A/N: Chapter 11. –gasp– …No, not gasp. Wait, this is Chapter Eleven and I'm STILL at the goddamn Forest of Death?!

…

Anyway…

Kyoko winced in her fitful sleep. Her teammates were fighting the Sound genin – and they seemed to be quite even. Before Dosu could send sound waves, Minamo would threaten to chop his arm using her sickle; and when Zaku tried to send air waves, Mira tried to strangle him.

Although most didn't notice it, the atmosphere suddenly became heavier. Incidentally, at the same time, Dosu cornered Minamo with his sound arm at her ear, while Zaku had Mira in a painful arm lock.

Suddenly a blow of concentrated force slammed through the scenery,knocking everyone to the side. Neji jumped down, alarmed at what his Byakugan was seeing.

Kyoko was staggering up, purple chakra rising in slow, pulsing circles around her body. While everyone gasped, the blow of force took form. A misty white dragon. However, it got pulled back into Kyoko's chest, while she speeded over to Dosu.

Kyoko was eerily silent as she calmly put her hand on the back of Dosu's head.

"AAAAGH!" Dosu cried as the amplified force wave slammed into his head, giving him almost definite concussion and sending him metres away. She then, without any hesitation, started to run over to Minamo, who was backing away at her friend's sudden dark glare.

Minamo widened her eyes as Kyoko stopped abruptly. She fell on her knees and clutched her head, moaning softly. Meanwhile, everyone's attention was diverted to Sakura clutching Sasuke, who had also arisen from the Cursed Seal.

"You two are strong." Kin stammered, her two team mates both incapacitated. "I'll give you the scroll… you…" Kin blinked. "Deserve it…" she muttered, dragging her team mates into the bushes.

Sasuke woke up from his demon-like stupor. The first thing that came to his sight was Kyoko, seemingly asleep. His ears directed him to Naruto, Sakura and the rest of Teams 9 and 10. Although alarmed at Sakura's sudden 'image change' he was reassured very quickly (although he didn't show it) that so many people were there to help them.

After Team 10 went their separate way, Minamo and Sakura exchanged awkward glances. They had no idea what they were going to do with Kyoko, who didn't show any signs of waking up.

"FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Mira lost her patience. "How can a normal person SLEEP this long?!"

"If your information is correct and she was taking night watch first, then that means she hasn't had any sleep for the last 24 hours…" Sakura muttered.

"…That doesn't matter! How the hell are we going to get to the Tower in time if she's like this!"

Mm…ugh…what time did I get to SLEEP last night?! Gurgh… Kyoko sleepily thought.

She could feel a sharp, exhilarating wind blowing her hair behind her, yet she also felt warmth.

Hm… She slowly opened her eyes.

Sasuke was carrying her through the trees. Her eyes abruptly widened, straining her sockets as they were not used to such action.

"GURAAAAAGHAHEH!" Kyoko screamed, leaning backward, pushing Sasuke away from her and spoiling the leverage, letting her fall to the ground below.

Sasuke had a rather more embarrassing fall, sliding on the tree trunk he was going to jump off of and falling face-first.

The rest of the congregation stopped. Mira giggled.

"I think she woke up."

"RISE AND SHINE, KEEKSTER!"

"What kind of a nickname is that, idiot?!" Kyoko growled to Minamo, pushing herself off the grassy floor.

Sasuke lay there, seemingly oblivious of Naruto's guffawing and Sakura's very polite giggle. Kyoko walked calmly up to them, eyes alight. They immediately stopped.

Kyoko then kicked Sasuke, VERY hard in the head. A minute muffled yelp was heard distantly.

"What the HELL do you think you're playing at?! I risk my reputation to save you and you still get a cursed seal?! And what was with the carrying just now?!"

"Shut. Up." Sasuke glared.

Naruto backed away, hiding behind a tree.

"Eheh…Let's go to the tower now, shall we?" Sakura sweatdropped. Their team didn't really have to get any scrolls; Team 9 had recovered an extra 'Heaven' scroll accidentally (Minamo was involved) and was keen to dispose of it.

Meanwhile, a figure calmly and silently watched from the shadows.

Kabuto Yakushi and his team walked through the double doors and were met by a sneering individual.

"Orochimaru-sama. I have them."

Orochimaru held his hand out while Kabuto placed his nin-cards out on it.

The pictures contained those of Sasuke Uchiha and Kyoko Toyama. They both had their stats at the bottom and a brief comment.

Orochimaru then blinked. There was an extra card lying beneath Kyoko's.

"…"

The card was that of Mira Sohma. Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. That girl was willing to do anything – and she seemed to know where to go.

"That is all, you may leave." He drawled as he pushed himself off the wall and pocketed his cards.

Time for the Preliminaries.