The sun had yet to rise fully over the horizon when Kakashi appeared on the top of the Hokage Mountain. Aoi was already sitting there calmly, eating a rice ball while the ever present Hane seemed to be dozing at his side. Looking up, there was a slight widening of Aoi's eyes when he noticed the older jonin. He was well aware of his teacher's tendency to show up late.

"So Aoi, what was it you wanted from me today?" Kakashi looked like he was ready to return to bed as he relaxed into a slouch.

Finishing off his food, Aoi stood and grabbed a coil of rope he had beside him. "Hold this," So saying, the blue haired boy took one end of the rope and tied it securely around his waist. Taking the rope back, he passed it around the tree he had been leaning against before handing it back to Kakashi.

There was a slight look of confusion on Kakashi's face as he looked at Aoi. "What is this for?"

"Insurance." Seeing that Kakashi still had questions about what was going on, Aoi waved it off. "Hold it tightly and don't let go." The older of the two turned, keeping the younger in his vision as Aoi walked toward the edge of the cliff.

"Aoi, wh-"

"Hold it tightly." Before Kakashi could react or say another word he dashed toward the edge. Knowing he wouldn't be able to catch up at this point, Kakashi simply tightened his grip. When the rope didn't tighten, Kakashi whipped his head back around to see what had happened.

The sight that met his eye was anything but normal. Aoi simply stood there as Kakashi's expression changed from that of shock to one of hidden curiosity. The rope fell to the ground, forgotten. A sigh escaped into the air as Kakashi scratched the back of his head. Aoi took a soundless step as he walked back toward the edge of the cliff, returning to solid ground.

"I think I would be more shocked if you had actually fallen at this point," tilting his head, Aoi seemed to ask for more detail. "Why don't you explain to me how that worked?"

Retaking his seat beside Hane, Aoi gestured for Kakashi to sit as well before passing him a rice ball. Taking a bite, the young jonin began to speak. "You know of the three types of chakra training: leaf concentration, tree climbing, and water walking. This combines all three of those. You must maintain concentration while keeping a somewhat constant flow of chakra from your feet. To stay at the same level though, you must adjust the chakra level to change what you are attracting to yourself."

"What you are attracting?"

"Yes. I am sure you are aware that they use oxygen in hospitals, but that isn't all that is in the air. There are other things that are either lighter or heavier than oxygen, and by adjusting the chakra level it either repels or attracts these things." As if to demonstrate, Aoi raised a hand. There was a faint blue tinge as chakra leaked out, and gradually a faint yellow haze began to form. "This is only one element, but if you change the chakra level slightly it gathers different things. Going further, if you manage to release different chakra levels at different points, you can gather multiple things." There was a slight pause as the yellow haze dissipated to be replaced by a whiter version.

Kakashi gazed at the haze that had formed in Aoi's palm before the younger cut off the chakra and it vanished. "So you are using chakra to gather invisible things toward you like one would a kunai?"

"I call them gases."

"How did you find out this was possible?"

A distant look came into Aoi's eyes and he looked off to the left seemingly lost in memory. It was some time before he responded, but he was finally galvanized into doing so by Hane nipping painfully at his leg. "I just wondered what the wind type chakra was gathering and using in the techniques or how the fire burned without fuel in those techniques."

Facing him, Kakashi's face turned into one of deadpan disbelief. "You found this out because you were curious?" There was a slight hesitation before Aoi nodded once.

Kakashi thought over what had been said as the two continued to eat the rice balls Aoi had made. Once they were finished, the older jonin stood. "Well then, what else did you have planned for today?"

"Shopping." Aoi looked up as Kakashi began to walk away. "You're going to tell the Hokage about this, aren't you?" When Kakashi turned slightly to meet his eye, the affirmative answer was clear.

_+_

Dawn had broken and shops were just beginning to open as Aoi re-entered the main part of the village. He made his way down several streets before stopping in front of a shop. Entering, he looked around briefly before walking over to a rack of weapons. Picking one up, he swung the stick-like object in a short arc before placing it back where it was.

Almost as if from nowhere, a voice sounded out from beside Aoi. "Long time no see." Looking over, he noticed a girl with two buns that had previously waved at him from the window. She smiled at him expectantly as he simply stared at her. "Remember? It's only been a week or two, but I'm Tenten."

Remembering the day Kou had used his identity, he simply nodded. "I remember," he lied.

"Anyway, are you shopping for a weapon now?" He nodded again. "Well then, what are you looking for, need any help?" At this he shook his head. "You seem a lot less open than before."

The only response she got to this was Aoi turning to walk down another aisle. Tenten followed. "So what are you looking for?"

Somehow sensing she wouldn't go away, Aoi turned to answer her. "Kamas." Aoi saw her eyes light up.

"Oh! Those are over here," She turned and walked away, and seeing no other option Aoi followed. "Why do you want kamas though? Don't you use si?" The weapons at his side had obviously not gone unnoticed.

Aoi was focused on the weapons, inspecting them. "I've trained with both." As he looked through them, something caught his eye. He grabbed it, inspecting the weapon.

It had the same length handle as the other kamas, but instead of the crescent blade there was a piece of flattened black metal. Looking at it with a critical eye, Aoi realized it was chakra metal. Tenten peered over his shoulder. "That's an interesting one. What chakra natures do you have?" The look in Aoi's eye made her reconsider the question. "Sorry, that's a little personal I suppose."

Returning his gaze to the weapon, Aoi sent some chakra into the weapon. A blade shape formed out of water, though it was reversed from the normal curve. A drop of water dripped off of it, falling to the ground. He couldn't help but wonder what other chakra natures would look like. He glanced at the price before grabbing the other kama.

"Besides kama and si, what other weapons can you use?" Tenten seemed intent on following him around, perhaps glad to find another weapon lover.

"Swords, daggers, staffs, and a few others."

Suddenly, her attitude changed. "Odd for someone that doesn't know anything about weapons." The look of suspicion on her face was clear, and he instantly understood that Kou had probably not known anything and had spoken to Tenten.

"You probably met my twin sister, she is a genjutsu user and likes to pretend to be me." Tenten still seemed suspicious, but she accepted the answer.

There was silence as the two walked through the store toward the counter. When they were almost there though, Aoi stopped and picked up two more objects before continuing on. He bought the weapons, and after the shop keeper had wrapped them he headed toward the door. To his slight surprise, Tenten followed along.

"Where are you going to keep all the weapons? I'm sure you aren't able to carry all of them." Aoi remained silent, but Tenten didn't seem too put-off. "If you're interested I could teach you how to make seals?" There was a questioning tone and she looked at him expectant of his answer.

While he was confident in his fighting abilities because of his training, making seals wasn't something he had been able to pursue. As such, the offer to learn was tempting to say the least. In the end, he agreed to learn.

_+_

"So as you can see, one scroll can hold multiple different weapons with this seal, but if you wanted to hold something larger you would probably need a stronger seal like this," Tenten was sitting across from Aoi in the public archives near the academy. She had just explained in detail how different seals were made, different types of ways people sealed objects, and the limits of the different types

"These seals do not need to be on a scroll, correct?" Tenten leaned in slightly to see the symbol Aoi was pointing to.

It was one of the most basic seals, and didn't require much chakra to use. You had to write it completely before-hand though, limiting the uses during battle and what could be sealed. "That's true, but what else would you put it on? There isn't..."

Aoi stood, not waiting for her to finish whatever she wanted to say. Hurriedly standing, Tenten went to follow when she was interrupted by an expectant cough. Turning slightly, she noticed the keeper for the archives. The older man raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at the assortment of scrolls scattered on the tabletop. Giving up on following the silent ninja, she gathered the scrolls to put back in their places.

_+_

Walking into the dimly lit shop, Aoi's entrance was met by a look of recognition in eyes set into a heavily tattooed face. Setting down the tool that was buzzing over a client's skin, the man stood. "It's been a while since you came into the shop, how's that eye?"

"It works perfectly, you did your job well."

"I'll never do it again, nervous enough the first time." Looking Aoi over the man looked him over. "I get the feeling you're here for something else however."

"I'm here to employ your services once more. Your attention to detail proves useful."

Motioning to a chair, he returned to his other client. "There's a bit of a wait, but it won't take long." Aoi took the offered chair and watched the tattoo artist as he worked, waiting patiently for the man to be done.

_+_

Alright, alright, I know. Make you wait for almost nothing. More of a transition chapter if anything I suppose........... But I got a bit of a block and have been to tired. On a happy (Maybe?) note, I got a job! Oh the joys of fast food. The glamour and glory! Right... Just so you know though, without fast food workers, you folks wouldn't get your fries.

Anyway, I'll try hard to make the next chapter worth it, so be patient with me? I'll get it up as soon as I can, but with work I've been physically and emotionally drained. I have loads of ideas though, so no worries that isn't a problem! -.-' I am actually putting a lot of work into another book right now to be honest, because it's a novel I created and am fleshing out a bit. I'm even going to get a super awesome cover for it. That will have the first chapter out before the end of the year if everything works out well. I might be planning too much, but I want this to be good.

For discussion this chapter or rather the whole 'question' how about you tell me one of your secrets from younger days? Sounds like it would be fun.

-Nicky~