The days passed quickly, though Sensei eventually had to leave. We had almost fully recovered after two days, and found several ways to pass the boredom.

"Tag! You're It!"

Shun shrieks slightly, then spun around and pounded after Daisuke. He suddenly pivots when he sees me in an adjacent hallway, and I turn to run. Sprinting away, I kick off a wall so I could take a turn as sharply as possible.

I explode off the wall, glancing back to see how close Shun was. Too late, I realize that someone had been walking around the corner, and I slam into him.

"Ughhhh..."

I look up at the person I ran into, massaging the sore shoulder that had slammed into whoever it was.

The first thing I see is the electric blue hair. It was gorgeous, with layers and layers of different colors of blue. He glanced up, turquoise eyes widening as I yank him up and hold him by his shoulders, a human shield between me and the oncoming Shun.

"Sorry!" I exclaim, cowering behind the boy, waiting for the moment Shun spun around the corner.

"What's going on?" The blue haired boy asked, bewildered, just as Shun turned the corner.

"Stay back, Shun," I warned lowly, dodging his darting hand by dragging the unnamed boy in front of it.

"Tell me what's happening!" The boy demanded.

"We're in the middle of an intense game of tag," I explain quickly.

"Wait, who's this?" Shun pauses, gazing at him with slightly wide eyes.

"Um... I don't really know..." I admit, awkwardly releasing my hold of him. The boy brushed himself off, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

He turns back and forth to look at both of us. Shun stares subtly while I scuff my foot against the ground awkwardly, waiting for him to yell or walk away in annoyance.

"Sounds like fun!" The boy chirped, "Can I join?"

Shun and I stare in shock, then a full blown grin spreads across Shun's face. "Of course!" He exclaims, "What's your name?"

"Mizuko, but everyone calls me Mizu!" He told us, enthusiasm clear in his voice. "What's your name?"

"Shun," Shun says, "And that's Fuzen."

To my surprise, Mizu doesn't falter at all when he hears my name. "Nice to meet you Shun, Fuzen,"

Just then Daisuke comes running up, panting. He skids to a halt next to us. "Who's this?" He asks.

"Mizu," I explain, "I accidentally ran into him, and then we invited him to play tag as well."

Daisuke shrugs, easily accepting Mizu into the group. "I'm Daisuke," he introduced himself, slinging an arm around my shoulder. I give him a playful nudge with my elbow before sliding from his grip.

"So where are you from, Mizu?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, yeah," he said, "The Land of Stone. I got a bruise on the arm where I usually wear my headband, so I'm keeping it off for now," he explained.

"Oh. Hey, do you want to see if your teammates want to join in?" Daisuke asked.

"Nah, one of them is injured and shouldn't be running, and the other is just a stick in the mud," he complained, sticking his tongue out slightly.

We played a variety of games with Mizu over the days, occasionally getting other teams to play with us. Some suspected that we were only trying to gather data on them, but most of us were united together over the fact that we had survived the Forest.

The final day arrived far too quickly, in my opinion. We gathered together in a large room, ready to be addressed by our Proctors and the Third.

As they spoke I glanced around, scanning the crowd, or lack thereof. Less than half the teams had passed! Of course, the way the test had been set up, only half the teams could have passed.

"There are far more of you here than we expected," They began.

My eyes widened as I scanned the teams again. Only nine teams had passed! I see Sakura's team and sigh in relief, then I spot Kiba, and finally see Ino. The rookie twelve had all made it out of the Forest. Impressive.

I turn back as the proctor asks if anyone wishes to back out. Silence rings around the arena, then,

"I do!"

We all turn in shock to see a silver haired genin raise his hand, smiling apologetically towards his teammates. He walks out the door, everyone watching him go.

"Alright then, anyone else?"

No one speaks, but in the quiet everyone hears the sound if somebody collapsing on the floor.

Some boy from the Stone had collapsed, pale as a sheet. His team had barely made it in time, and obviously not without heavy losses.

Due to his inability to continue, the genin was not allowed to move on to the tournament. What a pity, fewer people to fight.

We watch closely as the board begins flashing, finally landing on two names. Sasuke would be fighting. I feel a harsh glow of excitement in my stomach and I grin.

We're all herded out of the arena so the two could fight. We gather together in the viewing area when we see a familiar white head.

"Sensei!" Daisuke exclaimed. Sensei was leaning against the wall with another jonin who had gravity defying white hair. "Who's this?" He asked rather rudely.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

My lip automatically curled in distaste when I hear Naruto's voice. Sensei noticed and watched my haughty expression curiously.

Sakura, and Naruto walk up to Kakashi, who was obviously their sensei.

"How do you know Kakashi, Sensei?" Shun asked.

Sensei glanced up. "He's an.... Old friend."

"Sen here is a friend of mine from ANBU days," Kakashi said casually, "I did many missions with him before."

A sad look passed over their eyes before quickly disappearing. "Yeah, we'll, it looks like both out teams have passed," Sensei observed, "Don't embarrass me now, slowpokes,"

"Of course not!" Daisuke shouted, "We'll all win our fights!"

We all glance over as Mizu runs up. "Hey guys!" He greets happily.

Sensei's eyebrows shoot up, and he shares a quick glance with Kakashi, who nods slightly. It was as if they'd carried out an entire conversation with only their eyes.

"Hey Mizu," Shun greeted with a smile.

"Who's this?" Sensei asked casually.

"Oh, yeah," Shun realizes that Sensei had never met Mizu, "This is Mizuko, but he goes by Mizu."

Sensei studied the two closely before a grin spreads across his face. "Oh, well, it is very nice to meet you, Mizu," he said, fighting off the grin the entire time.

Shun shoots Sensei a quizzical look, while Daisuke and I watch on, confused.

"Go Sasuke!" Sakura yells, snapping us out of the moment. I hurry over to the edge to watch the fight as Daisuke and Shun continue to talk with Mizu.

"So where's your team, Mizu?" Daisuke asked, glancing around as though they'd pop out of the ground.

"Over there," He gestured casually. Daisuke shrugs at his vague answer and continues talking.

Finally the fight is over, with Sasuke winning, of course. I smile happily. It had been a good fight.

We all look up to the board as it flashes two more names: Zaku Abumi vs Shino Aburame. This should be an interesting fight. I always felt like Shino would be extremely dangerous in a fight.

I watched in horrified fascination as the waves of bugs attacked Zaku. It was terrifying yet awe inspiring.

"I want to fiiiiighhht," Daisuke whines. "This is boring!"

I glance down with raise cry rows before turning back to the current fight. I thought it was interesting. And I was extremely nervous to fight.

"I want my fight to be next!" Daisuke groaned.

"Sorry, it's not going to be next," Sensei said casually, "But it will be the one after the next."

"Really?! Yosh!" Daisuke fist numbs the air excitedly as Shino's fight ends. The board flashes two more names, neither of which I recognize. Kankuro and Misumi Tsurugi.

The fight was shocking. How could someone stretch their body that far? And Kankuro was his puppet? I shake my head in confusion, but eventually Kankuro wins, after breaking several of Misumi's bones.

I shudder at the sound of crunching bones and turn away. "Your turn next, right Daisuke?" I joke, trying to distract myself. Of course, chances are he wouldn't be next. How could Sensei predict a completely random result?

We turn back to the screen as it flashes through several names, finally landing on two.

Daisuke Igarashi vs Hidoi Kusa

____________________________

Heeey!

I updates! :3

Sorry it's so short :(((

Sooo, what do you guys think of Mizu? What do you predict for him?

Do you like Mizu? (I think he's gorgeous. That hair though, THAT HAIR)

Haha, I hope you all enjoyed this update! Please comment!

Comment! Vote!

Bye!

gaara119