(Well, this is 10, and since so many of you were wondering where Hinata's things were, I decided to write this little Extra chapter before Chapter 10 proper. My beta took a while with this, and some stuff happened in his personal life, so I just got it today. I've sent him 11 already, and I'm working on writing 12. I hope you enjoy how I worked with the other plot lines happening during the 2nd Round. Also, and comments or criticism is welcome, and I do listen…)
End of Babble
Start of Story
Omake: Reflections
How long do these people plan on making me wait? In the 5 years I've been in ANBU, I've never had to wait this long for anything outside of a mission!
Though, if you think about it, this is a mission, it just isn't the kind we're normally assigned…
My name is Yukie Sakamoto, and I'm a member of Konoha's elite ANBU, assigned to the personal guard of 4th Hokage Minato Namikaze. I possess long blue hair, which hangs down to my mid back, though I keep it brushed back and out of my face. I have blue eyes, which people say sparkle like water. Since most of my male…comrades have attempted to ask me out on a date, I guess I'm attractive, though I've never been one to give much thought to such things…
I wear a standard ANBU uniform, a black shirt and black pants with black open toed shoes. I wear a protective dark gray vest on my chest, with shin and arm guards made of dark gray metal that matches the vest. Over my right shoulder I wear a small wakizashi, and on missions I wear a boar's mask.
Currently, I sit in the Hyuga manor, on a mission from the Hokage to retrieve clothing and supplies for the young Hyuga heiress, Hinata.
Kami, what's taking these people so damn long?
I sit in an ornate, darkly stained chair with comfortable padding resting against my back and butt. I sit with my arms crossed, my mask resting on my left thigh. My right pointer finger impatiently taps against my left upper arm, showing both my boredom and a childhood habit that I have yet to break myself of.
25 years on this Earth and I can't break myself of a childhood impatient habit… WHAT IS TAKING SO DAMN LONG?
The mission was simple; Hinata Hyuga had passed out during a light training exercise, and would be convalescing at the Hokage manor along with his wife and his son, the young boy the Hyuga's teammate, and apparently already a good friend. One of the Aburame had been there when I was dispatched, though it didn't seem like the kikai user would remain at the Hokage manor longer then dinner…
Anyways, I was sent by the Hokage not only to retrieve supplies for the young Hyuga as well as deliver the message that the girl was safe, and would be staying the night with the Hokage. Many of the veterans in the ANBU that I've spoken to about the girl during the short time that Naruto has been with her have oft spoken reverently of her. They speak of the attack 12 years ago, of the sheer power the Kyuubi No Kitsune, and the fact that the young Hyuga contains that demon, protecting not only the village, but also everyone in it. From my time with the ANBU, I've seen first how the common people of the village treat the Hyuga child, and how the Hokage always reacts to the reports from the ANBU squad tailing his son, observing and protecting both him and anyone he's with while in the village. The Hyuga being the Jinchuriki for the Nine Tailed demon is something he looks at as a personal failure, since it was his being injuried by one of the demon's tails that caused the Hyuga to become the container for the beast.
From what I've heard, Minato-sama still has the scar from when the demon's tail hit him while he stood atop Gamabunta. I've heard it runs from his right shoulder down to the left side of his ribs. The demon's chakra so vile and intense it actually burned through his clothing and into his skin.
While I have had very little experience with the young Hyuga heiress, I have both worked and dealt with other members of Hyuga clan, and for the most part they're all arrogant bastards that think they're better then everyone else…
Though, it doesn't seem like Hinata feels that way. From what I've seen, the girl is so melancholy it's almost as though she's depressed, and she only seems to brighten up when she's around her teammates or her teacher. Then again, I've never seen her when she's alone with her grandmother, not that anyone outside this clan of white eyed bastards has seen the two of them together since Hinata began attending the academy…
Rumor has it that the current clan leader, Hibana is weakening, and knows that she doesn't have much time left. Because of that, and Hinata's inability to step up as clan leader, one of the branch family leaders is supposed to assume temporary control of the entire clan, but rumor has it that he won't settle for temporary control. Lately, one of the reasons Hokage-sama has had us tailing Naruto while he's in the village is because he wants ANBU guarding Hinata, since he believes that the branch leader, a man named Hizashi, will try something to try and get rid of her, and remove her threat to his power. I personally can't fathom how someone could have someone killed just for a simple status like leader of a clan in Konoha. I mean, no one's ever died over the title of Hokage, and the Hokage IS the leader of the entire village. So why would this man be willing to kill over being leader of the Hyuga clan?
I glance around the room again, my annoyance showing in the speed at which my index finger taps. The room is well decorated, fitting for the pompous arrogant bastards that seem to make up the majority of the Hyuga clan. Chairs like the one I sit in, line 3 of the 4 walls in the room, a large oval-shaped marble table resting in the middle of the room. Opposite the wall I sit against, is the wall with the sliding door that opens to my right.
Kami, I've been here 2 hours already and the only person I've spoken to is that stupid ass guard outside the front gate…
With nothing better to do, I think about what's happened since I left the Hokage manor over 2 hours ago. The trip to the Hyuga manor had been quick and easy, and I made no attempt to conceal my presence. I stopped in front of the front gate, identifying myself and revealing my face to the guard. I told him I had a message pertaining to Hinata Hyuga, and needed to speak with Hibana Hyuga. The guard told me I would have to wait, and disappeared into the mansion, leaving me standing in front of the gate. Nearly an hour later, the guard reemerged and told me to follow him. I assumed that I would be led to the clan leader, but instead I was brought to the sitting room, and told I would have to wait, that Hibana was in a village council meeting and would meet with me as soon as the meeting was over…
I grind my teeth in annoyance, my breathing fuming from my nostrils. While I am not a stranger to watching and waiting, I do not see the point in making me wait over 2 hours for a simple, 15 minute meeting.
I glance up at the ceiling, seeing the ornate, polished gold light fixture hanging from the 10 foot high ceiling, the chandelier fitting the image of the Hyuga home. Turning my gaze downwards to the polished hardwood floor, I shake my head.
When I get back, I'm going to register my displeasure with my squad leader. This is absolute bullshit. There is no excuse to keep a member of the ANBU waiting, what if Hinata had been injuried, and I required some special Hyuga technique or tool to help her and prevent her from dying? This lack of attention is both stupid and arrogant; as though there's nothing wrong with making other people wait to speak with the all important clan leader of the Hyuga…
"White eyed bastards…" I breathe to myself, barely audible to even me.
Another 15 minutes passes before finally the door to the hall slides open, and I see an older woman with dark indigo hair enter the room. She possesses the Hyuga eyes, and wears formal white robes, which hang from her body. While her body is in athletic shape for someone of her advanced years, her face and wrinkles adorning it show her age, and the position she shouldn't be in…
Well, what do you expect, her son died in the Kyuubi attack, and with Hinata as the only other main family member, she doesn't have much choice.
With the old woman's entrance I grasp my mask with my left hand and stand up.
"Hibana Hyuga-sama, I presume…?" I ask, adding the honorific intentionally.
The old woman nods.
"You are a member of the Hokage's ANBU, and you have a message pertaining to my granddaughter?" The woman asks, getting straight to the point.
I nod.
"Hinata passed out during a light training exercise, and will be staying the night with Hokage-sama and his family. I am here to inform you as well as ask that a bag of supplies for Hinata be prepared with clothes and other essential supplies."
The woman nods, absorbing the information as I speak it. I see relief pass through her eyes, her arms shifting, her hands coming together in front of her with her posture relaxing.
"Thank you…" She begins. "I realize that you have been made to wait an extremely long time, and for that, I apologize." She says with an earnest tone.
What is this?
"May I ask what took so long at a village council meeting?"
The woman sighs, her shoulders slouching as she breathes out the long breath.
"It was my son's twin, Hizashi…" She says with a weary tone. "As you are well aware, I am not long for this world, and Hizashi is poised to assume temporary control of the clan after I am gone. Today was the first village council meeting where he was allowed to accompany me, so he may get accustomed to the responsibilities of the clan leader. He spoke much during the meeting, and while I was there, the other members of the council wanted to hear what he had to say, even though he possesses no power, yet…"
She had twins? Why not just make this Hizashi guy the clan leader then, what's the big deal?
"So, it was Hizashi's presence that was the cause of the delay…" I respond, and she nods.
"I will have one of my attendants prepare Hinata's backpack for you." She informs me. "Remain here, and one of them will come to you with the bag."
I nod, and see the woman turn, walking out of the room without another word.
Well, that was different then what I thought I was going to have to deal with…
I originally thought that I would have an argument on my hands, with the clan leader demanding Hinata be brought back to the Hyuga mansion immediately. I was prepared to stand firm in my argument that the Hokage outranks the Hyuga leader, but I never had to use the argument, and the woman seemed almost relieved to hear the message…
True to her word, not 10 minutes later the door opens and another Hyuga stands in the doorway holding a large gray hiking backpack. The young man hands me the pack, telling me it belongs to Hinata herself, and was prepared with clothing and essential supplies. I nod my thanks, and the Hyuga attendant disappears into the hallway without another word.
I sigh to myself, slinging the backpack on my empty left shoulder. I leave the sitting room, taking the path back to the front entrance of the Hyuga home. Once I'm outside, I take to the trees and return to the Hokage's manor. The trip is uneventful, the other ANBU guards allowing me to pass by without as much as a sound. I enter the Hokage manor, walking toward the guest room, quiet as a ghost…
It is late, well into the night, and I know that the Hokage likes to get to bed around 10 o'clock at night on the nights he can get so sleep. I move to the guest room without making a sound, and I find the room given to Hinata easily enough. I open the door without as much as a creak, entering into the room without a sound. I see the Hyuga heir lying on the bed, sleeping peacefully in a pair of pink silk pajamas. The girl looks peaceful as she lies curled up there, and I can't help but shake my head at the stupidity inherent in the way most of the villagers treat her…
She's a shinobi of our village, an ally to the Hokage and from what I've heard has never done anything wrong, why can't they see her for her, and not for the demon she has locked inside of her…
I shake my head again, setting the backpack down near the door; I glance at the Hyuga girl again, allowing a brief smile for her.
She's found people that do see her for her, and not for the demon. When her grandmother dies, I wouldn't be surprised if she left the Hyuga manor all together. I know that Kushina-senpai would gladly have her, and Minato-sama would be in total agreement with his wife on the matter…
"You're a lucky girl…" I mutter to myself, the Hyuga heir shifting against the blankets.
With that, I slip out of the room, closing the door without a sound…
Chapter 10: The Forest of Death
The next morning I awake to see a large backpack resting just inside the door to this room. Looking at it, I recognize it as the backpack I usually take on extended missions.
I guess it must've been an ANBU that snuck into my room last night. It's no wonder I didn't wake up…
I throw the covers off of my body and get out of bed. Using the clothes and items in the backpack, I got ready for the day ahead of me. I use the attached bathroom, making sure I'm presentable…
Can't go around looking like a ruffian, not when I'm the daughter of the Hyuga clan…
Once I'm done in the bathroom, and ready to sling the backpack over my shoulders, I hear Kushina's voice from beyond the door.
"Hinata-chan, are you awake?" I hear the woman ask.
"Yes…" I respond, forcing myself not to nod.
"Breakfast will be ready soon, you should come and eat." She explains to me.
With that, I hear the older woman's footsteps recede, leaving me alone once again.
I thought I woke up early, but she beat me to the punch…
With the backpack on my back I leave the guest room and walk toward the kitchen. My feet plod lightly against the hardwood floor. Making my way through the Hokage home, I find Kushina in the kitchen, with Naruto and Minato nowhere to be seen.
"Where are Naruto and Hokage-sama?" I ask.
I barely see the woman grin.
"They're outside, 'warming up'." Kushina vaguely explains.
"What…?" I ask, completely clueless as to what she means.
"Just go look, they're in the backyard."
I mumble an affirmative before leaving the kitchen. Using my Byakugan and a rough knowledge of the house, I find my way to the backyard. Once I'm there, I see both Naruto and his father standing apart from each other. Looking at them, they both stand in an odd taijutsu stance that I've never seen anyone use before…
I studied all the other forms of taijutsu in the village, and I've never seen that before…
"All right Naruto, half speed only…" Minato explains to his son.
I see him nod once, completely understanding the short statement.
Half speed, what's he talking about?
A moment later, I see the two of them go after each other. I watch in awe as their bodies move like blurs of motion. Without the Byakugan, I cannot see their chakra, but watching them move, there's no way they're moving that quickly without it. They move like blurs, both father and son moving at the same speed, and I wonder just what I'm seeing…
What is this? I've never seen any form of taijutsu that moves that quickly? If this is only half as fast as he can really move, I'd hate to see how quick he is when he's moving at full speed…
Somehow, during the blur of motion they become, I see Naruto knocked backward. A moment later I see his collar jerk, his father's right hand outstretched, grabbing at the collar to prevent him from falling over. Looking at the two of them, I see both Naruto and Minato smile at each other, a nearly identical smile that I've seen countless times before…
"You're getting better, though your moves are still a little sloppy. Just keep working on the forms and keep using the weights, and soon you'll be able to use it without a problem."
Naruto nods his agreement, still smiling a beaming, happy smile.
I see the Fourth Hokage turn toward me, his smile lowering to only a sly smirk.
"So, did you enjoy our little presentation?" He asks me, looking right at me.
"Um, I didn't mean to intrude…" I begin, but the man waves his hand dismissively.
"Come and get it…!" I hear Kushina yell, showing her tomboy side.
"We should head for the kitchen…" Minato begins. "Best not to keep my wife waiting…"
Both Naruto and I follow the Fourth Hokage into the kitchen, taking a seat at their table. Sitting at their table, I feel welcome, relaxed…
Like I belong…
The thought is so sudden, so out of nowhere that I feel a chill run down my spine. However, I can't think further on it before Kushina begins to speak.
"Here you go…" She begins, serving her son and her husband, and I notice both of them licking their lips.
A strange new smell wafts in the air, and I can't say I can identify what the new smell is, much the same as I couldn't identify the dish from dinner the night before.
"Kushina-sama, what's that smell?" I ask, not trying to offend.
I see Naruto grin.
"It's one of mom's special recipes from her home…" Naruto comments while staring down at his plate.
"They're called Pancakes, and they're really good…" The woman of the house tells me.
I hear both Naruto and Minato say 'Itadakimasu' and dig in. I look to see both Naruto and his father eating normally, so I just shrug my shoulders. I cut a small section of the doughy cake and take it to my mouth. A moment after, the food is gone from mouth I tear into the portion of pancakes given to me. Once I'm finished with my portion, I feel full. I look to Kushina, seeing her sitting, eating her own portion…
"Kushina-sama, where did you learn to cook things like this and that meatloaf we had last night?" I ask. "These recipes don't exist in this village."
"My mother brought a book of recipes from the Whirlpool village." The red haired woman explains. "It has a lot of my grandmother's recipes in it, and it's what I use as a reference. The foods in them are almost unknown now, since the whirlpool was annihilated shortly after I was born…"
With that, Kushina finishes eating, followed by her husband then Naruto. I see Kushina stand up.
"You two need to get going…" She begins. "You both have to get to the exam grounds before the exam begins."
With the reminder, it's like a fire is lit beneath me. I excuse myself from the table, grabbing the backpack before I leave. I stop at the archway leading from the kitchen to the rest of the home. I see Naruto grab a small pack, slinging it onto his shoulders and following me through the house. The both of us slip our shoes on and then leave the Hokage home, taking to the rooftops to make our way to the designated area. The two of us move as quickly as we can toward the designated area, though both of us wear our restraining weights…
Arriving at the training ground, I see Shino waiting there. I look to see that there are other genin here, but not all of the genin that passed the first stage of the exam are present, yet…
I look around to see the fence that surrounds the training area. I see what looks like a street stand set up, with 2 silent Chunin sitting behind it.
What's going on, what are the two of them doing here?
I glance down to my watch and I see there's still 10 minutes before the exam officially begins. I take my bag from my back, going through it again. I double check my supplies, seeing that my grandmother (or someone she appointed to the task) packed my bag well, making sure to pack food as well as spare weapons.
There's even a canteen in here…
I see Shino shift his weight, and for a moment I swear that the boy looks stockier then he did before…
Well, he has said that he's been working out. I never bothered to look when we were at the Hokage's home…
Before I can ask what's different with Shino, I see more students begin to arrive, and I close my mouth. More students continue to show up, and when my watch shows time for the exam to begin, Anko Mitarashi appears in a large puff of smoke, gathering the attention of the assembled genin around her.
"All right, listen up!" She yells out. "This is the second stage of the Chunin exams, and it will be a survival test. However, it won't be your standard survival test. Rather, you'll be issued either a heaven or earth scroll…" She explains, withdrawing a black and a white scroll, the black one having 'earth' written on it with the white one having 'heaven' written on it. "Your task will be to attain both a heaven and earth scroll, and then proceed to the tower at the center of this battle area, called the 'Forest of Death'." She continues. "However, before you can take this stage of the exam, you'll have to sign a consent form, removing liability from the village if you die during the exam." She continues.
She goes into her jacket, returning the scrolls and withdrawing a large stack of papers. She hands the papers to every Genin present, and then opens her mouth again.
"All right, each person in your squad will sign the consent form, and then proceed to the stand, we'll hand out the scrolls and then you'll be led to one of the gates that enter into the forest. Once all of you are in the proper position and ready to go, we'll open the gates and the test will begin. You'll have 3 days to complete the test, anyone who isn't at the tower at the end of the 3rd day will automatically fail, and all that lose their scrolls will fail as well. Finally, anyone who opens the scrolls before arrival at the tower will immediately fail the test, regardless of the reason." She finishes.
With that, things proceed smoothly, if not mechanically. The scrolls are handed out, and both Naruto and I agree to give our heaven scroll to Shino.
"I shall do all in my power to maintain possession of this scroll, and not fail in this responsibility." He responds after receiving the scroll.
With that, the three of us leave the stand and are led to a gate by one of many Chunin helping out with the exam. After 15 long minutes, the Chunin opens the gates, flinging them open. The three of us look at each other, and then we all leap into the forest, with Naruto and Shino close behind me, my Byakugan activated…
Here we go…
&
10 minutes after we're into the forest, I hear Shino call for all of us to stop. I land on the branch I was heading toward, with Naruto landing next to me. I look back to see the Aburame standing on the branch I was standing on, his eyes cast upward. I look up, and my eyes lock on to what my teammate is looking at.
A large honey comb like bee hive rests on a tree ahead. For the moment the hive is quiet, but I'm no expert on bees…
I feel a shiver run down my spine at the thought of the insects, and the extremely large hive in front of us. I consciously move backward, returning to the branch that Shino stands on. A moment later Naruto follows me, though our teammate's eyes never leave the hive…
Is it because he's an Aburame, does he have some fascination with insects?
"Shino…?" I ask, keeping my voice low.
For the first time in a long time, I see the boy start, and then he slowly turns and looks at me.
"We should detour around this area…" He explains. "That hive belongs to a vicious breed of large wasp that could easily kill three 12-year-old children."
I nod, glancing at the silent hive a moment, and then turning back to my teammate.
"You're right…" I concur with him.
I barely notice Naruto nod.
"Yeah, bees give me the creeps…" He mutters.
The three of us begin to move again, going around the large hive with a wide berth. Once we start moving again, I activate my Byakugan, keeping the dojutsu active, using it to scan the area and make sure that no one is sneaking up on us…
You shouldn't have turned it off back there. If you hadn't, you would've known about that hive and could've warned everyone before Shino even noticed it. Instead you nearly walked right into it…
I shake my head; coming to a quick decision that self-beratement can wait for later. Once again I look through the dojutsu in a circular pattern that sweeps around us, my attention traveling around in a circle.
10 minutes after we found the hive, something appears within my range. Immediately I motion for both Naruto and Shino to stop, both boys following the sign without question. The three of us land on a branch, and I focus my attention, looking toward the new sight near the limit of my range…
I see Squad 7, and a fourth person all standing together. Sasuke and the strange 4th person appear to be talking. I focus on the fourth person, seeing he's dressed in a yellow robe with black pants and open toed shoes. He wears the headband of the grass village, and has long dark hair.
Focusing even more with my Byakugan, I look to see his chakra network, and inside the grass ninja I see anything but a normal genin body or chakra network. I see strange tattoos on his arms; his entire body looking like it's been twisted and changed around from the inside. His chakra network is unlike any other genin I've seen in the exams, with more chakra inside it then any genin rightly should have. I see the face I see is a mask, hidden beneath the mask is a man with yellow eyes and purple eyeliner. His skin is pale white, and I see a long tongue rolled up in his throat…
Who in the world is that?
I see the man LOOK at Squad 7, and I see each of them freeze up, fear clutching their bodies, even Akamaru whimpers and ducks his head underneath Kiba's coat. The bloodlust coming off of the man is almost visible, and even at this distance I feel a shiver run down my spine. I see him uncross his arms, taking a single step forward. I see Sasuke reach into his pocket, withdrawing his scroll and holding it out for the man. He yells something, saying something along the lines of 'this is what you want, well take it and leave!' He throws the scroll at the man, and the strange man catches it, a smirk appearing on his face. A moment later, black flames consume the scroll, burning it to ash. I see the older man say something like 'preys don't dictate terms to the predator' while the scroll burns. Then, Sasuke charge the man, going after the man with a taijutsu combination of punches and kicks. I watch the Uchiha attack the man in defense of his teammates, with each of his blows parried by the older man. I watch the older man throw Sasuke off of him like the Uchiha is nothing but a fly, seeing the older man mutter 'good…' to himself. The Uchiha charges, yelling out to Kiba to take Sakura and run for it, and at that moment it seems Kiba comes back from whatever dream state he'd drifted off to. The Inuzuka vehemently denies Sasuke's suggestion; instead he puts Akamaru down and gives orders to the dog. I see the dog change into a copy of Kiba, and both Kiba and Akamaru charge for the grass ninja. I watch Sasuke spring back, Kiba and Akamaru striking the grass genin with a spinning attack of some kind. The grass ninja flies from between the two spinning grinders, and then flips in mid air and lands on his feet. I see he's taken hardly any damage from the attack, muttering something about an 'annoying pest.'
"Hinata…?" I hear Naruto's voice, pulling me back to where I am, and I nearly jump. "Are you all right, do you see something?"
I look to my teammates, and I see both of them looking at me with curious, concerned expressions. Neither of them can possibly know about Squad 7 and what's happening right now…
So, I've got a decision to make. This test is every squad for themselves, and no one on Squad 7 is really friends with me or either Naruto and Shino. If I tell them about what's going on, they'll want to go help, to try and fight that…thing that's masquerading as a Grass Genin. If I keep quiet, it's very possible that man will kill Kiba, Sasuke and Sakura. However, there's no guarantee that the three of us will be of any help even if we do go and try to rescue them. Judging from that man's chakra, he isn't a genin, and shouldn't be in this exam. Whoever he is, he's obviously out of our league; and the intelligent thing to do would be to avoid him and try to finish the test, then tell the Hokage about it and let his ANBU handle it.
But, Naruto and Shino won't go for that, they'd both want to try and help them just because Squad 7 is the same age as we are, and they'd want the help if the situation was reversed…
So, once again, I've got a decision to make. I can tell them about it, and risk getting killed for people that wouldn't return the favor, or I can just make something up, and live to see another day…(this last sentence makes Hinata seem like a coward…you should add something like: live to see another day and warn the Hokage. It makes her seem like cowardly, unless you were going for that…)
I come to a quick decision.
"It's nothing…" I tell the both of them, looking away from the battle. "I just saw some waterfall genin run into some leech monsters, but they have a heaven scroll, so it's no use to us." I explain.
I see Naruto nod, though Shino looks at me, behind the sunglasses I can see suspicion on his face.
"Is that all?" He asks.
Can he really read me that well?
"Yes, that's all…" I tell them both, lying through my teeth.
He pushes his sunglasses up, and Naruto nods.
"Well, we'd better get going then, we got to find an Earth scroll and then get to the tower, right?" Naruto asks.
I nod, not for a moment regretting my decision.
"Yes, we should get going, we've only got three days, and I'd rather finish this test as soon as possible."
With that, the three of us resume our trek through the forest, the two of them once again being led by me. I lead the three of us away from Squad 7, a final thought coming to mind as the battle leaves my range of vision.
Well, it's just bad luck that they ended up running into that freak, too bad. But, if that grass guy prevents them from passing the test, then that's less competition in the next round. If he kills them, it isn't like there's anything we can do to stand up to him…
&
Resuming our hunt for an Earth scroll, I quickly find a group of cloud genin who are together, apparently planning strategy to try and pass the exam. I see among them is an Earth scroll, and I immediately notify Naruto and Shino 100 yards between where we are and the three genin. We have a quick planning session, and then the three of us go into action.
Shino uses his flying kikai, keeping them in small groups, sending them toward the three genin. Kikai by kikai, he slowly leeches away the three genin's chakra while Naruto prepares 15 shadow clones. We wait for nearly an hour before the genin begin to notice their diminishing chakra supply. Then, we spring our trap. The 15 shadow clones leap our, pouncing on the three genin, five on each of them. The five shadow clones pound on their targets, fists and feet meeting flesh and bone. The three genin try to counter, to turn the tables, but the real Naruto, Shino and I all stop that before it can happen.
Not 10 minutes after our trap is sprung, I hold an Earth scroll in my left hand in front of me. Looking toward the three fallen genin, I see one of them has a damaged chakra network with several-closed tenketsu. The second has more bruises then I care to count, and finally the third doesn't have a speck of chakra left in him. All three of them are alive, but unconscious, our victims…
"We should proceed with the test…" Shino explains. "These three will not remain unconscious for long, and the sooner we arrive at the tower, the sooner our lives will no longer be in danger."
I see Naruto nod his agreement with the Aburame, and I do the same. Pocketing the scroll, the three of us take off, heading toward the tower with all due haste…
On the way to the tower, another team of genin enters into my vision. I see 6 people ahead. I motion for Naruto and Shino to stop.
"Do you see something, Hinata?" Naruto asks.
I nod.
"I see the three Genin from the sand village ahead of us; they look like they're fighting against genin from the Rain village." I explain.
I see the girl and the boy with a puppet strapped to his back step back away from the rain genin. I see the red haired boy with the giant gourd on his back step forward. The rain genin starts talking, and I see the red haired boy simply shrug him off.
I see the rain genin unfurl two umbrellas and throw them into the air. I watch as his chakra suspends the umbrellas, and then the umbrellas begin to spin. I see Senbon fly from the umbrellas, raining down toward the Sand genin. I see the girl and the boy in black both take cover, while the red haired boy simply stands there with his arms crossed. I see sand leap from his gourd and surround him, covering his body as the needles fly toward him…
The sand, is he moving it on his own?
The sand stops the needles, and I see the needles fall away a moment after the sand begins to slowly fall away. The genin gasps in surprised, and I see the boy in black speak. He says something along the lines of 'Gaara doesn't have to manipulate the sand, it moves on it's own to protect him. There's no way you can harm him with a technique like that.' After that, I see the two umbrellas fall to the ground. A moment later I see the red haired boy extend his right hand, sand launching out from him and wrapping the three rain genin in shells of sand. I see both the girl and the black clad boy pick up the umbrellas when the red haired one called Gaara closes his right fist. I see the sand compress against the rain genin bodies, crushing their bones and their muscles like they're nothing…
Oh my lord…
I see the boy smirk as he lowers his hand, a grin spreading across his face.
What is wrong with him?
I see the one in black walk forward, discarding the umbrella as he does. I see him say something to the red haired boy, and I see the red haired boy glare at him, and then say something along the lines of 'shut up.' The black clad one continues speaking, saying something about 'while the exams don't really pose a threat to you, both Temari and I could be killed out here. It'll be bad for our mission if we die…'
Temari, is he talking about the girl?
I see the blonde girl open her mouth, saying something that looks like she says 'Kankuro's right, we need to leave now Gaara, we've got the scrolls we need, let's go…'
Kankuro must be the one in black, and that means 'Gaara' must be the freak with red hair…
I see Gaara look at Temari, and then to Kankuro, and then I see him sigh. I see him mutter something, and then the three of them take to the air, heading toward the tower.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense, what happened?" Naruto asks.
I swallow the saliva in my throat.
"The red haired one, called Gaara; he killed all three of the rain genin on his own, without any help from his teammates." I explain.
Through the Byakugan I see Naruto shift, with Shino pushing his sunglasses up to the bridge of his nose.
"He killed an entire team of genin? He must possess incredible abilities for him to fight at a level like he does…"
I nod again.
"He manipulates sand, and the one in black looks to use a puppet, the girl carries around a large fan…" I describe the other two.
"So, I guess we should look out for the three of them?" Naruto asks.
I nod.
"They're heading to the tower, I suggest we wait an hour and let them finish before we try following them. Gaara looks as though he's psychotic, and might want to stop to fight us."
I see Naruto nod, though Shino makes no outward expression of emotion.
"It would be logical…" He points out.
I scan the area, finding an old tree that's fallen but not dangerous."Let's go, I've found a descent hiding spot." I explain to them.
&
An hour later, the three of us leave our tree and head toward the tower, confident that the three sand genin are long done the exam. Even only a few hours into the exam, I can see through my Byakugan to the tower, and the people that lie in wait around it. With nearly 100 feet between our location and the tower, I motion for the three of us to stop, Naruto and Shino doing exactly as instructed without complaint. The three of us stop, and I remain slightly in front of both of the boys.
"What's wrong Hinata?" Naruto asks.
"Ahead of us…" I begin. "There are several shinobi lying in wait…"
"That's understandable…" Shino begins. "Scouring the forest looking for a scroll is time consuming, logically it would be wiser to lie in wait for a team with both scrolls to pass and ambush them, taking the scroll needed and then proceeding to the tower."
"Yeah, except we've got Hinata, and with her, we can get around them…" Naruto counters and I shake my head.
"There are teams of shinobi lying in wait around the entire tower. They each have a small area covered, and it would be virtually impossible for a team of three to sneak past."
"Well, what about if we follow another team of genin, let them take care of the people lying in wait, and then blow by them while they're fighting?"
I see Shino shake his head.
"To do that, we would have to wait until the exam is nearly over." He points out. "Many teams of genin are going to wait until the exam is nearly over before they attempt to come to the tower, and it's for that reason that they lie in wait. For us to remain within the forest would be a foolish maneuver." He finishes.
I nod, and I see Naruto gain a look of understanding as well.
"So, what do we do then? If we can't wait them out, and we can't use another team of genin as a diversion…" Naruto says.
I see Shino push his sunglasses up toward his face.
"I have an idea, though your abilities with the Shadow clone jutsu will play a major part in my plan…" Shino explains.
I listen intently while the Aburame explains his idea for the three of us to get into the tower. Once he's done, I can't help but feel my admiration for his strategic knowledge go up a notch…
"We should begin…" Shino begins. "Our time is short, and the quicker we complete the exam, the sooner our lives will no longer be in danger."
I nod my agreement, but before the three of us can begin our trip to the tower, I hear a young, male voice that I've never heard before.
"Well, look at what we got here…" I hear his voice.
Immediately I curse myself for not paying attention with my Byakugan. I spin around, facing the three genin, sizing them up and assuming a gentle fist stance.
The three genin wear hidden mist headbands, and are all relatively non-descript. They each wear tan colored clothes with blue sandals. One has dark hair and brown eyes, another has red hair with green eyes, and the third has dark blue hair with red eyes. The red haired one stands between the other two, and the three of them are all boys. The three of them also appear to be in the mid teenaged range, though I can't tell exactly…
Well, I guess it isn't uncommon where they come from for a team of genin to be all male. In Konoha it's practice to have a team of mixed sexes, usually 2 boys and 1 girl to balance things out…
I see the voice belongs to the red haired genin, a sly smirk on his face while he looks down at the three of us.
"Why don't you three just drop whatever scrolls you got, and scamper on out of here?" The red haired one asks.
"How about you go shove it up your ass…!" Naruto retorts.
The blue haired one looks toward the son of the Fourth Hokage.
"You're pretty foul mouthed for a leaf brat…" The blue haired one mutters, his voice deep and smooth.
"The vulgarity of my teammate's words not withstanding, I concur with the thought behind the words…" Shino says, and I see him drop into a taijutsu stance.
Naruto does the same, and I see the dark haired one grin.
"Looks like the little brats won't give up without a fight…" He mutters, kneeling, with both of his forearms resting on his knees.
"Let's kill em…" The blue haired one mutters.
I see the red head nod.
"I'm all for that…" He mutters.
The three of them leap from the tree, charging for us.
"I'll handle the girl!" The red head yells.
I keep my face cold while the three of them approach. I wait until he's too close, seeing the boy draw a kunai from his pouch and holding it like a knife. I dive into the air, tucking my legs in and rolling into a ball. I extend my feet, using my Byakugan to keep track of him. My feet impact his chest, and I use my chakra to attach my feet to his chest for a moment, then I arch my body backward, creating momentum. I release my chakra hold when my spin has him going down, releasing the boy and sending him plummeting toward the ground below the forest canopy. I land on a branch, grabbing a kunai from my pouch I spin around, swatting three shuriken thrown from the red haired mist genin during his fall. I see him land on the ground, so I go to my pouch with my left hand. I grab three shuriken of my own and hurl them toward him. I see him hold a kunai, ready to swat the weapons out of the air while I jump from the branch to the ground. I charge forward while he swats the shuriken away. I see him block the last of the shuriken well before I'm within striking range, so I grab another kunai from my pouch, holding it in my right hand. I see the boy's green eyes shift to me, an emotionless mask on his face. I swing the knife in my right hand, seeing him eye the blade, using the kunai in his left arm to block my strike. The weapons clang when they impact, and I waste no time. I drop the knife in my right hand and shift left, spinning to move around him. My hands shoot out during the spin, striking the tenketsu near his ribs and along his right arm. I see him grimace when my strikes land, his right arm going limp when I land the final blow.
I come to a stop behind him in a gentle fist stance, and my hands shoot out, striking tenketsu in his chest, my chakra stabbing into his body. Fortunately, I've had more then enough time to get used to the weight in my restraints, and even get a little faster with them on. After I strike 5 of the vital points of the chakra system, his left arm moves in a backhand motion, trying to strike me with the knife in my temple, forcing me to duck and move back, getting out of his striking range. He looks toward me, and I see his face contorted in an angry expression.
"What the hell have you done to me, woman?" He demands.
Rather then respond verbally, I grasp three shuriken and throw them toward the mist boy. He uses his remaining good arm to deflect the shuriken while I charge forward. He sees me charge, and after deflecting the shuriken he swings his right arm in a horizontal slash. I duck under his blow, my right palm extending outward and striking his stomach. My chakra shockwaves through his body, rippling through his system and disorients him. I see his eyelids get heavy, the strike inducing a temporary unconsciousness. I watch him fall, his face coming to a stop at my feet.
Guess I should thank grandmother for teaching me that during the last week…
I look through my Byakugan to see Shino and the blue haired genin standing apart from each other. Shino has his hands in his pockets, with a swarm of flying kikai surrounding the mist genin. I see ground based bugs crawling forward, preparing a two pronged attack on the boy's chakra. The mist genin looks desperate, as though he'd try anything to get out of his situation. I see his hands come together, and a moment later the swarm covers his body, the ground based bugs joining their flying counterparts in an attack on the genin's chakra. I hear him scream for a few moments before the bugs drain him dry, the flying kikai leaving his body the second the last of his chakra is gone. His body falls forward, the boy unconscious and nearly dead while the ground based bugs crawl back to their master. I see Shino remove his hands from his pockets and extend both of his arms. The flying kikai fly into his sleeves while the ground based bugs crawl up his right leg…
I feel a shiver run down my spine at the thought of bugs crawling on my skin…
I don't know how he can stand it…
I find the last standing mist genin facing off against Naruto and 5 of his shadow clones. I see 2 of the Narutos, presumably clones fighting with the boy hand to hand while I can only assume the real Naruto holds his right hand out while 2 clones mold chakra coming out of his hand. I watch as the 2 clones form a stable ball of spinning blue chakra in his right hand. The two clones disappear in puffs of smoke while the other 2 clones fight against the mist genin. I see the boy charge forward, holding the spinning ball of chakra in his right hand. It's only then that the mist genin notices the real Naruto, though one of his shadow clones takes the opportunity to grab the boy from behind, the clone wrapping his right arm around the mist genin's neck.
"Now…!" The clone yells out.
I see Naruto smirk a moment, and then…
"RASENGAN…!" He shouts out, driving his technique into the mist genin's stomach.
What I see next makes me stop and stare with my unaided eyes. I see the ball of chakra burst and spin, grinding away at the mist genin for several seconds until the boy's body spins like he's in a blender and then flies backward, his scream fading while he flies into the forest, disappearing into the trees.
Naruto holds out his right hand, his chest moving up and down, and I can see he's physically exhausted, his chakra supply still relatively full…
Shino stands with his hands in his pockets, his sunglasses hiding his eyes. I scan the area for more attackers, and I see that we're alone for at least 100 meters…
"We should get moving, unless you are unable to continue, Naruto?" Shino asks the boy.
I see Naruto shake his head.
"I'm fine, let's get moving…" He says, wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his jacket.
Let's get this damn test over with…
I take a quick look at Naruto before I take into the trees, making sure the boy is capable of continuing, and not seeing anything wrong with him, I just take off into the trees. The two of them follow me into the trees, and we head toward the tower.
Shino's plan replays in my mind, going over each step over and over again in my mind, looking for a possible loophole that an opposing genin could use to get to us…
Naruto will use his shadow clones and his increased physical ability to charge into the collectors, creating a pathway for the three of us. While the clones distract the collectors, we run past as fast as the three of us can together, heading straight for the tower.
As much as I think about the plan, I can't think of anything to improve it, so I simply make the predetermined sign to signal Naruto, who in turn makes a familiar hand sign.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu…!" He yells out.
I see chakra leave his body and form into an army of 30 shadow clones, and each of the clones' charges forward with a yell, the three of us going to ground, charging for the tower with all available speed.
We have to make it…
Through my Byakugan, I see Naruto is behind me, Shino pulling up the rear. Overhead I see Shadow clones engaged in combat, the three of us running by as quickly as we can. I see the door, heading for it with all my available speed. With the army of shadow clones running a screen, we manage to get inside the tower, and I slam the door closed, sealing off the entrance to any genin that might try and follow us in and break the rules to get a scroll…
"We made it…" I mutter, leaning against the door, my Byakugan fading from my eyes…
I breathe lightly, barely winded from the exercise of sprinting into the tower. Standing there, I glance around and see a billboard attached to the far wall. I glance to Naruto, seeing the boy looking more winded then either Shino or I. While I'm looking at him, Naruto looks around, and then looks to Shino, and then me.
"Well, what do we do now?" Naruto asks.
"The ultimate goal of this exam was to get to this tower with 2 scrolls in our possession." Shino points out. "Beyond that, no instructions were given."
I think about the scrolls, and what the proctor, Anko told the students before we began the test.
"The rules say that if we open the scrolls before we arrive at the tower, we're disqualified, but they don't say what will happen if we open them after we arrive at the tower." I point out.
"Then, we should open the heaven and earth scrolls at the same time and see what they say?" Naruto asks.
I see Shino nod, and I mimic my teammate's action. Shino removes the earth scroll from his pack, and I remove the heaven scroll from my bag. Both Shino and I open the scrolls at the exact same time, a moment later a large cloud of smoke bursts from the scrolls…
The cloud of smoke disappears, with Kurenai-sensei standing on the floor in front of us.
"Kurenai-sensei, what are you doing here?" Naruto asks.
I see my teacher smiling, a happy air hovering around her.
"I'm here because when you opened those scrolls, it activated a summoning technique that brought me here." She explains. "The point of the exam is to test both your physical abilities and your morals as well." She continues. "Had you opened the scrolls before you arrived, you would've instantly failed and been disqualified. Sometimes ninja must carry information or items in a sealed container and not open or look at the parcel. That part of the exam is made to test your ability to do that, since the three of you completed the exam without looking at the scrolls, you passed."
"I would like to inquire as to the purpose of having our sensei summoned here to explain this to us?" Shino asks.
"I'm here to make sure you understand, and answer any questions the three of you have about this second phase." She responds. "The three genin from the sand village beat an old speed record but you three can close to beating that too, so you should still be very proud."
"Um, Kurenai-sensei, I don't think that the red haired boy on the sand squad isn't right." I tell my teacher.
I see her look toward me with a curious expression on her face.
"What do you mean, he isn't right, Hinata?" Kurenai asks.
I nod.
"I believe he's psychotic Kurenai-sensei, he intentionally killed three rain genin during the exam, and did it alone without any help from his two teammates." I explain to my teacher. "I also think he's a Jinchuriki, his chakra network looks like mine does when I look closely at him with my Byakugan."
"You really believe this, Hinata?" Kurenai asks, and I nod.
"Yes, I believe he has a demon sealed inside of him, Kurenai-sensei."
"I see…" My teacher mutters, absorbing the information. "I'll have to report this to the Hokage immediately…"
"Um, sensei…" Naruto begins. "What should we do now?"
She looks at him, and then I see her smile.
"You three still have 2 days before this exam ends." She explains to us. "There are rooms in this tower that you can sleep in as well as bathe. I'll show you three to some rooms you can use, but you should be careful. Those three genin from the sand village will be staying on the same floor as you will be, and I can't do anything about that." She continues. "What I can do is have the three of you room next to each other, so if one of you should get in trouble, you'll be close to your teammates."
"Thank you, sensei…" I speak up, and I see my teacher nod.
"The three of you are forbidden from doing any training during the next 2 days. You three are to do nothing more then rest up and be ready, it's quite possible they'll have a preliminary tournament before the third stage begins." She informs us all.
"A preliminary tournament…?" I ask.
Kurenai-sensei nods once.
"The rules say they can hold a preliminary tournament at any time during the exams." Kurenai explains. "If too many genin pass this portion of the exam, then they'll have a preliminary to thin the number of genin to an acceptable number."
"So, it's possible that we'll have to fight each other?" Naruto asks.
Kurenai nods.
"It's possible, though I personally hope that only a small number of genin finish this exam, that way there's no possibility of a preliminary."
"I concur, Kurenai-sensei." Shino says.
With that, Kurenai-sensei motions for us to follow her, and I do so. Naruto and Shino walk next to me while Kurenai leads us through the tower and up several floors of stairs to a floor filled with doors. She leads the three of us to three rooms, motioning to one of the three doors.
"You three can stay in these rooms, I trust you three will be all right with this?"
I nod, with Naruto and Shino giving their affirmatives. I take a room, Naruto and Shino taking their own rooms. I go inside the simple room, seeing a small bathroom attached to the room. The room is furnished with only a small bed, and nothing else. Other then the bathroom, the room has nothing in it other then the bed…
At least it's a shower, and I can get clean again…
Leaving my backpack on the bed, I go into the bathroom, shucking my clothes. (I'm not using any imagery here; I don't want to describe what a 12 year old girl looks like naked...) I take a long, hot shower, letting the water soak into my body…
&
I spend nearly an hour in the shower and just relaxing, scrubbing myself over 3 times to try and remove the dirt and the grime from my body. I don't bother going to eat anything; instead I lie on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. For a long time, I stare up at the ceiling, my mind stuck on what I saw in the forest, the struggle Squad 7 was going through…
They were fighting some strange person from the Hidden Grass village. Whoever that person was, he wasn't a normal genin. Whoever he was, he was hardly a genin, he must've snuck into the exams, but I can't begin to fathom why…
And then there's why he attacked squad 7. I saw them in danger, and I stood there and watched while they fought against an opponent they had no business fighting. If I had said something to Naruto and Shino, we would've gone to help them. But, I didn't say anything; I stood there and watched them fight a losing battle against some freakish monster, and then walked away…
I know I don't have anything to feel bad about. Squad 7 just had a run of bad luck, running into that grass genin. Even though I know that, I still feel like I've done something wrong by not telling Naruto and Shino…
For some reason I get up, having dressed in my pajamas, I leave the room and walk to the room next to mine, the one Naruto's in. I knock on the door lightly.
"Naruto, are you awake?" I barely whisper toward the door.
Rather then see the door in front of me open, I hear a door open on creaky hinges from behind me. I spin around, assuming a gentle fist stance out of reflex, sensing the bloodlust coming from behind me…
I see the door across the hall, not 10 feet away cracked open, with the red haired genin named Gaara standing in the doorway, only the right half of his face visible in the doorway…
Oh no, not him…
Seeing him, I remember what he did to the students in the forest…
I feel myself tremble, staring down the red haired boy. I activate my Byakugan without signs, wanting to be ready in case the boy tries anything…
If he so cavalierly killed people during the exam, what's he going to do to someone who interrupted his sleep?
Looking at him, I see his face set in an emotionless mask, though deep in his eyes I can sense his bloodlust, a pure unadulterated desire to kill…
That desire to kill sends shivers down my spine, and I unconsciously draw on the Kyuubi's chakra, not knowing what this freak might do…
I assume a gentle fist stance, ready to defend myself. In the dark hall, I can see the red light coming from my body, indicating the chakra of the demon fox is visible. I stand there a moment, seeing Gaara's green eyes go wide a moment, and then a thin, barely visible smile appears on his lips. I hear a door open on creaky hinges. Through my Byakugan, I see Naruto open his door and stand there. I see his eyes go from me; glowing red with demon chakra to Gaara, and from my description of the sand genin, Naruto recognizes the boy.
"What's going on here?" Naruto asks, breaking the silence.
I see Gaara's door close a moment later without a word leaving the sand genin's lips. With my Byakugan, I can see through the door to see the sand genin walk back to his bed and sit on it, crossing his legs. I see him sit there, motionless, and I watch him for a long moment. Then, I breathe a sigh of relief and lower my arms, turning off the kekkei genkai. I force myself to calm down, feeling Naruto's eyes on my back, still glowing red with the presence of demon chakra in my body…
It takes me a moment to regain my composure, but once I do so, I see the red light in the hallway disappear. I turn to face my teammate, and I see him standing there with a curious expression on his face.
"That was that Gaara guy, right?" Naruto asks.
I nod.
"Yes, that was him…" I affirm.
I see Naruto shake his head.
"I haven't seen you glow like that since that peacekeeping mission…" He mutters, and I nod, remembering all too clearly the first time I drew upon the red chakra.
"I didn't want him to hurt me or you, Naruto…" I explain to him. "I had to be ready…"
He waves his hand dismissively.
"So, what're you knocking on my door at this late hour for?" He asks.
"I wanted to talk to you; do you think I can come into your room?" I ask, and I see him nod.
"Yeah, sure…" He responds.
He steps aside, allowing me to enter while I walk into the room. I take 4 steps into the room and then half turn, seeing him look out into the hall a moment, and then close the door.
He's worried about sleeping across the hall from that Gaara. Well, who wouldn't be concerned about sleeping 10 feet away from a psychotic murderer?
"Um, Naruto, what do you think of squad 7?" I ask, trying to bring the subject up.
"Sasuke's squad…?" He asks, and I nod.
"Yes, what do you think of them?" I ask again.
"Well…" He mutters. "I mean, I think Sasuke is about the most stuck up arrogant person I've ever met. Kiba's kind of cool, but he shows off too much with that dog and the whole 'man's best friend' thing kinda creeps me out. Sakura is basically Sasuke's groupie, and from what I've heard of their mission in the land of waves, she just stood around useless while Sasuke and Kiba nearly got killed." He finishes.
I swallow the saliva in my mouth, knowing that this is my point of no return, and if I say what I'm going to say, there won't be any going back…
I can't keep this from him, I should tell him, even if it doesn't do any good, he should know…
"What would you think if they were dead?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm, and barely managing to do so.
I see his eyes go wide in questioning.
"What are you talking about, Hinata?"
"In the forest, I saw squad 7 fighting against a genin from the hidden grass village." I begin. "The only thing is he wasn't a normal genin. He was able to make all three of them freeze in fear by just looking at them, and he fought off Sasuke like the Uchiha was nothing but an annoying fly." I continue. "I didn't say anything to either you or Shino because I didn't want you to think we had to try and help them. Whoever they were fighting, he had no business being in the Chunin exams, and I didn't want us to have to risk our lives for 3 people that I'm sure wouldn't do the same for us if the situation were reversed…" I finish.
I stand there silent after that, waiting for Naruto to explode, to yell at me at how heartless I am for keeping this information from him. I expect to hear him scream at me how he thought he could trust me; how he thought we were friends, when I was only looking out for the interests of our entire team…
Finally, after several heartbeats, Naruto speaks.
"What exactly did the grass genin do?" Naruto asks.
"He fought Sasuke like Sasuke was a pitiful weakling, and took Kiba and Akamaru's combination attack like it was a love tap." I explain. "He gave off enough blood lust that all three of them, and Akamaru all froze in fear."
"Whoa…" I hear Naruto mutter, taking in the information I present to him.
I see him look down to the floor, and then his eyes meet mine, thoughtfulness filling the beautiful blue orbs…
"Would you recognize that guy again if you saw him?" He asks, and I nod.
"Absolutely…" I confirm for him.
"I don't hold your decision against you, Hinata…" Naruto finally says, and I feel relief hit me like tidal wave jutsu. "Sasuke and Kiba are both tough guys, and are more then capable of holding their own in a fight. If all three of squad 7 is killed by that one guy alone, then he's obviously not a normal genin, and we'd only be risking our own lives trying to help them. You should report this information to Kurenai-sensei, or even dad." Naruto points out. "Why didn't you tell her earlier?" He asks.
My shoulders drop, and I look down toward the floor.
"I didn't want you and Shino to think I was heartless or cruel…" I respond weakly, knowing that it isn't any excuse…
"Let's go then…" He says, walking to the door. "We need to tell Kurenai-sensei or someone who can do something…"
I nod, seeing Naruto open the door. I follow him out into the hallway, my cold bare feet the last thing on my mind…
&
Apparently, Minato Namikaze does not like to be woken up at 3:30 in the morning, but when the Chunin guard outside the room the Hokage sleeps in inside the tower went inside and told the ninja leader his son had 'an urgent matter' to discuss with him, the ninja leader calmed down. The Chunin emerges a moment later, motioning for both Naruto and I to enter the room. I follow the blonde boy into his father's temporary domicile, seeing the room is dark, though moonlight from the window allows for some vision. I see Minato sitting on the edge of his bed, his wife oddly not next to him. The ninja leader wears his normal bedclothes; a pair of boxers and a white undershirt. Though, the expression on his face shows his displeasure. His eyes show just how tired he is, like the man hasn't slept well in days…
"This better be important Naruto, you know I don't get a lot of time to rest…" He says; his voice mostly just tired.
I see Naruto look to me, and then back to his father.
"Hinata thinks she saw someone who doesn't belong in the Chunin exams." Naruto says plainly, and I see Minato's eyes lose whatever grogginess was in them.
"Explain…" The man says, not asking.
I take a deep breath, and then I explain to the ninja leader everything I saw. I explain the man's appearance, the strange tattoos on his right arm, the long tongue in his throat, everything. I see Minato's eyes go wide when I finish my description of the incident I was witness to in the forest of death…
"You're sure that's what you saw?" He asks, looking at me with deadly seriousness in his eyes.
I nod once.
"Yes, Hokage-sama…" I respond.
I feel a grim air form around the Fourth Hokage.
"Looks like I won't be sleeping tonight after all…" He mutters, standing up.
He touched the wall, creating a barely audible 'click' a moment before the overhead light comes on, flooding the room with light. I see him grab the white robe of the Hokage from a nearby chair, draping it over his shoulders.
"You two should return to your rooms and get some sleep, thank you for reporting this information to me." He says, walking past us and toward the door.
"What're you gonna do dad?" Naruto asks, his father stopping at the doorway.
"I'm going to do everything I can, Naruto, everything I can…" He mutters, and then leaves the room, leaving Naruto and I alone.
I look to my teammate, and I see him sigh.
"Well, he's still the Hokage, and he told us to go back to our rooms and get some rest." Naruto points out.
I nod.
"We've done all we can, it's in Minato-sama's hands now." I respond.
"I just hope Squad 7 wasn't killed, even if Sasuke is the biggest ass this side of Konoha, I'd hate to see him killed by some freak…"
"We should go back to our rooms…" I point out. "We can't do anything more then we've already done, and our staying up won't accomplish anything."
Naruto nods once, and then sighs again.
"You're right…" He mutters, and then starts off toward his room.
I follow the boy back to his room, saying good night before he closes his door. I look at the room where Gaara sleeps for a long moment, and then I go into my own room, locking the door, and resisting the urge to push the bed against the door…
&
Two days later, the end of the exams comes, and I see various other shinobi have passed the second stage of the exams. Among them I see the three genin from the Sound Village, Squad 10, The Sand Genin, a team of Genin with Kabuto at the front, Squad 7, and then finally I see Team Gai…
Neji-nii-san made it through the exam; I guess it's no wonder…
I look around the room, seeing the 4th Hokage as well as Anko Mitarashi and a third Jounin with a sword slung over his back. Other then them, I see Kurenai-sensei, Might Gai, and the other Jounin that act as sensei for the teams standing in a line, and I see a smile on Kurenai-sensei's face…
She must be proud of us, finishing the exam so quickly…
The room the surviving teams have been gathered into is a large arena. In the rear of the arena is a large statue of two hands forming a generic hand sign. Above the statue is a blank green screen, which I can only assume is meant to display competitors in matches, or some other message…
I glance to squad 7, and I see that all of them are cut and scuffed up, though Sasuke looks to be the worst for the wear. I see him favoring his left shoulder, as though something were wrong with it. Sakura has a concerned look on her face, though Kiba stands in front of Sasuke, looking ahead with an uncaring smirk on his face…
What could've happened? I guess with them fighting against that Grass freak, anything could happen…
I look to see the dark haired boy of the three sound genin with both of his arms in slings.
Both of his arms were broken? What happened to him? Why don't either of his teammates have any injuries?
Before I can think further on the subject, the 4th Hokage speaks.
"All of you should be congratulated…" He begins. "All of you have successfully completed the second stage of the exam, though there is rather a large amount of genin who managed to complete this stage." He continues. "However, due to the rather large number of Genin who have completed the second stage of the exam, we'll have to have a preliminary tournament to lessen the number of genin moving on to the third stage of the exam." He finishes.
Just like Kurenai-sensei said. I guess they can't have so many genin move on, so we'll have to fight each other and only the winners will advance. I hope I don't have to fight Naruto or Shino, if I eliminated them and prevented them from passing, I'd never forget it…
"The rules for this preliminary tournament are relatively simple…" Minato begins. "There are no rules, though should one fighter give up, be clearly beaten, or die, the match will be called, and a winner decided."
"What?" I hear Ino yell. "We just passed the hardest test of our lives, and you're gonna make us fight this soon?"
I see the Fourth's eyes shift to her, though he says nothing. Instead, the Jounin with the sword on his back speaks.
"These preliminary rounds are necessary; there simply isn't enough room for all of you in the final stage of the exam." He begins. "That said; if any of you feel you shouldn't be participating in this preliminary tournament, you should quit now. Konoha will not be held responsible if you die."
I see Kabuto raise his hand.
"If that's the case, then I quit…" Kabuto Yakushi says with a smile.
"What, you're quitting now?" Kiba asks, and I see Kabuto shrug.
"I'm just not up for a preliminary tournament, sorry…"
"If that's the case, then please leave." The Jounin says. "Anyone else who doesn't wish to participate should leave as well."
Other then Kabuto turning and walking away, his foot falls light against the arena floor, no others respond to the Jounin's statement. There's a long moment of silence after Kabuto leaves the arena, and I see the man cough, his cough a heavy, nasty phlegm filled cough.
Talk about not being in top physical condition. His cough sounds like he's got cancer or some really bad disease…
"My name is Hayate Gekko, and I'll be the one refereeing these preliminary matches." He introduces himself. "Now, if the remaining genin will leave the arena and stand in the waiting area, we can begin the matches…"
With that, the assembled Genin and their teachers leave the arena floor and head to the observer's area. Naruto, Shino and I all stand near Kurenai-sensei, but Might Gai as well as Lee and Ten-Ten along with Team 10 and their teacher all stand near us as well. I notice that Neji stands on the opposite side of his teacher as I do, his eyes set firmly ahead of him on the arena floor.
Hayate clears his throat.
"These matches will be decided at random, and will be a 1 on 1 match; there will be no rules and no restrictions, although jutsus that will destroy this tower or the arena should be avoided. While killing your opponent is not against the rules, it should be avoided. These are rank exams, and not worth killing others over."
With that, Hayate turns toward the screen, and I see the screen light up. I see names flash at break neck speed on the screen. There is a large 'VS' in the middle while the names randomly run by. When the names come to a stop, my eyes go wide.
The screen reads: Shikamaru Nara VS Choji Akimichi…