Sima gladly bowed as his name was mentioned and announced as he was made the proctor judge of the preliminary battles. Once the names were matched, battles began one-by-one. They were life or death battles and Sima had the power to call it off or allow it to continue. They were all escorted to a smaller arena within the village as opposed to the actual stadium. "Will the contestants come forward please," he instructed and waited patiently and then began talking again. "As you were told, these are life or death matches. I will only intervene if it seems hopeless, one of you collapses and cannot get up, or the obvious, one of you dies. If you cherish your life, surrender or else the battle goes on," he explained. "There are no rules. Now, begin!" he finished and stepped back a couple of yards and enjoyed the show.

13:40, Wed 02 Mar: Harusame Sakuya rolled 11 using 1d20.  Initiative, Harusame vs Yamada.

Having watched the previous battle, Sakuya understood that she has to give her all in this fight. When her sensei called upon them to approach the center, she responded with a curt bow to her sensei to affirm that she understood the instructions. She then looked to her opponent, Yamada Nori.

Sakuya's opponent looks to be older than her, and probably more experienced as a ninja compared to her.

"I am Harusame Sakuya, pleased to make your acquaintance," Sakuya greeted her opponent with a polite bow before she assumed a ready position. Her breathing slowed a little as she took deeper breaths and focused her attention in the way instructed by Fujii-sensei during training. Both hands forward yet relaxed, palms facing the opponent, legs at shoulder-length distance with her right foot forward. It was a textbook stance for defensive combat, a basic position to anticipate and gauge an opponent's strength.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Thu 03 Mar 2016.

00:19, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 6 using 1d20.  Coin Flip/Initiative.

With the last challenge having ended, the remaining teams made it to the arena where the next challenge would begin. In all honesty, Nori didn't know how she was going to do but she was confident in herself and that she was going to give it all she got. She couldn't do this half-heartedly. She had to give it her all no matter what. She wasn't going to go down without putting up a hell of a fight. She listened carefully as the Raikage spoke to the genin about this last exam being one that was a fight for life with the pride of their villages and their own dreams on the line and explained that they would be participating in preliminary fights to narrow down who would be going to the real fights. They were given the opportunity to drop out and just when it seemed no one was going to, one girl raised her hand and Nori watched as she walked away to go stand by what seemed to be her sensei. So one less person to worry about, but maybe it was best that the other girl did drop out as she looked in pretty bad shape. She would have felt a little bad if she were the one to have been paired up with her.

With those that remained, there was 26 of them left and would all be evenly matched with someone else. This was it. Whoever surpassed these battles would be moved up to the final exam. Nori let her eyes roam over to look at her teammates and could only hope that they also make it there. She breathed in and then out before she looked back up to the Raikage with a determined expression. She wouldn't let his words shake her. She had to be strong. She would do this. She had to do this. Her eyes shifted up to the board that soon turned into a computer screen. There listed the first two genin that would have their battle first. Once those two had taken their places, the battle began but to her surprise, it only lasted minutes. It was obvious that those that remained were the best and Nori couldn't let her guard down or underestimate anyone.

When the proctor was called up and the computer generated who would be fighting next, Nori saw her name appear and the name of her opponent. Harusame Sakuya. They were each called to the center of the arena and she did as such. She stood feet away from her opponent and just looked at her. She looked young, but that didn't mean she wasn't experienced. She couldn't underestimate her. "I am Yamada Nori. It's pleasure to meet your acquaintance as well. Let's give our best in this fight," she responded. Nori closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out as she relaxed herself into her fighting stance and opened her eyes. Her leg rested in front of her while the other slid in a half circle to rest behind her. Her arms came up in front of her torso while she slowly clenched her hands into fists. She had to stay calm, but stand strong.

"Then I will not hold back, Yamada-san!" Sakuya declared in response to Nori's introduction. As soon as the fight was allowed to begin, the young Kumogakure genin immediately let loose a pair of shuriken at the Konohagakure genin.

These shuriken fell slightly short of their mark, however, revealing themselves as a feint for Sakuya to complete her real attack:

Water Release: Binding Water Chains

A pool of water immediately formed before Sakuya's feet, sprouting forth chains of water that flew forth at Nori's direction in an attempt to ensnare and immobilize her in place.

GM NOTE: 09:02, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 27 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.
[Always place the rolls on the bottom or top of the post. Makes it a bit easier.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Fri 04 Mar 2016.

(( Yamada Nori rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful. ))

Nori kept her stance when she saw Harusame throw her shurigan at her. She knew she would be able to dodge those no problem, but odds were that her opponent was just using those as a defense so she could use her real attack. She didn't take her eyes off of them, but just for a brief second, they darted towards the pool of water on the floor and soon chains of water came towards her. She pushed herself off of her left foot, but it was already too late. The chains ensnared her and rendered her from moving. "Damn," she muttered under her breath.

Luckily, though, when she was captured, her hands were free just a little so she slowly managed to make a few hand seals in front of her. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" she shouted as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back slightly, kneading the chakra up within her body to create a greater flame before she expelled it from her mouth towards Harusame. If the attack worked like it should have, the flame would engulf her opponent and make the possibility of the girl breaking the chains of water to break and for her to get away.

(( Yamada Nori rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Ninjutsu Attack. ))

ooc: my bad on the previous post :P
11:46, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 20 using 1d20+11.  Ninjutsu Defense.

People who are in the arena near Sakuya would have sworn the girl let out a yelp, managing to bring up a wall of water from the same pool of water the chains originated in order to shield herself from the fireball attack. It would cost some of the binding water chains that held Nori in place, but Sakuya could still make it up somehow.

With some confidence building up with herself, Sakuya invoked the Binding Water Chains once more. Additional chains sprout forth from the pool of water before her, with the intent of keeping her from unleashing any more attacks this time around. More chakra was infused into the water this time, ensuring that the new bindings are tighter and more difficult to move around in.

11:47, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 28 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

(( Yamada Nori rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful. ))

When Nori saw Harusame block her fireball attack with her water wall, she slowly closed her mouth and dissipated the fire. However, it wasn't a complete loss. It did make a few of the water chains break loose, so in doing that it gave her an opportunity to make another quick hand sign before she saw her opponent summon up the water chains once more and come at her again. This time the chains were a bit more tighter and proved it nearly impossible for her hands to move. No matter, though. "Nice water chains, Sakuya-chan, but I'm afraid they won't work for much longer," she said with a smirk.

It was in saying that a gust of wind went past her and her identical clone dashed forward towards Harusame. "Leaf Rising Wind!" Once she got close enough, Nori's clone crouched down in front of the other girl, placing her hands on the ground before extending her leg out to deliver a roundhouse kick.

(( Yamada Nori rolled 21 using 1d20+12. Taijutsu Attack. ))
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Fri 04 Mar 2016.

13:53, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  Taijutsu Defense.

The roundhouse kick managed to hit a startled Sakuya, she figured Nori to be fast but have not expected the Konohagakure ninja to be that fast. She fell onto her back, which was immediately followed by a poof and white smoke to reveal a piece of wood carved into the shape of a rabbit.

"Hai, Yamada-san... I guess they won't be of much use this early..." Sakuya replied a further distance away as she pondered her selection of attacks. Her jutsu are meant to wear down on her opponent, lacking the decisive punch to really take out opposition in one hit. There was that one jutsu as well, but she felt that it is still too early to use that one.

Wind Release: Dust Obscuring Wind

Sakuya took a deep breath, and exhaled chakra-infused air that blew dust up around her. With this, she could stall Nori down while she prepares an actual attack to execute.

13:55, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 29 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

(( 09:00, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 12 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful. ))

Nori had a look of hope when she saw Harusame go down, but then she saw white smoke and a wooden shaped bunny take her place. "Wait. What?" she said in a low voice before she heard her opponent's voice come from a short distance away. Both her and her clone looked in Harusame's direction and before she knew it, there was a large gust of wind that blew up dust around them. She could barely see her opponent, so she had to squint to see her opponent but was unsuccessful. There was too much dust everywhere. Nori knew she had to come up with something that would have to unable her to clear up at least a little bit of dust. Odds were that Harusame was using this as a way for her to be able to think of her next attack because otherwise she would have just gone for it.

Nori pondered what she could do in her head. It was hard to a ninjutsu based attack when she could barely see anything because then she would have to be able to see her opponent. She couldn't just do it blindly and wish for the best of luck. Although, when she thought about it, she knew the general direction of which Harusame was so she could have her clone deliver something that was not be able to miss and clear some of the dust away. That was all she needed. "Okay. Let's try this again," she said before she closed her eyes and focused her energy on her clone's next attack. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" In saying that, her clone stood where she was and mustered up her chakra inside her before she opened her mouth and blew a large massive orb of roaring flames in the direction in which Harusame was.

(( 09:29, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Ninjutsu Attack. ))

03:01, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 16 using 1d20+11.  Ninjutsu Defense.

Sakuya had not counted on Nori using the fireball jutsu in this situation, the result being catastrophic as the fire spread explosively through the flying dust. The young girl invoked her water shield jutsu, which took most of the attack and kept fire from catching on her, but the explosion sent her reeling, not to mention clear up the remaining water chains and the dust.

"That was dangerous...!" Sakuya exclaimed as she invoked two water clones by her side. She needs to figure a decisive finish to keep the situation under control. The two water clones rushed forward in an attempt to deliver a coordinated attack with their kunai as Sakuya continued with her preparations.

03:01, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 20 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

(( 12:23, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 19 using 1d20+10, unique dice.  Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful. ))

Nori was glad to see that her fireball attack did work, but couldn't make full impact since Harusame used her water wall to defend herself and take the blow. However, the good thing was was that it broke the water chains and cleared up the dust, which was what she was hoping for. "Feels good to be free of those chains," she said as she rubbed her wrists and cracked her head from side to side before she saw her opponent's clones coming towards her. "So no time to rest, huh?" She smirked before she also took out her kunai from her holsters and attempted to rush forward towards them, but their kunai's collided and instead of making contact with the clones, they flung out of her hands and they sliced  her on her arm. "Damn," she muttered under her breath before looked over to the side to see her clone. Her eyes darted towards Harusame and pondered what her next move would be as she jumped away from the water clones.

After a few seconds, Nori knew what she was going to do. Harusame was still pondering her next move, which could all in all, lower her own defense. She was slower than her and her taijutsu attack was a bit on the weak side. She could play that to her advantage. She would just have to get these two clones to remain focused on her. She smirked before she brought her hands in front of her and made a quick hand seal, creating a few more clones of herself. Harusame was still pondering her next move, so she was distracted. Her eyes came back into contact with her clone at a distance, giving her a small, curt nod before they both flash stepped at the same time, causing them both to disappear. "Leaf Whirlwind!" Nori and clone's voice said at the same time from both in front and in back of Harusame. The two jumped up at the same time in unison and swiftly turned in a half circle with their legs extended to deliver a roundhouse kick. Even if one were to fail, there were good chances that the other would come into contact with Harusame.


(( 12:44, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 26 using 1d20+12, unique dice.  Taijutsu Attack.))
((OOC: I'm honestly not sure if the unique die did anything to alter my roll. I didn't even know it was clicked upon when I did it. If it does effect my roll, I will gladly do it over >< ))
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Fri 04 Mar 2016.

07:13, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 13 using 1d20+9. Taijutsu Defense.

The clones attempted to go after Nori and her clone, but could not keep up with their speed. Realizing this, they threw their kunai at Nori and her clone. One kunai managed to land on Nori's clone, but the other kunai missed wide. Sakuya could only brace herself as she felt the roundhouse kick connect to her side. She didn't even have time to cry out in pain as she was sent rolling on the ground.

Sakuya's clones rushed closer to protect her, with one closing the distance to Nori in close combat while the other held back to treat the injury to at least dull the pain. It still hurt a lot as Sakuya managed to get up to one knee. She held on long enough to activate her jutsu.

Water Release: Gloomy Rain

Those sensitive to chakra can sense Sakuya release a massive amount of chakra, with the clone beside her melting into a pool of water. Clouds gathered over the fighting area as a downpour began.

Now to hold out long enough for it to take effect... Sakuya thought as she now focused on defense while her remaining water clone kept Nori busy on a full offensive.

07:14, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 20 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.
ooc: time to test effect over time area jutsu. :)

[Private to Harusame Sakuya: OOC: Hey. Sorry for making you wait, Harusame >< I was otherwise occupied with something work related. It only said I was logged in because I didn't log out or close my tabs. I apologize.]

(( 18:44, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense. ))

Nori shifted her eyes over to her clone when she saw the kunai hit her and cause her to puff up in smoke, leaving her alone but that didn't matter. She did what she wanted to accomplish and made contact with Harusame, causing her opponent to roll across the ground. Looks like she didn't even need to finish off her move. Just one kick made her go down. She landed on her feet, crouching down as she saw one of her opponent's clones protect the real Harusame, while the other closed in on her. Just one of them wouldn't be hard to handle.

It was then that clouds began to appear above her head and it caused Nori to avert her eyes up towards the sky. "What the heck?" she muttered in a low tone. She looked back down towards the clone coming in towards her and then back to Harusame that was just standing there by herself. This must have been the attack she had been gearing up towards. Well, she wasn't just going to stand by and do nothing. She lightly scowled before she pushed herself off of her back foot and rushed towards the clone. Nori jumped up and pushed herself off of the clone's shoulder before she landed back on her feet. It looked as if Harusame was gearing up towards something big, so maybe she do one of the same.

Deciding on what she wanted to do, Nori made her way quickly towards Harusame. She couldn't let her opponent finish whatever preparations she had to do. She had to get her back down again. She curled her hand into a tight fist and pushed herself up from the ground from her right foot. "Strong Fist!" Nori pulled her fist further back and once she was close enough, she brought her fist down to make contact with Harusame's face.

(( 19:17, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 32 using 1d20+12. Taijutsu Attack. ))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Wed 09 Mar 2016.

[Private to Yamada Nori: ooc: no worries. Was just worried since there might be a default thing if someone doesn't post after some time n__n).]

11:27, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Taijutsu Defense.

Sakuya tried to block the incoming punch Nori delivered with her arms, but was easily overpowered even if she managed to successfully keep her face from getting hit. Even if she enforced herself with chakra, Sakuya could feel the bones in her arms crack slightly under the pressure. She was blown back from the force, sending her lying with her back on the ground. It definitely hurt, but she could still move.

Overhead, the rain continued pouring harder. Nori would feel something unusual the longer the rain poured - as if she is getting tired sooner than usual. Sakuya isn't sure how effective her jutsu would be against a taijutsu practitioner since they don't rely on chakra as much as other specialists. At the least, she could draw on the chakra sapped off by the rain to restore her own strength.

With the amount of water in her surroundings, Sakuya decided to press for a more offensive approach. She uses her Binding Water Chains once again, this time sending the chains to pummel at Nori from all directions in addition to holding her in place.

11:28, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 27 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

[Private to Harusame Sakuya: OOC: I'm sorry for making you worry. I am just in the process of looking for a new job, but I will try to be on more often.]

((19:53, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 29 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense.))

When Nori felt her fist make contact with Harusame's arms instead of her face, she watched her opponent be blown back and onto her back. She landed on her feet and crouched down. She wouldn't be surprised if she fractured the girl's bones from the pressure that she put on them with her fist. Making hand seals required the use of your hands and arms, so if she managed to cause any injuries to those vital parts of her body that made it a little bit harder, she would have a chance at winning this. Is was in the middle of that thought that the rain continued to pour down harder and it made her wonder just what it was that this was supposed to be doing. It did seem to make her muscles ache a little bit, but that could have been just because of how hard the rain was pouring and how cold it actually was.

Nori couldn't let a little rain hold her back. She trained in weather like this before, so it wasn't really an issue. She just knew that any ninjutsu's would prove to be ineffective at this point seeing as how the rain would just put out the flames immediately. She had to focus on her taijutsu that was proving to be more effective right now than anything else. Nori saw Harusame bring up her water chains again, but this time, they were surrounding her from all directions. She smirked before she jumped up and dodged the chains, causing them to crash together and miss her completely. Nori thought of what to do next and for a moment, she was considering on doing her attack that she hadn't completely perfected yet, but she thought she could definitely use that more at a point where Harusame was a little bit weaker. Right now, she needed to get her to that state. She dashed back towards the other girl with a determined expression on her face.

"Leaf Whirlwind!" she shouted and when she got close enough to Harusame, she crouched down slightly, extending her leg out, and doing a half-circle to take her opponent down with a low kick to her left leg.

(( 20:19, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 28 using 1d20+12.  Taijutsu Attack. ))

13:44, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Taijutsu Defense.

There is a definite look of unease in Sakuya's face as she saw how Nori managed to avoid the water chains she has unleashed, and proceeded to continue closing the gap between them. Sakuya attempted to bring the water chains up in hopes of barring Nori's path, but her concentration is spread across slowly healing herself and the pain - the result ending with the Konohagakure genin breaking through the water chains and knocking Sakuya off her feet once again.

Not yet... I can still fight... Sakuya thought, still feeling the chakra flowing into her from her opponent through the rain. There's still a few more seconds to go - she just has to hold out long enough to be the one standing.

The crack in her arms didn't hurt as much now, as long as Sakuya did not exert too much effort. With the help of her jutsu and healing techniques, she kept the damage dealt by Nori on her from getting too painful.

Maybe I should try this...! Sakuya thought as she invoked another jutsu. Nori is just in front of her and there's no time to get up. She could only hope there's enough to keep Nori from getting out.

A multitude of chains sprouted forth around Nori, forming a tall wall around her before coming down on her from all sides. Sakuya attempted at binding Nori with as much water chains as possible to fully immobilize and constrict her to the point of causing the latter to pass out. The Kumogakure genin could only hope her gambit would work, otherwise she would be wide open to whatever Nori has in store for her.

13:51, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 26 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 20:19, Wed 09 Mar 2016.

((11:41, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful.))

When Nori saw Harusame go back down when she delivered that low kick to her leg, she smirked. However, she knew her opponent would only be down temporary, so she had to keep up the momentum. She couldn't falter, but at the same time, she knew she had to slow down to regain a little bit of her energy at a time. For some reason, the aching in her muscles wasn't really going away. It was making her feel fatigued. It was weird. She had felt fine before this rain even started. Could this have been something to deliberately drain her energy? Nori shook her head. How could that be possible? Could rain actually do that? She wouldn't put it past Harusame, though. She couldn't underestimate her and her abilities. She had to endure this.

Nori was slowly making her way around and back up to her feet, but it was then that Harusame brought her chains of water back up to surround her again. She attempted to move out of the way in time before they could surround her, but even she knew with as close as she was to the other girl in proximity, she couldn't escape it. She was going to be entrapped again, so just before she got back up to her feet, she quickly made a few quick hand signs. "Clone jutsu!" she shouted before she was quickly bound by the chains from her neck down. From behind Harusame, two of the three of Nori's clones came up to her. One flash stepped and disappeared, reappearing in front of the other girl while the other stayed behind the female opponent. "Leaf Whirlwind!" the clones said in unison before they both attempted to deliver both a high and low roundhouse kick to Harusame's lower back and legs.

((12:17, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 18 using 1d20+12. Taijutsu Attack.))
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 09 Mar 2016.

06:49, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 29 using 1d20+9.  Taijutsu Defense.

A breath of relief escaped Sakuya's lips as she saw Nori finally caught and fully restrained by her water chains. However, there is still the question of how to deal with the clones the Konohagakure genin invoked and are attacking her. It was a good thing that Sakuya had remained prone on the ground, allowing her a better view around her and spot both of them approaching from different sides.

Invoking her Water Shield jutsu with additional chakra taken from her opponent, Sakuya had it shaped like a dome around her to block the incoming attacks at the same time. At this point the rain has finally stopped, and the clouds are parting to reveal the original weather for the day. Sakuya figured she needed something decisive to end this battle in her favor.

The Kumogakure medic-in-training only had one jutsu she could use offensively - the Binding Water Chains jutsu. Jhinsokyo has instructer her on its potential for attacks and she is now testing how far it can be done. Now she invoked it once more with her Water Shield as the base, causing water chains to fly out in an attempt to smack down the clones. In addition to that, Sakuya figured she could attempt to add more bindings to seal Nori's use of her mouth and fingers. It required more control compared to flailing the chains about, but Sakuya had to finish the match now she does not have any extra supply of chakra to go about and has to rely on her own supply.

06:49, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 21 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

((22:39, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 11 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful.))

Nori had looked onward as she saw her clones try to make contact with Harusame with their Leaf Whirlwind attack, but it all but failed when she saw her opponent make a water barrier around in a dome like shape to protect herself. It caused her to scowl and for the clones to back away from the other girl. "Dammit," she muttered to herself in a low voice before she felt the rain stop, causing her to lift her head up and look at the sky as it began to clear up. Hmm...she wondered. She hadn't really seen her opponent deliver any really solid attacks aside from these water chains that did prove to be effective. However, they only seemed to be more of a defensive attack so that she could think of her next move. Nori looked back down to the girl in front of her, slowing wiggling her fingers as she saw the chains take out her clones and come back for her.

She looked down to her fingers and then back up to Harusame. There was no way she could physically make contact with her, but she could do an attack from this distance. Or she could have her clones do it for her. It had stopped raining after all. Before her hands were sealed up by the water chains, she quickly made a few hand seals that would allow her to create a few more of her own clones. Nori knew she wanted to do. She needed to break her opponent's concentration, so she could only hope that this attack worked. For a few moments, there was silence and the sound of feet approaching from each side of Harusame could be heard. "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire!" her clones shouted and soon enough, a massive array of fireballs were coming towards the other girl. The fireballs were controlled specifically by chakra, so Nori knew that she had to keep that under control. She couldn't afford to waste too much of that.

((23:23, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 18 using 1d20+8. Ninjutsu Attack.))

15:53, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Ninjutsu Defense.

Sakuya could be best described as impressed that Nori could still hold out this long while having called forth a number of clones - especially solid ones that could deliver hits. Was this the fabled Kage Bunshin no Jutsu? It may not be the same thing, since that one uses up a great amount of chakra the more clones were sent out. Nori would have already been worn out by now if she was using Kage Bunshin all this time.

The Kumogakure girl braced herself as the fireballs peppered the water shield she brought up. Steam burst forth on her position as she kept her focus on at least sustaining the chains that kept Nori restrained. Burn marks were visible were her clothes were hit by the fireballs, but a look of determination is still evident on her face.

"If it is a battle of endurance we are going for, I have no intention of losing!" Sakuya cried out as she infused another good portion of her chakra to increase the water chains around Nori until she is completely wrapped up in restraining water. Without even realizing it, Sakuya had used her Binding Water Chains to a form similar to the Water Cage jutsu.

With the amount of chakra she put into the water chains, Sakuya is confident enough that they will hold for a few minutes even if she were knocked out. She was now standing on one knee from her prone position, beginning to feel the shortness of her breath due to the amount of chakra she has to expend on such short notice. Sakuya hoped this would be sufficient to keep her opponent from executing any more attacks.

15:54, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

[Private to Harusame Sakuya: OOC: Sorry for not posting yesterday :( I wasn't in the best of moods to be posting.]

((10:01, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense. Unsuccessful.))

Nori knew she couldn't last sending out clones like this in her place. She only had so much chakra built up and it honestly was draining her a little bit. She was happy that the fireballs managed to make contact with Harusame, but they weren't fully effective due to that water shield she had brought up around her to protect herself. "Damn," she lowly growled. She needed to wipe that thing out, but just how strong was that shield? It was only made of water, but that didn't mean its defense capabilities were weak. Fire just wasn't going to cut it, but what other choice did she have? There wasn't a way she could make contact with Harusame unless that shield was down.

Nori could see that determined look upon her opponent's face and hear it in her voice as she declared she wasn't going to lose. In all honesty, she wasn't all that hurt herself, but she knew that the other girl was getting worn down. She could just tell by her posture. The only thing that was pestering Nori at this point was these stupid chains and it certainly didn't help when Harusame wrapped even more of those chains around her, causing her to grit her teeth. She had to do something. She couldn't just stand here. She didn't have much of a choice but to use that fire attack again. She could only hope that it proved effective in weakening the shield that surrounded her opponent. Nori looked over towards one of her clones, who stared back at her, and she just gave her a nod. The clone looked away from her and jumped back a few steps before looking in Harusame's direction. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" she called out before she expelled a roaring orb of flame from her mouth that was sent towards her opponent.

((10:16, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Ninjutsu Attack.))

08:04, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 31 using 1d20+11.  Ninjutsu Defense.

Sakuya invoked another water shield up to protect herself, thankful now that Nori does not use Lightning-based techniques. The clones are definitely a nuisance she has to take out quickly now she has Nori pinned down. Water chains flung forth at the clones in an attempt to take them out as Sakuya closed in beside the bound Nori with a kunai in her hand.

"Please declare your surrender, Yamada-san," Sakuya said to Nori as she gently let the tip of her kunai touch at the chained genin's neck, "This kunai is pointed at one of your major arteries. With the way the chains have wrapped tightly around you, a cut to the artery would result in squeezing your blood out through the wound. You can die from the resulting blood loss if that happens and medical attention was not given immediately."

With that, Sakuya added a little more pressure against Nori's neck. It's not enough to break skin yet, but she could easily make a cut should Nori attempt to resist.

08:05, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 24 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.

((18:15, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 11 using 1d20+10. Ninjutsu Defense.))

When the clones saw Harusame bring up another water shield to protect herself, it caused the fireball attack to prove ineffective. The clones lowly growled and jumped back away from the girl, but the chains took them out. Nori was pissed, but her gaze remained unwavered. It was then, though, that she felt the tip of a kunai pressed to her neck and it caused her eyes to flick off to the right to look at her opponent. She just stared at her before she smirked. "Thanks for the offer, Harusame-chan, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to decline. See as much as I want this match to be over and done with, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. This is just a little obstacle in my way, but just wait till I get out of these chains..." she said as she turned her head slightly to look at Harusame. "...because you aren't going to like it."

And with those last words said, Nori found her chance to strike. "Strong fist!" a voice called out from beside them before her last clone came up and aimed a fist at the side of Harusame's head. She didn't know if she'd make contact, but the least she could do was get the girl away from Nori.

((18:39, Today: Yamada Nori rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Taijutsu Attack.))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Sat 12 Mar 2016.

12:56, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Taijutsu Defense.

Sakuya had already figured Nori's answer even before she had asked. It was definitely that of resistance as the clone came for her with a swinging fist. Sakuya directed the water shield to block the attack, with the shield now smaller after losing water from the fireball attack earlier.

"I guess that does not leave me much choice..." Sakuya replied, her hand still steady with her kunai. She has warned Nori, now there was no turning back. Sakuya had to do this to proceed.

The cut itself wasn't painful. It was quick and precise. It did aim right for the artery to cause the most bleeding at the immobile Nori. Sakuya did not avert her eyes upon seeing that the cut had started to bleed. She is somehow used to seeing that from helping her parents in their clinic and during the previous chuunin exams in their country.

With a swift hand motion, Sakuya then motioned for the chains to tighten around Nori. She's forcing the Konohagakure genin to struggle and exert herself, which would cause the bleeding to flow faster. Sakuya remained close by her opponent's side while she keeps an eye for the clone that is still active. At the first sign of her opponent losing consciousness, she could at least be there immediately to administer first aid. The Kumogakure genin may have every intention of proceeding to the finals, but she has no intention of letting someone die if she could do something about it.

13:02, Today: Harusame Sakuya rolled 18 using 1d20+12.  Ninjutsu Attack.