50+ Reviews! I DANCE! (For reference on type of dance, refer to those Six Flags commercials.) Thanx to all reviewers.

A message to those who have me on author alert but haven't reviewed: please review. It inspires me to bring out chapters faster.

As promised, up by April 4. Happy birthday to me and everyone else with the same birthday. One year closer to legalized drinking!

Very long chapter, lots of fighting. You will get to see some of the capabilities of new char's like Edo, Nazo, Maiyuu, Kaigen, and Raina. You also get to see some ass-kicking by Sakura. Enjoy, please.

I will also soon update my other story, but you lot don't really care about that, do you?

I did say that Nyurr might be a bit scary this chap. There's a chance you won't find him so. Even so, he may make you fairly uneasy at the least.

Timeshifter: You misunderstand. Dajan and Zanako are a Jounin and the Tsuchikage, respectively. They aren't taking the exam. They cannot be in the finals. To your second question, Kosuishuuha was the technique Edo used to shoot up a small wall of water when his team got surrounded. Aira is just the name I gave the Akatsuki member, I don't know his true name.

Dragon'sSword: You've got good taste in RPG's, buddy. Feel free to use Nyurr, so long as you credit me. I could use the advertising. Anyone can use him so long as they ask and credit me. I was thinking one day and realized that the perfect pet for Gaara was a kitten, it just fit his personality. He's the pet I wish I had had as a child. Nyurr was originally just going to be in a one-shot joke story, but I added him here. He may have some story significance as things go on.

wyldcat: Great Spirited Away story. If anyone wants a guide to the horde of OC's in my story, email me. I'll send you an up-to-date paper on them. The paper contains spoilers for the most recent chapter of this story, however.

Dragon Man 180: Glad you like Maiyuu. She's pretty fun to write. When I made her, I wanted her to kind of balance her teammates. I didn't realize it until it was pointed out, but she is subconciously based on my friend Akemi. She's short, odd, and good with a bouken. She's also a fairly surly drunk (She'll probably hurt me for this).

xl: Yeah, the math is screwed up. I know the story's not perfect, I don't have every detail right. Maybe you should just ignore the math and let things work out. I can't think of how to fix some minor things like that. I'll just take those numbers out, so humans don't worry about them. Oh dear, I'm rambling again. Nyurr-sama will hurt me for this. Feel free to point out mistakes. I will fix what I can. I'm so embarrassed. Ah, well, if something like math is your only complaint, I should dance. Again! .. If I felt like it, I could apologise endlessly for this. Sorry, sorry, sorryyyy...(Slaps self). I never was good at math.

I realize I made another mistake. In ch. 4 Hinata said that Hanabi was going along with her father, when in fact she was not. Perhaps it would be best if you simply assume that she was mistaken, and Hiashi left her behind because she is busy training, or something. Sorry about that, I just noticed it today. I'll make it work, I hope. sigh

Chapter 12: Labyrinth

The Raikage sat in his guest room in the hidden village of Stone, behind a bamboo screen. He glanced impassively as a tall young man sauntered in, a serrated spear over one shoulder. The man stood for a few seconds, then lowered himself to the ground, brushing back a stray black bang.

"Takame."

"You sent for me, sir?" Takame straightened his mask.

The Raikage frowned at the young man's flippant tone. He had always been impertinent and disrespectful.

"I wan't a report on the first exam."

Takame snapped ironically to attention. "Raina and myself infiltrated the central castle and retrieved the scroll. Commander Kaigen remained outside," he recited.

"For what reason?"

"Kaigen thought that his presence might be a hindrance to any stealth operation that we initiate. He rejoined us after we left the castle and accompanied us to the location of the prisoner. Whereupon he unleashed a wind attack which blew away the roof, allowing us to extract the prisoner. On the way to the extraction point, Kaigen carried the prisoner while I took point. Raina covered us from behind."

"Any complications?"

"None noteworthy."

"And what of the target?"

"I verified that Nekoarashi Edo's team successfully completed the first test approximately eight hours before our group began."

"I want him. Alive or dead. I'm counting on you, Takame."

"Sir?" Takame sounded bored.

"Raina isn't reliable in this case. She's not levelheaded enough. She may still see Edo as a friend. Raina will allow the camaraderie the three of you once shared as teammates to cloud her judgement." The Raikage held up a hand. "Kaigen, on the other hand, is far too easily angered. He is loyal, but overzealous, which could lead to mistakes."

"I suppose I understand."

"But you, out of all the team, you're the most like Edo. You were his rival and know his capabilities. If you find him during the second test, bring him down. Should he make it to the finals, insure that one of you makes it as well. Preferably you, but if it is necessary, Raina or Kaigen will do."

Takame stared blankly through the bamboo screen at the Raikage.

"I know we've had our differences, Takame-kun, but now is not the time for petty arguments and spite."

Takame left without another word. The Raikage removed several strands of his own black hair from in front of his face.

"That boy is trouble."


"Ne, Shikamaru."

"Eh?" grumbled the Chuunin from his position on the floor. "What?"

"It's just-" Sakura scratched her chin. "I still don't get it. Why would Sasuke-kun's brother and his allies be after Naruto?"

"Dunno. He didn't seem to want to talk about it," Shikamaru replied, glancing off to the side where Naruto lay snoring loudly. "He seemed unusually serious when we first asked him about it."

"I wouldn't reccomend pressuring him about it," came a new voice. Hatake Kakashi entered the room, eyeing each of them lazily.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

"Are you saying you know the answer?" Shikamaru queried.

"Naruto will probably tell you himself when the time comes. It's not for me to tell."

"Troublesome."

The sound of someone singing drunkenly leaked through the walls.

"Sounds like someone's been celebrating."

The singing stopped briefly, replaced by the soft buzz of voices. The sound of a sharp slap cut through the air.

SLAP!

Everyone winced.

The singing started up again, more haltingly this time. The door opened, revealing a staggering Jiraiya, a bottle a sake in his hand. There was a livid mark in the shape of an open palm on his left cheek.

"I believe your promise. It's too hard to give me...porridge?" the sennin trailed off.

"Is that anyway for a representative of Konoha to act?" Kakashi asked him simply. "Besides, it's 'give me courage', Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya attempted to respond, but instead crashed to the floor, snoring louder than Naruto.

Everyone sighed.

"Well, at least tonight'll be peaceful."

"Get some sleep, you guys. Apparently the first task just finished. The second exam's tomorrow. You're to meet the proctor at the South gate at eleven." Kakashi walked towards the adjoining room. "I've got some late night reading to do."


The next day...

"Well, now. Everyone seems to be here," Iuchi Imura rumbled. "If you'll all please follow me, we'll be heading out to the second exam now."

Imura was a tall man. He towered over all the shinobi around him by at least two feet. His deeply tanned face had a pale birthmark on one cheek. Tilting his head down, he examined the sixteen shinobi teams before him. Many different villages seemed to be present among the groups. He could see ninja from Mist, Cloud, Leaf, Sound, even Sand. However, the majority of teams were from his own village of Stone.

As it should be, he thought. He turned and walked through of the gate, the others trailing behind his loping strides.

"Damn," Kankurou muttered to his siblings. "That guy's tall."

"Jealous?" Temari asked him.

"Nope. Makes him a bigger target," Kankurou shrugged. "Being a big target is a disadvantage for a puppeteer."

"Oy!" Naruto had just hopped over. "You guys have any idea what this second test is?"

"Not really," Gaara sounded bored. "Doesn't really matter to me."

"Eh?"

"Even if you complete the exam, you don't automatically become a Jounin."

"Whaddayou mean? After all this work..."

Temari interjected. "Under normal circumstances, a Chuunin takes a Jounin test in his home village. This is a set of specialized tasks that test every aspect of a shinobi's abilities."

"Okay."

"This exam takes the place of most of those tests. If you pass this you have to go back and take the other tests."

"So it's just sort of an alternate option?" Sakura asked, joining the conversation.

"This exam is so messed up."

"I guess they haven't worked all the kinks out."

"Sounds like too much trouble to me," Shikamaru stated flatly. "Leaving the village just so you don't have to take a few tests."

"Some people like variety," Temari told him, winking. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

"What about someone like that Edo guy? He doesn't have a village." Naruto jerked a thumb at the masked nin, who was walking towards the back of the crowd.

"Maybe he just wants the recognition of being Jounin level. Maybe he's just competitive."

"I could believe that."

The area they were travelling through now was fairly barren. The path had become rough, with small rocks jutting out of the ground. They passed between a pair of large rock walls. After a bend in the path, the examinees came to a large rusted door. An immense padlock was at the center. Imura stopped at the door, humming as he rummaged through his pouch for a key. Opening the door with a flourish, the Jounin led them downwards. A dark staircase opened up into an earthen chamber with a ten foot ceiling. A number of doors led out of the room, and a pile of metal objects could be seen on a large table at the center of the room.

"Everyone gather around the table," Imura boomed. Everyone hastened to obey his command. "Welcome. I am Iuchi Imura, and I'm running things around here."

He glanced around. "All of you are here because you were skilled enough, or lucky enough, to make it through the first exam. Don't relax yet. The kid gloves are off."

A few of the examinees sneered. Others shot concerned looks at one another. Naruto crossed his arms and gave a confident smile.

Imura slammed a palm onto the table. "Welcome to the Labyrinth. The most brutal training area you'll find in the country. The blood of the weak stains its walls." He smiled at the worried looks on many of the faces around him. "Booga booga!" he waggled his figures at them. This was greeted by scattered laughter.

"Seriously, though," he told them. "You screw up in here, you're dead. The no-killing rule is hereby lifted for the rest of this exam, so no worries about that." He gestured toward the metal objects at the center. "Everyone take one of those and put it on."

They did so.

"What do they do?" a voice called.

"I'll get to that. The objective of the second exam is to obtain a key and escape the labyrinth. There are a total of eight keys scattered throughout the maze. Each key can open any of the exit doors. Those who gain victory in this exam will move on to the finals. If you cheat and take more than one key for yourself than you will be disqualified. Those devices will enable us to keep track of you as you make your way through the maze."

"That's too simple. What's the catch?"

Imura smiled at Kankurou's question. "In addition to having to deal with your competition, there are also a number of traps for you to enjoy. Very pointy and sharp."

"My favorite kind."

The Jounin returned his attention to the table. "As you can see, this map here will show you where your team is set to enter the Labyrinth."

"But, the center's completely blank!"

"We're not going to show you the layout of the maze, that would defeat its purpose." Imura snapped his fingers. "You will be permitted to work with your teammates or anyone else for that matter. However, only one person per key can move on."

Several of the shinobi glanced at their teammates warily.

"It seems like some of you doubt the trustworthiness of your teammates. That is not good. Your comrades are more important than any exam." The big man sighed. "Ah well, it's not really my business. If you'll proceed to your entry gates we'll be able to begin."


"So, Shikamaru, what's the plan?" Naruto checked through his kunai pouch as they waited outside of their gate.

"We stick together, and pick up as many keys as we can. We don't worry about which of us gets one or not."

"Right."

A light above the door flashed green, and the three of them sprinted through. The walls of the maze were a strange greenish brown. Some had odd pictographs or portraits of shinobi on them.

"Odd sense of decoration," Naruto grumbled.

After a couple of minutes, they saw something interesting.

"Hey, it's a key! Lucky!" Naruto smiled and stepped forward to claim his prize.

"NARUTO! LOOK OUT!" was all the warning Naruto got. There was a flash at his feet and a crescent blade shot out from a slot in the floor. Naruto fell in an arc, barely passing over the cutting edge. Landing in a somersault, he came to rest in a sitting position, legs spread-eagled.

"Itai." Naruto shook himself. "I'm alive!"

Schink!

A second blade shot up right between Naruto's legs, coming within scant inches of him.

"Eep."

Shikamaru inspected the ground. "Pressure plates. See here, they're slightly raised. Discolored too. Guess they want us to see them."

"Then we'll just avoid those tiles."

"Don't let your guard down just in case."


Onoeka Kaigen was hunting. He strode swiftly through the maze on his own. He had sent Raina and Takame off on their own. Young people like them would only get in his way. Kaigen would bring the fugitive to justice himself, and gain even more well-deserved glory for the legendary Onoeka clan. That Edo was intolerable! Calling him an old man, the nerve! Kaigen was a robust 35. Not old at all. Even so, a vein pulsed in his forehead beneath his mask. His tattoos writhed and shifted.

"Lucky! That makes two keys for us! Ne, Sakura-chan, you want this one?" a voice echoed, very close to Kaigen. He jerked his head towards the sound and began padding towards it.

"No, Naruto. You can have it. I'll wait for number three," came the response.

Kaigen could see them now. It was those three children of Konoha. The ones who had been speaking with the whelp and his companions back before the first exam. According to the conversation he had just overheard, they now possessed two keys. They certainly wouldn't mind if he took one. His tattooes shifted again, turning straight and brown.

Naruto and the others and just reached another fork in the path when they heard a voice from behind them.

"Doton: Hyoudo Zekkou no jutsu!"

"LOOK OUT!"

The three dodged. Sakura and Shikamaru to one side, Naruto to the other. Where they had been standing, a giant chunk of earth and rock had erupted from the ground. It completely blocked off the way Sakura and Shikamaru had gone, separating them from their teammate.

"Naruto!"

"I'm fine! Go on, I can handle this!"

"But-"

"Go!" Naruto turned to face his opponent. "Come on."

Kaigen adopted a very threatening pose. "Foolish boy. Now you shall taste the fury of the elements!"

Naruto cocked his head. "Well? Aren't you attacking?"

"You're ruining the moment," the Cloud-nin griped. "Young people today have no respect for ceremony and tradition and dramatic effect..." He rambled on.

"What, you scared, old fella?"

"...SCARED?" Kaigen's voice shrilled. "OLD? ONOEKA KAIGEN FEARS NO ONE! NO ONE!"

He calmed himself. "Besides, I'm only 35..." He tore off his mask and brought his fists up, tattoos red and angular. "Now, prepare yourself!"

"Kage bunshin no jutsu!" performing his signature technique, Naruto leapt to the attack.

"Housenka no jutsu!" Kaigen spat a large amount of small fireballs at the crowd of Narutos. Many were struck, bursting, but the rest kept coming.

"Here I come!"

Kaigen's eyes widened.

One clone struck him brutally in the face with his fist, while the real one flipped off of the clone's back into the air. "U-"

Three other clones came from the sides, launching the Cloud-nin upward with brutal kicks.

"-zu-"

"-ma-"

"-ki"

Naruto resolved his spin and brought his heel straight down on Kaigen's head. "Naruto Rendan!"

Kaigen crashed heavily into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Naruto smiled.

"That'll teach you."

"I suppose so," Kaigen struggled to his feet, palms out. "I won't make that mistake again."

He spun rapidly, performing several seals. "Katon: Kagufuu no jutsu!"

Fire spun out from Kaigen's palms, turning him into a veritable pillar of flame. The fire lashed out, obliterating Naruto's bunshins in an instant. Naruto himself was hurled against the wall.

Naruto raised his singed head.

"I'm going to finish you right now, boy."

The lightning tattoo on Kaigen's face glowed and pulsed. "Densetsu no Rai!" A huge bolt of lightning blasted from Kaigen's hands toward Naruto.

It never reached him.

"Densetsu no Rai? Legendary Lightning? Bit of a presumptuous name, gramps."

The lightning died down, revealing the dark form of Nekoarashi Edo. "A technique like that is far too easily absorbed by someone who is prepared."

Kaigen pointed at him. "You...what do you want?"

"I heard your melodious shrieking and thought I'd say hello."

"I'll deal with you in a moment, scum. I'm going to have to destroy this whelp and take his key. My honor demands it. Then I'll be right with you."

"No, you won't." Edo's voice was suddenly cold and harsh. "I will not stand by while another child is hurt."

"Don't call me a child," Naruto growled. "And don't interfere. I can take this guy."

"I'm sure you could, but this is a bit of personal matter." Edo held up a key of his own. "See, Kaigen? You don't need the boy's key. You can take mine." He put it away.

"Very well. I shall enjoy this."

"Go Naruto, make your way out of here. I could use a good fight. See you around."

"Hmph," Naruto sneered "You're pretty confident."

"We have that in common." Edo lowered his stance and brandished his claws. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have someone to fight soon."

Naruto nodded and sprinted off. Edo returned his attention to Kaigen. "Shall we continue?"

The muscular ninja flexed his muscles and posed dramatically, his tattoos shifting again to a wavy green. "Of course! Let us commence this final battle, this clash of titans!"

"...It's not that important, gramps."

Kaigen fell down, twitching. He collected himself quickly. "I'll show you! Fuuton: Kazukazu Kaze!" Kaigen threw out a large number of crescent-shaped blades made of wind. They arced toward Edo from many directions. The cat-masked shinobi glanced up at them. Then, suddenly, he wasn't there.

"The hell-?" Kaigen noticed movement behind him. "Damn!"

Edo rushed, running forward while spinning his body, claws extended at a downward angle. "Tsumetaki!"

Kaigen leapt back, the claws lightly slashing his shoulder. Edo continued the technique, claws moving faster. With a sudden shift he adjusted his momentum and angle of attack, catching Kaigen off guard and slashing him across the chest.

"Kaminari Supaiku!" A large number of spikes of lightning lanced out of Kaigen's body, accompanied by the rumble of thunder. Edo stopped his rush, but was still struck. His jacket smoked as he skidded back.

Edo brushed his blond and black hair back. "Interesting use of lightning. A very quick little defensive technique."

Pawing at the bleeding cuts on his front, Kaigen snarled. "Not a bad move yourself, whelp."

"When it comes to lightning, I prefer using it for offense, not defense." Edo formed a number of quick one-handed seals, and a shimmering shaft of lightning formed in his hand. A blade of lightning jutted from the end.

"What the devil is that?"

"Something I developed in my spare time. Here's a demonstration," Edo twirled the glowing scythe over his head.

Kaigen charged, fist raised, tattoos a pulsing blue.

Edo released the scythe, flinging it towards the older man. Kaigen ducked under, grinning painfully as the passage of the blade shocked him. Edo performed additional seals. "Kumomon no jutsu," he said simply. Suddenly, the scythe vanished, appearing out of the wall directly next to Kaigen.

Kaigen brought his hands together quickly to intercept the blade. Snarling in pain and anger, he squeezed until the weapon dissapated, sending small bolts of electricity running up and down his body. If Kaigen had had hair, it would have stood on end. His blue wavy markings stood out like veins.

"Let's finish this."

"Whatever you want, old man."

The two began forming seals. They finished at the same time.

"Mizukami Haku no jutsu"

"Suihyoudan no jutsu!"

Kaigen sent out an immense wave of crashing water, while Edo fired a giant water projectile in the shape of a roaring feline. The two attacks met between them with a thundering crash. Kaigen gaped as Edo's attack destroyed his own and struck him heavily, propelling him back down the flooded corridor and out of sight.

The two attacks had filled the corridor with water to a height of nearly six feet. Edo stood atop the water, arms crossed. Performing a quick jutsu, Edo caused the water to recede

"Attacking me with water? You should know better." Edo turned and walked away, idol bouncing on his shoulder. He whistled a merry tune as he went. "Looks like I was able to keep my temper."

Takame looked down the shaft of his spear at Edo's retreating back. At this range, missing was very unlikely. The Raikage would be quite pleased. He stopped, lowering his weapon.

The Raikage would be pleased.

If you find him during the second test, bring him down.

Takame quickly withdrew.

"Sorry, dad," he said to himself. "I looked and looked, but I could not find Nekoarashi Edo." He smiled under his mask. The Raikage would be disappointed.


"Man, this ain't tough," Kankurou laughed. "Why haven't we met anyone strong yet?"

"That can wait 'til the finals," Temari told him, hefting the key she had liberated from a fallen Stone shinobi. "Hey, Gaara!"

Gaara glanced at her. "What is it?"

"Want this?"

"No," Gaara smiled. "Finders keepers. If I want one, I can get it myself."

Nyurr perked his ears up and sniffed. "Nyurr!" He leaped down and began sniffing about. Without warning, he ran off down a passageway.

"Nyurr?" Gaara began following his pet.

Kankurou hailed Gaara. "Oy, bro?"

"Don't wait up. I'm going after Nyurr."

"But, Gaara-"

"I'll be fine, Temari. You two be careful." Gaara hurried after Nyurr.


Some distance away, Nyurr was wandering down a wide corridor with alcoves set in it every ten feet or so. He stopped and cocked his head again. Those interesting smells and sounds were still there, so he was on the right track. However, there was something else much closer. Nyurr gave a sudden hop back, as a thrown kunai flashed before him. It struck the ground at Nyurr's feet.

"Nyurr?" queried Nyurr.

"Oh, I missed. Heeheheheeehoohe..." giggled Gibuzu Jo as he stepped out of one of the alcoves. A number of kunai were clutched in the mad Rain-nin's hands. "Not bad, little kitty. You're pretty fast."

He threw his head back and laughed madly, throwing another kunai at Nyurr as he did so. Nyurr ducked his small head down and let it whistle past. He narrowed his green eyes.

"Nyurrr..." he growled.

"Why am I even bothering talking to a little cat. You don't understand. I must be crazyhehheeee!" Jo doubled up, his eyes wide. He glanced at Nyurr, suddenly angry. "You're laughing at me, aren't you? I know you are."

Nyurr sat back on his haunches, eyes closed.

"Dont ignore me!" Jo shrilled, eyes rolling. "DIE!" Jo began throwing the kunai at Nyurr in swift succession. Nyurr slapped each one away with his front paws, not even opening his eyes.

Jo hopped up and down in fury. Reaching into weapon pouches with both hands, he pulled out at least two dozen various sharp objects. He flung them all at once. "Pointies away!"

Nyurr's eyes snapped open, green orbs replaced by a pale blue-white. The myriad of 'pointies' were simply slapped aside by something unseen. The air around Nyurr shimmered.

Jo's anger evaporated. "What's wrong with your eyes?" He reached an arm out towards Nyurr.

Shlink!

Jo blinked. He glanced at the bloody stump of his forearm.

Jo blinked again.

"Ow."

Nyurr was gone, as was everything else. The tunnels and corridors had been replaced by a complete and utter darkness. Jo spun around several times, until the blood loss made him dizzy.

"I need to up my medication...this isn't real, hee hee," Jo muttered to himself as he clutched his stump.

Without warning, something slashed horizontally at the Rain-nin, removing his leg above the knee. He went down, cursing unintelligably. He glanced up. There was that abominable feline, staring at him!

"The hell did you...do?" he gasped.

In answer, Nyurr opened his mouth, revealing very sharp teeth.

"I have those too," Jo slurred. He opened his mouth.

Nyurr's teeth seemed to lengthen, as did his claws. In fact, his entire body seemed to bulge and stretch, as though he was too large for his skin. He padded towards Jo, his jaws forming a morbid grin.

"Go away, cat. I'm sleepy."

Nyurr wasn't listening.

When he was finished with his grim task, Nyurr stopped, his body resuming its original dimensions. He blinked, his eyes were green again.

"Nyurr?" he mewed in a confused tone. Noticing the blood that matted his tan coat, he began licking himself vigorously.


"Nyurr, where are you?" Five minutes after Nyurr and Jo's discussion, Gaara wandered into that same hallway. He spotted Nyurr cleaning himself. "Why do you always do this? The Nara boy was right, you are a tan monster."

Then he saw the blood.

"Nyurr, are-?"

"Nyurr?" his pet looked up happily as Gaara's sand snatched him up. Gaara checked Nyurr for cuts.

"Not his blood..." Gaara looked to the side, where what looked like a carved and sliced pile of raw meat sat. The only thing to suggest that it had once been human was the Rain forehead protector lying beside it.

Gaara didn't seem too disturbed. He was used to the sight and smell of the blood of others. "Did you do this?"

"Nyurr?" the kitten glanced at what was left of Gibuzu Jo. He cocked his head in confusion.

"I guess not. You probably just found him like this," Gaara said. But he had a strange feeling that there was something more to this. "Hey, where are you going?"

Nyurr had run off again, following the same scent he had been following when he had first been attacked. Gaara followed close behind.

After several more passageways, Nyurr finally came to a stop before a dead end.

"Well, are you finished?"

Nyurr glanced up at the wall. "Nyurr," he said simply.

"Mrrraow?" came a reply from a hole in the wall.

Another cat leaped down from the wall. Much larger than the tan kitten, obviously an adult. It was fluffy, with black hair interspersed liberally with brown in a tortoiseshell pattern. Yellow-green eyes blinked at Gaara and Nyurr. Walking up to them, the cat sniffed them each in turn. Leaning back, it nodded in an almost human gesture. It looked over its little shoulder to the wall. Another cat had slunk out of the hole. This one was pure black, heavier than the other with short fur. It sauntered up next to the other and leaned forward to sniff. The fluffier one hissed and boxed his ears savagely. The other backed away, eyes wide and staring.

"Yow!" he protested.

"Mraow..." the other replied, growling.

Gaara watched the exchange. This was too weird.

"Since we've only just met, for now I guess I'll call you Fluffy and Yow."

The cats just looked at him disdainfully, then sneezed. A chorus of meows emanated from the hole in the wall. Several other cats poked their heads through. Gaara sweatdropped. The cat Gaara had dubbed 'Fluffy' turned to the others and hissed. They withdrew, protesting. 'Fluffy' and 'Yow' retreated back into the wall.

"It's times like this I wish I got more sleep. Any sleep. Then I wouldn't see crazy things like this," Gaara turned around.

"I think I'm lost."


"Nameless, Discorujia."

"Eh? What's up Nhaki?" Nameless blinked his black and yellow eyes.

"You two go on ahead. I'm going for a walk."

"A walk?" Discorujia snorted. "Don't make me laugh."

"You're taking a risk."

"See you later," Nhaki buzzed as he sprinted away.

"Strange boy," observed Nameless.


"All right! Found one!"

"What, a key? Give it here, you louse!"

The two Stone-nin pulled on opposite ends of the key. Glaring, they drew kunai and brandished them at one another. A blond blur ran between the two, knocking them off their feet. They rose shaking their heads, then they noticed that the key was gone.

"Son of a-"

Miihen Raina was going to make it to the finals. There was no chance or luck involved. She would make it. Always Raina had felt a need to prove herself, had felt in the shadow of her teammates Edo and Takame, back when they were all in the same Genin squad. Lately however, she had been learning the signature abilities of her family. The Denkousekka. One of the styles greatest abilities was its incredible speed. She ran down the corridors at lightning speed, not even slowing for corners. She used her chakra to help absorb the stress the speed put on her body. Outrunning Raina was not an option for her target. It saddened her that her target was a former friend.

"None of us wanted things to end up like this, Edo. Your ideals just got the better of your judgement."

Raina raced for the exit with all haste.


Shikamaru was still complaining as he and Sakura wandered through the Labyrinth.

"I swear we've been through this passage before."

Sakura sighed, then punched the wall, leaving a huge dent.

"There, now we'll be able to tell where we've been."

"Heh."

BOOM.

The sound was fairly loud, and seemed to be coming from behind them.

BOOM.

"What's that?"

Shikamaru lowered his head to the ground. "Sounds like footsteps."

"What could make footsteps like that?"

"Whoever it is, they're coming."

As Shikamaru said this, a figure stepped around the corner. He was huge and rotund. On his head he had a widebrimmed hat. The man appeared to be eating a piece of jerky. Around his thick wrist was a headband of the village of hidden Rain. Noticing the Leaf-nin, he leaned forward and leered.

"Oohhh? What's all this then?" he put away the jerky and clapped his hands together. "It's the little brat who stepped on my foot."

Shikamaru thought back. "Oh, you're with that Iron guy, Te-something."

"Yes, I am Utarihu Gusuta," the shinobi drummed on his stomach.

"You got bigger."

Gusuta gestured at himself. "Fukurami no jutsu," he explained. "Expands my body's size."

"You remind me of someone I know from back home. You're like a parody of the Akimichi clan."

"Akimichi. My family's eternal rivals. A parody, you say?" Gusuta stomped. "Damn kid, I'll show you just how powerful my family is!"

BOOM.

Sakura cracked her knuckles and stepped forward.

"What's this?" Gusuta guffawed. "A woman coming forward to fight me? Don't make me laugh."

A vein twitched in Sakura's temple and she popped her neck.

"Women don't have what it takes to be shinobi. You're too soft and weak for combat."

Sakura twitched again.

"Go back to the kitchen, girl."

Sakura's lip began curling in an angry smile.

"Shikamaru?" she said sweetly. "You go on ahead. I need to have a discussion with our friend here about the role women have in combat."

KILL! KILL! KILL! chanted Inner Sakura.

"Are you sure?" Shikamaru blanched as Sakura's head ratcheted around, eyes blank and a crazed expression on her face. "Um, never mind."

He turned and left.

Aw, man, he thought. Now I know two crazy feminists. How troublesome.

Sakura directed her baleful gaze onto Gusuta.

"Confident in your strength?" she asked him. Without waiting for an answer, she charged.

Gusuta started his own shambling charge, jowls flopping. He brought his arms around in a vicious one-two hook combination. Sakura ducked beneath, bringing her fist towards Gusuta's gut.

The big man's smile vanished as he was flung backwards and into the air. Such was the force of Sakura's punch that the Rain-nin flew up eight feet and back nearly forty feet. He landed heavily, his breath whooshing out of him.

"Not bad for a girl, huh?"

"...lucky...huff...shot...puff," Gusuta gasped. He thumped his stomach again. "I'll get you for that."

Gusuta leapt straight into the air, pulling in his extremities. He began rotating rapidly in midair.

"Shuuhamyaku no jutsu!" the Rain-nin crashed down into the ground. A large number of ripples emanated from the site, causing the ground to buckle. Sakura was knocked into the wall by the shockwave. Gusuta began rolling towards the kunoichi now, his roll punctuated by his laughter. "Ho ho ho ho ho!"

Sakura leapt over the rolling ball of flesh and cloth, landing lightly on the other side. Gusuta started rolling back towards her, still laughing.

"That's it," Sakura growled, charging to meet Gusuta this time. Running full speed into the man, she picked him up, her momentum barely slowing. Gusuta's head popped up, suddenly concerned. Sakura ran straight for the wall, then right through it. Gusuta was now the pink-haired girls personal battering ram. Flinging him away, she began punching him.

"Ive had...enough of you!" she shrieked smashing him through another wall. Gusuta went down, then back up as Sakura yanked him to his feet. She leapt into the air, raising her leg up high. It was time to introduce Utarihu Gusuta to 'the Heel'. Bringing her leg down, Sakura struck the dazed man mightily, putting a great deal of chakra into the attack. The sound produced was closer to a WHUMP than a CRACK, but the result was very impressive. Gusuta was driven into the ground up to his nose, his eyes swirling dazedly. He had gone into the ground quite easily, despite shaped like a bag of ground beef. The ground around him cracked and spiderwebbed in a wide radius.

"Yo, ojou-chan. Nice move."

Sakura whirled, panting with exertion. Standing less than fifteen feet from her were a trio of shinobi, dressed in the outfits wore by those from the village of hidden Mist. All three of them had blades that ran up the length of their arms.

"You look tired," said the first.

"We'll help you rest," continued the second.

"Permanently," finished the third.

"Maybe, if you'd hand over your key, we might make your death painless."

Sakura brought her arms up, ready to attack. "I don't have one."

"I'm not sure if I believe you."

"We'll have to kill you to make sure."

"This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts us," the shinobi told her as he charged in, his allies moving to the sides.

Sakura let him come in, her arms at her side. She focused her chakra, then as the ninja came within range, she brought up her hands, crackling with electricity. She rapidly tapped the Mist-nin at several locations. The man's eyes widened alarmingly as he collapsed.

"What the hell!" the man bellowed, twitching his lower leg. "My arms won't move!"

"I mixed up the electrical signals in your body for a little while," Sakura told him. It wasn't nearly as good as Tsunade-sensei could do, but it worked for Sakura. It was only temporary, and would last for about a minute. Long enough for Sakura to...

"Die!" snarled one of the others from behind her. The other two were right at her back, blades out. There was no time to react.

I'm gonna die! she thought desperately.

Blood fountained...

...from the noses of the Mist-nin as they were knocked backwards by a powerful double kick from a new figure. Yogo Nhaki landed lightly. He stared impassively through his black mask at the two he had struck.

"Interfering bastard!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," he told them flatly.

"Why you-"

ZZZT! THUNK!

A pair of kunai whistled from Nhaki's hands, burying themselves in the Mist shinobis' throats.

"That's enough out of you," he whispered.

Sakura stared at him, then noticed a movement to the side. The third Mist-nin had recovered. Crouching silently, he flung himself at Nhaki. Sakura, without taking her eyes off the young Sound-nin, thrust her palm to the side, smashing the attacker at least six inches into the wall. He slid to the floor, unconcious.

Nhaki turned around and looked at Sakura.

"What do you wan't?" the Leaf girl asked, confused and angry.

"Looked like you could use the help," Nhaki shrugged.

"I don't need to be saved."

"You could have fooled me."

"I made myself stronger so I wouldn't need saving anymore," Sakura muttered hollowly. She looked angrily at Nhaki. "Why would someone like you try to help me?"

"I really couldn't say."

"If this is one of Orochimaru's sick games, I should kill you right now."

Nhaki turned his back and took a few steps away. "You must truly hate the Sound village."

"Of course. They took away the person I lov- cared about the most."

"Is that so?"

"Orochimaru lured him away with the promise of power, causing him to abandon Konoha and everything in it." Tears ran down Sakura's cheeks. "Neither I nor his best friend could stop him."

"Perhaps he thought that you and the village were just holding him back."

Sakura had no answer to that. Tears continued to roll down her face.

"Tell me, this person. After all that he has done to you, do you still love him?"

Sakura paused, then answered. "Yes. Against all my better judgement, I still love him."

Why was she telling him this?

"How very sentimental." Nhaki looked down at his feet, then over his shoulder at the pink-haired flower. In a harder voice, he told her bluntly. "You're annoying."

Then he was gone.

Sakura stared at the spot where he had stood.


"We're surrounded, Nazo-chan."

"I know."

"Do we run, or have fun?" Maiyuu patted her weapon pouches.

Nazo concentrated. "We don't run."

"So, fun?"

"Stop that. If we run, it will make it much harder. They want us to run. They've set up traps all around this area. Fighting them on the run gives them a greater advantage than they already believe they have."

A number of footfalls could be heard coming closer.

"Mud bunshins."

"Lots of them," Maiyuu smiled, drawing her bouken. "I'll splat them."

She reached for her jug.

"No, I have a better idea," Nazo told her as he pulled a large scroll off his back.

"Enma?"

"No, I think the Three will be more suited for this fight," he eyed Maiyuu. "I'll be vulnerable while controlling them so I need you to defend me."

" 'kay."

"If you're drunk, you're more likely to hurt me then the enemy."

"This'll take a little bit of preparation." Unrolling the scroll and biting his thumb, he ran the blood along the scroll. "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"

Three ape statues appeared around Nazo. One covered its eyes, the second its ears, and the last its mouth.

"Kensaru! Kikasaru! Iwasaru!" Nazo called, sitting indian style. He closed his eyes and performed several seals. The three statues glowed, then were replaced by larger flesh-and-blood counterparts. The hulking apes were like immense black gorillas, hunched over. Even so, they towered over Maiyuu by at least five feet.

She blinked up at them, a delighted smile on her face. "Hi guys!"

They turned towards her and nodded.

The first of the enemy Mud clones could now be seen shuffling into view. There were dozens of them, Maiyuu didn't like the odds.

There should have been hundreds of them.

"Let's all do our best!" Maiyuu charged towards a group of clones. "Taibu Mikadzuki no Mai!"

At least thirty shadowy versions of Maiyuu leaped in all directions toward the muddy figures. The mud bunshins swung at them as they came into range, but ten of them collapsed into sludge as Maiyuu attacked them from their blind sides. She shook the mud from her wooden blade and gave a mischevious grin.

"Ten points," she stated a she strolled over to Nazo and the three apes. "Your turn."

The monkeys spread out. Removing their hands from their faces, they revealed their faces. Kensaru's eyes were wrapped in a heavy blindfold. Kikasaru's ears were stuffed with large chunks of cloth. The last, Iwasaru, had his mouth sewn shut. They moved separately, their senses and awareness connected to one another through the medium of Nazo's mind. Alone, they were strong. Together, with Nazo guiding them, they were frightening. They bulled forward, scattering the mud bunshins like sloppy bowling pins. Their concerted movements ate through the crowd of bunshins very quickly. A number slipped through the killing zone, but they were put down quickly by Maiyuu.

"Warai Tora!" she crowed as she leapt from shoulder to shoulder, striking them down as she passed.

With their enhanced senses, the apes had no problem discovering the originators of the clones. Raising their fists, they brought them down, sending the enemy shinobi plunging into three deep pits. These pits contained gates which would dump them out miles away, far away from the Labyrinth.

"Nice, Nazo-chan!"

Maiyuu gave Kensaru, Kikasaru, and Iwasaru quick hugs before Nazo dismissed them and opened his eyes.

"Well was that fun enough for you, Maiyuu-chan?"

"Yup."


"Hold still, you slippery rat!"

Buradi growled as Nameless stepped out of range of another of his arcing horizontal swings, then ducked lazily under a thrown Kunai from Niku.

"Discorujia, a little support please," he requested politely.

A cone of sonic force blasted out, causing the Stone-nin to stumble. Discorujia stepped up.

"Are you completely useless?" she asked.

"Possibly."

Buradi shook his head, then turned to Niku.

"Mole formation."

"All right!" Niku hopped up and down.

Buradi raised his spear over his head. "Eat this!"

He brought it down, a wave of force spreading out from the point of impact. It left a large hole at his feet, and a trail of damaged ground in its wake. Nameless sidestepped.

"Afraid not," he glanced down, feeling something. "Eh?"

All he saw was Sumigoru Niku retreating into a hole in the ground.

"Well I'll be damned," Nameless said. "He took the key."

Niku slapped the key into Buradi's palm, then leapt to his shoulder.

"Damn it, Nameless, you got careless," Discorujia nodded. "I've still got my key. Let's withdraw."

They turned and ran off.

"Shall we get them?" Niku asked his teammate.

CLUNK

"No, I'll get that key."

"Yamago?"

"Leave this to me," Moshi Yamago tapped on his armor. "I'll be fine."

He clunked away.

Buradi turned to his passenger. "Let's find the exit."


Nhaki quickly rejoined his partners.

"There you are, Nhaki. Where were you?"

"None of your business, Dis."

Nameless raised a placating hand. "Sorry, man. Someone stole the key I got for you."

"For me? How sweet."

"Not really, I recieved orders from Kabuto-sensei that I was not to participate in the finals. He doesn't want me to reveal my abilities as of yet."

Nhaki glanced over his shoulder. "What are you running from?"

"Nobody special. Mind holding them off?"

"I could use blowing off some more steam. I'll do it." Nhaki stopped and leaned against the wall. "See you."

"Bye."

Nhaki adjusted his mask and closed his eyes, waiting. He didn't have to wait long. A clanking gait annouced Yamago's approach.

"You're one of those Sound kids."

"How observant of you," Nhaki sneered.

"You have a key?"

"No."

"Then I have no business with you," Yamago made to pass him, but Nhaki blocked his path with his leg. "Out of my way."

"Such strong words, but your tone belies your true nature."

"What?"

"You are insecure, terrified of being hurt. You want to be feared, but are too fearful yourself," Nhaki pointed. "You wear that armor to make up for your deficencies as a ninja."

"Bastard!" Yamago punched straight at Nhaki's head. Nhaki moved his head slightly to the side, causing it to miss completely.

"The thing about armor," Nhaki began, grabbing Yamago's guantleted wrist. "Is that it's completely useless if the opponent can penetrate it."

With his left hand, Nhaki smashed a kunai all the way through the Stone-nin's hand and into the wall. Yamago was stuck fast.

"My hand!"

Nhaki drew back his left hand, palm open. "Allow me to give you a more forceful demonstration."


Naruto was making his way slowly but surely towards the exit.

Well, Kyuubi? he thought. How am I doing?

You're almost there, came the response. Be careful kit, there's someone up ahead.

Naruto looked. I see them.

There appeared to be two figures. Both of them seemed to be leaning against the wall. Naruto moved closer. It was only then that he realized that one was dead, hand stuck to the wall with a kunai through it. An immense hole in his chest was the obvious cause of death. The other figure shifted as Naruto moved closer. Naruto recognized the red and black headgear.

"You're that Sound-nin, Nhaki."

"Yes."

"Then I've got something for you." Naruto charged him, a ball of chakra whirling in his fist. "Rasengan!"

Nhaki stepped around Naruto, neatly avoiding the strike. He punched Naruto in the chest. Naruto swung his leg upward, but his opponent was already moving, as though he had expected the strike. Naruto followed and continued attacking relentlessly. Nhaki simply blocked or evaded every strike, every now and then striking Naruto in the face and torso.

Naruto's scars deepened, and an orange fox-shaped aura formed around him. Nhaki backed up.

"Now you're in trouble, you Sound son of a bitch."

He charged again, Nhaki once again attempted to step out of the way, but the foxlike aura stretched out and struck him heavily, driving him backwards. He collapsed. Nhaki attempted to pull himself up, than was suddenly wracked by pain. He yelled in anguish.

"If that hurt that much..." Naruto charged again, Rasengan in hand. "Chew on this!"

"Kemurihei no jutsu!"

A wall of smoke jumped up between them. Naruto skidded to a stop. The smoke cleared, revealing a bandaged figure standing above Nhaki.

"...Nameless," Nhaki croaked.

"You're always taking risks, kid," Nameless fixed a bright blue eye on Naruto. "See you, Naruto-kun. We have to go."

"Wait!"

Nameless and Nhaki vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Damn."

They're not important, kit. Just keep going.

All right.

Naruto moved on.


Naruto put the key in the lock and withdrew it. The door opened smoothly.

"All right!" Naruto walked in.

He found himself in a good-sized room. Several doors led into it. On one end of the building was a spiral staircase leading up. In the middle were a group of eight people. Naruto picked out Iuchi Imura immediately because of his size. Next to Imura was a female Jounin of stone, black-haired and lithe. He looked at the others. He glared harshly at Sakebu Discorujia. He glanced at three of the others, a tall, bearded Stone-nin, that Rain assassin, and one of those Cloud hunter-nin. Noticing two familiar faces engaged in conversation, he hailed them.

"Yo, Shikamaru! Temari!"

"Naruto!" Shikamaru blinked.

"Looks like you made it," Temari smiled.

"Was there ever any doubt?"

"Don't answer that," Shikamaru said.

Naruto looked around. "Hey, where's Gaara?"

"He hasn't come in yet."

"What?"

"I don't understand it either."

"Well," Imura rumbled. "Looks like there's only one left. Wonder who it'll be..."

BONG

A huge knock on one of the doors reverberated throughout the room.

"Is someone trying to break in?" Naruto wondered.

"If so, he'll be sorry," the proctor growled.

BONG

"Aaaack!"

The second blow on the door was accompanied by a pained yelp from the other side.

"L-l-let me go! Let me go!" another voice came from behind the door.

"Then get out of my way, please," came the reasonable response.

BONG

Then there was silence. A clicking could be heard from the lock, and the door slid open. Nekoarashi Edo entered, stepping lightly over three Stone shinobi who lay unconcious on the threshold. He held a key in one hand, and straightened his feline mask with the other.

"Am I the last one?" he inquired. Imura nodded.

"And so, the second exam ends," Imura nodded, then walked to a button on the wall and pressed it. A klaxon alarm sounded. "Congratulations to the eight of you for making it to the finals." He gestured to his companion. "You may proceed."

The woman stepped up. "Right. I am Kaiu Yashiko. Special Jounin and proctor of the final exam."

"The final exam is a standard issue one-on-one-arena-style-elimination-event." She took a deep breath. "The key you possess will determine your position in the rounds."

She looked at the examinees, a clipboard in hand. "Now, which one of you has key #1?"

Naruto checked his key, then raised his hand. "That's me."

"Name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto."

"Who has key #2?"

Temari raised her hand. "I do."

And it went on until all eight had been accounted for. Yashiko removed the front sheet from the clipboard and placed it on the wall. "Here are the matches."

Everyone crowded in.

First Match:

1. Uzumaki Naruto (Leaf)

vs.

8. Duragu Buradi (Stone)

Second Match:

2. Temari (Sand)

vs.

7. Sakebu Discorujia (Sound)

Third Match:

3. Shosuro Tetsu (Rain)

vs.

6. Nara Shikamaru (Leaf)

Fourth Match:

4. Nekoarashi Edo (n/a)

vs.

5. Miihen Raina (Cloud)

Buradi glanced at Naruto. "I have to fight a kid?"

"Don't underestimate me, pal."

The big man simply stroked his beard and grinned. "You've got spirit. I admire that. Of course, I'm still going to crush you."

Edo and Raina simply looked at each other, not saying anything, their expressions unreadable beneath their masks.

Discorujia and Temari gave one another glances that were at the same time disdainful and appraising.

Surprisingly, the strongest reaction came from Shikamaru. He rubbed his eyes.

"Is this possible?" he asked in an unbelieving tone. He glanced at the paper again. "YESSSS!"

Everybody jumped.

"The curse is broken..." Shikamaru practically sobbed.

"What curse?" Naruto asked him.

"As far back as I can remember, I've been forced to fight against women. This is the first time in my memory that I've had a one on one fight against a man."

Temari scowled and shook her head.

Shikamaru looked up at the goggle-wearing Rain shinobi. "You are a man, right?"

Tetsu stiffened. "You'll regret that, boy."

Yashiko cleared her throat. "If you are finished with your celebrating, I have one more thing to announce. The Tsuchikage has decided, for various reasons, that the final exam shall take place the day after tomorrow."

"So soon?" Edo asked coolly. He shrugged.

"The day after tomorrow, you will meet in front of the main entrance to the arena. Now, if you'll follow me up these stairs, we'll be heading back into town now."

"What about the others?" Naruto protested.

"Several officials have been dispatched to lead them to exits, and remove the bodies."

Naruto gulped.

"You'll be able to meet with what's left of your teams back at the gate. Bye."

As the eight finalists headed up the stairs, Imura leaned over to his colleague. "That was just mean."

"I know," Yashiko grinned. "Looks like an interesting group. I can't wait to see how they perform."

Next Chapter: First Match: Naruto vs. Buradi

Here's the translations of the new techniques this chapter.

Kaigen (Doton: Hyoudo Zekkou no jutsu : Mantle Breach)
Kaigen (Katon: Kagufuu no jutsu : Flame Tornado)
Kaigen (Densetsu no Rai : Legendary Lightning)
Kaigen (Fuuton: Kazukazu Kaze : Many Winds) Sounds silly, huh? What do you expect? It's Kaigen.
Edo (Tsumetaki : Claw Waterfall)
Kaigen (Kaminari Supaiku : Thunder Spikes)
Edo (Kumomon no jutsu : Cloud Gate)
Kaigen (Mizukami Haku no jutsu : Breath of the Water God)
Edo (Suihyoudan : Water Panther Projectile)
Raina (Denkousekka : Lightning Speed)
Gusuta (Fukurami no jutsu : Bulging Technique)
Gusuta (Shuuhamyaku no jutsu : Wave Pulse)
Maiyuu(Taibu Mikadzuki no Mai : Greater Dance of the Crescent Moon) Basically an upgraded version of that move Hayate used against Baki.
Maiyuu (Warai Tora : Laughing Tiger)
Nameless (Kemurihei no jutsu : Smoke Wall)

Kensaru, Kikasaru, and Iwasaru are the monkeys who See no Evil, Hear no Evil, and Speak no Evil. I make them into summons because I think monkey summoners would have more than just Enma.

Just because I wuv you all, here are the titles for chapters 13-16

13. First Match: Naruto vs. Buradi

14. Temari's Worries: Temari vs. Discorujia

15. Iron Monk's Game: Tetsu vs. Shikamaru

16. I'm Sorry: Edo vs. Raina

Yes, Jiraiya was singing 'Ryuusei' while he was drinking.

Sorry to everyone who was pulling for Gaara. He seemed a shoo-in but I hope that the way I handled this works. The tournament was the first thing I set up in the story. I couldn't figure out how to fit Gaara into it. To tell the truth, the Dragon Exam was originally going to be a two-person exam, but after reading Ch. 245 in the Manga I changed it. The main teams originally were:

Naruto-Shikamaru
Temari-Kankurou
Edo-Nazo
Discorujia-Nameless
Takame-Raina
Buradi-(unknown)
Tetsu-(unknown)

Thus, I added Sakura, Gaara, Maiyuu, Nhaki, Kaigen, and the others to the roster later. I like it as three-man teams though. Maiyuu and Nhaki and even Kaigen have kinda grown on me...

Gaara as a finalist just wouldn't work in the story, sorry.

Nyurr's outburst will be explained eventually. In the meantime, don't throw knives at kittens.

As for the new Akatsuki from the manga, Sasori will make his appearance perhaps as early as chapter 26. In the manga, I think that the batlike member of the Akatsuki was actually Deidara, but I don't like Deidara, so Moro is replacing her as the Akatsuki from Stone. Deidara just didn't seem to fit, even if she is canon. I liked Sasori much more.

Tune in next time, kids.