By Silver Dragonfly
Chapter 07 – Snake's Shadows
Naruto couldn't help but listen as Sakura tried to convince Sasuke to stop and give up the fight. He had
been right. There was something strange going on with Sasuke. Every once in awhile the past few days
he could have sworn that he saw a dark shadow coiled around Sasuke's body, but no one else had
seemed to notice it— not even Sasuke himself. He frowned as he heard the worry and fear in Sakura's
voice, Sasuke you idiot—she's worried about you. Naruto's frown depended as he heard the tone of
Sasuke's response. With a low growl building in his throat Naruto turned to give the jerk a piece of his
mind. "Sasuke you jerk!! Can't you see Sakura is worried—" but he came up short when Sasuke turned
to face with an intense look on his face.
"Naruto—I also want to fight you."
Naruto blinked in surprise, Sasuke wanted to fight him? Since when did the all mighty Uchiha actually
want to fight him. The one he always called dobe… before Naruto could formulate a response, the
examiner called them to attention and proceeded with the rules and announcing the first match.
Naruto's mind drifted as his eyes watched the shifting characters, there had been a lot more that
happened in the second exam then either of his teammates were letting on. Then there was the fact
that he was cut off from Kyuubi as well. Sure he could still sense the arrogant fox, but that was about
it. The power that he had been able to sense and use even before their bond became active was no
longer at his disposal and he'd been having a lot harder time performing even his simplest jutsu
because of it.
His attention was brought back to the present as two names were revealed on the screen, Uchiha
Sasuke and Akado Yoroi. Naruto frowned. Sasuke was going first, and none of them were in the best
condition for a life threatening fight. Naruto dawdled as the examiner asked all the non-combatants
to move up onto the balconies on either side of the arena, and waved excitedly as Kakashi came up
to them. Maybe their sensei would intervene. Surely he could see that something else had happened
to his teammate? However, before Naruto could say anything he was pulled off by Sakura.
"Come on Naruto, you'll get your chance to fight."
Naruto grumbled. He knew he'd get his chance, but that wasn't what had his attention at the moment.
It was his arrogant jerk of a teammate that he was worried about, but he resigned himself and left it for
their sensei to deal with. Its not like Sasuke would have listened to him anyways. Sasuke…you yaro…
you better win your fight. He grumbled to himself. Win or lose, Naruto was going to kick Sasuke's ass
for being such an arrogant jerk and making Sakura worry—for making him worry. Naruto took up a
position at the railing and studied Sasuke and his opponent carefully, trying to gauge how the match
would turn out.
Sasuke glared at his opponent as his mind raced over his condition. He wouldn't be able to use the
Sharingan let alone any jutsu in this match or he'd loose to the curse seal. Not to mention Kakashi
had made it clear that if the curse seal broke loose, the match would be over. Then add to it that he
was running on no sleep and very little rest since the end of the second exam. Damn it…this curse
seal…the power is disgusting…mindless…And he had no choice but to fight it at the same time as he
faced his opponent.
"Are you ready?" His opponent asked as he settled into a stance.
Sasuke smirked. "Yeah," and settled into a ready position of his own. Then it began and time seemed to
slow down for Sasuke as he analyzed his opponent's movements instantly, countering shuriken with
kunai. Suddenly pain pierced through him as the snake-like curse bit deeper. He reached up to his
shoulder and cursed as he dropped to his knees.
Kuso! He cursed and quickly rolled to dodge the attack that landed where he had been lying a moment
ago. He thrust his kunai into the ground, using it to pivot and knock his opponents feet out from
under him. Immediately he shifted his position to lock his limbs around his opponent and pin him. His
enemy smirked beneath the half facemask and drove his fist into Sasuke's chest. Sasuke frowned and
then his eyes and mouth opened wide in shock as all strength began to leave his limbs. What…what
happened! His mind raced as he tried to uncover the source of the drain— then yelled in pain as his
enemy drove his fist into his gut yet again, and then released him only to roll away onto his feet and
latch is right hand onto Sasuke's forehead.
Almost instantly Sasuke felt the drain once more. What is he doing… its like... that's it! "You—my—
chakara—" Sasuke gasped out and his opponent smirked.
"So you finally noticed."
Damn it! Sasuke growled as he forced himself to move, knocking his opponent away and stopping the
drain of his chakara. That was close. Any longer and I would have been finished. He stood shakily,
breathing heavily.
"SASUKE! Are you really Uchiha Sasuke!!" Naruto shouted from the balconies. "Is that really the best
you can do!?!"
Baka Naruto. Just what is he—Sasuke's thoughts paused. Naruto was right. Just what was he doing
out here. Then he spotted Rock Lee standing next to Naruto. That's it! A plan formed and he turned
his attention back on his opponent just in time to implement his plan. With swift movements, mimicking
those he had seen the thick-eye browed boy only use once before he dropped and landed a hard kick
to his opponents chin from below sending him airborne. Though from this point…It's completely
original. "It's over" Sasuke stated as he placed two fingers into his opponents back, floating in mid air
just below him. "Shadow Leaf Dance—" His words were cut off as he felt a searing pain spread from his
neck. The curse seal was activating. NO!! Sasuke mentally screamed as he tried to fight the effects. I
won't give in to this… I won't let it turn me into that… I wont make Sakura cry…I won't make either of
them worry…this power isn't worth it—I won't be taken over. The curse fell back fading back into its
original bounds with painful stabs.
Suddenly the pain faded as the warmth of a cool blue power spread. Ryukai—Sasuke whispered in his
mind. The dragon spirit offered his power and his companionship with nothing-asked in return—No.
With nothing more then living for something other then hatred and revenge… In flashes of memory so
fast he barely noted them Sasuke sifted through everything that had happened to him since he joined
Team Seven. He was more alive, growing stronger faster then ever before—he felt... that was it! This
was where his true strength lay, not in mindless hatred. He would still seek out vengeance against his
brother—but not at the cost of his entire life. His brother was not worth it… RYUKAI! I Choose life!! He
called out fully in his mind, and the dragon responded.
At last our bond can fully awaken Uchiha Sasuke. Now finish your battle, I will make sure the curse seal
does not interfere further.
Thank you… Sasuke whispered and then his eyes snapped open and he smirked. "Here it comes." He
whispered, and then launched the first move of a triple combo. Left arm punch blocked, a shift in
position and he drove his right arm into to his opponent's chest, speeding their decent. He spun and
landed his heal sharply into the chest of his opponent. "LION RENDAN!!"
"Well done." Ryukai said softly in his mind as Sasuke slowly climbed to his feet from where he had
landed a few feet away from his unmoving enemy.
"Winner of the first match—Uchiha Sasuke." The examiner announced. Sasuke smirked. He'd done it.
"There is still much to be done, but I will be with you throughout all of it." Ryukai told him, easing the
strain on Sasuke's body with healing power of blue. Suddenly Sasuke sensed Kakashi behind him.
"Well. Good job." His sensei said nonchalantly as he read his book. Sasuke's attention was then draw
to the overenthusiastic shouts of his blond teammate on the balcony. That idiot… he thought and
couldn't help but smile. Then he winced, the attack was powerful, but self damaging as well. Before he
could think further on it, he heard the call of the medical-nins and then Kakashi telling them they
weren't needed. He frowned, a tad puzzled.
"I'll take care of him." Kakashi stated then crouched down beside Sasuke so he could speak directly in
his ear, "I'll take you in back and seal up that curse."
Sasuke's eyes opened wide in shock. He'd seal the curse!
"It won't be enough. We will still have to defeat it. However it will help" Ryukai stated.
"Wait—I need to see the rest of the matches." Sasuke answered both Ryukai, and Kakashi.
"No. I won't listen to your selfishness. If we wait, it may be to late." Kakashi replied, his hand resting
heavily on Sasuke's shoulder.
"He's right. This must be done now, our battle against it will only be beginning." Ryukai added. Sasuke
frowned but didn't fight it as Kakashi directed him out of the arena.
**********
The Sandaime's eyes slowly scanned the various people who were present as the second match
began. This year's group of Genin held so many exceptional young shinobi, the children of the most
elite were already beginning to live up to their parent's names, even if they did not know it
themselves. They were Konoha's hope, and Konoha's future and he'd been doing all he could to
see that they would remain there. Sadly, it appeared this group of Genin was receiving a fair amount
of outside interest as well.
Orochimaru's interest in Uchiha Sasuke hadn't come as all that big of a surprise, and in fact he had been
expecting his former student to start making moves to claim his so called vengeance on Konoha soon,
but he would not let him take such a bright young star from their midst if he could help it. Although it
hadn't been Sasuke that he was truly worried about—no, they were lucky that Orochimaru hadn't truly
set his observational skills on Naruto. For if the S-class criminal had realized just whose son the vessel
of the nine-tails really was…Team Seven would not have passed the second exam. They would have
been completely broken by the abduction and or death of at least one teammate. They had been
incredibly luck, and now he would have to see to it that such an opportunity was not left open for
Orochimaru to act upon again.
As soon as these preliminary matches were over with, he'd have talk with Kakashi. The copy ninja
wouldn't be entirely happy to hear what he had to say, as it would leave both of his other students
without his guidance, but Jiraiya would most likely make an appearance soon if he wasn't already in
Konoha. As for Sakura…well those that would probably been best for her to associate with were not
available, but he'd find someone for her to get guidance from. With Sasuke and Naruto under such
specialized care, it would destroy the team utterly if Sakura was left unattended to as well.
His attention was brought back to the foreground as the matches switched once again. Aburame
Shino had won, he smiled. The mysterious bug clan of Konoha had its heir. Just as it had so many
young heirs to greatness—Sandaime smiled. With these bright stars growing in Konoha, the future was
bright no matter what shadows tried to move in.
**********
Jiraiya sighed as he watched various Anbu move in and out of the Forest of Death. He mentally
grumbled. He hadn't made it in time, well that wasn't entirely true. The village was still safe and sound,
and the exam was proceeding so therefore nothing to terrible had happened to those Genin involved.
No he'd actually been hoping to arrive before the second exam started so he could scope out the kids
involved as he knew that's where he would find him. He wondered if he looked like Yondaime… the
nine-tails brat. Suddenly his senses tingled and a frown found its way to his lips. HE was here… that
slimy snake. Had that snake found out as well? Was that why Sandaime had sent the note? – No that
wasn't it. His own resources told him enough, no Orochimaru was probably here after the Uchiha brat.
Jiraiya smirked as he wondered if his old teammate had picked up on his presence yet. Would serve the
snake freak right to wonder just what he was doing here. Orochimaru would probably assume that
Jiraiya was in town to work against him. The snake had always flattered himself. Jiraiya turned to find
himself somewhere comfortable to bunk, he'd come back in a few hours to check for the kid himself,
and only after he'd made his own observations… then maybe… just maybe he'd go and see his old sensei.
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