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[Haku]

Haku walked through the snow storm he created until it faded away into nothingness. By then it was noon and the sun peaked out from behind the clouds. It was a fairly sunny day as he moved through the sun dappled forests that surrounds dirt path out of kiri and beyond. Haku walked though light and shadows carefully avoiding the path for the moment he was looking for an appropriate place to stop and deal with the emotions that Saburo had stirred up and more to test the new person. He found it, the perfect place to hold what was to come. He need to set this up carefully and quickly and he picked up his pace until he was running into the clearing ahead of Saburo. He needed to be there ahead of him if only just. he ran to a largish tree and swung of his pack as he stopped.

Haku moved in a blurred getting his mask from the pack and holding it crossed behind his back as he leaned up against the tree he had stopped under." if its all right we'll stop here for a short rest and the training Master talked about for you. Its best to take care of this part first as we are actually about half way between kiri and where we are going." Haku lowered his face to look at the ground and slipped on his mask as he radiated menace which he didn't other wise feel but he had a job to do. " this will end two way the first being you and i fail jointly and i kill you because i can't suffer you to live while you know what you do.I will likely be in trouble for wasting time with you if this is so. Or you subdue me or kill me and you win and we go on to our destination and i can give a good report to my Master when we see him again though your presence might be enough for him to discern the way the test went. There is a third way but as it is risky to me personally and so i wont outline it right now." Haku smiled behind his mask and planed his attack carefully

" The game is tag and you must both catch me me and Subdue me in any manner you choice to get me to stop attacking you. which of course include if you wish an attempt to kill me though making me unconscious would be enough for this test. This test is one of three or four and is a test of your skills and resourcefulness. The setting of the house on fire was a test of how well you obey under distress, and so far you've passed. Before we begin you may say anything you like to me and also you may use anything you choose against me including your swords and any other weapon you have on you." Haku felt that subaro had something to say and would wait until he said his piece before he started the game. " any questions or comments voice them now you might not have time later." Haku stood and waited patiently like he had all the time in the world.

[Sabura Satakito]

Saburo had caught up and was curious of the test once it was first mentioned. He was still a bit winded as he caught his breath to keep up for so long with one of such speed was not a easy feat. Many ninja would probably find it hard to keep up with Haku. He was still a a little torn inside from the fire as well. Wit his hands on his knees panting looking down he took in the words and listened carefully. His eyes snapped open and his head jerked up. He spoke in somewhat of a saddened and surprised voice. "That was a test...And now we..." Death. He already risked so much and gave it all up and now his life was to be tested once more. He stood straight up and let the bag on his shoulder slip and fall down his arm and he caught the strap of the bag with his hand and tossed it to the side. A look of worry and unsureness was all over his face. His blade he slid from his waist holding it by the sheath as he drew sheath and all not yet unsheathing the blade itself.

He drew in a deep breath. He held his blade firmly but at his side still unwilling to draw. "So all I need do is catch you and knock you out. While you try to kill me...again..." He seem somewhat hesitant to draw the blade. He hadn't expected this perhaps a spar or some sort of dangerous challenge. So it appeared his life had still been hanging in the balance. And if that was true chances are there would be more after this. "It never really ends...So how does this start...my owner.." He was not say owner so he said owner but bit his tongue as ht tried not to laugh from the mention. He was ready to fight but he would not kill. Infact a growing pain in his chest had him thinking he was about die. He held his sword up infront of him as his left hand gripped the handled and drew it from its sheath. A light ringing sound filled the air from the edge cutting the air as is drew from the blade and exited the sheath. He casted the sheath to the side afterwards as it landed on the ground and bounced over close to being next to the bag.

"I suppose we should start." A cool sweat began to take his brown and a pit formed in his stomach. There was no avoiding this and running would only be death for sure. Not only that if he escaped what then go into hideing and if he got away Haku would be punished for it. Everything was again'st him. He whispered as he stood ready for Hakus signal. He whispered so that only he would hear the mumbles. "I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die I'm gonna die." A brave knights face was painted over the sad eyes of a coward. A mixture of the two would be a good center and way to phrase it. Cowardice and a splash of courage that often mixed with on a another.

[Haku]

"yes that was a test and a useful way to keep people off the scent... they will think were dead or gone away." Haku watched his preparations without an audible comment." and we play a game in all seriousness." Hau responded simple as he crouched ready to disappear into the trees at a seconds notice. He dedicated that he would throw the mirrors at saburo but only after the game started. Haku nodded at the question of wither he had to catch him." you have to catch me while i attack you yes. i wont make this an easy task as this is testing your skills and resourcefulness. So impress me and be creative." Haku didn't mention that he had no intention of killing him but only planned to end him if he failed and thence attempted to escape, but saburo didn't need to know that. they had a few more tests to go through before Haku decided which he would do after the errand of bring the sword back to his master as he had only two days and a lot of work to do. He could only devote so much time to tests.

Haku disappeared from the clearing floor and re appeared beside and a little behind saburo in the next moment. What he actually did was he speed up so fast that he was a blur and ran around the clearing to get behind saburo. It looked to a person not paying attention that he was one place and then he was another instantly. Haku tapped him lightly on the shoulder before whispering just loud enough for him to hear. " your it so pay attention or you really will die." With that he was already away and disappearing and reappearing at random some times in the air and at other times on the ground. What haku was actually doing was running around in circles and weaving in and out of the trees at his own whim. He was running at 1/3 his top speed which he would increase as time when on.He appeared to be a moving blur of color and as he stopped and stood he became more solid. Haku threw needles at the ground around saburo or the trees to encourage him to keep moving too. He had time enough to actually take aim at him later." how me what your made off! begin!"

[Sabura Satakito]

Saburo watched as the speed began to the trees and out of sight in what was less then the blink of a eye. Sounds of speed like no other and tree leaves rustling were heard slightly. He griped the blade with both hands and took a deep breath as despair took his heart but seriousness took his mind. It was hard to put two and two together and realize what would happen during if he could not keep up. Or if he failed. He had to do this so for now his emotions would be hurt while his mind and will forced him to do as he needed.

He felt a light tap as he turned his head to see Haku so quick behind him with such silence it was horrific. He spoke to him and then jetted off once more moving so fast it looked almost as if there were many Haku's interweaving in the tree line. It made it hard to tell if there was one or perhaps clones as well. Saburo held his sword forward like normal as if facing off a opponent but he made no movement. He would have to wait for a appropriate chance. Both hands now gripping the hild and handle he waited listening and watching. He could block needles more or less but he was mainly waiting for a chance. All he'd have to do is get close or catch him as he got close. He would hope he could pull such a maneuver off but first of all he would have to wait for a chance to present itself.

He slid his eyes closed and waited such movements would make it hard to go of sight. Most who fought in Kiri had better sense of hearing as it were from so much fighting in fog and mist. He had encountered bandits before never killed anyone but he had had to defend himself in such ways before. So he would listen now and again reopening his eyes to take view then returning to listening. For now he was silent not even speaking.

[Haku]

Haku was now sitting in one of the tall trees watching saburo stand there with his eyes closed. He had run up there to rest after running a couple of times around the clearing. Haku took a pine cone from the pine tree and threw it at him none to gently aimed at one of his shoulders. He then threw another this one aimed at his head and a third at the hands that held the sword trying to make him drop it." i wont come to you you have to catch me, because i don't have to this is your test not mine. I'm going to keep throwing things at you until you come and get me so there or you stop me. I have all day and the rest is nice." The pine cones were the hard green kind that hurt when you got hit by them. haku was simply picking them off the pine tree next to the tree he was sitting in to save his needles which he would need later. He was staying still for the moment so that he could throw the cones and rest at the same time.

Haku was pleased when he saw the older boy close his eyes. Good he praised in his head and spoke aloud a comment on the choice. He was trying to test his metal make and make him doubt himself. He needed to see with his eyes and with his body what saburo would do under stress and how he would handle things."if you cant fallow me with your eyes stop relaying upon them for they only confuse you. But you run the risk of being hit because you cant dodge what you cant see." Haku flicked a single needle at saburo's right shoulder with just enough power behind it to hurt and stick in a little way." Case in point. Are you going to just stand there and make this too easy to fail you or are you going to try and catch me! Your life's at stake and so is mine i hope you realize that."

Haku was bluffing mostly but he had notice that boy was begin to care for him self so he decided to up the ante a little bit by a graphic lie that had a vein of truth to it. It might end up being a good motivator for the boy if it doesn't break him first."He told me that He'll kill me if i come home empty handed that's how important that sword is to him. Even if i get the sword and have failed with you the result will be the same. He punished me for bringing you home in the first place, i hesitate to think what he'll do to me if i fail not to mention you. He doesn't react well do failure and hes been known to be sadistic when the mood takes him. He's not called the demon of the mist for nothing. He earned that title with bodies."

[Sabura Satakito]

Saburo stood steady the rustling sounds grew thicker around him as he then heard the words being spoken He opened his eyes slightly as Haku fell silent after a moment but to his dismay as he opened them he saw the needle so close to close to even think of avoiding it stabbed penetrating his left shoulder. He let a wince as his lost stance for a moment. But he quickly retook the stance the sharp pain and needle sticking out of his left shoulder the pain was light but focused as well it was if it hit a pressure point which only kept the pain constant. He opened his eyes there was a wince on his lips and it hurt but he'd pull past that. He focused listening. He wasn't sure if he could keep up but that attack answered one fear of his and that was Haku would not come at him most likely now. He'd have to take the offensive which would only make it harder at that. The cold around them helped keep the pain slightly at bay and the chills helped relax him. The cold was a comfort this land as well as his home always had.

He only seemed more at odds and at struggle when he heard the other words as well. So was it true was his life not the only one that hung in the balance. Nothing was as simple as he thought it was. Close to death but now his life not the only one. A confusing and truly hard situation one that only seemed more hard but yet more important to get done with each passing truth. He felt a pine cone hit him but he would not wait for the others. He would have to turn the assault and do what he had too. If he didn't then....no he wouldn't let his only other friend or whatever they were fall for his weakness. He lost it all once before and was to weak to do anything but this was something he could do. This was a sickness that couldn't be stopped this was a task he could do and save those he cared for this time. Or at least those he hoped to care for. A chance to live once more.

He opened his eyes Haku was speaking as he threw those few so he knew where he was took forward in a sprint his chakra focusing in his feet from a quickly formed seal he placed the handle to the blade in his mouth momentarily as he formed a seal. He dropped it from his mouth catching it as he ran up the tree his feet sticking to it. He went up angled down or in this case up. He tried to spin sending a slash as he went forward but whether or not the blade hit was not important. If it did it would only make the next part more efficient with a chance of succeeding. From the top of the tall tree as he spun around instead of continuing to attack from branch he would try and grab a hold of haku's clothing around his chest or his sleeve. This would happen mid spin before the left hand with the blade would come around once more so perhaps it would be unexpected at grab him as he was preparing a defense or attack for the blade hand coming back around. If he grabbed him his next move would not be so graceful but at least effective but first he had to get a hold of them. The next move would be clumsy but if it worked he would win and be done with this quickly if not he'd have more trouble to continue.

[Haku]

Saburo found him easily not that he was actually trying to conceal where he was.In the first place as the game was tag not hide and seek. In the second he was trying to get the older boy to show a reaction by throwing a variety of items at him. He got his wish when the boy charged the tree he was sitting in and used the tree walking technique to get to him. Haku silently struck that off the list of things to have Saburo learn. He was pleased to know the boy had at least some control over his energy for all that he used swords as a weapon. Haku was impressed by Saburo's next move completely, inwardly at least, as he leaned back wards out of the range of the sword or so he thought and then stood up and jumped off the branch into the air. He felt saburo's hands pass just inches from his jacket. He then speed off in mid air flying almost to keep saburo from catching him. he was moving so fast to another tree two trees down where he stuck using the same technique Saburo used.

Haku stumbled as he landed a burning pain there was a cut on his leg just below his knee and it was bleeding a little. It wasn't too deep but it would slow him down for a little bit until it stopped bleeding. " you did very well close but not quite, next time you should reverse the order of those attacks. you almost had me there." Haku formed the hand signs which were unique to him alone as far as he knew. It was time to step up the game haku thought as he leapt from the tree onto the slab of ice fast forming in the air. He melted into the slab inch by inch becoming 2D in the process. He could and would create up to 21 mirrors at a time, all his body could maintain at once. Haku in the ice mirror floated some ten feet above the ground waiting to see how Saburo would react to his change of playing field.

[Sabura Satakito]

Saburo spun the blade passing without doing much but then again no major stab was meant to take place. He sighed slightly as his fingertips barely brushed the edge of Haku's clothes. He had missed. He was close but had missed it as the soft clothing brushed at his fingers. Haku moved quick as he made his way to the a tree down from them. It was amazing to Saburo to witness such grace. It was odd as emotions mixed with worry of such skill. A lovely sight to watch but depressing for he knew he'd have to catch such a person as well.

But this was not just watched from a distance the open he had regained a footing he began running down the tree as he leaped to the tree between Haku's tree and his own. On the second leap he was in the branches of the tree Haku was in. But was in aw at what he saw. A mirror of ice or perhaps a wall. It formed out of thin air and Haku was seemingly floating into it. He had too shake his head to make sure he was seeing this right. But on intinct he leapt down at it. Trying to grab the end of haku's sleeve or perhaps some cloth from his back. But allas he missed once more. His right hand gripped the top of the mirror as his and kneels pushed in on it. His left hand was flat on them mirror as he looked in hanging there. His hand pushed flat open palmed on the mirror unable to grab him the needle still poked out of his left shoulder as well.

"What is this.....I must say..I rather like the reflection." He said jokeingly unable to keep himself from the slight flirt. (thinking other boy) He hung from the top of the mirror by one hand and was staring in at Haku. Unfortunetly in the jump to secure a hold too the mirror he had to release the blade which stuck in the ground with a light thud. The sharp edge had stabbed and stuck in quite easily. "I do wonder...If I do catch you...Might there be a small prize as well." He spoke bashfully. But was unsure of what to do. Perhaps he was stalling for now he had to jump from a good height or hang on and risk attack. He was still thinking of what to do as he hung there.

[Haku]

Haku felt the mirror and himself shake slightly as Saburo landed on it. The sheet of ice which made up the mirror tilted backward in response to the added weight and haku found himself horizontal within the mirror saburo clinging to it doggedly. " get off the mirror you'll slip and fall and break something from this height, you idiot. and i don't know you'll have to catch me first and it would depend on the reward in question. now get off or at least level your weight evenly across the surface so that it wont flip more. you'll fall off and i'll get dizzy if it does. then don't move or you'll be dumped off or my mirror with crack and you'll fall and break your foolish neck." The mirror wasn't supposed to take the weight of a human being hanging on to it it was a mercy it hadn't shattered yet. Haku was trying the reinforce the mirror from the inside if only to keep it from shattering completely as cracks appeared through out the mirror and himself. Or rather his reflection which was reflected below Saburo.

Haku wasn't really concerned for him self as he would be able to get out of the falling shards. Haku knew saburo was another matter entirely and the fear of him falling was a very real one for Haku. He debated leaning up and pushing Saburo off but decided against it.He weighted for his next move at any event. The move was awaited with interest on his part as he looked out through the cracked mirror...

[Sabura Satakito]

Saburo let himself hang from the mirror he had a plan and he was lucky enough that his weight from the fall had cracked the mirror already lightly. Hid blade was stuck in the ground bellow where it stabbed into the ground on impact. He would have to fall to retrieve it as is which is why he let it go so easy in his maneuver. He already had his mind set to be ready for this after what Haku had told him. He knew he would have to take all the stops for according to Haku's words it was both there lives perhaps on the line. He had something alive again. Emotions that stewed in him that made life worth liveing and gave him meaning once more. He knew this road had some serious baggage that would drag along like what was happening now. But his old life had so little that even this was better. Even if he didn't fully see that yet he did see he wanted to protect his friend...who oddly enough was the one to most likely kill him. Emotions did blind people to facts in most times. He took a firm grip as he was going of instinct his hand held him up the rest of his nimble body looked at his friend the lovely frame he was growing attached too. "I'm afraid falling may be part of the plan." He said with a smile. He put his right foot on the mirror and kicked back letting himself go back in a sorta swing hanging on with one hand.

He came back in a swing motion almost in a sorta drop kick too the mirror in a swinging motion. Both feet concentrated together to break the mirror Haku was in. He couldn't get him in it he had to be rid of it to catch the elusive snow flake. It was already cracked and a slight bit of chakra was focused into the base of his feet for a extra bit of strength. If the mirror cracked and fully smashed from the force of the nimble boys kick the fall would yield surprises as well pending how he and his friend fell...if they fell.

[Haku]

A disconcerting sound some where between the sound of glass shattering and ice breaking was clearly heard in the forest clearing. Haku's world shrunk as his view of the outside world became shivered and lined with cracks. He couldn't see as well with all the cracks. Haku did feel it when saburo's feet slammed into it as the whole mirror shook. Then there was a sickening creaking and cracking all through out the mirror. Despite his efforts the mirror broke into pieces no larger then ones fist. These piece were jagged and irregular the center of the mirror was powdered into dust where the older boy struck it.

He was falling in pieces even though he was still whole within the mirror. Each shard reflected a portion of him as it fell the lines blurring as each fell independent of the others. Haku wasn't afraid of being able to get back out of the mirror as it fell away. what he was most afraid of saburo's injuring himself in his own fall. A part of his mind was completely focused on that as he sprung into action as the first shard reacted the desired height of five feet. He could survive a fall to the ground from that height if he landed feet first and ready he could do more then that. Haku leaped out of the falling shard he had chosen. It was no larger then his own hand and yet he came out of it. He was falling face first now down with the remains of his mirror surrounding him.

Haku deftly flipped him self around while falling so that his feet would land first as he dodged around to avoid the falling shards. He glanced up and around himself looking for saburo. Haku was tense and a part of his mind was concerned for the safety of the boy he brought home. the other part was wondering what 'the plan' was that he mentioned and just how he was going to pull it off. Haku knew that he would have to be quick or unpredictable to win this test. He was personally leaning more to unpredictable which would be very useful if utilized rightly. But where was he now and was he badly hurt. were thoughts rolling frantically around in Haku's head even if for all the world he didn't look distracted but ready for anything.

[Sabura Satakito]

Just about the time Haku would be flipping mid air Saburo would arleady be falling angling himself to fall quicker as he tackled Haku's from the stomach spinning in the air as will. once so if any shards fell they'd hit him. As he gripped haku he felt a couple deep gouges in his back as blood dripped and blunt force hit him. He was agile. As as swordsmen he needed to be able to move in such ways. He would spin once more before they hit the ground and do his best to hold Haku on top of him. Hoping he wouldn't break free and he would count this as catching him. Saburo would hit the ground with a thump his injuries on his back now taking much of the blow. He'd be in pain but his arms would be around Haku's waist as he held there bodies against one another and smiled that he caught him. But after a moment or two he's stop smiling and just be looking wide eyed at the boy ontop of him. His eyes would like he was dazed or in a trance. Perhaps he was about to do something he couldn't help himself from doing.

However if Haku pulled hard enough Saburo would not be able to hold him. He was hurt and waekened now. His back was in pain and had a few blunt gouges and or or bruises. But for now all he could do was look up almost as if he was lost. "I think I've captured you....but you've captured me as well." He said with a light smile as the pain wasn't as bad since he remained motionless on the cold dewy grass. His hands wen't from holding tight to just easily holding around the waist.

[Haku]

Haku gasped as he saw Saburo air jump him and send them both tumbling to the ground in a nasty sore heap. He was thinking as he fell to earth that that was not the unexpected thing he was thinking of and there goes my chance of coming down easy. they turned over and over as they fell the relatively short distance to the ground. He was surprised when he ended up on top and not smashed into the grass and pine needle mix of the clearing. Haku struggled as they hit the ground with a thump which jarred them both, he was held fast but that didn't stop him from beating his hands on the older boys chest as hard as he could and squirming trying to get away as they tumbled over and over. Haku spied the sword lying close at hand but just out of his reach but maybe not his captors, so he tried distracting him from it by speaking to him.

A small part of Haku didn't trust him not to pick up that sword and really hurt him with it." you idiot if you hadn't grabbed me, i could have made it down without any injury to me or you. nice catch by the way but you've left one thing undone, well two things really, but they'd be solved by one thing. can you guess what i mean?" Haku smiled behind his mask in a not quite evil fashion but also not wholly innocent either. Haku tried to sit up by pushing on saburo's chest with his hands shifting his weight slight as that was to sit up easily as the hands loosened around his thickly belted waist. Haku slipped his free hands inside his jacket and pulled out the silver colored needles that were his trade mark. Haku aimed down with the sharp and silvery needles gleaming in the greenish light of the sun. He planned to make one of Saburo's shoulders temporary unusable if he hit his marker.

[Sabura Satakito]

Haku was being held ontop of Saburo he'd grip tight takeing the abuse. He was lost in both emotion and good moves at this point. He had little time to react as his eyes glimmered from Hakus clear eyes to the tinted needles comeing at him. He acted quickly as one hand slipped from Haku's hip grabbing his right wrist. However the other needle lodged deep within his shoulder. He let a yelp but kept his other arm around Haku to keep him from running. He struggled to hold off the other hand. He had to win to much was at stake. as he was struggling and in a light pain from the stinging pain twinging in his shoulder. He took a chance and launched a head but towards Haku If he felt enough leway. He push Haku up while struggling and take him back to the ground and be straddling him to hold him down. He'd take one hand to each of Haku's wrists and hold him there. He attempted the maneuver thinking for now at least it was the only choice he had.