[h1][center][color=f49ac2]Asuka Koizumi[/color][/center][/h1]
Once their so-called introductions were completed, Asuka and the boy who's name she didn't know followed the pale skinned man towards the training ground, and area surrounded by a protective barrier of forest. After the mention of this little 'test' her new teammates were going to have to complete, the girl was already alert and on the lookout for anything unusual. Anything could go wrong at any moment, and any ninja, be it a Genin or a high ranking Jonin like Mao himself, should always be ready for that. Ears sharp and eyes taking in her surroundings, Asuka readied herself, clutching the sheath of her katana with her left hand as they approached the center of the clearing.

[color=662d91]". . . right. Usually this is done in groups of three, but since only two of you are here, we'll just take this one away. Your other classmate can compete against the loser."[/color]

Asuka thought to herself. Only one bell? Just what sort of test was to come?

Mao-sensei continued his explanation, a single bell dangling from his fingers. [color=662d91]"This is called the Bell test, it's supposed to measure your ninja abilities and weed out those genin who aren't ready for practical missions. Failure in this test will mean being sent back to the academy."[/color] 

[i][color=f49ac2]Sent back to the Academy? Even though I highly doubt this could happen to us, it's still a possibility… With that in mind, I can't take this test, or this Jonin lightly. I have to be careful.[/color][/i]

As the man resumed his explanation, the girl continued to ponder. [i][color=f49ac2]So the main goal is to retrieve one bell from our instructor in the limited time we're given to pass the test… and those who don't, fail… To be honest, I find this rather confusing. Why is he only holding one bell when there's two of us?[/color][/i]

Asuka observed the area once again. Just a few meters away from the group, she spotted a small wooden bow placed against a tree. No wonder he was carrying an arrow with him… It seemed to Asuka that her sensei had some experience with a bow and arrow. The extent of how experienced her sensei was with it though was something Asuka had no knowledge of whatsoever. 

All the more reason to keep track of Mao-sensei's movements.

[color=662d91]"Now, I want you both to come at me with everything you have. Attack me with the intent to kill!"[/color]

Attack with the intent to kill… was he actually serious about this? This Mao man was of a higher rank than Asuka and the boy who's name she didn't know, and even as a prideful member of the Koizumi clan, Asuka knew fully well that her sensei's strength outmatched her own. Still, the girl took her teacher's words into account, trying to think of something, anything she could possibly do to defeat this man. Mao's stance changed, and so did Asuka's, both of them ready and prepared for each others attacks. Asuka wasn't paying too much attention to the boy who's name she didn't know, deciding to let him do his own thing for the time being. Her amber eyes narrowed, almost glaring into Mao's mysterious golden ones. Her right hand was ready to grab the hilt of her sword at any given moment, whether she would have to strike or block any type of offensive attack.

[i][color=f49ac2]I have no idea what Mao-sensei's strategy to keep the two of us away from that bell is, but with what he said earlier, it might be best to strike head on. After I attack him, I might just be able to predict what type of fighter he is: either close or long range, depending on how well his skills in taijutsu are. Once that's done, I can form a strategy from there.[/color][/i]

With that said, Asuka unsheathed her sword, running towards Mao at normal speed. It was when she was at least a meter away from him that she suddenly disappeared, appearing at least two meters behind her sensei. It was a simple trick that the Koizumi clan practised on a daily basis. A sudden outburst of chakra in her feet was all Asuka needed to feint her opponent and 'disappear' from their sight. Raising her sword, Asuka sped towards Mao, her tied hair billowing behind her.

[i][color=f49ac2]Almost there![/color][/i]

But before Asuka could reach him, the ground suddenly gave away under her feet, making her fall into the pit with a rather loud 'kya' shriek.