AN: I'm back... this chapter didn't take as long as I thought it would. The story is... about an hour after I post chapter 1, I found out that my grandfather had died. Because of this, I knew I wasn't going to write because 1)I was spending time with my family and 2) I was really really depressed and I didn't want that to influence my writing. I had a lot of chapter 2 written before I found out about my grandfather and the rest I did during my break at school today. Speaking of school, chapter 3 will not appear for a while unless I REALLY need a break from studying. I have finals this week and next week and I have not done a thing on them yet, so that will take up a lot of my time.
Oh yeah... I don't think I put a disclaimer on the prologue or chapter one so.. yeah... I don't own anything but Fuwa and Tarim.
The Glass
Chapter 2
And since you know you cannot see yourself,
so well as by reflection, I, your glass,
will modestly discover to yourself,
that of yourself which you yet know not of.
William Shakespeare
Naruto snickered as he watched Tarim leave. Fuwa is going to hurt her...
Damn right I am! That wench is going to get it!
Naruto jumped, to the surprise of all of the others in the clearing with him. Hey! How can I hear you?
Fuwa gave an exasperated sigh. I told you before – our minds are linked. Just send your thoughts to me and I'll get them.
"Where have you been all this time?" Sakura asked, approaching Naruto.
"I was unconscious for a while, then I went looking for you guys." Naruto explained with a grin.
"Figures, you miss out on the entire battle. You didn't run away did you?" Ino asked skeptically.
"Hey! I would never let Sakura-chan be in danger if I could help it!" Naruto protested.
Sakura punched him. "Don't say stuff like that!"
Naruto picked himself off of the ground.
That had to hurt...
Shut up, Fuwa.
Heh heh... The wench is back to her team. They weren't too far away.
Good... At least you didn't kill her.
I should have...
"..., Sasuke-kun!" Ino was waving to Sasuke as she, Shikamaru, and Choju walked away into the forest.
"Huh? Everybody's leaving?" Naruto tilted his head, confused.
"Where have you been, idiot? They said they were leaving a couple of minutes ago." Sakura glared.
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Guess I wasn't paying attention..."
Sasuke snorted. "Hn... You're getting stupider, dumbass."
Naruto stepped towards Sasuke. "What did you say, bastard!?"
Sasuke turned his back to Naruto and started to leave. "Let's go..."
"Right!" Sakura ran to catch up with Sasuke.
Naruto followed behind, muttering choice words under his breath.
"This is the fourth afternoon since the start of the second test..." Sasuke muttered as Team 7 waited around a fire. "The second test started around 2:30PM... meaning we only have about 25-26 hours left."
"Many teams may have already passed... that means..." Sakura looked towards the fire with a thoughtful expression.
Ahhh!!! I wish it would cook faster!!! Naruto thought as he drooled over the cooking fish.
Naruto! Pay attention to your teammates! This is important! Fuwa interrupted.
What!!? But I'm hungry! Naruto whined.
So what if you're hungry! Don't you want to pass this exam and become a chunnin?!
"You know... there may not be anymore heaven scrolls." Sakura turned her gaze to the earth scroll laying on a rock.
"What do you mean, Sakura?" Sasuke asked.
"Eighty percent of the test is over with... only 13 teams can pass... 12 now because that Orochimaru guy burned our heaven scroll..." Sakura drifted off into thought.
Orochimaru? Naruto asked Fuwa. Is he that snake guy?
How would I know? Fuwa responded, patiently. I'm you, remember? I don't know any more than you do... sadly.
Hey!
"Either way... the next enemy is our last chance!!" Sasuke declared as he stood up. "I'm going to get some water."
We're screwed, aren't we? Naruto commented, beginning to get depressed.
Not necessarily...Fuwa stopped the link for a little while. Hmm... I could probably scout around and find a heaven scroll.
Wouldn't that be cheating? Naruto picked his head up and looked in the direction he thought Fuwa was in.
"Naruto?" Sakura caught the movement and was curious.
You're a ninja, Naruto... Sometimes, the rules have to be broken to get the job done... and besides, technically, I am a part of you, so it would be like you going out and scouting.
Naruto waved his hand at Sakura. "It was nothing... just a bird."
"Funny... I don't think I've ever seen a bird in this forest..." A voice spoke up from behind Naruto.
Sakura and Naruto turned to see Kabuto strolling up to them. "Kabuto-san!" Sakura exclaimed, standing up. "What're you doing here?"
Sasuke came rushing back as he heard the commotion. "An enemy?" He stopped as he reached the fire and saw that it was Kabuto. "You're Kabuto, aren't you? What are you doing all alone out here?"
Geez... so suspicious... Naruto thought to himself.
It's actually a good thing in this situation... don't make it sound bad. Fuwa commented dryly.
"It's not like I'm after your scroll..." Kabuto gave Sasuke an even look.
Is that what Sasuke meant? Geez... maybe Tarim's right! You are like the bastard. Though you're cooler because you're a part of me.
I'm not going to comment on that... and don't trust anything that stupid wench says anyway.
"So you're after the heaven scroll?"
Kabuto pulled out both the heaven scroll and the earth scroll. "No... I already have both... I'm on my way to meet my teammates at the tower."
Naruto sniffed lightly at the air. Hm?
What is it? Fuwa asked, interested.
Kabuto smells weird...Hey! Naruto jumped to his feet and moved closer to Kabuto, sniffing discreetly. He... he smells like that snake freak... what's his name...? Orochimaru!
"Fight me..." Sasuke demanded.
"Fight...?" Kabuto questioned, startled.
"We're running out of time... we need that scroll." Sasuke explained.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Don't...." Naruto said in a serious voice, catching the attention of his teammates.
"Naruto?" Sakura was confused at the sudden change.
"Shut up, dobe..." Sasuke glared at Naruto before turning his attention back to Kabuto.
Kabuto caught Naruto's glare and was confused. "Hm... Sasuke wouldn't fight me anyway... if he really meant it, he wouldn't have challenged me. He would have just attacked. But I wonder... Why are you so opposed, Naruto?"
Naruto paused, then nodded. "You smell of snake... like Orochimaru."
Fuwa groaned. Damn Naruto... if he is with snakey, telling him you know wasn't the smartest thing to do...
Sakura and Sasuke started. "!!" Only Naruto caught the cold look that quickly passed through Kabuto's eyes.
"What are you talking about, you idiot?" Sakura stormed over to where Naruto was and was about to hit him, but Naruto ducked out of the way.
Kabuto tried to laugh it off. "What do you mean, Naruto? I fought a snake earlier. That doesn't make me in league with that man..."
Huh? Fuwa opened the link more.
What is it? Naruto thought at Fuwa. "You smell just like him... I fought a snake too but the scent wasn't that strong."
He speaks as if he knows what happened... and he didn't actually deny anything... he just said you didn't have proof.
This time, Sakura was able to get a hit. "Moron! You're imagining things again! Kabuto-san isn't with that creep!"
Naruto just glared at Kabuto and kept his distance. Kabuto gave Naruto an indecipherable look before grinning. "We should probably head out..."
Fuwa?
"You're going to come with us, Kabuto-san?" Sakura asked.
Umm... right! There is a team of mist-nins to the north-east, towards the tower. They have the heaven scroll!
"Yes... You should head towards the tower. You're more likely to find a team with the scroll you need there. And I have to go that way anyway." Kabuto explained, but gave a look to Naruto.
Hn... probably just wants to keep an eye on me...
Your damn fault for letting him know you were on to him. Fuwa remarked.
Whatever... Naruto just nodded at Kabuto before heading towards the tower. "Let's go then! We have a test to pass!"
Sasuke, Sakura, and Kabuto all shook their heads and followed.
To be continued
AN: Because I am closely following the manga at this time, some of the dialogue is taken from the manga... I'm at about chapter 60 now.
I consider this a boring chapter... mostly because it was so tedious to write. Until I can get Fuwa into a disguise or get Naruto away from his team, I am going to follow Kishimoto's storyline. So... yeah... the next chapter should finish up the second exam and then I'll probably take some liberties on the prelims and then during the break, I'll really start to change things...
