The Sanctuary p1 (Xi and Suna-nin Team of Midgets)

[Luan Xi]

Xi leaned against a post, reading a magazine at a news stand. It had only been a couple of days since Kajitori, a potentionally dangerous nuke-nin had 'visited' her, and she had to prepare for a new mission in Khonogakure. Bakuru, one of Shiva's messangers had to interupt her night to tell her about it, but she didnt mind. It gave her something to do.

Here was the low-down. For a couple weeks, the Saivistic Temple nearby had been recieving odd visitors, attracted to the colorful stories of an ancient Monk of Shiva, Known by the Saivists as the Black Lioness, who-for over 60 years- defended the Temples around the world from the oppressive bandits and evil-doers. The story goes that after peace had been restored to the temples, Shiva turned her into moonlight and swept her away into to night, not to be seen again, until danger once again raised its hand against the worshippers of Shiva. She was a legend amoung the monks, a balance of Fearsome Warrior and Gentle Monk. A balance, which -to Xi's immense amusement- all people strived to be like. She chuckled to herself, Why in the world would anyone want to be like me? I'm coarse, sometimes irritable, and I'm crazy to boot.

People coming to the temples to hear stories,however, wasnt the problem. The problem was that mercenarys and some freelance hunters were coming to capture this mysterious monk. Some Random Ninja wanted her...alive. That normally wasnt a good sign, and now these hired thugs were threatening the peace of the temple. Looks like they were going to get what they asked for. On top of that, they weren't just disrupting the normal routine of the monks' lives, They personally disrupted a Very Good Night, and to Xi, That was unacceptable.

She flipped a page filled with adds for ceremonial candles and incense, when some one approached her. It was one of the Suna Genin, his hitate wrapped tightly around his head, and his face slightly stunned. He cautiously spoke, "m-Madam Luan Xi?"

She gave the man a genuine smile, "Yep, how can I help such a fine gentleman like yourself?"

He was blushing now, Oh, how cute. He ran a hand through his tousled black hair "I-uh- have a request from the Acadamy, and..to a degree..the Kazekage."

She raised an eyebrow, "Aannd, what might that be?

"His Lordship requests that you personally train a new team for the acadamy."

The entire city echoed with Xi's next word, "WHAT?"

The poor guy was cringing now, but Xi had lost a cap. She had never trained anyone for the Acadamy in her entire existance. Technically she wasnt even a ninja! She didn't train at the acadamy, she learned her styles from Bandits, monks, mercs, and a random artist who painted her at one time. What in the Hell could she teach them? For all the brilliant Kazekage knew, she could ruin their entire chance of surrviving the exams!! How could she bear the shame of that!!!

Xi snapped back to reality to see that she was litterally shaking in fear and anger, her electric blue eyes flashing brilliantly towards the Genin, "And what-precisely- is the reason for this preposterous proposal?" she growled.

The ninja stuttered "L-Lord g-g-Gaara wants this team of n-ninja to be exceptional. H-he s-ssaid yyou were the bbBest of Sunagakure."

"Did Gaara Even Know That I Wasn't Even Trained At The Acadamy?! Did Gaara Know That My Employer Has A Job For Me To Do In Khonogakure! Did He Know That I Am A Monk, Not A Ninja!!"

"Im Sorry, Luan Xi-sama, I wasnt aware. ImonlydoingasIwastold. Ididntmeantomakeyouangry.Pleasedon'tsplintermeiintopieces!" He bowed deeply.

Xi paused, then clasped the man on the shoulder, "Im guessing you've heard stories about my Ghost technique, huh?" She lifted his chin to look at her with one finger, giving him a reassuring smile, "Forgive me. I shouldn't shoot the messanger, and I'm sorry I blew up at you, Its just that I dont know if i would be a worthy teacher. Can you forgive a cautious woman?"
The ninja paused, then grinned "ofcourse"

"Thank you. Now since the Kazekage commands me to do this, I will honor his request; However, i have an urgent mission in Khonogakure. Thus i might have to take these Shinobi with me. Make sure Gaara knows that."

The ninja nodded, then pointed to his right, "I brought the shinobi with me, so, may be you should go and meet your team, Luan Xi Sensei." He then ran off towards the palace. Xi grinned, then looked for her new team.

[rima]

No One Shall Understand Me

No One Will

[/color] Hikari told her academy sensei as he had informed her about her new sensei. Just when Hikari thought being a ninja was her time to be alone, boy was she wrong. First of all she gets to have 2 teammates, a blind woman and a boy with a bird's brain and now she gets a sensei that's a monk? Oh boy, isn't she lucky. The teacher had informed her that the great kazekage had wanted this. She had totally been wrong about the kazekage, at first she thought he was a regular cracko but no, he is a wracko too.

"I am glad you are happy Hikari, now run along or you'll be late" the teacher told Hikari, trying his best to give a nice, kind smile like all those kindergarten teachers do. He obviously didn't get the fact that she was using sarcasm. Hikari walked off, swearing that even she can make a better fake smile then him.

It was a wonder that she was early when she wanted to be late, she even walked around a fountain so that she would be late. Unfortunate for Hikari, she was the first one there, if you don't count the freaky ninja.

So basically she waited with her teammates, dumb and dumber as the freaky ninja who calls himself a massager talked to their to-be sensei. Hikari swear she saw the sensei about to pop. There were only two reasons here, she was so anxious and happy to be a sensei for her, dumb and dumber, or she was over surprised and wanted nothing to do with her, dumb and dumber. Hikari smirked as she picked the second reason.

There was only one thing left, the sensei-to-be will blow up to pieces and die, less work for Hikari. But unfortunate for Hikari that didn't happen, she had seem to calm down and actually accept the team. Hikari looked at her, mouth dropping open, "she's making a big mistake" she thought, "a really big one"

She looked at the sensei as she had looked over to the team. Bleh, what else could she do but smile back one of her sweet, innocent smiles back at her. "This is going to be a drag" Hikari thought but her smile didn't fade, she congratulated herself for being a good actor.

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[Touijin Hyosuke]

Hyosuke's eyes lite up when their academy sensei told them of their new assignment, finally they was full fledge ninja! This was something that he had been working on for years now and he couldn't be more pumped up and excited. Has soon has their sensei related the meeting place to them, Hyo jumped out of his seat and ran off to collect his swords from his house. There was no way that he would show up without them, that would just be slacking in his part at the moment. He knew he might be late but that was not going to bother him at the moment, there was no need to get upset, even if the sensei got mad at him for it. He would just explain to them what he needed at the moment.

He ran into the house only to be stopped by his father when he grabbed his ribbon that choked him when someone pulled on them. He was flung back into his father's stomach. He looked up to him with the biggest grin that he could pull off at the moment. ”Dad! Let me go! I am already going to be late! I have a sensei now! I am Genin! I am going to grab my swords and go meet up with them!” Before his father could say anything, he pulled the ribbon out of his grip and ran to his room. He looked under the bed and pulled out his swords and placed them around his waist at the moment. He felt better now. He then ran back out of the house without another word to his father or mother. He was just to excited to do anything else at the moment.

He ran straight to the meeting place only to see the first team mate there. Sure he didn't really know his team mates at the moment but it was still fun being on team now. He ran up behind Hikari, once he came to a complete stop he was about to say something to her until he heard his new sensei blow up at the other Shinobi that informed her about the new team assignment. He tilted his head slightly to the left side has he watched her unclear at the moment what was going on.

He reached up and scratched the side of his face slightly with his index finger slightly and then stepped slightly in front of Hikari. He watched the ninja run off like he was scared of her for some reason. ”You know he ran off like he was scared of you.....you don't look to scary....or a ninja for that matter.....” He had a blank, but yet a confused expression on his face at the moment.

[Riyuu Sachiko]

this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx
~Need More Friends With Wings. All The Angels I Know Put Concrete In My Veins.~
.:|Riyuu|:.:|Sachiko|:.
~Bye Bye Beautiful, Don't Bother To Write.~
this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx

______________________________________________________________________________________

Is there word or right to sing,
Even in this old fashioned way?
Go make your move girl, I'm not coming home.
Would things have changed if I could have stayed?
Would you have loved me either way?
Dressed to the blues day to day with my collar up
Decisions sit, so make it quick
A breath inhaled from an air so sick
I curse the day that I heard of the web you spun
Listen well, will you marry me, and are you well in the suffering?

So she was to be assigned to a Genin team now? Well, that was definitely going to be an interesting ordeal. Sachiko was standing in her room as her adoptive mother, Asahiro Mai, stood behind the little girl in the doorway. They weren't related by blood, no, but Mai had gladly taken up the job of caring for little Sachiko after the girl's mother had passed away. It was better than sending Sachiko off to the rest of the Riyuu members, because in Mai's opinion, they were horrible people. Her husband Kiue agreed with her; such a child shouldn't have to live through such an ordeal.

Hearing their breathing in the doorway, Sachiko bounded up towards them, hands spread in front of her in case she were to run into something. The black world she always saw greeted her as usual, and she stopped in front of Mai and Kiue; she was able to gauge distances well with sound, as she'd lived without the ability of eyesight her whole life. A bright smile erupted across her face as she remembered her walking stick, and suddenly tried to run her hands along the wall to find it. Her fingers brushed it, and she heard it fall, falling to her knees and groping for it. Kiue chuckled a little and picked up the object, handing the end with the handle out for Sachiko.

"Arigatou, chichi-san!" Sachiko said brightly, getting up from sitting on her knees. She smiled and waved to Mai and Kiue, hearing the woman move out of the doorway so she could get through without causing a collision. Sachiko tapped around, found the front door, and opened it, leaving the world that was her home behind her. The fairly quiet streets of Sunagakure no Sato greeted her, and she happily tapped her way along the street.

She was glad to be assigned a team now, because it meant that her abilities would be put to use for something. It was rare that Sachiko was ever needed for anything shinobi-related, as the fact of her disability of eyesight made people shy away from her because they thought her unworthy. Well, Sachiko could manage fairly well without any form of eyesight, but she also had something else that nobody else did; she had an almost photographic memory, and an ability that worked like radar in comparison to her hearing. It was more like sonar, really; every sound bounced off of any object around, even the slightest of sounds, giving her a relative idea of where anything was. It made her hard to follow as well as a good shinobi, too, better than any gave her credit for.

As she blindly made her way down the street, she suddenly heard the sound of a conversation, a woman's name being said. That was the name she'd been told! Listening hard, Sachiko followed the sound, only to find the woman suddenly bellowing at the top of her lungs. Sachiko whined, slightly, the sound hurting her ears as usual. Anything loud or high-pitched tended to do that, with her naturally enhanced hearing ability. As she came closer, she heard the sound of a fairly annoying voice, high and loud, and the sound of another female, obviously around the same age as Sachiko herself.

"She... Sounds like a shinobi to me," Sachiko said, not sure where her face was facing. "I'm sorry if it seems like I'm staring or something but... I'm not." She had to put that warning out there, because if she were snapped at for staring, it would make her feel bad, because it wasn't her fault. She could hear everything that was going on around her, but could see nothing; she saw no need to use her chakra just yet, because they would need to get used to the fact of her blindness, at least when she wasn't using that. They'd find out what she could possibly do much later on, when the time came.

"Is Xi-sensei here?" Sachiko asked, moving her head to at least keep the muscles moving. She could hear the sound of... One, two, three people breathing, and then her own. Two of them were more shallow, obviously from pairs of smaller lungs, and one deeper, slightly stressed it seemed, over something that had happened. Her head turned to get a better, well, viewpoint of the sound, and she assumed that their sensei was there, at least for the most part. Becoming slightly irritated, Sachiko knelt down, her small frame seeming even smaller when she did that, and set the stick on the ground. She stood up to her full four-foot-six height and closed her eyes, forming quick seals. She felt that strange sensation of her eyes being sealed shut until she deactivated the jutsu, the feeling a little odd for her.

Now, however, she could see the world around her. It was illuminated by every breath each of them took, and by the sounds of heartbeats pulsing. Her hearing hadn't been sharpened beyond her 'normal' range yet, but she could still hear the smallest of things quite clearly. She could see a girl who looked to be a little arrogant, perhaps, and maybe self-centered, and a hyperactive boy with spiky hair. There was also a woman standing there, and Sachiko assumed her to be their sensei.

"Ah. That's much better..."

You've been the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited, girl, but you're not coming in
And we have lived as a child would care
And with this vial to drink I dare, only
I cry all alone with your taste on tongue
Should we try things again with hope?
Hope isn't lost, give up the ghost.
Or should I die all alone as I knew I would?
Then burn in hell, God's sinner.

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The words you scribbled on the walls. The loss of friends you didn't have. I'll call you when the time is right. Are you in or are you out? For them all to know the end of us all. Bye, bye, beautiful. Don't bother to write. Disturbed by your words, and they're calling all cards. Free step, let down. Free step, step down.

[Luan Xi]

Xi examined the team as she walked towards them, her eye critical, but masked behind a completely controled and gentle face. Her eye was drawn first to a girl with pink hair, who smiled almost immediately at her. Hmm, I'm detecting a rather brash and demanding aura. Plus, who smiles at someone they dont even know, or someone who just blew up at their former teacher. Once again Xi, you are brilliant.

Next was the only boy in the group, Poor guy, that must be uncomfortable But the boy turned out to be very blunt, and observant. Those were good qualities. He also seemed slightly daffy, which suited Her just fine, and she could see that he would be a source of constant amusement. All in all, a good kid. Her mouth took on an 'O' shape at his statement, and she ended up laughing, "I'm sure glad I don't look scary, thank you for saying that, but to some, my technique and Nature is very..unsettling. Lets hope you guys don't have to see it in action."
Then she noticed the other member of the team...her heart softened. The Girl was blind, but was mild mannered and quiet. How could a kid deserve that fate? It was almost cruel. Aww man, thats gotta suck When the girl made her last comment, Xi's mood considerably lightened, "Yes, I'm here. Sorry for shouting. Its just that i'm not used to being called in to teach. Quite Frankly, I Dont know what exactly to teach you." Xi then stiffened and decided to get to buisness.
"Well, I guess you all know me, but I'm going to tell you now, don't call me by my full name. If you do, I might be tempted to let my Bolt munchkins chase you. Xi-Sensei will be fine until you guys get comfortable.
You all are Genin. Therefore, I'm not going baby you unless you act like babies. Thats simple. In the end, if you have any particular way of living, toss it away. Any particular way of thinking, throw it away. Any particular way of treating people, kick that the hell away, because if you treat anyone like fodder, you may not be able to walk for a while.
Also, Since I am no ninja, I cannot teach you like a ninja. Instead, I will teach you as what I am. A monk, get over it. This doesn't mean I'm going to make you meditate for Weeks. That'll be one day out of the week, and when we do a day-long med, I expect you to do it. Trust me, I will know when you are faking. I will also be sharpening your sense of illiusion and Reality, thats going to be the trickey part. There will be some things that I teach that will ultimately be aginst some of your codes, such as letting the bad guy go, but you will understand in time, i assure you that much.
The only way you can fail, is if you fail yourself. If you let your mind say 'I can't', I cant let you continue. If you mind says ' I refuse', I will refuse your plea to pass. Clear?" She paused, then said, "I will do everything in my power to make sure you don't die, but there some wounds I cant heal with a simple application of medicine, somethings..take a voice. I know this. Mental efficiancy is just as important as Physical and Social. People can initiate techniques that will use those mental weaknesses against you. Dont Let Them Kill You. " She then dropped the soldier guise, a smile spreading across her face, "Now, what are your names?"

[rima]

No One Shall Understand Me

No One Will

[/color][/i] she thought. She did wonder why he was the only boy here, did she pity him? Hell no. But forgetting about the special boy she turned back to where she was supposed to be facing, her sensei.

She turned to the blind girl as she entered, yea, she had heard about one of her teammates being blind but she didn't except this small blondie to show up. Hikari questioned herself if she was even a ninja, she looked so fagile like if Hikari had pushed her with a finger she would fall down right away.

Hikari finally focused her eyes on the monk-sensei, not letting her mind run wild anymore. She listened to the woman's rules, okay, first rule, don't call her by her full name, that wasn't a big problem, Hikari didn't even know her full name. Hikari actually studies people but she doesn't waste her time studying people that wasn't important and until now this monk, Xi, was never a human in Hikari's life. But Hikari figured that she had to study about her full name now, the woman was tempting her.

After the next few lines, she could swear that Xi was pointing her out. Hikari smirked, she wasn't just going to let this sensei walk all over her, yet. Hikari wasn't the one going to be changing her personality any soon.

Hikari stared at the woman, letting the bad guys go eh? Well, she wasn't so bad after all. Hikari was never a person who obeyed any rules which also contained the ninja rules. She'd rather let her target go then kill him on the spot, it would give her more time to learn his techniques and practice dealing them after they are released. Hikari would let a person go after she makes them do her dirty work, well, Xi wasn't so bad after all.

For once Hikari didn't fall asleep nor let her mind fly, no, this was much too interesting. Hikari had kind of started of understand why they were picked to have this monk by the kazekage, maybe he wasn't much of a wracko after all.

The pink head had let the others, blind and dumb, introduce themselves first. She would rather go last, wanting to know more about them. After they had introduced themselves she looked up at Xi and answered "Kawabe Hikari" as straight out as possible. She was found out that she wasn't so innocent, why keep acting? But Hikari knew that when she gets home, she has a lot of practice to do on her acting.

Hikari wondered around the woman's eyes, now, did she hear a mission to konoha ?[/color]
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[Touijin Hyosuke]

Hyosuke was slightly confused to when Sachiko came up and said sorry about staring. He turned his head slightly and tilted it to her for a moment. This was all so knew to him, he was used to being around all the kids in his group at the academy but none of that included girls, but the only girl figure he had in his life was his mother being the youngest of four boys really messed a boy up in the head, has well of being told that you would never amount to anything in your life. ”Why are you sorry? I mean it don't look like you are....” Then it hit him and he slowly slapped himself in the head. ”.....Wait your blind aint you?” He wasn't that great with people that was for sure.

His attention went back to Xi has she started to thank him for telling her that she wasn't scary in a way. Her jutsu was tho? This was something that he didn't understand at the moment and was about to question but before he got another word out of his lips she started to talking about the way she was going to teach them. He was a brave one to step forward before she could finish explaining to them. ”....I guess I must have been overly excited about being a team that I actually didn't hear the academy sensei to tell us your first name, so huh what is it?” He was not sure that it was better if he didn't know but at the way she sounded it was best to know and store it into memory so they didn't actually let it slip. ”And you have munchkins?...wait...what the munchkins?

He blinked slightly at he comment about their way of doing things. She asked them to leave behind everything that was ever taught at the moment. That was something that he could not do, he had to prove to his father that he had what it took just like his brothers did. He frowned and watched her. ”I got something to prove to my father, and you are not going to tell me to throw that way. No way. I will show him that I am just like my brothers and I am not weak. Got me?” He wasn't sure how smart it was to back talk her at the moment but he just did.

His faces at the moment was another blank one has she went on about the mediating. He sighed slightly at the moment. He wasn't even that good when his brother Shun tried to make him do that. He couldn't sit still long enough to do that, so making it an all day was something that he was going to get in trouble for and that made him kinda sick to his stomach even thinking about being caught goofing off. His eyes wondered up to the sky now at the moment trying to focus on something and listen to Xi at the same time. Short attention span has well. If the information was in paper form he was better at reading it then listening.

He lost focused now and only snapped back to attention, and allowed his eyes turned to Hikira that was next to has she spilled out her name. Well at lease he caught what their new sensei wanted without looking stupid at the moment asking what she wanted from them at the moment. He wasn't sure if this was the best sensei for him, maybe for the blind girl next to him, and he didn't know too much about Hikira to come to a rational choice at the moment about her.

He reached up to his face once more this time with his left hand than his right like it was before. He carried two swords for a reason. He was good a writing with both of his hands and fighting with both swords, something that his brothers have yet to master but somehow had always been over looked by him has well. He sighed slightly and looked down to his feet at the moment. ”Touijin Hyosuke.” He closed his eyes slightly hoping that Xi had not heard about his family and placing that none of them had made to pass Chuunin for over a hundred years or more. It was bad enough for him with living up to three older brothers at the moment. He didn't have to be reminded of his fate of just being a Chuunin and what not by someone that wanted them to throw away everything they had learned.

[Riyuu Sachiko]

this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx
~Need More Friends With Wings. All The Angels I Know Put Concrete In My Veins.~
.:|Riyuu|:.:|Sachiko|:.
~Bye Bye Beautiful, Don't Bother To Write.~
this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx

______________________________________________________________________________________

Is there word or right to sing,
Even in this old fashioned way?
Go make your move girl, I'm not coming home.
Would things have changed if I could have stayed?
Would you have loved me either way?
Dressed to the blues day to day with my collar up
Decisions sit, so make it quick
A breath inhaled from an air so sick
I curse the day that I heard of the web you spun
Listen well, will you marry me, and are you well in the suffering?

So the boy hadn't heard about the Riyuu girl's physical blindness? That was a bit of an oddity. The Riyuu were often known for producing their blind shinobi, as well as the factor of their bloody rituals, too. Numerous children had gone through horrible things, going through the ritual at the same time; it was a bloody one, yes, and quite horrible at that. Some could easily be surprised that little Sachiko could keep up her hyperactive façade so much.

It wasn't necessarily a façade, so to speak, but more or less a way that she acted when she was around people. She was a hyperactive, happy little girl, it seemed, one of those small and bouncy sort of preteens. The fact of small was rather emphasized, however, because Sachiko literally was a shrimp compared to most, and especially compared to her teammates, too. She only weighed a small 77 lbs, approximately 35 kilograms, which made her definitely the smallest on the team. However, along with that, Sachiko was also most likely the most potent of the three; Genjutsu users were never given the credit they deserved when it came to how they fought.

Sachiko definitely had a lot of powerful Genjutsu in her arsenal, ones that were mostly only taught in the Riyuu clan. While Sachiko didn't live with the majority of the clan, she still associated with her fellow clanmates, and some of them had taught her the traditional Genjutsu that were taught in the clan. She hoped to learn more of them, yes, so long as their catalyst or medium wasn't eyesight. Then, things would get a little tough; Sachiko would be unable to use it, and would perhaps have to find either another way to use it or not use it at all. Sound was always her catalyst when it came to Genjutsu.

The Riyuu girl's attention snapped back to their sensei as she began to speak, talking about how she wasn't a shinobi, but a monk. Well, that was odd; how was Xi supposed to be their sensei, then? She was probably of about Jounin rank if she'd been assigned as their sensei, probably because there were none that really wanted to take on a group of hyperactive Genin. Throwing away all that they knew? Sachiko couldn't possibly do that. If she threw away her style of living, she wouldn't have any way to cope with her blindness. Rather than throwing away everything she knew, Sachiko, in her optimistic ways, would integrate what she was taught and form a new way for herself, that still kept her comfortable with the way she lived and yet followed what Xi-sensei would tell them.

The difference between illusion and reality? Sachiko only half-understood that. The way she interpreted it, Xi was talking about Genjutsu; if so, Sachiko already had a head-start. The two main affected senses in a Genjutsu were sight and sound, and with her Naiteki Joukei, Sachiko could get away with that with ease. For one, if it were a real illusion in front of her, something physical, then her sonar-like ability would have to pick it up, right? The sound wouldn't bounce off it, and therefore it would be an illusion, not to mention that the difference would be noted. It would show up as real, with colour and all, but Sachiko's ability didn't express any colour. She didn't need it.

Then there was the factor of sound. If it was a fake sound, it wouldn't make any showing on her radar-like jutsu; any Genjutsu used against her would have to be specially created to work with the Naiteki Joukei, and Sachiko was sure that nobody would bother to create such a jutsu. It would be much too bothersome, but it would surely be possible in some way. Perhaps Sachiko would have to look into something like that in case she would ever have to face another Riyuu member, whether it be a friendly battle or not.

Meditating one day of the week? Sachiko could easily handle that. With no sight to distract her, Sachiko could tune into the sounds around her and easily use them to calm herself. She'd done it before, and while she hadn't done it for a day-long period, it wouldn't be hard to keep up. Sachiko wondered how the other two would fare, because as things went, the boy seemed pretty fidgety, as if he were a bomb waiting to explode. Sachiko could hear the sound of every movement they made, because her hearing was just that sharp; if one were to whisper something under their breath, she would hear it, easily. Sachiko didn't quite recognize her two teammates, but she could surely recall being in the Academy with the two of them.

Eventually, Xi was done with her miniature soldier-like rant, and then they were asked to introduce themselves. Sachiko heard Hyosuke go first, and the name snapped a picture into her head. Yes! She remembered Hyosuke, the annoying little boy they'd had to put up with in the Academy. Sachiko wouldn't outwardly admit it, but Hyosuke was kind of cute, in both a boyish way and a that-way that way. Then Sachiko felt it her turn to introduce herself, and it seemed Hikari was waiting for them to go first.

"Riyuu Sachiko," she stated in a thoroughly bright, happy tone. "Of the Riyuu clan. I am also physically blind, but have a way of coping." Then the other girl introduced herself as Kawabe Hikari, and it snapped another mental image into her vision for a split second. She remembered Hikari, too, and the way she remembered the girl, Hikari had always been shallow and self-centered. Well, that was just great. Hopefully her selfishness wouldn't screw around with their teamwork.

You've been the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited, girl, but you're not coming in
And we have lived as a child would care
And with this vial to drink I dare, only
I cry all alone with your taste on tongue
Should we try things again with hope?
Hope isn't lost, give up the ghost.
Or should I die all alone as I knew I would?
Then burn in hell, God's sinner.

______________________________________________________________________________________

The words you scribbled on the walls. The loss of friends you didn't have. I'll call you when the time is right. Are you in or are you out? For them all to know the end of us all. Bye, bye, beautiful. Don't bother to write. Disturbed by your words, and they're calling all cards. Free step, let down. Free step, step down.

[Luan Xi]

Xi resisted smiling at the boy's curiostity and forwardness during her speech. The kid was funney and obviously ADD, but that would change with time. All it took was control. As she spoke, she examined the countenances of her new team and through her observations, Xi may have cracked some of the shells around them.

The boy, Hyosuke, would prove to be a very enthusiastic and a very hard kid to teach, especially the monk's finest weapon..patience. From the stories Xi had heard about his family, there was no doubt that he would struggle to see the importance of her lessons, thus, it was probable that he might want to constantly spar with her. That, atleast, would be beneficial to them both. But if he didnt pipe-down, she might have to restrain him. That would be amusing. When he introduced himself, she chuckled, "Returning to your impatient questions, My full name is Luan Xi. The few people who are still living today that remember me, know me as the Moon Maiden, or The Black Lioness of Shiva, but thats only for them. Plus, I have heard stories about your brothers. They are great warriors, and I'll place my money on their skills any day of the week. Just remember that I am not your father, therefore, dont be in such a hurry to impress me. If there is something i enjoy seeing in a ninjia, its patience, so Don't think that your worth is in question, little Touijin. If it were, you wouldnt be under my supervision."

The blonde girl supprised her. Riyuu clan, eh? This one has a past, and perhapes shes not as happy as she sounds. She raised her eyebrow at her declairation of coping , "Well, Sachiko, if you didnt have a way of coping you wouldnt be where you are now, would you? From my encounters with the Riyuu caln -albiet, not very pleasant ones- Training you will prove to be quite a different change in focas."

Then pinky piped-up her name, Kawabe, huh? Well that explains alot. Her mother is really in the money....like me, but not quite like me. Since Hikari didnt expose much about herself, Xi figured that the girl just wasnt that into being challanged to throw away anything-She learned that from her smirk- Lets just hope she'll get over her pride.

Now she'd let them all get a little Homesick before they left, "The acadamy picked a hell of a time to draft me into teaching. I have other buisness to attend to outside of Sunagakure, but since the Kazekage has insisted that i teach you guys, You are all coming with me. We'll leave tomorrow night, and you will meet me at my mansion after training that day, so take some time to say goodbye to your folks, that is....if you are up to it. If not, then dont show up, I'll understand if you dont want to come to Khonogakure. If so, pack your bags for a long journey."
Xi stopped herself, then said, "But for today, You all will come with me to my place. Only catch is, this will be a test of your skills. We are going to race to my place. I dont want to See, Hear, Smell, or Feel you following me. If I do, I will begin to hunt you. So I'm going to give you 10 seconds to dissiappear. Ready...." Xi turned her back on the group "Set" She prepared to run "Go" She Ran off into the crowd, easily slipping into a mass of people before them.

[rima]

No One Shall Understand Me

No One Will

[/color] She asked out of no where, she wasn't usually the kind of girl to just talk out of no where, no she would keep her comments and questions to herself. Hikari was kind of anxious at first when she had heard about a mission in konoha, of course she was amusing that she would be going, by herself, leaving the 3 in the village until she'd come back. In another way of saying this, Hikari had thought this was her time to practice on her acting.

She blinked at Xi, wondering how long they'll be going, it must be over a week, just traveling there takes over 3 or 4 days. Hikari looked away, trying to hide the fact that she was freaking out a bit. She had always been lying to her mother about her being a ninja, but even someone like her couldn't get something up that will be telling the woman that she'll be out of the country for over a week. There was no single thing.

Hikari's eyes slided back to the others, half of her mind listening to what the sensei had to say, her other half thinking of how she could possibly lie to her mother about this.

"Go" was the only thing she had heard when she came back out from her daze, watching her sensei disappeared. Hikari stared at the other two, stared at them in a way asking "why is that woman running away?"

Hikari swore at herself for not listening when she was supposed to.

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[Touijin Hyosuke]

The lack of talking out of both of the other girls was slowly started to annoy him, mainly because he had always been around before that usually placed their foots in their mouth before anything. Them not saying much was just started to bug him. He looked over to both of them with a stupid look on his face that said 'mind saying something that is none name like?' When they failed to say anything his attention was brought back to Xi when she started to talk about him directly.

He grinned when she started to talk about his brothers. She knew nothing about his brothers or father for that matter that she spoke, here she was talking back how they was great warriors and yet her she was talking like she did. He dug his left foot into the dirt and watching it closely. This was maybe the reaction that she got from him. He was not running his mouth at her at the moment like he had been doing, it seemed like that he was actually thinking before he shouted off this time. The fact that she called him little Touijin didn't seem to bother him at the moment. It was the fact that she talked about his brothers.

Tho it didn't last long at all. He looked up to her, his brown eyes nearly glaring at her, but at the same time they seemed to know their place at the moment. She was his sensei who claimed that he didn't have to prove a thing to her, but there was no way he would throw all of what he had learned away just before she said so. ”....Don't speak about my family....has if you know them.....you don't understand anything about my family and what I have to prove to them, don't for a moment that you do.”

He shut up once more when she seemed to go on talking about the girl's clan that was blind. He leaned his head back slightly and looked up to the sky for a moment or so. His attention span was short but he made up for that in his ability with his swords when it was called for. Tho his attention went back to Xi when she started to talk about how they was going on a big mission starting tomorrow night and to some other village for that matter. ”Alright! A big mission already!”

He went to turn and run off to go tell anyone that he knew only to be fall over his own feet when she went on talking about how they had to meet her at her mansion now, before they went home and packed. He had hit the ground on his stomach and looked behind him slightly and saw that his right foot at its toes had stepped on the ribbon that was behind him. Well he knew one thing for sure. He was not impressing anyone for that matter.

He got up and dusted off his clothing has Xi started off. He tilted his head slightly and blinked. He didn't catch the part that she told them not to follow her. He ran up slightly to the crowd and called out. ”How are we going to go to your mansion Luan Xi-sensei! If we don't even know where it is?!” That confused him mainly because he have never heard of her before now and here she was telling them to stalk her but yet not to at the same time.

[Riyuu Sachiko]

this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx
~Need More Friends With Wings. All The Angels I Know Put Concrete In My Veins.~
.:|Riyuu|:.:|Sachiko|:.
~Bye Bye Beautiful, Don't Bother To Write.~
this layout is copyrighted by saska. do not reuse without permission. thx

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Is there word or right to sing,
Even in this old fashioned way?
Go make your move girl, I'm not coming home.
Would things have changed if I could have stayed?
Would you have loved me either way?
Dressed to the blues day to day with my collar up
Decisions sit, so make it quick
A breath inhaled from an air so sick
I curse the day that I heard of the web you spun
Listen well, will you marry me, and are you well in the suffering?

So Xi had heard about the Riyuu clan, had she? Well, that was only slightly a comforting fact. Xi must have known about the rituals, then, and the things that Sachiko'd been forced to undergo... Nonetheless, the kunoichi would keep up her happy facade as all of that went on, because Sachiko was going to prove all that was wrong about the Riyuu clan. Hopefully she would rise up to the position as one of the elders and disallow the rituals, because they were pointless, bloody, and painful to those who had to watch what went on.

Sachiko paid mind to every single word that the woman uttered, as it was absolutely important that she hear everything. She heard about the mission to Konoha, and instantly Sachiko was glad. Her first mission as a kunoichi! It would be the best thing. Then she brought up the subject of racing to the mansion, and how she didn't want to hear, smell, or see any of them. Well, that gave Sachiko an advantage; the Riyuu girl's heightened hearing would allow her to follow from a much larger distance than the other two. As Xi began to count down, Sachiko was already on the move, getting as far away as she possibly could and sharpening her hearing at the same time. She focused on the sound of Xi's movements... Already, the sound of the footsteps she made, the sound of them compared to the weight she gave off, was implanted in Sachiko's mind.

There! the kunoichi noted, and began to move with a quick speed, keeping up with her sensei quite well, and yet at the same time, Sachiko was clearly out of sight and hearing. Nobody would be able to hear her from that distance; only a Riyuu clan member would be able to, or perhaps one of the famed Inuzuka members. Any regular shinobi wouldn't catch a sniff of her at such a distance. For that, Sachiko was glad; her abilities were already proving useful. Now, all she had to do was wait and follow Xi. Sachiko had no idea where the mansion was, but that was the catch, now wasn't it?

She noticed now that Hikari and Hyosuke were already behind... She was a little disheartened that they wouldn't catch the downside to the whole thing. Whatever the case, however, Sachiko was going to win this out, at least over those two. Even if she didn't beat their sensei to her mansion - due to her lack of knowledge of where - Hikari and Hyosuke were already behind. Hopefully they would get smart and follow Sachiko herself, because Sachiko was fully aware of where she was, to an extent. She heard voice around her, and while they widened her field of echolocation rather well, she wasn't attuned to them at the moment; her mind was focused on that one set of quick footsteps, the one that was leading to wherever their sensei was going.

Then their sensei turned a corner... Oh no! It was right in Sachiko's path! Now it was time for Sachiko to play well and hide herself... And it came in handy when you were as small as Sachiko was. Four foot six and seventy-seven pounds? She was definitely a small girl, that was for sure. Quickly she dove into an alleyway, ears still focused on where Xi was... Yes! The woman had passed her just slightly now, meaning the distance was the same that it had been before. Again Sachiko began to move, quickly, through the streets, dodging people this way and that, receiving a few stares - how could a girl be coming through them that quickly with her eyes closed? - and keeping the same distance all the while as she listened to those too-familiar footsteps...

You've been the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited, girl, but you're not coming in
And we have lived as a child would care
And with this vial to drink I dare, only
I cry all alone with your taste on tongue
Should we try things again with hope?
Hope isn't lost, give up the ghost.
Or should I die all alone as I knew I would?
Then burn in hell, God's sinner.

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The words you scribbled on the walls. The loss of friends you didn't have. I'll call you when the time is right. Are you in or are you out? For them all to know the end of us all. Bye, bye, beautiful. Don't bother to write. Disturbed by your words, and they're calling all cards. Free step, let down. Free step, step down.

[Luan Xi]

Xi kept her pace, her mind set on her plan. It was obvious that all three of them were vastly different, and they needed to learn to trust eachother and use each of their strengths to find her house without her help. They needed to learn teamwork! She couldnt see, or hear anyone behind her, but her senses were only human. Sachiko's however must be like a bats!

As this thought crossed her mind, she quickly turned down an alleyway. She smirked, I love leading people in circles Ofcourse, she didn't know if anyone was following her or not. Turning another corner, She formed a hand seal and murmered "Transform"

As she bounded over a stack of crates, Xi's body shivered as the jutsu changed her into the black lion of people's dream's. With her feet now padded, she ran far more silently than before.

Before her, a girl screamed in fear at her Pure white fangs. Oh Sh*t she thought as she bounded into another alley. Upon spying a fire escape, she paused. Feeling the pressure of being chased, She let the jutsu end, becoming Human Xi. She focased on finding a new form for the transformation jutsu. Unfortuntely, she wasnt used to this. A bird fluttered in front her, suprising her.

THATS IT She formed the seal, and transformed into a a very bad looking bird, but a bird nonetheless. She fluttered up to the fire escape, then transformed back into Human Xi. She took her boots off, and carefully sat down. Then a thought occured to her. If Sachiko can hear everything I do, she doesnt need to follow close... Crap She Focased and transformed into the lion again, and decided to use her sense of smell to see. God, this transforming thing is annoying Quiet as ever, she inhaled the air, sniffing out her team.

[rima]

No One Shall Understand Me

No One Will

[/color] she whispered then her eyes wondered around for the sensei, she had no idea what the sensei wanted them to do. That was her punishment for zoning out but Hikari didn't care, she would figure it out, one way or another.

Hikari jumped onto another roof, the one that had some shelter to it. From what she had seen from the blind blonde, they weren't to get caught. Hikari sat down behind the small shed. Remembering what she had seen and heard to pull the puzzle together. Basically they were to follow her to her mansion, where ever that was, but they were not to be seen by her. Hikari had figured that out by seeing the blond hiding from the sensei and guessed that she had did the right thing by hiding behind the shed.

Her small pink head popped out, she had sensed something going around on another roof and boy was she right, a lion ? Now what would a lion be doing here in the city? Basically, nothing. Hikari had bet that it was Xi but she was in a small mess. The lion was sniffing them out, Hikari's head tilted back to herself and she placed her hand on her chin, thinking..

She was going to have to follow her without getting caught, which means she wasn't allowed to use any jutsus that could stall her from reaching to her mansion. Hikari had two choices here, the first was to simply follow her without getting caught, the other choice was to find out where the woman's mansion was by herself.

The second choice would be a lot more tricky, but she was a well-known person around the village, at least one of the villagers would know where she lived. Hikari jumped down, hoping the lioness hadn't smelled her yet. It was time for her to scout, Hikari quickly moved around the villagers, asking if they knew where the mansion was.

There were alot of people here, at least one would know.

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[Touijin Hyosuke]

Hyosuke was slightly pushed off at the thought that both of his team mates just up and left him without a word and he got no response back from Xi. He sighed slightly and scratched the side of his cheek. He didn't want to relay on following either one of them because he wanted to proud to everyone that he was just not some unlucky guy. At the moment tho he did feel like he of all the people was getting the short end of the stick at the time. He took a deep breath before he slowly and cautiously headed back into the village.

He caught sight of Sachiko, there was no way that someone could not pick up her hair at the moment. He looked around the village for a moment and then failed to keep an eye on her and lost her for now. This was even more of a bigger blow to his ego at the moment, he didn't know where the blink girl was and the other one was missing now to. With his luck he would most likely be the last on to the mansion and Xi would probably fry him. He started to dig his foot into the sand thinking at the moment what to do, he was so excited about the team and the mission before but now everything was slowly slipping away from him. He bent down and dig a hole into the sand, there was nothing behind this, it was just his way of thinking at the moment. He let out a sigh has his mind came up with a few things that he could do.

He failed to see the lion that Xi transformed into, he was not expecting that, Hyosuke most of the time was a very simple and naive boy that was just trying to prove himself. Actually thinking about hiding away fromXi never crossed mind, and he actually didn't hear that part anyways so he was mostly fair game if he wondered to close to Xi without realizing it fast enough. "Way to go Hyosuke, you look like a bigger idiot now than when you fell." He was talking to himself trying to get up the nerves to go after one of his plans that laid in his head at the moment.

He saw that he had three choices, maybe four. He could go after the blind girl and find her seeing how she was the first one that moved out of the three and most likely would be the first one at the mansion in the first place. The down side to this was that he was relaying on a blind girl to lead him at the moment. The second one was to find the other girl in the squad. Sure he didn't know much about her but he did remember what she looked like but didn't know what her game plan was. He could try and find Xi and live with the fact that she was going to make him her own prey. Or his last option was to run around the village yelling his head off to where his new sensei's mansion was. In his mind this was not a fair or right test that she was given them. They passed the academy and didn't need all this at the moment.

He finally stood up making up his mind to where he was going to go and do. He cracked the knuckles in his fingers and looked around at the people that was staring at him when he just stopped in the middle of the way to think. He gave a goofy smile and waved at the moment and started to run, he the used the momentum from that to jump up on the buildings. He felt that he would have a better chance of finding one of the three better than being on the ground. When he saw that the height he was now was not giving him that much view, he decided to go higher. He jumped up to a sphere looking building and allowed his brown eyes to search anywhere at the moment.

It was only then that he saw the odd looking animal on a fire escape. It was so out of place that the moment. He wasn't sure who or what it was at moment. He tilted his head just slightly and watched what it was doing. "Could that be Xi....? We wasn't told anything about her when the sensei gave us her name...where the other two I wonder...." He sat down on the sphere and slide down to the main frame of the building. The best thing he could do was to keep an eye on the lion, plus it was just cool to see something that you normally just didn't see in the village.