Thank you for all your reviews. Even criticism is very encouraging. Now I liked how I answered questions like in the last chapter, so I'll continue to do that. Please read these comments, they are for your benefit. Now while I was writing these, I've been listening to L'ArcEnCiel. Soon as the other themes sets in, it will switch to music like Dido's White Flag and Yami no Matsuei's opening song. I'll try to update more often, I finally got a pretty good lock on the story, the only thing I'm still having trouble doing is the pairing, I'm obviously new to writing romance, any suggestions would be nice.

1. Why is Naruto being paired with Anko?

Don't worry; it won't be a weird and creepy onee-sama sort of thing. She is not going to be that old, I picture her in her early 20s, I'll explain why later. Trust me, after some adjustments, they will all fit pretty. And besides, I can work very well with her, you'll see why in this chapter. Further suggestions on her, like her past or her relationship with Naruto, would be much appreciated, email me if you want to keep it a secret.

Also remember just because it's a pairing doesn't mean they have to be so intimate in that way. It's something I can play around with, but I definitely want them to have a very deep relationship, how deep I'll have to play it out. It's a very original pairing isn't it?

2. Why did I put a question mark on the second girl? Could there be a third?!?

Well, I first did think of putting Hinata up, but now I think I will go with another approach. I will try to write a few chapters ahead and experiment with every one of the girls and see just who I can use. I will announce the winner in my next chapter. So you can try and influence before then, it's your last chance, unless you choose this suggestion.

Furthermore, I'm thinking, maybe I can add another girl. At first the idea struck me as making the story a lil, I dunno….sleazy? But then I thought about it, and I read some stuff about vampires having three girls usually. So maybe I can do that. So, give me some of your opinions and suggestions on that. Besides, if I do that, I can just rule out one of the three candidates, a lot easier to do than just rule out one. Actually, I'm just picturing this, think of a Naruto surrounded by three girls, in a poster style way, besides Anko, what other two will fit will in the picture? I'm picturing Ino and Sakura, with their long hairs, and the duo can provide some comic relief. Which reminds me, can someone tell me Anko's hair and eye color? And also Sakura and Ino's eye color? Thank you!

3. Any other pairings?

Hmmm, maybe if I get the chance and time. But I wouldn't hold my breath for it, since I think it may disrupt the flow of the story a bit. Besides, it'll have to wait until I decide the third pairing. And even if there is a pairing, it will probably only be Sasuke and one of the girls. Don't dwell on this much.

4. What is exactly is that scar Naruto got?

Well, I can't elaborate on what it actually is without spilling the story, but I can say what it looks like. It's a vertical scar starting from the base of his neck and goes along his spinal column for about a feet. It looks like it was done by a deep katana slash across the flesh. No matter how much time passes, it will show no sign of the blood or flesh forming a crust, instead they will simply dull away and dry off.

5. What will happen next? What type of vampire is Naruto? Who was the voice? Etc. Etc.

I'm glad you are all so curious, and I want to build that curiosity even more. In the meantime, maybe you should watch some of those vampire films, like Van Helsing and Interview with the Vampire. I won't be using their information, well cause I haven't watched them yet, but I think they will help you visualize and imagine some stuff, even if they are completely off course from my story. So really all you can do is read and wait.

7. Last chapter was still short!

Sorry, sorry, but I saw a nice chance to end the chapter there when they found the scar. I'm really not doing this out of spit, it really just depends on the rhythm of the story. I'll try to make it longer in this story. What can I say? I like to do cliff hangers. But this chapter is plenty long.

8. Why have they already gotten the scroll?

Well, I could have made it follow the actually story more, but I felt it would be too boring to even skim through if I did that, so I just made small adjustments, here and there, you'll see more of it in this chapter..

Ok ok, I'll be truthful, I actually forgot they got the scroll afterwards, but I can make it work like this. We'll just have to see won't we.

9. Will I use more latin?

Yes. I was forced to learn it for FIVE whole years, and dammit if I'm not going to find a use for them. But who knew I'd use it for fanfiction. I'll be using it more for speech. Now as for translation, I really thing sometimes you can know just by reading the passage, since a lot of English words are derived from latin. But for the sake of making it more interesting, please refrain from reading the translation until you've read the entire chapter, and try to decipher the stuff using your knowledge of English if you can as you read.

Disclaimer: Sigh As per traditional, I'll continue this: I don't own Naruto. I'll even say it in latin: Habeo ne Naruto.

Even more complex formatting now:

"Blah" – Talking
'Blah' – Thinking
"Blah" – Mystery Person A Talking
'Blah' – Mystery Person A Thinking
"Blah" – Mystery Person B Talking
'Blah' – Mystery Person B Thinking

Note: There are two types of thinking, and its all situational. If we are in Naruto's mind, thinking would be private thoughts, but, in the real world, thinking would be talking mentally.



Encounters

Eratne fortuna contra nobes ab initio?

'Damn! That snake bastard actually dares to show his face here again! I will kill him; I swear my life on it!' A female jounin screamed in her mind as she jumped from tree to tree in pure rage. If it wasn't for a lifetime of training, she would have slipped somewhere along the line and crashed her head by now.

Matarashi Anko had just received reports of corpses with their faces melted off from chunnins earlier, and upon investigating, she was suddenly reminded of a past that she thought she was finally beginning to forget.

As soon as she had sent a report of her discovery to the Hokage through one of the chunnins, she was on her way. Time and distance were irrelevant to her as she speeded through the woods, only that nightmarish past mattered.

Instinctively, she reached up and touched her cursed seal. The memories it sparked in her brought only pain and fury to her heart. Before the memories could flash back, she could hear sounds of fighting in the distance. As she got closer, she had noticed the fighting had stopped and found a shadow quickly moving away.

"No matter the place, time, or dimension, I will always recognize your sickening aura." Anko sneered out and quickly began her pursuit.

"Hokage-sama, Matarashi Anko has reported she believes the infamous missing-nin Orochimaru is in the Forest of Death." A Chunnin reported to the Hokage in the tower, situated in the middle of the forest.

"Where is she now? Let me have a word with her." The Hokage demanded.

"Well…the thing is, sir, soon after she had dispatched me to relay the information to you, she entered the forest in pursuit of him, I believe." The Chunnin replied nervously.

"Fool!" The Hokage shouted in anger at the recklessness of his subordinate. "Quickly go and send three ANBU teams to bring her back!"

"Y-Yes sir!" The Chunnin disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

'I hope you don't do anything stupid, my dear.' The Hokage sighed, suddenly feeling a bit old. 'I hope you come back soon Jiraiya, there are dark clouds ahead.'

In the shadows of the forest, a lone figure can be seen limping through the grounds. She had rips and cuts on her body and her youthful face. But her physical condition was lost on her, as the only two things on her mind were the pain on her neck and the man who caused it all.

'Damn it! Goddamn it! Am I still so weak? How many more lives will be wasted because of this weakness?!? Has all these years and nightmares been for naught?' Anko screamed her frustrations in her mind.

It took awhile before she finally calmed down and smelled the scent of blood and lots of it coming from the east. Momentarily leaving her thoughts behind, she ventured to see what was wrong.

"Naruto, what happened to your back?!?" Sakura was the first one to speak up; the others soon were able to break off from the sight of the wound. Some could feel their breakfasts trying to make a backward march from their stomaches. Even Sasuke forgot about the earlier incident and was engrossed at the sight.

Up in a tree, far out of sight and undetected by any of the genins, Anko was making her own observations. She had just arrived after Naruto had woken up and is now trying to find out what happened here. 'That is a very nasty looking wound the loud mouth got there. I wonder what happened…' Anko's eyes wandered around the group of genins. 'So that's the last of the Uchiha, a pretty boy, huh? Why's he holding his neck like that? I wonder if he got injured or-' Then it clicked.

Flashback

Orochimaru was enjoying the fight he was having with his former student, Matarashi Anko.

"Looks like you have gotten stronger, my dear, but it's a shame you prefer the traditional method when you have that seal I so painstakingly placed on you. Well, it has been fun playing with you, but I really must dash. After all, I do need to prepare for my two new toys. Just make sure you tell the old man to not cancel the examination under any condition if he knows what's good for him and the village" The snake slurred out before quickly performing a justu and yellowing out, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu."

Anko was ready to fight the gigantic snake Orochimaru had placed in between them, but then the worst happened. Her seal started to activate again, and as she tried with all her willpower to stop it, she was powerless against the snake.

Only thanks to her advanced taijutsu was she able to come out in one piece without using any chakra. She then hurried to find Orochimaru, but he was long gone. His last few words were lost on her as she began to lose herself to her frustrations.

Back to Present

Until now that is. 'So that snake bastard gave the seal to the Uchiha kid. This is going to create troubles ahead, but I can't help but feel I forgot something. First thing's first, I need to report this to the Hokage immediately, I wonder if he will stop the exam.' The jounin pondered, not thinking well in her exhausted state.

Sasuke was trying to hide his seal with his left hand. He didn't know what it was but he thought it was better to leave it unknown for now. He was already pretty shaken from the flashback of his past, then his earlier incident with the sound-nins, and now with Naruto in this state, he decided it was better to not complicate this whole thing further.

As Anko got ready to jump away, she got one good look at Naruto's back. That was when her eyes came immediately back. 'Oh kami-sama, you must be kidding me! That boy also has the seal as well?!? This is going to complicate things more than anything else. Hokage-sama is going to be concerned with the effect it will have with the Kyubi's seal…'

She suddenly felt the presence of several men around her. "Matarashi Anko, the Hokage-sama wishes to have a word with you." One of the ANBU members whispered to her.

Sighing softly, Anko can't say she was surprised at this, with her history with Orochimaru and all. "Ok, I can go there by myself. In the meantime, I want you guys to search out the forest for traces of Orochimaru and, if possible, keep an eye on the Uchiha and boy other there with the wound on his back." She pointed over to the group.

"You mean the Kyubi?" One of them said dryly.

"Yes, and if you don't want me to report you to the Hokage-sama, you should do yourself a favor and stop referring to him like that." Anko hissed out, angered by the stupidity in some people. "Now I leave you to your assignment."

After she left, one of the ANBU asked, "What's wrong with her?"

A more senior member replied, "I guess it has something to do with her history with Orochimaru."

"What happened?"

"Well, I don't know the details, but I heard Orochimaru took someone precious to her away. But enough of this, let's start our sweep. I'll take Sector 1A though 6A, you take…"

"Ok, we are going to go off and continue to look for our missing scrolls, are you guys sure your going to be alright?" Rock Lee shouted for the last time, as he walked towards his team.

"Yeah, we're sure, Lee-san. Thanks for all your help." Sakura shouted back happily.

Lee began to get teary after hearing this and only left because his teammates had to physically drag him away, while he was busy blowing kisses to Sakura.

The group took a moment to get their things together. Sakura found some soldier pills her parents had given her for safe measures, and she gave one to each boy and popped one into her own mouth. Feeling energized, she noticed, how the roughly bandaged wound on Naruto's back was already getting soaked once more. "So what's the plan guys?"

"Well we have 25 hours left, and judging from our surroundings I say we are now farther away than before, but not by much. We should just try to get there as soon as possible. All of us are very beaten up, even the soldier pill didn't help my exhaustion like I thought it would have, and let's not forget Naruto's back."

This caused Sakura to grimace, just at the thought of Naruto's gaping wound. Naruto had been unusually quiet since we woke up, and this was disturbing to say the least. Since as much as he got in the way between her and Sasuke-kun's because of his loudness, she must relent and admit that she was getting used to it. And now looking at him looking so quiet, it's just too unnerving.

"Ok, so let's just try to make it to the tower as soon as-"

"AHHH! Sakura-chan, your hair got shorter!" Naruto shouted out of nowhere.

The stunned teammates soon recovered from their facefaults, and as one of them began berating Naruto on his lack of sensibility, the other merely shook his head and uttered, "Idiot," under his breath. But both genins actually sighed out of relief under their breath, thankful that Naruto was apparently back to normal.

Then a voice came out from behind them, "You're the same as ever Naruto-kun."

It was Kabuto, the genin who has tried to take the exam over half a dozen times and still managed to fail each time. When he suggested he come along and help the three, Sasuke obviously was suspicious of him enough to refuse, while Naruto and Sakura, being the naïve ones, were ready to befriend the stranger. Sasuke, in the end, had no choice but to relent, making a mental note to keep watch of the guy at all times.

As they agreed to travel at a slow pace to both avoid dangerous traps and to conserve their strengths, Naruto used the time to go back to his dream.

'It was a strange dream. I can't remember all of it, but I do remember the darkness, the red color, the smell of something, and a voice. It was a smell I've known before, the same goes for the voice, as if from another lifetime…' Naruto's mind drifted on as he walked. He suddenly started feel his back beginning to hurt again.

When Sakura turned and looked at Naruto's back, hoping the wound had stopped, but instead she found it was pouring out more than ever. She was reallying beginning to worry about blood loss.

'Hmmm, what is that wound? I wonder if he gave it to Naruto-kun, but it doesn't seem like his handiwork. He usually prefers to just kill.' Kabuto pondered.

"Hey Naruto-kun, what happened to your back? It looks serious." He ventured, hoping for some answers.

'He sure is a curious one isn't he?' Sasuke smirked mentally.

"Oh, it was from the battle with some Sand-nins, probably nothing to worry about, I get wounds like that all the time." Naruto replied as cheerfully as he could.

'A lie, huh? I was watching the fight, you were asleep the whole time. Well, better not press and issue and blow my cover.'

"Well, if you say so-" Kabuto was cut short by the sound of a kunai flying in midair. They found themselves in an unusually dark part of the forest, surrounded by vines and the sound of arrogant laughter.

Iruka shouted in protest, "Why are you going in my place?"

"Well, it's not like I want to go, my plan for the evening was a quite night at home, reading a book by the fireplace," Kakashi said in his defense, but he couldn't help let some of his face color at the thought of the book he was planning to read for the night. 'I was really looking forward to the new volume.'

Iruka gave up, "Fine, but please do me a favor and give me regard to the team, especially Naruto."

"Sure thing," Kakashi answered and left; it was getting to hard to control his giggling.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto shouted for what seemed like the millionth time.

The fight had been going on for hours, and the four genins were quickly losing their stamina. The style of fighting their enemies have taken was irritating to say the least, though they all thought it was cowardly, they also knew that in battle, the end justifies the means.

Sasuke was the calmest in his team, and even he was getting impatient. As he watched a group of Naruto attack another swarm of the fake ninjas, he got an idea in his head. He needed someone's help, and since Naruto was tied up and Sakura was too tired to do it, he had to turn to Kabuto for help.

After giving him his plan, they set it in action. As Naruto prepared another group of clones, Kabuto joined him with the extra scroll the team had gotten from the sound-nins in his pant leg. As they battled, Sasuke tried to suppress the sharp pains in his neck and activated his Sharingan.

As Kabuto had just sliced through another fake clone, a dagger came out of the ground. That was when Sasuke launched himself at the appearing enemy. Though he came with a killing intent, he couldn't hold his concentration anymore and only managed to embed a single kunai on the ninja's hand, drawing out a trail of blood.

Naruto was getting tired from all this use of his chakra. He was beginning to feel dizzy and wobbly but continued his fighting. As a familiar headache returned to his head and a familiar ache returned to his back, he began to notice a scent in the air. It didn't take him a second to think before he recognized it as blood. 'When did blood began to seem so distinct in smell? I know it's not mine or any of my teams. So that means it must be those ninja's.'

He was getting quite desperate and he ignored the fact that he didn't understand what was going on as he formulated his plan. So as he made his next group of clones, he sent one to relay his plan to the others.

It didn't take long before the enemy team, so engrossed with the fight was surrounded by the actual team. As Naruto dispelled the clones of his teammates and seated himself next to one of the now unconscious ninjas, he couldn't help but notice the looks coming from his teammates.

"I don't really who how I found them, must have been pure luck." Naruto replied in a white lie.

Though Sakura bought this, the other two weren't that easily misled. But they knew they needed to get to the tower, so they chose to accept the lie for now.

An hour later, they were finally at the tower. The team bid farewell to Kabuto and proceeded in. They had read the inscription and decided to unwrap the two scrolls.

"Naruto! Sakura! Throw away the scrolls, it's a summoning!" Sasuke yelled to them.

Immediately after they threw the scrolls a few meters away, they were surrounded by a cloud of smoke and a quick popping sound.

"Yoh!" It was Kakashi in his normal morning greeting. "Great job, guys. I was planning to tease you by saying you have to fight with me, but today, I'm a little busy. You see my girlfriend wants to have dinner with me-"

"Liar!" Sakura and Naruto yelled in unison, while Sasuke just rolled his eyes ever so slightly.

"Ahemm!" Sasuke coughed, getting back to the important matters. "So why don't you guys go to lounge area, the second part of the exam is about to be over. Rest up and come with the other teams to the arena later. Gotta go." He made a quick seal and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind three teens shaking their head at their fortune to be paired with such a teacher.

"The recent events are disturbing to say the least," the Hokage announced in a meeting with many of the village's senior jounins. There was not a hint of amusement on any of their faces, even the normally laid back Kakashi had a serious frown on his eyes. "Matarashi Anko, give us your report."

"We can definitely be sure that Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto have been endowed with the cursed seal by Orochimaru. Kakashi has just had visual confirmation of that. We still can't determine which specific seals he put on each of them, but it really doesn't matter for now. We can guess that he might be trying to make use of them somehow." Anko reported in a calm, assertive manner.

"Shouldn't we stop the exam and impose martial law?" One of the jounins asked.

"No, Orochimaru must be up to something, and if we stop the exam now it may cause him to react in a rash manner and that would be the last thing that we need right now, amid this confusion." The Hokage replied, not having too much confidence in his decision but not allowing that to be shown. "Besides, you all should know how important this particular exam is, especially with the shaky grounds we are in with some of the countries, lords, and villages, especially the sand. It could be taken as a sign of weakness and incite our enemies to rise and join up against us."

"So what are we going to do?" Another one asked.

"I have already ordered the activation of all ANBU teams. We will boost up our information gathering division and our own defenses. As for the two boys, we need to do something about the seals…" The Hokage pondered out loud.

"I believe I can do something for one of them, but I do not believe my body can handle trying to perform that seal two times." Kakashi answered.

"Fine, you will do it for Sasuke, now as for Naruto, I would probably have to do it unless there are any other takers." The Hokage eyed each jounin, some had passive faces, while others tried to not make eye contact.

As the Hokage sighed at the sight before him, he was about to give up when Anko spoke up. "I believe I can do something for the loud mouth, if you will permit me."

The Hokage looked over Anko's serious face and decided to let her give it a try. "Permission granted, you two are administer a quick seal for now and are to watch over the preliminary exam, and as soon as their tests have been administered, you will take them to a ANBU guarded room and perform the the final sealing. You are to stop the exam at anytime the seal begins to activate. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," the two jounins answered.

"Ok, you are all dismissed. The preliminary will start in a few hours, I suggest you all prepare for that and whatever lies ahead in our future." The Hokage said and left the room, followed by two ANBUs, who were waved away by him as he began to smoke his pipe.

'To think not only Sasuke, but Naruto, too. What are you planning Orochimaru?'

"…if there is anyone who wishes to give up, now is the time." The Hokage looked around for those thinking about quiting.

As the rest of team seven watched Kabuto raise his hand and walk away, Sakura's mind was elsewhere. She was deeply concerned for not only Sasuke but Naruto as well. She was torn between raising her hands and keeping quiet.

Soon after going into the lounge area, each of the genin had pulled her aside and sworn her to secrecy about the seal. But right now, standing behind Naruto, her mind was really beginning to waver.

After the fight, the scar had stopped bleeding and seemed to be just fine. Naruto had made her promise to not report the scar to any official nor talk to anyone about the seal. It was a strange sight for her to see Naruto so serious; the last time was during the mission at the wave country. For some reason, she just couldn't find it in herself to say no.

Now, however, her right arm was rising on its own accord. But before she could do anything, she felt a hand pull it down: it was Naruto's hand. He leaned close to her ear and whispered some words for her ears alone to hear. Then he simply let go and turned around, leaving a slightly stunned Sakura without any more will left in her to raise her arms.

"Ok, that should be all of them," the Hokage summed up as no more hands were raised. "We shall now take a short 15 minute break for us to heal any of your injuries while we get the arena ready. Dismissed."

As the genins disbanded into their own little groups, team seven saw their sensei walking toward them.

"Hey guys, I need to take Sasuke away for some treatment. I'll be right back." Before Naruto could protest, they both puffed away in a thin air of smoke.

Naruto was about ready to fume at the special attention Sasuke was receiving when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and found himself unintentionally staring at the female examiner's well endowed body. Trying to shake off his blush, Naruto coughed slightly, trying to avoid eye contact, and asked, "Who are you?"

"Who am I? I have never been so insulted before. How can you not know about the kunoichi who is just as well known for her beauty as her skills? Remember this and remember it well, I am the prize of the Konoha, Matarashi Anko." The examiner finally finished her introduction,

Naruto and Sakura simply facefaulted at the girl. 'Why do the weird ones always come to me? Is there anymore perverts or weirdos that are going to show up in my future?' Naruto sighed and decided to ask, "What do want with me?"

"Naruto, I need to heal your wounds before the preliminary so come with me for a second." And before and sounds of protest could come out, they also disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving behind a shocked and irritated Sakura feeling alone.

In a room somewhere in the tower, the pair was having hard time getting used to one another.

Naruto was still depressed over his fortune and the fact they found out about the seal and the scar. "What are you getting depressed for? You have me, the beautiful Anko here to accompany you, what can be better?" Anko countered as she finished lighting a few candles in a small circle.

Naruto was about to counter when he was reminded of his blush earlier and decided to keep quiet. "Ok, now remove your jacket and bandage, then come stand here in the circle." Anko told him, glad to have made an impact on him.

Naruto was feeling unusually shy around the jounin, and he didn't know why. For one thing, he never had talked with a girl older than him without being cursed at, except at the ramen place. So he took off his jacket and unwrapped his bandage, then got in the circle, facing away from the jounin.

Anko found it amusing the reaction she was getting from the blonde boy and decided to tease him a little. She put her hands on his shoulders, leaned forward, and whispered in his left ear, "relaaaax."

She could sense the tensing of the kid's muscles and really did want to tease him some more, but looking at his wound, she was reminded of the seriousness of the matter at hand.

She then began to make a completed set of seals and made a one-handed seal on her left hand. When she finally got it ready, she pressed it ontop of the cursed seal. Immediately the candles in the circle flickered as chakra leaked into the room, as the cursed seal began to fade in and out of the skin. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. The cursed seal had finally faded out.

Anko let out a breath of relief that she didn't realize she was holding and patted the kid's shoulder, "You are all set, kid." But when she got no reaction, she turned her face back to him just in time to see him drop to the group and the scar on his back beginning to glow a faint bright color.

She ran to him, dropping to her knees and began shaking him. "Naruto. Hey Naruto! Naruto! Can you hear me? NARUTO!"

Naruto woke up. Not to shakings or a well-lit room but into a dark, damp tunnel; the same tunnel that was in his previous dream. Before he could think of anything, he heard it.

"Hey brat."

It was a different voice this time…

Translation:

'Eratne fortuna contra nobes ab initio?' – 'Was fate against us since the beginning?'