A/N: Here is the latest installment of Elysium.Please read and review. Reviews will be highly appreciated.
Elysium
Chapter thirteen
Beginning
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It had been a couple of weeks since he received the news that Team Seven would be his team for the Chuunin exams. Within those two weeks he had been trying to get a bond between the two other members, only to be completely ignored by one, and shot down by the other. He barely even made a dent and he was getting ready to ask his father for a transfer. It was one more week until the chuunin exams and it didn't seem like they were going anywhere. He sighed which drew the attention of his teammates, whom he had just finished training with and were heading back to town, he ignored them until he heard his name being yelled.
"Hey Naruto-Nii!" Naruto turned to see Konohamaru and his band of misfits running up towards him. He smiled as he caught the little kid who tripped over his blue scarf.
"You know that wouldn't happen if you didn't have so long of a scarf." Naruto and Konohamaru turned to Sasuke who stood like he hadn't even said anything.
Konohamaru looked down and began to pick at his scarf. Naruto sighed again, glaring at his team mate before kneeling down in front of Konohamaru who was already getting comforted by Moegi and Udon. "Don't worry about what that emo chick says. Your mother gave it to you. It's precious don't ever let it go."
Konohamaru smiled before looking to glare at the "Emo Chick" then turning to the other person there who was smiling at him. He blushed before grabbing onto Naruto's shirt and tugging to get his attention. "Ne, ne, Naruto-nii, is this pretty nee-san your girl friend."
Naruto turned to Sakura who had began to blush at the comment but who also gave him a glare that said "correct him or I'll kill you." "No, the pretty nee-san is infatuated with the Emo Bitch."
"NARUTO!!"
Naruto smiled until Konohamaru spoke up. "I did think he looked a little more girly then her."
"I'll kill you!!"
"Konohamaru"
"Yes nii-san?"
"Run"
"Hai"
With that Konohamaru was gone in an instant with Naruto a little ways behind him, to cover him if the banshee ever gets close as she gave chase.
"Oof!" Konohamaru groaned, as he slammed into something hard and fell to the ground. He looked up at the black thing he'd run into. Glaring down at him was a face that was covered in paint with the rest of the head covered by a black hood.
"Watch where you're going, squirt," the teen growled, grabbing Konohamaru by the front of his shirt and lifting him up.
"Hey! Let me go you!" The little boy cried, struggling. The Nin laughed mockingly, lifting up the boy closer to his face, just enough to show a hitai-ate that identified him as a ninja of Sunagakure. It reflected Konohamaru's frightened face.
"Oh, what are you going to do? Cry to your mommy?"
A metal blade appeared at the side of his head, and the black-clad man turned his head, gaping a bit at the familiar weapon now being held against him. Its wielder, the blond boy that was his escort to this village, glared at him.
Kankoru smiled at the teen. "Hey Naruto, what's up," This received weird looks from the cute pink haired girl that showed up and the little kids.
"Drop him, kitty, or I'll drop you," he growled. The black-clad ninja's smile faded.
"Oh really? What are you gonna do about it, bitch?" Regretted his words as he watched the boy's eyes flash neon before a wave of killing intent slammed against his senses. He instantly dropped the boy remembering that this boy behind him was almost as good as Gaara. "Heh, sorry about that Naruto it was a joke."
"You're an idiot, Kankoru!" The two ninja turned their gaze to see a tall, blonde girl with her hair in four spiky pigtails walk up the alley. She set a hand on her hip as she gave Kankoru a warning look. "He'll get mad!"
Kankoru huffed.
"Heh, sis I stopped, I was just joking with this kid and Naruto." Kankoru laughed nervously. Completely ignoring the shocked expressions of Moegi, Udon, and Sakura behind him, Naruto stepped back from him which let the boy turn around. And look at him better.
"Naruto! I didn't realize it was you in that orange thing!" Temari yelled as she stepped next to Kankoru and gave Naruto a warm smile. Nobody noticed Sakura tighten her fist in irritation.
"Yeah, this is my favorite jumpsuit! And, uh, why is your younger brother hiding up in the tree?" Naruto asked scratching the back of his head.
Kankoru was about to speak, when a chilling killer intent fell over them. The blonde girl, Sakura, and the kids all shivered under its effects, but Naruto merely looked at the tree clearly not amused.
"Enough, Kankoru, you're an embarrassment to our village. Have you forgotten why we came all the way here?" a cold, monotone voice spoke. Naruto narrowed his eyes at redheaded boy dressed all in brown, with a giant gourd on his back. He was hanging upside-down from a nearby tree his eyes starring intently at them all. He vanished in a whirl of sand, before reappearing on the ground in front of his two siblings and Naruto.
"Naruto..." Gaara said as he landed in front of the blonde.
"Gaara…"
"Heh, it was just a joke Gaara. I didn't mean any thing by it-."
"Shut up or I'll kill you," he stated flatly, not even turning his gaze from Naruto. Naruto didn't even seem to notice either as the others shivered.
"I apologize for his actions," the redhead said flatly, as though reading from a boring script.
"And I apologize for the Uchiha in the tree above trying to spy." And all, except Gaara and Naruto, turned to see an annoyed-looking Uchiha Sasuke sitting in the tree.
"Who are you? Tell me." Sasuke ordered arrogantly.
"You mean me?" the blonde girl asked, blushing slightly. Naruto mentally rolled his eyes as Sakura seethed.
'God damn it, sigh well there goes another one for the emo chick?'
"No, the guy with the gourd on his back," the Uchiha continued. The blond girl blinked up at him.
"I just said, I am Sabaku no Gaara," he replied still not taking his eyes off Naruto. "I... look forward to meeting you again in the exams, Naruto." Gaara replied simply. He then walked past Sakura, Moegi, and Udon without as much as a glance at them. Temari followed eyes now on Naruto who had unreadable expression, as Kankoru sulked as he followed as well. Konohamaru shivered, and nudged himself behind Naruto.
"Man, I knew that guy was more of an emo than Sasuke." Naruto finally pronounced, shaking his head with a grin. Sakura growled as Udon and Moegi giggled a bit.
"Shut up Naruto! Sasuke-kun is not emo!"
"What those slits on Sasuke's wrists don't give him away?" the blond scoffed and smiled when Konohamaru laughed, fear forgotten. Sasuke released a little killing intent, getting attention back on him.
"The chuunin exam is in a week, it'd behoove of you to get ready for it." With that the Uchiha jumped off the tree and left.
"Well, I'm going to find 'Renai-nii and see if she'll help me train" Naruto nodded to himself as Konohamaru tugged on his jacket.
"Hey, Naruto-nii-chan, can we play ninja?"
Naruto made a long-suffering face.
"C'mon! I've got to train!"
"But we haven't played in weeks!" Udon pleaded.
"Please, Naruto-nii-chan?" Begged Moegi, her eyes wide and bright while her lips turned into a pout. It was the most adorable expression Naruto had ever seen, and he felt his will slipping away.
"I'll play with you guys too, and afterwards Naruto we will go train."
They all looked at Sakura who had her arms crossed and eyes closed as a blush covered her face. 'There is no way that sand hussy is going to be taking away one of the only good Konoha men on my watch. Cha!'
Naruto sighed knowing he already lost. "Okay, okay... I'll play..." With that he followed the Konohamaru Corps and Sakura to the mission brief.
He laughed as he tugged on a strand of hair as Sakura smiled at him. He smiled back before letting his hand fall to the side as the headed towards the Chuunin Exams.
"Well I haven't cut it in a while."
"You look better with longer hair." Naruto barley caught the blush. He smiled and turned forward. He frowned as he stared ahead. When he looked in the mirror for some strange reason his reflection reminded him of the Orange haired man he saw in Ame. He couldn't place it but the man felt familiar.
He slowly pushed opened the door scanning the area of the second floor. His attention was drawn to a door labeled with a "3," confusing the hell out of him as he watched Lee get his ass handed to him as he tried to get past the…Chuunin. Sighing he was about to go forward and ask Lee what the problem was until his 'teammate' had beaten him to it.
"Let me through." Sasuke said as he stepped up to the two chuunin who were disguised as genin. Naruto watched carefully waiting to see the response the Uchiha would be given.
"And why on this green earth would a fool like you think you are strong enough to go through. LISTEN, all of you! We have been through this test before and know what it takes to even get to the third test. If we failed then none of you have a chance. So why don't you all just run along."
"Who the hell do you think your talking to?" Sasuke said as he stepped closer to the one with spiky hair. "I am an a Uchiha and you will show me respect and let me pass."
The boy pushed up the cloth that went over his nose and grinned. 'So this is the rookie of the year huh, let's see what the kid can do.' "A name doesn't make the man, the man makes the name."
With that Sasuke sent a punch as did the chuunin in disguise only to be stopped by Lee. Lee quickly kicked the chuunin away and was about to do the same to Sasuke but his foot was stopped. Looking up in surprise that his kick could be stopped, Lee smiled as he saw one of his few friends.
"Naruto-kun I see that your youthful ways still stays strong."
"Heh, well I guess you can say that. Anyways I am sorry Lee but I can't let you harm my teammate even if he deserves it. Let's go Sasuke."
"Why," Sasuke irritation radiating off of him.
"It's a genjutsu, and besides," Sakura added, "this is the second floor. The test is being held on the third floor."
"Well, I for one am gonna go to the third floor now." TenTen said as she glared at Sasuke like he was an idiot.
The other genin at the door stood in her path. "Where do you think your going missy?" he went to reach for her but was stopped when a sandal attached to a foot slammed into the side of his head.
Naruto landed on his feet and watched the genin slam into the wall before he turned to TenTen.
"You okay?"
TenTen nodded, looking a bit embarrassed, as the genin got back up and glared at Naruto.
"Hey! What was that for?"
Naruto ignored him and turned to his team and nodded towards the door. The two got the hint and began to make there way until they stopped when they heard a voice.
"The Uchiha prodigy, you don't look like much." Hyuuga Neji's voice rang out.
Sasuke stopped and turned to the Hyuuga with a glare. "Do you want to find out Hyuuga?"
"Sasuke-kun."
"Like you could even touch me."
Sasuke began to walk forward before Naruto stepped in front of him.
"Move."
"Make me."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed before he grunted and turned down the corridor.
"Did my eyes deceive me or did the Uchiha just back down from a nobody."
The Uchiha ignored him and headed for the stairs at the end of the hallway, Sakura following him.
"And they call me the brash one, stupid emo bitch," Naruto muttered, TenTen giggled just a bit. He gave her a smile, which she returned, as Neji glared at the two before turning to where Sasuke had gone, as the Uzumaki was not even worth his time, destiny would prove that.
Naruto walked in front of Neji and flicked him in the forehead before following his team. Neji narrowed his eyes slightly as he rubbed at the spot the finger had hit, before turning away and walking in the opposite direction, TenTen following as she tried to hold back her giggles and the smile, from the fact that Naruto was talking to her again.
Team Seven reached the open room housing the stairs to the next level when Lee reappeared at the top of the balcony on the third floor above them.
"Wait! Your name is Uchiha Sasuke, correct?"
"What's it to you?" Sasuke retorted. Lee grinned.
"I am Rock Lee, and I have heard that you are a prodigy! An Heir to the Uchiha clan! I would very much like to test my skills against you... As well as you, Naruto-san!"
"Er, me?" Naruto asked, as Sasuke smirked. Lee nodded rapidly.
"Indeed, Naruto-san! But first, I would like to fight Sasuke-san! In order to prove myself that I could come close to compete with Neji and you."
"So Sasuke-kun is a stepping stone to reach Naruto? How absurd." Sakura said with a quirked eye brow.
"Also," Lee spoke before turning to Sakura. "To catch the eye, of the beautiful Sakura-san!"
The pink haired girl gaped in disbelief, as Lee leaped down to their floor and smiled, blowing a kiss.
"Sakura-san, will you be my girlfriend? I swear, I will protect you forever with my blazing flames of love and youth!" Lee proclaimed, as Sakura blanched.
"Oh God, no! Naruto! Get him away from me!" Sakura screeched in horror as she dodged the flying kisses. Lee frowned, and Naruto sighed.
"What's wrong?" Lee inquired. Sakura cringed.
"Your eyebrows, the spandex-uh, well you see…"
Lee looked heartbroken, before smiling broadly and giving a thumbs-up, his teeth glinting with a noticeable sound effect.
"Then I will just have to prove myself to you! Uchiha Sasuke, shall we fight?"
Sasuke smirked, rushing forward. "You dim-witted idiot. I'm an Uchiha and while you're just a dead last loser!"
Lee sidestepped the Uchiha's first punch and shifted his weight and sent a round-kick into his ribs sending him tumbling away. Ignoring Sakura's cry of his name, Sasuke landed on his feet, trying not to wince at the pain in his ribs.
He activated his Sharingan and leapt forward again, but even though this time he could see Lee move, even as he moved to block he was too late-The punch connected with his stomach.
"Uh!" Sasuke was sent hurtling through the air. Putting a hand under him to catch the fall Sasuke flipped landing in a crouch.
"You may be able to see my attacks coming, but it does no good unless your body can keep up!" Lee informed his opponent. Slipping under Sasuke's guard he slammed a foot into his stomach, launching him into the air. Almost instantaneously he was above Sasuke, grabbing him from behind and sending both into a death spin for the ground.
"SASUKE!" Sakura screamed as Lee opened his mouth.
"Omote Re-!"
Before Lee could finish he was kicked away from Sasuke and to the other side of the room and into the wall. Pulling himself out of the wall, Lee looked up surprised to see Naruto standing in front of Sasuke in a defensive stance.
"I am sorry Lee but you were taking this sparring match a little to far don't you think."
Lee's eyes widened as he got to his feet and began to bow repeatedly. "Gomen, gomen, gomen, forgive me for my unyouthfulness. For this I will run ten thousand labs around Konoha!"
"Hey, don't worry about it just catch up with your team."
"Hai!" Lee gave a salute before disappearing.
"Sasuke-kun, are you all right."
Naruto turned just in time to see Sasuke smile at her, which made her blush, before he got up and walked away. Sakura stood up with a dreamy smile.
"Well that was weird." Naruto said scratching his head as he began to follow Sasuke. Sakura snapped out of her dream state and walked beside him.
"Why is it that the ones I don't like get crushes on me, but not the guys I'm actually after?!" Sakura sighed. Naruto gave the pink-haired girl a deadpan expression.
"Why do girls always become attracted to good-looking jerks?" The blond asked in turn. Sakura would have retorted, had Sasuke not grunted for them to follow him upstairs. She was about to shoot Naruto a deadly look, but the look on his face stopped her. It looked like something was out of place.
"This place is crowded," Naruto commented, shaking his head, the room was full of genin, most turning and glowering at the newcomers. Sasuke's expression remained unchanged, even as a familiar blonde girl came out of no where and glomped him from behind.
"Sasuke-kun! Am I glad to see you! This place was definitely lacking good looks before... Naruto!" Ino blinked at him with an even bigger smile on her face. Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Er, yeah?"
"INO-PIG, GET YOUR HANDS OFF SASUKE-KUN RIGHT NOW AND STAY AWAY FROM NARUTO!" Sakura snarled, channeling chakra all over her body making an eerie glow to surround her. Ino ignored her, letting Sasuke go and walking over to Naruto to stand in front of him with a big smile. Naruto blinked in confusion. He sighed before her face came very close to his own. His cheeks reddened as she hummed thoughtfully.
"You know... You look a lot better with your hair this long," she said as she tugged on one of the long strands that came over his forehead protector with a smirk, before leaning in next to his ear. "I'd say you look better then Sasuke-kun, but that wouldn't be fun, because I wouldn't be able to mess with Sakura." She kissed his cheek, turned away quickly, and tried to glomp Sasuke again, but was intercepted by Sakura. Sakura began to yell as Ino tried not to laugh as she went on and on about how Sasuke was hers, then she mentioned Naruto. And a yelling match ensnared, which confused everyone. Shikamaru and Kiba walked around them and came up to Naruto who was rubbing his face confused.
"Naruto, you're in this too and they put you on team seven? How troublesome," the pine-apple haired-boy sighed.
"Hey, Naruto! How the hell did you get in here? Never thought you'd pass that Genjutsu." Kiba yelled
"Hey, you beat Shika in a fight yet?" Kiba growled before shutting up.
"Naruto-San," Naruto turned to see Shino and his team, Hinata smiled at Naruto, while Chouji munched some chips and grinned broadly.
"Nice look, Naruto! It looks really cool!" Chouji said between bites.
"Hello, Naruto-nee," the Hyuuga girl said which made Naruto grin broadly at Hinata.
"So…"
"Hinata! How is it going?" Kiba yelled as he stepped in front of Naruto.
"Pretty good Kiba-kun." Hinata smiled at the boy.
"Hey, you genin! Quiet down. You shouldn't draw attention to yourselves, or you won't make it out alive…" a grey-haired boy wearing glasses and purple clothing told them, walking up. He identified himself as Kabuto, another Leaf Nin who has taken the chuunin exams multiple times.
"How many times have you taken it?" Asked Kiba irritably. The grey-haired boy smiled and shrugged.
"Seventh time around... Trust me, it's not easy, especially this year." Kabuto turned his gaze on Naruto. Without warning, a card flashed into existence in Kabuto's hand, much too nearly everyone's surprise, especially Naruto's.
"Uzumaki Naruto, genin. Mission History: seventeen D-Ranked missions, four C-Rank mission one that was upgraded to B then upgraded to A, gee two B rank and one A rank and… my, my, my, and two S-Rank missions." Everyone turned to stare at Naruto who was glaring daggers at Kabuto who just continued talking. "Ninjutsu is ranked very high, taijutsu ranked very high, genjutsu ranked average; stamina and agility are off the charts. Through out all of his missions he came out unscathed." The grey-haired ninja smiled kindly.
"Two S-rank missions? I thought he only did one?" Kiba asked.
"Where did you get that information?" Naruto asked stepping up to Kabuto who instantly took a step back. Naruto was as surprised by the reaction as was the actor.
"Well, as I said, I've failed the exam seven years in a row. During that time, while I've gotten stronger I've also collected information. Each of my cards features data on a specific ninja. Anyone you'd like to see?"
Sasuke asked for information on Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Sabaku no Gaara. They were all surprised that Naruto's card and Gaara's card where highly similar.
"Sabaku no Gaara. Mission History: Eight C-ranks, five B-rank, two A-Rank and wow, an S-rank. That's rare. Since he's from out in the desert, I don't have as much info as I'd like, but it says that he's returned from every single one of his missions without a scratch."
While turned to him, Naruto stared at Kabuto. 'How the hell.'
"Alright brat's!!" said a voice as a large man entered the room. "Now shut up."
The room instantly quieted down as attention drew on the man. "Who the hell are you?" asked an anonymous ninja. The man simply tossed a pebble and nailed him in the head knocking him out cold.
"Anymore questions?" asked the man. Whether it was from fear or no one really had a question was uncertain, but no one raised their hands. "Good, names Ibiki and that's all you need to know. I am your first examiner."
Naruto almost shivered as the man's gaze landed on him. "Come get your numbers that assign your seats and we will begin the first exam." Naruto and Sasuke walked up to the counter with Sakura close behind them.
Kabuto watched the two males with a questioning gaze. 'Hm.' He thought. 'Uchiha Sasuke has the bloodline that Orochimaru-sama wishes the most, and he appears to be much more easily molded. But Uzumaki Naruto has so much raw power, in addition to the Kyuubi and Orochimaru-sama said that he already gave him the seal, but I can't sense it all. He should try to mark them both, but should definitely mark Naruto again since the other one could not be sensed.' With his thoughts completed, he picked out two of his ninja info cards, then he walked away bumping into one of the Kusa nin on accident.
The nin smiled before walking away with the cards in hand. "I see, so Naruto-Kun isn't dead, this should be interesting."
It didn't take long before the anxiety of the exam set in. In separate seats then their own team members the shinobi sat. Naruto looked to his side to see Hinata sitting by him. She was currently chewing on the eraser to her pencil and looked around.
He then looked to his other side and saw Temari, setting up a mirror to signal her comrades for help on the test. She stretched a little jutting her chest forward Naruto had to look down incase she saw him and thought he was a pervert.
The examiner passed out papers to every desk and explained the rules. It was quite clear that despite what he said they were meant to cheat.
Naruto looked at the questions…and didn't know a single answer. He gave a sigh and resigned himself to his situation. "There must be someway."
Naruto felt someone squeeze his arm, he turned to see Temari. She smiled at him before words on his desk began to appear. 'You're supposed to cheat'. He smiled as he wanted to smack his self. He nodded to her and she watched as words on her desk.
'Thanks, I owe you.'
The written test had been long, boring, and difficult. The final question had been a test of courage and decisiveness.
"Alright, all of you that stayed…pass." said Ibiki.
He was met with confused stares. Ibiki then went on to explain the purpose of the test. He was met with many confused stares still. Ibiki just sighed. "Anko…just get your ass in here and away from these brats."
At that moment a figure crashed through the window of the exam room with a sign unraveling behind her. People stared at it awkwardly.
"Alright, brats Anko's the name!" The dramatic sign read "Mitarashi Anko". The first test proctor rolled his eyes.
"Anko, you're early."
"Well, you took too long explaining things to the brats!" Anko replied cheekily, grinning out at the genin unpleasantly. "So, only twenty-eight teams left? Not bad, Ibiki, but I'll cut them by half in the second part. Right, I'm Mitarashi Anko! Follow me, brats! Time for the next part!" She leapt out the window, cackling maniacally, while the entire room just kind of stared after her.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, BRATS? GET GOIN'!" Ibiki roared, and the room quickly emptied.
A/N: As i repeat please review with if you liky or creative criticism. And also the person that wanted to help me with the funny please send me and email and i will send you a couple chaps.