to think at first, but he looked up, and saw the magma shooting from the top of the volcano... And he suddenly felt a burning in his arm. "AAAAGH!" Magma from the volcano suddenly began to pour through the hole he had made, around his hand. He pulled it out, but it was on fire... burning, burning to a crisp, and Nagi... Nagi was...

FLASH

"Oh my God..." Glaive said, quietly, as he remembred. "How could I have forgotten that? I... I... ?" Glaive twitched, and then snapped again. "Heheh. Hehehehehe. HAHAHAHA!"

Insane mode: ON.

Hiroto and the Genin suddenly found a drooling, psychotic Glaive heading straight for them, with his scythe blade and glaive drawn.

OOC: FYI, Hiroto's 21. So Hyuu isn't that much younger.

xxxx

Rico'ki was silent as he sat on the branch (an admittedly low one) of a tree, overlooking the battlefield. His vulpine spirits would've gotten the attention of Hiroto.

He recalled last night; Iruka had been understanding, giving him space and privacy. He exuded an aura of friendship that the redhead found comforting...and he wasn't that bad of a cook either.

Rico'ki grimaced; his spirits had been out for about 10 minutes now. Too long for a Jonin like Hiroto to not notice.

Where is he...?

xxxx

The nine Genin paled at the sudden sound of the approaching ANBU, his fiery hair flowing in the wind. The Genin reached for their weapons, and Hiroto pulled out his arm-blade.

CLANG!

Arm-blade met glaive. Kunai met scythe.

Hiroto grimaced as he struggled to hold his own against the Inferno ANBU. "Hyuu! You're in command; take the others up Monument Range to the battle site. Rico'ki will be waiting for you! GO!"

Somewhat hesitant, the former Mist Chuunin yelled, "You heard the man! Let's go!"

As the nine Genin took off, Riko glanced back once more at Hiroto. Be careful sensei.

Hiroto frowned at the groaning sound of Glaive's left arm. "Hmm...an artificial limb. A specialty of the Hidden Steel Village...but judging from the scent of sulfur on you, I'd guess you were from the Hidden Inferno. Wonder how you managed to weasel that arm of yours out of them?"

Glaive giggled madly. "Hee hee hee hee...needed an arm, couldn't find one, so I got this guy to make one. Sure, he screamed when I forced him to...I don't think he liked losing a leg that much..." Hiroto grimaced at the 'sound' of Glaive's sadistic smile. "You've got a nice arm too pal. Looks shiny. Are you a long lost twin of mine?"

Hiroto sweatdropped. "Well...don't know where you lost your mind, but I wouldn't risk you finding it. Here to settle a score with Reiki I assume?"

"HIM!!!" roared Glaive as he pushed harder with his weapons. "I'LL SKIN HIM!!!"

Hiroto sighed. "So angry. I suppose I should go ahead and end your misery." He leapt backwards, pocketing his kunai and performing a lot of katas at high speed as the ground began to rumble. He may seem insane, but I can't take any chances. "Doton; Doryuudan no jutsu! Earth Element; Earth Dragon Blast!"

An earthen dragon erupted from the ground, roaring as it soared towards Glaive.

Glaive laughed wildy as the earthen dragon soared towards him, and then chakra started whirling around him wildly, barely controlled. "Hehehe... Nice pet ya got there. LET ME TAKE IT OUT FOR A WALK!" Glaive leaped at the raging earth dragon, and plowed straight through it. Glaive laughed as he emerged from the other end of it, and began tumbling along the ground. He lost grip of his glaive, and it went flying. Glaive sat there, giggling, and looked behind him at what was now a clump of dirt lying on the ground. "Aw.. It's not looking too well. Pity. I never liked dogs anyway."

Hiroto sweatdropped, but took notice of the area the sound of the glaive came from as it crashed to the ground some distance away. Hiroto made a dash for it to prevent Glaive from recovering it...

"NUH UH! MY TOY! Hehehehe." Glaive formed a couple of klunky sort of hand seals(which weren't effected by his arm, thanks to the careful and specialized crafting of it) and then grinned. "HONOO BUNSHIN NO JUTSU! HEHEHEHE." He then shot fire out of his mouth, which formed into several Glaives, all of whom were giggling like the first, though they looked quite distorted compared to their creator.

Hiroto stopped, and raised an eyebrow. One of the Glaive bunshins jumped at Hiroto and exploded into flame. Hiroto leaped back in time to avoid the attack, but Glaive had retrieved his weapon.

"Hehehe... You're pretty good. But I have a little fish to skin! Here, fishy fishy fishy..." He formed another hand seal, and then blew flame at the trees nearby, setting a small patch of the forest on the mountain top ablaze, and then he vanished in the distraction.

xxx

"Whoa, the forest's on fire!" Riko was shocked as he looked back. Hyuu grimaced as he too, turned to the blaze, but he aid, "Come! Hiroto-sensei gave us orders. Let's keep moving."

Hiroto grimaced at the sound of Glaive's light footsteps advancing away from him; they were going through the flaming portion of the forest, using the fire as a blockade against advancement. It'd be easy enough to go around it...but the fire would spread.

Oh well. Easily dealt with. The Jonin advanced up the side of the mountain, stopping the moment he reached the top. He performed the necessary hand seals and roared, "Suiton; Sakamaku no jutsu! Water Element; Surging Waves!"

His cheeks expanded as he opened his mouth, allowing a torrent of water to rush over the burning forest. The waves doused the fire...

xxx

...and Glaive was blinking at the sound of rushing water. Huh? Am I in the ocean again? He turned around to see the waves rushing toward him. "Oh crap."

The massive torrent washed over the Inferno ANBU. The man gagged as he was thrown to and fro by the swirling waters. When the water came to a stop, Glaive coughed up some water. "Urgh..."

He glanced up at the sky, saw the birds...and frowned. He saw a big bird coming to him...

"KONOHA HASAI ASHIGE!!!"

Glaive blanched as Hiroto dropped down at him, right foot raised above his head. He then brought the foot down, causing his heel to slam into Glaive's gut with a resounding POW!!!

Glaive blinked. His stomach... why was it...? He coughed, and tasted blood and stomach acids in his mouth. He looked up to see the Jonin he had spotted earlier standing over him.

"What the... who the hell are you? Why did you attack me...?" Glaive muttered, and then passed out.

Hiroto sighed as he stared at the unconscious Inferno ANBU. Hmm...he won't be out long. But at least I can slow him down. "Doton; Doruki Gaeshi!"

He slammed his hands onto the ground, causing a section of solidified soil to flip up. He then slammed the mat of soil over Glaive's body. "Now for more important matters." He continued on towards the clearing where the battle would take place.

OOC: Ok. pumped and primed! But not much time...

IC:

It was almost like a dream... but Glaive could see it clearly. The day everything had been shattered, the day that he lost his entire ANBU squad... The day he lost his arm, and the day he had gotten a new one from Tetsugakure...

It was fortunate, because Glaive had snapped again as soon as he stepped outside the village.

Glaive awoke to a mound of dirt being over him. He pushed it aside, and shook his head. What the hell had just happened?

xxx

It was now noon. The sun glared down from overhead, and the Star Ninja began getting ready for battle. Reiki observed the Star Ninja at work. Buugen had returned from wherever he had been, and Mishimo was observing the local wildlife, perhaps thinking of the best way to make their deaths as painful as possible.

Yashi, Kentsu, Buugen, Nappu, Tosu. They were all standing within the ribbon field. Mishimo was now focused on them, staring with contempt from a good distance away. Judging from Mishimo's earlier comment, Reiki concluded that Mishimo was not a fan of Hoshi rituals...

Yashi raised her hand, and cried the name of a jutsu. Everything went black.

Reiki blinked, and looked up. The sun was still shining brightly as ever, but the sky had turned black as night, with the stars visible, and the sunlight seemed not to reach the world fully, casting a light similar to the pale moon upon the scene.

"Stars of Heaven and Earth." Yashi began, seemingly pointing her voice towards the sky itself. The other four Star Ninja within the arena each stood at a post, kneeling towards Yashi. "Ye are gathered here to bear witness to this contest. We, the Stars of Earth, shall combat with the Fallen Star, Bachiwaka Reiki, on this day of night." The elderly ANBU leader produced a small gong and hammer from seemingly nowhere.

"For our battle."

GONG

"For our village."

GONG

"For our honor."

GOONNNNNNNNG

Reiki blinked. It seemed every time the gong was struck, the stars and sun became brighter. What manner of power was this? Some sort of genjutsu or ninjutsu? A dome of chakra around them that gave the illusion of night? In his time at the Star Village, he had not seen this before.

"In the name of Hoshigakure; Tosu, Earth Star of No Arms, shall begin combat with the Fallen Star."

Everyone but Tosu walked out of the battle square. Reiki stood up, and entered it himself. He felt a sort of tingle as he entered, probably from the anti-healing chakra field.

Tosu smirked as his opponent approached him. "I'm not much for words, Fallen Star." he said, with a grin. "Let's get this over with."

Reiki nodded. "Right."

"Commence!" GONG

BAM! "Augh!" Reiki clutched his neck in pain as Tosu got in the first strike. BAM! BAM! BAM! He was blindingly fast, and his feet were powerful!

"ugh... Futon; Fuashi no jutsu!" Reiki managed to perform the Wind Foot, creating small whirlwinds around his feet. Tosu was comiing again! The man with no arms raised his heel above his head and spun. "Hoshi no SLEDGEHAMMER!" The orb around the Star Ninja's belt began to glow, and so did his foot. Reiki wisely leapt aside as Tosu brought his foot down.

CRASH!!!!!

Reiki wasn't sure what happened, but apparantly he was now on the ground, dazed. A huge crater lay in front of him, and Tosu was walking towards him from out of it, grinning.

"I forgot to mention." The Star ANBU said, quite pleased, "That particular attack has quite a nasty shockwave afterwards. I hope you didn't hurt yourself."

Reiki stood up, irritated. "Not at all."

Tosu laughed. "Good. Because here's my next attack! NINPOU; DOKASUI! ART OF THE EARTH SPIKE!"

The man with no arms dug his foot into the ground ahead of him, then began to take off at a run. He then used his momentum to bring up his foot, and the ground burst open, flinging what appeared to be several sharp spikes from the hole.

Reiki leaped over them, and then formed a hand seal. "Suiton; Aseken no jutsu!"

Tosu blinked. That jutsu name meant...

Reiki landed in from of Tosu, sweating profusely. He drew his Dosukunai and then struck, slashing across Tosu's chest.

And so did his twin: a doppleganger made of sweat that was trailing behind his attacks. Though not as powerful, it still packed a punch.

Tosu grimaced and threw a kick. This is what Reiki had been waiting for. The Multi-Ninja leaped backwards and yelled, "Suiton; Awayaisuu no jutsu! Instant Ice!" Reiki shot water out of his mouth, which wrapped around Tosu's leg and immediately froze.

"Ugh!" Tosu's balance was ruined, and he fell to the ground. He struggled to move his other leg to break the ice...

"Awayaissu no jutsu!" Tosu's other leg was now frozen, and connected to the first. He was helpless.

"The Fallen Star is victorious, defeating the weakest of the Stars of Earth." Yashi said.

"WHAT?!" Tosu roared, "I CAN STILL FIGHT! I'M NOT DONE YET!"

"If you continue to fight in that condition, your legs will shatter, and you shall be fully unable to fight. Is that what you want?"

"..."

"Then Reiki is victorious." Nappu and Kentsu removed the humiliated Tosu from the field and began to defrost him slowly with Fire Jutsu.

Next... was Buugen. The Pellet Master sneered at Reiki as he approached the battle square.

OOC: Ok. ... DOH.

OOC: I posted, if Ultra wants to do the next part. This is so the topic is visibly updated. <_<

Should be about time for real trouble to show up, though not at the battlefield yet.

OOC: (blinks) Oh.

xxxx

The nine Genin frowned as they heard the sounds of battle nearby...yet they sounded...strangely muted...

"Are we close?" asked Suki.

"I sense large sources of chakra," replied Daio, frowning silently. "...but they seem to be smothered by one single source..."

They emerged into the clearing. And they blanched.

Kai muttered as he pointed, "I think that's why..."

A gigantic dome of dark-colored chakra covered the area; they could see blurry shapes on the inside...Reiki and the Star ANBU.

I wonder how Reiki's doing, thought Riko.

Geno touched the chakra dome with the tip of Chakentetsu. It shimmered slightly, but it wouldn't yield. "Huh."

"A dome of chakra..."

Everyone turned around to see Hiroto walking towards them. In the nearby tree, Rico'ki was watching in silence, waiting to see if he needed to intervene. "..."

The Blind Sentinel calmly poked it with his finger, frowning. "It's durable..." With one forceful thrust, he pushed his finger through. He then pulled it back out; the hole where the finger was immediately closed. "...but no impermeable."

Suddenly, Hiroto's senses enflamed. "We have trouble approaching."

Everyone turned at the large outburst of chakra emerged from the forest; they belonged to three figures in green cloaks. The three of them wore white-and-green vertically striped masks...and on the forehead was the mark of the Hidden Grass: four vertical lines.

Hyuu's eyes narrowed. "ANBU from Kusagakure..."

The three ANBU fell through the dome...seeking within the one they came for: Bachiwaka Reiki.

Rico landed with a loud thud and walked out, "Do we follow?"

OOC: In the most recent chapter of Naruto...a wood-element jutsu is used! So this means there may actually be SEVEN elements, and just five: Earth, Water, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Wood, and Metal. So DDK and I are both right. 😀

And since DDK is taking forever, I'll kick-start things a bit.

xxxx

Yagami Hiroto frowned; he had promised not to interefere with the fight between Reiki and the Star...but this was an interesting quagmire.

"Geno. You have good reflexes. You'll be my eyes."

"Huh?" replied Geno with a confused look. Finally, he got the message and stuck his head inside the dome...to see what was about to happen.

xxxx

And all the while two more groups of ANBU were nearing; ANBU from the Hidden Sand...and ANBU from the Hidden Ocean.

As the dark blue-cloaked bodies of the Ocean ANBU passed through the forest of Monument Range, Shisu poked her head out of a bush. We're close...we'd best hurry, lest Reiki get killed before I can get my hands on him.

xxxx

Hiroto's ears twitched. "Company." He quickly pulled out five shuriken and threw them into the air; immediately, he pulled out the tube from his gauntlet and pointed the palm into a different part of the air. "NARUBOISU NO JUTSU!"

The two ANBU of the Sand blinked as they leapt out of the forest...and into the path of the five shuriken. Three grazed their arms, while two nicked their masks. They fell to the ground, glaring at the large group outside of the dome; their dark tan cloaks complimenting their pure white masks, complete with the hourglass Sand symbol.

Meanwhile, three ANBU from the Ocean leapt out of the forest...and into the path of the deafening blast of soundwaves from Hiroto's 'Voice of the Echoes' jutsu, they fell to the ground, staring intently at the main group through the blue masks; the symbol for the Ocean was on the mask in white: a tidal wave.

Izzy gulped. "Five ANBU...crap..."

"Suki, protect Geno while he eavesdrops on what's going on inside. Hyuu, you'll lead Kai, Daio, and Izzy against the two Sand ANBU. Riko, Akura, Ryu...you're with me against the three Ocean ANBU." He then turned to Rico'ki. "I'm not really in charge of you...but as a friendly favor, mind fighting just a bit? You can just pelt rocks at them for all I care; any support would help."

Hiroto yelled, "MOVE!" Riko, Akura, and Ryu followed their sensei onto the left side of the dome, while Hyuu led Kai, Daio, and Izzy to their fight on the right side of the dome. Geno was oblivious, watching the Grass ANBU/Reiki/Star ANBU fight inside the dome...while Suki stood protectively in front of him, two windmill shuriken at the ready.

Battle time.

OOC: Yeah, sorry about that. Haven't been feeling well, and I've been trying to catch up on my school work.

I'll edit this post tomorrow, midday. Promise.

Rico'ki looked a little confused, but he didn't stop to think. He knew who'd acknowledged him so far, the red-head followed Ryu and Hiroto. The sound of metal rubbing against leather hit Hiroto's ears as he pulled out a short but odd looking sword. It seems to be completely metal, blade, guard, hilt and pommel all metal. It looked more like a decoration than a weapon, intricate ruins all over it. He didn't seem to be in any kind of stance to fight, simply following the ninja with his weapon in hand.

OOC: JUYO-SUNG! NOICE! Anyway, I'm really sorry for not being able to post in my own roleplay (sad, ain't it?). I've just been awfully bizzy lately with school (that and I have a really bad writers block right now and don't know what to post at all). They say that if I don't start going to school that they'll lock me up in da slammer. I've missed so many days that they just wanna skip probation and put me where they don't have to worry about me anymore. That scares the hell outta me. I don't wanna go to jail.

Anyway, enough about me...well a little bit more. I'm going to try and start a roleplay based on Full Metal Alchemist. Trying to avoid those two kids, Ed and Al Alrich, I'm going to see if I can make it operate like this roleplay: A team-based Rp with all original characters. I want to find a way for the characters to do transmutation with out circles like Ed and Scar. SO if anybody is interested in that roleplay possibility, just say so and I'll get a little more serious about it.

And now is the time where I thank you all so much. I'm about to get emo on you, but I have to let you know how cool it is that you guys keep coming back to roleplay. That really means alot to me. This is the most successful roleplay I've ever participated in, much less created. I think it really went well.

Well that's all for now. I'm going to go browse the rest of the Mofo before class starts at 9, and then I have a psychiatry appointment 11 or so, so I'll talk to you guys later.

Buugen and Reiki's thoughts were interrupted as three ANBU suddenly leapt through the dome of chakra. But...

The three ANBU of Grass froze when they saw Yashi and the other Star Ninja.

"You sure this is a good idea?" One whispered to their squad leader, looking nervously at the Star ANBU unit leader who was now staring intently at them. "We met these psychos before, and they were washing the ground with ninja blood..."

Their squad leader sweatdropped as he remembered Yashi's fury years ago, when all of the ANBU units who had been tracking Reiki had converged upon the same place. Attacking now wasn't smart, but...

The third ANBU suddenly yelled, "Forget it! We can't dishonor our village! LET'S ATTAC-"

He never got to finish his sentence. A little round ball made of clay pierced his throat, and his head was suddenly blown into bloody chunks. The other two gulped as they stared at the remains of their former ally.

The squad leader shook his head. "If we are to die in battle, we would be unable to recover the body. Let us leave, quickly, and try to regroup in larger numbers." The shinobi shouted out a jutsu name, and grass sprouted from underneath their feet, twisted around their bodies, then retracted back into the earth. They were gone. All that remained of the bloody corpse that had been beside them was a crimson stain on the night-lit ground.

xxx

Genonosuke popped his head out of the chakra dome, and yelled, "The ANBU who went into the dome after Rikimaru took a loss and retreated!" He tried to hide his disgust, for he had been very near the Grass ANBU whose head asploded.

xxx

Buugen smirked as the Grass ANBU retreated. He looked down at his gloves, and said, "Looks like my little friends took care of those gate crashers. Now..." He turned to Reiki, both of them still within the battle square. "Shall we begin?" Reiki nodded, a little shaken at what had just happened. If ANBU had been inside here, they were likely outside, too. He could see shapes fighting on the other side of what he now knew was a chakra dome, but he couldn't make out the details... Except Genonosuke, who he caught plopping his head back into the dome.

"Commence!" GONG

Reiki shifted into an attack stance, waiting for Buugen to make the first move.

Buugen grinned as he reached to his waist, and casually flipped open a pouch, one that was simply plain, with no markings. "Let's start with easy stuff." he said in a relaxed manner, and pulled out a small clay pellet. "You'll find I'm not as fast as Tosu, nor do I have his strength. But I'm much more... shall we say, handy." Tosu winced at this from the sidelines. His legs had avoided being shattered, but his pride wasn't so lucky. He hesitated a moment, looking at the four mounted orbs surrounding the battlefield.

"By the way, lady Yashi, very nice decorations. Very tasteful." Buugen said.

Yashi narrowed her eyes, and thought, Those aren't decorations, you fool. You should have been here when we put them up. but she merely said, "Concentrate on the battle, Buugen. This is a very serious ritual. Do not desecrate it with your blabbering."

Buugen shrugged at this, and looked at Reiki. "Alright then. Scared, are you? I guess I'll go first. Hoshigenki! Star Energy... CHARGE!" The demon eyes on Buugen's right glove glowed red, suddenly, and an aura began to emit from the mouth, encasing the pellet. Buugen moved the pellet between his index finger and his thumb, and simply flicked it.

Reiki's eyes widened as the lethal pellet zoomed towards him. He had already seen what it had done to the Grass ANBU. The Multi-Ninja leapt to the side as it flew past, and struck a tree that had been behind him. As Reiki landed on his feet, he turned to the tree...

SHRACK

The tree began to crack like fine glass, a spiderweb of lines flowing across the wooden surface. And then, it simply burst into flames.

Buugen chuckled. "Good. It seems you have eyes. And legs. And arms, unlike my crippled friend back there. But do you have a brain? You're going to have to use everything you have to defeat me. Hehehe..."

Reiki remained silent. It was time to fight, and he wasn't about to hold back.

xxx

Meanwhile, outside of the chakra dome...

"AAAAAGH!" Izzy screamed. Several more ANBU popped out of nowhere, bearing grey masks and a symbol that somewhat resembled a hammer and anvil simplified. The Hidden Steel had arrived.

Hyuu grimaced, but began his own assault, brandishing the shuriken chain he had been so familiar with in Kirigakure, though he was carefuly not to let it lash his companions by accident.

The two Sand ANBU frowned as they stared at the seven Steel ANBU. "Hmm...ANBU from the Steel."

"No doubt," muttered the other Sand ANBU as he took in the sight of metallic limbs hidden beneath the cloaks. "Ninja of the Hidden Steel...noted for their expertise with artificial limbs and bodyparts."

A Steel ANBU stepped forward, revealing that both of his legs were made of refined steel. "If you are here for Bachiwaka Reiki, then you'd best depart."

The two Sand ANBU snorted simultaneously. The one on the left said, "To be honest, the Hidden Sand has fallen on some rough times...the leader of the Wind Country is giving business away to other ninja villages, and our funds have shrunk. To compensate...we of the Sand have focused on quality over quantity." He glared malevolently at the seven Steel. "We should be able to handle you easily enough."

The Steel ninja that had stepped forward growled as long blades sprouted out of his feet.

The two Sand ANBU snort as they held up both hands. Each hand's index finger and middle finger were conjoined...and wind began swirling around them. The ANBU on the left said, "Metal blades are fragile...and can even be stopped by armor...but a blade of wind is stopped by nothing!"

The lone Steel ANBU leapt into battle.

The two Sand ANBU roared, "KAZE NO YAIBA! WIND BLADE!"

Four blades of wind tore into the Steel ANBU, cutting him into eight different pieces.

The six Steel ANBU were unfazed.

The two Sand ANBU leapt forward, charging at the Steel ANBU.

Hyuu, Daio, Kai, and Izzy were silent as the two groups of ANBU engaged in battle. Izzy muttered, "What now...?"

"We step back...let them whittle each other down," whispered Hyuu as he held his shuriken chain tightly. "But keep on your guard..."

xxxx

As for Hiroto, Ryu, Riko, Akura, and Rico'ki...

The three Ocean ANBU immediately performed some katas as their foes approached them. "Suiton; Amearashi no jutsu!" In the sky, dark clouds began to converge...and they looked menacing. "Water Element; Rain Storm!"

Rain drops - densified by chakra - fell downward towards the group. Hiroto quickly roared, "Katon; Hibashira no jutsu! Blazing Fire Tower!"

A column of blazing flames erupted from the ground, preventing the heavy rain drops from hitting them...but they actually left holes in the parts of the groudn that they hit.

As the fire died away, they saw that the three ANBU were gone.

One appeared behind Akura, harpoon aimed for her neck.

Riko parried it with his unbreakable bo staff. "I don't think so!"

The second ANBU appeared next to Rico'ki, bringing his foot around to kick him in the face.

The third face Hiroto, pulling out a small crossbow.

TWANG!!!

Hiroto dodged as he fired back with his own kunai. "You'll have to do better than that."

xxxx

Two Stone ANBU - wearing white-and-brown masks bearing the symbol of the Stone - in brown cloaks edged up Monument Range in silence. One of them muttered, "I hear the sounds of battle."

"Indeed."

Suddenly, they stumbled across a rather befuddled Glaive. The first ANBU's eyes narrowed. "That hair...that outfit...I think he's from the Hidden Inferno."

Glaive looked them silently, glaive in hand...and his eyes, for some reason, were fixated on the Stone symbol on their masks...

He grinned wickedly. "I always liked to crush stones beneath my feet."

Before the two ANBU could react, the insane ninja of the Hidden Inferno was upon them.

xxxx

Suki glanced to her left.

Hiroto, Riko, Akura, Ryu, and Rico'ki were fighting three Ocean ANBU.

She glanced to her right.

Six Steel ANBU were fighting two Sand ANBU, with Hyuu, Daio, Kai, and Izzy watching silently from the sidelines.

She frowned. "Hmm...who do we help?"

"I'd say we stick with Hyuu's group," replied Geno as he unsheathed Chakentetsu. "Even if those Sand and Steel ninja are wailing on each other, they might attack our friends in an instant...we have to keep their backs just in case."

Suki smiled as she clenched her Fuuma Shuriken tightly. "Right!"

"Say..."

Suki and Genonosuke blinked as they turned, coming face-to-face with a fiery-haired ANBU in a dull red jumpsuit and a broken mask...with an artificial left arm and a bloody glaive.

Glaive smirked. "Cool. Target practice!"

Rico closed his eyes, his attacker felt something jerk his foot offtrack. It whizzed several inches from the redheads ear, making him flinch slightly. He turned to face the ninja and blinked slowly once. Then shot an arm out two one side in the direction of Akura and Riko. There was a few moments of pause before the ninja attacking them felt a very solid but very invisible object strike him hard in the gut, hard enough to send him backward, away from Riko, to the ground out of sheer surprise.

It happened so fast it took a moment register in Rico's accoster's mind that he'd been used as a decoy for the ex-mist ninja's attack. What bothered him more was the lack of hand seals or vocalization before the impact, the redhead had been completely silent and motion until the moment of attack. His opponent wasn't a ninja nor were his attacks element based. He chanced a glance at his comrad to confirm it. He'd been hit with some kind of invisible force or object, or bleeding, burning, freezing, or anything other than a blunt force hit. Rico'ki still had his right hand out toward his stunned target, sword clutched in his left, glaring at the ninja that had attacked him.

Glaive giggled quite nonsensicly, and raised his spear. Suki readied herself, bringing up her Fuma Shuriken, but Genonosuke grabbed her, pulling her back just as the Inferno ninja slammed the ground where she had been.

"Aaah!" Unbalanced and still holding onto Suki, Genonosuke and his crush fell hard backwards through the chakra dome. Glaive shrugged, and turned. To his delight, he saw a rather bloody battle engaged between Sand and Steel ANBU. "Goody!" he shouted, and leapt head-first into the fray.

Yashi frowned as Genonosuke and Suki plopped through the chakra dome next to her. "...Children, this is no place for you." she said, quietly, but then she added, "Though, I suppose it's better being out in that mess. I'll have to thank that shinobi later for his efforts." She looked at the murky battles through the wavy dark chakra, and sighed, then continued watching the battle between Buugen and Reiki.

Buugen was in the air, casting several pellets at once to the ground. Reiki yelled, "Hoshitate no jutsu!" and held fast as a sphere of golden chakra surrounded him. The pellets exploded, and he could feel the heat and wind, but remained unharmed otherwise. Of course, if Buugen moved to a more volatile composition of clay, his unexperienced shield would be unable to defend against it...

"Let's make this more interesting, shall we?" the pretty-boy ANBU said, as he reached into his bag labeled with the sign of Fire and removed several dozen pellets. "Hoshijirai! Star Landmines!" He leapt up into the air again; his fist glowing quite a bright blue as Reiki watched. And then, Buugen spun within the air, scattering pellets forcefully across the earthen battlefield, and those pellets sunk into the ground.

And nothing happened.

"What's your game?" Reiki asked, suspiciously, and Buugen simply laughed.

"An element of surprise, of course! If either of us steps on the wrong spot, BOOM! Hehehe..."

Suddenly, Buugen was zooming across the battlefield, carefully avoiding the places he felt were embedded with his chakra. He reached into a bag labeled with the sign of Thunder, withdrew it, and simply threw a punch at Reiki. Reiki blocked.

Wrong decision.

"AAAAAAGH!" Reiki felt like his body was on fire; electricity surged through his nerves from the place where Buugen had struck his arm. Reiki fell on his rear, clutching his arm in pain. Buugen tossed a pellet down towards Reiki, almost casually, and then kicked it. Reiki barely rolled to the side as Buugen's foot collided with it, smashing the ground with what appeared to be a hyper-intensive electric shock.

Reiki stared at Buugen. He had to win this NOW. "DOTON; DOGENKO NO JUTSU! EARTH ELEMENT, EARTHEN FIST!" Buugen's eyes widened, and he dodged a balled fist that suddenly launched out of the earth. Reiki smirked. This plan would work...

"Dogenko no jutsu! Dogenko no jutsu! Dogenko..." and so it went on. Buugen found himself dodging several fists of earth, now reinforced with the powerful landmine pellets he had planted from earlier, as Reiki sat comfortable and safe performing hand seals. If only Buugen hadn't had so much overconfidence and stepped on one by mistake.

Buugen felt a raging fire spread up his leg, and he looked down to find this feeling was quite literally the truth. He had stepped on a pelletmine, and now his leg had burst into flame. Distracted for a precious split second, Reiki managed to call out "Dogenko no jutsu!" one more time, and one last fist struck out, hitting Buugen square in the stomach.

FOOSH!

Buugen in his entirety was now covered in flame, screaming. He was barely able to concentrate enough to call a water jutsu to put himself out with, but he did it. Beaten, bruised, and burnt, he looked at Reiki with contempt.

"Damn you..." he said, squinting. "But I haven't... given up... yet!" He cupped his hands, calling forth chakra. They began to glow green. "I'll heal myself, and then I'll smash the hell out of you for doing this to me! CHIYU NO JUTSU!"

Reiki had just enough time to think, Doesn't he know about the anti-healing field? before the four orbs surrounding the battlefield lit up, and suddenly Buugen found himself being electrocuted by purple streaks of lightning.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

Buugen fell to the ground, defeated and barely alive.

"Idiot." Yashi said, as Genonosuke and Suki looked on, dumbstruck. "We don't put up 'decorations' in a ritual battle. Your arrogance led to forgetting our ways."

Mishimo simply grinned as Kentsu and Nappu carefully took Buugen's charred and moaning body off the battlefield. "It's my turn, Bachiwaka." he said, holding up the empty Hoshi Orb. "What fun it will be; having your soul as my slave for eternity, yes?"

xxx

Shisu sighed out of frustration. Things weren't going at all as planned... So many ANBU teams had shown up, that it was beginning to look like only two years before, when EVERY ANBU team had converged upon Reiki in the same place. That had been a horrible fight, with the Star ANBU decimating the others... Of course, there had been ten or fifteen Star Ninja present then as compared to the six, now, so of course it was different. But that didn't mean things were going to be easy, either.

She turned to the ninja under her and ordered, "Take off your masks."

Her squad members blanched. "Ma'am, with all due respect..."

She shook her head. "Take off your masks. We are to assist the Leaf Ninja in fighting off the other ANBU, and then we shall assault Reiki later. Other courses of action would not be to our advantage, and could possibly result in Reiki's death and removal before we get to his body." She sighed again as she took off her own mask and looked at the Star Dome. Soon, Reiki, soon. You'll be able to avenge your family and friends... Just don't die...

As the two Ocean ANBU were under the mercy of Rico'ki's power, Ryu suddenly cocked an arrow. "Yudoudan no jutsu!"

The arrow, charged with blue chakra, sailed towards the first Ocean ninja. It embedded itself into the left shoulder, mere millimeters away from the collarbone. Before the ANBU could retaliate, his shoulder was forced to the ground...and oh goodness did it hurt.

As for the second ANBU...with a flash of his reflexes, he suddenly grabbed Riko's bo staff and swung - taking an astounded Riko with it - and slammed it into Rico'ki. With the redhead's concentration gone, his Will powers - for the moment - were nullified.

The two Ocean ANBU's eyes narrowed as they jumped high into the air, performing a number of katas. "Suiton; Suiryuusoshaku no jutsu!" Water suddenly erupted from the ground - coming from an underground river - and morphed into a dragon's head of water. Unlike the 'Water Dragon Blast'...this jutsu was MUCH bigger. "WATER DRAGON'S BITE!"

Hiroto blanched as he planted his feet into the ground and bent his knees. "Everyone, brace yourself!"

Riko paled at the onrush of water coming to him. Akura gulped. "RIKO-KUN!"

Rico'ki frowned; he wouldn't be able to hold up with his weak frame...

"Ninpou; Tsukeneseishi! Art of Root Control!"

It was a variation of 'Ibara Ne Hishigu'...except with roots instead of thorns. They wrapped themselves around Ryu as he grabbed Rico'ki. "HANG ON!"

The watery dragon's head slammed into them.

FOOOSH!

Water exploded like a fountain. Riko yelped as he was sent soaring. Akura yelped...until the hand of Hiroto grabbed onto her clothes, his feet firmly wedged into the ground. As for Ryu and Rico'ki, they had not budged.

Ryu coughed out some water as he muttered, "I take it Will users aren't good with floods."

xxxx

Shisu raised her arm as a torrent of water rushed by; it was only waist-high by the time it reached her...but it brought something else with it.

A figure with blue hair...and as the body turned over, eyes of pure green were revealed.

Shisu's eyes dilated out of shock as the name of the one she sought came out on its own. "...Reiki?"

Riko blinked at the unfamiliar woman. "I'm not Reiki."

xxxx

Glaive giggled as he roared, "HONOO BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!" Five fire clones were created. They all cackled as they surged toward the Sand/Steel melee.

"Dive!" roared one of the Steel ANBU as Glaive, in a strange sense of clarity brought on by his insanity, fired darts from his mechanical arm...and so did his clones.

One of the Steel ANBU gagged as three darts impaled his leg. He quickly bought his own mechanical right arm up to block Glaive's strike. Suddenly, sharp spikes sprouted from his metallic fingers...and the hand began to spin, creating a drill. He lunged.

Using his tremendous left arm, Glaive caught the hand with his own. Metal sparked against metal.

The ANBU snarled. "I know you...I made your arm."

Glaive's eyes slightly dulled as he stared at the mask. "Gorosho...eh?"

As for the other faction of SS1...

Izzy was gulping out of fear. So many high-level ninja around...all of them intending to kill each other. So many high-level techniques being used...so many taijutsu moves that required great strength...he was out of his league. All of them were.

The only guarantee of safety they had was that the foriegn ANBU would wittle each other down (which seemed more of a possibiliy now that the strange guy with a glaive had joined the fight)...but the tension was too great.

He was trained as a ninja...and his reflexes were yelling at him to do something. ANYTHING.

"Calm down Izumo."

Hyuu's voice didn't reach Izzy.

"CALM DOWN."

Suddenly, a Sand ANBU's hand was hit by a punch from a fire clone, causing the shuriken in his hand to go flying...at Izzy.

On impulse Izzy ducked and retaliated.

The aforementioned Sand ANBU blanched as the kunai Izzy had thrown slammed into his mask. It cracked, and several fragments fell away, revealing an angry blue eye. Wind swirled around his finger. "KAZE NO YAIBA!"

Shiranui Izumo froze as the Sand ANBU soared toward him. He couldn't move...not at all. Oh no...how...what am I going to do...? I'm...I'm going to die...!

The Sand ANBU swung.

CHUNK.

The blade of wind dug into an arm.

Kai's arm.

The Wind Blade carved away an inch of flesh before it disappeared. The ANBU blinked. Skin thicker than armor?

Kai the hanyou suddenly grabbed the ANBU's face with his other arm and slammed him into the ground with a thunderous sound. Finally, he kicked the ANBU in the ribs, sending him skidding along the ground. When he came to a stop, he grimaced as more pieces of his mask fell off. Damn. I think he broke a rib.

As the ANBU sat up, he gazed straight into the skull-shaped pupils of a certain Shiake Daio. Her pale blue hair fluttered in the wind as she muttered, "Banmoku Kon no jutsu."

The Sand ANBU momentarily felt a pang of fear strike his heart...an uncomfortable image came to mind...and it faded. "Hmm?"

Daio looked slightly confused...and then she muttered, "Henge."

A puff of smoke. The Sand ANBU frowned. Hmm?

When the smoke faded, a different person stood in Daio's place; a boy in dark clothes, complete with a white sash. He wore sandals...and a large gourd on his back. On the left side of his forehead was a tattoo that stood for 'love'. His hair was a maroon color...and his light green eyes were soulless beyond belief.

"!!!!!!!! NO." The Sand ANBU paled as his one visible eye widened out of shock. The look...it was him...he was going to KILL him..."NO!!! WE MUST FLEE FROM GAARA!!!" The ANBU fled.

The other Sand ANBU blinked as his comrade fled. "Wait! GET BACK HERE!" He pursued.

Daio reverted to normal as a frown came to her face. The person I changed into...was only a kid. How could a Jonin-level ANBU be afraid of a child? Oh if only she knew...but Gaara's not the focus of this tale...

Izzy sat on his butt, staring at Daio as she tended to Kai's wound. He had attacked on impulse, endangering the others...and he had frozen in place like a coward. ...I'm such a weakling.

Hyuu said nothing as he placed his hand on Izzy's head. Finally, he muttered, "I may not have as much experience as your sensei Hiroto...but I am a Chuunin who has lived to see the horrors of battle. I myself have frozen before in the presence of more powerful men...just make sure you acknowledge your mistake and don't let it occur again."

Izzy could say nothing in reply.

xxxx

"Halt."

The fleeing Sand ANBU finally stopped, his lungs short of breath. The second one growled, "Why did you flee in such an ungraceful manner?"

"I...I s-saw him...I saw HIM..."

The second Sand ninja snorted. "I know Gaara scarred your face once, but you shouldn't be having these flashes anymore. We will return, and we will fight!"

"..." The Sand ANBU breathed heavily...and then slowed...and finally stood straight. "You're right. Forgive me."

"Forgiven," replied the Sand ANBU with a frown. "Now, let us return to-"

WISHWISHWISH.

Both Sand ANBU fell into three different pieces. Blood leaked from the corpses as a 6'7" man wearing a light blue cloak walked towards the battlefield...and then he leapt into the air, performing multiple katas.

"Futon; Kamiboufuu no jutsu!"

The clouds above him began to swirl into a gigantic typhoon. His pure white mask had the symbol of the Cloud on it...and he roared. "Wind Element; God's Gale!"

The typhoon erupted into an enormous blast of wind.

xxxx

EVERYONE WAS BOWLED OVER.

The Ocean ANBU.

The Steel ANBU.

Special Squad One.

Glaive.

Rico'ki.

The Lake ANBU under Shisu's command.

Even the trees bent under the strain. The chakra dome rippled under the pressure.

Within the chakra dome, Suki blinked at the sight of all the falling blurry figures. "What the...?"

"What happened?" asked Genonosuke.

Yashi was dead silent. "So...HE'S come..."

Reiki blinked. "Hmm?" Mishimo asked, "Who do you mean Yashi?"

"The wind. It blew over everything. Such can only be the technique of the Cloud's greatest ANBU..." She frowned. For once, she was actually concerned...because the man that had just arrived would provide some trouble for even them. "An ANBU of great skill...and who is in line to become the next Raikage."

The Star ANBU and Reiki paled.

At that moment, the Cloud ANBU stepped through the dome...and he took off his mask and lowered his cloak's hood.

He was a rather handsome man, possessing dark eyes and pure white hair that came down to below his shoulders. Even so, one look at the man...and they knew he was not one to be trifled with. His chakra amount alone was enormous to behold.

"The one they call the Wind God because of his mastery over the air, the wind, and all that resides in the sky...even that of the lightning that bolts through the heavens and the thunder that booms like a titan...Himura Seijuro," finished Yashi.

Seijuro muttered in a clear, concise voice. He sounded no older than 25. "I'm here for Bachiwaka Reiki."

xxxx

OOC: Just to inform you DDK, Himura Seijuro is not the same as the one featured in my Naruto fic. o.-

It'd happened so quickly Ryu had lost his grip on Rico'ki. Partially worried someone as weak as Rico would have been seriously injured by wind of that strength. A quick glance was all that was needed to reveal the redheaded young man motionless on the ground.

"Beaten again, Rico-kun?" A black haired man said almost mockingly. "He's half your age and you still can't manage to defeat him. Do you know why?" Rico saw himself sneering and trading ugly faces at a small blond haired boy.

Rico saw himself scratch his head, "So thats why we never travel alone? If one of us gets attacked the other can beat the baddie down?" The man nodded, "You may be naturally more powerful, but the ability to use chakra based attacks isn't what Tengoku is about. Defending your cause is when you are strongest." Rico looked thoughtful, "What is my cause?" The other boy grinned, "My cause is helping Rico-niisan! As long as I'm with him I'm at my strongest." Rico gave him a snide smile, "You mean when you're leeching off my power." He laughed, "I guess that means my cause is protecting you, Tobe, huh?" The blond child grinned, "Only when I'm not protecting you!"

The image faded and he opened his eyes.

"Yeah...I'll try." He got up and walked over to Daio and Kai. "I'm sorry Kai. I never meant for you to get hurt. You know I would never put you in danger intentionally." He said. "Nothing like that will ever happen again. I promise."

He walked away and pulled out the umbrella from behind his back and opened it. The supports had poison needles in them, and when the jutsu is preformed, the needles shoot out of the umbrella in all directions.

"Hmm..." Izzy muttered to himself. He looked at his hands and realized he didn't have to keep those needles in that umbrella and instead use them as anassassin weapon. If he could hide from the enemy for a long enough time and shoot or throw that poison needle into one of the hotspots (the artery in the neck, the wrists, and behind the legs) he could knock him right on his ass.

"But how..." He mumbled to himself. He remembered spitballs at the academy. How he used to shoot them through a straw. "Yeah...that's it."

He found a perfect sized branch off a tree for this. It was about as long as his forearm and could be widdled down to a straw size, but thicker, as to fit the needle in there. Then, the needles could be fitted with something at the back, so as to stay inside the shooter, until forced out by his breath.

He took his kunai out and widdled the stick to a little bigger than a straw. How am I going to carve the hollow? He asked himself. Well if I want it to fit the needles, I guess I could make the hollow with the needles.

And he pulled a needle out of the umbrella and dug out a quick hollow. He noticed the needles were bigger at the end and so he made it so the needles could just stay in there and he wouldn't have to worry about them falling out.

"Finished..." He said quietly. He looked up and at a fruit ona tree across from him. "Heh." He put the shooter up to his mouth and blew in it. It went straight forward and hit the fruit right in the center, where juice started to drip from it.

"Bullseye"

YESH! I made an image of Izzy using a Gaia Character Generator, and I must say that I am quite pleased with the results. I've also changed his outfit a little bit due to lack of choice. He now wears a kind of faded blue-green jeans, combat boots(as always),and either a black flannel shirt (bare skin under), or a long sleeve black shirt.

And now, without further ado, IZZY:

And if you'd like, I will make all your characters using the same generator...heck, I'm gonna do it anyway.

OOC: Sure, go ahead. I don't mind. =D

I'll RP later.

OOC: I already know what Hiroto looks like (and his design is rather simplistic compared to other characters; just take Kakashi, replace Kakashi's head with that of a guy with a hitai-ate over his eyes and brown spiky hair, and a silvery gauntlet on his right arm), so no thanks. At least I know what Izzy looks like now.

(waits for DDK to move ahead)

Shisu blinked. That's right... How could she have mistaken this child for Reiki? ... He does look a lot like Reiki did at that age... Though a bit bigger. She frowned. "My apologies, then. You are?"

"...Chakuya Riko."

Shisu's eyes widened in surprise. The son that was left behind after Rikoku and Nanami's deaths... It had to be...

"What about you, miss? ...You asked for Reiki, so I guess that means you're another ANBU." He stood up and readied his Bo. "If you intend to kill him, then you're gonna have to go through me, and the rest of our ninja!" The look in his eyes had suddenly become fierce as he felt something within him... Something about this woman...

Shisu laughed gently, and thought quickly. "Do you see a mask on my face, dear boy? I am no assassin. I am Megami, leader of a squad of Jonin from Kosuigakure that observed so many ANBU rushing by... We decided to investigate, and it seems they are attacking you. Our village and yours are not enemies, so we are offering our assistance."

Riko suddenly became suspicious. "...Isn't Kosuigakure destroyed?"

Dammit! Reiki already told him... "Yes... Yes, it is. The true village as it was is no more, but there are some of us who still live there, without an elected Suifurou." Her lie was quick and seamless; Reiki had never returned to Kosuigakure, so his stories would not conflict with hers... The only way she would be caught was if Reiki were to see her with Riko.

She extended a hand and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, young Riko. You can count on us." She withdrew a sword from her sheath, and applied some chakra through it. Immediately, it felt apart into a sort of bladed whip-like weapon. "Now... Let's help the others."

Riko frowned, but he felt the uneasy feeling within him ebb a little. He felt... he could trust this woman, whoever she was.

xxx

Yashi's frown deepened as she stared at the Wind Ninja, Seijuro.

"Why are you here?" she asked, quietly.

Seijuro did not look pleased. "Are you deaf as well as blind? I said that I am here for Bachiwaka Reiki."

Yashi shrugged. "So... why are you here?"

Before he answered, she added, "We do not care about recovering his body; most of our techniques are not of the kind you can learn simply from studying a corpse. If he loses to one of our ninja, he will die. If he defeats us all, you could fight him afterwards. Either way, you would be able to have him without a conflict with us."

A sharp look came into her eyes, and she further added, "But if you intend to interrupt our ritual battle, there shall be no mercy for you. Choose as you will."

OOC: Big post coming up. Pause. kthxbye.

EDIT: And here I am.

xxxx

Seijuro frowned. "It is not your techniques I am after. He learned techniques that belonged to the Cloud as well...that is the secondary reason why I'm here. And if I have to go through you to get to him, then so be it. I have one primary reason to bring Reiki's body back with me...I'm under a time limit, and if I fail this mission, the position of the next Raikage goes to someone else. That is something I will not live with."

Reiki was momentarily ruing the circumstances he was in. Wonderful. Why couldn't the Cloud have sent someone else...?

Yashi's eyes narrowed. "Then you have sealed your fate."

"And my fate is to complete my mission." He performed twenty hand signs in the span of three seconds. "Futon; Tsumakitosshin no jutsu!" Visible whirlwinds began to swirl around his arms. "Wind Element; Tornado Rush!"

He swung both arms horizontally, sending two small tornadoes rushing toward the Star ANBU. The two whirlwinds seemed to roar, creating a vortex of wind within the chakra dome.

Yashi, Mishimo, Nappu, Kentsu (carrying Buugen), and Tosu leapt away. One tornado turned to pursue the first three, while the other turned to pursue the latter three. Genonosuke, on impulse, dove out of the chakra dome with Suki in tow.

Reiki blanched. What an advanced technique!

He sensed chakra behind him.

He whirled around just as he saw Seijuro finish performing some more katas. "Ikaton; Denkitsurugi! Thunder Element; Electric Sword!"

He held the index finger on his right hand forward...and it crackled with white electricity. With great speed, he jabbed at Reiki's sternum.

xxxx

Gorosho snarled. "I made you that arm under the condition that you wouldn't attack the Steel...you broke your word."

"Eh, breaking my word is just as easy as sneezing these days," retorted Glaive as he pushed harder against Gorosho. "But hey, I tell ya...the color of blood looks so freakin' AWESOME."

Insane man, thought Gorosho as he suddenly lashed out with his right foot, kicking the Hidden Inferno ANBU away. The Steel ANBU then turned his attention to the fire clones; they were on the verge of being defeated.

Shoop.

He spun around just in time to avoid a needle that had been aimed for his neck. "Hmm..."

From his spot in the tree, Izzy grimaced. "Darn it."

Gorosho prepared to use a 'Metal Dragon Blast' jutsu...but then Kai the hanyou stepped in front of him. On impulse, the Steel ANBU shoved his right hand forward, the spikes gleaming in the sunlight.

Kai crushed the arm with his massive fists. The Steel ANBU's eyes widened.

Without hesitation, Kai slung the Steel ANBU into the air. The hanyou looked down at himself with a measure of pleasure. Heh...I'm starting to like this body of mine.

As for Glaive...

He landed on the ground...right near where Genonosuke and Suki popped out of the chakra dome. The swordsman yelped, "CRAP!"

Glaive shook his head and glared at the two young Genin. "It's you two again...I HATE DEJA VU!" With a roar, he lashed out with his metallic arm.

Geno quickly pulled out Chakentetsu and held his hand against the broad side of the blade (the dull edge), allowing him to stop Glaive's attack...albeit momentarily.

SLAM!

Geno gagged as he was sent skidding along the grass. Pain roared throughout his torso. Can't move...it hurts...

Glaive giggled as he stomped toward Geno...

SPLICKSPLICK!

"RAAAAAGH!" howled the Inferno ninja as two Windmill Shuriken embedded themselves into his shoulder blades. With an angry glare, he turned to face Suki, whose eyes were wide with shock. No way! I thought that would've taken him down!

"I DON'T LIKE PAIN LITTLE GIRL!" As Glaive roared, he slammed his metal fist into Suki's gut.

Genonosuke's vision was swimming. Despite all the progress he had made since becoming a Genin...he was still inferior enough to be taken down by one kick (it didn't help that the one who kicked him was a very strong ANBU). Can't move...I'm not supposed to be in this battle of Jonin...I'm only a Genin...

As he raised his head, he saw that Suki was being utterly pummeled by the fiery-haired ANBU.

Geno's eyes narrowed as he struggled to get to his feet. Gotta fight the pain...Suki needs help. With an angry glare, his hands clenched tightly onto Chakentetsu. I can't just lay down...I have...to fight...for her... He charged, roaring out of desperation...and rage. ...for me...FOR EVERYONE!

Glaive chuckled as he reared his glaive, aiming for the downed Suki. "I wonder if your blood is just as red..."

He swung.

CLUNK!

Metal met metal.

But it wasn't the metal of Chakentetsu that met the metal of Glaive's glaive.

Rather...Genonosuke's entire body had manifested an iron carapace from head to toe, making him look as if his entire body had been replaced with metallic replacements.

It was the first level of the Chakuya Bloodline Limit...Tetsuhifu...Iron Skin.

Glaive blinked out of bewilderment. "What the devil? You look like a toy!"

"Oh yeah? Can a toy do this?" Taking advantage of the ANBU's confusion, Geno slammed his metal fist into the Inferno ninja's face.

xxxx

Rico'ki rose to his feet, looking around.

The wind from the previous attack had sent everyone to the ground...but from the looks of it, the Ocean ANBU had been the first to capitalize. Hiroto was dealing with one Ocean ninja, the enemy ANBU making good use of Water Clones.

The second Ocean ANBU was beating on Ryu and Akura while they were down, making sure none of them tried anything funny.

As for the third...he was right behind Rico'ki, the tip of his crossbow aimed for the neck. "Except your death willingly."

Suddenly, a whip-like blade wrapped around the Ocean ANBU. "?!"

He was torn to pieces.

Rico'ki turned around to see several figures step out of the forest. One was Chakuya Riko...and the rest were foriegn ninja. Since their masks were off, he did not know they were ANBU. "Who are you?"

Shisu/Megami stepped forward, cleaning her blade on the grass. "I am Megami of Kosuigakure...we've come to assist Konoha."

xxxx

OOC: Any objections DDK?

OOC: Rico finally strikes back. Cue that goofy naruto battle music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rico said nothing, instead intent on something in the air. He lowered his eyes to the Ocean ninja beating the two kids down. One of the kids had been the one that had taken time to talk to him.

Something happened inside of him, he'd felt it before when Riko and Akura were in trouble. He remembered fighting it and blacking out. This time he and whatever force inside of him were working to the same end. He felt as if air was flowing through him just as it did through the open sky, his body seemed to lighten. He knew from his own mental description what was happening. They'd all learned, every child of the Tengoku clan, that when they fought for what was right, fought for their purpose or cause, the energy in the air would aid them without thought. Thats how he felt, as if will energy, chakra, whatever you called it was simply, "on his side."

"Ryu," He muttered out. Megami sensed something off about him, but nothing that was clear. "Then you should do so. You should be honored, noone has seen the offensive skills of a Tengoku in a long time."

*ZING*

As the ninja reared back to kick Ryu again a rock zipped past his face.

*WHAP* *WHAP*

Two more came, this time slamming into his forehead.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own skill level. Like a drunk." Came the insult from the place as the rocks. The ninja looked to see the man pull out his weapon. The others hadn't ever seen him use a weapon before, and a strange one at that. It looked like a wakasashi, but it was entirely metal, even the grip.

"I guess that would be a horrible feeling...not knowing who you are, not knowing if your memories are real. Can't say I know what it feels like." He remembered the kid being almost sympathetic to him. Pain was pain, and he was going to return the favor. Ryu had helped him, now it was his turn. Even if it meant drawing attention to his abilities. He centered himself and focused his senses on the circle around him he could control.

Hiroto grimaced as he was being pressed to his knees by the Ocean ANBU. This guy's strong. As things were, Hiroto was using his arm-blade to fend off the kunai knife, while his left hand was clenching the right hand of the Ocean ninja. "Rrrrg..."

The Ocean ANBU grinned behind his mask - his Water Clones had proven to be a good distraction - as he pushed down harder.

At that moment, two Lake ANBU suddenly slammed into the Ocean ANBU's sides with their feet.

xxxx

The other Ocean ANBU narrowed his eyes as he stared at Rico'ki. Hmm...what is this man...?

He couldn't take any chances. He immediately performed hand signs. Water soaked in the ground from the earlier rose. "Ninpou; Kappajuugan! Art of the Demonic Water Bullets!"

Thirty water bullets formed. With startling speed, they rocketed toward Rico'ki.

xxxx

Huu...

Riko-kun...where are you...?

She opened her eyes.

A familiar boy with blue hair and green eyes greeted her. "Riko-kun..." she whispered with a smile.

Just as with the previous attack on him all seemed right until the bullets came close. This time the Ocean ANBU saw his strange opponent visibly flinch as some of the bullets changed direction, leaving none to hit the meek looking red head.

"Get away from them." He said as lowly and intimidatingly as he could. He made no forward moves, he wasn't sure if he could maintain his control of his personal area if he moved to attack. Without that control those bullets would have killed him, he was far to weak physically to dodge them on his own. He gripped the steel handle of his weapon tightly and stared defiantly at the ANBU. His opponent had turned his attention from Ryu, that was more than a relief to Rico'ki. His main goal was accomplished, but now he had a secondary goal. Living.

OOC: No objectios here. Large post later.

OOC: ALRIGHT, I think I have Izzy down pat this time.

Yes, Izzy is in fact shirtless now. Sometimes he has a white or OD long sleeve when it's cold out, but he is usually shirtless.

===

AND AKURA! She was the easiest to make. I wanted to make Riko first, but I have no idea what a Gi is.

OOC: A gi is a uniform. Think Samurai Jack or a Japanese swordsman.

OOC: Nice Akura. =D That's very, very close to what I had in mind. Hairstyle was a bit different, but that's a minor detail.

*researches this character generator*

Edit:

Closest thing I could find to Riko, IMO. His clothes are the wrong color, but that's essentially him, skinnier.

Another edit:

And now, Genonosuke. With extra hair in the front.

AND NOW, THE RP: (By the way, Ultra, LAKE Ninja, not River Ninja)

IC:

Reiki screamed as pain shot across his body... or he would have, had Seijuro struck him.

Reiki stared in shock from the spot he had been throw to; Seijuro was now facing Nappu, who had used Kawarimi and Henge to quickly take the hit. "Ugh..." Nappu groaned as he lost control of the jutsu, but he looked up and grinned. "You're gonna have to do better than that if you want to defy the Stars of Earth!" Nappu balled a fist, and yelled, "HOSHIKEN!" Instantly, his fist exploded into a whirlwind of purple energy, looking for all the world like an earthly cosmic storm.

Nappu punched at Seijuro with blinding speed, but the Wind God avoided the deadly strikes with ease, and then cried, "Ikaton! Raiakutobuchigiru! Thunder element; Electric Heel Slash!" Electricity began to crackle across his leg, and accumulate in his foot.

"HA!" Bringing his heel up, Seijuro spun within the air and connected his strike squarely into Nappu's chin, sending him flying through the wall of the chakra dome and into a tree.

"Kouma no jutsu! Demon Summon!"

"?" Seijuro turned to find Mishimo standing, holding a Hoshi Orb, which was summoning brightly. "I summon a member of the demon clan in contract with this soul, on behalf of this soul's release!" Mishimo smashed the orb into the ground, and it exploded with light. Suddenly, a piercing roar rose from the radiance, and a gigantic white tiger (about the size of a bull elephant) leaped out.

"I am Kodora, son of Mouko-atotori, son of the honorable Byakko-jinkou who is emperor-god of the tigers!" The tiger turned its head at Mishimo and uttered a low growl as it said, "Do not think I owe you any favors, human. The man whose soul was bound was a friend and honored battle companion. I fight for him, not you."

Mishimo shrugged. "As long as you get the job done, I don't care what you're fighting for. Hehehe..."

The tiger growled again, this time a bit louder. "Careful human... lest you incur my wrath."

Seijuro merely frowned. This overgrown house cat was no problem to him, but he had to hurry, lest Reiki get away. The creature began to make its move as Seijuro shouted, "Futon; Arekuruuarashi! Wind element; ANGRY TEMPEST!" As soon as the jutsu started, he checked around himself to make sure his target was still in the area.

Kodora suddenly found himself entangled in a fierce, horizontal blast of wind emanating from Seijuro's fingertips. His size and weight kept him from flying, but the large tiger-demon became surprised as he found it difficult to move towards his prey. The wind began focusing itself, becoming sharp and creating small cuts on Kodara's fur. The grandson of Byakko the tiger emperor merely grunted, and dug his claws into the ground to help pull himself.

In the meantime, Tosu, Kentsu, and Reiki had come behind Seijuro. Yashi had rushed to tend to Nappu at the time, so she wasn't in the battle. Things were about to start getting hectic.

xxx

Glaive grunted, and giggled as he lay on the ground. Genonosuke's blow had knocked the Inferno ANBU onto his back, and forced the Fuma Shuriken still in his back further into his shoulders, and nearly through his heart. Blood had drained into a pool around him, and he began coughing. He looked up to the sky, and began laughing, then coughed up a little blood. He then craned his head and looked at Genonosuke. "H-hey... kid. C'mere."

Genonosuke craned a metallic eyebrow, and began walking over to the Inferno Ninja, his footsteps making heavy noises. In this state, a dying man couldn't possibly do much harm to him, or so Genonosuke thought. He kneeled down next to the man as Glaive began whispering something to him.

Genonosuke's eyes widened, and Glaive rested his head back. "Yep. That's what happened... Reiki, that bastard... He had escaped into a volcano near the one our village was in... He used a combination of earth jutsu and ice jutsu, and upset the volcano's balance. I guess he thought the idea of the eruption would scare us out. Heh... He underestimated the resolve of our ANBU. I was the only one who escaped... and my precious Naginata... I don't know what happened to her. ...Hey, kid. Tell me something. Am I crazy?"

Genonosuke blinked. All this had really come out of nowhere... It was like talking to a completely different person. "...I don't know." was his honest reply.

Glaive laughed, and coughed a little. "It's just... you know... I've been traveling in search of Reiki, and there would be times when I blacked out, or I forgot things... Time would pass in the blink of an eye. And now... I suddenly found myself here, saying my last words to a kid in armor I've never seen before."

Suddenly, Glaive sat up. "But I won't give in this easily!" he whispered, suddenly fierce. "...I won't be able to kill Reiki like this. I know that. There's only one thing I CAN do..." He reached back, and jerked the giant shurikens out of his back. "See ya later, kid. And thanks... I just realized how crazy I became. I could have seriously hurt people by accident just like Reiki did... I'm no better than him. ..." Glaive began to stand up, and stumbled. Blood was still running down his orange jumpsuit freely. He took the broken remains of his mask off of his face, and turned his eyes to the sky one last time.

"Chakra, if used by a skilled ninja, can be molded into any element. The easiest element to do so with is Fire..." He turned towards Genonosuke. "Hey, kid... You know what happens when you convert all the chakra in your inner coil systems into fire without releasing it with a hand seal?"

Genonosuke shook his head.

Glaive popped his neck, and gave a wild little chuckle. "This. Better get her outta here. NOW." He gestured towards Suki, and Genonosuke immediately grabbed her shuriken and picked her up, the metal of his body reinforcing his structure to the point where her weight was bearable.

Glaive closed his eyes, and smiled. "Here I come, Naginata. Too bad I couldn't get revenge for you, or honor our village... But at least I'll make up for all the people I killed in cold blood." He picked up his trademark glaive, and thrust its point into the ground.

You can't do this! We have so much more to do! So many more to kill..

So, finally you speak to me...

I've been here all along, you twit! You were just too idiotic and boring.

In anycase, if you haven't noticed, we're dying anyway.

Eh, that's true... But...

And all you want to do is kill people, right?

...Yeah, I guess. I never really gave it much thought. Having too much fun ripping out their vital organs, you know?

...Ok, then.

And then, Glaive spoke for the final time. No one was around to here him, but if they were, they would have sworn they heard two voices; one normal, and one filled with madness, say at the exact same time:

"Let's kick some ass. One last time."

Imagine Hiroto and his squad's surprise as a blazing streak of flame tore across the area, setting fire to several of the ANBU they were fighting, and not them or the trees.

And anyone who saw that flame when it finally died out, would have also sworn there was the shape of a man within it, but as it died, nothing emerged but ash, and a flaming blob of metal that sizzled as it hit the ground.

xxx

Riko knelt over Akura, examining her. She was smiling weakly up at him, and her arm was bent at an odd angle, probably broken.

"Akki... It's ok. I'm here..." He said, softly.

"I...I know, Riko-kun."

"..." Shisu stood by Riko, looking down at the prone girl. "We have to set her arm." she said, softly. She was looking at Akura's features; Genji's warm eyes, though a different color, were staring back at her. "..." She produced some materials and they began to get to work.

"I was never trained as a medical ninja, unfortunately." She said, preoocupied.

"Really? So what were you trained as?"

"...U-um... Just a normal ninja of Kosuigakure. Everyone in the village had to be trained, since there were so few of us. I was up to the Jonin level..."

Riko raised an eyebrow. "Then Reiki definately knows you. I bet he'll be happy to see a fellow survivor after all this time, Miss Megami."

Shisu flinched. She started to feel really bad about lying to this boy, but it couldn't be helped. She had to face Reiki in combat eventually, and having this boy against her before then wouldn't be of any use.

Riko suddenly felt a sharp pain down his right shoulder to his left side. "Agh..." He clutched his chest in pain.

Akura's eyes widened. "Riko-kun! Are you ok?"

Riko grunted, and shot a look at Shisu. "...Just an old wound getting back at me. Sorry." The Mugenjin wound had flared, just as the Chaketsu wound had when Akura was in danger. His former feelings of trust aside, Riko suddenly had a VERY strong premonition that this woman was not who she said she was... But he didn't say anything. Helping Akura was more important at the time. After making sure Riko had Akura's arm set correctly, Shisu left them to rejoin the battle.

xxx

Genonosuke and Suki were surrounded by leftovers, ninja of the Grass who had come back in larger numbers.

The young Chakuya frowned. He couldn't beat these guys... He needed more agility to get away.

"Ok, you guys want some, then?" he said, smirking. "Kinzoku! Tetsuhifudanpen! Iron Skin Shrapnel!" The metal along Genonosuke's body began to twist and crack, and he leaped into the air, and spun. Suddenly, shards of metal shot across the area, distracting the Grass Ninjas long enough to provide an escape for the now normalized Genonosuke and Suki.

xxx

Sweat slicked down everyone's bodies as wind flew and jutsu names were screamed amidst the gales. Seijuro was taking on Reiki, Kentsu, Tosu, Mishimo, Yashi, Kodora, and the recently recovered Nappu all at once, and WINNING.

The gigantic tiger roared in pain as another sharp gale pierced his side. "This is getting NOWHERE!" the demon-tiger growled. "I never knew humans could be this strong or persistant. You, with the blue head-fur! Catch me!"

Reiki raised an eyebrow as Kodora suddenly leaped at him. But as the tiger approached, his size became smaller, and smaller, until suddenly...

POOF.

Reiki reached up and grabbed a sword that the tiger had transformed into. It was long, curved, and ivory white, glistening with ebony stripes running down its blade and handle.

"I will grant you my power in the form of this sword, as though I hate to admit it, you are faster than I, but my bite will not be less in this form. Rejoice, human. Few mortals have ever wielded a blade half as fine as the Kodora Fang."

Reiki jumped as an eye opened on each side of the sword where the blade met the handle.

"Now, let us go."

Seijuro's attention was still on Reiki, and now there was an opening. Wind God and Multi-ninja, with enemies on all sides (though Reiki was not fighting the ninjas of Star), rushed at each other in a clash of wind, fire, and sweat.

OOC: Post coming later.

Edit: Here we go.

xxxx

Having fallen into the woods from Kai's attack, Gorosho was in a good deal of pain...and he could also see what had just happen.

In a short amount of time, a burning man had incinerated his comrades from the Steel, along with the two remaining ANBU of the Ocean. And now ANBU from the Hidden Lake had come.

I can do nothing more here, thought the limb-maker with a scowl. He would have to return to the Hidden Steel empty-handed...and without his comrades.

With a furious grimace, the Steel ANBU fled.

xxxx

Outside the chakra dome, Yagami Hiroto knelt down beside the body of the Ocean ANBU that he had faced...and had suddenly burned away. The scent of his burnt skin, the sound of his body burning away, and the ever-decreasing amount of chakra...a good number of ANBU had been incinerated. Hmm...but who had done that? Was it that Inferno ANBU I faced earlier...?

Rico'ki sighed quietly; although he had decided to go on the offensive with his Will powers, he was not accustomed to using them in such a fashion...at least, not yet. At the very least, he had saved Ryu and that white-haired girl...

Speaking of Ryu, the Kanshisha male grimaced as he rose, nursing a nasty bruise on his right pectoral. Man...that hurt. The Ocean ANBU had really done a number on him...he actually felt an abnormal feeling in his leg...as if it had been broken. Most likely a simple fracture, a crack. Hmm...I can't do anymore in battle with this.

Hiroto pocketed a kunai as he turned toward the sources of chakra that had come to assist; he recognized the scent and 'chakra essence' of Riko and Akura...but not the others. Plus, the others' chakra...they were smothered...as if they were trying to hide their power.

He glanced at Megami. "Who are you...and what brings you here?"

xxxx

Inside the chakra dome, the battle was as furious as ever. Himura Seijuro pulled out one black dagger - with red runes etched into it - from inside his cloak, bringing it up against Kodora Fang. Sparks flew.

Reiki blanched as he tried to hold up against the great power of the Wind God, even with the help being offered by the Fang. Suddenly, Kodora's voice echoed outward from the Fang. "That blade...I recognize the essence within. It is a talon from a phoenix."

"Yes. It was a talon given to my clan generations ago. A talon from a phoenix demon. It was carved into a dagger...and given to the first-borne son of the Himura clan's elder. And with this dagger, I can utilize a phoenix's mastery of the sky...as you shall see." The runes glowed a fiery red as a Seijuro stepped back - letting a Wind Clone spawned from the swirling air within the dome hold the dagger - as he performed hand signs. "Katon and Futon; Inferuno Kaze! Fire and Wind Element; Inferno Wind!" Seijuro grabbed the dagger from the wind clone - right as a sharp gale struck Reiki's side - and swung.

A flaming gust erupted from the dagger, slamming into Reiki, and sending him flying out of the chakra dome. Seijuro began to pursue...just as Mishimo, Tosu, and Kentsu swerved around a large gale and prepared to fling explosive Star Orbs at him.

The Wind God turned around and directed another gale in their direction...and he threw the dagger into the air just as he performed more hand signs. "Futon; Uindoato no jutsu! Wind Element; WIND'S SCAR!"

He grabbed the dagger and swung horizontally. Five separate gales moved in unison toward the three Star ANBU, carving large trenches into the ground. The three ANBU paled as the tumultuous upheaval of wind picked them up and shoved them out of the chakra dome.

Satisfied, Himura Seijuro exited the dome.

xxxx

Hyuu ducked as three Star ANBU were propelled out of the chakra dome, falling headlong into the field of tall grass in which the Grass ninja from Kusagakure had hidden themselves. What the blazes is going on in there?

Kai regarded the fields of tall grass with slight worry...although his skin was tough enough to block the Wind Blade jutsu, he wasn't sure how he would fare in a field of blades. After all, even a fairly-skilled Chuunin of the Grass could turn a field of grass into a footbed of spikes. "Sis...any idea what we should do now?"

Daio shook her head. "No...we can only wait and watch."

Izzy rejoined the group as he pocketed his new needle-blower. "Any idea what we're up against?"

"At least a dozen Grass ninja in there," remarked Hyuu as he stared at the five-foot tall field of grass. From here, he could see many of the grass ninja converging on a few spots...

CHOOM!

"AAGH!"

Grass ninja screamed as old-fashioned flash bombs exploded in the grassy field, blinding them...before the Star ANBU tore at them. Dismembered bodies and limbs went flying. Heads went flying, their foreheads caved in from powerful blows. The four Genin went pale at the carnage; the three ANBU that had fallen into the grassy field were TICKED.

Moments later, they stepped out. Some of the blood from the Kusa-nin had gotten onto their clothes...but it didn't erase the looks of anger from their eyes.

And for good reason; the Star prided itself on excellent ninjas. Ninjas of the Chuunin level could easily hold their own against the Jonins of most other ninja villages. The Jonins themselves were capable of defeating any opponent, save for a Kage.

And they were now fighting someone who was in-line to become the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud.

Mishimo snarled as he stomped past the four Genin with his comrades Tosu and Kentsu. "No more games...we need to get with Yashi and use the Meteor jutsu. It's our best chance of killing that Cloud insect."

As the three reentered the dome, Hyuu gulped. The killing intent emanating from those three...had been unparalleled. Merely being near them had been suffocating.

Izzy could only fall to his knees, wondering why Genin were fighting the battles of Jonin.

xxxx

Genonosuke grimaced as he sat down against the base of a tree, the still unconscious Suki in his arms. Man...I'm aching all over. He felt incredibly stiff from the Iron Skin Bloodline Limit...it had sapped a good portion of his chakra (no doubt a side-effect of it being his first time using it), and his joints were hard to move.

Still...he had done it.

He had been able to use the first level of his clan's Kekkei Genkai...Tetsuhifu...

He was eligible for Jintetsu.

Genonosuke smirked as he glanced at the hilt of his sheathed blade. Soon...I'll have an even better blade...

Nyoda Suki began to stir, her body looking bruised all over from Glaive's beat-down. The redhaired girl blinked and shook her head to try and clear her vision...and when she looked up, she saw Geno's face. "Oh...hi."

"Uh...hi," muttered Genonosuke, his former sense of self-assuredness disappearing. It was then that he noticed he was holding onto her bare skin (And what can you expect? She's only wearing a halter top and shorts.). He immediately set her down, backing away by a few inches. "Um...you kind got knocked out." Strange how men become blubbering messes around the women of their affection.

"Yeah, I kinda did," replied Suki as she nervously scratched her hair. Neither of them noticed each other blushing. "Um, did you...get my shuriken?"

"Oh, yeah." Genonosuke handed Suki her two folded-up Fuuma Shuriken. The girl smiled. In turn, this caused Geno to smile.

SLAM!

"WAH!" yelped the two Genin as Bachiwaka Reiki - Kodora Fang in hand - fell on the ground in front of them, the front of his clothes burnt. Geno paled at the sight. No...

Footsteps.

The two turned...and gaped at the intimidating sight of the white-haired Cloud ANBU. Himura Seijuro glared at them as he clutched his phoenix dagger. "Stand aside."

Now, Suki was in no mood to battle. Nor was she capable of doing so; she felt like a rag doll. So she did the first thing her mind commanded her to do.

Scream.

A few moments later, Yagami Hiroto appeared between the two Genin and Seijuro (obviously not waiting for Megami's answer). It took Hiroto a few moments to pin down the chakra source...but he knew once he sensed the dagger. "That dagger...its chakra is demonic in origin...and the only person with this much chakra that smells of absolutely nothing has to be the Cloud's best ANBU."

"Your senses are correct," muttered Seijuro. Most people from the Hidden Cloud possessed no native scent like some people, for they lived so high up in the sky that they had no distinctive smell as a whole. "Now stand aside, Blind Sentinel of Konoha. I've come for Reiki."

That's when Megami and her Lake ANBU arrived, following the scream. The head of the Lake ANBU paled at the sight of the Wind God; what was such a high-caliber ANBU doing here (even though the same could be said of the whole Star ANBU group)?

Seijuro stared at Megami. "Shisu the Black Eel of what was once Kosui...you will also stand aside."

Shisu blanched as her throat constricted; she didn't stand a chance against THIS ninja...

"You...you're Shisu..."

The woman frowned as she glanced over her shoulder, staring at the green eyes of Chakuya Riko. "Yes...I am."

The goings-on were foreign to Rico, its not as if he'd care even if he was involved. However, Ryu had seemed at least semi-concerned with him before, and that same boy looked badly injured now. Letting his focus fall away he trotted over to the genin, he'd meant to check the severity of the damage as that was the logical thing to do. Instead he heard himself say a rather stupid sentence that wouldn't do anything but waste time, "Ryu? Are you ok?"

Seijuro felt something odd, not as dangerous as it was troubling. The aura he was generating felt off, as if something was pulling at the energy, drawing parts of it away. He could easily tell where it was going but it didn't make any sense.

OOC: The next few days are going to be a bit hectic; what with my birthday being around the corner and all(not to mention Christmas).

What does everyone think of a little break? >_> If it's a bad idea, then forget it, but I want to know what everyone else says.

BTW, Ultra... Exploding Hoshi Orbs? o_o;; These are orbs filled with people's souls here; Mishimo smashing that one was a bit special...

OOC: Eh, I changed them to flash bombs. You can take a quick break if needed.

xxxx

Ryu grimaced as he rubbed his leg. "Not really...I won't be able to fight anymore today."

xxxx

Seijuro frowned as he felt part of his aura being pulled off by an outside source...for he had felt this sensation before. Is Orviac here...?

OOC: I'll be MIA most of this weekend. Finishing last minute shopping thursday, in-laws on sat-sun, etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The number of foreign ninja around was starting to make him nervous, especially the one that just seemed to ooze power. Best if I downplay it and act like a ninja. I need to make sure they all get out of this in one piece.

"Maybe I should start pulling my weight then. Or at least yours." He stood up and closed his eyes flashing a few hand signals before firing off in a low voice, "Bakajikara no Jutsu." Ryu blinked as a dull blue aura flared around Rico for a moment before vanishing. I should consider myself lucky there's a powerful guy around here. With that kind of of aura I can maintain my strength increase and still have energy to fight if I have too.

He grabbed the genin's shirt and, much to Ryu's surprise, tossed him onto his back as easily as Hiroto-sensei would have. The red haired man flipped his weapon's hilt back, offering it to Ryu, "I'll be your legs if you'll be the eyes in back of my head."

OOC: Look ultra, do I need to make a rule that the only person that can bump an RP is the last poster? You want to continue this, do so. The last post was directed at Ryu, his player should answer.

OOC: I was just kind of waiting for DDK to continue. Might as well introduce a new character while we're waiting!

xxxx

Outside of Konohagakure, Adei stared at the person before him with a look of somewhat mild fear. After all, the perso before him was quite...powerful.

Beneath his black cloak-and-hood, the dark-haired man known as Orviac arched an eyebrow at the sight of Adei's reluctant expression. "...you found a former student of our departed Master...haven't you?"

"He's not the same as he once was," mumbled Adei.

Orviac chuckled as his green eyes glinted in the sunlight. "The only Will user I know who would make you act like this is Fokkusu Rico'ki...so he's here."

"I don't think he'd present a threat to you...he's lost a lot of his memories. Just leave him alone."

Orviac smiled at Adei's pleading. "Hmph...it doesn't matter. He's the first one I've found in some time...when he's out of the way, I'll be the only Will user left alive. And when my benefactors go through with their plan...everyone will look to me because of the power I wield. Everyone will look up to me for protection...and I will achieve the ideals of Tengoku in a way that fool Kenji Pendragon never had the will to pursue." Snickers. "Hmph...'will to pursue'. I crack me up."

The dark-haired Orviac cackled as he used his Will powers to lift a boulder out of the ground. Adei remained silent as he floated away with Orviac atop the boulder, disappearing into the clouds.

xxxx

Ryu blinked at Rico'ki's offer. What? What's going on...is he using Will again to make himself more powerful? "Um...thank you...I guess." He clenched the hilt tightly as the enemies came closer.

Aside from Himura Seijuro, the Star ANBU, and the Lake ANBU, the Grass ninja were the only ones left to fight. Right now, ten of them were circling around Rico'ki.

One jumped into the air.

"ABOVE!" roared Ryu.

Rico'ki jumped to the side (avoiding the attacking Grass ninja), his body flaring with borrowed chakra as he glared at another Grass Jonin storming at him with two kunai.

OOC: Sorry if this is a little much. But it will solidify the subplot and maybe help with the main one. Not to mention let everyone know Rico's not a bystander in this.

It's rapidly becoming clear if I don't fight, these people are going to kill the genin. But if I start to fight, there no going back. People will know, all these people.

Rico's mind raced as he barely dodged the charging ninja. I could escape if I dropped Ryu. It's the only way to escape without endangering myself further. If these people learn what I am things are going to get much more complex.

But to abandon this injured guy? No, I can't. Not even if it means every village in the world learning of me. I'll try to hide it as best I can, even at that I'll be on a list of powerful men.

"Rico, behind." He heard Ryu's voice call out. It has to be now. They handled things before but this is getting too much even for THESE kids. At least I can make them think I'd ninja, not something else.

He felt pressure from the back and the sound of sword hitting sword. "Rico, stop day dreaming." Ryu yelped parrying a blow from a a grass ninja's blade. Rico narrowed his eyes muttering lowly, "The enemies of the wolf won't endanger us this way."

He spun around quickly throwing the ninja off guard, "Shuurai no Jutsu" Ryu felt the hairs on his neck stand on end just before an arc of energy sparked between Rico and the ninja, it didn't seem to shoot out, it simple sparked. The same way lightning does between the sky and ground. The flash was blinding but fast, sending the ninja flying back. He caught hand seals between the flash and the next event, he couldn't quite make them out. The name was clear though. Loud and purposeful, as if this one he wanted the whole area to hear.

"Shootosaakitto no Jutso!" In the brief moment before it hit Ryu breathed "short circuit?" A second blinding flash burned his eyes. His body suddenly felt weak and limp, as if something had sucked the chakra out of him. Then a deafening roar hit, something that could obviously be heard for miles. It left Ryu and all of the Grass ninja blind, deaf, and to weak to move. Ryu knew they were moving, he could feel it, but he couldn't see or hear anything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The display was felt far away. It made Orviac chuckle, almost in anticipation. He knew the feeling of that power all too well. The young man beside him looked at the electric blast in shock, feeling his eyes start to tear up.

Everyone paused at the sudden influx of power they felt, along with the roar. Seijuro frowned; he had felt chakra being drawn to one point before the powerful electric blast had occured. Hmm...it's not Orviac...another Will user here?

Yagami Hiroto, meanwhile, merely smiled. Out of everyone there at the moment, he knew Rico'ki the closest. So...he's finally unleashing the big guns. About time.

xxxx

Yashi frowned as she sensed the powerful blast's roar echo through the chakra dome. Another power...but not from the Wind God. What is going on...?

Tosu, Mishimo, and Kentsu stepped into the dome, joining Nappu and Kodora's side. Mishimo growled, "We can't play around any more Lady Yashi...we must use the Meteor jutsu."

"That jutsu could destroy this whole mountain if we're not careful," muttered Yashi as her eyes became downcast. It wasn't like her to hesitate...but then again, it wasn't often that the ninja of the Star faced an opponent that put them against the ropes.

xxxx

EDIT: Whoa. O.o; Apparently, Quick Reply allows you to use your custom signature.

OOC: Did you try IMing the dork and seeing if he's still around?

OOC: You mean DDK? Yeah; he says he's trying to think. I've offered to just have him tell me where he wants to go with his characters over IM so we can stop stalling, but he hasn't said anything.