Team 1

Anei leaned against a rock on the edge of the village. He was already cloaked in shadow, what small light was left from the setting sun unable to reach him through the large boulder. Being in the hospital after his less than favorable battle had given him plenty of time to think. and time to dream. it seemed as though that same dream occured every night. and every morning, he woke with as much sweat on his face as there had been blood on hers...

Closing his eyes, Anei pushed the thought from his mind. it was just a dream right? but it always seemed so real. No matter...there were other things to deal with now. Anei had never had any true ties to this village, and truth be told, he didn't feel any passionate feelings of loyalty now anymore than before. But while he had always known that his mind was his weapon, his failure in battle had sealed it. He had to focus almost exclusively on his strength now. Normally he would never have considered taking on a team, but when he had been given the offer, it sang of opportunity.

Now here he waited for the members of his team, Team 1, to show up. He had little to no information on any of them. It was best that way, you learn more from observing a person, their actions, their vocal tones, than you ever did reading a paper about them. And you learned more about people when they were just being themselves. Which is why he had chosen to hold the meeting on the village outskirts at nightfall, rather than in the training grounds during the day. location and time were mostly trifling variables, but every little bit helped. People are used to wearing their masks for society, they are under control, when they are in familiar territory doing familiar things. put them in an odd situation that they are not prepared for, and they act on their instinct. Sure, the simple change from day to night was subtle and probably not so strange, but it would serve to change one piece out of many, and their questioning of the oddity should inevitably lead to a glimpse of their true selves.

Anei's fingers flexed, dancing wildly within his gloves as he waited for them to arrive. He would make no plans yet as of what to do...let them introduce themselves first, see if he could find a bit out about them to decide what situation to best train them.

Minato walked on to the training grounds where he was told to meet his team mates and sensei, He was looking around frantically, but at the same time cautiously. He checked that his gloves were tightly in place and that they wouldnt slip off, he then made sure that nothing excpet his face was visible, although the most noticeable part was the bloodstained layer of bandages across his left eye. He finally arrived where he wa ssupposed to be, seeing ANei there, he instantly brought his hand towards the hilt of his Wakizashi, not like he could actually win against him, but it was a reflex action now, whenever around adults this would happen, He waited a few feet away from Anei watching him carefully.

Anei watched out of the corner of his eye as the first member of his team arrived. He tightened his gloves...He was a very guarded person. Bloody bandage on his eye. a recent injury? something to find out about. Hand on his blade...definitely guarded. maybe too much so. or maybe it was justified. perhaps if asked about his defensiveness, the genin would be evasive. but he was clearly nervous about something. People are less able to guard themselves when unnerved. Worsen the situation, and the walls crumble, and the true soul is revealed. waiting only a few seconds from when the genin put his hand on the hilt of his blade, Anei pulled his straight katana from its sheath, jumping at the bandaged boy, swiping his sword at a regular speed in an overhand slash.

Minato was still watching Anei carefully, as if knowing what his movements might be. His breathing was slow and controlled. His grip tightened on his hilt, The moment he saw Anei move his blade was out in a flash parrying Anei's blow, choking back fear and breathlessness, He leapt back after blocking reaching with his other hand and grabbing a kunai, throwing it aiming at Anei's forehead, He didnt expect it to work at all. He just wanted to defend himself, even after he was a few more feet away from his sensei his blade remained out, and his gaze locked firmly on Anei expecting another attack from him

Anei watched all of his movements carefully. a parry, executed quickly and rather skillfully, and he did seem to be composed. Then the kunai came, and Anei grinned, moving his head to the side so it flew harmlessly past him. He rushed in again, smashing his blade into the kid's to hold it while he moved in, face to face, speaking softly, with a cold hollow voice.

"Already decided you're going to loose, boy? You're being attacked and I don't get the feeling you want to win. What happened to your eye? Shall I make your second eye match it?"

Minato gapsed as Anei flew towards him annoyed that the kunai, although what was he expecting? for the jounin to simply allow the Kunaito pierce his skull and possibly main him?, he reaised his blade one morein defence, as Anei's blade clashed against his, the force was so great, Mianto's sword arm began to twitch for a moment, vibrations traveling up his arm. He moved his head as far back as he could as Anei came closer to him.

Upon hearing him ask about his eye, he shook his head slowly and then hearing him say that he didnt want to win, he gently grabbed Anei's blade and guided it so it was level with his heart waiting for him to drive it though him.

Anei watched him, careful to show no change on his face, though he was genuinely startled when the genin moved anei's blade to his own heart. Then, he smirked. A clever boy. trying to turn it around on me eh? trying to prove that i've not got my best in it either. or perhaps he really wants to die. Anei was more than tempted to simply drive the blade into the boy's heart. Sure, he would die, but he would learn the lesson to never judge an opponent so quickly. however, it wouldn't do any good to kill the boy. True, he had killed iwa-nin in the past, but this would be much harder to cover up. besides, this boy was either crazy, or fearless. and anei could use either or to his advantage.

"Alright then boy... A decent move. we'll call it a draw."

Saying merely that, Anei pushed his hands on his hilt downard, so the blade was angled upwards, and then thrust it forward, the blade set to push clean through the boy, passing above his heart and out the back of his shoulder.

Minato simply stared at Anei, his expression not even changing. He watched as ANei hesitated to attack next. He could tell Anei was mulling it over. However Minato had no plan at all. This move was simply his own desire to die, or at least become injured enough to avoid home, or maybe it was his Masocistic side in action again?. Minato slowly moved the blade forward, it touching his jacket.

He then listned as Anei called it a draw, he didnt lower his gaurd though, releasing Anei's sword, his glove had been cut, and blood was drippong down his palm. He saw Anei's blade flew upwards piercing his shoulder directly above his heart, his only reaction was a slight grunt but that was it

Anei's grin widened, even more than he had intended it to, the young genin stood before him, a blade stuck in him just above his heart. A grunt. and then he just stood, there, returning anei's gaze, bleeding. This was just too good to be true. and yet at the same time, it would be difficult to learn much more from this one beyond this point. His current actions told so much, but it would likely be somet ime before any type of behavior beyond this became apparent.

Anei took his hands off the blade, letting it sit in the boy as he moved over to the rock. Out of the inner pocket of his coat he pulled what little first aid bandages he had on him.

"Come here boy, I want my sword back. and we ought to bandage you up. you won't die from that wound but if it sits too long, your no good to any of us."

Minato still returned Anei's gaze as he grinned. It appeared Minato's desire to die pleased him, or something along those lines. He coughed several times, globs of blood splashing on the grass as well his boots, as the blood trickled down his chin, he simply grunted once more as ANei let the blade sit in his shoulder. Gripping the blade and slowly pulling it out grimacing as he did so. He dropped it to the floor, walking slowly towards Anei as he pulled out a first aid kit, keeping one hand on the hilt of his blade still, He falls backwards, his vision blurring, hitting the soft grass and looking up as the world began to spin rapidly.

Aruku jumped from tree to tree as fast as he could, looking around to make sure he didn't past the training grounds. Today he was going to meet his new Sensai and team. He was somewhat excited, but he was also worried that his team would be.....annoying. And if there was one thing that Aruku Suishou hated, it was annoying people. Once he reached the training grounds, he stopped on a branch of a tree and looked down to see a Jounin and Genin fighting. " That must be part of my team," He whispered to himself, " I'll just wait until they're done to drop in." Once they were done, Aruku decided to stay up there a little bit longer so he could see what they would do next. Also, so he could make his surprise entrance.

Anei tilted his head watching, then shrugged. can't expect too much too soon. Wasn't much of a talker this kid. He walked over to him, wiping the blood from his mouth, wrapping the shoulder tightly. he had already lost a decent amount of blood.

"Sorry boy, today's not the day for you. go ahead and rest, don't want you passing out just yet. You still have teammates to meet."

After the boy was bandaged properly, the gauze soaked with blood, Anei walked over and picked up his sword, pulling a cloth from his coat to clean it off before putting it back in its sheath. He leaned against the rock again, wondering if and when the others might show up. the first genin wounded on the ground near his own blood would probably unsettle the others much more than he had even hoped. This was going all too well.

Seeing that the battle was completely over, and also seeing that one of them were badly wounded on the ground, Aruku jumped out of the tree onto the training grounds. Aruku landed right in the blood, which freaked him out a little bit, but not much. He's done worst and grosser stuff. " Hey. I'm Aruku Suishou. Is this Team 1?" Aruku asked, looking on a card to make sure he asked for the right team.

Mianto was breathing deeply and allowing him to bandage him up and whatnot. He sighed and leans back against the rock, he wondered how the other genin would feel about this, all the blood and such across the ground. He noted that he had gone very pale, upon removing the glove from his left hand and examing it, it had indeed gone pale, as well as the scars covering his hand, he lets it drop on to the grass. He looked up at Anei, he appeared to be a cold sadisitc man, he was grinning while he stabbed Minato, He reahced up to the bandages across his left eye, and tugs at them causing them to unwind,

revealing a pure white eye, with blood dripping out of the eyelid. "Um...Sensei?...can you toss me another bandage?". His voice was quited and hushed, and full of fear and doubt.

Anei turned, surpised to see the first boy talking. A pure white eye. didn't look like any sort of clan specialty. must be an injury. and it was bleeding. was it fresh? Deciding not to pry for now, he tossed the boy the last little bit of his bandages. there was some emotion in his voice now too. Whatever happened with his eye, it was bothering him. Anei looked over at the newest one to arrive, pondering the first genin as he did.

Looking at a card, to double check. minor uncertainty. Not sure of himself, not completely.alright then.
"Aruku hmm? No, this isn't team one. what are you doing here?"

Minato said nothing as the last roll was tossed to him, tearing off a small sqaure and wiping up the blood and then bandaging his eye once more, this time no stains enveloped the wrappings, a good sign, it was healing up nicely, even if it only happened 2 days ago. Minato looked up as the second Genin approaced, He scowls slightly as Anei says it isnt team one, even though he was told it was and to report here. Watching Aruku to see if he would catch on, he chuckles slightly at Anei's ruse.

Most of the time, Aruku's ideas and thoughts were never right. But this time, he was sure of himself. Ignoring what the Jounin said, Aruku sat down on the nearest rock and stared right into the Jounins eyes. His dad always told him to make eye contact when speaking to someone. " I'm pretty sure this is Team 1. So, Sensai, what happened to him over there?" Aruku could tell he would like his Sensai that much. He doesn't like it when people use that kind of sarcasim with him. He then turned his attention to Minato. " Whats your name, anyway?" Aruku asked as kindly as he could.

Anei smiled softly, almost sweetly, and his voice was cold as ever. He returned Aruku's gaze, moving in a little closer to his face. Unsettle them, even bit by bit.

"I stabbed him. Sadly,I missed his heart. I might have to try again with you, if you don't show me a little respect. We are no team at all, just a bunch of fools that have been mashed together under a common title. If you were on this team, you might have jumped in to save your teammate before I ran him through. If you already know the answer to a question, don't ask it. You come off as a fool. Aruku-chan."

Mianto sat up, wincing slightly as his wounds pained him, pulling his glove back on to his hand. He watched Aruku as he appeared to figure out the truth and this was his team.

Minato's hand twitched as Anei got closer to Aruku, his grip tightneing once more on his sword. He nodded upon hearing Anei mention the stabbing. "He Did stab me...for no reason it seemed, other then his own amusment....I allowed him to...Guiding his blade to my heart, he didnt do it though,...prefering to stab ym shoulder instead....".

Aruku was starting to get mad, his temper was raising. The vines in his arms and neck were popping out. Calm down, Aruku. Don't let him get to you, he thought to himself. Aruku took a dead breathe, and calmed down. " First of all, I asked the question to make sure I was right. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong about something if I was wrong. Second, the reason I didn't help was because I thought you guys were training and I didn't want to interrupt. I came down right after you stabbed him to see what happened. Third, I have the upmost respect for everyone. At least, anyone who deserves it. And that involves Jounin and any adult. And fourth, I don't even feel like telling you what you come off as, Sensai." Aruku said as calmly as he could.

Anei smiled, fingers flexing wildly as he witnessed the veins on the genin's neck rising. Very interesting. a polar opposite from the first. the first child was immovable, invariable silent and composed. quiet, reclusive... but Aruku, seemed brash, easily irritated, outgoing and noisy, with little sense of authority. Not necessarily bad traits, if utilized properly. Still, the boy had managed to calm himself some, though not enough to hide the edge in his voice.

"I see your easily angered. that can be a good thing, it gives you a rush...gives you power. but your anger is hot. And it will consume you in its fire just as it may your enemies. You need to cool down. Cold as steel in the night, to put a chill in your enemy's spines, and cut deep."

So saying, Anei patted the genin on the head, and then forcefully shoved it aside. He had nothing against this kid, but he was not here to make friends. the boy could hate him for all he cared but he would make him stronger. before he could do that, he had to strip the boy down to the bare essentials of his being, and build from there, based on who these kids really were. the second kid would be easy. you want to tear something down, why not let it tear itself down? all you had to do was get it angry.

Aruku nodded as he heard his Sensai tell him all those things. This Jounin, a person he hadn't even know for at least a day, is now giving him advice for his anger. Everyone else he'd ever know, even his own parents, only told him to embrace his anger, and not try to control it. They told him anger was a Shinobi's best weapon. But now, this Shinobi Aruku doesn't even know that well, has told him overwise and is now giving him advice. " Okay, I'll try." Aruku said in response, know back to his normal, cheerful self.

Minato watched as Aruku got annoyed and angry. He certainly had no control over his emotions. He grinned as the veins in his neck throbbed. Then again sometimes getting pissed in the middle of a fight could make your opponent turn into a bloody mess. He stood up wincing as he did so, the wounds hurt but were healing nicely. Pulling his coat back on tightly and making sure no one could see his arms and anyother parts, once he was covered he felt a little better. "So...what now sensei?" he whispered, his tone still quiet.

Anei stepped back, leaning against the rock again. A soft breeze rustled his hair, and he tightened his long tight gloves on his arm. What an interesting group this had turned out to be already. and they were still missing one. should be exciting. He tapped his fingers repeatedly on the surface of the cold stone, the moon rising in the air as the last rays of sunlight faded away completely.

"I had hoped the final member of our little group would show before we truly began. However, as is often true in life, things haven't gone according to plan. which is what makes things fun."

Anei moved off of the rock and looked at each of his new students. At first he thought a spar would come next. He gauged their personality, now he needed to know how they fought. but then, he pushed that thought away. This place was full of fighters. and Anei didn't like following the crowd.

"Aruku-chan. You are easily angered, somewhat temperamental. but not beyond a measure of control. Keep your anger. but keep it in check. Don't let it grow hot. Boiling blood will kill you from the inside. let it be bitter. calm and cool, waiting to strike like a knife in the dark, not lash out like an angry beast."

"And Minato-kun. You are calm, collected. even so young, you have no fear of death. these traits will come in handy. but without the will to fight, the will to win, you are as useless as a corpse already. Do not fear death, but do not so readily embrace it. "

"I have just met you both. I have much to learn about you still. one of the things i need to know, is how you fight. but anyone can just let go and spar. this team, when it becomes a team, will be above the norm. we will be able to find different solutions to problems, think outside the box, do things no other team could do. I'm going to try and accomplish several things now. Aruku-chan, you must control your anger. before you can learn to do that, you must get angry. Minato-kun, you have no passion. being calm and collected can be achieved without the sacrifice of intensity. You must learn to find motivation and dedication."

"the two of you are going to fight. but we're going to add some extra rules. Aruku-chan. You must subdue your enemy without the use of large force, he's already pretty banged up. You may not use your hands to strike minato. You cannot use any tools offensively. you cannot win by knockout, or any simliar damage-related outcome. Minato-kun, your only victory comes if Aruku-chan here gives up willingly, and admits that you are his superior. You can use whatever means you have to fight, but don't kill him, or seriously injure him. If you do strike his face however, no closed fist. give him a nice stinging slap. You WILL spar now, with the rules I have given, and there will be no arguing. every time I see a rule broken, i'll step into the fight myself and... deliver the consequences."

It was largely abstract and probably more of a pain for everyone than seemed worth it now...but with so many options cut out, Aruku was sure to get frustrated easily. He couldn't limit Minato, he needed whatever he had in his already injured state. With only one way to win, an unconventional way, Minato would be forced to get his head and heart in the game to find a solution. unless of course Aruku took the easy way out and pretended to give up. In which case Anei would be displeased.

Minato had been sat cross legged for a the time they were there. Not even blinking, just staring out into night. Upon hearing Anei talk about there 3rd teamate, he nodded in agreement, where could he or she be? Surely S/he must have been informed about it. Then he heard ANei say that he and aruku had to spar, He nodded standing u, he was allowed to use force, but not deadly force, while Aruku was not allowed to strike him, it felt unusual having his foe being so limited in his options while he was free to do what he liked. He faced Aruku, "you Ready?">/