Disclaimer - all original naruto characters are not mine
A/N: Again, I wish to thank the nice people who reviewed.
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Chapter 5
In the middle of the Forest of Death, there stood a lone structure, standing out amidst the lush vegetation. It was known as " The Tower " to the general shinobi public and is the destination of all taking part of in the Second Test of the Chuunin Selection Exam. Inside, a team had just entered, and staring from the entrance to the dim interior. A huge hall stood before them which led to various waiting rooms.
" Heh, Looks like we're the first ones here. " a boy with a dog's head visible on his jacket said as he looked around. His other male, wearing dark glasses and also a jacket paid no attention and just carried on silently.
" It's so dark in here... " a timid girl, very distuinguished because of her pearl eyes added, bringing both her hands to her chest as she looked around. They found themselves a waiting room and sat on the benches.
" Kiba-kun... is Akamaru still shaking? " the girl asked the boy with the dog.
" Yes, but only slightly. That Sand guy must have really creeped him out. And I'm not surprised, that guy could have killed us then. Shino, do you think they knew we were watching? "
Shino just shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. However he was also creeped out from that Sand Shinobi. He had killed a team without breaking a sweat while his other two teammates just watched and smiled.
" Hmmmm, think we're the first ones to arrive? "
Another female voice echoed out from the hallway and Team 8 watched to see if the owner of the voice and her teammates will pass them. A few moments later, a blonde girl with her tied into four pony-tails, a boy in a black-suit with a strange thing on his back and a red-haired boy with a gourd passed by their place. All three Team 8 memberes held their breath and didn't say a word.
" Hey look, there are other already in here. " the boy in the black suit sid to his other teammates as they all looked at Team 8 as they passed through and went to another waiting room.
Team 8 let out a sigh of relief as soon as the Sand Team was gone. Kiba felt Akamaru once again started shaking in his jacket. He saw Hinata breathing very fast and even Shino was. And then he noticed he was breathing hard too. ' I hope I'll never have to fight that guy. '
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Naruto and his companion were currenty resting beside a creek. Naruto was cooking a few small fishes he caught. Kyuubi had taken her human form and was wrinkling her nose at the fishes.
" Are you sure those things are edible? " she pointed to one that was closely burnt to a crisp.
" Awww..I like them crispy! " Naruto replied pouting. " Don't you think, it's kinda dangerous for you to be in in that form? I mean what if somebody sees you? " he then took one of the fishes at the fire and began munching on it. He took another one and handed it to Kyuubi. " Any why can't ramen grow in the forest too? "
Kyuubi smiled at Naruto and took the fish he gave and gave it a few test bites. ' Ok..it is edible. '
" Don't worry Naruto-chan, I can feel anyone sneaking up on us. But am I that ugly you don't want anyone to see me hence they think ' Eww is that Naruto's girlfriend? ugh, look at that face!' "
" No..no, Kyuubi-chan, it's just you are barely wearing anything hehehe... " Naruto replied as he scratched the back of his head
" Ooohhhh, Naruto-chan called me Kyuubi-chan! I'm so touched! "
" Is this really the demon who almost destroyed Konoha? Sheesh... "
" By the way, the moment we get out of this place you call a forest, you're buying me some nice clothes. "
"O..Okay... " he wondered if he had any money left at home he had spent it all at food before the exam. Kyuubi continued talking.
" We've got some time left, you say this is the fourth day so we have a few hours to train. " Kyuubi then stood up and walked around.
" Rest now, I'll teach you some jutsu later. "
Naruto's eyes lit up immdiately.
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Meanwhile, the other two Team 7 members were also taking a break. Sasuke was sitting with his back on a rock while Sakura sat close to him. The two haven't said a word to each other the whole time they were together. Sakura had always dreamed of this moment, they were alone together in a secluded spot in the forest, anything can happen between them it would have been quite romantic if not for the fact that the forest is full of dangerous creatures and god-knows-what else. And there was the other fact that they were together because their other teammate might have been eaten by a wild animal and might be dead for all they knew. Sasuke was however getting very conscious of Sakura as he'd never been alone with her nor with any other girl for the reason. He was also thinking what had happened to their obnoxious teammate he had always hated his presence because he always spoke a few notches above normal volume and complained about anything. He now missed the idiot's incessant rambling. He glanced sideways at Sakura and noticed she looked a bit sad.
" Sasuke-kun... "
" Yes, Sakura? "
" I'm.. " Sasuke saw Sakura hesistate and told her to continue.
" I'm sorry... "
" Sorry for what? "
" It's my fault we fail the exam and Naruto's death... If only I were a little more stronger... I could have save Naruto from Orochimaru...I... " Sasuke put a finger on Sakura's lips.
" It's not your fault Sakura, don't blame yourself and don't give up so easily like that. " he scooted closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
" Naruto won't give up like that, he's alive here somewhere probably looking for us. " he hesitated to say what he was going to say next but then thought this was the right time " And... I'm sorry if I treated you badly in the past. "
Sakura stared at Sasuke, hesistating to believe what he just said. It wasn't exactly a confession of everlasting love as she had always dreamed but it was close enough. She put her head on Sasuke's shoulder and looked into his eyes. Sasuke was also surprised by her actions deciding to drop the solid-block-of-ice attitude and put an arm around Sakura. Both then closed their eyes and laid back on each other, wallowing on each other's arms.
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Naruto collapsed on the ground panting, Kyuubi walked up to him and leaned over his head.
" Naruto-chan, considering that I just thought you those jutsu's a few hours ago. You're doing quite well. I'm so glad... "
Naruto grinned at her and made a thumbs-up sign.
" Heh, I'm the best! " Kyuubi smiled back at him. He can just do weaker versions of the jutsu's she taught him but she was confident that at his level, few others can do them as they require large amounts of chakra to do. " Teach me more! " Naruto jumped, as if he wasn't tired at all, looking eagerly at Kyuubi.
" No Naruto, that's enough for now. You must rest now, tomorrow is the last day of the exam as you say you still have to be with your teammates or you fail even if you do have one of each scroll. "
" But how will I find them? This place is too big too search. "
" I see your brain needs some work too Naruto-chan. We'll work on that later. " she ignored Naruto scowling at her and continued speaking. " The best plan right now is to wait by in the vicinity of the tower and if they were smart enough they would have thought of the same idea and will proceed to the tower also. "
Naruto listened intently and nodded his agreement. He was sure Sakura will have thought of it and she is the smartest gennin in their batch.
" And then there's the problem they may be ambushed on their way so all we have to do is hope for the best. " Kyuubi added. Naruto then grudgingly thought that Sasuke is strong enough and he has the sharingan anyway so they'll probably have few problems dispatching a few nins. Unless they encountered another Orochimaru. Now he was starting to worry. Kyuubi sensed it and comforted him.
" Don't worry Naruto-chan, " she brought her face closer to Naruto and kissed him on the cheek. " They'll be fine. " Naruto blushed slightly.
" A..are you sure? "
" Of course, after all I'm the second most powerful demon in the world. "
Naruto was too flushed by getting kissed by a girl and didn't notice her say " second most ".
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Sasuke carefully scanned the area ahead, the tower can already be seen from their position and he estimated that they'll arrive there in a couple of hours. He glanced at Sakura who was beside him and also scanning the environment and, he knew, for their lost teammate. They had already agreed the best action was to go to the tower and hope Naruto also thought the same thing. If not, the two of them can always take it next year however, they had to accept the fact then that their blonde teammate was also forever lost. Sasuke glanced at Sakura who nodded back in return and went off to the treetops.
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Naruto was hiding near a wall, using the old hide-behind-a-cloth-that-resembles-the-background-trick and was really surprised that no one has detected him yet. His arms were also getting very tired and his nose was getting really itchy. A kitten sat above his head, cleaning itself. This was the dread Nine-Tails in another form and she was hiding both their chakra so they won't be detected.
" Be patient Naruto-chan, there's still a lot of time. "
" Arrrgghh! Why don't we swtich places! And why do we have to hide here! Why can't we just hide behind some trees or something! "
" Because this is really sneaky! "
Naruto mentally screamed in his head but stopped short when to his delight, he saw the very two persons he had so wanted to see and an evil plot formed in his mind.
" See what I mean? There they are already. Listen, I know a really sneaky prank... "
" I know Kyuubi-chan, I know... "
Both smiled an evil smile as they waited for the two persons to get closer.
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Sakura and Sasuke cautiously approached the tower, wary of traps and possible ambush. Both then dashed quickly to the entrance and only stopped when they close to the door where they stopped to catch their breaths. Both were relieved they had made it without having to fight. Now the issue of their missing teammate resurfaced.
" Sasuke-kun? What about Naruto? What do we do now? "
Sasuke thought about the possibilites. Naruto may already be inside or he may be making his way here or he might be dead already. He refused to think about the last one.
" I think we should see inside if he's here, if not we'll wait for him outside. "
" But Sasuke-kun, we only have one scroll... "
" It doesn't matter now Sakura, as long as the three of us are alright we can always try next year, that's all that matters right now. "
Sakura smiled as they both prepared to go inside. Sakura and Sasukewas just about to touch the big double doors when suddenly a face came out of the wall and screamed loudly at them.
" AAIIEEE! "
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An old man sat behind a desk poring over some records. He pulled out two dossiers and took a good look at it. It was the record of Uchiha Itachi, probably one of the best Konoha had ever produced. He read the entries and can't help but feel proud. Graduated from the Academy at age 6, promoted to jounin at age 10 and was recruited to the Anbu and eventually became squad captain at age 13. It also mentioned he mastered the Mangekyou at the age of 8. Sarutobi can't help but regret that Itachi went over to the dark side, killed his own clan and betrayed his village he can only imagine what he may have become have he stayed. He placed down Itachi's dossier and read the other one. On this one, all he felt was awe while reading it. Graduated from the academy at age 5, promoted to chuunin few months later and became jounin on his 7th birthday and recruited to the Anbu at 10. He wondered where this particular shinobi was now and felt a feeling of nostalgia similar to when his three former gennin students left. He cann't help thinking if he somehow was the reason why all his students leave their village. He heard a knock on his door and he bade the person to enter. An Anbu member came in and reminded that the Second Exam was almost over and that he himself should head to the the location of the Third Exam. Sarutobi sighed, put the documents on his table and and then left.
On the top of the last document the Hokage read was the name " Kazama, Dan "
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Sakura and Sasuke stared at the the boy who was laughing his ass off in front of them. Both cannot really believe that it was really him. Sakura rushed over to him and hugged him.
" Naruto! You're alive! "
Sasuke can't help but smile seeing Naruto was fine. However he somehow felt weird seeing Sakura hug Naruto.
" Ah...Sakura-chan you can let go now. "
" Oh...right... " Sakura released Naruto turning red a little. Sasuke gently conked Naruto on the head.
" Hey dobe, where have you been all these time. " adding in his signature smirk.
" None of your business teme. And why would you care? "
" Now don't be like that Naruto we really want to know! Come on tell us! " Sakura nagged.
" I don't really want to talk about it... " Naruto replied looking away.
Sakura and Sasuke thought he must have been to hell and back and decided not to bother him anymore about that.
" That's ok Naruto as long as you're alright, we can always take the Chuunin Exam next year... " Sakura said looking at the ground. Sasuke also looked away from them.
" Next year? Why wait next year when we've alreay passed the second part already? "
" In case you forgot dobe, we need both Heaven and Earth scroll to pass th... "
Sasuke eyed the two scrolls Naruto took out of his pouch. He also noticed that both were Heaven scrolls. Sakura was also surprised.
" Naruto...where did you get them? " both stared at him waiting for his answer.
" Remember the time before that creepy guy attacked us? " Sakura and Sasuke both nodded.
" Well I acutally was obtaining this scroll. And this one... " he motioned to the other Heaven scroll. " Well...I uh, found it in lying around! "
Sakura and Sasuke decided not to inquire anymore about the scrolls but just be happy that they have passed the second test.
" Well what are we doing here? Let's go kick some butt! " Naruto stood up threw his fist to the air. Sakura and Sasuke smiled and finally entered the building. Naruto waited for a moment and then pick up Kyuubi in kitten form who had been curiously watching them. Sakura called Naruto telling him to hurry up.
" Alright Sakura-chan! " He then looked at the kitty then went off after Sakura and Sasuke.
" See? What did I tell you? Aint I smart? "
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After the teams that have made it to the tower have all opened their respective scrolls and being greeted by their jounin teachers having been told the nature of the third exam, they all stood inside a great hall with a statue of a hand in a ram seal. The Hokage along with the examiners and the teachers of the teams present stood in front of them. The Hokage saw that the rooke nine has passed and also the team from the Sand and he noticed that the best team from last year's batch also passed along with another Leaf team and the Sound team. He cleared his throat and began speaking.
" To the gennin teams currently present in this room, I wish to congratulate you all for passing the Second Test of the Chuunin Selection Exam. We will now begin the Third and Last Test but first... " he then went on to explain the other nature of the chuunin exam before finally introducing the examiner for the third test. The examiner went in front and put up a coughing fit before speaking.
" I am Gekyou Hayate, the examiner for this exam. Before we begin does anyone want to withdraw from the third test? "
A grey haired gennin with glasses raised his hand.
" Yakushi Kabuto has withdrawn from the final test. You may now leave.Anyone else? " Everyone stared at the departing gennin but no one else raised a hand
" We now continue. Due to the fact that too may passed the the second test we're going to have a prelims match for the third test. And now that one has withdrawn we now have an even number of participants"
There were a few murmurs from the gennins about this. Some complained that they just been through hell and need a rest.
" Such is the life of a shinobi, get used to it. Now to determine who will be fighting who, please look at the screen to your left. " as he spoke a part of the wall withdrew to reveal a big screen that showed two random names. The screen jumbled the names while the gennins held their breath waiting if their names would come up. The screen finally came to a halt showing first match.
" Haruno Sakura vs. Kin Tsu-chi "
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