"Otosan!" Rui ditched Hitomi, and Ooyama, and sped up the hill toward her dad.

  The man reached his hand down, and pulled his daughter up, and sat her on the back of the wolf. Nina leapt off of Rui's shoulder, and daintily skipped over to the end of the large wolf's nose, turned around, and sat down. It looked like the larger wolf was enjoying its company.

  "Walf!"

  "What did I tell you about starting fights?"

  "They're squatters' otosan, and they were staying in grandpa's tower.."

  "Is that so?"

  The wolf leapt off of the hill, and confronted Ooyama, and Hitomi.

  "Ooyama Kusakyu." The man started.

  "HUH?" Rui yelled, "KUSAKYU MY ASS HE DOESN'T EVEN USE EXPLOSION RELEASE! WHAT KIND OF KUSAKYU USES PUPPETS???"

  "Y-Yeah well y-your breath stinks!" Ooyama heard himself say.

  He instinctively backed away seeing how large the beast under the man was. Sensing this Hitomi stepped in front of him in a protective manner.

  "We all have our own reasons for choosing the path we do. His path just happens to be different from the one his clan has taken. Tell me Rui, how many other Inuzuka have you seen wield a sword? After all, why wield a sword when you have such powerful claws? A similar question could be posed to Ooyama. Why resort to puppets when you have such a powerful kekegenkai?"

  "Kusakyu..." Hitomi heard herself say.

  To Ooyama's surprise she didn't seem to fully understand the gravity of his family name.

  "I-I guess I understand, kinda." Rui replied.

  The man refocused his attention on Hitomi, and Ooyama.

  "My name is Kayako Inuzuka. It's a pleasure to meet you both, and this here is Ryuk."

  The wolf breathed deeply, and licked its lips. It was a huge beast at least twice the size of your average wolf. It was a deep gray with orange highlights in its hair.

  Please accompany me back to HQ. Rubin would like to have a word."

  Hitomi reached for Saisei's hand, and grabbed it.

  "Okay, we're coming."

  "I-Is this about the Mock Exams?" Ooyama asked.

  "It is."

  "Then I'll go."

  Saisei, and Hitomi both followed Ryuk back up the hill, and through Amegakure. The crowd that had formed during the fight had begun to disperse, but not before a handful of them reached in an attempt to touch Saisei.

  "Please don't mind them." Kayako said briefly, looking back at Ooyama.

  "You're the closest thing they'll ever be to the Mizukage."

  'The Mizukage.' Ooyama thought.

  Endou had told him about the Mizukage. He was also a puppet user, but his methods were taboo. He'd come to power in a mysterious controversy that ended with the death of the last Mizukage. A steam release wielder from Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.

  "There aren't many puppet users in Ame, let alone the Land of Water," Kayako explained, "that fight gave them some idea of how the Mizukage uses his ability even if it was a poor example."

  "I-Is the Mizukage well liked, dad?

  "That's... a complicated question. Our Civil War has tanked his credibility quite a bit."

  "Oh yeah, that," Rui replied with a sad expression, "nevermind, forget I said anything."

  "We'll have to talk about it eventually, Rui. It's a decision that you'll need to make sooner or later."

  Neither Ooyama or Hitomi had any idea what Kayako was referring to, but either way they were both finally leaving Inuzuka territory and entering Kage territory. Amegakure was divided into five distinct territories. The smallest belonged to the Kosutta clan, and the largest belonged to the Inuzuka, and between them were the Jiraigen territories belonging to the Kusakyu, the Hana territories belonging to the Akinoyo, and the Kage territory belonging to Ame's central government.

  As the group traveled Ooyama couldn't help but note how much less extravagant everything looked compared to what he was used to in the area surrounding Kusakyu castle. He looked over at Hitomi however, who was still holding his hand. She seemed to be amazed, looking up at all the tall metallic buildings.

  Finally they reached the Jonin HQ building.

  "Rui, please continue making the rounds."

  The girl leapt off of Ryuk, and stared daggers at Hitomi.

  "Mock Exams or not, I'm coming for you," and with that Rui sprinted down the street, though Hitomi called back to her.

  "Okay! It was nice to meet you!" She yelled at the girl with a wave.

  Kayako greeted the guards outside, and led the two into the building and up the stairs. At the very end of the hallway was Rubin's office. With a curt knock Kayako alerted the man inside to his presence, and after a short moment the door opened.

  The lead Jonin was of medium height, maybe 5 '10 at most. He had dark blue hair, and wore a casual black jacket. His smile was casual, but welcoming.

  "Ooyama Kusakyu," he said, showing no surprise at seeing Saisei, "it's nice to finally meet you," he happily shook Saisei's hand, "I would've loved for it to be much earlier, but your sister pulled every trick in the book to keep that from happening."

  "We got intel that you were staying with Endou some time ago so we let it be. We didn't anticipate..." The man took a deep, exasperated breath. "We didn't expect her to do what she did. I'm truly sorry for not acting sooner," Rubin then bowed before Ooyama.

  "D-Don't worry about it. T-Thank you for your concern," Ooyama flabbergasted at Rubin's behavior.

  "In any case", Rubin turned toward the window, and looked outside at Amegakure, "Kuda asked you to participate in the Mock Exams, as a representative of the Kusakyu. I don't know if you know this or not Ooyama, but after the Mock Exams are over, provided you get through it all you'll be a genin. Meaning, you'll officially be a shinobi. At this point in a shinobi's career they can choose to either complete missions for their clan, or they can choose to side with the village government. I've only heard rumors about how you've been treated over in Jiraigen territory so I can only speculate, but I just want you to know that if you choose to fight for Ame, and not the Kusakyu - there will be a place here for you."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  "W-What will I get if I s-side with Ame?"

  "A home for one. It'd be provided for you here at HQ."

  "I'll think about it."

  "I understand."

  Rubin looked at Hitomi next, who was still standing patiently next to Ooyama. The lead jonin brought a hand to his chin in deep thought.

  "Do you want to conduct a full examination?" Kayako asked.

  The man was still standing in the doorway - he had never left. Ooyama wasn't sure what they meant by full examination. Did they recognize something about Hitomi that he didn't?

  "Ooyama, wait here please. Hitomi, please come with me to the other room."

  "I'll be back!" She told Ooyama with a smile before letting go of Saisei's hand. Then she followed Kayako, and Rubin out the door.

  Ooyama had planned to go through Rubin's desk, then eavesdrop on the conversation with Hitomi, but unfortunately they had a guard stand inside the room with him.

  "??"

  It had been at least an hour, and Ooyama was still sitting inside Rubin's office with the guard. He was seated at this point thinking of new puppet designs, and how to improve Saisei.

  But finally the door had opened, and both Rubin, and Hitomi stepped back inside. The girl seemed to be smiling as she took her place back next to Ooyama's side holding Saisei's hand.

  "I'm back!"

  "W-Welcome back."

  Rubin went behind his desk, and reached into his drawer. He revealed two Hidden Rain headbands, and held them up.

  "These are your tickets to get into the Mock Exams so don't lose them. If you pass the exams then they are yours to keep, and you'll officially be recognized as Hidden Rain genin."

  Ooyama took the headband in Saisei's hand, and placed it around the puppets head. As for Hitomi she did the same for now, though she 'd likely change it later on once she got some new clothes; she was still in the black dress she was in when she arrived in Amegakure.

  "Now, it's a good thing Rui, and Kayako ran into both of you because everyone is going to the exam site tomorrow. And while technically you don't need to be at the site for about four more days it's imperative you leave with a jonin."

  "W-Why's that?"

  "Because there have been attacks on Mock Exam candidates on their way to the site. A single examinee is an easy target, a pair of ninjutsu users with a jonin level shinobi is considered too much trouble."

  "A pair? Awwe so we won't be traveling with other Mock Exams participants?" Hitomi asked, her eyes sparkling.

  Rubin laughed. "Unfortunately no, and you two will be the last to go. I'm going to have to find a shinobi willing to take you."

  "B-But why are M-Mock Exams participants being attacked?" Ooyama asked.

  "It's part of the ongoing Inuzuka Civil War. A good way to cripple your opponent's military is to get rid of your weakest links."

  "O-Oh."

  Ooyama didn't know much about the Civil War, and he didn't care enough to ask further questions.

  "You'll meet the rest of the genin at the entrance in the morning. Kayako will be there to make sure you're all accounted for. Oh, and you're both free to sleep here tonight of course; don't worry about the lighthouse situation. I'll smooth it over with the Inuzuka."

  "Thank you Rubin," Hitomi said, "For everything, I mean it."

  Later that night after dinner Ooyama found himself alone in his own room. He was able to take a nice long shower, and afterwards he tore the blankets off of the bed he was provided, and started to lay them out inside Saisei, but then he heard a knock on his door.

  Before he could ask who it was he heard their voice.

  "I-It's Hitomi."

  Ooyama climbed inside Saisei, and made his way to the door. Fearing that she'd break it down he slowly started to crack the door open, but after it was only an inch away from the frame Hitomi, and reached inside, her fingers trailing the door like a spider, and then she slammed it open.

  "I'm sleeping in here too.”

  "No. Y-You have a bed."

  "Ooyama."

  That was the first time she'd said his name. Though the more Ooyama thought about it he realized he'd given her an alias before - Ryu. But even after that, before she learned of his identity she'd called him something else.

  'Bearyama'

  A nickname of sorts, but she'd gotten it mostly right. Ooyama was careful, she shouldn't have known his real name until Kayako had said it out loud. Was it just a coincidence? It had to have been. Just as he was about to reject the girl she forced her way into the room, and leapt straight onto the bed, and covered herself under the sheets.

  He didn't have his mask on, but he faced her anyway, she couldn't see him in the dark.

  "Hey Hitomi?"

  "Hmmmm?"

  "How did you Ooyama know that w-was my name? I don't remember telling you."

  The girl shuffled under the sheets as if buying time trying to conjure up a response.

  "I-I wanted to get your attention a-and I just said what I felt."

  Ooyama wasn't satisfied with that answer, but he didn't want to press the issue. There'd be no use in doing so. With that burning question out of the way Ooyama reflected on the day before finally drifting into a deep sleep.

  ----------------------------------------

  Ooyama was tied to a large pole outside in the dark rainy cold. His legs were bound, and his arms were tied across his chest like an x, The only thing that was free were his hands, and mouth. The entire clan was pointing at him, and laughing.

  "Honestly Kuda he might just be a lost cause. Biologically speaking he got the short end of the stick. It's not too late to throw him into the moat and call it a day. We can wipe the records clean just like Akira did with his enemies. It's not exactly a new idea." She had a beer in her right hand, and took a clean sip.

  It was Miami Kusakyu that was speaking. She was barely a foot taller than Ooyama at 5'5. She wore bright pink glasses, and leggings patterned with black and yellow.

  "Shut your mouth Miami. He has my blood in him, not yours."

  Kuda grabbed the pole, and began to shake it, Ooyama's head bouncing against the steel behind him.

  "Are you going to make me a liar, Yams? In front of the whole clan?"

  Unlike other clans, Kusakyu children usually manifested their kekegenkai at five years old. Ooyama was already seven at the time, and hadn't produced even the smallest hint of explosive clay.

  "M-Mommy!"

  Ooyama simply sobbed at Kuda's accusations, and as a result the entire clan continued to jeer, and laugh.

  "Alright then yams. I'll let you run to mommy."

  A member of the clan stepped forward, and on three separate leashes were large black hounds with razor sharp teeth. Compared to Ooyama they were at least three times his size. The boy instinctively pressed his back further against the pole as if it would be his salvation.

  "Fight or flight yams."

  She cut the boy loose, and soon after the dogs bolted after the boy; terrified Ooyama ran for his life screaming in terror.

  Kuda casually took the beer out of Miami's hand before sitting down in a chair. She stretched her arms and legs and chugged it down as the rest of the clan watched and laughed at the screaming child.

  As Ooyama ran he noticed something odd. It was the sun, in its place was a large black eye. And as one of the dogs slammed its teeth down onto his arms he woke up yet again in a sweat.

  ----------------------------------------

  After waking up inside Saisei Ooyama peaked through the eye holes, and saw Hitomi sleeping peacefully in the bed that was meant for him. After another moment the girl had woken up as well, and turned to face Ooyama, a cold sad look painting her expression.

  "L-Let's get ready to go," he said.

  And that's what the two did. Rubin had helped pack several days worth of food for them the previous night so that wasn't a concern.

  Hitomi had gone back to her room, and was given an assortment of different clothes to choose from by some of the aids in the building. She'd chosen a dark red blouse, and a matching headband which she stitched her shinobi headband onto, and she wore it just below her neck.

  When she went back to Ooyama she expected to see a clean bed, but instead he was stuffing the blankets, and sheets into Saisei. Nothing had been left, even the soap, and toiletries from the bathroom had been taken.

  "W-What are you doing?"

  "I-It's c-cultural," he said, closing Saisei's exterior.

  Finally the two had left Jonin HQ, and made their way toward the north village entrance.

  Hitomi had opted to stay outside of Saisei this time opting to take in Ame's scenery, and culture. Ooyama was happy this was the case because he wasn't sure if he'd be able to fit her in addition to all his souvenirs.

  Upon arrival it didn't seem very busy outside, and the large gates that lead outside of Amegakure were completely closed. The ginormous walls towered over the two with guards presumably at the top, though neither Ooyama or Hitomi could see them.

  "It looks like we're all alone," Hitomi said, staring up at the large gate. She turned toward Ooyama and looked at him.

  "I'm really glad we met. It looks like we're both about to go on a big adventure, and once we finish the Mock Exams, and become shinobi we'll be able to live inside the lighthouse together, and do more fun things."

  "U-Um Hitomi. C-Can you do me a f-favor?"

  "Hmm? What is it Ooyama?"

  He stared at her through the holes in Saisei.

  "P-Please, leave me alone."

  After hearing those words, Hitomi simply stood still with a blank expression peering at Ooyama through his puppet's eyes.

  "You're scary, s-so please s-stay away from me."

  Hitomi didn't understand. He'd saved her, and kept her warm inside the lighthouse, they ate together, and slept in the same room together.

  'What did I do wrong?'

  She thought she'd done everything right this time. She thought that Ooyama would be her first, and only friend. But, he hated her, and told her to stay away.

  "But why? I thought we were getting along. I t-thought we were friends."

  "P-please just stay away."