Welp; he probably should have found a Chuunin for this, really; but eh. His wanderlust was kicking in, HARD, and an excuse to go to Konoha had all but fallen into his lap. They had a Genin entered in the Chuunin Exams, and he needed an escort. Perfection. If anyone else wanted to tag along, that was fine too; all where welcome in his party. He'd placed notices on all the mission boards; sent word directly to Skye to meet him. This should be fairly easy; the roads where clear this time of year, and Konoha had excellent security of its boarders. They just had to make it into the forests, check in with the patrols, and head right on in. Nothing to it, really.

Just in case... he had both his blades with him. Caladbolg and Brotherhood shone bright on his back; he'd modified his harness a touch to carry both blades at once, for when he needed a quicker draw of them both. He tried not to abuse Caladbolg as much as possible; the blade was stronger then Brotherhood, this was true; but it was also more draining to use, and he had a tendency of getting.... reckless, with it. More so then normal. The added power of the blade, and it's increased durability... well; he was only a Special Jounin; but he could get so caught up in his own little world that he'd stop judging his opponents properly, get over confident. Better to stick to Brotherhood unless he truly needed his stronger blade. And really, Brotherhood still felt more right in his hand; he'd held that blade for far longer, knew it far better. Caladbolg was a new toy, a budding friendship. Brotherhood was a brother, lover, lifelong companion and dearest friend. Nothing would change that.

A shake of his head brought him back to reality; he tended to do that, get lost in thought while alone. A glance skyward was a time check; there was still several hours before they where supposed to leave. Plenty of time for anyone to appear, if they dared.

Skye didn't get much sleep last night, or any night after he heard that he was accepted to go to the Chuunin Exams. His bags were already packed and not a single thing was missing. He made sure of it because he checked it three times. Once the sun had risen, Skye grabbed his supplies and hurried off to the front gate. It didn't matter if he was incredibly early to be there, he was in too much of a good mood to let anyone ruin it.

As he walked along, he noticed that a lot of the houses were still asleep or just setting up. He still wasn't used to the setup of the village, but that didn't stop him from eventually finding his way to the meeting point. As soon as he got sight of where he needed to be, he noticed Raijin. His face lit up slightly when he saw him. "Raijin! Long time no see!" Skye gripped his pack and sped up to go see his higher ranked "friend". "Hey, what's going on?"

Noise. Oh, oh god sudden noise. He almost flailed a moment before focus returned to him and he realized he knew the voice. Oh, the new kid. What was his name... Skye. Yeah, that was it. Horrible with name; normally; but he kind of liked the kid so it stuck a bit easier then even his students. "Hey kid. Bit early, eh? I wasn't expecting anyone until after breakfast." It went right over his head that anyone would be hyper excited over the exams; he'd been fairly meh when he'd competed, really.

"You got all you need there buddy?" He pointed at the full pack, smirk growing as he got a good look at him. Tired, hyper... he'd burn out before they rest of them; but he'd sleep like death once they got there. "You've got enough hanging off that pack to supply a small city."

Skye took his bag off his back and set it down. The bag made a somewhat loud thump when it hit. "I might have packed too much, but I don't think it will matter. I'm way too excited about this exam to worry about that kind of thing." He seemed to be moving in place slightly and looked like he was ready to get going right away, even though they weren't going to leave for a while. After a few seconds more, he stood still and grinned at Raijin. "So I guess I'm the first one here... considering there's no one else here..." Skye glanced behind him and took only a quick look at his surroundings. Like he had said, no one was there except them. He paused for just a moment. "Hey Raijin, do you know much about the exam?"

"You're about an hour earlier, yeah. I'm only even here because I was on guard patrol last night. Fresh off, maybe 20 minutes." He poked at the bag with a foot, amused by the resistance it gave. "I'd be worried you where thinkin' a bailin', if I didn't know better." He understood excitement of course; this was probably the kid's first time out of the village since his clan arrived, so it was probably a welcome relief. And hell, Raijin was a little excited himself, but for different reasons. Travel... out of the village.... yeeeeesssss.

"Much? Nah, only what everyone else knows. And that's not much, anymore. There was an... incident, in Kiri; or something. Enough fer the big shots to move the exams to Konoha last possible second. I hear that Inuzuka Kage a' their's ain't happy. Wouldn't be either; if I'dda had that much shoved on me so fast." He shrugged some, shifting his stance and placing hands at the base of his spine; leaning backwards until a series of soft cracks broke the near silence of the early morning. "Far as I know, they cut the exams in half. Just a tournament now. I took it back when they still had a sit down and survival portion. Ya'll get it easy, eh? Just gotta beat stick some poor guy and call it a day."

Walking. Walking walking and walking. Well, that's all Himitsu could tell. Her escort was busy talking away describing this and that, using colours and shapes to describe things. Oh yeah. She had forgot to tell him that she was blind. That was something she didn't tell very many people, and due to how she moved and 'looked' around every just assumed that she could see, or was very near sighted. They only caught on when she started asking questions that were obvious to people that could see, such as 'What is a square? I don't know how far away that is. Describe it more. What's red look like?'

She waited for her guild to stop talking about the Village's massive gates before asking, "Do you know who is hosting the Chuunin exams this year?"

Karoshi had heard about the chuunin in Konohagakure! Where the great Tsunade once lived! She couldn't pass up this chance! Not in the slightest! She was in a rush and her hair was frizzy while her make up was being put on at that moment when she had stumbled across a small group of people. Skye was here so at least she could talk to someone, some other genin maybe? and the tall man was Raijin. She had remembered him from her childhood. He'd brought her back after running away from home when she found out that she was adopted. She didn't know how to approach him in the slightest so she made a quick introduction.
"Is it okay if I come? I really want to see these exams and study there." She said, her voice cracking up from being nervous. She turned and looked to Skye with a nod and a smile.

Spoiler:

Aaaand tilt just a hair more... there we go. He fell backwards; legs shifting just right to send him flipping over himself; and for a split second he was (literally) sitting on his own skull before his weight had him flipped fully around. He was going for some acrobatic fun times, yep. "Konoha, since Kiri is like... blasted off the map 'er somethin'."

The colorful male giggled some, rolling over himself another time and changing directions; angling so that when he came up again his foot would catch the Nekito child by the chin and send him flying. Oh, he was just playing around; but it would shock the shit out of him, as well as send his several feet backwards. Or crack it. Something like that. "Haiya Himitsu!~"

Arms pulled into his body, making so that his next roll pulled him into a ball and sent him careening into the unknown female. Looked like a cousin or clan-mate of one of his students... that Medic Shiruku. Weeeeeee!~

Spoiler:

Skye took a quick movement back to avoid Raijin's odd little acrobat moves. He shook his head and turned his attention to Karoshi, who had arrived behind him. "Hey! There's someone I remember! If you're going with us, maybe you can cheer me on!" After giving a wide smile to Karoshi, he turned to look at the slowly growing group he was with. "Soo... We leaving soon? I'm getting a little too excited about this exam." Skye was moving around slightly and looked as if he was ready to bolt and head to Konoha. "Damn... I'm really hyper this morning..." He thought to himself while he kept his smile up.

Luca stepped quickly, humming a soft tune as he made his way to the designated meeting place. He was dressed for an off day; a deep black haori with no sleeves over a white, short sleeved shirt. His lower half was clothed in rather plain formal pants over nondescript shoes.

As he approached the meeting place, Luca reached into an inner pocket of the haori and produced a pair of sunglasses. Up here in Kumo, the village was literally its namesake at times -- a village hidden in the clouds. Most days, the male had no use for his glasses; few people could see his eyes until they got close enough. But the people of Konoha..? Yea... it wouldn't be wise to walk around with glowing red eyes. He doubted even his comrades would be understanding; those glasses were placed on his face carefully.

Across his back hung the rather large sword he'd purchased days before, seeming held up by invisible means. As he came closer, one would able to see the relatively small backpack he wore containing his supplies. When he reached the group, he offered a small smile.

Smiling softly she said "Hello Raijin... Wait... What do you mean Kiri was blown off the map?" She lowered her gaze a bit. "What happened to Hikou-sama, or the other members of the Village?"

Blinking she covered her nose. Someone, or something bore a repulsively sweet smell. She wasn't a fan of sweet things and prefered things like Onigiri and green tea.

"What smells so sweet?"

Karoshi laughed at Skye and nodded. She was going to cheer him on. He was her friend after all! She noticed the Jounin roll towards her. She swiftly jumped over him as he continued to bound on. What the hell?
With the confusion aside, Karo sighed and placed her hands on her hips, ignoring the strong yet sweet smell though her nose did crinkle as she tried to fight back the sudden gust of the smell. She liked sweet things more than anyone but there should be a limit, punchable by law.
"We heading soon or what!? I'm raring to go!" she laughed to herself. Things were gonna be good!

"It's the new guy!~" Raijin was highly amused by his own antics for the moment; and given the angle of the round; he could keep this up for a whiiiile. Not to mention slight bursts of wind chakra at the right moments, for when he wanted to turn or move uphill. How his blades where neither spearing him like toothpicks, nor hindering his movements? Not even he knew. Lucky; maybe. Oh well; they had a very, very long way to go; and not a lot of time left to get there. Time to get moving, and fast. "No time to talk about that.~ Kiri is Kiri is Kiri!~ And Kiri is always having problems.~"

He angled himself down the mountain; moving down a path that allowed for speedy; but not excessive rolling speeds. Oh; he'd stop eventually, not even he was immune from becoming dizzy or motion sick after a time; but this just worked for him at the moment. He was moving about as fast as most people jogged; so somewhat slow for ninja's traveling. "Come on guys and gals!~ We're gunna be late if you just standing there!~"

"Finally!" Skye quickly picked up his heavy pack and swung it onto his back. It only was a matter of seconds before he bolted and caught up to Raijin. Seems his energy was going to be useful for this little trip. The only thing fueling this energy was the fact that he was going to be in the exam and try his best to pass. No thoughts of death or injury crossed his mind at all. And if they did, they wouldn't do much to dampen his spirit. Slowing his pace slightly, he checked behind him to see if the others were following along as well. He mainly kept his eye on Karoshi since they had already met and he found that she must have some interesting things to talk about. It was going to be a rather long trip.

"Oh..." She stopped, bringing her sleeved hand to her face. Reaching her hand out she looked down. "Raijin, will you guild me? I... I am blind." She had to force it out. She wasn't sure if Raijin had already been able to tell that she was blind or not. Most people couldn't until she told them.

With her head bowed in embarrassment she continued to hold her hand out. It hurt what little pride she had left to ask, but it needed to be done.

Karo heard the other female ask for some help due to her condition! Great opportunity to make a friend and to study their condition further. She had read in books about it but she'd never met a blind person before until now.
"It's alright, I'll help you!" She said, eagerness could be heard in her voice. She reached out and gently took the girls hand.
"My name is Karoshi! I'll be joining you all from here on in to Konoha!" She smiled happily.

She watched as the other three went ahead. Smiling at the rather eccentric Raijin rolled ahead and Skye, trying to keep up was funny enough to watch. She kept hold of the girls hand as she guided her past bumps in the road.

“….” An eyebrow was lifted behind those dark glasses, as he stared at the strange people. Just what in the world did he walk in on? These people... just.. wow. Even he did not act this way during his first Chuunin exam. It was one thing to be excited; but another to make a fool of oneself.

Shaking his head, the male let out a small sigh, and began walking.

Raijin had planned to go a tad farther down the mountain as he was; the rolling was fun and all; but the request made of him had his inner sense of... not chivalry, he was far from; but he was fond of Himitsu, to a degree; and he would honor the request. Even when the Zetsumei offered to lead her in his stead, he wasn't about to drop it and just roll in. A flip to his feet, a moment to pat clothing clean; then he was reaching; gently even; for the joined hands and separating them. There was a bit of a... warning, glint in his eyes; the former amusement and near crazed glee gone; replaced by calm and focus in a way that only Jounin level ninja could be. "Excuse me... but she asked me. As I am likely the only one that actually knows the way; and I am intimately familiar with the paths out of the village; it would be safest for me to lead her."

The again... it would probably be safer for him to just get her to the base of the mountain, into the flat valley plains. Fewer rocks; stronger footing. Hmm...

"Actually... I have a better idea." It was easy enough; she was fairly small, compared to most stocky Kumo-nins. Prolly wouldn't do much more damage to his knees then this trick normally did. "So... do you trust me, Himitsu?~" He didn't even bother waiting for her response before moving to lift her up. His arm slid behind her back even as he nudged the back her knees until they buckled; his free arm slipping beneath them to catch her before she could even begin to properly fall. He leaned back to compensate for the increased weight until his balance resettled; cackling when it did. "Now then, ya'll can meet us at the bottom of the trail; see ya in an hour!~"

With that, he swung around and aimed himself RIGHT AT THE CLIFF FACE. A few steps had him nearly sprinting; perfectly set up to clear the rocks the jutted out from the cliff face once he was airborne. He took his running leap easily; clearing the 6 foot protection fences without problems and right into clear, open air. "WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!~~~~~~~"

His cackle rang out through the village; any of his clansmen or former teachers would recognize the sound; he was cliff diving. Lovely. They wouldn't outright know that he was taking someone along for the ride though. Easy enough, even with the extra drag of the female in his arms, to angle his body for maximum speed. This was... a hell of a drop; but it was also a drop over an ancient waterfall lip; into one of the rivers that littered the valleys. The water below him was so deep that it was impossible to free dive to the depths of the cave; so perfect for this fall. All he had to do was flip upright in time to hit the water and use his chakra to push it away like he was falling into a bed of feathers and fluff. A good thirty second free fall was a nice wake up after a night of guard duty; and it would definitely give Himitsu nightmares for a few nights. Not intentional; but this was the easiest way to get down. Knees where brought to his chest, using the drag to flip himself upright and place his knees just right. Now then... for the chakra pushing. Easy enough; a barrier that could flex and move was perfect. This wasn't what the jutsu was meant to do... but it worked; and he was good with it. "Lightning Release: Barrier Web!~"

The lines of chakra spread from his feet in an instant, moving with the speed of the lightning that it was made from. The web was generally rounded in shape, so it made for an INSANE amount of surface area. Perfect for this. The spaces between the webbing was mostly solid with chakra; there would be some water on top of the barrier; but was as good as a solid surface for this purpose. The web hit the water with a crackle of electricity and a hiss of heat; the chakra was hot as lightning after all, for the split second of contact. Between the solid impacting surface and the sheer potential energy being converted into kinetic energy all at once... well; solid wall of water rising above them was a given. He waited a split second after impact before he snapped the barrier closed; giving them a bubble of air as they feel through the water; as well as a buoyant way back to the surface. For an instant the world seemed to hover as they hit neutral buoyancy before it reversed; the force the them rising to the surface was enough to force Raijin to a knee to keep them from falling. It only took 20 seconds from impact with the water to surface; the sealed barrier keeping them mostly dry and perfectly safe. He held it closed until the water began to calm; at least enough for him to walk safely. The barrier moved with them, easily; locked to the base of his feet as it was.

"God I love doing that." His cackle rang clear in the valley air, amusement almost palpable as it rolled off him. He was nearly high of adrenaline at the moment, and it shoooowed. "You alright?"

Spoiler:

Skye flinched as Raijin zoomed past him at a crazy speed. As much as he wanted to, he felt like he shouldn't abandon the others, especially Karoshi. She was the only one there that he actually knew. Lagging behind, he was able to stay in line with Luca and Karoshi. It took him a few seconds of thinking before he decided to stay with the two. Running with the amount of energy he had at the very moment would allow him to catch up to Raijin in a shorter amount of time than if he walked. Didn't matter though. It would let him meet this other person. He didn't know Luca at all, but he was willing to find out more about him. "Raijin likes to show off a bit, doesn't he." Skye laughed to himself slightly. "So Karoshi, how have you been? Read any good books lately." He was hinting about the book they had fixed.

Himi flinched away the girl, she was loud and excited. To things that she didn't like. As soon as she had said something about being blind this girl showed interest in her. Shying away she asked, "Please don't touch me, Karoshi-san." She wasn't trying to sound rude but she didn't even know the girls name, at least she had spoken with Raijin before hand, trusted him enough to guild her. She felt a hand separate her hand Karoshi.

"Do you trust me, Himitsu?~" Raijin picked her up bridal style. With his tone her eyes widened. Something bad was going to happen she just knew it, shit was about to go down.

Literally. She felt his steps as he sprinted, and then... Weightlessness. Wait. Weightlessness meant they weren't on the ground, without the ground they were falling.... Kumo has cliffs. Oh. OH SHIT. When it came to heights Himitsu couldn't tell if it was a six foot drop or a sheer thousand foot drop. Which is why she had a far of heights. Cue blood curdling scream in three, two... one...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" If people didn't know something was wrong, they did now. She wrapped her arms around him, digging her nails into his thick clothing so hard she didn't doubt she was ripping it. She couldn't hear whatever he was saying over her self and the wind rushing past her ears. Gravity decided to come back as they hit the web. Her stomach was in her mouth. A thing she never wanted to experience again.

"God, I love doing that." Insane freak. "You alright?" No. Not at all. She was still clinging to him even though they had been on land for over a minute. She was shaking with fear and sucking in breathe like no tomorrow. She couldn't get her voice box out of her gut so she just shook her head in a form of a no.

Karoshi couldn't help but feel hurt, upset and slightly angry at the two of them. Raijin was nothing she remembered him to be or at least thought he was like. He found her and returned her home so she figured him to be nice and caring but it just seemed...she didn't know what to say and Karo was only trying to be nice to someone that needed help. The response she got from her seemed a little...hurtful to be hones and with all those happening at once to her she kinda shied away from them as they rushed away from the group...She shook her head and turned to Skye, a little bit of anger in her eyes. She looked right into his eyes ad nodded at him.
"Nothing really, just cooking books and experimenting on some subjects back home, though they were already dead so no problem there!" She said to him, whispering near the end so that only she and Skye could hear her response.

She asked Skye the same question before coming to the edge of the cliff, completely oblivious to it. Her arms flailed in a circular motion at great speed as she angled her body backwards, as far back as she could to be exact until she was back on her feet again. She stepped back and looked around. There was a small pathway to her right which she figured was safer than flying off some cliff like the other two did. She let out a small grunt of frustration before turning to Skye again.
"How've you been anyway?"