Chapter 11 – In the thick of leaves
The pairing poll for Kagura is done. With a win of 50% of the votes…Samui! I'll be putting up the Naruto poll with the release of this chapter :3.
A note of alert here for you guys: I'll be slowing down a bit on the releases of chapters during the chunin exams due to the fact that I wanna make sure I fit everything into them that I want to include and that I get all the tons of fight scenes done right.
Now…ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Konohagakure – Four months after the Wave mission
A black cat suit wearing teen is holding a small boy up by the collar. ''That hurt you little brat…!'' He growls at the kid while a blonde female next to him roll her eyes.
''You're really going to cause trouble here and now,Kankuro?'' Temari sighs at her brother.
''HEY! Let him go!'' A pinkhaired girl shrieks at them from further away. The blonde next to her looks just about ready to attack Kankuro.
Temari looks at them and rolls her eyes again. 'That blonde ain't too bad looking. Shame he's got to be such a brat.' She thinks to herself.
Kankuro smirks at the two. ''See now…I hate children. Especially the kind that are disrespectful. I'm going to teach this brat a lesson first and then you two for interrupting me.'' He says.
Sakura looks in terror at he just said while Naruto growls louder.
''You should do as the young lady Haruno said, genin of Suna.'' A voice says behind him.
Temari snaps her head around in shock over the fact that someone snuck up on them. 'Who is this guy!?'
Naruto blinks before grinning. ''Deidara-san!'' He exclaims with a smile at his fellow blonde who gives him a polite nod in return before grabbing Kankuro's wrist and squeezing it. ''I said… Let the boy go.'' He repeats with more edge to his tone.
The puppeteer yelps and drops Konohamaru onto the ground. ''He's down,he's down!'' He calls while trying to free his wrist from the older man.
Deidara narrows his eyes at the teen. ''Now apologize.'' He says much to the shock of the puppeteer.
''You gotta be kidding me! That brat ran into me, not the other way around!'' He exclaims.
''Kankuro. You're embarrassing our village.'' A voice says from a nearby tree.
Both Suna genin freeze up at the voice. ''G-Gaara…'' Temari starts stammering while shivering.
Deidara raises a brow at their reaction as he eyes the redhead boy in the tree.
Naruto and Sakura stare in shock at the kid and first then notice Sasuke sitting in the same tree.
''B-but Gaara…'' The catsuit boy begins.
''Shut up. I'll kill you.'' The redhead says again as he shunshins out of the tree and appears next to Deidara. ''I apologize for my brothers actions,Iwa-san.'' He says while looking at Deidara.
The blonde nods and lets go of Kankuro. ''Just don't let it happen again.'' He says.
Gaara narrows his eyes at his elder brother. ''It won't.'' He states as he turns to leave.
Sakura blinks. ''Hey! Wait up!'' she calls to them. The group turns around and looks at her expectantly. ''You guys are from Suna right? What are you doing in Konoha!? Depending on your answer we may not be able to just let you go…'' She says while trying to look cool infront of her Sasuke-kun.
Deidara snickers. ''Kakashi-san has been slacking off I see.'' He says with a smirk. ''These kids are here for the chunin exams, ain't that right?'' He says while looking at the trio expectantly.
Gaara nods. ''That is correct.'' He says before trying to turn to leave again, only to be stopped by Sasuke's voice this time.
''You! I am interested in knowing your name!'' He calls to the redhead.
''….Sabaku no Gaara, and I would like to hear yours aswell.'' He says while looking at Sasuke.
''Sasuke Uchiha.'' The avenger replies.
Gaara nods as he finally gets to leave, his two siblings in tow.
Naruto heads over to Konohamaru and helps him up. ''You okay,Konohamaru?'' He asks of the boy who nods before looking at Deidara. ''Thanks mister…'' He says.
Deidara nods with a smile. ''My pleasure.'' He says before turning to team 7. ''You guys seriously don't know about the Chunin exams?'' he asks of them to which he gets three headshakes.
''Heh. Every six months there's a competition held in one of the major villages.'' He says. ''Genin from all five villages are sent to the competition to see which genin is fit to ascend to chunin status.'' He explains.
Sasuke nods. ''And this time it is held in Konoha.'' He states as he understands.
Deidara nods. ''That's right.'' He confirms. Sasuke grits his teeth when he realizes that Kakashi has been hiding information from them.
Naruto lightens up at the information however. ''Does that mean that Kagura-neechan is here too!?'' He asks with a hopeful look on his face.
Deidara chuckles. ''Yes that's right. Team 5 is entering the exam this time.'' He confirms with a grin.
Sasuke clenches his fist but then smirks. 'So all I need to do is convince Kakashi-sensei to let us into the exam and I'll be able to test my abilities against opponents like her?...This'll be a cakewalk…' He thinks to himself.
Hokage's meeting room
Hiruzen Sarutobi is puffing some smoke out from his pipe as he watches all the gathered jounin. ''You've seen them.'' He states.
One jounin lets out a low growl. ''Yes…There's even IWA shinobi competing this time…'' He says. This man was Ebisu, an elite tokubetsu jounin.
Kakashi looks at the man and sighs. ''Not all Iwa shinobi are that bad,Ebisu-san…'' He starts.
Ebisu looks at the masked jounin in shock. ''What are you saying,Kakashi!? We haven't been to war with them twice for nothing!'' he exclaims.
Kakashi sighs again. ''I don't like repeating myself,Ebisu. Don't judge the new generation of another village because of the elders actions. We of Konoha could easily be judged for the same crimes as half of Iwagakure.'' He says.
Ebisu sputters and tries to say something but Hiruzen stops him. ''Kakashi is correct,Ebisu-san. The moment we judge a child for the actions of its parents, we condemn that child to share its fate. Hate only causes more hate.'' He says. ''But Iwagakure is not why we are here today. I wish to know which genin are participating for our own village this year.'' He says as he looks at the jounin.
Kakashi steps forward,closely followed by Kurenai and Asuma. ''I volunteer team 7.'' He says.
Kurenai nods. ''I volunteer team 8.'' She says and Asuma shifts his cigarette. ''I volunteer team 9.'' He confirms.
Hiruzen nods. ''It's been a while since all three graduating teams entered an exam together. I believe this year will be interesting.'' He says before looking at Kakashi. ''Is your team prepared to fight former friends and allies,Kakashi?'' He asks.
Kakashi blinks before nodding. ''They're here too,eh?'' He asks with a hidden smile.
Hiruzen nods. ''I ask again. Will they be a problem?'' he repeats.
Kakashi shakes his head. ''My team knows the stakes in such a situation. It's a mission and team Deidara is the enemy. They will not have a problem with this.'' He says.
Hiruzen nods. ''Very well then. Dismissed.''
Ichiraku Ramen
Team 5 and 6 are watching in shock as the usually collected Uzumaki heiress is consuming bowl after bowl of ramen. Kurotsuchi watches with a giant smirk as she realizes she has something to tease her big sister with.
Kagura finishes her 13th bowl of ramen and turns to the owners again. ''Another!'' She demands as the other Iwa shinobi sweatdrop.
Teuchi chuckles as he gets to work. ''She eats as much as Naruto,doesn't she?'' He asks of his daughter.
Ayame giggles and nods. ''Seems so Tou-san!'' she replies as she helps out.
Kagura looks at them curiously. ''Naruto…Uzumaki?'' She asks to which the two look at her with smiles. ''Yep! He's our star customer!'' Teuchi says with a wide smile.
Ayame matches her father's expression. ''You know him?'' she asks.
Kagura nods. ''He's my little brother.'' She says simply, shocking the members of team 6.
Ryoga is the first to collect himself as he shakes his head. ''Your little brother is alive?!'' He exclaims in shock. Kagura nods and takes her bowl as it comes,thanking Ayame for it with a smile.
''We ran into him during that mission to wave.'' Kurotsuchi says with a smirk.
Masaki hugs onto Kagura from behind,shocking the girl. ''Oh Kagura-chan! That's great!'' she says with a big smile.
Kagura blinks before smiling aswell. ''Yeah…The news has certainly made Kaa-san a lot happier.'' She says fondly. Masaki lets go of her and nods. ''I was wondering why Kushina-chan was so giddy all of a sudden…I actually thought she and Dei-kun finally—'' She starts but is interrupted by shout from Kurotsuchi.
''Those are mental images I do NOT need,Masaki-sensei!'' she shouts at the older woman who pouts. ''Kids these days.'' She says with a smirk.
Guren snickers alongside Ryoga and Akatsuchi chuckles. Natsumi and Haku look at the others with indifferent faces but faint blushes are visible on them both.
''There you are!'' A voice calls from behind them. The group turn their heads around to see Deidara standing there with his arms crossed.
''I've been looking all over for you guys.'' He says with a sigh.
Masaki giggles and shakes her head. ''Sorry Dei-kun but the kids were hungry! So I offered to buy them some lunch.''
Deidara sighs again and nods. ''Alright alright…Since they're my students too then I'll pay for my own team.'' He says much to the amusement of Masaki who nods. ''Sure!'' She says with a grin. 'Still too nice for your own good,Dei-kun.'
One painfully large bill later. The teams are heading towards Konoha's academy to begin the first test. Natsumi keeps trying to comfort a crying Deidara on the way there as he looks at his cleaned out wallet.
Deidara and Masaki stop just outside the building. ''You guys are on your own from here on in. Take care of each other and keep your wits about you in there.'' Deidara says as he once more turns serious.
Masaki nods and gives her own serious look to the two teams. ''This may be a competition but you're all Iwagakure shinobi. I expect you to help each other out if possible.'' She says.
Kagura looks at the two with a raised brow. ''Isn't this a competition,sensei?...''She asks of Deidara who nods.
She then looks at her fellow team. ''Help my enemy in a competition? Are you insane,sensei?'' She asks of Masaki who nods but before realizing what was said. ''W-Wait no I'm not!'' She yells afterwards.
Kagura nods and sighs. ''Fine. We'll see what I can do.'' She says as she heads inside.
Ryoga frowns and follows with the others in tow. 'She really doesn't know the meaning of holding back,does she?' Masaki thinks to herself as she sweatdrops.
''Yo! Deidara-san!'' A masculine voice calls behind them.
Deidara chuckles. ''This'll be an interesting exam indeed…'' He says to himself as he turns around to greet the person.
Inside the academy
The Iwa teams had passed by the genjutsu trick easily and headed up into the large gathering hall on the third floor. As they entered the room they were hit by a wave of concentrated Killing Intent from various teams.
Kurotsuchi snickers and looks at Kagura. ''Neechan? Would you kindly…?'' She asks of her big sister who just shrugs and turns her attention on the gathering of shinobi.
''Hello.'' She greets while unleashing her own KI, causing those who tried to scare her to tremble. She then nods as she walks over to grab a seat, murmuring about easy tasks.
''Whoo…That's one nasty hiss you got there.'' A female voice says behind her.
She looks up to find herself looking into the face of Yugito Nii. ''….Yugito-san.'' She greets.
''In the flesh,Kagura-san.'' She says with a smirk as she sits down next to the redhead. ''Fancy meeting you here,huh?'' She says.
Kagura looks at her with a smile. ''Rather pleasant indeed.'' She agrees to which the Nibi container grins and lowers her voice. ''Samui-neechan is here too…'' She whispers.
Kagura looks at her questioningly. ''Oh? I'm looking forward to meeting her then.'' She says with another smile.
Yugito giggles and leans back. ''Oh yes…She's looking forward to seeing you too. A lot.'' She says with a smirk as she sees a tint of red slowly show itself on the Uzumaki. ''You like her,don't you?'' she asks.
Kagura is turning redder by the second as she tries to look as serious as she can. ''Samui-chan-...I mean Samui-san is a respectable friend and an honorable warrior! Of course I like her.'' She gets out while looking at the jinchuuriki defiantly.
Yugito smirks and a male voice speaks up on the other side of Kagura. ''Samui-CHAN is it now? That's kinda hot.'' Atsui says as he takes a seat.
Kagura looks at him in confusion. ''Who are you?'' she asks.
Atsui chuckles. ''I'm Atsui. Yugito's teammate and brother.'' He says with a grin.
Kagura quirks a brow. ''So you're Samui's brother too then?'' She asks.
He nods and is about to say something when there's a big commotion by the entrance. Kagura turns around to see what it's all about only to see Kurotsuchi caught in a headlock by Karui, who's giving her a noogie.
Yugito looks at her. ''Aren't you going to help your sister?'' She asks.
Kagura shrugs. ''Knowing Kuro-chan she's probably earned it.'' She answers and her two conversation partners smirk.
Kagura sighs and gets up. ''But I should probably keep them from drawing so much attention to themselves.'' She says as she walks over to the main door and taps Karui on the shoulder.
''Eh?'' The dark skinned redhead asks as she turns to look at an amused Kagura Uzumaki. ''Oh hey!'' She greets as she lets go of a whining Kurotsuchi.
Omoi pales. ''Oh great,flatchest. You've gone and pissed her off! Now she'll go on a berserk rage and use all that power she got to blow up half of Konoha and spark an international conflict, and we as Kumogakure shinobi will be dragged in and lose thousands of people to the war and in the end only Kirigakure and Sunakagure will remain and fight with water and sand,creating a beach world!'' He says and makes everyone sweatdrop except for Karui who has a tic mark from the nickname and is busy pounding him into the floor instead.
''You two are being uncool…'' A voice speaks up from behind them. Kagura smiles at the voice and turns around to face the girl. ''Hello Samui-san.'' She greets.
Samui nods in response with a small smile of her own. ''Hello Kagura-san. Thank you for your letter.'' She says politely.
The two girls remain like that for a while until Ryoga decides to have some fun by standing next to Kurotsuchi and whispering rather loudly about how the two should just ''Kiss and be done with it''.
The black haired girl snickers in amusement as the two stoic team leaders look at each other nervously with sporting blushes before rapidly looking to the side.
Kagura clears her throat and tries her best to level a glare at her sister and fellow Iwa shinobi. ''Samui-chan and I are just friends!'' she says to them.
Samui nods in agreement. ''There is nothing more going on between myself and Kagura-chan.'' She adds.
Yugito smirks. '' Kagura-''Chan'' is it,neechan? Mreoww.'' She teases while Atsui chuckles.
''Hot one,Yugito-chan.'' He says with a grin.
Kagura shakes her head and sighs. ''You need to grow up…'' She sighs out as Samui nods her agreement. ''Most uncool.''
''Whoa you guys ARE here!'' A familiar voice calls from the entrance as a blonde blur rushes forward and wraps his arms around Kagura who blinks in surprise.
Sakura rolls her eyes. ''Sheesh…At least give her a chance to figure out who you are,Naruto-baka!'' She screeches at the blonde.
Sasuke just grunts.
Kagura slowly returns the hug. ''It is nice to see you again,Naruto-kun.'' She says with a smile.
Yugito raises a brow. ''You know these Konoha nin?'' she asks of the redhead.
Kagura nods. ''We worked alongside them on a mission in Wave country.'' She says.
Naruto lets go of her and greets her team aswell. ''Oh! Haku-chan!'' He explains and walks up to the ice release user to greet her.
Samui raises a brow. ''You have a fourth team member?'' She asks curiously.
''It is a long story.'' Kagura says before smiling at Samui. ''Don't worry, she's cool.'' She says with a hint of a smirk.
Samui raises a brow before smirking slightly aswell. ''I suppose I'll have a blast getting to know her then.'' She replies.
Karui smirks. ''Get a room you two!'' She calls over to them,causing them to blush intensively again and look in opposite directions. The others start laughing at their expense.
Samui levels Karui with a warning look that makes her freeze while Kagura shoots a glare at Ryoga, getting the same result.
After the group has introduced everyone to everyone there's another group of people entering the room. All six of them appear to be Konoha shinobi aswell.
''Well! Looks like we're all here!'' A boy with facial tattoos and a dog says while grinning. His teammates, a shy girl and a quiet boy with glasses seem to just follow him.
Natsumi clenches her fist as she locks eyes with the quiet boy. ''Aburame…'' She hisses out which gains her the attention of those around her.
Kagura narrows her eyes at the boy who seems to look back at them. ''Kamizuru…'' He replies with unspoken venom.
''S-Shino-kun?'' The shy girl asks while looking at the taller boy nervously.
''It is nothing,Hinata-san.'' He replies while turning his attention away from Natsumi.
''You dare turn your back on me,Aburame?!'' She growls out as her entire body starts buzzing.
Kurotsuchi takes a step backwards with clear shock on her face. ''N-Natsumi-chan! C-Calm down!''
''Your clan nearly wiped mine out Aburame and now you dare treat me like a nuisance? I will show you why the Kamizuru were so feared in the war!'' She hisses as bees start surrounding her.
''Stand down Natsumi.'' Kagura commands with closed eyes.
The buzzing seems to start hesitating. ''K-Kagura-san? You know who he-…''
''This is not the time or place for this battle,Natsumi.'' Kagura says with authority as she opens her eyes to look at Natsumi with her Souzogan active. ''I know what his clan did to yours and I swear it to you now that you'll have your chance at redeeming your name in time.'' She continues while looking right at the bee user.
The two have gained the attention of the entire room. A certain boy with a gourd is looking intensively at Kagura. 'Mother…why do you fear this one?...'
Natsumi slowly seems to calm down as she lowers her head. ''I am sorry,Kagura-san.'' She says but widens her eyes when the taller girl pulls her into a hug.
''Shut up,Natsumi. It was not long ago that I did the same mistake as you.'' She admits with a sad smile.
''Sheesh! You guys are making me tear up…'' Kurotsuchi says while rubbing her eyes with Naruto nearly mirroring her. ''You're so awesome,Kagura-neechan!'' he says.
Haku sweatdrops at the two. ''You're like little kids…'' She says with a weak smile.
A boy with pineapple hair walks up to Naruto and taps him on the shoulder. ''Naruto who the heck are these people?'' he asks and jerks a thumb at the Iwa and Kumo nin.
Naruto grins and points at Kagura. ''That's my Oneechan!'' He says proudly much to the shock of the Konoha ninja as a collective ''WHAT?!'' goes through them. Well not from Hinata and Shino. The former who eeped and the latter who raised an eyebrow.
After a long introduction and explanation a white haired boy with glasses walks up to the group and introduces himself as Kabuto. He starts talking about the mood in the room which disinterests Kagura, so she merely tunes him out. Her attention is regained when she hears her name however. ''Hm? You say something?'' She asks outloud.
Kurotsuchi rolls her eyes. ''And you yell at me when I don't listen…'' She says with a smirk. ''This guy's got ninja info cards! Sasuke asked to see you, some Rock lee fellow and some Gaara guy.'' She says.
Kagura narrows her eyes at Kabuto. ''I find it curious that a leaf shinobi would have info on foreign ninja.'' She says with a dangerous edge to her voice.
Kabuto blinks before shaking his head and smiling in a friendly manner. ''Calm down now,Kagura-san!'' He says before chuckling. ''My information comes from loaned dossiers that Konoha keeps in tune with the exam.'' He explains.
Kagura keeps her eyes narrowed but nods anyway. ''Right…You mean information that our senseis have given out?'' She prods.
Kabuto nods. ''Exactly. Standard procedure.'' He says.
''Very well then. Continue.'' She says with a nod of approval.
Kabuto chuckles nervously as he brings up the first card. 'Sheesh Kagura-san…You're as careful as Itachi-sama claims...'
He places the card on the floor and channels some chakra. ''Let's see here…Rock Lee.'' He begins.
''Here we are. Rock Lee is a taijutsu specialist from Konohagakure. He's gone on multiple C-rank missions with his teammates Neji Hyuuga and Tenten, aswell as their jounin sensei. Maito Gai.'' He says. Naruto smirks at that.
Kabuto brings out another card and channels chakra in it. ''Sabaku No Gaara…''
''Multiple D-rank, Several C-rank and even one B-rank. Not bad. His teammates are Sabaku No Temari and Sabaku no Kankuro and their jounin sensei is Baki. Well this is impressive…It says here that Gaara has come out of every mission unscathed.'' He says much to the chill of those around him.
Kagura looks around the room and locks eyes with the redhead. She gives him a nod of approval to which he raises a brow before looking away.
Kabuto pulls out the third card and places it on the floor,channeling chakra into it. ''Kagura Uzumaki…''
''Multiple D-rank, Several C-rank, three B-rank, Two A-rank and..Whoa?!'' He stops there to look up in amaze at the redhead who keeps a brow raised. ''One…S-rank…?'' he asks her for confirmation to which she shrugs.
''No doubt that is added points for killing and handing in the bounty of Raiga Kurosuki, one of Kirigakure's seven swordsmen.'' She explains while looking as neutral as ever.
Everyone in the room seems to stare at the girl in shock, with the Kiri ninja present clenching their fists and growling silently.
Kabuto shakes his head. ''You're joking,right?...'' He asks with a nervous smile. Kagura looks at him impassively before simply stating. ''No.'' She then turns to team 7. ''Ask them. They were there.'' She continues before heading off to sit down again,bored with the situation.
Her team follows and the Kumo nin take off after them aswell, eager to prod the Uzumaki on the experience. Kabuto looks at team 7 expectantly. Naruto nods with a grin. ''Yup! She blew him up!'' He says proudly.
Shikamaru rubs his forehead and groans. ''And she's an opponent in this thing? What a drag…'' he says with a heavy sigh.
Further away a trio of sound genin are glaring daggers at the Uzumaki Heiress. Their mummified leader seems to growl behind his bandages. 'Think you're tough,eh?...We'll just have to teach you otherwise.'
A scarred man barges in with a group of chunin and starts barking about how people should shut up and listen.
''I am Ibiki Morino and the proctor of the first exam, maggots! GET INTO THE NEXT ROOM AND TAKE A SEAT NOW!'' he roars to which the shinobi in the room immediately oblidge.
Kagura found herself seated between Omoi and a dark skinned mint haired girl with a cheery attitude. She reminded Kagura of Naruto somehow. ''Hi! I'm Fu!'' She greeted with a smile.
Kagura smiled back and nodded. ''Kagura Uzumaki.'' She greeted and raised her hand slowly to be shaken, which the mint haired girl gladly did.
''Good luck to you,Kagura-san!'' She says with a grin and Kagura can't help but feel fond of the girls carefree attitude. ''You remind me of my siblings.'' She says with a smile.
Fu blinks before grinning again. ''That's a positive thing I hope?'' she asks nervously. Kagura nods. ''Very positive,Fu-san. I hope we can talk more after the exam.'' She continues.
Fu blinks and seems nervous for a moment before nodding. ''S-Sure. I'd like that too!'' She says before grinning again.
The proctor steps infront of everyone and starts explaining the rules of the first exam which causes some chaos from a few shinobi but it quickly dies down after a few more barks from the man.
It does not take long for team Deidara to figure out the point of the exercise. Natsumi sends out a few bees to spy around while having them sabotage for the Aburame at the same time. Kurotsuchi leans back and waits for Natsumi to send her the information with a bee. Haku uses tiny ice mirrors to copy the answers.
Kagura smirks and closes her eyes. 'Yuzuki-sama? You know every answer on this test,don't you?' She asks of the mysterious demoness.
'Yes.' She answers. The mint haired girl looks odd for a moment before she starts answering questions at the same time and pace as Kagura.
'Kagura-chan. The girl next to you…' Yuzuki begins.
'Fu.' Kagura informs her.
'Fu,right. I believe she houses another of the tailed beasts, there are a total of five jinchuuriki in this room right now.' Yuzuki says.
Kagura finishes the test and closes her eyes. 'Are you certain?' She asks carefully.
'Deathly certain. I sense Matatabi in Yugito, I sense Kurama in Naruto, I sense Chomei in Fu, I sense Shukaku in the redhead boy from Suna and I sense Saiken in the tall black haired boy from Kirigakure.' She says.
Kagura sighs. 'Very well,Yuzuki-sama.' She says.
The mint haired girl blinks in shock as she sneaks glances at the taller girl. 'You're kidding?! Something OLDER than YOU!?' She practically shouts inside her own mind.
Chomei sighs and changes from her tailed beast form into a green haired woman with six wings and a tail. 'Yes Fu-chan. Something older than me. Older than all of us,actually.' She tells the girl.
'Us?' Fu asks curiously.
'Us tailed beasts,Fu-chan. Speaking of…I detect several of my fellows in this room.' She says.
'Umm…C-Chomei-san…I'm screwed,aren't I?' Fu asks nervously.
'Hah! No way,Fu-chan! There's only two containers in this room above my own status! One is the girl next to you, and the other is…That blonde kid in orange.' Chomei tells her.
'Eight or nine?' Fu curiously asks.
'Nine. I sense Gyuki somewhere inside the village however.' She answers.
'….Great.' The girl replies sarcastically before cutting the communication.
A black haired boy in long blue robes is sitting in the back of the room looking concerned.
'What's wrong Saiken? You've been acting odd ever since we arrived.' Utakata asks of the large slug.
'There are people of terrible power here,Utakata. The Kyuubi container and the Nanabi container are here. As is the Nibi and the Ichibi.' The Rokubi answers.
'I don't see a big problem with that. So long as their containers are weak we can handle it.' The boy reasons.
'There is one person here we cannot defeat.' Saiken states.
'What? Who?' Utakata demands.
'The redhead girl,middle row. She is the container of Yuzuki-sama.' Saiken explains.
'Yuzuki? That is no tailed beast name…' The boy states.
'She is not a tailed beast. She is older and more powerful than us tailed beasts. She was there at our creation in fact. Do not engage that girl in combat if you can prevent it.' Saiken warns him.
As the test time runs out the room has a lot less shinobi in it. Kagura is especially amused by the fact that not a single jinchuuriki has left the room. She waits patiently as the proctor does his tenth question gig, finding it to be a crude but effective means of washing out the riffraff. She sees Fu slowly raise her arm and steps her on the toes,gaining her attention.
She gives the younger girl an assuring smile to which she seems to relax a bit.
Ibiki eyes Kagura out of the corner of his eye. 'She gets it…'
Kagura is brought out of her boredom when she sees Naruto raise his hand. 'What?...'
She's then startled when he brings it down and slams it into the table infront of him with a grin. ''If you think you can scare Naruto Uzumaki out of a challenge then you're dead wrong,scarface! I'm going to be Hokage one day and as such I can't afford to be a coward,DATTEBAYO!'' he exclaims.
Kagura smirks at the blonde. 'You're something else,Naruto-kun…' She thinks to herself as she glances around,seeing that a lot more people seem to've been moralized by his little stunt. 'He certainly got the motivation to fulfill the dream…'
Ibiki smirks and nods to himself. ''You all….PASS!'' He shouts out to the crowd,much to the shock of many.
Sakura collects herself quickly enough it would seem. ''What about the tenth question?'' She asks.
Kagura smirks and starts to explain for the proctor who looks at her with amusement. ''The tenth question was whether or not you'll take the risk or not.'' She says.
''She's correct.'' Ibiki says. ''The question was designed to see if you were willing to risk everything for success.''
Kagura nods in agreement. ''If you're leading a mission then you can't afford to doubt yourself or you'll get your team killed.'' She finishes and shares a nod of respect with Ibiki.
Samui nods. ''This entire exam is a mission and should be treated as such. Friends will be foes and the objective will be all that matters.'' She says.
Ibiki nods again. ''That's right. Out in the field you may be forced to fight with friends from other villages simply because their objectives collide with your own. It is the life we lead as shinobi and if you can't accept that then you might aswell quit.'' He says with a smirk.
Before he can continue teaching the genin about the values of being a good shinobi, the window explodes in a spray of glass and a woman rolls in as a large banner plants itself infront of Ibiki.
''I am Anko Mitarashi, your sexy proctor for the second exam!'' She proclaims with a grin.
The people in the room seem to sweatdrop at her. 'Is there anyone out of Konoha who is not crazy?' Yugito thinks to herself.
'Well there's that Ibiki fellow,Kitten.' Nibi tells her.
'You would call him normal? You're crazy,Nibi.' She says.
'You're just jealous because my taste in men is great.' The cat demoness counters.
'S-Shut up,Nibi!'
''You're early,Anko…'' Ibiki says as he sticks his head out from behind the banner.
''Sheesh! There's so many brats here… Ibiki have you been slacking off?!'' the crazy woman asks of him.
''No. We just happen to have a hardy bunch this year.'' Ibiki answers.
''Pfft. Yeah right! No matter, they'll be cut down in half by the end of my exam anyway.'' She says with a sadistic smirk that sends shivers down peoples spines, even Kaguras.
'This woman freaks me out,Yuzuki-sama…' She says to her tenant.
'Try to ignore her and focus on her words,child. I rather not suffer your nightmares of scantily dressed madwomen.' The demoness replies.
''Well come on out,kids! We're all going to a lovely place called Training ground 44, or as is my preferred name for it…The Forest of DEATH!'' She says with a wide smile as she leaps out the window.
Ibiki sighs and nods. ''You should follow her…'' he says with a reluctant sigh as he shares a look of respect with Samui and Kagura on their way out.
The teams gather up and head down to the forest. Most are amazed by the sheer size of it. Iwa and Kumo are not too impressed however as they both hail from lands of great mountains.
Anko explains the rules of the exam and sends the teams to respective gates after having them sign a few papers.
Kagura looks at Kurotsuchi. ''You will take the scroll,Kuro-chan.'' She says.
Her teammates look puzzled at that. ''Shouldn't you take it,neechan?'' Kurotsuchi asks.
''People have seen me already. They will assume that I am leader and the strongest of our team. That will make me the prime target and also in their minds, the likeliest candidate for holding the scroll.'' She explains.
The others nod as they accept the explanation and give the scroll to Kurotsuchi before heading out.
Kagura smirks as they do. ''Hurry up now. I want to make it to the tower before nightfall.'' She says.
The group come upon a river and a small waterfall. They decide to set up a temporary camp there for a small food break. Natsumi send out her bees to scout for suitable food while Haku stands tries her luck at fishing.
'Kagura-chan. Someone approaches.' Yuzuki warns her.
'I know. I sensed him.' She replies and turns around. ''Show yourself.'' She demands.
She's surprised to see Kabuto jump out of the trees and chuckle. ''I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you detected me.'' He says with a smile.
''Why are you here?'' Kagura asks dangerously.
Kabuto's carefree attitude turns serious instantly as he looks at the team. ''You're all here,good. My full name is Kabuto Yakushi. I work for Itachi-sama as a spy.'' He says.
Kagura raises a brow. ''Itachi-sensei is spying on Konoha?'' She asks in disbelief.
''Konoha? No. He's spying on the person who kidnapped you and your mother,fourteen years ago…'' Kabuto answers.
Kagura clenches her fist. ''Danzo.'' She growls out.
Kabuto nods in affirmation. ''That's right. It's a long story that I'd be glad to share with you at the tower later. But for now I've important news for you.'' He says.
Kagura nods. ''We're listening,Kabuto-san.'' She says.
''My two teammates for this exam are both agents of Danzo's ROOT. We've all three been sent with the mission to capture any bloodline carrying genin in this exam and bring them to Danzo for…you know.'' He says nervously.
Kagura nods as her blood boils at the prospect. ''In other words…If we deal with your teammates the threat is removed?'' She asks.
Kabuto nods. ''Not quite that simple…I need them to reach the tower and advance in the exam. That way I can avoid rousing suspicion and continue feeding information from Danzo.'' He says.
Kagura nods. ''Right. So what do you propose?'' She asks.
''I know for a fact that the next exam will be one on one battles. I tamper with the match-up and have two of you face my teammates. You kill them in those fights and the problem is gone.'' He says.
Kagura closes her eyes. 'Yuzuki-sama? Can we trust him?'
'He speaks truly. I sense it in his mind.' The demoness responds.
Kagura opens her eyes again and look behind her. 'Natsumi has her vendetta against the Aburame to fulfill…'
She turns back to Kabuto. ''Match Kurotsuchi and Haku against your teammates.'' She says.
Kabuto nods. ''Are you entirely sure about this? They're no pushovers.'' He warns.
''Kuro-chan. Don't hesitate and melt the bastards face off in the ring.'' She says.
Kurotsuchi flinches at the cold tone in her sisters voice but nods,realizing that it is necessary. ''H-Hai neechan!'' she says.
''Haku-chan. Turn the fool into a pincushion.'' She then says to the ice release user.
Haku nods. ''It is a vile person. I have no problems with this.'' She confirms.
Kabuto lets out a sigh of relief. ''I honestly thought it would be harder than this. Itachi-sama warned me that you were a suspicious one,Kagura-san.'' He admits.
Kagura glares at him. ''I am still not entirely convinced,Kabuto-san. Do you have any piece of information that no one outside of Iwa could possibly know?'' she asks.
Kabuto smirks. ''Sure do. You are the container of the ancient demoness Yuzuki-sama, a being older than the tailed beasts themselves. Your mother is Kushina Uzumaki and your father…Is Minato Namikaze.'' He says.
Kagura nods on all points. ''That is…correct.'' She says. ''Very well Kabuto-san. It will be a pleasure working with you.'' She says as a smile slowly creeps its way onto her face.
Kabuto nods bows. ''Likewise,Kagura-san. Likewise.'' He says.
Phew! I find that it's rather tricky to write this fic once I have to include canon events such as this! XD! I have to be real careful not to change it up too much since I'd just confuse people then.
I hope you enjoyed the fact that I've made Kabuto a good guy btw, you'll be getting his backstory and reason why soon enough. As for the jinchuuriki dancing around… You'll see :3!
Hope you've enjoyed the chapter! Feel free to check out the Naruto Pairing Poll on my profile and place your votes. Every voice counts! :D!
Take care!