Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lighting up a cigarette, Taiji walked out towards the arena. "This should be entertaining, to say the least."

Y a m a t a n o H a t a k e
山田野 はたけ
White Fang of the Mist
Kirigakure no Sato || Suiton || Hatake Bloodline || White Chakra Manipulation|| Snake Summoner
Speed Shinobi Capabilities || Battle Support Specialist || Summoning Specialist

“Those who dare bring harm to my friends, my village, and my way of life…”

xxxxYamatano's one visible eye lit up at the sight of the Mizukage, his teacher and the shinobi he admired more than any other. As he brought himself to a low bow, Yamatano took the Mizukage's words to heart: he would make sure his mind was strong and steeled for his matches. He would not let anyone frighten him, intimidate him, or beat him. Looking back up to Luo, Yamatano said "Mizukage-dono, I've been ready ever since I was selected as a candidate."

Yamatano then waved goodbye as he walked to the arena, the crowd abuzz for the arrival of the final contestant.

“…Must first find out how to get past me.”

Fiercely Loyal || Determined || Protective || Aspiring Oinin

Hiniko had made it a bit late, but prefered tos stay to herself anyway. She didn't want to meet a freind, and then be dissapointed when they split up again. She listened intently to the speach, and after waiting as told, ignored the twisting in her stomach and headed to the arina. She felt tired.

Matsuya pushed the door open slightly, trying to make sure this was the right place. When he established that it was, he walked in and looked around. It seemed his students had already departed. "Shame. I wanted to see who passed this time." Matsuya walked out of the room, towards the area that had been designated for the Kages.

Taiji walked back into the holding area, grabbing his bag that he had left, and as he rummaged through for sweets, and treats, He found inside the letter that Kai had given him from his partner in crime. He smiled as he read the heading, and his stomach flushed with warmth. "I wonder what she could have written to me.." In his mind, he had hoped that it was a letter aknowledging some sort of love for him. But as he fumbled the letter open with eager fingers, and read over the letter; his expression dropped. His eyes seemed to lose the luster they held when he was first opening the letter. His face turned pale, and he quivered slightly as his eyes trailed along the last sentence.

He was silent for a while, taking a seat on the ground, lighting up a cigarette. His bangs covered his eyes as he hung his head, and a soft glistening could be spotted running down his cheek.

David Greyson
Sunagakure | Ichibi Host | Genin
Tactics | Speed | Strategy | Insanity

David walked slowly back into the participant's holding room, went straight to the nearest seat, and sat, dropping his staff to the floor. He wasn't sure what to feel after that announcement. The fight had been enjoyable, and with the little he knew of the exams, he was sure he'd given a good enough performance to rate promotion, but he didn't like that loss. Losing had never been something he had taken well, not after the Ichibi attack, not when he tried to enter the academy, and not even now. He didn't know what it was though. Shinji was not normal. Even after all that had happened, he had kept standing, kept pushing forwards. David knew determination quite well, but that was not it. Determination could only get you just so far, what Shinji had done, that was beyond even that. If it had been anyone else in that ring, David knew he would have won. He also knew he needed to learn more. He had kept his repertoire of jutsu sweet and simple on purpose, only picking techniques he knew he could use. But the majority of those were sand based, and if what Shinji had done was any sort of a sign, sand would only get him just so far.

Shaking his head, David bent his head to stare at his feet, he didn't know what was going on anymore. Just a couple of weeks ago, he would probably be on his way home by now, or just sitting to wait, watching the other fights. But now, none of that mattered. Why was he trying to rationalize everything? Looking back up again, the boy found himself face to face with a viewing screen, running replays of the battle. That's right, there were cameras on for the whole match weren't there? As the screen showed a clip of himself falling after that blasted weight attack, David scowled and looked away, his hand subconsciously reaching up and pressing against the gash that was left from that fall. An annoyance. He should have been able to prevent that! If he hadn't fallen then, it would have been his name on the loudspeaker, no doubt. 'Enough already! I lost, get over it. He'd be just as dead if it wasn't for that jounin.' David sighed, finally calming his own rampaging thoughts, and closing his eyes. He was tired, and being angry would only make things worse, for everyone.

[Chakra Point Total: 10/35]
[Smoke Bomb Total: 5/5]
[Makibishi Total: 25/25]
[Shuriken Total: 15/15]
[Flash Bomb Total: 5/5]
[Ninja Wire Total: 50ft]
[Chakra Pills: 5/5][Charged: 2/5]

Kai sat up from the couch he had been resting on while watching the fights, it was unfortunate that his first opponent had been unable to fight, but now he was up against Taiji, and judging from his short-time comrade's last fight it would not be an easy match. Turning around and letting his gaze pass over the whole of the room, Kai spotted Taiji and smiled lightly. Walking over to the boy, who was actually quite a few years older than the 13 year old Kaizen.

Smiling down at the leaf shinobi that Kai considered a friend, Kai extended his hand for Taiji to grasp and said calmly, "let's give them a fight to remember." Lifting Taiji to his feet Kai proceeded out of the holding area and towards the arena, Taiji standing right at his side. Stopping right before entering the arena, Kai glanced over at Taiji and smiled excitedly before they both stepped into the arena, their arrival met with a thunderous roar from the crowd.

"I live to fulfill the dreams of those that came before me"

[exit to third stage arena]

(srry for the auto move, I thought it would be easier for both of us this way)