THANKS FOR THE 100! You are all the greatest!
I'm still alive and still writing. Things are starting to get explained and the Chunin Exams start. Have fun reading, and sorry if it is utter crap. Took forever to come up with an idea of how to write this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Seven: Letting Go
One week wasn't enough to prepare four Genin for Hell. Kurenai didn't know in the beginning how much time she had, but she tried. Naruto spent hours fixing up instant traps that would work with where they figured Zabuza and his henchman was going to attack. Team Eight spent the week in a nervous fog because they saw what that man did to Kurenai. What could they do any different? When the day came, nobody would expect Naruto to just stand there again.
"Naruto, maybe you should come inside?" Hinata asked as she leaned out the window. Naruto was standing on the roof, looking into the forest around them. "Everything will be fine, so you don't have to worry tonight." Naruto said nothing as he pulled out his cigarettes. Hinata could soon smell the mint smoke. The Hyuuga heiress sighed and pulled away from the window. She figured he was just nervous. Naruto stood on the roof with the cigarette balanced on his lips because he was anxious. He wanted to be the one to snap Zabuza's neck for what he did to Kurenai. He finished smoking and climbed back into the room because he would have to be patient.
ICECOLD
Team Eight's reports would all be different at the start of the battle because no one was quite sure what happened. What they were sure on was that Naruto reacted first due to being the closest. Kurenai immediately gave out orders, but everyone wanted a straight story of the beginning. The next morning after Naruto's roof smoke, they arrived at the bridge with Tazuna to find his work crew injured and crawling off the bridge. Naruto took the first blow because he wanted to. Zabuza had gone in to attack Tazuna without his sword, but Naruto caught his fist and pushed him back. Both of them disappeared into the mist as Kurenai quickly gave the orders.
"Hinata, keep a tight guard on Tazuna. You have the best eyes. Shino and Kiba, you two look out for the assistant," Kurenai said. She closed her eyes and tried to focus in on Naruto's chakra signature. This is another part of the reports that was a little hazy. Kurenai disappeared into the mist while Kiba and Shino were attacked by the assistant. Hinata was left alone in the mist with the target. Many Jonin would later argue that this was the first mistake the group made, but others would argue that it was their best choice. Hinata drew a kunai and kept her Byakugan activated. She watched her teammates fight with a feeling of complete hopelessness.
"So Fox is coming back to play," Zabuza said, smirking under his wraps. Kurenai looked at Naruto to see he had placed a blank white mask over his face. He was using it to block out his emotions. Kurenai couldn't help but remember her brother's mask. He told her that it was the perfect way to hide the true emotions going on. "When will Konoha learn that not even Fox can kill me?" Naruto didn't speak. He pulled four black balls from his pouch as Zabuza waited for him to make the first move.
"Zabuza, this isn't Konoha fighting you. It's Fox, and he's itching for some fun," Naruto said. Kill the demon! Kill! Kill! Blood for blood! Naruto threw the balls, which exploded on contact with the concrete. Kurenai jumped over to Naruto and whispered something to him. They needed to keep the missing ninja still. Naruto could've laughed. He knew the perfect way. Kurenai just needed him immobile for a few seconds to put a genjutsu on him.
"Girl, we should run. Leave them to fight while we warn the village," Tazuna said. Hinata politely ignored him as she watched two things happen. One was Naruto performing an earth jutsu that trapped Zabuza, and the other one was Kiba falling down with his chakra signature disappearing. The mist was starting to clear as the movement of two signatures became blurred by speed. The mist cleared to Naruto's arm being through Zabuza's assistant instead of Zabuza. The dead boy looked so peaceful and had ripped off Naruto's mask. The white haired boy looked confused. He looked at where Kiba and Shino had been fighting. Kiba was there in a pool of blood and loaded with needles. Shino didn't look as bad. Naruto growled and dodged Zabuza's escape with the dead body still attached to him. Hinata watched Naruto place the dead near Kiba and Shino. He was staring at Kiba's motionless form. Kurenai continued to try to get Zabuza into a genjutsu. "What is happening with the boy?" Tazuna actually sounded concerned. Hinata looked through her Byakugan and saw a flood of red chakra fill Naruto's body.
"Wow, Kiri sucks at teaching its shinobi manners," Naruto said, facing Zabuza and Kurenai. Zabuza looked at him. "You let your tool die, Zabuza. You have nothing left to lose." Naruto's red eyes frightened Hinata as she watched, too paralyzed to react. "I would love to kill you quickly to end this silly game, but I think I'm going to do what Founder created me to do." Naruto chuckled darkly as he walked away from Kiba's body. "This is the Konoha way, Zabuza. It's called…" Naruto was blurred as he rushed Zabuza with a quick kick to the jaw. "Vengeance!" Naruto grabbed Zabuza's wrappings to pull him back.
"Why do you care about these people? You're just a tool for them to use. You were made to be a tool without emotions. You think you're better than Haku? You're not," Zabuza spat out. Naruto's face darkened as he growled and tackled the bigger shinobi. Everyone listened to the sickening crunch of Zabuza's arms breaking in several places. Kurenai was examining Shino and Kiba while trying to get Hinata and Shino to ignore what was happening. Naruto was repeatedly punching Zabuza in the face until he tired and got up. "You're a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. Why do you care?" Naruto stared down at the missing shinobi and couldn't find the words.
"Naruto, leave him be. I'll have him bound, so relax," Kurenai said. Naruto nodded, but the red eyes didn't go away. Hinata had been instructed to get Tazuna off the bridge and back into the village. Naruto watched over the body of Kiba with Shino, who asked nothing about Naruto's lack of jutsu during the fight. He only knew of the one earth jutsu, but it didn't stop him from wondering if Naruto just preferred to fight without chakra. "He's ready to go!" Kurenai waved for Naruto to come over to help. Shino noticed something else strange about the white haired boy. Kurenai has several cuts and a bunch of bruises. Naruto was complete okay despite the rips in his clothes. Shino was the first to spot the man in the suit with the cane. He was the one who was known as Gato.
"Zabuza, I knew you and your pet were going to fail. Sorry to see you go though. You were a great lap dog," Gato said as Zabuza growled. The man in the suit said no more when a kunai found itself imbedded in his forehead. Naruto stood there with his fingers outstretched. He put his arm down as the bridge began to rumble. Sections of the bridge began exploding as Naruto fumbled through getting the clone jutsu. He managed to create two clones and got Kiba and Kurenai almost off the bridge when everything collapsed from underneath them. The real Naruto eventually saw black as he was buried under the concrete with his team. The water was thankfully blocked by concrete.
ICECOLD
Naruto came to in the Assassin Corp's infirmary. You're an idiot at best. Letting someone just sneak in explosives is an idiot's move. Naruto groaned and covered his eyes with a bandaged hand. He could feel the IV needle in his other hand and wanted to roll over. He was glad he didn't have to wear the breathing mask. He lifted his hand and looked around him. The infirmary wasn't a scary place to be. It was just uncomfortable and lacked the whiteness of the hospital. Naruto yawned and wanted to get up, but his body protested. He closed his eyes as he waited for something to happen. As if getting buried alive wasn't enough of a something. Naruto could hear the footsteps of someone approaching him.
"Get up, Fox," Founder said. Naruto looked up at the Jonin. "Feeling like crap, huh? Well, you have a week to heal up before they're throwing Team Seven into the Chunin exams. Relax and make sure everything is healed properly. Naruto wanted to hate Founder because of what Zabuza said. The white haired teen just stared. "I also suggest you get something done with your hair. The nurses only shaved off chunks, so you might want to get the rest fixed." Naruto watched Founder leave without a goodbye. He was tired again. Goodnight, you poor bastard.
ICECOLD
Kurenai didn't know where she was. Trapped in the mist that swirled around her. She heard crying and screaming, but she couldn't find them. Where were they? Kurenai felt like her heart was being ripped into pieces. She heard someone breathing heavily behind her. Naruto was looking at her with one eye while the other was gone. His fingers and left arm were bent at a funky angle. He was bleeding from everywhere it seemed. His skin had black burns. Every step he took toward her had a crunching sound. A broken bone in his leg. Kurenai looked in horror at what happened to Naruto.
"He…got…them," Naruto breathed out, spitting up blood. A lung was pierced. Kurenai rushed over to him and tried to find a way to fix him. Naruto wasn't supposed to be like this. He was fixable! "I…love…you." Naruto collapsed into her arms and rested there. His breathing becoming shallow. "It hurts, Kurenai. I broke my promise." Naruto looked at her and used the last of his energy to plant a bloody kiss on her cheek. Kurenai cried because Naruto never would. He smiled and fell limp.
"Naruto!" Kurenai shouted. She shook him and patted his face. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't. Kurenai suddenly realized that Naruto was her precious person. She never told him anything, but he told her everything. "Please don't go. You promised." Kurenai cried because she felt so pathetic in the mist. She didn't even care when the shadow fell over her. It was all over now. What was left for her and this mission? Everyone was dead. "You promised to never leave me. I never meant for this to happen." Kurenai didn't even hear the sword cutting through the air.
ICECOLD
Kurenai woke up, startled and a bit confused as she looked around. She was home. In Konoha, and alive. She relaxed and tried to go back to sleep, but the nightmare wouldn't leave her alone. She stared at her ceiling and remembered what happened when the bridge collapsed on them. She remembered being with a whimpering Kiba, who held Akamaru close to his body. They had landed just so that the rumble created a small area for them. Kurenai hated the darkness the most. How they didn't run out of air was still confusing to Kurenai.
"Oh, what the hell?" Kurenai grumbled when something started fiercely pounding on her front door. She rolled out of bed, more than grateful for the distraction. She figured it was Kiba with Shino or Hinata. They were having trouble with the trauma. She was almost willing to have a Yamanaka block it from their minds. It would be so easy, but they had to learn. Kurenai opened the door to Anko. The purple haired woman hugged her best friend almost immediately. It was Anko and Kakashi who dug them out. Hinata had found Naruto's radio among his things. She sent SOS signals to the channel the radio was on. Luckily, Naruto and Anko had been messing with the radios while Naruto had been in the village. That was the official story. Kurenai knew Naruto gave Hinata the radio before because he wanted someone to be alerted if he failed to stop Zabuza. The only person he trusted completely was Anko.
"I went to see Naruto today. He was out of bed and discussing something with Kakashi," Anko said. She had been giving Kurenai, who wasn't allowed to visit Naruto, updates about the white haired boy. "He's pale and looks like one of the sick." That was to be expected. Kurenai couldn't remember most of being buried. She remembered more about being unburied. Anko and Kakashi got to her and Kiba first because they were closer to each other. The purple haired woman was forced to take Kurenai away from the scene when Shino and Naruto were dug out. "How is your team?" Anko was trying to be nice and forget about the state the two boys were found in.
"Kiba told me that Akamaru is fit for training again, and he, himself, was able to start training about a week after the mission. Shino is getting there. He'll be healed up in time for the exams, but he's still battered a bit," Kurenai said softly. She remembered the conversation she had with her team's parents. "Hiashi is grateful his daughter didn't undergo harm, but he requested that Naruto no longer partakes in any mission with Hinata." Anko nodded. She then looked as if she just remembered something.
"Remember how I told you about Naruto's head injuries? How the nursing staff cut chunks of hair from the sides where the cuts were?" Anko asked, almost smiling. Kurenai nodded cautiously. "Kakashi informed Naruto that it needed to be fixed. Naruto got my teammate, Kyo, to cut it his hair for him. I thought Kakashi would've convinced the kid to go bald, but you should see Naruto's hairstyle." Anko said nothing more despite Kurenai's pleading. It had to be entertaining if Anko wanted Kurenai to wait. "I better get going. Naruto is probably sitting in the weight room, waiting for me." Anko left slowly, and Kurenai just sat there. She felt lonely when her friend was gone.
ICECOLD
Naruto stood in the killing room. His body screamed for him to leave, but he protested. He stared at the floor where there were no markings of any deaths happening in the room. Naruto sat down and just thought about the mission and the mistakes he had made on it. He growled when he realized how badly he had screwed up. His fists tightened as he remembered being buried. He couldn't stop thinking about what happened after he passed out. He died. He was sure of that, and the nurses who cut into the sides of his skull said so too. Naruto unclenched his fingers and stared at them. He had talked to Tora.
Naruto was confused when he woke up next to a crackling fire. He groaned and sat up to look around him because he wasn't where he last remembered. This was better than being buried. Naruto forced himself to stand and didn't notice the lack of pain in his body. Even his normal pains weren't there. Naruto noticed only that he wasn't alone. Sitting near the fire was a timeless Uzumaki Tora, smiling proudly at Naruto.
"Sit, little man," Tora said. Naruto sat next to his adopted father and was comfortable in the silence. Tora sighed and put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You've grown well. The scars are a bit worrisome, but I'm glad you survived until now." Naruto's face must've betrayed him as he didn't want to look confused. "You died, Naruto. Out for the count. A hero probably by the way you arrived." Tora didn't explain anymore. Naruto couldn't look at his father because of the shame he still felt. "Tell me, little man, what is eating you away?" Naruto stared at the dirt as he spoke.
"I'm an assassin. A Genin one, but I've killed many. I made mistakes and haven't lived the life of a hero or the way you wanted me to," Naruto said. He stood up and wanted to run away, but where would he go? Tora stood up and chuckled. "I haven't read any fairytales in a long time. I can't even walk into your bedroom in the apartment because every time I try, I feel like a failure because I want to be a son you're proud of!" Naruto felt embarrassed, but Tora tapped his shoulder. The younger boy turned to face his father and was engulfed in a hug.
"Naruto, I am proud of you. You're a man now and have survived a lot. I want you to never lose yourself to the assassin and to go into my bedroom. There are things you should have," Tora said as he hugged his son. Naruto returned the hug and remembered the hug from when he was three. "I've missed you, Naruto." Tora pulled back and looked over the white haired Genin. He smiled and ruffled the white hair. "Read the fairytales. They'll help keep you sane. Trust me." Tora pulled Naruto back to sitting down again. The father and son talked about everything and nothing at all. As daylight touched the horizon, Tora looked concerned. "Naruto, I love you very much, but I can't stay with you. You haven't completely died, so the next time I see you, you'll be a grown man. Remember what I said, and don't let the illusions fool you. Good morning, little man." Tora disappeared with a smile and a soft hug. Naruto felt pain explode in his chest then, but it wasn't pain from Tora's leaving.
"You look almost ridiculous," a soft voice said. Some days, so do they. Naruto opened his eyes and found he had lain back on the floor. Anko was hovering over him and grinning. "What are you doing?" Anko knew about Naruto's meeting with Tora. It helped the Genin a lot because he seemed to stand a little prouder and more relaxed. "Foxy-kun, you don't want to be late for meeting your team. You have to become a Chunin and get out of here." Anko grabbed Naruto's arm and dragged him out of the room. "Good luck." Anko said nothing more as they were the first two at the meeting spot outside the academy.
"Thank you for the escort, Anko," Naruto said. Anko smiled and kept looking around. Naruto said nothing because it was Anko. She was bound to be weird. She soon gave up whatever game she was thinking of because she stood right in front of him. "What is it this time?" Naruto wasn't entirely sure what was going on.
"Here," Anko said, holding out a fuzzy yellow fur ball. Naruto put both of his hands in a cup formation to take the fuzz. It meowed in his hands, and Naruto froze. "This is something I was saving for your birthday, so happy early birthday." Naruto watched as a tiny kitten face looked up at him with almost a smile. Kill it. It'll only suffer with you. "He's the runt, but I rescued him like Tora rescued you. He's yours to look after." Anko grinned at the stunned look on Naruto's face. "I guess I should explain something about him to you. This is a kitten of a Kumo clan's shinobi cats. Nii Yugito was happy to give him to me. She told me he would probably die, but I kept him alive." Naruto stared at the tiny thing that was currently licking his fingers. "It'll be a little bit before you can train with him, but he's growing." Anko paused and smiled. "What's his name?" Naruto just raised an eyebrow. "He deserves a name!" Naruto smiled with his eyes as used a finger to gently pet the kitten.
"I think I will call him Ritoruman," Naruto said. You're so weak. Anko laughed. Little man was the perfect name for such an adorable creature. Ritoruman yawned in agreement. "Anko, can you take him back to my room? I don't want him to get hurt in the exams." Naruto gently gave up his new companion before Anko left. His teammates showed up not long after, so it was time to go take his exams.
ICECOLD
Team Eight and Team Ten stood close together because they didn't have the urge to get pulverized into a pulp. Shino was finally completely healed, and the team quietly agreed not to speak about the mission. Nobody was really talking because they were nervous. A group of older Genin walked in. Hinata kind of looked away because the one guy looked to be in her family. His teammate who was wearing a green jumpsuit looked a bit roughed up, which was against the rules.
"The Uchiha kid didn't bother me as much. He just fought because I'm stronger. His teammate with the Mohawk though. He was truly frightening," the jumpsuit kid said. His teammates looked almost embarrassed. "He didn't say anything, but I could see in his eyes that he could find several ways to kill me! A fellow Leaf shinobi! He was smoking too, so we know he's so unyouthful!" Kiba, Hinata, and Shino were a little lost. Naruto wasn't participating? A team needed three Genin. It didn't have to be the three original Genin though. Maybe Naruto was still injured. Kurenai said Naruto had a few head injuries.
"Sasuke!" Ino shouted, running to the door as she had spotted the Uchiha. Both teams slowly followed. Everyone was stunned at the white haired Genin sporting a Mohawk. He stood behind the struggling Uchiha with Sakura. His mouth was mumbling something out as it held onto a cigarette. Everyone could tell there was more changes to Naruto than just his hair. "It's a shame you had to bring Forehead and the Freak." Naruto shrugged off the insult and nodded to Team Eight. "Naruto, this is a public place. Don't you think that the children would be frightened by your scars? It's disgusting. Put a shirt on." Naruto had a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
"Ino, I'm sorry. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I'm allergic to idiots?" Naruto asked. Ino growled at him as Naruto shook his head. "Sakura, do you have the scrolls with my clothes?" Sakura smiled as she handed Naruto a small scroll. Kiba looked over Naruto before he had put the shirt on. Burns littered his sides with a few other nicks and minor scarring. The one on his stomach matted one on his back, and Kiba wondered what had happened. Naruto's arms were scratched up, but he didn't appear to have too many scars that would be frightening. The one that gave his neck an almost grotesque smile and the two on either side of his head were the only frightening ones. The ones on his head seemed to bubble outwards as well. Naruto looked odd with his t-shirt on. Kiba listened to Akamaru whimper. Naruto now had an energy about him that was definitely new.
"You know, you're going to get yourselves killed?" a new voice said. Naruto stepped in the lead to address the newcomer. Kabuto was what Kiba heard him say. "People don't like it when new Genin think that they're all that and show off." Naruto didn't seem bothered by the comment. Remove his head. "Here, since you are all new to the game, I'll show you something." Naruto stood in the background almost as Kabuto showed off his little card trick. "I can even show you about different Genin in the competition." Sasuke was mumbling off a list of names. Naruto caught his own name, but he didn't care. Sasuke was weighting the chance of fighting Naruto and surviving. There were things that nobody knew about Naruto. "Uzumaki Naruto? An adopted shinobi of the dead Uzumaki Tora. No D ranked missions, one A ranked and several unranked ones. Most information is locked away for Hokage eyes only. Naruto must be a high risk Genin for that. It makes you wonder if he killed Tora because Tora did die when he was young." Naruto snapped. He could deal with his stats being riddled off, but don't bring Tora into it.
"You bastard!" Naruto shouted. He grabbed Kabuto by his shirt and growled the most inhuman way. The killer intent leaked had everyone staring. Naruto's eyes were starting to change to red because Naruto was so angry. "Leave Tora out of it! He was a great man! You know nothing about me!" Rookie Nine was stunned by this outburst. Rip out his eyes! Remove his tongue! Naruto stopped and allowed himself to calm down. Kabuto was almost shaking. This boy was definitely the one his master spoke about. "Insult me all you want. Call me every damn name there is. I will take it without a glance, but never bring my precious people into the insult. Especially my father!" Kabuto smirked and pushed up his glasses.
"He's not your father. You were an unloved creature who has no parents. What science experiment created you, Naruto?" Kabuto said. Naruto didn't care about never becoming a Chunin at that moment. His eyes became a cold blue as every sound stopped. Naruto never looked as inhuman as he did then. Even Sasuke and Sakura thought so, and they've seen how he killed. Naruto punched Kabuto straight in the gut and listened to him groan. "Nobody will ever love such a creature as you!" Kabuto was almost laughing. Naruto stood there with the same dead expression.
"Yeah right!" Kiba said laughing. He looked almost insane. "You should see the woman Naruto is practically dating! She's crazy for him, and every adult says that Tora was always smiling with his son." Naruto just walked away from the group. This sense of friendship that Kiba was giving out was undeserved. Naruto needed to think about what was being said. Ibiki arrived then and was barking orders. The written exam began with such a rush. Everyone was determined to see what would happen in the field with the Mohawk kid and the glasses boy.
ICECOLD
"Hatake, I didn't think I would see you lounging in here," Asuma said, smiling. Kakashi nodded and shrugged. "So, you've managed to keep them alive, huh?" Kakashi didn't like Genin teams because he saw the results of two teams that met unfortunate ends. Iruka was never allowed anything more than an Academy job unless there was a village attack or war, and Tora had been thrown in jail for many months. Even then nobody saw Tora the same anymore. He didn't smile again until Naruto came into his life. "What are the odds of your kids getting out of the forest alive?" Asuma figured his team was pretty much worthless. Kurenai joined them in the lounge as they waited for Kakashi to think.
"I have my doubts because the medics really didn't want to release Naruto. He's different and hasn't been exposed to a mission setting again. Sakura won't let Naruto fail. They're closer than before, but if Sasuke gets a chance to save himself, he'll take it. He'll leave Sakura and Naruto to die. It's happened before," Kakashi said. He wasn't proud of it, but the killing room changed his team for the worse. Naruto and Sakura had no connection with Sasuke. The Uchiha played his part efficiently enough to not be noticed. He wasn't willing to stick his neck out for his teammates though. "Naruto is the medic of the team, so as long as he's alive or conscious, they should be fine." Kurenai wasn't able to remember Naruto using his medic abilities, but she figured she had been knocked out for it during the mission.
"Team Eight is prepared and will probably be among the first to the tower. They know the risks and that they better get through it quickly," Kurenai said. She tried to teach her kids that killing wasn't the only answer. They wouldn't stop wondering about it because of Naruto's killing of Haku and Zabuza's death. It was only natural. Kurenai finally told them she'd explain it at the end of the Chunin exams. "I'm just worried that what happened is affecting their performance. I don't know how to help them." Kakashi sighed. He looked out the window.
"You could always make kids believe anything. They'll hear what they want to hear. They'll follow you to the grave without much of an explanation," Kakashi said. As nasty as the words were, they were right. Asuma still had Ino sheltered and believing that the killing he had to perform in front of her was just an accident. He was trying to keep her from becoming like Sakura. He still wished to see some good in the world. That's why babies were born. Naruto was good at one point. It was the corruption that took him. Kurenai wanted to protect her entire team, but one day, they had to learn. Every shinobi learned. The ones that didn't were all in the same place. Their names went on a cold stone while their ashes were sent home with their families. Kakashi skipped so many steps and just threw his kids at it.
"Just because you fooled those Genin doesn't mean you have the right to dare other Genin to be taught the same way," a gruff voice said. Ibiki sat down with them and looked at Kakashi. "I've never seen a kid quite like the white haired boy of your team. He had the balls to question my methods! You have to let me talk to him about becoming part of the Torture and Interrogation force." Kurenai visibly winced at the thought of Naruto being in the same getup as Ibiki.
ICECOLD
Before the end of the exam, Naruto put his pencil down and waited for something, anything, to happen. Kill the man with the glasses. He has insulted the father. Naruto was getting rather good at ignoring the voice. He was slowly trying to figure out when the voice started and stopped. Naruto put his head down and listened to the pencils scratching and the kids getting kicked out with their teammates. He was trying to keep from looking at Hinata. He wanted to know if she stared at him with fear glimmering in her eyes. He sneaked a peak and was stunned to see nothing. Hinata was busy with her paper and didn't acknowledge him. Naruto was happy and turned to take a nap.
"Time for the tenth question," Ibiki announced. He gave his speech that caused many teams to leave. His eyes wandered around the room and looked at the only person sleeping in the room. "It appears that some of you may not be taking the risks seriously." Ibiki walked up to Naruto's desk and tapped the boy. "I have killed men who have slept before me." Naruto popped one eye open.
"Obviously," Naruto said, closing his eye again. Ibiki glared at the boy, causing many of the other Genin to get nervous just watching this happen. Ibiki walked around the desk and tipped Naruto's chair. The Mohawk boy got up and pulled his chair up. "Look, you never said I couldn't sleep. You just said that I had to say yes or no to this final question. The tenth question is just a scare factor to weed out the weak ones who knew they would've failed this portion. Please just move on so I can get back to my wonderful nap." Naruto was definitely not the same. Hinata could see from her seat that he stood prouder. He wasn't afraid of anything it seemed. Ibiki, on the other hand, just figured he was an ignorant Genin and announced the end of the first portion of the Chunin exams.
ICECOLD
Team Seven was currently planning their next move in the Forest of Death. They had an advantage here because they've been in the area before. Naruto looked at their scroll. Heaven. Now they needed to find a team that carried Earth. The team wasn't afraid because they were good together. They packed up the scroll and set off toward the tower. It was the only logical thing to do. They couldn't quite describe the silence in the forest as they too made not a sound.
"Naruto, don't wander," Sasuke warned. He had given Sakura the same warning earlier when she had gone to the bathroom. Naruto nodded and disappeared behind a tree. Next time nobody was going to touch the juice Kakashi gave them for breakfast. Sasuke was trying to think of a plan to avoid killing anyone out in the forest. Every boy and girl had a family or people who loved them and many of the contestants were from Konoha. They didn't want to be traitors or kill once friends. "Naruto?" A twig snapped, and then something exploded. "Naruto!" Naruto was nowhere to be found when they were blown back. The smoke cleared to a man with a purple tongue and golden eyes. "Great, another pedophile." Sakura chuckled under her breath as Sasuke tried to think of what to do. The man's tongue was just disturbing. He smiled and looked at the two Genin.
"Sasuke," Sakura whispered. They were pulled into a genjutsu about death and fear that had them both trembling. The pedophile walked over and chuckled. Sasuke didn't have the scroll, but it was already obvious that the scroll wasn't what this man was after. A kunai fell from the trees to stop in front of the man's foot.
"My, my, you could've removed my toes," the man said. Naruto just glared from the tree. He didn't know what to do about Sasuke and Sakura right at the moment, but he knew he had to keep this man away from them. Naruto jumped down and stood in front of his teammates. Sakura was already working on an escape by stabbing herself and Sasuke with a kunai. "You've grown since I watched the Yondaime take you from the hospital. He didn't even know that his wife was still in labor." Namikaze Minato's child was one kid that Naruto never spoke to. Kushina always frightened Naruto as a child.
"Leave my team alone. We've done nothing wrong here. Is it the scroll you're after?" Naruto asked. The man just chuckled. Naruto couldn't help but feel the urge to run. He couldn't figure out where he knew this man from. "What's so funny?" Naruto was terrified, but he kept his face calm. He only expressed shock when he was pinned to a tree by this man. Naruto felt like screaming. What the hell was going on? "Let me go!" Naruto struggled but stopped when he heard the chuckle again.
"Naru-chan," the man said. Naruto felt his heart almost stop. "Are you ready to beg yet?" Terror spread through Naruto's body. "Beg for me to let you go, Naru-chan. Beg for me to stop this." Naruto couldn't speak or move. His mind was shutting down. "Beg!" Naruto didn't feel the pain. He just slumped and allowed himself to be injured. Sakura and Sasuke were recovering and watched the change. They didn't know about the man Naruto feared. They didn't know what had happened that night in the forest.
"Let him go!" Sakura screamed as she threw a rock at the man. It hit him in the back, but he didn't let Naruto go. The man smacked Naruto's chest once more and burned a hole into the shirt. The kanji for hebi appeared on the skin. It sizzled as the man released Naruto. Sakura was already there with a kunai, but she was kicked backwards into a tree. Sasuke tried to take over where Sakura failed. He had his sharingan activated as he watched closely. This man was too powerful. Sasuke abandoned the scroll and quickly gathered his teammates as a clone distracted the man. Never again, Sasuke promised. He would never let Naruto look so hopeless that it could bring angels to tears.
ICECOLD
"Sir, let me find him!" Anko shouted. Orochimaru was spotted on a surveillance camera attacking Team Seven. They saw what happened to Naruto. "Naruto needs to get out of the Forest! I don't give a fuck if he fails. That bastard won't leave him alone. We need to pull them out of the exam!" Anko glared at the Hokage as he was holding this dumb meeting instead of sending someone out for the team. Nobody in the room was vocal about how odd it was to see Naruto like he was. The image was frozen on the TV as the Hokage stared at it.
"Let Naruto go," Kakashi said. Anko whipped around to look at the Jonin sensei. Kakashi was staring at the image. "He'll forgive you and Kurenai without another thought, but Naruto will never get over the feeling of constant terror. He'll become a useless tool then." Anko slapped the Jonin. Kakashi didn't flinch. "Naruto already knows his place in Konoha! He's a tool and nothing more!" Kakashi wasn't the teacher everyone thought he would be. Never once did anyone think that Kakashi was creating weapons from children. "He has to stop being a child. He gave up that choice when he killed Mizuki." Nobody said anything. It was the truth. Anko let out a soft cry. She stormed out of the room without a single word. The image of the kanji on Naruto's chest was painful to look at, but Kakashi stared. "He could be our only way of luring Orochimaru out." Deep down, Kakashi wanted to save his students. He wanted to keep them away from people like Orochimaru, but he couldn't be there all the time. He had to let go.
"Everyone, just keep an eye out and don't interfere with Team Seven. This is the true test for them," the Hokage said. He was watching to see who to remove from the Assassin program and who to keep. "I have high hopes for this team." Orochimaru would only come back for his mark, and that would be when Konoha would get him.
Chapter 2's ending explain! Yay! Hopeful this was as good as all the other chapters. Sorry if it was bad.
