Book 1: Dancing With Lightning [Naruto]

Painful Memories

The woodland floor was a million hues of brown, more than Hoshino's eyes could detect, yet they were there. The differences were magnified by the moisture, variation on variation. Mingled in were some stones, adding their shades of gray to the mosaic beneath his feet. The trees were khaki over the bark, kissed with moss; on their shaded sides grows lichen as if thrown there like powdered paint, so softly green as to be close to white.

The sight never ceased to amaze Hoshino, but for some reason, he was feeling upset and sad, not enjoying the scenery like he usually did. His eyes flickered to his bare feet and back again, trying to pinpoint the reason behind it.

"I love walking in the woods." He commented to Haku, who was beside him. Haku tugged his vest down and smiled at Hoshino.

"It's very peaceful." He hummed in agreement, looking around him and taking in every color and tree as if he would never see it again. "It's nice to get a break. Especially after the exam..."

"But you did great!" Hoshino exclaimed, and he couldn't help but smile at the memory.

Match #6

Yuki Haku vs Samuel

"Guess that's me, guys." Haku said, standing up and brushing off his vest one last time.

"Good luck!" Hoshino exclaimed, his blue eyes shining brightly as he cheered his friend on as he walked down the stairs to face his opponent, the white haired boy from Sunagakure, who gave him a nod.

"Are you both ready?" Hayate asked them. Haku nodded, and Samuel gave a thumbs up to signal that he was ready as well. "Then let the sixth match.... begin!" He jumped away as soon as he finished, getting out of range.

Immediately, both Haku and Samuel jumped away from each other. Haku drew his senbon, ready to resort to whatever he needed to win. He just hoped he wouldn't have to use his mirrors again. His eyes scanned the boy up and down, looking for any weaknesses he could use to his advantage.

The white haired boy must have noticed, because he didn't give him much time to finish his analysis.

"Suikusari no Jutsu!" Samuel proclaimed after running through his hand signs. Chains of water formed from the palms of his hands and launched themselves at Haku swiftly like snakes.

Haku was fast enough to dodge them, but the chains kept going for his wrists and ankles relentlessly. He frowned in thought; this boy was relentless. Perhaps that was part of his trick; he clearly had the endurance to keep chasing his opponent, wearing them down until he could strike the final blow.

It was smart, Haku mused, and would work on most shinobi. But then again, he wasn't like most shinobi, now was he?

Getting an idea, Haku stayed still and allowed himself to get caught, and the water chains immediately wrapped around his wrists and ankles tightly. They were strong in their grip on his limbs. He could tell that in order to move, he would need to be strong enough. He pulled his arms back, yanking Samuel off his feet and towards him.

Samuel took advantage of his momentum and aimed a flying kick at Haku, but the Ice Style user quickly grabbed his ankle and flung him away from him in a powerful throw, breaking free of one of the bonds that had gripped one of his wrists. He looked towards the puddle that had formed from Samuel's chains that had melted as the boy managed to land lightly on his feet several paces away from him.

Haku quickly formed his hand signs with his one hand, ignoring the gasps of awe and surprise that followed from the upper levels. "Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death!" He whispered to himself, and the needles emerged from the water and shoot towards the Sunagakure Genin, who ran through his hand signs and forms a water shield, losing control of the chains.