With his arms crossed, watching the different screens, Ryota Kenta began to mumble to himself, a trait he carried from his mother. His green eyes scanned from side to side until he saw a gruesome sight.

"What the …" he bolted out of his seat, alerting his companion in the room. She had silver hair and grey eyes, and was now staring at the same sight. Three people, unconscious, laying in awkward positions, with the foot of the figure leaving the screen.

"Holy – " she started, but realized there was nothing she could do. Outside interference was prohibited, even if were justifiable. She sat back down and turned away from the screen.

It wasn't called the Forest of Death for nothing.

- - -

"I didn't know a person's body could contort like that," Gonnoh commented as they arrived at the bodies. He knelt down close to one. She had flower petals around her, and her arm was nearly out of her socket. She looked as if she'd bled as much as she could.

"Hideki, do these people look kind of familiar?" Gonnoh asked. Hideki gulped hard, but couldn't look away. They looked familiar.

"Yeah," Hideki said. "Kazuki, Yama, Ayumi …"

"What did this?" Ryoka asked.

"Not sure," the Hyuuga answered, looking ahead. "But, we gotta move. As bad as this is, if we don't move, we may end up worse."

Riyoka, a very emotional girl, fought back tears as she stepped over the crumpled bodies. Before she turned her head, she looked down by one of the girl's hand. It was …

"The scroll?" she blurted out. Hideki and Gonnoh both turned and walked to where Riyoka was.

"There it is," Gonnoh said. "If we take it now, we can just go straight to the tower."

Hideki knelt down, beginning to think.

"I just don't think we should," he said hesitantly. Nothing inside of him really wanted to reach out and take the scroll. He stood and walked away, deeper into the forest. Before either of his teammates could speak, he spoke up.

"Out of respect," he said, fully expecting both Riyoka and Gonnoh to leave the maimed trio be.

- - -

"Gggrhhh…" the powerfully built young man knelt, using his arm to support himself. The fat one, he thought, had impressive strength.

"Kenji … stop trying to go on your own," Hanako strode over to the massive person. He coughed up blood, and Hanako began to wipe it off, but Kenji forced himself away, this time falling to his face.

"Kenji …" Urato, limped over to the muscular genin. "Quit being stubborn. Just get the healing so we can get to the tower."

"N-N-N …" he began to stammer. "No. I want to make it on my own. I CAN make it on my own."

Urato, feeling tired from the fight that ensued, began to have blurred vision. The effects of the fight were taking over rapidly, and his body shut down. Hanako, feeling faint, formed hand seals, then touched the ground. Slowly, vines began to surround the three of them, until they were hidden.

"At least, we'll be alive," she whispered, closing her eyes.

- - -

Night fell on the Forest, and Taiki's genin began to feel sleepy. Michiya quickly gave in to the feling, and Shun sat up, but began to nod off. Takumi, realizing the situation they were in, went into action – then went to sleep as well.

- - -

Kasumi kept watch as Ichiro and Minako slept. Luckily, she had a Kiba in the group, and she'd swallowed a Soldier Pill. It wasn't the chakra increase that she needed, but the alertness. Tomorrow she deduced that that would be the perfect time to strike. By this time, some teams would've already taken themselves out because of foolheardy decisions or overplanning. She sat down in front of her teammates, going through possible strategies until the sun came up.

- - -

"Doesn't look good. I'm thirsty, but there seems to be another team using the water," Goro said, kneeling low, peeking through foliage. Usagi lay back, and Rokuro fell back, exhausted. They trekked to find the water. They found it, but using it looked like a fight.

"Tommorow," Rokuro said. Both his companions nodded, and they rested.

- - -

"One day down," Asuka said to herself, watching the two children sleep. It was almost if they were back at home, and not in the middle of a life or death situation. Takeh's relaxed look, Sarai's drooling. Silently, Asuka smiled, and sat up. She was used to staying up all night. She trained with her idol, Wara Sutari at night to increase her awareness. But, it wasn't too hard to stay up in a place like this.

- - -

Kento and Natsumi kept their pace as they walked deeper into the forest. Their training from Yoshi gave them the advantage in endurance. Now only if it affected their searching ability.

"I wish Kyo would send out his rope again," Kento said. Natsumi scanned the area, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. She frowned, hoping that Kyo would somehow pop up, and they could begin – again on their search for some scrolls.

"Kento," Natsumi said. "Eventually, we'll have to recharge our batteries. We'll have to rest for a second. Kento gave her a stubborn glance, but gave in.

"Yeah, you're right

- - -

"Is that how you really feel Kaito?" Miharu asked, as the duo sat outside the coffee shop.

"I am very impressed by their progression. If a team were to approach them, thinking victory is immenent because of their appearance, then they are in for a rude awakening," he replied.

"I like my team," Miharu said, spinning her spoon around. She looked off, thinking to herself.

"Something the matter?" he asked. She looked back at him, and felt a dark feeling begin to rise in her. She gasped for a moment and stood. She felt it, Yama, Kazuki, Ayumi. With all the strength she could muster, she sat back down. Rules were rules.

"No," she stated.

- - -