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Honehime thought back, recalling the little she knew about her companions, as well as the bits fo knowledge she had gleaned both from their manner, as well as from her own abilities. Overall, it lent a decent amount of information to what she knew of them, but there was still a lot she didn't know. Even so, she felt she had a decent enough idea of their strength. "Yes, I suppose they are." She didn't bother adding the self-conscious follow-up line that was 'unlike me', because she didn't need to. She knew she wasn't strong. Echidna seemed to know she wasn't strong. And that was alright. She wasn't a fighter, so there was no need to bring it up. She had her own skills, skills that a fighter would be very unlikely to have. Just like a fighter would have skills that she would not have. In the end it all averaged out. She hoped.
(19381 words + 163 words = 19544 words)


Mei smiled as Shuku told her that she was right. She still wasn't used to such things. Being right, that is. Not being rained on. That, she was as familiar with as anyone. so she simply smiled and turned her head up to the sky once more, but it seemed the rain had stopped. She sighed a little, wondering where the rain went. Then she looked back to Shuku and saw her finishing a second bowlful of water. She wasn't all that thirsty herself any more, so she didn't reach out for the bowl again. Instead, she took another look around their campsite. "Didn't there used to be more people here?" Yes, she had only just now finally really noticed the others' disappearances.
(22155 words + 127 words = 22282 words)


Melona continued searching the rooms, but paused and looked back to see Menace doing the same thing. Wondering if she was really trying to help her find a room for her bed, she didn't ask, and instead kept looking. Finally, she found a room that seemed to fit her purposes. It was fairly big, but almost empty. The windows were closed and shuttered, making it fairly dark within, but still dimly lit just enough to be able to see. She slipped inside before Menace could see her, and all was quiet for a moment. Then, a brief moment later, she called out for Menace to come take a look. This was said without reappearing at the door. Once Menace would open the door and look inside, she would see a magnificent looking bed filling up much of the chamber, complete with fine linens and multiple pillows. Now, how long Melona could hold that complicated of a form, she had no idea.
(4669 words + 162 words = 4831 words)


Alice was mentally categorizing her belongings that were for the moment missing, trying to see if anything would be incredibly hard to replace. Most of it wasn't impossible to find more of. A sleeping bag, some assorted foods and rations, matches, a knife and stuff like that. Her spare sets of clothing might be a little more difficult to find replacements, both because of her size, and especially because of the nature of her outfits. Generally, girls her age weren't supposed to wear clothes like that. But she did. Jerking her head up, she realized she hadn't been paying too much attention to Airi for that brief internal monologue. She caught on, once she saw Airi gesturing to some tea bags. "Yes please!" She didn't mind if it was from bags instead of fresh, she had certainly drank far more unique concoctions herself. There was that fiasco of a homemade tea made from things that looked like herbs along the river bank. There had been that mixed drink taking little bits of everything at that convenience store. There had been that curious liquid that people said wasn't for children...
(5106 words + 194 words = 5300 words)

After he had said the words there was a poof of smoke and two clones appeared. "Hi me," They said to each other. Then, quickly he poked them both on the shoulders, making them disappear. He went back in side and had dinner with his step-father. After dinner, he did the dishes and went to bed.

The next day, Buroku woke up early to make sure that he arrived at school on time with out having to rush. He was up early enough that his step-father wasn't awake yet, and so he scarfed down a quick breakfast. Then, he headed out for school. As he walked down the street he noticed a cat stuck in a tree, and an old lady was trying to cox is down. So, he walked up to the old lady and asked, "Mame can I help you get your cat down from that tree."

The old lady replied, "Oh, yes please. I would be ever so grateful."

Then, he made a hand sign concentrating on his chakra, and said, "Bushin no jutsu." Then, with another poof of smoke, two more clones appeared. He had them reach up and grape the cat, after making a human ladder. He gave the cat to the old lady. Told her there was no need for reward, then began to run off to school.

(225 words + 608pts = 833 chakra points. Art of substitution learned through chakra control 1/2 completed.)

Stunned the student looked around to see that Buroku was now behind tree. "Cool!" He shouted in admiration. Then Buroku thanked his classmate for the assistance. Afterward, he went to the teacher to ask what other jutsu he could learn. The teacher told him that he could now work on Tree Climbing and Water Walking. The teacher explained that, both tech. need an intense concentration on keeping the right level of chakra between his feet, and the water or bark. Thinking it would be better to try the water walking first, he went over to a small pond. First he concentrated on his chakra, willing it to the soles of his feet. He took a step forward, and there was a loud splash as he fell in. When he resurfaced, he swam to the edge. He got out, and tried concentrating longer; trying desperately to get this tech. done in a hurry. He continued to concentrate for an hour, the wind blew through the woods. The leaves danced, flickered about him. Slowly he began to dry off from his previous try. After he felt thoroughly ready, he slowly took a step forward. He stood on the water for about a second until a ripple caused him to loose concentration, followed by another loud splash. Then, he decided to take a brake. He went over to a tree near the clearing where his classmates trained. He sat himself next to the trunk of the tree, setting his pack in front of him. He un-zipped it, and began to rummage through it; taking out a pad of paper, pencil, and a granola bar. He opened the granola bar, and quickly wolfed it down. Then, he took the pad of paper and the pencil; began to draw one of his classmates as he trained with his kunai. After completing the drawing, he went to the teacher, and asked how much longer class would be going on. The teacher responded that class had already ended, but he didn’t want to interrupt anyone’s training. So, he let Buroku head home. Buroku took the pad and the pencil, placing them in his pack, and began his small trek home. On his way he passed Echi Roku, and went over a bridge. When he arrived home he said, “Good afternoon Nakaski-sama.” Nakaski returned the greeting, and then continued his novel; as Buroku headed upstairs to his room. There he placed his pack on his desk. On the north wall there was a poster of the village. To the south of his room was his bed and the door. To the east was a window showing the Hokage’s faces on the cliff. He laid down on his bed and went straight to sleep.

(455 words + 1086 points = 1541 chakra points. Water Walking 2/3 complete.)

Feeling very tired, Buroku went back to his room and slept until the next day. When he awoke he wanted to complete his training, and learn his final tech.; the Tree Climbing. So he spent the next 6 hours climbing trees using only his feet. However, he only ever got about ten feet before falling to the ground. But, he kept at it, continually trying again and again every time he fell. A few times he made it almost twenty feet, before falling to the ground again. At one point he overcame twenty feet, on the verge of thirty; but fell at twenty eight feet. Then, after becoming thoroughly tired, Buroku returned to his home; and sat down for dinner with his step father. Afterward, he went to bed.
The next day, Buroku went to school promptly after awaking, and eating breakfast. The teacher announced that today would be the last day of training before graduation. There were a few groans from the class. Everyone knew that graduation involved attempting a random jutsu at the request of the examiner. Buroku, having almost mastered all of the jutsu, was quite happy. So, through out the day, he spent his time climbing taller, and taller trees; trying his best to master this jutsu. He continued concentrating harder, and harder knowing that the next day, he could become a ninja. Eventually he even tried to climb the side of the school. However, being seventy feet tall, it was quite difficult. He made sure to have a few classmates around to catch him every time he fell, until eventually the day ended. Therefore, being the workaholic that he was. He still continued to train. He was finally able to climb to the top of the school. But, he knew he hadn’t quite mastered it. Only when he had climbed the cliff would he be happy. So, he went over to the massive stone wall. He began climbing, however he could not make it all the way to the top. He was only able to reach the nose of the third Hokage. Then, he jumped down, thoroughly tired, went home, and went to bed. The next day, after he showed up, graduation testing began. There was a table full of ninja head bands in front of the teacher. The teacher took a good hour before finally coming to Buroku’s name. Buroku step forward in front of the examiner.
“Now, let us see. How about we see your Tree Climbing? Climb this sixty foot pole. If you make it to the top, you pass.” The examiner stated.
So, Buroku concentrated his chakra, then walked up to the pole. He stepped onto it, and began to climb it at a walk. After about 10 minutes he made it.
“Congratulations. You graduate.” The examiner said dully.

(468 words + 167 points = 635 pts + 1767 pts = 2402 Chakra points. Tree Climbing Achieved.)

Honehime did a bit of a double take at Echidna's words, did she mean what she thought she meant? It sounded like the older woman was almost challenging her to a fight! She was spared from immediately having to reply by the arrival of their food. For a moment, neither of them spoke as the waiter presented their fare. It all looked delicious, especially to one who lived out of doors and survived on nuts and berries, and the occasional mushroom. But finally, the two were alone with their meals, and Honehime had to give a response. "I... I would rather enjoy not having to test myself against you. I can tell you are strong, stronger than I am, and our paths have not been set against each other."
(19681 words + 130 words = 19811 words)


For a moment longer, Mei continued to imagine what sort of house the others could be building. They had been gone for more than an hour, so it had to be a really big house. Maybe a castle, or even a toy store! Honestly, sometimes it was hard to tell if even Mei knew she was actually as ditzy as she was, it had to be difficult not to notice something so blatant. When Shuku asked her for the boo, she turned back to the Mayonaka and nodded, before fishing the book out once more and handing it to Shuku again. It had been redeposited in the same spot as before, unceremoniously stuffed into a pocket. It seemed by the end of their trip, the book could very well be treated harsher than any of the rest of them, but it seemed durable enough.
(22435 words + 144 words = 22579 words)


Melona silently cursed, could it be that Menace knew she was the bed and was going out of her way to tease her like this? It was maddening, being unable to move, even under such circumstances! The warmth of Menace's body, she could feel all of her curves, she could feel almost everything! She shivered slightly, and felt her resolution breaking, one drop at a time. Already, the blankets almost seemed to be rustling as if Menace wasn't alone in bed, and the pillow seemed just a little more pliant than usual. How much longer could she be expected to restrain herself before ravaging Menace, how long could anybody last under such exquisite torture?!
(4974 words + 116 words = 5090 words)


"Oh, I see." A bit mollified that Airi wasn't being put to any trouble on her behalf, she watched as the scythe user winced as she stood up, and made a motion to help her stand upright. But before she had a chance to, Airi had already managed on her own, and had gone to her door to check on her neighbor. From this angle, Alice couldn't see into the next room, but she could hear a very faint sound, almost like someone moving beyond that wall. She assumed it to be Airi's neighbor, an assumption that was in fact correct. She remained where she was, taking another sip of the simple tea, but ready to try to stand up, should the neighbor arrive, so she could introduce herself. She may be sore all over, but introductions were important.
(5453 words + 142 words = 5595 words)