Because I Met You

Chapter 33: Confrontation in the Forest of Death

"Alright, I think we're far enough from potential enemies."

Koji says as we stop and gather.

"We need some sort of plan."

Maru's right. We need a plan and a target.

"I say we find a team and tail them until we figure out which scroll they have."

I suggest to them.

"Well that is the safest way..."

Koji seems a bit unconvinced.

"It's also the chicken way."

Maru mocks my idea. I pout at them. I'm used to their teasing, so it's not that offensive, but I just thought it was a pretty good idea.

"I say we lure them out."

Maru gives us a mischievous grin. Koji nods in agreement.

"Alright, how are we going to do that?"

It's not like we can put out a nice meal and they'll sniff it out...

"One of us will do the trick."

We both look at Koji as though he's crazy. One of us will be bait?! That's insane!

"Hear me out. You're able to do Shadow Clones, right Kiu?"

"Of course I can."

"Can you make an injured Shadow Clone of yourself?"

"Injured...? I'll try. You tell me when it's believable enough."

I focus and make an exact clone of myself.

"Time to transform."

My clone transforms into a Kiu that's covered in scratches and wounds.

"Seems pretty good to me."

Maru runs a hand through his messy blonde hair as he says that.

"Now you just have to have your clone scream for us while the three of us hide. Other contestants will think we got separated and that you're trying to find us."

Koji explains to me while grinning widely at his idea.

"Yeah, it'll also make me look like a total dumbass..."

"Suck it up; it's for the good of the whole team."

Maru chuckles. He's actually looking forward to this isn't he... Oh whatever, I don't exactly have much of a choice.

As planned we hide ourselves completely out of sight and my clone goes out limping. She even has a replica of our scroll to make it more believable.

"Koji! Maru! Where are you guys?!"

I can't even bare to look at this... What kind of ninja would scream out like this? For a while, my clone keeps calling out. No one is showing up, though. Just as we are about to abort the plan, I sense a presence.

"Someone's here...!"

I whisper to Maru and Koji. Almost instantly, three figures surround my clone. They're all wearing a similar black cloak and dark brown masks that cover their mouths. Looking at their headbands, they're Amegakure shinobi. Did they actually fall for it?

"What kind of dumb shinobi would scream out like that in enemy territory?"

One of them says mockingly. I knew it was stupid...

"We just need to find out what scroll they have, then we'll act upon it."

Koji's face is way too close as he says that! I know it's so that they don't hear us, but seriously... I feel his warm breath in my ear. Ugh... I can't concentrate like that!

"Hey girly, give us your scroll and maybe we'll let you go."

Kiu! Focus! My clone takes out the fake Heaven scroll she has. The Amegakure team chuckles at it.

"Well if it isn't our lucky day. We stumble upon a defenceless, injured, and incompetent kunoichi who has the scroll we need. I'd say it's really convenient."

They...

"Maybe too convenient."

The voice...! It's right behind us! I quickly turn around while making hand-signs. As soon as I see the Amegakure ninja, they stab me through the stomach with their kunai.

"Kiu...!"

I hear Koji's distant voice.

"What?!"

I smirk from my new hiding spot as my substitution jutsu unveils. Instead of where I was, there is now a log. I have to act fast before they hurt Koji and Maru. Before I do, Maru takes that opportunity of confusion to use a smoke bomb.

"Damn brats!"
Koji and Maru quickly get away. Koji then breathes grey smoke from his mouth right onto the three Amegakure shinobi before they could regain their composure.

"Ugh...! What... Can't... Breathe...!"

When the smoke evaporates, our three enemies are lying on the ground, blue from asphyxiation. I feel the same headache that I always get around dead bodies. So they are dead...! I try to withstand the pain. I don't want to get away from the bodies before I get something useful. Anything that'll help me later as a ninja, since I can't learn anything. The pain isn't as bad as with others. Maybe it has to do with the level of skill. Maru and Koji come join me.

"Kiu! Are you alright?"

I nod at Koji.

"I just... need to finish absorbing their abilities."

"Take it easy... I'll go get the scroll in the meantime."

Maru goes and does just that. My headache starts to subside.

"Got the Earth Scroll!"

Maru joins us back. We high five each other.

"Good job everyone! We make a great team!"

I proudly say to them. They both grin at me like idiots. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually really happy I'm teamed up with these two.

"By the way, what was that technique you used?"

Maru turns to Koji. While we make our way to the tower, Koji starts explaining it to us.

"Well, my clan is particularly skilled in different smoke techniques. The more common ones are the Poison Fog and other techniques that can impair the vision and sensory system. The technique I used, though, is actually a high level technique that instantly absorbs all the oxygen it comes in contact with. If you inhale it, it's immediate death. It's been called the Air Absorption Technique, or more commonly known as the Death Smoke Technique. Before the Chunin exams, I asked my father to teach it to me. This is actually the first time I succeed at it."

Woah... Didn't know that Koji was that impressive. If I could learn a technique like that...

"Problem is that it drains almost all of my chakra. It doesn't seem like I'll be able to use it again any time soon."

"It's alright man, we'll be able to show off like that."

Maru chuckles. I wonder if we'll be able to make it to the tower without any other confrontation. I hope we will. We have the two scrolls already. Let's just hope no one will try to steal them from us. I'm just glad I didn't have to see Mari here.