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Kyu pushed through a few people, and tripped over a particularly fat man in armor. Sushi-kun's awkward stumbling got him into a small clearing, where he could meet up with Hibiki. "You know, bro." Kyu said as he peered over the crowd, looking for the area where the exams where supposed to be held, "Kalamari is a fancy word for squid, which are so unlike fish, its not even comparable. I mean, seriously bro. Fish, sharks in particular, don't even have tentacles or suction cups. And squids don't even have spines..."

Kyu paused, he saw some odd structures up ahead; a tall torii gate marked the direction towards a thicket of trees, and some traditional pagodas and oriental stalls. Kyu motioned with his hand to Hibiki that, like usual, they'd be taking the high-road, into the trees, and over the crowds.

Kyu jumped up, and kicked off the stone wall at his rear, then up into a tree. He landed on a branch on all fours, then kicked off to another sturdy branch of another tree, then to another. Kyuzaku watched the ground below, and saw that they passed over another rock wall, probably the outer wall of whatever settlement they were entering. The sharky ninja slipped down from his perch on the tree into a suspended arm hang, and then dropped to his feet in an alleyway behind a small oriental shop. The genin emerged from the backstreet, and looked up and down the road. To his right was the direction where they had come. A quaint bridge arced over a decorative brooke, and the crowd of spectators was gradually approaching the towering torii on its far side.

To Kyu's right was the rest of the village. More spectators lined the streets. Some slept at the side of its winding cobblestone roads, and others visited the shops and stalls looking at the interesting, exotic, Lightning Country goods that covered their shelves and tables.

"Hey Hibiki, what to you say to some tourist time? I want to see if they have any ninja gear in any of these shops. Afterward, we can see if we can find anyone we know, like Saikoro or somethin'." Without considering Hibiki's responce, Kyu briskly walked off, looking for a shop that might sell the merchandise he was looking for.

Some stores sold ethnic dishes, others sold clothes. Some stalls had fresh fruit and vegetables, and others carried odd trinkets to commemorate the tournament. One shop sold festival masks, and another had festival kimono and decorative pinwheels in the window.

The shop that Kyu would enter, however, was one just next to the town center, where a band was playing on a boarded off square. Outside the ornate doorway was an unlit paper lantern with kunai hanging from it like wind chimes. Surely, this would be the place to find ninja tools. Kyu entered the store, and was enthralled by the rich smells of war in the room. Gunpowder was the most prominent scent, fresh dirt was the next, followed by a hint of iron or copper, most likely stemming from bloodshed.

Up on the walls where weapons and items like Kyu had never seen. Behind the shop owner was a spread fan the size of a ninja. It was decorated with the highest quality images of legendary beasts, and looked like it should belong in a palace or museum instead of a weapons shop.

Speaking of things that should probably be in a museum, on the ground was a rather large Gourd-shaped object made entirely out of sand, condensed to the point that it was a complete solid! It had cracks running through it, and a red ribbon wrapped around it. Big yellow stickers with Black E-shapes were slapped onto its sides as well. Kyu identified the item as a unique ninja tool used by a legendary ninja of Sunagakure.

It would seem that this item wasn't as unique as he previously thought, though. Behind the one in front where several more. It would seem that years of copy-cat ninjas would make their own replicas, like the ones he saw in the shop.

Other odd things in the shop were small, strap on generators that looked as though they might amplify electricity in the body, wooden gourds made for holding water, gunpowder capsules that would explode when used by a Fire-natured ninja, and a variety of mundane weapons like katanas, archery sets, bo-staves, and steel chains with spiked ends. On a shelf were expensive and explosive blast tags, and a regional favorite: shock bombs, made for stunning and zapping an enemy.

Even with all of these gadgets and weapons, the mist genin was drawn to a particular part of the shop. On a table were technique scrolls, stacked high. They were labeled with the name of their held jutsu. Kyu bit his lip, "These sound wicked! Hibiki, come take a look at these!"

Kyu pulled one from the stack; it was yellow with grey swirls, and was labled 'Reaper's Calling'. Kyu opened up the scroll, and read the first line of the first paragraph of the technique's procedure, "With this jutsu, a ninja can summon countless scythes made up of pure wind from the sky to swarm his enemies." Kyu skimmed another few lines, and added, "Turns out that you can even take control of some inanimate objects with this justu. That's freaking cool, bro." Kyu put it to the side, and rummaged through a couple more. "Hey, here's another one; this one is a Water Release jutsu." Kyu skimmed the header of the document, then closed it back up. "Nyeh, not that great. Just a straight-up water ninjutsu. I would probably buy it if I was better at that sort of thing... but I don't see a full-on ninjutsu attack coming in handy, not like that scythe move, Reaper's Calling. If I'm going to toy with ninjutsu, it'll just be with things I simply can't do with taijutsu. Sure, I could hit someone with a stream of water, but I could also just punch them, y'know what I mean, bro?"

Kyu read a few more scrolls, but put them all back, "The rest are ninjutsu too, nothing that really rolls with me." Kyu turned around with his single yellow and grey-swirled scroll, "You probably ought to take a look too, bro. You might find something up your all-" Kyu stopped as a blueish light flashed in his eyes.

"What's that light coming from?" Kyu asked, moving out of the way of the ray. It would seem that light came in through a window just the right way to reflect off the shiny surface of some very interesting looking containers. There were dozens of the things, each was cast out of shining silver, and was small enough to hold in your hand comfortably. The silver was made in the form of a cross, and embedded in its center was a vial-like container, half filled with blue liquid.

Kyu approached the set of tchotchkes, and held one up to the light. Kyu studied the little object and asked the man behind the counter, "Shopkeep, what are these things?"

"SC Capsules," He said, "They came from a company called SC Tech. They're trinkets or somethin', in commemoration of the exams. Don't ask me what that blue stuff is though; I really don't know. I've had at least... I dunno... ten customers just today before you askin' me about them. All I know is that they are supposed to be related to the Chuunin Exam somehow, and that I'm only allowed to supposed to let ya' buy three of them; that way there will be enough for everyone who wants one."

Kyu nodded, and looked towards Hibiki with a grin, "Hibiki, Think I should buy a set? Maybe they do something in the exams."

((FIRST blaugh ))

Kai had gone into the main office of the Hidden Could while Hayato and Mayu waited outside or near by him. He wasn't sure how she was doing in her mindset, but Hayato was slightly nervous. He'd just Graduated from the Academy not too long ago and was already in and registered into the Chuunin exams. He tried to keep the nerves in the back of his mind but he was always thinking about it now and again. This was the first time that this type of nerves really ever happened to him. He's hunted some of the wildernesses most feared preditors from the fire country, but this was defenately a new field for himself. Eventually Kai came out of the building but had the bad news that there was more time to travel since they were going to a weird sounding village to the north west of the hidden village. This was rather confusing to him though as everything has been pointing to this hidden village and not some minor village in one of the major countries. With puzzlement in his mind, Hayato followed along with Mayu and Kai. It seemed that there was going to be no walking though as they were going to be going by cart. It also seemed that there was going to be a lunch provided. He couldn't argue with lunch but to have the whole exam setting change before he could figure anything out was very dis-heartning. He got into the cart with Mayu and their current temporary teacher, and just rested on the ride.

The ride seemed to be bumpy so he couldn't get any good rest, but he felt better after. Once at the gates, they got out of the cartage and Hayato stretched as his position in the cartage wasn't as comfortable as he thought it was going to be. He looked over to Mayu and Kai, then looked around not sure on what to do now or how long they had until they were supposed to be at the exam site. Looking over to Kai he now had to ask the question which was needed to be asked. "So Kai, where to next?"

Kai grumbles a little as he gets off the cartage, rubbing his back as he stood up again after being seated for such a long time, looked around the gate of the village they had just entered, and the roar of the mark that had been set-up around them, also the large crowds that had gather to watch the exams, in terms of things these events were much more popular then most of the big sport games. Kai then looked at Hayato as he took a deep breath, before he spoke up. "I guess we can look around for a little bit get some supplies, do some pre event training and get you guys some new equipment". Kai said as he looked at the area and looked out for some store and booths that might be of more use then some others, a lot of the were selling little trinkets and collectible idea for the exams, a lot of food supply and street food outlets scattered around not much in terms of ninja and weapon supplies, but he could see one or two around. Kai looked a the two little Genin that were able to end the exam an wondered how they would far, he remembered his time in the exam, the first one he enter he failed, he had only enter out of boredom, an had been crashed by the others that were taking the exam at that time, he didn't really mind that much, but thanks to that he learned not to think that the exams would be easy, the second time was different and he past that time without much trouble.

Mayu had been looking around wide eyed with wonder at all the people that had gathered in the village, and were now enjoying the the market that had been set up in the village, she had never seen such a large group of people gather in one area before, she smiled brightly as she looked around, seeing all the different people and the different shop that had been set up. "Wow this is so cool, I wonder what the main exams are going to be like, what do you think they will be like Hayato, and words of advice Kai?". Mayu said with a massive smile on her face as she looked at them, and then looked to Hayato and Kai as she waited on replies from them, Kai was the first to speak up as he moved forward a little, as he looked around.

"To be honest, I have no idea what trails you two will face while on this exam, but some advice that I can give, is that you two should try and work together, and always try to do your best, even if the task your given is something you think is impossible you may surprise yourself with what you are capable of if you keep trying". Kai said with a smiled smiled as he move to the side a little. "You two wait here for a second I going to get something, we are meant to be meeting someone here in a little bit". Kai said as he took off, he had asked one of his old acquaintance's to help him out during the exam, they had agreed to help him, in the Cloud village he got a message from them that they would meet at the village gate in the afternoon.

"Really then this should be rather fun right, Hayato, also I hope we can do some really fun things while we are outside the Leaf village". Mayu said as she looked to Hayato rest on a wall a little as they stand there waiting for Kai to return from where ever he went, while waiting it seem that both of them were interested in looking around, Mayu was really interested in shopping a little. "I wonder who is this person Kai wants to meet, also Hayato what do you think of Kai?, to me he doesn't really seem to be a very good teacher, but he must be a good seeing as he is a Jonin, and he is pretty nice". Mayu said as she looked to Hayato waiting on his reply, after his reply Mayu smiled a little and hopped up, moving over to a man the was selling some sort of food that came on a stick, it turned out to be chicken kebabs.

Kai turned up again after being gone for about fifteen or twenty minutes and smiled a little, then he handed Hayato and Mayu/Aya a small box each, he had another large bag with him that was fulled with some stuff in it. "Here is something to remember your first chunin exam, it some cross with a little capsule inside it, they looked pretty neat, so anyway, before the exam, is there anything the two of you would like to learn before the exams, we can do some training once she turns up". Kai said with a smile, before he looked around for the person he was meant to be meeting up with, they now knew it was a she that he was meant to meet up, but they were still not aware of why, they were meeting this person and who she is.

Notwen kicked his sandals off in the foyer and proceeded to walk into the living room, where he noticed a plastic-wrapped fruit basket on the coffee table.
"Rose..." he whispered with a smile. For the past four weeks she had been sending the dark-skinned blonde fruit baskets, half of which he ate and sharing the other half with his neighbors. The contents of the current fruit basket was a mix of pairs and bananas, two of Notwen's favorite foods. There was also a note tucked into one of the folds in the wrapping. The crippled Uchiha took the note and sat on the sofa before opening it. There were to bits of writing: the long and narrow feminine curves belonging to Rose and neat angled strokes belonging to Musamaru. After reading the note Notwen went to his room and began packing his bags to head for Gryu'jiong, the location for this year's chuunin exams. Over the course of fifteen minutes three changes of clothes, water, travel snacks, and spending money went into the messenger bag. Am i forgetting anything else? thought Notwen to himself as he double-checked what he was taking with him. Nothing came to mind except for Novvus. The dark-skinned blonde looked at the bandaged bundle lying propped against the wall. It made him laugh to think about the irony of it. His deceased twin's effigy designed to preserve the appearance he had at the time of his death, wrapped in bandages.
"It's not funny, N! I'm not a mummy!" came Novvus' voice from within his subconscious.
"I never thought you were, brother." replied Notwen, trying hard to think of something else.
"Mhm. Could've fooled me." After a short pause he continued. "I want to go to the exams as well." Notwen sighed.
"Novvus, i hope you know what you are getting yourself into if i bring you along." he said, thinking hard about all of the issues that could spring from the puppet being seen, especially by those who had been in contact with him before he died.
"That can be easily bypassed by hiding my face inconspicuously with some type of costume." the three-eyed blonde arched an eye brow.
"Wow. Why didn't i think of that?..."

An hour later Notwen was ready to walk out of the door. Slung across his back was the bandaged puppet Novvus and hanging over his right side was the stocked messenger bag. The three-eyed Uchiha had already delivered the fruit basket to his neighbors, the Irikuras, and had made the final preparations to leave the village and head for Gryu'jiong. With a final look around, he walked through the door and pulled it shut behind himself.

Outside was a lot less crowded than it was earlier, most likely because almost everyone had left to watch or participate in the Chuunin exams.
Looks like the roads are gonna be packed... thought Notwen as he began to walk in a northwestern direction. Once he began to enter the foothills of the mountain range that separated eastern Lightning Country from the rest, the dark-skinned blonde walked off the road that would lead into the mountains and hiked into the tall grass. Once he was about half a mile from the road, he conjured the fiery left hand and weaved four seals: dragon, navel, bird, crown. Immediately after Notwen planted his right hand on the ground a surge of golden flames shot out of the ground and formed a funnel from which Kaala emerged, the bandaged Twinswords Hiramekarei strapped to his back. The crippled Uchiha was awed by the humanoid bird's new wardrobe and whistled.
"Nice robes!" Kaala patted Notwen on the back and smiled.
"So much for thinking you had matured..." said the humanoid bird with a grin. After a few seconds of silence the dark-skinned blonde spoke.
"The time for the Chuunin exams has arrived my friend. Do you think you can fly me over to the northern village of Gryu'jiong?" Kaala sighed.
"That's child's play. Back up a little." The crippled Uchiha did as he was told and watched as his summon transformed into his armored bird form. The crimson-gold feathers had a faint shine to them now, and grew longer at the tail. The black armor was polished and gave off the rare black luster only seen in the land of Redwing Valley. "You can get on now." said the giant sparrow, beckoning to Notwen with a jerk of his head. The dark-skinned blonde got up unto the larger Kaala's back and held on tightly as the bird flapped its wings and took flight.
The evening air was cool and crisp, which was pretty refreshing. Before long they had passed into the mountain range that housed the village of Gryu'jiong and Notwen began to look for signs of movement on the roads below. The village appeared to be a growing speck of lights in the distance with a long dark trail coming from it.
"We made good time. Kaala, you can start to descend." The crimson-gold sparrow nodded and began a steady dive towards a grassy hill a few meters away from the road. The landing spot was a little under a mile away from the village, which seemed to be bigger than the crippled Uchiha had thought.
"Will you be alright?" asked Kaala, reluctant to go. Notwen nodded.
"I need you to keep Hiramekarei safe while i am here." he said, patting the armored bird on the neck. "If i run into a situation that i can't handle on my own i promise i will summon you as quick as possible." With a nod, Kaala took off into the night sky and vanished in a burst of golden flames high in the air, where it could be easily mistaken for a star. Notwen began walking towards the road and merged in without any problems. Ten minutes later he was within the village and mingling in the crowds.

"I guess so, but the way you say it make it sound like he is a mystery that you need to solves , but i guess thing will be found out at some point, we just need to wait, nobody opens up to others until they trust one another, i mean even me and Aya have things we don't till you". Mayu said a little before Kai turned up again, she spoke with a less over the top tone, that she had been using for a past few hours. Once Kai return Mayu smiled a little taking the little box he had given her and Hayato, she smiled and a little and thanked Kai for a little box, opening it to find the little silver cross inside, she thanked Kai again as she saw what he had gotten them. "As to training for me, I don't mind anything would be good, I am mainly interested in Ninjutsu".

Kai looked at them and thought for a moment, then thought for a moment about what would be good for the both of them. "I am not really good a teaching thing, but I guess I can help you both, but lets go with something simple, make sure to pay attention to the area around you, also try taking notes of the area around you they may come in handy later, for example we are still at the main gate to this village, an this village is about a half the side of our, meaning it is -". Kai said before a girl with really long hair appears and pushed her elbow into his side, as her elbow made contacted a puff a smoke appeared, an Kai was replaced with a small doll with his name on it, an Kai was behind Hayato and Aya. "That was a little uncalled for Shizuka-chan, we haven't seen each other in over a year and that's how you greet me, that so mean". Kai said as he look at the blond.

The girl huffed as she stood up a little from her elbowing position, an put her hand on his hip as she shot a look that could kill at Kai. "Kai you still as useless as always, you suck at teaching". The woman said as she looked at Hayato and Mayu/Aya, looking over the girl, she looked too be in her late teens or early twenties, and was wearing a black off the shoulder top that showed off her mid-rift and had the Cloud village symbol plate on it, matching black and yellow pleated skirt and a pair of thigh high black boots, an a black en-longed sleeveless coat a little below her hair, she had very long blond hair that passed a little below her hip and a**, an a pair of blue eyes that seemed to glow a little, with a smug little smile to her as she looked at Kai. "Nice to meet you two, I hear your Kai's little students for the moment, I'm sorry, he isn't very good, I am Shizuka an Kai en me meet a few years ago at a Chunin exam, an have been friend sense then, you guy will be staying at my place while your here". Shizuka smiled a little as she looked at you all.

Mayu smiled a little with the meeting of the new girl, it was nice having another girl around now, she wondered a little what style of ninja Shizuka was. "Nice to meet you Shizuka, I'm Aya". Mayu said politely as she smiled at the woman that had turned up.

Kai looked at Shizuka and moved around the Hayato and Mayu to stand next to her. "This is the woman we were waiting to meet Shizuka-chan is a Cloud ninja and she agree to let us stay at here house while we are here, an show us around". Kai said then looked at her. "I new at teaching, and if you think you can do better you try". Kai said as he smiled a little, the tone between the two of them was a little playful, and showed they were close to some degree.

Shizuka just looked at Hayato and Mayu. "I can teach you guy the chakra sensing skill if you want, but then again so could Kai, or how to make your chakra visible and an glow, which can come in handy, anyway lets get so you guys can relax a little before the exam". Shizuka said with a smile as she looked at Hayato and Mayu, before turning a little and walking a little, with Kai following after her, showing it was time to leave, as they made they way though the village to a small house near the middle of town, the Shizuka opened the let house for the others to come in, it was a small two stories, three bedroom place, the rooms upsides and a bathroom, an a lounge kitchen and laundry downstairs.

Kira was lost in the crowd, in the people's exprressions as they varried in every direction. One man was smiling wide as he told his comrades a story. Another looked fearful and tried to seclude herself from the mass of people. So many different types of people from all over, nearly every country seemed to have shinobi in this area. 'This is either the safest.. or most danegerous place to be..'

Just then Kira looked over to Sai, He felt something strange, yet familiar in his body language. He turned his head and whispered over his shoulder.

Kira held a slight grin on his face. He had been really wanting to show his teacher how much stronger he'd gotten, and even though he wasn't going to do anything too revealing, it would be fun to show off the power of the Mist Village. "Sure, Let's do this.."