A/N: Ah, to those of you who read Etsuko's profile in my thing, her abilities and such have changed slightly, so just... don't worry about that for now.

"I know that you two are still attempting to align yourself with the deaths you've faced. Losing both your sensei and your teammate in a single setting- but as you know, we can't simply abandon things as they are."

The elder's voice was rather irritating, she couldn't help but note. She had to wonder, was today one of the days where he'd put up with hearing her voice such a remark when she entered?

Her short black bangs dangling dangerously close to her eyes, she left her back rested against the office door. From what she could tell from eavesdropping, her moment to enter had yet to arrive. Although, she had to wonder where the village elder was going with this. A genin team? She knew who she would see on the other side of the door, everyone in the village had heard of the disaster of a mission that had destroyed the genin. Faulty information had lead the team to infiltrate a gambling house said to sell a little more than a place for people to have fun.

What they'd found was a hotbed for human trafficking. A place that had boasted beyond atypical thugs and had destroyed the team. The two genin had only made it out because of the sacrifice of the other two members.

The genin said nothing in response to the elder.

"The chuunin exam starts tomorrow. I've heard wonderful things from the instructors who have shared your training and have decided to let you attend."

Silence reigned over the room for only a minute longer.

"The exam requires three members," a male voice commented.

"That's true. It's also true that we always have a few... additions when we host the exams. Kimi-chan, you can stop lurking and join us if you'd like."

She stiffened, but shoved away from the door she'd been resting against. Not wasting a moment, the small, slender girl tugged the door open and stepped inside, her eyes sweeping over the sight that met her. Standing in front of the elder were two, vastly different genin. The first was a girl with dark violet hair, wearing a jacket that hung down to her ankles and wrapped around her neck with a sewn in scarf. When she glanced back at Kimi as a result of her entrance, the girl's eyes were revealed to be a strange, turquoise color.

The second was a male with red hair that hung to the top of his neck and draped over one eye, of which was revealed to be brown when he glanced back at her as well. His clothing was simple, a cream, long-sleeve shirt and dark-gray jeans, a mask of bandages covering his mouth, just as it did his hands and ankles, hiding most skin, but not missing a scar over one of his eyes.

"This is Kikuichi Kimi, she'll be participating in the exams with you."

At those words, the violet-haired one shot the elder what was obviously a disbelieving expression. Instead of putting on any air of respect, she held up a hand.

"Hold on, wait a second. She's gonna be our teammate?" the girl demanded. "Isn't she wearing a chuunin vest?"

The elder, predictably in Kimi's opinion, kept on their even, patient expression that never seemed to shown any hint of irritation. If anything, he seemed amused.

"Kimi-chan, that is Taira Etsuko."

Instantly, the name with the appearance lined up in Kimi's mind. Taira Etsuko, the second child of the Taira family. Also believed to be the main reason that there was so much trouble on the mission despite the faulty information being the official reason. Her rash nature caused trouble on nearly every mission her team had been assigned to.

"And the one who's forgotten how to speak would be Fukumoto Akito."

Akito being the other reason. His dull, introspecting brown eyes flicked from her dismissively when the elder spoke, his hands shoved lazily in his pockets.

"I didn't forget to speak, Hoshi-sama, I simply chose not to. The idiocy of the idea spoke for itself."

Fukumoto Akito, the abandoned child of two traitors. The Fukumoto's had been leaking information to the Hidden Leaf village during the war and had disappeared in the final battles. Most believed they'd either died or ran before the information about them could be uncovered. As it was, most held the opinion that the child of a traitor would become a traitor, something that the boy seemed to care little about. In actuality, the boy seemed to care little about anything beyond his next mission, meal, or nap.

All and all, not a team Kimi would have chosen- especially considering Etsuko was right. She was a chuunin.

"Sometimes I wonder how you two get off speaking that way," the elder mused. "Then I remember that neither of you are smart enough to know otherwise."

Most genin would look rightfully chastised for their smart remarks, these two simply glanced at each other. Upon looking back at the elder, Akito shrugged dismissively and Etsuko looked like she might have a retort of her own about the matter of their intelligence. With a sigh, Kimi cut in, figuring if they were going to get to the point, they had better do it soon.

"What are you meaning, I'll be their teammate? You were discussing the chuunin exams."

The elder pulled his gaze from the genin with a rather pleased smile.

"I thought you might be eavesdropping, Kimi-chan. Glad I don't have to repeat that part. It's simple, you are aware that when we host, there are always chuunin proctors participating, yes?"

She nodded, she'd expected to be posted as a proctor, they weren't a large village and many of them would be assigned to do so.

"Well, we also have proctors who aren't as... obvious as most. Our test needs a certain... touch. You'll be participating as one of these. Your teammates will be tasked with helping themselves when others aren't around, you aren't to assist them. You are aware of the skills a genin usually possesses, yes? If there are others in sight, or even suspected to be in sight, you are to maintain such an air.

"Meanwhile, when given the chance you will be reporting whatever you might see to us. We hold the genin in our exams to the highest standard and any behavior that isn't befitting of a true chuunin will earn them dismissal at the first given chance. We don't use a firm hand during the tests, instead we use the eyes of our undercover proctors. What better what better way to get an idea of the true nature of those participating than to see them when they don't think anyone is watching?"

Kimi considered this offer for a moment and upon deciding that it wouldn't interfere with other matters of importance, she reluctantly reclined her head in acceptance of the matter.

"I see. I will be careful."

When she peeked a glance at the elder, he was studying Kimi carefully. The wisdom behind that gaze sent a shiver down the girl's spine even as she met it evenly. Just one wrong step...

"I'm sure you will be," the elder replied after a second. "I trust you, after-all."

Kimi let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding.

"Yes. Thank-you, Hoshi-sama."

"Hey, don't our opinions matter?" Etsuko demanded, shaking her hand in the air to pull attention to herself. "We'll be down a teammate!"

The elder simply rose his brow.

"You're worried you won't be able to pass on your own?"

Akito rolled his eyes as Etsuko predictably flushed and rose to the bait.

"Of course we can! Dammit, we'll blow them all away! Won't we, Akito? They'll be amazed by how awesome we are, right?"

He sighed, his hands still shoved lazily in his pockets.

"... I'm sure you'll amaze them..."

"See?"

"With your stupidity."

As Etsuko threw herself at Akito, Kimi resisted the urge to drop her head into her hand. Her, an undercover proctor?

With a team like this she'd be lucky to make it past the first round.

____________________________________

The moment that they stepped foot into Kusagakure, Hisoka was needling Hikari with his elbow, demanding a detailed description under his breath. With an indulgent sigh, she complied, equally quiet as to not draw attention to them. It would be strange for her to be giving a play-by-play to a boy who should have been able to see all of it for himself. Before they'd left Hisoka's father had given him a strange, black visor-like set of glasses to put over his face to hide the scars. Apparently he'd borrowed it from a friend, knowing that it would conceal what typical shaded glasses wouldn't do, the white scar cutting into the skin around the eyes, not just on them.

To everyone around them, he was an atypical, excited genin.

"The mushroom trees, you've seen them in books, right?" she asked, pausing when he nodded an affirmative. "Well, they're bigger than you could have imagined. The buildings are constructed into them or onto them and each mushroom head is big enough that we could all probably stand on it where it sticks out from the tree trunk. Most of the village isn't on the ground, although there are several small shops and things scattered along the forest floor. It's actually pretty dull, there aren't many bright colors like there are in Konoha. Most of it's greens and browns."

Hearing their conversation, Kazuki spared a small glance in their direction.

"It's practical," he explained. "With their position in the forest, the village is hard to find if you haven't taken the path a thousand times. The dull colors blend in, concealing it without any added trouble. Konoha is in an open area visible enough to those looking for it, Kusa is truly a hidden village."

With this piece of knowledge, Hikari regarded their dull surroundings with a bit more interest than before. Miki, having listened in up to this point, simply cocked her head with that piece of information, her attention drifted elsewhere. It took all the willpower she'd developed over time not simply to dart away in the direction of the object of her interest. Kakashi in turn followed her line of sight, pursing his lips thoughtfully behind his mask.

Blissfully unaware of their distraction, Hisoka launched into an interrogation of their sensei.

"So, if you've been here, you know where the hotel is, right? And where we're going to register? What's that building like? Can we see it yet?"

Kazuki blinked a few times, a rare, sheepish expression appearing on his face similar to the one that Kenshin would wear when they'd caught him in a mistake.

"Ah... I've only stopped by to deliver messages or interested parties who needed an escort from the Fire country to this village through the confusing forest. I've never actually taken the time to explore..."

Taking that as an excuse to give into her initial urge, Miki darted away from them without warning at Kazuki's declaration. Kakashi- having actually expected her to satisfy her curiousity much sooner than she had- easily took off after her as her two teammates stared after Miki with slight confusion. Tenzo, aware that Kakashi would be able to handle the matter, simply watched them with a certain level of curiosity. Itachi, quiet up until this point, followed the two deserters, determining that even if they might be able to handle themselves, leaving them alone in a strange village was a bad idea.

It turned out be unnecessary, however, when Miki drew to a stop next to a group gathered beneath one of the many suspended buildings only a couple dozen feet away. The group consisted of a trio of shinobi that couldn't have been any older than them, their forehead protectors declaring each of them to be Kusagakure shinobi. Miki's attention, however, was stuck by a single one of them. In turn, he regarded her with a level of surprise and curiosity that seldom appeared on his face.

Akito and Miki- for all truths and purposes- could have been twins if not for their opposite genders. They held equally coppery heads of hair, each head thick and Akito's giving off the idea that if it was longer, it'd be as wild as Miki's was when it was free. Their eyes were similar shades of muddy brown and their heights equally small.

When Etsuko caught sight of the newcomer a second after her arrival, her eyes simply widened in a manner of shock.

"Freaky..."

Miki- taking up the air of someone who wasn't just satisfying her curiosity as she was rather aware their new sensei would have a few words for her if he was given any reason to believe that was the case- quickly drew up the question she would have to pose in her mind. Inwardly, she felt a bit of annoyance with that. Despite the fact that she'd been the one to approach them, speaking was still something she preferred not to have to do with strangers.

"The nearest inn?"

Etsuko blinked, the bluntness of the statement catching her off-guard. Akito, however, simply flicked his eyes over the forehead protector Miki openly displayed and glanced past her and the other two, his gaze indifferently studying their companions before moving back to her once more.

"We can escort you."

At this, even Kimi looked surprised, regarding the usually lazy boy with a certain level of thoughtfulness. He simply ignored her gaze, his hands shoved lazily in his pockets as he started down the street without another comment. With Etsuko taking after him- complaining about him volunteering them without asking the other two- Miki glanced at Kakashi and the others. When he simply shrugged, she turned and darted after the group that had somehow already managed to put a decent amount of distance behind them.

"You're here for the exam, right?" Etsuko questioned the moment that their groups were together once more.

Miki pursed her lips, glancing over her shoulder and was satisfied to see Hikari and Hisoka join them at that moment. At the expression she wore, Hikari hesitated, then nudged Hisoka with her elbow, volunteering him as the speaker. After all, that was his usual role.

"Eh? The exam?" he repeated. "Yeah, we are. You part of it?"

A rather satisfied expression flashed across Etsuko's face- even if she shot Kimi a less than happy look in the same moment.

"It's that obvious, huh?" she replied proudly. "We're the ones to beat, you know? The super rookies of our--"

"You're from Konoha?" Akito interrupted, ignoring the indignant, sputtering complaints Etsuko immediately gave as a result of his disregard for her boasting.

The tone of his voice implied that he was simply seeking verbal confirmation, his eyes having settled on Miki- despite the fact that Hisoka had obviously been elected speaker. Rather than actually voice her response, she simply nodded her head. He pursed his lips, his eyes flicking up and down her form once more, before swiftly turning back to the street as his body language indicated that whatever the matter was had been dismissed as quickly as he'd gotten stuck on it.

"Introductions are in order, I suppose."

This time it was Kazuki who spoke up, his gaze settled on the red-headed male as studiously as Akito had studied Miki.

While it wasn't quite obvious to anyone who didn't know him, Etsuko instantly picked up on the fact that Akito was done with conversation for the time being. Taking this as her chance to shine once more, she launched into her introductions, only sourly leaving out their surnames at the withering expression Kimi shot her when Etsuko had begun to voice her own. It was common sense when they'd be facing each other in the exams shortly to avoid giving an unneeded advantage to their soon to be enemies by telling them what family or clan they may have gained their skills from. In response, Hisoka gave a simple introduction in return, skimming over the three extra ANBU, not offering any explanation for their presence, nor of the fact that none of the young shinobi were there for the exam or anything of the like.

Within moments after that, Akito paused, hooking his thumb towards a small, two-story building nestled between two overgrown mushroom trees. The roof of the building was blanketed by two rather large mushrooms, casting shadows over every inch of the property.

"Is that the one you're looking for?"

Kazuki cast a thoughtful gaze over it, comparing it to what he knew of the building in his mind, before slowly nodding his agreement. Etsuko beamed in response to the confirmation and spun to face the genin, one hand extended for a farewell handshake.

"Well, then that's that! When we see each other tomorrow, be ready to get your ass kicked!"

Hikari blinked, then offered a faint, amused smile in response and took up Etsuko's hand.

"Don't be so certain," she answered simply.

"Yeah," Hisoka interjected. "We're pretty epic ourselves, you know."

Etsuko's grin became almost wolfish.

"Is that so? I'll be looking forward to proving myself right. Tomorrow?"

They nodded, each looking even more excited than before if possible. Miki, however, simply gave the strange, red-headed male one more glance, her expression blank despite the curiosity still flickering through her mind.

"Tomorrow?"

Akito spared her a glance, his hands still shoved dismissively in his pockets. Within a second he'd shrugged and began walking, not bothering to check to see if Etsuko was going to follow him or not.

"Tomorrow."

_________________________

The first round of the exam was to be held in a rather large building- one that the genin were required to enter alone. It was held suspended in the air between a number of large mushroom trees, each of the branches thicker than the genin were tall. The building itself consisted of several stories, only the first and the last boasting windows. The entrance was reached easily enough, the largest branch of one of the trees curling beneath the building and acting as a porch, one that any academy student would have been able to propel themselves to.

Registration for the exam was taken care of on the first floor, a simple matter of handing over the papers that Kazuki had given the genin before their departure from the Leaf prior to the exam. They were then told to locate the stairs and enter the first doorway at the top. Directions that were easily followed, and ended with them standing in the entryway, staring at the room in a manner of faint confusion.

The room was strangely built. Instead of being a large, open area as they'd expected upon seeing that there were no more doors along that side of the hallway for the entire floor as far as they were able to see, it was constructed as if leading into another hall. Across from the door was a black corridor, an empty space spanning about five feet to the right and left of the genin. Various teams were littered about the folding chairs that had been set about, none of them looking even remotely relaxed.

The reason for that became obvious a second later when a figure suddenly emerged from the black corridor, eyes settling on the Konoha genin the second that they had. The Kusagakure forehead protector displayed openly on their forehead was the first notable matter about the shinobi. The other, however, was how his entire figure was dressed in black as well, and just a hint of an amused smirk still ghosting his lips from whatever he'd been doing before joining them in the room.

"More to-I mean genin?" he questioned innocently upon seeing them. "Great. See that table over there?"

He gestured, then continued without waiting to see if they'd actually seen the table.

"Get a number, then wait. Don't worry, this doesn't usually take long."

That said, he spun on a heel, yelled out a number, and disappeared into the dark once more.

Hisoka, Hikari, and Miki simply traded slightly bewildered expressions- watching as three teams hesitantly followed the strange Kusa shinobi into the black hall. Then, almost as one, they started for where the table they'd been pointed to laid. Seated behind it were two female shinobi, one of them scribbling on a clipboard while the other flicked their fingers over a stack of black numbered cards. As soon as the second had taken note of their arrival, she offered them a bright smile and plucked a single card from the top.

"So," she began, a rather chipper tone to her voice. "You're probably confused, huh? Well, no worries, we'll get that straightened out right away! The number of teams participating this year were more than expected, so the elders decided to shift things about a little bit! If you haven't figured it out already, without any fancy ceremonial crap, the exams have begun. The rules are simple. No killing the other test-takers- that is if the proctor hasn't given permission of course. Obey the rules the proctors lay out to the letter. Once you're finished with test, you'll wait in a room on the other side of the corridor. This number here..."

She paused, pointing to the card labeled 10 that Hikari had hesitantly taken.

"Indicates when you'll be going in. We're on five now, so it won't be that long until you're called out. When you do, you'll head in. Your goal is simply to get all your team members to the other side. Simple, right?"

She offered them another chipper smile that had Hikari questioning what exactly the woman's definition of "simple" was.

"Good luck! Oh, and don't worry, if you die, we'll be sure to make sure your body is returned home to your family!"