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Honehime looked up, just in time to see Mei return with something that she hadn't expected. Several blankets and pallets, apparently made from the leaves from the trees. How she had managed to make them so quickly, she didn't have the slightest idea, but she was glad that the cow girl had managed to make them. Sometimes the nights got pretty cold at this time of the year, a blanket would make the night much more hospitable. She got to her feet and walked over to Mei, before she did the same as Shuku and asked if she needed a hand.
(11090 words + 103 words = 11193 words)


Lieselotte was surprised that Sakazuki seemed to care so much for the others back at the Academy. But nonetheless, she soon followed when the Circe began walking again. After a few yards, she finally answered the question from before. "It's not just about ze money. I do not have ze libert to pick and choose at ze jobs I take. Ze students can consider it luck zat I was ze one who accepted the job, razzer zan one of my coworkers, who tend to 'ave a more... destructive approach." After that, she went silent again. She hadn't pointed out several of the facts, because she wasn't precisely sure of them herself. Just then, she paused and tilted her head, thinking she had heard something beside the natural sounds of the forest. Raising a hand to grab Sakazuki's attention, she held a finger to her lips. "Did you hear zat?"
(11216 words + 152 words = 11368 words)


Mei looked up when she heard Shuku and Honehime offer their assistance. Nodding, she held out an arm which was currently full of the various leaf blankets and leaf mattresses she had managed to create. They wouldn't be anywhere close to the level of comfort of an actual bed, but they would certainly beat sleeping on the bare ground. "Thank you! I'm pretty sure this is enough for everyone, at least I hope so." She started setting out some of the pallets a fair distance from the fire. Not far enough to be out of the camp, but not close enough to risk igniting the leaves from the fire itself. Hopefully a good enough location, although each person could definitely move their makeshift bed if they wanted to. Finally, she took the last blanket and draped it over her shoulders. For a second, she was tempted to tie it on and run around like a heroine with a cape, but she was getting sleepy, and that would make her even more sleepy. So instead she just wrapped it a little more snugly around herself, and sat down where she had been sitting before. The others still hadn't returned yet, so she wasn't sure if she should have another bowl of stew or not.
(12167 words + 217 words = 12384 words)

A black haze of dark chakra would started to form in the corner of the training room . " It has seemed after all these years i have finally gotten the power to manifest within the dark chakra . " a cloud of dark chakra spoke as its started to form . " I will need a vessel to serve my purpose . "
The cloud of dark chakra would soon move across the Training room looking for a body that he would take over . Samuru Was it's name a off spring of the greed and evil of the shinobi world . He was once again gained control of hi powers . It would appear with all the t troubles in the land that Samuru had finally reached the point of concentration where he was allowed to control his ghostly body . He wasn't dead nor really alive or human for the matter . He was composed of dark chaka and knew how to use it . " You will do for no . " Samuru said with a chuckle as he soon came apon the body that he would use for the time being .

"Okay," said Iruka sensei encouragingly. "I know you can do it! Why don't you try turning into me, since I'm right here?" "Okay Iruka sensei, I'll do that!" Hikaru replied, before looking straight at Iruka sensei and memorizing his image into his mind. This wasn't too hard, since Hikaru had photographic memory anyway. Closing his eyes, Hikaru confidently went through the hand signs, saying 'Henge no Jutsu' in his mind on the last one. A weird tickling went through his body, as if a jolt of electricity had shot through it. Opening his eyes, he looked down. He was wearing the exact same clothes as Iruka sensei, who was standing in front of him in shock. "Wow Hikaru-kun, I didn't expect you to master this technique in one try! You really have a knack for this!" Hikaru smiled at his achievement. "Thank you Iruka sensei! You're a great teacher."

[Henge no Jutusu: 3/3 - Completed]

“Okay, since you mastered the Henge no jutsu so fast, I don’t think you should have too much trouble with this one. To perform the Transformation technique, you have to first think about something that you want to replace the essence of your form with. This will give your opponent the idea that you are still there, when that is really just an illusion, and you are out of the way. This will give the real you time to plan and subsequently prepare a counter attack. However, you are going to have to make this change much faster than the Henge no jutsu because it could mean the difference between life and death in battle.”

“For the first part, Hikaru-kun, you must master the substitution. Remember, just concentrate, and then change form into a log.” Hikaru closed his eyes and concentrated on replacing his essence with that of an ordinary log. After a warm feeling flowing out of his body, he turned around to see a log sitting next to him. Iruka-sensei smiled. “Bravo, Hikaru-kun. That log that you see there actually looks like an identical replica of you to me. You can control it and get it to do anything you want in order to fool your opponent. But beware, if your opponent has some form of doujutsu, such as the Sharingan or Byakugan, they will see through this technique. To outsmart them, you will have to come up with something even more inventive.” “Hai, sensei!” Hikaru exclaimed, ever the loyal student. Iruka smiled. “Good, now let’s try this while I throw illusionary kunai at you. This will cause you to think faster. Remember, if the real you is visible to me, you will get hit!”

Hikaru concentrated, jumping off the ground to get a better vantage point. Iruka-sensei threw two very real-looking kunais headed straight for him. Hikaru concentrated again, dodging to the right. The kunais hit him, and he disappeared in a cloud of smoke to reveal a log. Iruka-sensei looked up and saw about 20 Hikarus in midair leaping at him. He threw twenty more kunais taking each one out, then whipped around just in time to knock the real Hikaru back, laughing. “That was excellent. Don’t worry, I’ve just had too much experience with these things. If you continue at this rate, you will be the Kakashi Hatake of your generation. Come on, let me treat you to some ramen for your hard work!” Hikaru smiled, proud of his achievements. “Cool, let’s go sensei!” he exclaimed, his five-year old side taking over.

[The Art of Substitution: Complete]

“Great job Hikaru-kun! Next, we are going to do an activity related to this, called the Leaf Concentration. The Leaf Concentration will hone a ninja's concentration ability. Therefore, only those who have worked hard at their ability to concentrate can become excellent shinobi. For generations Konoha ninja have practiced their concentration, and have used the Leaf Concentration exercise. To keep the mind from becoming distracted, a leaf is placed on the user's forehead to focus upon. You know, the leaf emblem on Konoha shinobi’s headbands come from this exercise!” As he spoke, Iruka-sensei placed a leaf on Hikaru’s forehead, who was sitting in a meditative position on a tree trunk. “Now Hikaru-kun, I want you to concentrate your chakra on this leaf, get it as small as you can; try even for the very center of the leaf. Concentrating chakra has saved many lives in battle. I will be inside, so let me know when you have mastered it. This technique will take longer than the previous ones that you have learned.”

“Okay Iruka-sensei!” Hikaru said. He remembered what Iruka-sensei had said. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, and reached for his chakra. Pulling out a strand from inside him, Hikaru stretched it around him. Immediately, he sensed an awakening in his mind as animals, plants, and fungi all filled it with their songs of life. He saw through the eyes of over 200,000 animals, through viewpoints that he would never have anticipated. So that was what it meant to be in harmony with nature. Minute by minute, Hikaru slowed his breathing, becoming one with the nature around him, but at the same time never forgetting his own self. He flew with a bird, caught a rabbit with a wolf, and saw a pupa become a butterfly all in the same instant. It was truly a rejuvenating feeling, almost as if the creatures were lending him their chakra. Remembering his original goal, Hikaru slowly concentrated the net into a smaller radius, seeing smaller animals closer to him that he had not noticed before, such as individual ants searching for food, and underground, a baby groundhog’s heartbeat.

Hikaru continued to make his chakra net smaller and smaller, until it was just over his body. He could hear his heartbeat like thunder, and even hear the sloshing of blood through his veins, the sparks of electricity in his brain, and the mitosis of his cells. It was as if his entire body was a symphony orchestra producing beats to the rhythm of his heartbeat drum. He could feel the leaf now, see the plant cells in his mind, slowly dying, but still full of water. He concentrated on the vein at the center and moved in. He could now see individual cellulose fibers inside the cells, the chloroplasts filled with the chlorophyll. Zooming in even further, Hikaru saw tiny beads of green, but they were not chlorophyll. He was at the very center. Then he realized what they were! The leaf’s chakra! It was lying dormant, as the leaf had no reason to use it, but that’s what it was at the very center of the leaf! Five minutes later, Hikaru opened his eyes. It was almost nightfall, but that was fine. Looking at the leaf he found that it was glowing slightly. He had mastered it, and decided to take it along to show Iruka-sensei.

[Leaf Concentration: Complete]

Leaf Concentration: 500 Skill Points
Ryu arrived at the academy earlyer then most people that day and all he found where the teachers. Ryu walked up to Iruka and said, "Iruka-sama can you teach me something that you haven't taught the other students I want to become a great Taijutsu user but the only way for me to do that is to learn all that i can as early as i can, Can you help me please?" Iruka smiled and said, "Sure, Ryu I'll show you something that I usually only show to those that are in trouble to teach them a lesson of there own." Iruka took Ryu outside so that he could teach him how to focus more efficiently. Iruka swiftly plucked a leaf from a tree and placed it on Ryu's forehead saying, "Concentrate on this leaf and this leaf alone it helps to teach you focus and also gives you time to think about what your fighting for.
1/5
As Ryu sat down and began to focus on the Leaf he did begin to think about what he was fighting for. He began thinking back on he life and realized that he didn't really have a reason yet... but it was something that he would soon learn he would soon learn exactly what he was fighting for and not just what others wanted him to fight for. He was going to fight for his own ideals and no one elses he would fight for what he was right and have nothing cloud his judgement on any of the matters that would soon concern him. He would fight to preserve his friends lives even if it infact meant the end of his own life. Ryu continued to think over wether or not he really had any idea of what he was going to do once he became a ninja. He supposed that he would more likely then not fight for his friends.
2/5
Maybe once he passed his Chuunin exams he would become a medical ninja so that he could better protect his friends and teammates or whoever else that --- might want to protect from random villagers that where being harrased to people that actually needed protection like on escort missions --- wanted to be able to be the first person into the fight and the last one out and it was just now dawning on --- how much that it meant to --- for that to be true. --- knew that it would be a hard road ahead if those where to be --- plans but --- was ready for it and --- knew that --- would be capable of taking out anyone that threatened anything that --- held near and dear --- one of those things --- realized --- held dear was the village of Konoha if this where to fall --- didn't know where --- would turn If konoha where gone...
3/5
Then ----- didn't know where --- would go this was a big deal to --- and it was a very big concept that --- was going over --- didn't know wether to acknowledge it or to try and hide from it but --- knew that the way things where Konoha probably wouldn't fall that easily if at all for that matter Konoha was the strongest of all villages and held untold techniques that could mean bot hte beginning and the end of everything... or it could mean nothing at all just another page or two in history if Konoha where destroyed. ----- didn't believe any of it but while --- was concentrating on the leaf --- was noticing patterns in the leaf that reflected the pattern of life and death in life and real concepts. --- hadn't realized how beutiful a single leaf could be but --- was also noticing spots where the leaf had no patterns.
4/5
The clear areas on the leaf just helped to prove to ----- that there was a way to change the future wether it was as simple as saving someones life or as complex as disarming a bomb or even giving up your own life to change the outcome of things that would otherwise be very bad. ----- was beginning to see what was behind the world's workings atleast in --- minds own eye. --- realized that --- had been lieing there for a while staring at the leaf as it was almost noon and --- was angry at himself as he would be late to class and this might make Iruka angry at him it kind of dissapointed ----- that --- was going to make Iruka-sensei mad at --- especially because --- had just asked specifficlly for extra training to do --- had skipped out on half of --- normal training even if it had been on accident it was still a problem.
5/5 Leaf Concentration Compelete
Weight Lifting: 300 Skill Points
----- quickly hurried to class --- was made at --- for missing out on the first half of the days training but it couldnt be helped now --- just hoped that Iruka wouldn't be mad at --- for missing it. As ----- arrived on the training grounds Iruka said, "Well how goes your concentration -----?" ----- looked at him and said, "What im sorry i wasnt paying attention." both --- and Iruka had a quick laugh about that comment before Iruka said to all of the students, "ALright its time to begin weight lifting i hope everyone is ready a true ninja has the stamina and strength to perserveer even if they are faced with odds that are against them." Iruka grinnes slightly as did ----- as there where groands from all over the classroom. ----- for one enjoyed lifting weights as much as he enjoyed weight running.
1/3
----- was the first into the yard where the weights were layed out because of the fact that they where supposed to life the weights they where already all set up. ----- immediatley went to the heavyest weights and began lifting them up and putting them down --- was already on about his 10th or 11th curl when the rest of the class finnaly made there way over. Iruka would as usual take his time to get out here because of the facth that he figured that the students where mature enough to do what they where told. This was true in most cases except for one of the small little mini student gangs there where 4 of them and they where all rather angry most of the time though there was no real reason for any of it. Today was one of the times when it was best to avoid them but as usual ----- didn't really care much.
2/3
----- stopped doing curls at 20 when he noticed that the 4 students weren't doing anything but they where just lazing about waiting as if something was going to happen that meant they wouldn't have to lift weights. ----- walked over and --- said to them, "You should really start excersizing otherwise you will make horrilbe ninja." ----- was telling them exactly how it was but still they had the nerve to yell at ---. There leader stood up he was a rather large kid and said, "You know you should start minding your own bussiness ----- otherwise there are people in this village that will have a problem with you talking this way to there kids." ----- grinned inspit of being reprimanded he couldnt help but laugh at them as it was rather comical to see people toot there own familys horn in threat... this was a bad idea.
3/3 Weight Lifting Complete
Weight Running: 300 Skill Points
"Well looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson doesn't it kid!" The leader jumped forward but unfortunatley for him ----- was swifter and spun slid to the side pushing the kid off to the side where he wound up hitting a tree head on which knocked him dazed. "You might wanna pick up your friend and get to work before Iruka gets out here... he may not like the fact that you guys aren't training like he told you guys to." ----- said to the remaining 3 students that where standing there. They quickly walked over to there Leader and helped him up though he was dazed he was still pissed so on his way to walking to the weights he pushed past ----- and kicked a couple of other students out of his way one of them was -----'s close friend Kyou. Kyou wasn't doing anything wrong but was kicked just because she was -----'s friend.
1/3
This was a bad thing to do and ----- would have finished it right then and there had it not been for the fact that Iruka-sensei had walked out of the door and said, "Alright weight lifting is over i think we should all work on weight running now." Iruka grinned again as the students all groaned there disaproval of the training that was going on they all did want to be ninja but none of them really wanted to have to work this hard to do it they had expected it to be a cake walk rather then this work alot crap that was going on now would seem like nothing to them if they ever managed to become gennin they may well see people killed or kill others themselves and hence they will regret not taking more time to train back in the good old academy. ----- knew what was expected of --- and --- was preparing for it in the best possible way.
2/3
Again ----- was the first person to the training field and again already had many done before any of the other students arrived. The 4 man mini-gang were still picking on Kyou and ----- would have made them pay right then and there if it wasnt for a couple of facts. First of them was the fact that Iruka was right there and it would have been a bad idea for him to start things with Iruka not even a yell away. The Second reason was that next task would be a sparring match and ----- was fully prepared for a mini tournament of sorts cause he knew he would be against the leader of the 4 man group it was always them as the last two and so far neither had ever gotten the chance to finish the fight as it had been time to leave the academy for the day before either had gotten a chance. Today however was different and today he would kick the crap outa him.
3/3
Sparing: 300 Skill Points
The sparring contest began and as the tournament matches went along ----- kinda went with the flow and easily knocked back anyone that messed with him this was a rather easy tournament and he used simple force to fight against his opponents he never used excessive force anytime he could help it it was either first to give up or first outa the ring was the loser. ----- was never the first outa the ring and as such he had no fear because he would never give up in the face of a challenging fight. ----- easily defeated many of --- opponents without breaking a sweat it wasn't untill the final round that --- was worried --- opponent wasn't tired at all and as such ----- didn't know if --- would be able to do this at all but the doubt quickly went away when --- remembered Kyou and how she had been kicked by the leader.
1/3
As the match began ----- waited for the leaders charge but the leader decidded that he wasn't just going to charge in this time but he was going to wait for the right time to attack and then he would launch int o a rapid assauly of punches and kicks feints and lunges ducks and dodges this was going to be an epic fight(For academy students) and as such niether wanted to jump straight in and attack without thinking. They would both think out there moves carefully both ----- and the Leader would be careful and not give the other an opening. They slowly began to circle each other as Iruka said go. ----- decided that he would try and get this overwith quickly and charged in but cautiously this was the beginning of the fight as ----- clashed with Leader and they began a sieries of punches and kicks that left the academy students staring dumb struck.
2/3
----- blocked many attacks thrown by leader and vice versa but the sad thing was that since they where academy students they didn't really have alot of stamina when it came to close fighting just yet but thanks to some training with Maito Guy before --- came to the academy --- knew how to force open the first gate. Taking a jump backwards ----- said, "FIRST GATE RELEASE!!" many kids laughed thinking he was joking but there as a chakra surge and the ground around him cracked in a slight depression as the gate released and ----- charged back in preparing to re enter the fight with a fresh attitude towards this battle. --- was refreshed with a new sense of stamina and strength as --- charged forward leader was already tired and ----- knew that the fight would be over soon enough that he wouldn't have to keep the gate open.
3/3

((I dunno why but the ---- lines came from my Notepad and i figured id leave them no big deal i hope ))