Sakuragachamon!

Pt1: School is ending!

The second week of January was the most important week for all us ninja hopefuls. Five days in which we were all evaluated and tested on the various facets of being a ninja.

Combat, taijutsu only or using jutsu, against our teachers and between ourselves.

Accuracy, basic weapons standing, crouching, running, under fire, into static or mobile targets.

Jutsu, demonstrations of our mastery of the techniques taught, handseal speed and recognition.

Theory, from geography to maths, logical tests, tactics and large scale strategy.

Of course, I was sure we had been continuously evaluated throughout the year. Namely, things like survival, awareness, social exercises and the like... or endurance and fitness. This week was just to put our feet to the fire, and determine who really couldn't make it.

I, like Lee before me, had different criteria for certain tests. Namely, nobody ever asked me to perform the Henge, Bushin or Kawimari. I just couldn't be taught those jutsu. It would be like asking a blind man to describe color. Instead, I'd been told plainly, I needed to do exceptionally well in other areas. And, of course, demonstrate what I could do with my own special techniques.

My taijutsu and my theory scores were great. They'd been my focus for years, and I had Lee and Gai-sensei to help me. Ninjutsu and genjutsu were a breed apart, but I knew I would be able to impress with some of my moves. Weaponry was where I faltered a bit. I was more than handy with kunai in hand, especially in close-quarters. Hikkaku no Waza {Scratch Move} in particular had required me to invest in better knife-fighting. But throwing kunai and shuriken?

Well.

For one, pulling more pokemon meant I had less money to use on tools. So I practiced less with those I had, which were of inferior quality. For another, something in my schedule had to give to accommodated for my jobs. My friends had been very helpful and put me through my paces the last two weeks. I was no longer mediocre. I could pass as average. I hit the targets at the regular distance but had trouble with anything further away.

The final test was saturday and, fittingly, was about ninjutsu.

Any of the three 'true' ninjutsu they taught at the academy could be selected for the final test. This year it was Bushin.

For everybody else.

Iruka and Mizuki were behind a desk, a few headbands primly displayed in front of them.

"Sakura." Iruka greeted me with a smile. He had a sheet of paper in his hand. "You already know how this goes. Bushin no Jutsu is, like you wrote in the theoretical, used as a complementary technique in offensive or evasive actions. Please demonstrate a technique that could be used in the same role."

I'd thought hard about this one. There were two possibilities when it came to this test. Either Bushin or Kawimari would be tested for. Kawimari, defensive, I could emulate with a Quick Attack or Barrier. Bushin was a bit trickier. I had plenty of offensive techniques, and I wasn't doubting I could pass using them, but Iruka was a professional. He'd dock me some points.

So instead I used something that, properly channeled, could have that effect. "Doku-ton: Sumoggu no Waza!" {Poison Release: Smog Move}

Inhaling through my nose, I expelled a cloud of toxic fumes from my mouth. The handseals for this technique had one slight variation, one more seal than it normally would. I'd been working on Sumoggu for years, and I'd long since feared poisoning Lee in a spar... so this version was deliberately weak. The dark grey cloud that I aimed at my feet billowed into an impressive smoke screen, however.

When it blew away, I saw Iruka and Mizuki-sensei smiling. "Congratulations. You pass, Sakura."

I received a forehead protector and was, finally, an official ninja. I tied the band around my neck for now, and left the room with a bow to my teachers and a smile I couldn't quite contain. I threw Ino a victory sign and returned to my place, briefly touching Hinata's elbow as we crossed each other. It was her turn after me.

When I plopped down, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I felt nauseous and my eyes stung. Despite my best efforts, I'd still inhaled just a bit of Smog. A poison-type move with a status chance.

"Ah... Really had to go poison yourself, didn't you, idiot?" Was I going to need to pass by the hospital after this? Lame.

I couldn't wait for the rest of my ninja career. Getting a team and a jounin sensei, finally going on missions, getting paid... it was just a bit daunting.

Well, I think I was going to do ok.