Welcome to Gaia! ::

~:Orochimaru:~

It had been a few hours since she had informed all of her shinobi to meet her at this exact location. It wasn’t that Athena had been waiting a long time; it just took a few or so hours to get here, this forest not being part of the Storm village as it resided on the very eastern side of her land. She had to trek over a few small mountains and hills but it was really nothing and she barely even broke a sweat.

Leaning her back against one of the dead trees near the very mouth of the forest the Animakage slowly allowed her eyelids to slip close, the excitement of this mission beginning to fill up her entire body. Clenching one of her fists she could feel her nails p***k slightly into the skin of her palm, her body slightly tensing as she eagerly waited for her shinobi to join her.

A strong musty odor of old wood seemed to waft through the air, the clear crispness of a forest not lingering within this dead woodland.

“This forest…nothing has changed.” Athena thought as her eyelids slowly opened as her nose crinkled up slightly at the smell of the musty wood.

Rei bounced across the branches quickly, making his way toward Athena as quickly as he could. He landed in a crouch behind Athena, his head bowed as he knelt. The boy had made his way to the forest where Athena told them to go as quickly as he could after buying some extra things he thought he was going to need.

"I'm here, Athena-sama, forgive me for being so long." He said, keeping his head bowed as he spoke. He didn't exactly expect to be in trouble for taking a while, but he still wanted to apologize for not just leaving with her since he had really been ready at that moment.

"Animakage-sama, your father has an interesting taste in surroundings...Hmm...It appears to be some sort of powerful Genjutsu, I cannot penetrate it..."

Orochimaru did not bother explaining or apologizing for his lateness, his Kage knew that if Orochimaru was not at her side, then he was involved with something important. However the important thing he was involved with would never be discussed, with anyone, not even Athena would know what had held him. However he was here now, classically melting away from the shadows forming into a solid being, his mask still adorned upon his face. Not even for an important mission such as this would he ever remove his mask, only when fighting alone, against an enemy that he would kill would his mask be removed. The only one he had taken his mask off to whom he did not believe was a worthy kill was the gambler, but he felt sorry to had been trying to take his life for some reason.

To the matter now, Orochimaru could see very well, but that was due to something completely different he was not however using an illumination technique. It was something more to do with his eyes, he saw perfect in the black of darkness, however what he saw was a maze of knarled trees that seemed to reach out for them. As though beckoning, or perhaps groping for them, to lead them to their deaths however he figured from his Kage's calm demeanor that this would be no problem. Orochimaru's gaze merely fell upon Rei silently, he only acknowledged the boy with a slight nod of his head. He would never be to reassured by this boy, his ability was yet to be seen truly by Orochimaru, he just hoped he would not end up having to save the boy.

"Animakage-sama, I do believe that you must know how to transits through this knarled maze yes?"

Leina wasn't far behind from them. She left ten minutes after them, the delay, retrieving the last few things for the mission. Now landing quietly in the small area where they were to meet, she looked at Athena, the last person she saw in the Grotto, and then her gaze went to Orochimaru and Rei. Standing up from her kneeling position she nodded to them and looked at her surroundings.

Wrangled trees, musty and moldy air, quite dim, it seemed to be a haunted forest from a story book. Looking back at the group, she silently waited for the next move. Before she even reached the group, she placed her ANBU mask on. Though she wished, since she joined the village to be ANBU, she never liked the idea of the mask, but since this was a mission, and as well as another ANBU was in the group, she really did not want him questioning her.

Shifting into a better position, she leaned on a knarled, which seemed to be sturdy in her eyes, she waited, her eyes darting around the forest. She felt the force of the barrier in the area, and was a bit surprised by it's strength, that she wondered lightly, if indeed, the village they were to enter knew about their arrival already. Deciding not to ask, she looked back in the direction of the Storm village, and wondered if Ishim and Kumis received her message already.

Keeping her back pressed up against the old rugged wood she seemed to eye all of her shinobi, her bright eyes falling on each one of them before her orbs fell upon an empty space amongst them. Athena didn’t really want to abandon one of her shinobi but it seems everyone had followed her orders as soon as possible, all except Michio.

“He’s strong…but he doesn’t know the wall through the maze…” The Animakage mumbled to herself as she gently lifted her head to get a peek over Orochimaru’s shoulders to see if her one last member was coming.

“I really don’t want to wait much longer, so I’ll go over a few things while we wait for Michio.”

As Athena gradually removed her back from the tall trunk of the tree she gently reached back to tighten her ponytail before her aquamarine pools once again scanned all three of them.

“Yes, I do know how to get through it, but I’m positive my father has either changed the route a little or has sent up more traps.”

Walking towards the mouth of the forest, her footsteps echoed loudly, the loud crunch of dead branches filling the air.

“I must warn you guys about a few things, the first being the traps. He doesn’t care much for strangers so his traps aren’t just little nets and ropes. These traps are designed to kill, and if you even set one off, you will most likely die.”

Reaching down the length of her body Athena’s hand slipped down into one of her kunai pouches, removing one of her weapons she looped it around her fingers, the blade twirling around in circles as she held out her arm.

“Be ultra careful where you go, there are traps on the ground as well as in the trees. Keep an eye on the animals within the forest, they are most likely spies sent from my father’s village. If you see one, don’t hesitate to kill it.”

The Kage paused slightly as she allowed her words to pass through their thoughts. “Don’t pass me whatever you do, keep close, and don’t go venturing off unless I tell you to, which I probably wont.”

Allowing the kunai to slip free from one of her fingers the blade flew into one of the towering branches, as soon as the bark was struck, rows upon rows of sharpened baboon sticks jutted up from the ground, the earth crumbling as a small dust cloud whirled around the newly found trap.

“These are all warnings, I expect you to follow them, I assure you I will not be babysitting any of you, if you do in fact die, you’re body will most likely be left to rot in this damned forest.”

Athena’s tone was beyond serious as she eyed her kin for yet a third time. “This is not a class picnic, my father has elite shinobi probably hiding within the forest as well, all of you be on your best guard and try to use all of your senses to guild you through the forest as well as to avoid any traps. You’re eyes will deceive you, try not to depend on your sight at all times, it’s extremely dark within the heart of the forest.”

Clearing her throat she once again looked in the clearing to see if she could see Michio in the distance.

“Now does any one have any questions before we go in?” Athena asked wondering if her warnings were all clear.

Orochimaru kept his silence, there was no need for him to say more, however he felt as though the winds had shifted, there was something very wrong here. This place radiated of something dark, it was not so unlike the feeling of the being that lurked inside of himself, however this thing was much less threatening. However it held its own place, the strange feeling of dread was washing over him, but then suddenly it was gone like a cool breeze.

Pitiful tricks, they will not concern you as long as I am here...Orochimaru-kun...Make them scream...Ku...Ku...Ku...

"....."

Orochimaru remained silent, his eyes glazed over for a moment as though something else had caught his attention and then he suddenly snapped out of it. Shrugging his shoulders and flexing his muscles slightly as though he were lessening them for the battle that would surely be following them through. The person's words that came from inside him, they made him feel uneasy, he normally did not make his targets suffer but suddenly he felt a steadily growing need for a sadistic pleasure to be sated. Under his mask a large toothy grin began to grow as he felt his symbiotic other's pleasure of causing pain. May the may the gods and demons have mercy on the poor soul that would have to face this man, he was no longer Orochimaru, he was a whole different monster now.

Rei nodded to Athena's instructions, standing slowly and waiting for her to give the order to move. He was told not to stray from Athena and he definitely wasn't going to do that from the sounds of the village's defenses. He hoped there wouldn't be anything Athena missed that he or somebody else tripped, that wouldn't exactly make anyone that useful to her like she said.

This...isn't going to end well...For anybody... He thought grimly, looking around as if he expected to see someone or something appear from nowhere and kill or hit somebody.

Athena’s eyes slowly fell upon Orochimaru as she noted both his and Rei’s silence, it seems none of them had any questions and were now mentally preparing themselves for this mission. She sighed softly at the thought of only having three shinobi to accompany her; surely her father would have dozens protecting his village. “I guess four is what we have to work with, perhaps Michio will join us later on, I’ll try to leave signs for him to instruct him along the right path.”

Turning slowly around on her heel, Athena now faced the forest, her long raven hair dancing along her shoulders as a cool breeze howled by. “Remember, as sappy as this is going to sound…we have to stick together, we’re doing this as a team effort, one false movement by one of you and it could end up bringing the whole team down. Don't let me down, I'm counting on each and everyone of you.”

Taking another long deep breath the Animakage calmly closed her eyes as she tried to settle her thoughts, attempting to put a hold on her anger so it wouldn’t distract her from the obstacle at hand.

“Alright, let’s move out.”

As those last words slipped free from Athena’s lips she took off into the forest, her mind serving as a map as she tried to remember the exact steps through the dangerous forest.

Silently nodding and pushing herself with her back from the tree she was leaning in, Leina began following Athena. She had no questions, thus she never spoke. Looking once again at the area they were in, she quickly centered her attention on the Kage's movements. Whatever tense, or careful movement Athena would do on the path, Leina made sure to do the same so as not to trigger any traps like the one shown to them earlier.

Though her mask hid her features as well as the forests own darkness, Leina's eyes were in slits. She was keeping an eye out for anything unusual, any movement, any thoughts from others she could hear. As a telepath who hates her own power, she was now using it to her own advantage, though she made sure not to listen in to any of her fellow shinobi's own thoughts, blocking them from her mind, only letting other non-kin's thoughts come to her, like a waft of freshly baked bread one can smell a block or two away from a bakery. Looking around once again, she stopped once, then continued following Athena.

Orochimaru seemed to lag for a moment, he was regaining his thoughts before finally the new thing that hid inside Orochimaru's flesh followed silently. It made sure to note Athena's steps and take them, however it was confident enough that it would not need to worry about tripping any traps. However the thing now in place of Orochimaru had a feeling that all the traps, or at least most of them, had been disarmed by someone quite recently. His mind ached for bloodshed, and surely he would have it in the battle to come, if he where an enemy right now, he would be trying to get them apart quickly as possible. It would be crucial to try to stick together for as long as possible but he figured it would not be long before they where one on one with someone.

"Ku..."

I wonder whom I shall be defiling first...

That sadistic broad smile one again grew across Orochimaru's lips, luckily it was still hidden by the mask that was underneath, Orochimaru wondered why this essence wished so much to kill for pleasure. He could not understand a being that killed to satisfy itself, since he only killed because he believe it was necessary. However he always killed mercilessly, no matter whom or what the foe was, he would destroy it promptly and without an ounce of remorse. He was always cold and methodical when it came to killing people, however this new Orochimaru wished to take his time, to take pleasure in suffering. A whole different way of looking at the destruction of one's foe was now put into place within the mind of this man, whomever he was now.

As they continued to run carefully through the forest Athena began to slowly develop an uneasy feeling about the whole situation. Surely at least someone by now would have spotted them or at least sensed their presence, was her father losing his touch? No…that couldn’t be it, Athena thought as she pretty well answered her own question without having to say one word.

Coming to a sudden halt, the Animakage threw out her right arm to signal the shinobi behind her to come to a stop. “I barely sense any one…why is this so easy…” Athena muttered to herself as she slowly reached down into one of her kunai holders. It was getting harder to see within the darkness, the pitch blackness of the forest completely blanketing in woodland in a cover of shadow making it nearly impossible to see anything. For most of the journey she was know relying on her ears as well as her mind, which was currently serving to her as a detailed map to guild her through the maze-like forest.
Slipping a kunai onto one of her fingers she allowed the weapon to zip free from her clutch, the tip of it hitting a tree not too far up ahead. The dull thud of the bark echoed through her ears as she waited for something to happen. Still, she continued to bathe everyone in silence, nothing moved nor did her kunai trigger the trap that she was positive that had been placed there.

“Something’s…wrong…” A sudden worried expression took over Athena’s features as she leapt over to the tree where her kunai had been thrown into. She examined the bark carefully, her fingers sliding all over the rugged texture as she looked for some sort of sign or oddity. Finally near the back of the trunk her slender fingers fell upon a small string which had seemed to be frayed near the end. “Someone has either triggered this trap before us or…”
Athena’s thoughts trailed off slightly as she looked back at the group of shinobi that resided behind her.

“Everyone, scan this one area, look for any signs of dead bodies or skeletal remains…this trap wouldn’t have gone off on its own.”

"Hai" Leina nodded when Athena told them to search the area. She, herself, was doubtful about how the who situation seemed to be easy, no traps have been triggered and such like the one Athena showed them when they entered the forest.

Stepping sideways, she took the western side of the area to look around. Whatever triggered the trap, it certainly, like Athena, wouldn’t have gone on its own, or gone to far for that matter. Lightly stepping over the knarled and naked trees, Leina looked at the ground and the trees for any sign of death. Her eyes darting upwards then sideways, she looked trough the dimness and saw nothing.

Taking another step forward she stopped and looked at the ground, she had almost stepped on a twig. Picking it up, she examined it closely then lightly put it back down before continuing not to far from the group. No person, no cadaver, no animal in sight. Once again stopping she looked around and decided to close her eyes to concentrate more on thoughts in the forest rather than rely on her sense of sight and hearing.

Nothing but a blank landscape filled her mind and she quickly opened her eyes, the mask hiding her features of restlessness. Looking back at where she came from, she looked back again into the darkness of the forests. Something terribly wrong was going on here. 'Nothing triggered the trap', Leina's mind raced, 'Someone deactivated them.....' she glared at the forests darkness as if it was the culprit that deactivated them. She stood there for several moments as if expecting for something to appear and attack her, thought she was ready with her katana in its scabbard slung on her back and her sebons on the side pockets.

Rei looked around his own area, not moving very far at all since he was positive somebody, or something, was waiting somewhere. He just hoped that he was either just being paranoid or whatever he was sure was waiting for them was noisy enough to not just pick him off and be gone without a trace of either of them having even been there.

I must help Athena-sama...I can't do that if I get killed by being careless. I can't think this feeling is just unease, I could be right and be dead without a chance to warn anyone because I didn't listen to this feeling. He thought, turning at the smallest rustles of anything from wind or one of the others moving. Since the other three weren't very far away, he didn't make a move to attack in case one of the rustles was one of them.

"I don't like this Athena-sama...I feel like we're being watched. There's got to be somebody waiting..." Rei said, deciding to voice his concern, maybe he wasn't the only one feeling jittery aside from the fact that this was way too easy to get around.

Whilst everyone was at an incredible unease, Orochimaru at the moment felt more at home then he had ever felt in his entire life. The simple conclusions that where being thrown around where boring Orochimaru, it was quite obvious what had happened, someone figured out they where coming and disarmed the traps. Either the person wanted them to accomplish their mission or they wanted them to get far enough to be lured into another more dangerous trap.

"Animakage-sama, there are no bones or remains, it is quite obvious that someone must have disarmed the trap...Which would mean that either someone wants us to accomplish our mission, or they wish to lure us into an even larger trap...I am more faithful toward the latter..."

Orochimaru came to this conclusion rather simply, why? Well that is because it is exactly what Orochimaru, the current Orochimaru, would have done had he been in the same situation. He would have disarmed the normal traps so he could then wait in ambush with some of his high ranking shinobi to attack the trespassers. It was a tactical advantage and the element of surprise would most certainly be on the side of those whom oppose them, thus they would need to be extremely cautious. They could not afford carelessness on the part of anyone in the group, it would be a bad thing on everyone.

"If I were the enemy, it is what I would do..."

From the minute she stepped into the forest Athena could tell something was up, the woodland didn’t feel as dangerous as before, it seemed to take on a calmer effect than anything to her.

“I know, you don’t think I realized that before hand?” She stated a bit hotly as she turned slightly on her heel to face Orochimaru. The moment the trap didn’t go off she knew someone had deactivated them knowing her father wouldn’t just randomly remove his traps for no reason. “The point was not to get everyone in a fuss over it…” She sighed lightly as she reached down for her katana.

“Alright, it seems my father has caught wind of my visit, which…completely ******** over my plans…” Sliding the blade through the bark she carved a rather large X into the truck of the tree. She had been leaving small signs in case her fifth shinobi did ever take the time to show up.

“Either way there is going to be a trap, and being tedious is a complete waste of time since the traps along the right route have been disarmed….” The Animakage cupped her forehead lightly as her fingers draped over the front of her head. “He wants us to get there faster for a reason, and I believe that reason may be is that he’s looking to try and separate us.”

Athena clawed her face lightly as she dragged her fingers down the length of her visage. She was a bit frustrated wondering how in the hell her father found out about her plans and had already prepared for her visit.

“So you know what, let’s go right into his trap, lets see what he has to offer.”

Dropping her arm down slowly she slide her shadow stained blade back into its wooden sheath. “We all knew we’d get separated sooner or later, so…if we have to battle one on one battles, then be it. I believe all of you are strong enough to withstand anything my father has to throw at you and if you’re not, then you have no place within the Storm village.”

Her order seemed like more than a threat then anything, her brisk words traveling quickly on hot breath as she fully made up her mind.

“This mission is to kill my father, and there’s no point in trying to take a different route because some of the traps off the path may still be in effect. If you wish to venture away from me then be it, may the countless traps still hidden within the forest take you down swiftly.”

As that last sentence freed itself from her parted lips she once again took off into the forest, the bottom of her feet drumming along the branches as she leapt from limb to limb.

Slowly, the body creped forward, rustling and breaking twigs. There was no stealth about this man. Instead, there was more of a air of desperation to the man's motions. Stumbling and scrambling at the same time, obviously his body hadn't the energy for either. Yet, he had to push on...

Tripping, the ultimate insult to injury for the worn man. The handprint he left along the nearest tree that had caught him more he could have caught himself was crimson and fresh. The wounds he had taken seemed all the more apparent yet, at the same time hidden beneath the rather baggy clothes. Torn splotches here and there were trimmed with his own blood. The cloth had started to absorb some of the blood and was starting to stick to his skin.

Trying for a few more steps, it was obvious that he wasn't faring too well. Finally, taking a tumble, he saw the seemingly distant people. Weakly, but as strong as he could muster. "Please... Saikin...." he managed, before convulsing with a spit of blood. His right side had been scratched up, seemingly by some wild animal, but instead it showed one shuriken, with wickedly curved ends protruding from his side. Probably puncturing his lungs...hence the coughed blood.

"Help..." he muttered again, praying they'd heed his call.

He didn't exist, it was one of the skills he'd mastered. He didn't move, he wasn't there, he might as well have been a rock. Despite being cocky, there was a certain amount of skill he had to possess in order to back it up. After all, he wasn't among the best because he knew how to blow balloon animals.

...

Well, his balloon animals were awesome, but that wasn't why he was among the best ninja. It was his dedication to perfection, to impressing and obtaining Athena. She had already impressed him and run off to be Kage with his heart. It was his turn to do what he could for her...and at the same time, the collar he wore couldn't have felt heavier.

Saikin was...in charge of him. He had no choice but to listen to him. Why... forcing the thoughts from his mind, he knew what he had to do. First and foremost, he had to handle them each in turn... and then... hopefully... he could do...something for Athena.

Orochimaru seemed to pay no heed to her words meant to throw him into a state of depression for how harshly they had been said to him. He did not even look at her as she had spoken her words, he merely went back to following her, likely they would be separated eventually. It would however be best that they stick together as long as they could manage to do so, however the feeling of dread would soon be over them all. He wondered indeed what this man whom was the father of his Kage would have under his command, what kind of shinobi, or even kunoichi that he would command. It left an odd feeling in his stomach, and caused the excited thirst for the kill to become even more exciting then before.

"I do hope they spring this trap soon, all this jumping around is dull..."

The new Orochimaru was already becoming bored with this mission, and had almost thought about doing what she had warned against, and just running off by himself. He didn't care for her or her ideals at that moment, he was a whole different person, and this person only wanted the bloodshed that would come of this. He didn't care about the people whom would fight and die in this process, he just wanted to taste of a fresh kill smooth upon his lips once again. He would not stop, he was a machine now, it caused him to become more and more like a thing that needed to be put away for the rest of its days. Of course this would not be happening at this point in time, Orochimaru would find the target whom which he would bee fighting with and he would promptly destroy them.

"I do hope it is someone delicious..."

The natural darkness of the forest suddenly went to pitch black. Bats proceeded to fly around, most of them part of the Genjutsu being employed while a few made quick passes to cling to, scratch and fly away from Athena, Rei, Orochimaru and Leina. Until the technique was dispelled, no one would be able to rightly tell the difference between the false and real bats until they were attacked. In the process, Kato moved quickly, using his tantou to leave a small cut the same size as the average scratches from the bats. He licked his blade off as the real bats left, hoping all of them escaped with their lives. He waited to let one of them dispel his current Genjutsu. Besides, making them worry about being attacked by a "vampire" would distract them from Temaki's other illusory traps to separate the group.

The vampiric shinobi's orders were simple, if there weren't enough for each of them to fight somebody for whatever reason, lure Athena to Saikin. They were short one, so he was going to do exactly that. He transformed into Saikin and took some kunai from a pouch that he'd kept from disarming some of the traps. They flew quickly from his hand as he stood and leapt off. He flashed a smirk at Athena and winked at her, bounding toward the village where his master waited. Where he would wait to see what his own fate was. If my master dies...my life is in her hands. Hopefully, she won't believe suicide would be an order I'd follow. He though, glancing back to make sure Athena had seen and pursued him.

Athena could feel her heart pound viciously within her chest, her lips slowly parting as she quickly caught a glimpse of what seemed to be her father leaping through the trees. She ignored the other’s genjutsu, a wound now appearing along her neck, the bright crimson soon leaking down her pale skin. “You…I…” Before she could even finish her sentence she bounded off after her father, her duties as a Kage soon leaving her as she bolted as fast as she could after the man whom she seemed to think was her father.
She knew it was a horrible idea to leave her shinobi behind, but she had a strong feeling they’d be alright, she hoped one of them would be able to dispel the genjutsu and not always have to rely on their Kage to do everything.

“He's...just in there…” Athena could feel herself break out into a chilled sweat as she could see the village up ahead, her father must of gotten rid of the genjutsu so she could once again easily find her way back into the village.

He hadn't expected any of them to catch up with him that quickly. Still, he couldn't just ignore it, plans changed and his duties were first. As his emotions flared and urged him to take off after her...to warn her that it wasn't Saikin she was chasing...still, he had his duties first. He had to keep reminding himself that. Instead, he warped the genjutsu quickly and skillfully.

Instead of pursuing the disguised Kato, she had stopped a few trees away. She then returned, "Probably just trickery..." she said at his will, hesitating, "The village is this way." she said before continuing on, obviously trying to ignore the wounded man he had created not too far from them. If he was going to take them out, he'd have to work from the back of the group forward.

Finding no more reason for the wounded man he had created, he was soon dead. Leaking a crimson river of guts unto the ground surrounded by a moat of blood. For one of the remaining three, the world would take on a different shape and effect.

As she took her next step, she was gripped around her ankle and promptly around her mouth. Next were her hands and her other ankle. Yet, before Leina's eyes, she saw her back. Walking and keeping pace with the others as if nothing had happened. He sat and waited, biding his time with her bound in his jutsu.

Once the others were far enough away, she was cut down. A familiar voice echoing in her ears. "Leina, are you alright?" The voice of the man she had lost so long ago. The love she had been denied, "Leina, what are you doing in a place like this?" he questioned with sincere concern turning her about softly.

Sighing softly, Kite figures it time to take part in the action as his hands moved quickly and Kite summons his companion below him. Looking down at its crystal fur, Kite pointed off in the directions voices were coming from as Kite closed his eyes and relax.

The bear, slowly lumbering off toward the voices, growls softly. Peeking its head through the leaves of a bush, it sniffs at the people on the other side, staring as if confused, before pulling back quickly. Racing quickly back toward his trees, Kite watched as it lays down quickly in hiding behind several large bushes before looking up at him, as if to say he hopes the plan works.

Flexing his hand, Kite gripped his stone blade tightly and remain hidden, watching the path from which he came in hopes to shed blood on the ground before nightfall.

Rei stopped, absently letting Orochimaru, Leina and Athena move on by himself as he turned to chase the mass of white. That sure as hell wasn't something to be left alone. He glanced at the Genjutsu Leina once, flicking his eyes in the direction of Zellix's bear so that the medic knew where he was going. He immediately left the path Athena was creating and followed the large, white animal exactly where it wanted him to go.

Rei glanced at his surroundings when the animal seemed to disappear. "Damnit...Well, are you going to come out or are you so weak it was your distraction's job to get rid of me too?" He remarked, mumbling the "damnit" when he realized it had been a trap then carrying on as if he'd known exactly what the bear's master had been planning. If he could at least make Zellix think he'd caught her, maybe it would help him get an advantage in this battle.

I hope he's proud...otherwise he probably knows I'm bullshitting him... The boy thought, still looking around for the other person and wishing he knew where he was.

Smirking slightly, Kite adjusted his weight quickly before leaping from the tree, driving his sword into the ground behind the man before him well croutching low. Standing slowly, Kite brush his hair from his face slowly before flexing his hands again to start raising the heat of battle slowly and easily.

"Boo." Gripping his large blade quickly and easily, Kite slowed his breathing quickly to relaxe his muscles. Swinging it back behind him, at a ready position, his smile slowly fades slightly as Kite leveled his eyes with the stupid male's. Blinking slowly, Kite look for any reaction of his hands, sizing him up to try and figure out what Kite was dealing with before needing to raise his body temperature anymore.

Steady Kite. You can do this. After all, anyone stupid enough to follow a polar into a green woods...can't be that good. Can he?

Rei spun around immediately, three senbon flying at Zellix. He leapt back and perched on a branch since he figured that's what she had been doing in the first place. Yeah, he was definitely screwed, or else he would have had a much more vicious attack to defend against. He blinked suddenly, surprised to see who Zellix was.

"A kunoichi...? I hadn't thought of that...damnit." He grumbled. While morals against hitting girls wasn't an issue, he just never did get used to fighting a woman. It was the problems that came of how he treated fighting a woman no different than fighting a man, including something like pinning her down by the chest which normally got him slapped by a sparring partner after they finished. That, and he was just too "innocent" on the subject of women, so he began to pray to Ametsuchi that he wouldn't make any attacks that would tear her clothes.

"So, you must be where that bear came from...then that means your mission is the same as mine. I hope you'll be as powerful as Athena-sama said his 'pets' would be." He remarked, still at his perch and waiting for Zellix to make a move.

Cursing, Kite quickly rolled along the ground trying to dodge the senbon, but without much success. Cursing again louder, Kite angled his body so they land on his off shoulder at least, only dodging one. Glaring coldly, his smile fades completely as Kite charged forward, anger and adrenaline rushing through him as Kite quickly started shooting his body temperature up in hopes of disabling his movements.

"Pet?" Swung his large sword quickly as Kite leap into the air, Kite swung at the branch he rests on, purposely trying to remove it. His eyes, narrowed to slits as Kite turned land quickly, Kite growled slightly.

"I am no man's pet..." Swinging the sword back behind him, Kite motioned for the bear to come out, watching it charge at the man easily as Kite tryed to quickly pull the needles from his arm.

Rei leapt off the branch, smirking to himself as he landed on the ground behind Zellix and drew his kunai. Perfect, he'd struck a nerve. He hadn't been successful about getting her with believing he knew what she was trying to do, but apparently she didn't like the idea of being underneath somebody.

He turned to face and jump away from her summoning, holding his kunai out defensively. "You should think about getting less conspicuous 'friends' This isn't very useful in the middle of a forest except to make a big, noisy scene." He remarked, watching the bear carefully, glancing at Zellix more often than focusing on it. It was big and powerful, but not all that fast as far as he could tell, so he really just needed to focus on Zellix. If she relied on this sort of animal as an ally, she had to be either very good herself or Saikin wasn't nearly as good with his choices of "powerful shinobi" as the stories were.

He dashed to one side, jumping up and kicking off of a tree to flip over the bear's head and land in front of its master, slashing at her quickly to at least land another blow rather than make sure it was deep. He was trying his best to ignore the sudden heating up he felt. It was getting harder to focus and he was already sweating. This had to be a jutsu, there was no other way he'd get this hot this fast.

Orochimaru watched as one by one his companions dissolved away, now they where all off in their own personal battles fighting each other. Orochimaru's eyes pierced through the mask, it seemed he was now alone, not a very good position to be in but he would have to make the best of it. He moved forward ignoring the noise of battle and quickly putting his hands into the seal for "Kai," the dispel jutsu that worked against Genjutsu. He would let them have their matches, he was still overdue for whomever it was that was supposed to be matching up with him. Hopefully Athena's father had enough minions to pit against the bulk of them, if not then he would just shoot straight for Athena's father, or if one of his team members was lucky perhaps he'd run back across them.

"Hmm...How easily separated we where...As though they weren't even trying to perhaps stick together...Well I hope at least I find my own tasty subject...Ku..."

A dull chuckle, his tongue split his lips as it slid across under the black reptilian mask he wore over his face, he was eager to do his battle quickly now. He wished for his sudden lust for blood to be satiated, and if this being did not show then he would simply have to interrupt one of his companion’s battles and destroy their foe. He was in no mood to be wasting any time, he did not know if Athena would be able to stand against her father. If she did not come out of the fight with victory, he would destroy her father with everything he had in his arsenal, and that was quite a devastating arsenal indeed. There where more then a few jutsu made solely for the purpose of ending many lives at once and those sort of jutsu where forbidden for that reason.

"Come out, come out wherever you are..."

At that moment a dark slinky figure could be seen striding throughout the tree tops. The figure had long hair and wore loose clothing on top of fitted gymnastic style clothes. The only thing that would be seen were to vivid yellow eyes with bright purple marks bordering them.

“Damnit, don’t let it be him again.”

Orochimaru only had one fear, the true Orochimaru. Even though all he wanted to do was best him, he couldn’t come up with the courage to face him. Even though he spoke as Orochimaru, he couldn’t speak to him with a straight face or without breaking a sweat.

“The time will come soon my child. In the up coming exams, I shall show you my true power!”

The words made cold chills crawl down Orochimaru’s spinal cord. The hairs on his body seemed to stand on end like that of a animal of some sort. As the words had finished, the entire forest grew completely quite. Not even birds could be heard.

“What is this trickery?”

“You shall know soon enough!”

“GAAAAHHH!”
Orochimaru let out a frightening howl as he could see the real Orochimaru’s face coming at him with mouth opened wide. It must have been a genjutsu. Orochimaru woke up the next morning in a Mist village clinic. His temple was covered in bandages and had a cool towel on top of it. An old lady seemed to be his current care taker.

“So you are awake know eh?”

“I appreciate your help ma’am. I am eternally grateful but I most go now.”

“Training for the exams I see.”

“Yes. So you understand. Thank you.”

Orochimaru quickly gathered his things and took his departure towards the docking area . As he did, the strange old lady gazed at him. Her face began to crack and reveal half of a dead pale face. The eyes of the demon known as Orochimaru would haunt this boy for what seemed to be forever.

7218

Total un-used CPS= 22053

Valkyrie made it to Hidden Mist with a squad of Medical Ninja in tow. The Moon Elite had begun their charge against Hedoro creations and they would not stop until they were all destroyed.Valkyrie could not see them coming , but she knew they were. Valkyrie was decked out to fight with both her Nirvana and the Toys of Destruction with her to aid in Battle. One would think that being a Medical Ninja, she was at a disadvantage in war, but she would show that that was very much untrue. She still had a few tricks up her sleeve. Her Squad of 5 medical ninja were each of Jounin level and were more than able to take care of themselves. She looked to each and every one of them as she planned her first course of action. She took out four kunai blades, each always sealed with her blood and give them to four of the medical nin who moved at high speed towards the four corners of the village. Valkyrie and the remaining medic instead made their way to the middle of the village.

What the slime did not understand was that they were dealing with medical ninja. If there was something that they were good at, it was dodgeing. They would have a fight on their hands trying to lay a hand on these ninja as they continue to try to run. Valkyrie in her own way was moving towards the middle of the village a flute in her hand. She was playing a simple tune at this point, but not one that could be heard. THe slime would begin to feel its affects soon enough as their chakra molding abilities were being sapped, as well as their coordination.

(( Insanity song: Infuriating silence sorry I did not post it. ))

The Medical nin in Valkyrie's groups were moving farther and farther away towards the ends of the village. But the slime were resilient. The thought of using water to slow them down was very good. However, poison on the ninja was quite useless, they were all masters of the power of resistance. Valkyrie continued to play her music, trying to slow down her teams pursuers. That was probably the only thing that was keeping them ahead. That was a fortunate part of the plan. If the ninja could get to the corners of the village, Valkyrie could start her first endgame.

Valkyrie smiled. Her technique was beginning to fail her as the slime were getting used to it. There was not more time to waist it seemed. She stopped playing and simply said into her communicator, "Now." The squad knew what to do. With speed that they did not show before, the Medical ninja simply made a huge leap backwards while throwing down the kunai they were carrying. Valkyrie herself sealed the deal preforming a simple handsign and activating one of her signature genjutsus, Endless truth. Anyone caught inside the barrier formed by the perimeter that the kunai mapped out, would fall into a sleep, inside there minds the fight would seem to continue as if nothing happened. Now the Medic squad was free to go while Valkyrie was left alone with the group.

((How did they get out so fast?))

Valkyrie was surprised that her first endgame had failed so quickly. She did not expect it to last long, but most certainly longer than a few seconds. Now she still had a few moments to preform two strings of handsigns. Valkyrie would complete one as the slime began to stir and the world would quite literally turn upside down as the reverse of the stars technique took affect. The second one came at the last minute as the slime got closer. Flames would appear out of nowhere, flowing outwards in all directions around Valkyrie and towards the slime as the burning apocalypse became a reality.

((Technically, the second one is, however, these are the moves i used

Reverse the Stars 2000 Skill Points: One of the Mayonaka’s clan’s most powerful techniques, this jutsu takes the opponent and casts them into an alternate dimension. For the most part this world is the same, except for the small part where the sky is down and the earth is up and the combatants are floating in the middle. The sky below the fighters is always stark white while it’s dotted by the stars that would normally be in the night sky, but these stars are the color of the blackest void. It’s is in this strange dimension that genjutsu aren’t simply things of the mind, but actually happen to the body. This dimension is mildly hard to break out of; a user must posses an attack of either extreme light or extreme shadow or darkness to tear a hole back into the normal world.

Burning Apocalypse 1200 Skill Points: One of the most powerful of all the Mayonaka clan techniques. This technique has been known to make whole armies turn and run. This technique relies on human perception of their surroundings. Once a set of hand seals are completed a veritable firestorm emerges from the user’s body sweeping across the area. If for even a moment the opponent believes that the fire sweeping towards them to engulf is real, then that is what it will become using the opponents own chakra to do so. Even if the opponent doesn’t believe in the intense flames it still takes a lot for an opponent to get their mind over the fact that they have to walk through fire to get at the user.

Both can be found in Hidden Moon under the Mayonaka Clan, ill get my answer done in a bit.))

Valkyrie sighed. So much for one of her clan's strongest attacks. She needed time to think as the fight continued. She needed idea- wait, that was a great idea. Suddenly there was a rustle of wind and leaves. Then with no other warning, what appeared to the whole group of slime girls was there greatest fear come to life as the hell viewing technique took affect. With that, Valkyrie simply disappeared for the moment, hiding nearby to watch how the slimes would deal with such a thing.