Author Note: I can't believe so many likes this story. I always find a new
person that leaves a review for me. ^_^ Thanks to all of you for
reviewing... *thumb up.* Well I don't have much more to say on this one. I
wrote it in less then 24 hours after I get it going and I almost caused
myself a mild heart attack at a point in this one. Read and you will know
where.
If I'm going to be honest about the inspiration for the prologue I wrote for this one, I were listening to Evanescence: My Immortal. I just was bored out of my mind because writting took so long time (no inspiration) and then the song played and I was jumping up and down in my bed. (I had to be quiet because it was like 01.30 am) I'm a night owl sometimes I know :P NOW I'm talking to much again. I will let you read on and I hope you like. I'm trying to make Joshua less like Naruto in the series but don't shoot me if I sometime fail.
Parings: None so far and for a while.
Ranting: I think a have PG on this, I don't remember. *hits my head*
Summary: Naruto dissapeared when he was a two years. Now there is a team with a blond boy that are going to take the Chuunin exam. It's time for the first test.
Return of a Stranger
by Monkan
Chapter 3
Naruto turned his paper over at the same time as Sasuke and as he read through them he began to sweat. Was this reality? As he read through the first five questions he looked over at Itachi and Haku that was seated at the other side of the room. This was really bad. This was probably one of the worst test there could be. Itachi could probably handle it but for Haku and Naruto it was a different story. There was no way they could answer these things without cheating.
Naruto bit his lip. *What should I do? If I get caught cheating it's bad for all in my team but if I don't cheat I will may be able to answer these questions in my next life.*
Naruto looked around nervously. *Most of the other Genins are already shaking in their pants. The tension is so thick already you can cut It.* Naruto dared a glance at Sasuke. He was still reading through all the questions. As if feeling the stare he turned to look back at Naruto.
Sasuke could see a sweat drop running down the blonds face. *So him too? I can't answer a single one of these questions.*
Both turned back to their own paper, sweat appeared on their foreheads.
At the moment on the other side of the off the room Itachi was looking around the exam room. *Why did they have to send in that sadist on this test? It was hard enough when I took it when that glass bastard held it but this Ibiki is different.* Itachi swallowed. *Even I can feel the tension in the air go into my nerves. This is not good; I hope Naruto won't lose his nerves.*
He caught the eyes of one of the examiners. Itachi looked away immediately. *Chikushoo. They annoy me more then anything. It was pure luck last time that I didn't show that glass bastard where he could put those kuso marvels he had. Even if it would had been hard to almost impossible it would had been enjoyable to send him to the hospital for a month after that.*
Itachi smiled at the memories of his last head examiner. It had felt so good when that guy sat on the poisoned needle. Even if it just had been heavy sleeping poison it had warmed Itachi's heart greatly when that bastard was carried away crying like a baby in his sleep. *Ha, even Naruto didn't cry that much when he was four years old and awake.* Itachi smirked. It took two weeks before they let him out of the hospital and even if the glass bastard had suspected Itachi he didn't have anything against him. *How sweet revenge can be in small doses. I wasn't as innocent as they thought I was in that "incident".*
Itachi went through a few more quick memories before returning to reality. *What was it that Ibiki said; If you are a ninja, act like a first-rate one.* Itachi folded his hands under his chin, still holding his pen. *It really doesn't matter to me. I'm already a Chuunin but would be a Jounin now if things had worked out differently in the past. It's for Naruto and Haku that I'm doing this, the mission too. It sounds strange that after he pointed out everyway of losing points that we should... of course. That's it. There should be some one in this room that knows all the answers. They want everyone to cheat and of you are a first-rate ninja you DON'T get caught.*
Itachi looked over at Haku. He caught the young boy's eyes. He had to try to send Haku a message in the way they created from working together. Having to communicate when you were watched had a few advantage to it. Itachi nodded slightly before looking down at the table while he slowly cracked his right thumb knuckle. *Cheat* He put his left hand over his right and pushed down on all his knuckles. *All/You* He then squeezed his finger on one hand except the thumb with his other hand. *Can* He threaded his finger together and pressed down a little. *Don't* He relaxed his hands and put his thumbs together and rested his chin on them. *Get* Itachi then looked at the examiners and rolled his eyes before looking back at Haku. *Caught.* Releasing his hands and picked up the pen again. *End of message.*
Haku looked a little shocked but got over it. *I have to trust Itachi-kun. I know he wouldn't tell me anything that could be wrong. What was it he said? Cheat-all/you-can-don't-get-caught. Well I can... Shimatta.* Haku looked down at his hands and the paper. *That examiner over there is really interested in me. He's looking at me all the time, he can't suspect anything, no he can't have seen...* Haku stopped a moment; a tear appeared on his head. *He doesn't think that I'm... a... girl?* Haku turned his head a little and saw the dreamy look in the examiners eyes. *Great.* Haku twisted inwardly as the guy blinked at him. *I can't cheat with him constantly looking at me. I hope he looks away soon and do his job.*
Haku waited for a few minutes but when he saw that the examiner was still stared only at him he couldn't take it anymore. Haku turned to fully face him. "Do you intend to stare at me the whole time before asking me out?"
The examiner looked pleased with himself. "Perhaps." He said.
Haku continued before letting him say anything else. "I'm not interested in a date with you. In case you don't see it I'm a boy."
The examiner fell over to the floor. His friends smirked at him. "So if you will stop staring at me, it's distracting." Haku's voice was chilled with little humour in it. He then looked over at Itachi and Naruto, both had a hard time not to laugh out loud.
Naruto had a hard time not laughing. He himself had fallen for Haku's appearance when they first met. He could see that most of the Genins was holding back laughter. Sasuke included, Naruto noted with private smile. *So he also got a good sense of humour.*
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment before turning back to the task ahead. He looked over at Joshua and sweated on the outside as well as on the inside. *What the hell is he thinks he's doing? Even a five year old can cheat better then that.*
Sasuke felt Naruto stiffen beside him and saw that he was looking at something. As curiosity killed him he looked at the same direction and saw the cause. A small vein appeared on his forehead as well as sweat. *That total baka.*
Joshua was stealing looks on the surrounding Genins papers when he thought no one was looking.
*What should I do, even I can see that one and the Chuunins around will...* Naruto's thought's was stopped in track as he heard a pen meeting paper on the other side. Both Naruto and Sasuke turned their head at the same time to see a Chuunin write something down before looking at Joshua with a smile and wrote some more down.
*Kuso, at this rate Sasuke will be gone in a few more minutes.* Naruto looked over at Sasuke and met his eyes as he sweated pretty badly too. *So Sasuke saw it too?* Naruto looked over at Itachi and Haku in a hurried movement and it caught their attention. They saw something was terribly wrong. Naruto almost never sweated like that.
The only time were when he had been left in his boxer in the ladies room, in the Hidden Grass Village, the local spring bath, just as a group of young women was about to come in and change after a refreshing bath. It had been a birthday prank played on him when he turned 11 years by Itachi, Haku and a few other people they knew. They had laughed their heads of when the women started to scream when they finally noticed Naruto in one of the lockers. They never let him live it down.
But this was different. *What could make him react like that?* Both Haku and Itachi thought at the same time.
Naruto's attention was once again turned to the examiner as he wrote some more down and his smile was just the same as he eyed Joshua.
Naruto's breathing was at new heights. *May be just one more time and he's out of here with Sasuke and Sakura. I can't allow it. Not now. Not this early. What can I do? WHAT do I want to do.* He looked around fast and gained a few wondering looks and caught a desperate look from Sasuke as he watched Joshua along with Sakura.
*I want to burn that paper.*
As he saw once more the failed attempt to cheat from Joshua and in slow motion did he see how the examiner smiled more as he brought his pen to his paper. *Kuso, kuso, kuso, kuso, kuso (x 20).* Both Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto thought in two seconds flat.
Naruto lowered his head so once again his eyes were cast in shadows by his half-long spiky hair. He stared at the doomed paper with a tensed look as he imaged it taking flames. His eyes shifted between blue and red. The red won as he concentrated on the paper. The examiner reached out for his kunai. *Like hell.* with that thought from Naruto the paper caught fire and burned. The examiner throws it away so it wouldn't burn his lap.
Naruto let out a deep breath. His eyes turned back to normal. *Now you have nothing on him.* Naruto thought with much ease going through his body. He looked over at Joshua; he seemed to have stopped looking at the others for the moment. Naruto sighed deeply. *Loser.* He suddenly froze when he felt a new pair of eyes from a different direction on him. He looked from the corner of his eye and saw the crimson haired boy from the sand staring at him with a new glint in his eyes Naruto hadn't seen before. *That guy... what's his problem? He couldn't have seen me.* Naruto stole one more look at the sand boy. *His eyes are creepy, doesn't he sleep?*
Naruto heard a deep breath from Sasuke and that caught his attention from the weird boy.
Sasuke closed his eyes in relief. That was close, not that he understood who did it but he was grateful. *I almost got a heart attack and I'm to young to even have a small one.* Sasuke glared at Joshua's back. *I will teach him late not to do something that stupid again as long as he is in the same team as me.* Sasuke looked at the clock. *20 minutes have passed, if we survive the rest 40 minutes with him cheating like that I will really think there is someone in here that is looking after us.*
Sasuke once more concentrated on his test. *No time to waste, not now when I've figured out the true cause of this test. Most of the Rookie Genins have probably figured it out and are about to make their moves.*
Sasuke closed his eyes. *Sharingan.* His eyes was red when he open them again and he began to copy the guy in front of him. *My hand is moving without hesitation. I got the right guy already.*
At the same time most of the Rookies started to use their ability's to cheat. Neji and Hinata used their Byakugan. Ino used a mind transfer jutsu on Sakura. Tenten used mirrors and threads and showed Rock Lee the answers she got from Shino from using the mirrors. Shino used his bugs. Kiba had Akamaru looking around for the answers. Sakura used her head and intelligence when Ino wasn't in her mind. Sasuke used his Sharingan. Kankouro asked to go to the bathroom, escorted by his doll.
The Chuunins started to throw out teams now that had members that cheated more then five times that they saw. More then 13 teams disappeared in less then four minutes. Those that didn't sweat before was doing it now.
At the same time Haku gathered enough chakra to create small almost transparent mirrors. He send them out to create a reflected mirror way to the one he used to look in and get the answers. Five different Genins around him and across the room became the victims. Itachi weakened his genjutsu so his eyes faded into a pale red colour. He then did the same as Sasuke and copied a few guys around him. It wasn't that he couldn't solve a few of the questions on his own but you couldn't be too careful.
*This is easier then I thought and no examiner that goes on my nerves this time.* Itachi stole a glance at his team mates. *Haku is using his mirrors, good. He will share the information he got with me to see if it's similar. Naruto you are on your own. You still don't know how to communicate with us without making mistakes. Last time you almost caused us our lives. So... gomen. You're on your own.*
At the same time a crimson haired boy was watching Naruto closely. *What was that chakra I felt for a moment? It was hungry. It was similar to my own. That boy caused that paper to burn with just one look. Is he like me?* He let his pale green eyes travel over Naruto. *I don't see it anymore. Is he controlling it differently then me?* Gaara of the Sand just let out a 'humph'. *Anyway, it doesn't matter in the end if he comes in my way.*
He then started his own jutsu with the sand to create a third eye. He send it out in its sand form and gathered information he just wrote down and then let go of the jutsu. He was probably the only Genin that didn't sweat a bit during the whole test. That impressed Ibiki.
Naruto looked around then at the clock. 25 minutes left. *It's time for my own cheating now.*
Naruto brought his hands together in a simple seal where he connected the finger tips with each other from his thumb to his index finger and then just twined the rest together. He closed his eyes in concentration. Chakra started to gather around him.
Sasuke looked at the blond as he felt the chakra emanating from him. He almost expected to see the blue chakra around him but the only evidence that there was chakra around him was the slight feeling of uneasiness Sasuke felt. There was no trace of chakra around him or anything. He just felt the presence of it. *What's going on?*
Naruto collected enough chakra before he released it into the room, letting it first go high up to the roof then out through out the room. He knew the ones that saw the seal couldn't accuse him for cheating for they couldn't see the masked chakra that partly belonged to some one very close to himself as well as his own.
Gaara looked sharply up as he once again felt the chakra. This time it was more of it and it felt more hungry and angry then when he first sensed it. He looked over at the blond boy and saw the concentration on his face. Even if Gaara's face didn't betray anything he was curious the blond boy. *What's he doing? There is no mistake, he's different from the rest just like I am.*
Itachi looked up at Naruto as he felt the all too familiar chakra. *Is he going to use that jutsu?* Itachi asked himself. *He never does anything small, just don't screw this up.*
Haku saw Naruto in his mirrors and from the look of Itachi in the next one he knew Naruto was about to do his move.
Naruto let the chakra flow around for a few seconds before gathering it at a point above him. It tensed and he then touched his closed eyes.
Ibiki observed the boy closely. *He's different now. Just a few minutes ago he was sweating like his life depended on it. Now he's calm and concentrated. I wonder what he's up to.*
Slowly but also pretty fast did the completely transparent charka transformed into a pair of closed eyes. Naruto let his hands fall to the desk. He slowly opens his eyes and the huge eyes above him did the same only they were a bright flaming colour of red. *The red eyes are open.* He just thought. As he turned his head to look around so did the red eyes. Only they saw everything, the other Genins paper test as they could look closer and see the answers. They could also see the Genins thoughts. They slowly paused in pleasure at the feeling of fear and mental stress that filled the room. Then they caught the thoughts of one Genin, only he wasn't a Genin but a Chuunin. Just what they where looking for. They looked closer on his paper and read the correct answers.
Naruto picked up his pen again and wrote down what he saw through his own eyes that was connected with the red ones.
Ibiki frowned. *What did he do?*
When Naruto was done he put down his pen and did the first seal again. The eyes disappeared and slowly the chakra he released came back to him. Sasuke could feel the chakra again but still saw nothing.
After Naruto was done with re-collecting his chakra he fell down to the desk. *Shimatta, greedy Kyuubi.* was the only thought Naruto had the strength to think. He was awake but his mind just didn't work. It was hard to even think.
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a slight worried eye. *What's wrong with him?* the next moment. *And why do I care about him anyway? I don't know him.* A few minutes passed and it was time for the 10th question. Ibiki walked closer to Naruto to see what his problem was when he slowly sat up again. Ibiki returned to his place at the front.
Itachi looked around for a moment. More then a third of the teams was left. This really was hard to the ones that didn't know how to cheat correctly. Itachi looked worriedly over at Naruto. He had warned Naruto from using that spying jutsu again for it made him weaker afterward and with the risk to his life it wasn't something that could be used for a longer time. Naruto would be dizzy and may be a little slow but that was an easy escape if you compare it to losing your mind.
Itachi sighed. *Naruto no baka. Of all the ways you used that one.*
Ibiki wasted no time, he explained there was a two sided choice to the question and that they had to decide if they wanted to take it and risk being Genins forever. Naruto was still dizzy and didn't grasp what Ibiki said. He only winched when he heard the shouts from some of the others in the room. *Kuso. At this rate I'm in deep trouble. What's he saying? Two sided choice. It sounds like any high ranked missions to me.* He felt that he was slowly returning back to awareness again. He saw team after team leave the room until there was only 26 left. *What happen to the others?*
Ibiki then said the hopeless rule again. "NANI???" Naruto yelled as he finally got it. He quiet down when he saw the look he received.
Naruto sat back down with not one more word. *I'm such a baka.*
Itachi and Haku smirked at the pink blush that covered Naruto's cheeks. *Dobe.* both thought.
*Why does this happen to me?* Naruto was sure he wanted to take the 10th question. *I'm pretty sure of m... what the hell is he doing?*
Naruto froze as he watched Joshua raise his hand. The poor boy was shaking with what he was feeling. It could be fear and lack of confidence. Naruto wasn't sure.
As his hand raised higher Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Haku and Itachi stiffen their spines.
*Not again.* Naruto actually was having his second heart attack for the day. *What can I do to stop him.*
Naruto saw Joshua standing up. Naruto swallowed. *Shimatta.* Naruto quickly held his own hand up. Itachi and Haku froze even more. *What's he doing?* Haku asked himself.
Naruto bite his teeth's together before slamming his hand down on the table with as much force he could to get everyone's attention.
"Screw you! I'm not going to run away! I'll take this problem. Even if I become Genin forever, I'm going to take it anyway to make people back home recognize my existence!"
The other Genins stared at him.
Naruto stood up sharply. "I'm not scared!" He then sat back down and to his relief he saw Joshua looking at him with big eyes but also something as he qualified as new confidence. He also knew that everyone else was watching him now.
Itachi let out a breath he had been holding. *He got a strong spirit. He knows what's he doing even at the same time he don't.*
Haku smiled lightly at his team mate. *He was a baka.*
Sasuke couldn't help but be impressed by the blond.
Ibiki looked directly at Naruto. "I will ask one more time. This is the choice that will impact your life. If you want to quit, now is the chance."
"I'm not going to take back my words. That's my 'Way of the Ninja'." Naruto felt so confident now, like he could take on anyone. Joshua looked at him before sitting back down too. The air was different now from before. Every one had new confidence in themselves.
Ibiki took a few steps forward. *Hm, interesting kid. He wiped out everyone's uncertainty. 78 students, eh? There's more left then I expected. Looks like there's no point in waiting any longer.*
The other examiners gave their approving with a nod.
"Then... For the First Exam, everyone here...... passes."
The room was death silent. What just happen?
Itachi blinked once then twice. *THAT BASTARD!!! It was this he had in mind.* for a moment it was very tempting to lower the genjutsu again and punish Ibiki but that wasn't an option at the moment. Itachi stood up. "What the hell is the meaning of this damn 10th question if we passed just now?" Itachi was mad, more then he had been in a long time.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he looked at Imasaki. (AN: Itachi's cover name, I can never remember it so when there's someone that knows Itachi's true identity I will use Itachi to point him out and such) There was something familiar with that guy. *What the hell is this feeling I get every time when he's close. It's like something is wrong with that guy.*
Itachi sat back down as he felt Sasuke's eyes on him and as Ibiki started to explain the question.
The rest of the students started to come out of their shocks now and many of them had question. Ibiki explained the true reason behind the nine questions and the hopeless rule. It made sense to most of them and they realized how Ibiki had a point with this test.
Naruto was finally back to normal from his little jutsu event. As normal that could be considered him. *I never learn.* He muttered to him self.
Naruto relaxed for a moment in his seat but from the corner of his eye he saw something through the window. *What the...*
The next moment some one burst through. The person introduced herself as Anko, Second Exam Leader.
Haku felt a big sweat drop on his head. *She's like Naruto.*
Itachi watched with mild amusement. *She's still the same.*
Naruto had also a big sweat drop on his head and he was sure Sasuke was in the same state. *She's... worse then me...* Naruto thought with half closed eyes.
"Now lets go, follow me." Anko said after commenting on how she would make more then half of them fail. The relaxed air got tense again, not as much but enough.
As they followed her out of the building Itachi stopped Naruto and Haku for a moment. "You two go ahead. I will follow soon. I got to pick something up if we want to continue this."
Both nodded and Itachi walked in a different direction.
"Where is he going?" Naruto and Haku turned to see Kiba, Akamaru, Hinata and Shino walking beside them.
"Oh, he...just..." Haku thought for something to say.
"He just needed to go to the bathroom." Naruto said. "We arrived a few minutes before the exam started and he didn't have time to go before it."
*Better then nothing.* Haku said even if he didn't like the excuse.
Kiba just stared at Naruto for a few moments before smirking. "I don't know who you are but I kind a like your style."
"Yokatta yo (I'm so glad)" Naruto said.
With that they walked together with the rest of the Genins to the second test.
tbc...
Author Note: That's it for now. I hope you liked it. I had so much fun writing it and I think I made it very good. Since I just start to write then follow the story my mind makes up for me. I don't know when the next one will be up. I don't have any school this week so it made it easier to work with my stories. Even if this one is getting the most reviews I'm still working on the others too, I won't let them go just because of something like that. ^_^'
Leave a review to me...
And if you have a few ideas about the second exam with Anko then leave it to me. I'll use it if I think it's good or come up with something similar.
If I'm going to be honest about the inspiration for the prologue I wrote for this one, I were listening to Evanescence: My Immortal. I just was bored out of my mind because writting took so long time (no inspiration) and then the song played and I was jumping up and down in my bed. (I had to be quiet because it was like 01.30 am) I'm a night owl sometimes I know :P NOW I'm talking to much again. I will let you read on and I hope you like. I'm trying to make Joshua less like Naruto in the series but don't shoot me if I sometime fail.
Parings: None so far and for a while.
Ranting: I think a have PG on this, I don't remember. *hits my head*
Summary: Naruto dissapeared when he was a two years. Now there is a team with a blond boy that are going to take the Chuunin exam. It's time for the first test.
Return of a Stranger
by Monkan
Chapter 3
Naruto turned his paper over at the same time as Sasuke and as he read through them he began to sweat. Was this reality? As he read through the first five questions he looked over at Itachi and Haku that was seated at the other side of the room. This was really bad. This was probably one of the worst test there could be. Itachi could probably handle it but for Haku and Naruto it was a different story. There was no way they could answer these things without cheating.
Naruto bit his lip. *What should I do? If I get caught cheating it's bad for all in my team but if I don't cheat I will may be able to answer these questions in my next life.*
Naruto looked around nervously. *Most of the other Genins are already shaking in their pants. The tension is so thick already you can cut It.* Naruto dared a glance at Sasuke. He was still reading through all the questions. As if feeling the stare he turned to look back at Naruto.
Sasuke could see a sweat drop running down the blonds face. *So him too? I can't answer a single one of these questions.*
Both turned back to their own paper, sweat appeared on their foreheads.
At the moment on the other side of the off the room Itachi was looking around the exam room. *Why did they have to send in that sadist on this test? It was hard enough when I took it when that glass bastard held it but this Ibiki is different.* Itachi swallowed. *Even I can feel the tension in the air go into my nerves. This is not good; I hope Naruto won't lose his nerves.*
He caught the eyes of one of the examiners. Itachi looked away immediately. *Chikushoo. They annoy me more then anything. It was pure luck last time that I didn't show that glass bastard where he could put those kuso marvels he had. Even if it would had been hard to almost impossible it would had been enjoyable to send him to the hospital for a month after that.*
Itachi smiled at the memories of his last head examiner. It had felt so good when that guy sat on the poisoned needle. Even if it just had been heavy sleeping poison it had warmed Itachi's heart greatly when that bastard was carried away crying like a baby in his sleep. *Ha, even Naruto didn't cry that much when he was four years old and awake.* Itachi smirked. It took two weeks before they let him out of the hospital and even if the glass bastard had suspected Itachi he didn't have anything against him. *How sweet revenge can be in small doses. I wasn't as innocent as they thought I was in that "incident".*
Itachi went through a few more quick memories before returning to reality. *What was it that Ibiki said; If you are a ninja, act like a first-rate one.* Itachi folded his hands under his chin, still holding his pen. *It really doesn't matter to me. I'm already a Chuunin but would be a Jounin now if things had worked out differently in the past. It's for Naruto and Haku that I'm doing this, the mission too. It sounds strange that after he pointed out everyway of losing points that we should... of course. That's it. There should be some one in this room that knows all the answers. They want everyone to cheat and of you are a first-rate ninja you DON'T get caught.*
Itachi looked over at Haku. He caught the young boy's eyes. He had to try to send Haku a message in the way they created from working together. Having to communicate when you were watched had a few advantage to it. Itachi nodded slightly before looking down at the table while he slowly cracked his right thumb knuckle. *Cheat* He put his left hand over his right and pushed down on all his knuckles. *All/You* He then squeezed his finger on one hand except the thumb with his other hand. *Can* He threaded his finger together and pressed down a little. *Don't* He relaxed his hands and put his thumbs together and rested his chin on them. *Get* Itachi then looked at the examiners and rolled his eyes before looking back at Haku. *Caught.* Releasing his hands and picked up the pen again. *End of message.*
Haku looked a little shocked but got over it. *I have to trust Itachi-kun. I know he wouldn't tell me anything that could be wrong. What was it he said? Cheat-all/you-can-don't-get-caught. Well I can... Shimatta.* Haku looked down at his hands and the paper. *That examiner over there is really interested in me. He's looking at me all the time, he can't suspect anything, no he can't have seen...* Haku stopped a moment; a tear appeared on his head. *He doesn't think that I'm... a... girl?* Haku turned his head a little and saw the dreamy look in the examiners eyes. *Great.* Haku twisted inwardly as the guy blinked at him. *I can't cheat with him constantly looking at me. I hope he looks away soon and do his job.*
Haku waited for a few minutes but when he saw that the examiner was still stared only at him he couldn't take it anymore. Haku turned to fully face him. "Do you intend to stare at me the whole time before asking me out?"
The examiner looked pleased with himself. "Perhaps." He said.
Haku continued before letting him say anything else. "I'm not interested in a date with you. In case you don't see it I'm a boy."
The examiner fell over to the floor. His friends smirked at him. "So if you will stop staring at me, it's distracting." Haku's voice was chilled with little humour in it. He then looked over at Itachi and Naruto, both had a hard time not to laugh out loud.
Naruto had a hard time not laughing. He himself had fallen for Haku's appearance when they first met. He could see that most of the Genins was holding back laughter. Sasuke included, Naruto noted with private smile. *So he also got a good sense of humour.*
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment before turning back to the task ahead. He looked over at Joshua and sweated on the outside as well as on the inside. *What the hell is he thinks he's doing? Even a five year old can cheat better then that.*
Sasuke felt Naruto stiffen beside him and saw that he was looking at something. As curiosity killed him he looked at the same direction and saw the cause. A small vein appeared on his forehead as well as sweat. *That total baka.*
Joshua was stealing looks on the surrounding Genins papers when he thought no one was looking.
*What should I do, even I can see that one and the Chuunins around will...* Naruto's thought's was stopped in track as he heard a pen meeting paper on the other side. Both Naruto and Sasuke turned their head at the same time to see a Chuunin write something down before looking at Joshua with a smile and wrote some more down.
*Kuso, at this rate Sasuke will be gone in a few more minutes.* Naruto looked over at Sasuke and met his eyes as he sweated pretty badly too. *So Sasuke saw it too?* Naruto looked over at Itachi and Haku in a hurried movement and it caught their attention. They saw something was terribly wrong. Naruto almost never sweated like that.
The only time were when he had been left in his boxer in the ladies room, in the Hidden Grass Village, the local spring bath, just as a group of young women was about to come in and change after a refreshing bath. It had been a birthday prank played on him when he turned 11 years by Itachi, Haku and a few other people they knew. They had laughed their heads of when the women started to scream when they finally noticed Naruto in one of the lockers. They never let him live it down.
But this was different. *What could make him react like that?* Both Haku and Itachi thought at the same time.
Naruto's attention was once again turned to the examiner as he wrote some more down and his smile was just the same as he eyed Joshua.
Naruto's breathing was at new heights. *May be just one more time and he's out of here with Sasuke and Sakura. I can't allow it. Not now. Not this early. What can I do? WHAT do I want to do.* He looked around fast and gained a few wondering looks and caught a desperate look from Sasuke as he watched Joshua along with Sakura.
*I want to burn that paper.*
As he saw once more the failed attempt to cheat from Joshua and in slow motion did he see how the examiner smiled more as he brought his pen to his paper. *Kuso, kuso, kuso, kuso, kuso (x 20).* Both Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto thought in two seconds flat.
Naruto lowered his head so once again his eyes were cast in shadows by his half-long spiky hair. He stared at the doomed paper with a tensed look as he imaged it taking flames. His eyes shifted between blue and red. The red won as he concentrated on the paper. The examiner reached out for his kunai. *Like hell.* with that thought from Naruto the paper caught fire and burned. The examiner throws it away so it wouldn't burn his lap.
Naruto let out a deep breath. His eyes turned back to normal. *Now you have nothing on him.* Naruto thought with much ease going through his body. He looked over at Joshua; he seemed to have stopped looking at the others for the moment. Naruto sighed deeply. *Loser.* He suddenly froze when he felt a new pair of eyes from a different direction on him. He looked from the corner of his eye and saw the crimson haired boy from the sand staring at him with a new glint in his eyes Naruto hadn't seen before. *That guy... what's his problem? He couldn't have seen me.* Naruto stole one more look at the sand boy. *His eyes are creepy, doesn't he sleep?*
Naruto heard a deep breath from Sasuke and that caught his attention from the weird boy.
Sasuke closed his eyes in relief. That was close, not that he understood who did it but he was grateful. *I almost got a heart attack and I'm to young to even have a small one.* Sasuke glared at Joshua's back. *I will teach him late not to do something that stupid again as long as he is in the same team as me.* Sasuke looked at the clock. *20 minutes have passed, if we survive the rest 40 minutes with him cheating like that I will really think there is someone in here that is looking after us.*
Sasuke once more concentrated on his test. *No time to waste, not now when I've figured out the true cause of this test. Most of the Rookie Genins have probably figured it out and are about to make their moves.*
Sasuke closed his eyes. *Sharingan.* His eyes was red when he open them again and he began to copy the guy in front of him. *My hand is moving without hesitation. I got the right guy already.*
At the same time most of the Rookies started to use their ability's to cheat. Neji and Hinata used their Byakugan. Ino used a mind transfer jutsu on Sakura. Tenten used mirrors and threads and showed Rock Lee the answers she got from Shino from using the mirrors. Shino used his bugs. Kiba had Akamaru looking around for the answers. Sakura used her head and intelligence when Ino wasn't in her mind. Sasuke used his Sharingan. Kankouro asked to go to the bathroom, escorted by his doll.
The Chuunins started to throw out teams now that had members that cheated more then five times that they saw. More then 13 teams disappeared in less then four minutes. Those that didn't sweat before was doing it now.
At the same time Haku gathered enough chakra to create small almost transparent mirrors. He send them out to create a reflected mirror way to the one he used to look in and get the answers. Five different Genins around him and across the room became the victims. Itachi weakened his genjutsu so his eyes faded into a pale red colour. He then did the same as Sasuke and copied a few guys around him. It wasn't that he couldn't solve a few of the questions on his own but you couldn't be too careful.
*This is easier then I thought and no examiner that goes on my nerves this time.* Itachi stole a glance at his team mates. *Haku is using his mirrors, good. He will share the information he got with me to see if it's similar. Naruto you are on your own. You still don't know how to communicate with us without making mistakes. Last time you almost caused us our lives. So... gomen. You're on your own.*
At the same time a crimson haired boy was watching Naruto closely. *What was that chakra I felt for a moment? It was hungry. It was similar to my own. That boy caused that paper to burn with just one look. Is he like me?* He let his pale green eyes travel over Naruto. *I don't see it anymore. Is he controlling it differently then me?* Gaara of the Sand just let out a 'humph'. *Anyway, it doesn't matter in the end if he comes in my way.*
He then started his own jutsu with the sand to create a third eye. He send it out in its sand form and gathered information he just wrote down and then let go of the jutsu. He was probably the only Genin that didn't sweat a bit during the whole test. That impressed Ibiki.
Naruto looked around then at the clock. 25 minutes left. *It's time for my own cheating now.*
Naruto brought his hands together in a simple seal where he connected the finger tips with each other from his thumb to his index finger and then just twined the rest together. He closed his eyes in concentration. Chakra started to gather around him.
Sasuke looked at the blond as he felt the chakra emanating from him. He almost expected to see the blue chakra around him but the only evidence that there was chakra around him was the slight feeling of uneasiness Sasuke felt. There was no trace of chakra around him or anything. He just felt the presence of it. *What's going on?*
Naruto collected enough chakra before he released it into the room, letting it first go high up to the roof then out through out the room. He knew the ones that saw the seal couldn't accuse him for cheating for they couldn't see the masked chakra that partly belonged to some one very close to himself as well as his own.
Gaara looked sharply up as he once again felt the chakra. This time it was more of it and it felt more hungry and angry then when he first sensed it. He looked over at the blond boy and saw the concentration on his face. Even if Gaara's face didn't betray anything he was curious the blond boy. *What's he doing? There is no mistake, he's different from the rest just like I am.*
Itachi looked up at Naruto as he felt the all too familiar chakra. *Is he going to use that jutsu?* Itachi asked himself. *He never does anything small, just don't screw this up.*
Haku saw Naruto in his mirrors and from the look of Itachi in the next one he knew Naruto was about to do his move.
Naruto let the chakra flow around for a few seconds before gathering it at a point above him. It tensed and he then touched his closed eyes.
Ibiki observed the boy closely. *He's different now. Just a few minutes ago he was sweating like his life depended on it. Now he's calm and concentrated. I wonder what he's up to.*
Slowly but also pretty fast did the completely transparent charka transformed into a pair of closed eyes. Naruto let his hands fall to the desk. He slowly opens his eyes and the huge eyes above him did the same only they were a bright flaming colour of red. *The red eyes are open.* He just thought. As he turned his head to look around so did the red eyes. Only they saw everything, the other Genins paper test as they could look closer and see the answers. They could also see the Genins thoughts. They slowly paused in pleasure at the feeling of fear and mental stress that filled the room. Then they caught the thoughts of one Genin, only he wasn't a Genin but a Chuunin. Just what they where looking for. They looked closer on his paper and read the correct answers.
Naruto picked up his pen again and wrote down what he saw through his own eyes that was connected with the red ones.
Ibiki frowned. *What did he do?*
When Naruto was done he put down his pen and did the first seal again. The eyes disappeared and slowly the chakra he released came back to him. Sasuke could feel the chakra again but still saw nothing.
After Naruto was done with re-collecting his chakra he fell down to the desk. *Shimatta, greedy Kyuubi.* was the only thought Naruto had the strength to think. He was awake but his mind just didn't work. It was hard to even think.
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a slight worried eye. *What's wrong with him?* the next moment. *And why do I care about him anyway? I don't know him.* A few minutes passed and it was time for the 10th question. Ibiki walked closer to Naruto to see what his problem was when he slowly sat up again. Ibiki returned to his place at the front.
Itachi looked around for a moment. More then a third of the teams was left. This really was hard to the ones that didn't know how to cheat correctly. Itachi looked worriedly over at Naruto. He had warned Naruto from using that spying jutsu again for it made him weaker afterward and with the risk to his life it wasn't something that could be used for a longer time. Naruto would be dizzy and may be a little slow but that was an easy escape if you compare it to losing your mind.
Itachi sighed. *Naruto no baka. Of all the ways you used that one.*
Ibiki wasted no time, he explained there was a two sided choice to the question and that they had to decide if they wanted to take it and risk being Genins forever. Naruto was still dizzy and didn't grasp what Ibiki said. He only winched when he heard the shouts from some of the others in the room. *Kuso. At this rate I'm in deep trouble. What's he saying? Two sided choice. It sounds like any high ranked missions to me.* He felt that he was slowly returning back to awareness again. He saw team after team leave the room until there was only 26 left. *What happen to the others?*
Ibiki then said the hopeless rule again. "NANI???" Naruto yelled as he finally got it. He quiet down when he saw the look he received.
Naruto sat back down with not one more word. *I'm such a baka.*
Itachi and Haku smirked at the pink blush that covered Naruto's cheeks. *Dobe.* both thought.
*Why does this happen to me?* Naruto was sure he wanted to take the 10th question. *I'm pretty sure of m... what the hell is he doing?*
Naruto froze as he watched Joshua raise his hand. The poor boy was shaking with what he was feeling. It could be fear and lack of confidence. Naruto wasn't sure.
As his hand raised higher Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Haku and Itachi stiffen their spines.
*Not again.* Naruto actually was having his second heart attack for the day. *What can I do to stop him.*
Naruto saw Joshua standing up. Naruto swallowed. *Shimatta.* Naruto quickly held his own hand up. Itachi and Haku froze even more. *What's he doing?* Haku asked himself.
Naruto bite his teeth's together before slamming his hand down on the table with as much force he could to get everyone's attention.
"Screw you! I'm not going to run away! I'll take this problem. Even if I become Genin forever, I'm going to take it anyway to make people back home recognize my existence!"
The other Genins stared at him.
Naruto stood up sharply. "I'm not scared!" He then sat back down and to his relief he saw Joshua looking at him with big eyes but also something as he qualified as new confidence. He also knew that everyone else was watching him now.
Itachi let out a breath he had been holding. *He got a strong spirit. He knows what's he doing even at the same time he don't.*
Haku smiled lightly at his team mate. *He was a baka.*
Sasuke couldn't help but be impressed by the blond.
Ibiki looked directly at Naruto. "I will ask one more time. This is the choice that will impact your life. If you want to quit, now is the chance."
"I'm not going to take back my words. That's my 'Way of the Ninja'." Naruto felt so confident now, like he could take on anyone. Joshua looked at him before sitting back down too. The air was different now from before. Every one had new confidence in themselves.
Ibiki took a few steps forward. *Hm, interesting kid. He wiped out everyone's uncertainty. 78 students, eh? There's more left then I expected. Looks like there's no point in waiting any longer.*
The other examiners gave their approving with a nod.
"Then... For the First Exam, everyone here...... passes."
The room was death silent. What just happen?
Itachi blinked once then twice. *THAT BASTARD!!! It was this he had in mind.* for a moment it was very tempting to lower the genjutsu again and punish Ibiki but that wasn't an option at the moment. Itachi stood up. "What the hell is the meaning of this damn 10th question if we passed just now?" Itachi was mad, more then he had been in a long time.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he looked at Imasaki. (AN: Itachi's cover name, I can never remember it so when there's someone that knows Itachi's true identity I will use Itachi to point him out and such) There was something familiar with that guy. *What the hell is this feeling I get every time when he's close. It's like something is wrong with that guy.*
Itachi sat back down as he felt Sasuke's eyes on him and as Ibiki started to explain the question.
The rest of the students started to come out of their shocks now and many of them had question. Ibiki explained the true reason behind the nine questions and the hopeless rule. It made sense to most of them and they realized how Ibiki had a point with this test.
Naruto was finally back to normal from his little jutsu event. As normal that could be considered him. *I never learn.* He muttered to him self.
Naruto relaxed for a moment in his seat but from the corner of his eye he saw something through the window. *What the...*
The next moment some one burst through. The person introduced herself as Anko, Second Exam Leader.
Haku felt a big sweat drop on his head. *She's like Naruto.*
Itachi watched with mild amusement. *She's still the same.*
Naruto had also a big sweat drop on his head and he was sure Sasuke was in the same state. *She's... worse then me...* Naruto thought with half closed eyes.
"Now lets go, follow me." Anko said after commenting on how she would make more then half of them fail. The relaxed air got tense again, not as much but enough.
As they followed her out of the building Itachi stopped Naruto and Haku for a moment. "You two go ahead. I will follow soon. I got to pick something up if we want to continue this."
Both nodded and Itachi walked in a different direction.
"Where is he going?" Naruto and Haku turned to see Kiba, Akamaru, Hinata and Shino walking beside them.
"Oh, he...just..." Haku thought for something to say.
"He just needed to go to the bathroom." Naruto said. "We arrived a few minutes before the exam started and he didn't have time to go before it."
*Better then nothing.* Haku said even if he didn't like the excuse.
Kiba just stared at Naruto for a few moments before smirking. "I don't know who you are but I kind a like your style."
"Yokatta yo (I'm so glad)" Naruto said.
With that they walked together with the rest of the Genins to the second test.
tbc...
Author Note: That's it for now. I hope you liked it. I had so much fun writing it and I think I made it very good. Since I just start to write then follow the story my mind makes up for me. I don't know when the next one will be up. I don't have any school this week so it made it easier to work with my stories. Even if this one is getting the most reviews I'm still working on the others too, I won't let them go just because of something like that. ^_^'
Leave a review to me...
And if you have a few ideas about the second exam with Anko then leave it to me. I'll use it if I think it's good or come up with something similar.