Pairings: None at the beginning but later, future SasuNaru, some GaaNaru, may be other pairings with Naruto.
Warnings: Shonen-ai (boy x boy love) at first and then when the characters are older it will become yaoi, so there will be homosexual pairings in this story. If this bothers you then please don't read this story. Mature content, crude language, cursing and sexual references are in this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters. This story is a work of fiction based on the Naruto manga and anime series.
Thoughts and dreams are represented by italics.
Chapter Three – Getting the scrolls
Mitarashi Anko, who was the instructor for the second test of the Chuunin Exams, and also a former student of Orochimaru, had been shown the mutilated corpses of one of the Rain genin teams that had come to Konoha for the exams. She had realized that Orochimaru had stolen the identity of one of them and had then told the chuunin, who had shown her the bodies, to tell the Hokage what Orochimaru had done and asked that Hokage meet her at the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death. Then Anko had raced through the forest in search of her old sensei. When she finally found him, she had tried to kill him but failed.
Orochimaru left her with a warning to not cancel the exams and had told her he was interested in Uchiha Sasuke. Anko met up with the Hokage later at the tower and the two waited to see what would happen next.
After Orochimaru had left Anko, he had been on his way to leave the forest when he felt something happen to the seal he had put on Sasuke. He first felt it weaken, then it just disappeared. He was in shock that anyone would be able to remove his curse seal. He headed back deeper into the forest and searched for his right hand man, Yakushi Kabuto. Kabuto was Orochimaru's spy.
Orochimaru found Kabuto and his team and appeared before them. "Kabuto."
Kabuto was surprised by the visit from his leader, but he didn't show it on his face. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Orochimaru-sama?" He bowed to him.
"Something has happened to the curse seal I put on my new pet, Uchiha Sasuke. I want you to find out what happened and then tell me when we meet at the tower."
"I am surprised that anything could happen to the curse seal, there is no one that would be able to remove it." Not even the Hokage would be able to remove Orochimaru's curse seal!
"So am I and that is why I want you to investigate this. You did earn the trust of the rookie Leaf genins did you not?"
"Yes, as you ordered, Orochimaru-sama. When do you wish me to meet up with the Uchiha's team?"
"Wait till the morning, and do not arouse their suspicions. I still want Sasuke-kun. I need to know if I can put the seal back on him again, without interference from others. Whoever did this must be taken out. But not by you."
"Of course, Orochimaru-sama. I will find out who did this." Kabuto bowed again at his leader.
"I know I can count on you." Orochimaru then disappeared.
Well, it looks like things have become quite interesting now. Orochimaru looked almost angry when he talked about the curse seal being removed. It is unusual for him to show his true emotions. He must have been shocked when it happened. Kabuto smiled at the thought. He enjoyed seeing when the powerful sannin had a weakness.
Dosu, Zaku and Kin, the only Sound genin team (not counting Kabuto's team, who are posing as Leaf genins) participating in the Chuunin Exams, had moved closer to their targets during the night. They could now see them and observe their activities.
"Which one is the Uchiha?" Zaku was tired of waiting, but he couldn't get Dosu to change his mind about when the attack would occur.
Dosu looked at his male team mate. "The dark-haired one that is keeping watch over the camp."
"We should just attack them now! The other two are sleeping and it would be easy to attack the Sasuke kid while he's alone." Kin, the only female on the team, was also impatient with waiting. They are just kids! They are no match for us.
"No. We go by the plan. We wait till they aren't expecting to be attacked. I told you before, they will be expecting an attack at night. We can't afford to be careless. Even if they look harmless." Dosu was annoyed with his two team mates. I don't even like them! But they are my team mates and I need them to survive to finish these exams. I do want to become a chuunin, after all.
Dosu's companions settled down after the reprimand from their leader. They decided to take a nap till it was time for them to attack. Dosu was grateful for the silence.
Sasuke had sensed that he was being watched. It must be that team that is going to attack us. They've moved closer to us. I think a change of plan is called for. We will wait for them to attack and make them think they have the advantage. I need to tell the others though. He looked over at the shelter and saw his team mates still sleeping.
Sasuke walked over to Sakura and crouched down beside her, keeping his back to the ones watching, so that they wouldn't be able to see what he was doing. He then put his hand over Sakura's mouth and gently nudged at her to wake her up.
Sakura slowly woke up and opened her eyes. Why is Sasuke over me with his hand on my mouth? Sakura then remembered where she was and waited to see what Sasuke wanted.
Sasuke whispered to her. "Sakura, we're being watched. I think it's the ones that were planning to attack us."
Sakura nodded her head.
"I've decided that we will wait till they attack us, but we will still have the element of surprise. You and Naruto will pretend to be asleep when they come for us. Okay?"
Sakura nodded again.
"I'm going to give them a distraction soon and that is the time you wake Naruto and tell him our plan. Make sure the dobe doesn't make any noises, okay?"
Sakura again nodded her head.
"Good. Also make sure he knows we work as a team and I will fight the leader. You two can decide on which one you want to fight, but you, Sakura, should take the weakest. Don't get yourself killed."
Sakura again nodded her head. He thinks I'm so weak. Why can't he appreciate me more?
Sasuke let go of her mouth and she then closed her eyes and waited for the distraction that he would create.
Sasuke walked a little away from the camp in the direction of where he felt the other team was hiding. He started throwing shuriken at a tree, he then started jumping into the air and turning his body around in a circle, while airborne, throwing several shuriken at different trees, making the shuriken practice more challenging. He was hoping that the other team would be focused on him alone, since he was their primary target. He kept up the training exercise, to provide time for Sakura to be able to do her part.
Sakura saw what Sasuke was doing and knew it was her cue. She scooted herself slowly over to Naruto, and when she got close enough she rolled herself to face him. She put her hand over his mouth and shook his head with the same hand she had over his mouth.
Naruto jerked, but Sakura quickly whispered into his ear. "Naruto, it's me Sakura, don't move."
Naruto stayed still and waited.
"The team you told us about is close by. Sasuke-kun said we would wait for them to attack us. You and I have to pretend to be sleeping when it happens. Then we surprise them and attack them back. Sasuke-kun says he's going to fight their leader and you and I will fight the other two. Okay?"
Why does Sasuke always get to show off! I should get to fight the leader! Damn that bastard! Naruto nodded at Sakura despite his bad mood.
Sakura took her hand off Naruto's mouth and rolled over onto her back again and pretended to be asleep.
Naruto pretended too. He just hoped that the attack would come soon. He was going to show that Sasuke-teme just who was the strongest. Naruto decided to listen to the enemy team. He focused chakra to his ears. He could hear what sounded like thuds hitting a tree nearby. What is that? Then he heard whispered voices.
"Dosu, that kid is so close. We should get him now."
"Zaku, I am tired of repeating myself. Now just shut up."
Hmm, Dosu and Zaku. Hey I remember now who these guys are. They're the sound team that attacked Kabuto before the first test started. Those guys looked pretty tough. Whatever that one bandaged-up dude did to Kabuto, it made him throw up. But Kabuto seemed to be okay after that. What kind of technique did that guy use anyway? Well I guess the key to fighting him is not to let him get too close. I don't know what the other two can do though. I hope they are a challenge! Naruto was so excited that he could hardly keep himself still.
Well, if Sasuke-teme gets hurt I can rescue him! hehehe Then I can be the hero. Naruto smiled. Then realized he was supposed to be pretending to sleep. Oh well, people smile in their sleep, don't they?
They attacked at dawn.
Sasuke pretended to be surprised and moved closer to where his team mates were.
"Afraid, little boy?" Kin mocked Sasuke for his retreat.
"I'll take care of him." Zaku then put his arms out in front of him and opened his palms towards Sasuke.
Naruto jumped up and ran in front of Sasuke. When Zaku started to blow air of his hands, Naruto did something he didn't know he could do. He just reacted by instinct. He forced a huge amount of chakra out of his body and shot it towards the sound ninja.
It deflected the burst of air, that Zaku had been blowing out of his hands, back at Zaku and it also caused the other two sound ninja, as well as Zaku, to be blown backwards into the air.
Sakura, who had jumped up after Naruto had, stared with amazement at the fallen sound ninja.
Sasuke who had activated his Sharingan, had seen the huge wave of chakra that had come out of Naruto and hit the other team. He was in shock and it even showed on his face.
Naruto was shocked himself, but recovered more quickly than his team mates and rushed over to the stunned sound ninja and before they could recover and get up, he hit each of them hard over the head. He had infused his fist with enough chakra, that it was like the sound ninja were hit with a sledge hammer. They were all knocked out.
Naruto turned to his stunned team mates and grinned. "Hey you guys wasn't that cool! These guys weren't as tough as they looked!"
Sasuke came out of his shock and frowned at Naruto. What the hell just happened? Damn it, damn it, damn it! How can an idiot like him be so strong?
Sakura was speechless too for a moment. Naruto beat them so easily and quickly. She looked at Sasuke. Sasuke isn't taking this too well. But Naruto did make this easier for us. She smiled at Naruto even though she was worried about Sasuke. "That was amazing, Naruto. How did you do it?"
Naruto had gotten the scroll from the other team and then decided he should tie them up so that they couldn't come after them too quickly, when they woke up later. He looked up at Sakura's words.
"Thanks Sakura-chan! It just came to me. I just knew what I had to do." I guess this is how I am going to learn what I can do. Things will just pop into my head when needed. Naruto got up from the ground after he finished tying up the sound ninja, then he walked over to his team mates. That Sasuke-teme hasn't said a word. Not even a thanks! Why can't he ever acknowledge me?
I can't let this get to me. I will not show that dobe that I'm upset about his new abilities. I need to control myself better. "Well, dobe. Time for you to find us the other scroll we need. Which one did that team have?"
"It was an earth one. You want me to look for other teams now?" Naruto was glad that Sasuke was speaking again, but he was still frustrated that Sasuke didn't acknowledge what Naruto had done for their team. I feel like he's just using me. Why does he have to be this way?
"Of course dobe, we don't have time to play around." Sasuke gave Naruto an exasperated look, like he thought the blond was being stupid.
This annoyed Naruto. "Don't call me that, Sasuke-teme!" Naruto turned away from Sasuke and faced in the direction that he thought the tower would be. Then he focused enough chakra in his eyes so he could see what was ahead. He continued to focus as much chakra to his eyes that was needed until he was able to see another team. The team he saw was Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino. Nope I like Shikamaru and Chouji, I don't want to take their scroll.
Naruto turned towards the right to see if he could find a team in that direction. Found one! Hmm, I don't know those guys. Let me see what scroll they have. Naruto looked at the pouches of each of the other team's members. He was able to see into the pouches. Nope, they have an earth scroll too. Damn it!
Naruto then looked to the left of where Shikamaru's team had been. Ahhh, that will do! Those guys look creepy too. Hey, I remember them! One of them tied me up before. Back when we first entered the forest. Time for revenge!
"Found one! They are in that direction almost 2 miles from our location. They aren't moving so they must be taking a break right now." Naruto released the chakra from his eyes and turned to his team mates.
Sakura jumped up and down in excitement. "That is great news, isn't it Sasuke-kun?" She was smiling at Sasuke.
Sasuke ignored Sakura. "Okay, let's clean up the camp then head for their location. You are sure they have the heaven scroll, Naruto?"
"Yep! And one of them was the one that attacked us when we first got into this forest. So we can pay him back." Naruto grinned wickedly.
"He was weak anyway! Sasuke-kun beat him easily." Sakura smiled proudly at Sasuke.
"...Hn." Sasuke walked away from his team mates and headed back to their camp. He put out the fire. Then they all headed further into the forest, with Naruto leading the way to where the other team was.
When they got close enough to the rain ninja that were their targets, Sasuke motioned for them all to stop.
Sasuke looked at Naruto. Well I might as well use him. Ninjas are tools and there is no reason that Sakura and I should fight if Naruto can take care of them easily by himself. I don't like doing it this way, but it's the most practical way for us to do it. "Naruto, you don't need our help with them, do you?"
Naruto looked with surprise at Sasuke. He's going to let me do this alone? Is this really Sasuke? Naruto decided not to question Sasuke's motives. "Well, just like with those sound ninja, I think I will know how to fight them when they attack me. I can do this by myself. It would be safer for our team anyway. Especially for Sakura-chan."
Naruto is making it sound as if I'm useless! But I can't fight like him or Sasuke-kun. I wish I could be of more help to them. "Thank you for thinking of me, Naruto. I know I am weak." Sakura had her head down when she said it.
"Oh no, Sakura-chan! I wasn't calling you weak. I just don't want to see you get hurt, when you don't have to." Naruto was felt regret at hurting Sakura-chan's feelings.
"Dobe, just get it over with." Sasuke glared at Naruto for wasting time. Naruto's crush on Sakura is so annoying sometimes. It's bad enough I have to deal with Sakura fawning all over me all the time. But to have to watch Naruto doing the same to her, it just pisses me off.
Naruto glared back at Sasuke. "Don't call me that, Sasuke-teme!" Then Naruto left the others and headed to where the rain ninja were hiding.
Maybe I should have let Sasuke handle them. I don't want Sakura-chan to hate me, because I'm making Sasuke look weak. But he does deserve it! All these years everyone praises him all the time and give him all their attention. He has always been loved by everyone. While I have been hated and treated like I was useless. Now it's time for me to get all the attention. I shouldn't be feeling sorry for Sasuke-teme anyway. Naruto jumped down in a clearing and faced the direction where he could see the rain ninja were hiding at.
He had released his chakra enhanced eyesight before when he and his team mates had stopped, then had to re-enhance it again before he left them to confront the enemy team. He didn't attack the rain ninja right away. He wanted them to think they had the upper hand.
Oboro, Mubi and Kagari looked down at Naruto.
"Lucky. Now I can get revenge." Oboro wanted to kill Naruto because of what his team mate, Sasuke, had done to him. Sasuke had stabbed Oboro in the shoulder, when Oboro had tried to get their scroll from them, a couple days ago. The wound was still causing him some pain.
"Where are his team mates?" Kagari was suspicious that Naruto would be alone.
"It doesn't matter right now. We'll deal with them later. We'll take out the blond now. Mubi, create about 30 clones."
Mubi did as ordered by his team mate and soon Naruto was surrounded by clones.
So they like using clones too, eh? Naruto laughed. Hey, this will give me a chance to try out something new! Then the idea of taking control of the clones came to him. My father said with the bloodline limit, I could take control of other people's ninjutsus. How do I do that though? Oh, the chakra!
Naruto looked at the clones and realized he would have to touch one of them in order to get to it's chakra. Wait! I could send out chakra from my hand to touch it. Just like when I created the wave of chakra from my body before. Naruto concentrated on sending out a rope of chakra from his hand and raised his hand up to face the closet clone. He sent the rope of chakra into the clone's chest to touch the chakra within it. Then he took control of the clone like it was a puppet and he the puppet master.
He was then able to send his own chakra from the one clone to the other clones by using the connection they had to each other. Hey, I'll just steal all the chakra from all the clones! Naruto forced all the clones to disappear by pulling the chakra out of them back to himself, through his chakra rope. Naruto then released the chakra from his eyes.
This surprised the rain ninja. They had never seen anyone be able to do something like that before. They had no idea that a technique like that even existed.
Before they could think to do anything else, Naruto appeared behind them and yelled out. "Boo!"
The ninja jumped and then turned around to attack Naruto, but they weren't quick enough. Naruto had filled his right fist with chakra and quickly knocked each of them out of the tree they had been in. Then he jumped down to where they had fallen and got the heaven scroll out of Oboro's pouch.
Naruto jumped up and down in excitement. "I did it! I did it! I got us the second scroll! He kept bouncing around the fallen rain ninja, sometimes landing on their bodies.
Sasuke sighed. He is always so loud. And now he's going to be bragging even more. Granted he has reason to, this time. But still, it's annoying.
Sasuke and Sakura jumped down into the clearing to where their team mate was bouncing around, acting like a five year old.
Sakura couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's antics though. He looks so funny bouncing around like that! But, someone needs to calm him down. Sakura went over to Naruto and hit him on the top of his head.
"Ow! Sakura-chaaan! Why did you do that?" Naruto rubbed his head where he had been hit, his bottom lip pushed out in a pout.
"You were acting crazy and you were being too loud." Sakura forced herself to frown at him, but she was happy inside. We have both scrolls now. Now all we have to do is get to the tower.
"Dobe, lead us to the tower." Sasuke was in a hurry to get this second test over with. In the third test, we will get to fight as individuals. Then I will be able to test my strength without the dobe getting in the way. I really hate that Naruto has all this power now. I miss the old dobe. The weak one.
"Hmmph! What's the hurry, Sasuke-teme? And don't call me a dobe, dammit!" Naruto glared at Sasuke.
"There is no reason for us to waste anymore time, dobe. We have what we need and the last step is to get to the tower."
"I told you to stop calling me that!" Naruto glared at Sasuke again, then realized he was right about them needing to go to the tower now. "Okay, I'll look to see what direction we need to go in." Naruto enhanced his sight again and looked for the tower. When he found it, he released the chakra from his eyes.
"Okay, I know where it is. Follow me." Naruto then took off in the direction of the tower. He was now in a hurry to get there. He wanted to talk to the Hokage and hoped he would have time to do it before the third test began.
Sasuke and Sakura took off after Naruto and stayed close behind him.
TBC