Posted 8/07/08

Chapter 25

The evening sun shadowed by the canopy of trees above them was the first sight Naruto 's eyes awoke to Sakura kneeling next to awaken Sasuke he sat up and groaned." What happened?" His hand going to his neck at the same time Sasuke own hand did.

"Crying in happiness Sakura hugged Sasuke before turning to wrap her arms around Naruto next still crying she spoke " I was so worried that he poisoned you both.".'

"Poison" Naruto exclaimed hissing in pain, his joints seem to be popping from the hard ground he had been resting on questioning. How long?

"Sasuke and you have been out for hours there was a bit of trouble, but I manage to convince the other teams that attacked us that a grass ninja took out scrolls."

"We still have them?" Sasuke questioned leaning back against the tree his hands clasped over his injury.'

"What the hell was up with that snake? Why did he bite us then just disappear? "Naruto grunted his body really did feel like it was on fire.

"I don't know, but Naruto he did something else to you, I'm sure of it when you attacked him after he dropped Sasuke… I didn't see what, but whatever it was it knocked you unconscious."

"I can't remember, everything seems so fuzzy and my skin hurts."

"From the burns you received from using the nine tail foxes Chakra." Sakura supplied moving to check her bandages on Naruto she added." You really need to stop using it. Every time it happens it burns you and now you and Sasuke both have something injected in you. I think we should hurry and get to the tower, I'm really worried.

"Sakura right I don't know what happened, but my whole body feels like it's on fire as well." Sasuke admitted.

"Mine to and I don't think it was the Fox Chakra it feels different like something invading me. I don't like it and neither does the fur ball, keeps snipping." Naruto spoke trying to get the fox to shut up his head already felt like it was doing the tango.

"Can you both move?" Sakura questioned with worry.

"Yea I think so. I feel awful, but I can make it." Naruto replied Sasuke agreeing as the team took to there feet once more and slowly moved in the direction of the tower hopefully they would make it before midnight.

With minor trouble team seven arrived at two in the morning at the tower slipping inside their number doorway. Team seven stood inside Naruto questioned looking around the large empty room." Alright we made it, err what do we do now?"

"I Guess were suppose to open the scrolls, but I'm too tired to even get them" Sakura yawned sitting on the floor her head nodding forward she tried to keep her eyes open.

"Same here" Sasuke added a yawn of his own following.

"I'm so hungry I can't sleep." Naruto whined as he retrieved the scroll asking." Hey do you think there something in here that will feed us."

"Idiot" Sasuke snorted as he added." Just open them Dobe."

Dragging the scrolls toward him Naruto rolled one out doing the same with the other he scratched his head in question as smoke began to drift from them." Hey what's up with this?"

Naruto… get away it's a summoning scroll." Sasuke got out before suddenly Naruto toppled over something landing on top of him.

Fast asleep Iruka was awaken suddenly feeling his self impacting against something his eyes widen hearing a familiar sound as they shot open and he stared at his adopted son below him.

"Naruto" Iruka exclaimed pushing his self off the boy he quickly questioned." Are you alright"

"Sure after being squashed like a pancake." The blond snorted pushing his self to sit up he asked." What are you doing here Dad?"

Iruka blushed at his son comment before answer the second questioned." I guess it was just luck that I was chosen to be summoned before saying." We didn't expect anyone to reach the tower on the first day your really pushed yourself didn't you. The three of you look exhausted.

"Exhausted isn't the word for it.' Sasuke answered with another yawn Sakura nearly fell over nodding of to sleep her body jerking to right itself she stated." We had a really bad day Iruka-Sensei we figured since we got the scrolls we should get here before someone takes them."

Naruto stomaching acting up again the boy blushing in the slight darkness whined." Please tell me you have something to eat dad I'm starving I didn't even get to have lunch today."

"Afraid not Naruto" The young Chuunin replied before admitting.' I was sleeping when you summoned me.'

"Sounds so good now" Sakura chimed spreading her tired body out on the cold hard flooring when Naruto squeaked his pain from body acting up.

"Naruto are you alright… my god your bleeding! " The dark brown haired man stated moving to help his son in the dark room only lit by soft full moon light.

"Stupid grass ninja bite me and Sasuke, makes our skin feel like it is on fire."

"Sasuke and I" Iruka corrected looking over his sons injuries before turning to Sasuke and asking." What exactly happened you both? What is this unusual tattoo on the back of your neck?

"Is that what keep burning and itching." Naruto questioned scratching the tattoo again.

"Maybe it's hard to say. Right now why don't we get you three to the hospital official you have already passed the second exam so I don't think anyone will say much about you leaving.

"Do we have to Iruka-Sensei not to be rude, but that requires moving and I'm not sure I have much energy."

"I think I am in agreement with Sakura." Sasuke chimed up moving to lie on the floor Naruto adding." If it involves getting something to eat I'm in only I just got to get my legs to agree with my stomach.'

Iruka chuckled the three were certainly exhausted not only did they look like it but there sleepy voices showed it as he picked up Naruto first and stated." I'll send other back for you two will you be alright for a few moments."

he never received an answer Sasuke and Sakura had both fallen to sleep Smiling softly he turned back to his son against his protest of hungry obviously his exhaustion won out for snoring softly in his arms was Naruto snuggling into his shoulder.

"Congratulation all of you." he whispered before taken off toward the village with Naruto first sending others to retrieve Sakura and Sasuke.