Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights go to Masashi Kishimoto.
Sasuki's eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the influx of light. It appeared that they were resting in a cave. Yes, in. It was a huge cave.
She then looked around and saw Naruto beside her, sleeping with a peaceful face. The Uchiha smiled softly at that, 'At least he's safe.' She tried to hold her tears when she saw bloodstains on his shirt. The Kyuubi surely healed his wounds, but Sasuki couldn't help her regret, 'It's my fault. If I controlled myself well, this wouldn't happen.' Sasuki bit her lips, feeling more and more guilt.
She put her hand on his forehead and realized he had a fever. She frowned, crawling to his side because her whole body was hurting like crazy.
'It's probably from that fucking seal's side effect.'
When the Uchiha finally got Naruto's side, she noticed the lack of a wet towel or cloth on his forehead. But she remembered a towel fell from her head when she woke up. So did this mean...
"You stupid dobe..." She growled in her throat, Naruto surely gave her the only towel. She crawled to where her towel was, grabbed it. She crawled back and put the towel on Naruto's head, she sat next to him with her knees up to her chest and hugging them. She was highly vigilant, ready to do anything to protect her blond friend. Sasuki widened her eyes when she thought of Indra's words that resounded in her head.
"Becoming more stronger, more ruthless, and eliminating all people who get in the way of you."
Sasuki gritted her teeth furiously. Damn it! That woman's words still remained in her head. She shouldn't have kicked her ass because of causing a headache to her. But again, she couldn't find any wrong in whatever Indra said. She still remembered she hadn't been enough to have the determination needed to finish Haku when they had had the battle on the bridge in Wave. Sasuki didn't talk it to anybody but she had been quite hesitant to take the icy user's life because she was not ready to kill, so she had tried to think of some ways to knock her out instead. As a result, the raven haired girl had nearly got her best friend killed and he was lucky to be alive by the nine tailed beast inside him.
"You woke up I see."
The Uchiha jumped as she heard the voice. She took a kunai and threw it, missing her target. She immediately got another kunai and ready to throw it, just saw the familiar figure of her other teammate.
"Calm down, I'm not the enemy." Shino said with a deep voice.
"Hn, don't make me startle next time and you won't have to deal with my kunai." She grumbled annoyingly, then turned to Naruto, "How is he?"
Shino sighed tiredly, "His wound is completely healed, but blood loss caused him to experience fever. He just got some sleep after he was done with taking care of you." Sasuki bit her lips, clenching her fists, and didn't stop cursing herself, which didn't go unnoticed by her Aburame teammate, "I don't think you should be blamed for everything. You lost control of yourself at that time, you even didn't notice Naruto. If whose fault it is, it will be Orochimaru's." He started recounting what Naruto told him when she was unconscious, about the curse seal and disastrous consequences from using it too much, about the Sannin's purpose as he put it on her body.
Sasuki felt disgusted and extremely furious with Orochimaru. Naruto was right, he was a sick man and incredibly dangerous, he was aiming at her Sharingan. She didn't know if Orochimaru knew about her Mangekyou Sharingan, but she hoped he didn't. Damn that creepy man. Now the Uchiha was grateful to that Otsutsuki woman because she got rid of Orochimaru's chakra and will, so she didn't worry about being corrupted by the Snake Sannin. No way she would let that pedophile touch her body!
She again gazed at Naruto who was her best friend and secret crush, was...Otsutsuki Indra's younger brother's reincarnation...
The Uchuha stared at Naruto, wondering if she went through a weird dream or not. Naruto was Otsutsuki Ashura's transmigrant and it did mean he had some kind of relationship with the Senju's clan, which was unbelievable.
Naruto was good she admitted. The recent fight against Orochimaru was absolute proof of it. A genin caused numerous challenges for one of the legendary Sannin. Despite having known there was almost no chance, her blond teammate stood up to Orochimaru with a confident smile, and the reason for that was protecting his comrades, protecting team 7, protecting her.
Sasuki gritted her teeth, she hated herself now, she was too useless to defend herself. When she had been a child, her mother and sister had been sheltering her. When she was genin, she could fight and join in the mission, but Naruto was the one protecting her with his life again and again.
If only she was enough strong, her family wouldn't worry about her so much, Naruto wouldn't have many worries about her safety, and instead, she could fight alongside his blond friend...
She was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the groan. Looking up, she saw Naruto starting to wake up. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, then looked around as if he was finding something. When his gaze met her, he just stared silently, then suddenly smiled like an idiot and said:
"Good morning, Sacchin."
Immediately, her concern for him settling down after seeing him up and about, the Uchiha girl quickly became annoyed and she whacked his head.
"That's all that you said after you just woke up you moron!?" She scolded in a furious voice, "Do you know you do let other people worry about you!?"
"Awww, are you worry about me hime? How touching~"
"Shut up you stupid dobe!" She spat out, then she threw herself into him and hugged him, "You was hurt badly, you could have died, I couldn't protect you and...I could have killed you in cold blood." She said in a quiet voice, her bangs covering her eyes.
Let his smiling and joking side, Naruto just looked at Sasuki and sighed tiredly. He hoped she wouldn't remember anything, or maybe Shino talked to her everything.
Naruto hugged back and rubbed her back to comfort her, "Calm down. I'm still alive you see." He said softly, "Don't blame yourself at that time. I know that wasn't you. You're my best friend and you're too sweet to do that." He said mischievously, trying to improve the air around them. Many tension and he didn't he would like it.
Sasuki nodded slightly, her face redded a little at his words. But they made her feel better. At least he was here, in her arms now. She wouldn't make mistakes of any size and tried her best to help him and the team.
Shino, on the other hand, watched from afar and noted that there was something off in his teammates. He was concerned as Sasuki most likely remembered everything had happened. Now she was hugging the blond and he could see they were talking about something but the Aburame didn't hear it. It was not like it was his position to curious, but he did not think twice about letting Kakashi or the Hokage know because it was necessary.
"I don't mean to break up your reunion, but we should get ready to move. We have stayed in this area long enough I think." Sasuki turned and glared at Shino, holding the blond close in a protective manner.
"Naruto is not in a condition to move around, let alone fight!"
Naruto gently pushed her away and got onto his own two feet, surprising Sasuki but only receiving a respectful nod from Shino. He appreciated her concern but it would take more than that to keep him from slowing the rest of them down.
"Thanks, Sacchin, but I'm fine. If we stay any longer another team may stumble across us and then we would be in even more trouble."
Still concerned the girl got back up and returned outside with Shino and Naruto trailing behind. With a moment to talk the two boys quickly exchanged condolences.
"Shino, are you ok? I saw you get hit badly in the last fight.."
The Aburame just shrugged, anything he had was little in comparison to Naruto and Sasuki.
"I'm fine, I was more worried about you and Sasuki. You were both unconscious for a while and you've hurt, Naruto."
"No problem, I'm healing so quickly. You know my tenant..." He said in a low voice and smiled sadly.
Shino frowned a little while Sasuki was growling in anger, "Those bastards..." The Uchiha hissed.
"Anyway, I obtained the other scroll from the other team." Naruto took the Earth scroll from his pouch, "I had a little lucky as they gave up and gave it to me though." He then looked at them seriously, "For now I think we should go straight to the tower to report the Hokage about Orochimaru."
Sasuki and Shino merely nodded. The Aburame pointed in a direction that led to even more forest.
"In the distance, I scouted a river which runs through the entire course. If we follow it, we will eventually arrive at the tower."
"Nice one, Shino." Naruto gave the glassed boy a thumb up. "Let's get moving!"
In the mindscape of Naruto, Ashura looked like he was thinking something. Kurama just watched him silently, then sighed in frustration. That was the reason why he wanted to get to go a good distance away Otsutsuki siblings. Their problems were always a pain in the ass and brought about no little headache, especially the sister. Damn Indra and her obsession with Ashura.
"How long do you go brooding?" Kurama asked in an annoyed tone, "I know there will be many troubles as your sister awake in the Uchiha brat now, but thinking about them so much doesn't do any better than." He remarked frantically.
Ashura sighed and scratched his head, "I know, but I can't help it." He admitted truthfully, "I can't stop myself not worrying. Just looking at Uchiha Madoka, her previous transmigrant and her problems with Hashirama."
"You're worried too much. Hashirama and Madoka are the past, now Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuki we have to think about." Kurama said with a snort, "Talking about that idiot, he was so reckless as he dared to plunge into the Uchiha brat without thinking before. Luckily, he has me in him or he surely didn't preserve his life." He stated firmly.
"Naruto really cares for her eh?" Ashura replied with a chuckle.
"Well, just like the way you care for Indra." The fox said merely, "However, I don't want to think the Uchiha brat will be like your sister in the future." He then added with narrowed eyes.
"Her name is Uchiha Sasuki in case you forget, I know you don't though." The brown hair man corrected, "I don't blame you for your loathing for my sister and Uchiha Madoka, but like Naruto said, no every Uchiha is like them. By the way, there is my fault with my sister and Hashirama's in the case of Uchiha Madoka you know." He said in a sorrowful voice.
"I don't deny you didn't hold a share of the blame. But still, their manners were nothing more little kids with crazy ideas." Kurama responded in a mock tone.
"Anyways, I suppose I'm quite lucky as Naruto's bond with Sasuki is quite strong." The Otsutsuki stated, "There is still a chance for her to overcome the Curse of Hatred and ending this infinite circle."
The Nine Tails glanced at the man, "You know it will be not easy, she is still an Uchiha after all." He remarked seriously, "Success or failure, history repeats itself again or not, it's all on Naruto and...Uchiha Sasuki, and what he and she are able to and will do in the future." He calmly stated in a pondering tone, "Whatever, at least I'm right this time."
Ashura raised his eyebrow, "What do you mean?" He asked.
"That Kit is your reincarnation and the Uchiha brat is Indra's one."
"Well, you speak as if you used to err." Kurama snorted as he heard it.
"It's just my bad luck and you can't blame me as their relationship was close to you and Indra's one... tch, so annoying." The fox replied with a huff.
"Heh? Really? Is there any partnership besides us?" Ashura asked, looking amusing with the subject.
"Yeah, but the final result is quite bad..." Kurama said dryly, "A sad story I can say." Ashura's excited expression faded, he became thoughtful,
"So...who are they?" He asked, trying to ease the discomfort.
Kurama silenced in a while before he answered in a quiet but grim tone, "...Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto."
Somewhere in the Forest of Death
"Kabuto..." Orochimaru hissed.
The glassed teen blanched. He knew that tone. It was reserved for those of his master's henchmen who fucked up by the numbers.
"Orochimaru-sama?" Despite the apprehension the spy felt, his voice was level, betraying none of the fear he coiling in his gut.
"Your reports about team 7's skills. They were incomplete..." The Sannin stalked around his agent. There was a disturbing smile on his face and you could feel the slight displeasure surrounding him.
"In what way, Orochimaru-sama?" Kabuto asked.
"Not too much problem with the Aburama kid and Sasuki-chan. But the Kyuubi brat was much more skilled than you gave him credit for. At least middle to high chuunin level of combat ability. He knows some Wind techniques and is an expert with chakra knives, he even wounded me a little..." The Snake man trailed off.
Orochimaru then licked his lips with a tongue too long and nimble to belong to a human being. His smile turned into a hungry grin.
"I marked Sasuki-chan, but for some reason, I can't feel my chakra from the seal." Orochimaru frowned. It wasn't often that he didn't receive responses from his cursed marks. "Whatever, maybe some minor bug. It's not like there is someone removing my 'gift'. I want them tested further. The three idiots we sent for that purpose would be surely defeated," The Sannin fixed his agent with a glare. "Watch Sasuki and her team closely, and report me about their movements later."
"As you command, Orochimaru-sama!" Kabuto gave a deep bow to his master and both of them melted in the forest.
The Hokage Tower
Sarutobi Hiruzen was standing by the window and looked out at the direction of training ground 44, the Forest of Death where the second stage of the Chuunin exams was in progress, with a thoughtful look.
The Chuunin exam was the chance for genin to become higher-rank shinobi, and to advance their careers. An exam was organized for low-rank ninja who was inexperienced and young. It was not only a test but a battle between genin teams, and no one would interrupt them, even when they slew each other or they were fellow shinobi but the different team and they had to go head to head. However, this was an exam for genin, only genins were allowed to join in. Chuunin or jounin were forbidden to interfere unless it was emergency situations.
Like the situation was happening now.
"Hokage-sama!"
Snapping out of his thoughts, the God of Shinobi turned to look and saw one of loyal ANBU, the present ANBU captain, Weasel. She was here in time, he didn't sure she would like the news he just received from her favorite blond though.
"Oh, you're here." The Hokage said calmly, "Please remove your mask, Izumi."
The said ANBU took her mask off, revealing the elder Uchiha's beautiful face but filling the concern. She was surprised when a fellow ANBU came to find her, telling her that the Hokage wanted to meet her and she had to go immediately. On the way, she heard that Orochimaru of the Sannin appeared in Konohagakure and she couldn't help getting a bad feeling about it.
"We have an emergency." Hiruzen stated in a firm voice
"Is Orochimaru really here Hokage-sama?" Izumi asked worriedly and the old man nodded.
"Yes, Cat confirmed it, and he appeared in the Forest of Death. Look like he's aiming at your sister and he had a fight against team 7."
Izumi's eyes widened at the news, "WHAT!?" She screamed in rage, no one would think this was the stoic ANBU captain they saw every day, "How could it!? Are you sure you don't mistake? By the way, Orochimaru is a Sannin, what does he want in a genin like my sister!? And team 7 was attacked!? Where were ANBUs and jounins at that time!? How didn't they find out his presence!?"
"Calm down, Izumi. I sent my ANBUs and some jounins to go there once I obtained the information from Naruto-kun after the first stage of the Chuunin exam. They are going after Orochimaru now."
"Naruto-kun?" Izumi questioned.
"Yeah. I don't know how, but look like he realized something off in the first stage and he secretly wrote on his test paper to warn Ibiki." Hiruzen explained thoroughly, "He said that there was a Kusagakure kunoichi showing signs of distress, and she did not closely resemble a normal genin." He stated in a serious voice.
Izumi frowned, "Maybe she is unexpectedly stronger than most of genins. That is not rare in the Chuunin exam that was open to all villages and you know not only Konoha has strong bloodlines." She replied merely.
"Yeah, but this is Naruto-kun we're talking about, Izumi." The Hokage looked at her, "His sensory is very good, I'm sure he even is better than many sensors in the Leaf Village, because of his tenant." The Hokage knew that was just one of the reasons, but this was not the time for it, "Orochimaru can be good at disguising and masking his chakra, but it doesn't mean he can hide his malicious aura. Thinking carefully Izumi, how did he know the traitor Mizuki come with bad intentions when he always acted as a good teacher and most of all students in the academy cherished him?"
Izumi couldn't deny what her leader said as she fully knew Naruto's abilities. The sensory was one of his strengths. In their spar, no matter how much the Uchiha tried to mask chakra and hide her presence, he still managed to track her, and don't forget that Izumi was one of the strongest shinobis in Konohagakure at the present time though she didn't think she could be in par with a Sannin.
Because of the Kyuubi, his senses were far sharper than anybody, Naruto was just a 12-year-old boy though.
"What do you want me to do now Hokage-sama?" She asked seriously.
The Hokage merely smiled, "I want you to go to the tower in the Forest of Death, retrieve team 7 and take them to come here once they come there. I want to hear everything from them about Orochimaru, especially Naruto-kun as I don't think ANBUs will manage to catch him." He rubbed his temper, "I'm quite sure it will give me one more headache. Who will think there is a rookie team confronting one of the legendary Sannin themselves?"
The Uchiha huffed in exasperation. She bet there was something to do with her little foxy brother figure. Damn him and his recklessness! This time she would have to punish him harshly or she would surely get more heart attacks from him in the future. That reckless kid realized something off but he still let himself and his team continue going to the second stage, and then led them into a dangerous situation. He not only didn't run away but fought against the enemy who was a Sannin. The damn stubborn blond. Just wait until Izumi got her hands on him.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." She acquiesced.
"Dismissed." Izumi disappeared with a shunshin, headed straight to the forest.
The Sandaime came back and sat at his desk. He let out a tired sigh as he gazed upon the village. He lit his pipe and blew out smoke.
'I'm really too old for these.' He thought to himself.
The Forest of Death
It was nighttime at this moment. Naruto dived into the river, catching fish with Sasuki. As they jumped out of the crystal clear stream, the girl threw her kunai at them, embedding the kunai with fish in the tree across from them. Shino had stayed behind to prepare the fire so they could eat as soon as they catch their dinner and rested a little before heading for the tower.
Luckily, they had not yet encountered any genin teams on their way. Although they did, they wouldn't worry about fighting against team 10 and team Gai that all got both scrolls, Naruto got all the credit by his prankster mind. He trapped many genin teams and got their scrolls. They didn't actually dare try and fight them for them. Not after what Sasuki had just done not so long ago, he could guarantee it.
Sasuki, who had then focused on something other than her own shame, had dragged Naruto a little ways away to apologize to the blond from her actions again. Look like she had not yet gotten her guilt and regret from her mind. Naruto couldn't really blame her. Who could stab their best friend and then casually behaved as if nothing had happened, especially Sasuki who valued their friendship? However, it did not mean he wanted her to conflict about it so much.
"Last time, hime. I'm still alive and stand here, in front of you. What's there to apologize for? It's not even your fault."
"But still..." Any protest the raven head had was stopped when he held up his hand.
"I know what you're feeling now, but we can't change what happened no matter how much you regret it." He said in a serious tone, "Instead, make sure you got your lessons from them and trying not to make the same mistakes. Next time, don't let your negative feelings affect you so much or the cursed seal will control you again."
Sasuki sighed, then looking at him, "But I still don't stop feeling I'm holding you back. I even thought of running away from Orochimaru before." She looked down shamefully, only to have the blond boy snort at her.
"So? This was our first time against a Sannin, so it's normal to feel scary." Naruto had said, arms behind his head in a relaxed manner. "I wanted to run away, too, back then. I was scared. It's okay to occasionally be scared, Suki-hime." It wasn't a lie. He felt scared a little once he realized who was the enemy, but the desire to protect his comrades from harm helped him to overcome his own fear. That was his power. Power from protecting someone precious.
"But you fought Orochimaru after that." Sasuki pointed out.
"Yeah, and you fought those Sound dudes. So?" Naruto obviously wasn't going to let the conversation go how the Uchiha girl had expected it to go, and he didn't want to remind that accident or Sasuki would brood again, "Listen, Sacchin, whatever happened, happened. I highly doubt that any shinobi had ever gone through what we had with a completely cool head. It's okay to get scared sometimes. We're still only human, no matter how good a ninja we become one day."
"I shouldn't have gotten so scared and irrational." The Uchiha still insisted and Naruto nodded.
"You shouldn't have, but you did. As I said, you'll learn from it and won't lose your head the next time something like that happens. And besides,..." the blond had a soft smile on his scarred cheeks. "...you'll always have me there by your side, right?"
The raven head had stared at him, a slight pink dusting her own pale cheeks and she had looked away with a "Hn." not really wanting to let Naruto see just how much that subtle hint that Naruto still considered her a worthy partner in battle warmed her.
"And I know I will always have you to watch out for me, too, so why focus on the past?" Naruto had continued with a big grin and Sasuki hadn't been able to restrain that small smile that had stretched across her lips.
That had been that of that particular conversation. The Uchiha accepted no arguments there. And here they were now, eating the fish they had caught at the river. Shino's insects would scout around and warned if someone was near them. Turning out, not only Naruto was good at fishing, he was a really good cook when fish was in the question. He wasn't going to tell them why that was, only that he was forced many times in his younger years to fish.
Shino suspected it had something to do with how the villagers treated him.
"It's been two days since the Second Exam started." Sasuki said after they ate their first fish and were now waiting for the second round to finish cooking so they would have some food for later. The Uchiha wanted them to move as soon as they could. She didn't want Orochimaru or those Sound guys to come back for them. "We have 3 days left, but we should beware of other teams. Our team is now become prime targets, as we have both scrolls."
"What do you suggest, Naruto?" Shino asked, watching the light from the fire play across the whiskered boy's face. After all, Naruto was still the best on the team about making strategy.
"About more half of other teams might have already finished I see, leaving the others in a panicky state. They will rush to finish the exam and attack anyone. There might even be the possibility that those who already have the two scrolls will stay behind to eliminate even more of the competition."
"But aren't they risking their own scrolls in the process?" Sasuki asked from where she was watching Naruto discuss what they would while still turning over the fish so that they could cook from both sides equally. Shino and Sasuki did their best not to notice the food. None of them have eaten a full meal since the exam started and they didn't need their stomachs growling like savage beasts, giving away their position. They could just catch more fish, but that would slow them down and leave them exposed for a longer amount of time.
"It would." Shino said thoughtfully. "But they would still have an advantage. Maybe set up some traps. Lay in waiting...things like that."
The blond haired boy nodded. "That's true, but we will still need to pass through the woods. However, I just think we should approach this situation my style."
"Your style?" The other two members of team 7 blinked at him, tilting their heads, not understanding.
Naruto nodded firmly, "I will make some shadow clones and transform them into our duplicates. Let them run ahead and if I feel them being destroyed, we'll either prepare for a fight or change route."
"Look like it's a good idea." Sasuki commented with a smirk.
"But we will still have to hurry." Shino warned. "Meaning that we can't take too many detours."
"Then prepare to leave. We're going as soon as the fish are done. I'm going to get us some water." And with that, the only female of the group got up and left the blond hair and the glassed teens behind. They watched after her before they both turned to look at the fish.
Suddenly, Naruto reached over to his pouch and took a scroll.
"Naruto. You're not going to open the scrolls, are you?" He looked up and blinked at the Aburame.
"Shino, we'd get knocked out if we did that." Naruto replied as if that was the most obvious thing in the world, "By the way, it's not the scroll using for the exam. I took it from another shinobi I saved while I was looking for the Earth scroll." He started talking everything to Shino. That he saved the Karin girl, she had the same last name as him, Orochimaru's summons ate her teammate alive, Karin gave him two scrolls and then he sent his clone to escort her out of the forest.
"I see. So you said it was lucky as they gave up and you had the scroll. That Karin girl's not bad I suppose." Shino said in an approval tone, "But what did she mean when she said that you should give this scroll to Hokage-sama?" Naruto shook his head.
"I don't know, and that's the reason why I'm opening and finding out now." He started opening the scroll, Shino moved closer to read it. Slowly, a frown appeared on their face, then both of them gaped at what they were reading.
"Orochimaru wants to destroy Konoha by an invasion!? What the hell!?"
"And he has the Hidden Sand Village as his support?" Shino said suspiciously, "But I think Suna is Konoha's ally."
Naruto nodded in agreement, "Yup, but I don't think this scroll is fake. My clone escorted Karin to the Wave and I order him to keep an eye on her. He still doesn't get dispelled yet so I suppose we can believe her."
"So what will you do to it?" The Aburame asked.
"No doubt we have to give this scroll to the Hokage. This is the matter of vital importance of our village." The blond looked at the scroll in his hand, "Although we're not sure it's true or not, if it relates to that pedophile, we still should tell jiji. In the worst case, the village can be defended." He stated in a serious tone.
Shino nodded in agreement, "I see. So...what about Sasuki?"
"Well, I think we will tell her after we meet the Hokage. In addition,..." Naruto looked straight his teammate, "...I want you to keep quiet about 'the incident'."
If it weren't for the glass, Naruto could see Shino's eyes widening.
"What do you mean, Naruto? Didn't you say that we should report it? to Kakashi-sensei and Hokage-sama"
"Yeah, it's my original plan. But there is something happening and I decided we should keep it a secret from the others." He said seriously, "There's something bigger going on here, but I can tell it might or might be not Orochimaru controlling Sasuki at that time."
"What're you saying? I don't understand. You said that seal-"
Immediately, both shinobi jumped to their feet, getting ready for combat as they felt someone near them. Naruto was a sensor type while Shino had his bugs. They looked and saw a familiar figure.
"Relax, we're Konoha ninja. Don't need to be alert so much." Kabuto smiled at them in a friendly manner and Naruto's eyes narrowed, he'd got a truly bad feeling about the gray haired guy since he met him in the first stage of the Chuunin exams, and he even could have something to do with a certain snake.
Shino, of course, noticed Naruto's wary expression and adopted one of his own, both directed at Kabuto. He had some tinge of doubt about the older teen when he knew lots of information about many ninja, one of them was his blond teammate. In addition, Shino had learned by now to trust a shinobi's instinct. Naruto had a great set of instincts and so far they had never lead them astray.
Kabuto's dark eyes narrowed when he noticed that they weren't in a talkative mood but he chopped it up to them changing their views due to the things they must have lived through the Exams.
"You are really clever to figure that out, Naruto-kun. It surprised me the first time I participated in the Chuunin exams." He continued, scratching the back of his head and moving towards the group. At that time, Sasuki ran into the camp sight, water in hand and an angry scowl on her face. She soon felt someone near Naruto and Shino. Worrying about her teammates (most was Naruto), Sasuki ran as fast as she could, only to catch this suspicious guy in here.
"Oh, hello, Sasuki-san." Kabuto greeted her with a friendly smile, that made Naruto feel uncomfortable.
"What're you doing here Kabuto-san?" He asked, not taking his eyes off the grey hair shinobi.
"My team was ambushed and I was separated from my teammates. I'd been finding them until I saw you guys, so I decided to come here."
"How do you know it's our team?" Shino asked coolly, "It might be some other genins from other hidden villages, and you know the consequences you can get if they catch you. We are allowed to kill and you're alone now."
Kabuto had a smile on his face, Naruto could see it was totally fake, "Not really good, but I'm also a sensor type. We met in the first stage and I still remember your chakra. Hmm, Naruto-kun is right?" Kabuto said brightly, adjusting his glasses in a way that set off alarm bells in Naruto's head, "Your chakra is plentiful and powerful, as if..." Some glints could be seen in his eyes, "...there is something existing inside." He stated in a calm voice and Naruto narrowed his eyes again. So this guy might or might not know about his tenant.
Both Sasuki and Shino tensed at his words, and the Uchiha jumped in front of her best friend, growling at the older genin lowly while the Aburame was ready in case they had to fight back.
Kabuto grimaced as he saw the current situation. Look like they didn't believe him. Did they find out he was Orochimaru's spy?, "You know. The longer we stay, the more chance we will be ambushed by other teams. We can work together and find the way to the tower as quickly as possible."
Naruto, however, turned him down, "No thanks, we have enough time. We'll find the tower on our own." He confirmed in a serious tone.
"By the way,..." Sasuki spoke out,"...how are we to know you're not leading us into a trap?"
"Have I given you guys a reason to mistrust me?" Kabuto asked with a frown as if hurt by the lack of trust.
Bur team 7 wasn't buying it.
"You didn't give us a reason to trust you, either." Shino answered frankly.
Kabuto sighed, secretly annoyed that his attempts at making friends and getting them to trust him were being shot down so easily. This team was more tight-knit than he had thought. The blond looked an idiot but Kabuto could say he was the most intelligent. The raven haired girl, on the other hand, was protective of him as she looked at Kabuto as if he would do something bad on the blond if he was close to him. The glassed boy was alert since Kabuto appeared, he even didn't move away from his teammates. They trusted each other enough that they would shoot down such a great opportunity if only one of them didn't agree. Or, rather, they most likely listened to the blond boy's decisions.
"I'm not here to fight you. I have both scrolls, so there is no need for us to fight." Naruto wasn't giving any ground so Kabuto decided to sweeten the deal. "Besides, shouldn't we Konoha ninja stick together, help each other out?"
'That's if you're really a Konoha ninja.' Naruto thought, still looking at the teen in front of them cautiously. "We don't need your help. You can get out of here now." Kabuto frowned and was about to argue again when Shino moved behind Naruto and Sasuki went closer, glaring at him fiercely, showing their support of his decision. The older genin grit his teeth and forced a smile onto his face.
"Okay, if that's your decision." He said as he slowly turned to go away, his tone indicating that he knew they would change their minds and that was why he was walking so slowly.
"It is." Sasuki growled it out.
"Please leave." Shino added, and Kabuto now knew that it was over this conversation. He nodded and waved over his shoulder before jumping up into the trees. He'd just get them to change their minds when they fell into some trap.
Naruto relaxed when Kabuto left his wide sensing range or he would never rest comfortably as this guy was around him.
"First a man disguised as a woman finding me and claiming he wanted my body, then a creepy guy coming to us from anywhere. What the hell?" Sasuki huffed in annoyance, then turned serious, "He might be an enemy." She commented dryly.
"Technically, he is the enemy I think." Shino pointed out.
"We will just have to avoid him." Naruto said. He looked around the riverside once again, "For now, get some rest and we will head to the tower once it's morning. I don't like wandering in this forest so long as Kabuto is still around here." Sasuki and Shino nodded at that. Shino would guard first, then Naruto, and finally Sasuki. The blond hoped they could come to the tower as soon as possible as he needed to report the Hokage about the information he just learned.
'No way I will let you harm my village and precious people, Orochimaru. Never.' He thought, glancing at Sasuki who was sleeping next to him. 'I will protect you Sacchin. I won't let that crazy man get you. That's my promise.' His eyes heavy with sleep slowly, and he unconsciously hugged his best friend in his sleep.