Welcome to Gaia! ::

A small boy walks up to the group as he scratches his head. He looks around and he sighes slowly. As he looks at the map again up and down he then smiles briefly.

"Hi Welcome to the Jounin Exam I am your first Killua. You might not know me I am one of Drago's personal Jounins that he trained a long time ago. But that doesn't matter as of right now. All that matters is that..you make it to the exams. However Drago has decided that it should be a race to his house..However there are three ways to get to his house."

Killua holds up three fingers.

"The Long Way, The Short Way, and the Easy Way?"

Killua then cracks his neck. As he looks up at them and he sighs slowly.

"Your response?"

Tamao turned to see a young boy approach them. He didn't look any older than her, possibly younger, even. But there was something about his presence that made it obvious he was stronger than her. He began to explain what the next stage of their test was, and what they were expected to do. It seemed straightforward enough, all they had to do was get to Drago's house as quickly as possible. There were three options to get there. A long way, a short way, and an easy way.

That was it, he didn't say anything more, aside from asking what way they would choose. She tapped her foot as she thought about the problem. She didn't know where Drago's house was, and to be expected to go there? That meant that there would have to be some sign, or other form of direction, some way to know the right way to go. But how would that interact with the three ways? When she had signed up, the person in charge then had said to trust nobody. If that was the case, then what was the most logical answer, what was the trap? Of course, at first glance, the short way seemed a good way to go, and the easy way seemed, well, easy. That was almost too perfect, though. She wouldn't be surprised to find out that the easy way involved her not having any choice in the matter. It may be easy, but it would likely not be pleasant.

Not that the short way would be any better. The shortest way between two points is a straight line, and she had the feeling there would happen to be several obstructions in the way.

That just left the long way. Assuming it actually was the long way, that Killua wasn't lying, that is. There was no guarantee it would be any safer than the others, it could be even worse. But if it was true enough that it was at least a longer way than the others, then she'd have more time to make a decision when something eventually went wrong. And she was sure it would.

Wait! If it was possible, maybe she could...

Tamao thought about it a little longer, but in the end, she knew she'd never find the 'right' answer. She'd just have to bank on her guess at psychology being the right one, that she might second-guess the ones running the exam. And if that was the case, then there was only one choice she could make.

"I choose the long way as well!"

Gabriell walked up to the man and looked at him, "ooh, i don't want to run the long one. i'll take the short one please!" he said as he looked at the others, "you guys are taking the long way? seems to be a bit to obvious doesn't it? oh well the lord shall guide me through my short way!" he said cheery for being alone since he was so young. he didn't care though he would have his lord on his side at all times. Gabriell smiled at the three standing near each other and began to talk to them, "so you all are going to take the long way? have fun then!" he said wishing them luck.

Kyoshou arrived on the road flailing his rediculously long sleeves in the air shouting "Waiiit! Waiiiit! I'm here! I'm here!!!" When he finally reached the group he collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. From Kyoshou's position on the ground he looked around at the other participants. None of whom he knew except for one. He shot up from the ground excitedly as he said "Hey! Kumo-kun! Fancy seeing you here! Don't forget! After this Team Rhapsody is good to go!" He grinned at the eight armed sound ninja with a confident thumbs ounlined against his long sleeve. He caught the last few words that escaped the proctor's lips as his mind began analyzing all the possibilities. Kyoshou tilted his head almost looking dumbfounded. He was simply lost in thought. After hearing Kumo's answer Kyoshou said "Alright then. I'll take the short route. See you on the other side Kumo-kun!


The shadow of a giant bird drifted over the group of hopeful Chuunins as they were joined by another. A figure leaped off the giant, eclipsing the sunlight above him. He gracefully landed on the ground as the giant clay bird returned to Sunagakure. Tai Akasun got up slowly shedding a dramatic atmosphere around him. This was instantly shattered as Tai's puppet eyes landed on one of the participants. "OH MAI GAWSH! TAMAO-CHAN IS THAT YOU!?! IT'S BEEN SO LONG! When was the last time we saw each other. The Chuunin exams? Wow! That was almost three years ago! Great to see you again! He too only barely caught the proctor's words. Tai stayed silent as everyone selected their path of choice. He scratched the back of his hollow puppet head as he finally said "Are you serious? What the hell is wrong with you all?! I don't know about you guys but I'm taking the easy path." He was fully aware what he was in for since this wasn't the first time he had taken a Drago exam. There was the possibility that the 'easy' path was merely a deception but there also was the possibility that it was a yellow brick road so to speak straight to Drago's house. "Drago better hope someone doesn't get crazy and destroy his house like they did his hotel." Only Tamao would know what the strange puppet man was talking about making a reference back to their old days as little genin.

THe small boy heard their choices as three paths were unveiled. Three seperate explosions occurred revealing the various paths, "The choices have been made and here are your paths." The small boy said as he guided Tin, Tamao, Kumo, and Yamai to the path that was the most left of them. It lead through a dusty, long road that didn't seem to lead to anywhere.

He than guided Gabriell and Kyoushou to the path that laid the furthest right from the group. The path was one that was made of concrete and stone. A building could be seen in the distance.

The last one, Tai Akasun was guided to the most center path. This was a path that was lush and green.

"Drago said it's not illegal to work on teams...But Remember Deceive Everyone trust no one." The little boy said as he was walking back to the entrance where he set up a kekkai, so no one would be able to escape.

Yamai looked down the road of the long way he had chosen. "Good we get a crappy road to ravel along." Yamai looked over and saw the other ways he could have chosen. " Those two ways both look nice, makes my choice even better... We can't even leave now if we want to. Well, time to get started " Yamai thought to himself as he turned back to the three who also chose this path. " I don't mind working with you all, at least for this exam since were not opponents as of now... I'm Yamai." He said as he began walking down the dusty pathway.

Tamao followed the other three who chose the same option she had, moving forward when Killua directed them. The trail looked long, excrutiatingly boring, and very dusty. She sighed, hoping that the dust didn't get to be too much trouble. She was pretty sure she didn't have any allergies, but dust was dust, and enough of it could convert anyone into sneezing fits.

She debated pulling out a handkerchief to tie around her mouth, but decided to hold off on that for the moment. The dust wasn't too bad just yet, she'd rather not have to deal with her words getting muffled if she could avoid it. She stepped onto the path, feeling a warm, dry wind blowing, sending her hagoromo fluttering steadily. As they began walking, one of the others who Tamao didn't recognize introduced themself as Yamai, so she returned the favor, introducing herself as well.