Chapter 19: Attack of the Naruto Impersonators

Ten minutes flew by when team seven hear a loud painful scream echo across the forest. Sakura jumped in freight wanting nothing more than to snuggle up against Sasuke for safety. "Did you guys hear someone…" Sakura gulped nervously. "Scream?"

Naruto and Sasuke looked over the forest in case of any form of attack from an enemy. The forest put everyone on edge it seemed.

"This place is creeping me out!" Sakura whined buckling her knees together while biting her thumb nail.

"I'm telling you Sakura, it's no big deal." Naruto shrugged glancing around again. Kira frowned. Something wasn't right.

'I feel like I'm being watched…' glancing up through the trees she couldn't find anything, maybe she wasn't looking hard enough or maybe there wasn't there at all. She just couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

"Uhhhh…" Naruto called out nervously glancing around the ground for a bush. "I gotta take a leak…" Naruto found a bush and started to unzip his pants.

Sakura screamed in surprise. Whacking Naruto across the head horrified. "Not in front of me, Bozo! I'm a lady! I'm not like Kira! Go use the bushes!" She screeched loud enough to let the whole forest know where we were.

'If it were Sasuke, on the other hand, hehehehe.' Kira scrunched her nose in disgust at the thought seeping into her mind.

'Ewwwwwww! Why would Sakura want to watch Sasuke pee?! What good would that do her? And she calls me gross!'

Sasuke practically groaned that those two over there were making so much noise. "For crying out loud…" He muttered annoyed. At least Kira was being quiet. If only the two of them could slip off to take the test. They could pass. Sakura and Naruto were making things so difficult though.

Minutes passed while the three waited for Naruto patiently.

"Oh, man! What a relief! Feelin' good now!" Naruto called laughing though it wasn't Naruto. Naruto's holster was on the left instead of the right. There was no reason Naruto would take off his weapons pouch to pee, then put it back on and have it on the wrong side.

"I told you, you're in the presence of a lady! Don't be vul…" Sakura shouted glaring at the imposter as if it really was Naruto. Sasuke and Kira synced together attacking the imposter. Sasuke shoved his fist into the imposters face sending blood out of his nose while Kira shoved her knee into the imposters gut. Both blows though might not harm as much, did send their imposter slamming into a tree, letting out small groans of pain.

"W-what the?" Sakura whispered surprised. Why did they just do that?! "I appreciate the chivalry, but that was way over the top!" Sakura cried horrified at her teammates. Naruto could really be hurt.

"Wh-what was that for?!" The imposter Naruto yelled glaring at the two who hit him. Kira growled to herself, anger coursing through her system. How dare he try to impersonate her best friend. She's spent that last eight years straight with the real Naruto to know everything there is to know about Naruto! This idiot takes one look at Naruto and think 'Oh an idiot! I could totally impersonate him and trick these brats. This will be so easy'.

"What have you done with Naruto?" Sasuke glared getting ready for another attack.

"Wait what?" Sakura called surprised.

"Hello! I'm standing right in front of you bleeding!" The imposter yelled glaring at Sasuke. The impostor seemed annoyed.

"How dumb do you think we are?" Kira growled her eyes started to sting again. "You think you can just impersonate my best friend and think we won't take notice. Where is Naruto?" She growled gripping a kunai tightly.

The impersonator started at Kira confused. "I don't know what you're talking about Kira. I just went to take a pee and you changed." He replied smoothly. Sasuke gripped Kira's shoulder holding her back for a moment. It was happening again.

"You're wearing your shuriken throwing stars on your left thigh. Naruto's right handed. And you forgot the cut that Naruto got from her just before the exam. You're even worse at disguise spells than the real Naruto." Sasuke announced, he could feel her body growing hot.

The impostor came clean showing to be someone from Amegakure. The village hidden in the rain. He wore a light cloth mask covering his eyes except for two holes for his eyes. His nose was exposed while his mouth was covered in a mask that was connected to some sort of oxygen tank maybe.

"Since you've forced me to come clean, why don't you do the same? Which one of you three has the scroll? Unfortunately you've forced me to be direct!" The teen yelled darting forward Sasuke quickly got to work on his justu. Kira could hear his chanting his jutsu in his mind as he performed the hand signals.

Fire style. Art of the phoenix flower the touch me not.

Fire erupted from Sasuke from above. The teen quickly avoided the flames from Sasuke. Kira quickly joined in, she wouldn't let Sasuke have all the fun in defeating this guy. Quickly a few hands signals later Kira jumped into action. Using her water pellet manipulation technique.

The teen let out a groan of pain as steaming hot water pelted into his back. The real Naruto's voice surprised both Sasuke and Kira.

"Kira! Sasuke!" Naruto was tied on the ground, hands bound behind his back, he was squirming around the ground. As much as Kira wanted to attack the guy she had to help Naruto. Even if Sasuke threw down a kunai she wouldn't just leave him.

Dropping to the ground Kira quickly undid Naruto's binds. An explosion sounded above the two. Sasuke was on fire! "Mizu tate no jutsu." She whispered watching as the water climb up Sasuke's legs till it was just above his back. The teen stood behind Sasuke chuckling to himself.

"Better and better, one false move, and I'll kill you. Now hand over the scroll." The teen threatened. She saw Sasuke smirk as the cool water settled against his skin. Sasuke would be safe with that shield up. If the teen did anything then he'd be impaled with spikes. She made sure of that.

"Sasuke!" Sakura screamed terrified.

She stood away from the battle clutching her kunai in hand, no clue what to do. Her friends and her love were in danger.

Naruto shot in the air shooting a Kunai down toward the teen though he got out of the way too quickly. Shooting forward Kira just barely grazed the teen's neck with her kunai. Sasuke made his kunai stick t the sole of his shoe, attacking the teen. He was able to send him straight into a tree right beside Kira.

The teen tried to escape, but Kira's slender body slammed into his larger frame knocking the wind out of him in the process. Her kunai slammed into his gut. It wouldn't kill him, but it'd slow him down. Blood splattered over her face in large droplets.

"Kira…!" She didn't know what to do. She just watched her friend stab a guy!

"I didn't have a choice!" She cried tears in her eyes. The teen slammed his weapon into her shoulder, she lost her grip on the teen watching him back away terrified. Kira gripped her shoulder in pain. Sasuke shot after the man intent to kill.

"Sakura move!" Sasuke yelled sharingan activated. "We don't know where his friends are! You got that? Keep standing there, and you'll end up dead!" Sasuke screamed. The teen continued to jump out of Sasuke's way.

'My stomach! This is awful! I thought coming alone would help conceal my presence…instead it's been my ruin!' The teen quickly got out of the clearing as fast as he could, clutching his stomach, droplets of blood all over the vicinity.

Sasuke growled to himself watching the coward run away. How dare he hurt her! Naruto ran to Kira's side looking her over. "Shit!" Naruto swore loud enough to gain his attention.

Looking over he saw Sakura and Naruto looking her over. She had an annoyed look on her beautiful face but there was a large gash ripped down her left arm.

Sakura had ripped some cloth out of her bag to stop the bleeding.

"He was alone. We should be fine but we should leave." She called out to him. Sasuke nodded walking over. He felt the cool water sink from his back to his feet. He watched her slump her shoulders annoyed that Sakura and Naruto were fussing over her.

"I'll be okay, Naru help me up." She called holding her non-injured arm out toward her best friend. As soon as she was on her feet the gang quickly moved on away from their hide out. Twenty minutes later the group stopped by a lake resting for a bit.

Sakura started to tend to Kira's wound. "Thanks," she called giving off a small smile. It gave off a small throb of pain every now and then but she could deal. She was glad the wound stopped bleeding. She was thankful they were in a forest.

The water in the trees and ground really do come in handy.

The four of them sat in a circle looking at each other till Sasuke spoke. "Remember this. If we get separated again we can't trust each other blindly! It could end up the way this did." He nodded to Kira's wrapped arm.

She squinted her eyes at him annoyed. Its not like she wanted to get hurt.

"So what can we do?" Kira asked for Sakura and Naruto.

Sasuke smirked for a moment a plan in mind. "The safest thing is for us to have a secret password. That way, we'll know. No matter who they look like or how they sound, if one of use gets that wrong they're an enemy."

That worked, it was pretty smart too. If it wasn't something we all knew we'd be safe. Not bad thinking Sasuke. "Listen very carefully. I'll say it only once. It's a poem called 'Ninki- Ninja opportunity' when I ask for it, heres what you respond."

Kira faintly remembered Iruka-sensei telling the class that poem along with their lesson that day. "We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate."

There was no way in hell Naruto would remember that.

"Bingo."

"And you expect me to remember that…how?!" Naruto yelled annoyed. He can barely remember his locker combination on a good day!

"You are such a dunce. I've already got it down!" Sakura glared at the blonde. It's not that hard to remember, she memorized the poem immediately.

"We need a better password! How about swordfish!" Naruto complained. Kira watched Sasuke suspiciously he knew Naruto wouldn't be able to remember that, why does he think he'd be able to now? Unless it's for a reason…in case someone tries to impersonate Naruto again!

"I'll take the scroll." Sasuke announced standing up from our circle. There wasn't anymore peace though! We couldn't rest for a second! The wind increased sending leaves and twigs our way.

"Ow!" Naruto held his face in pain "What the ?"

"A new Enemy?!" Sasuke yelled, the force of the wind grew larger and larger. The group struggled to stay on their feet till they were forced off their feet and scattered across the vicinity.

Sasuke and Kira yelped in pain as they tumbled into a bush. They stayed frozen in their spots, if it were in any other situation Sasuke would have been in heaven. They tumbled till Sasuke was lying on top of Kira's. Their faces were so close. If he had the time he could have counted every one of her long eyelashes. He could memorize the crimson color of her eyes, he could still smell the jasmine body wash radiating off her skin.

They lied frozen from surprise. This was not the time to think of all the things they could do. They were separated from the group. They could stay missing for a few more minutes couldn't they? Heat wrapped around the two of them like a blanket.

"Sasuke…" she whispered horrified. He was crushing her. What was with that look in his eyes? He looked like he was trying to decide between doing two things. She feared what he was thinking. She didn't want to know.

"Sorry…" he whispered pushing himself off her. He couldn't help thinking she looked breathtaking under him, he flushed with the look she was giving him. It felt right. Almost like he wanted it to happen again. He thanked his lucky stars that this happened to them. But now was not the time. They were being attacked.

Sasuke stood away from her, trying to cool his face down, his heart hammering fast in his chest. He looked over seeing Sakura. Or what looked like Sakura. Glancing beside him he saw Kira was at his side. Good.

"Sasuke!" She cried starting to rush forward. Relief washing over her. He was okay.

"Stay back! Don't come near! What the password? The Ninki." Sasuke held his kunai out protecting the two of them from what could be an impostor.

"Oh! Right! We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate."

"Good." Sakura joined Sasuke's side glad to know he was okay but upset that he found Kira first. She wished Sasuke found her first but she'd think about that later.

Naruto came in through the clearing relieved. "Yo, are you guys all right?"

"Not so fast, Naruto! The password?" Sasuke called holding his kunai out to him ready to attack if need be.

"We thrive in the chaos of the enemy tide. Quiet shinobi don't need dens to hide. Our only concern is to watch and wait until the enemy lowers the gate." Naruto quoted with ease. What. Not Naruto.

Sasuke threw his kunai at the impostor intent to harm but he jumped out of the way. The impostor yelling "hey" in an aggravated annoyed tone.

"What are you doing, Sasuke? Naruto go the password right!" Sakura defended the impostor who fell to the ground.

"And this time, he's good enough to deflect my attack!" Sasuke growled annoyed.

"Wait just a second here!" Sakura yelled completely confused.

The Naruto impersonator stood up chuckling to himself saying 'well done!' surprising Sakura when he transformed into the long haired tongue guy from before.

"What gave me away?" he asked chuckling to himself.

"I knew you were underground, eavesdropping on everything we said. That's why I chose that kind of password. The kind the real Naruto would never manage to memorize. Gotcha, imposter!"

"That was another phony Naruto…" Sakura whispered surprised.

"I'm getting real sick and tired of everyone turning into Naruto." Kira snarled. "He's not that dumb but no everyone thinks oh he's a dumbass it's easy to impersonate the kid because he and his friends are so stupid. Well you're stupid!" Kira snapped forcing herself not to pace around annoyed.

"Kira calm down, I'm sure Naruto is okay." Sakura whispered, she knew Kira had a crush on Naruto but she didn't think it was worth getting so worked up over him when people try to impersonate him.

The tongue guy chuckled to himself revealing his scroll. "I suppose you'd like to steal our earth scroll wouldn't you? Since you've already got the heaven scroll." Tongue guy had his tongue hanging out of his mouth, wrapping it around the scroll and with the help of his hand forced the scroll down his throat like a snake eating a meal.

Did this guy think he was a snake? WHAT IS WITH THESE PEOPLE IN THIS TEST?! She wanted to scream but didn't. a disgusted and horrified look crossed the three's faces watching the tongue guy swallow the scroll.

"Now…shall we see just who will be stealing scrolls from whom?" eyes widen in surprise. "We'll fight to the death."

Kira's eyes widen in fear, a kunai was heading straight for her. She couldn't move. Falling to her knees she swore she felt it hit her head. No. Not real. Kakashi taught her of this sort of fighting. Illusion. It was an illusion.

She knew it wasn't real but her body wouldn't move. Frozen with fear. It felt like her body was being weighed down by heavy chains, locking her in place where she couldn't escape.

"Sakura…" looking over Sakura was shaking, tears streaming down her face. She was paralyzed. "Kira…" surely she would be okay, she'd snap out of this right? No. Not her. Kira sat frozen in spot. Her body shaking, she trembling beside him.

"I-Illusion…" she whispered trying to snap herself out of this fear driven state. She couldn't be a sitting duck. Not when Naruto was out there by himself. He might need help. She wished he was there, he'd make her feel safe and protected. He'd save her like he always did in their games. He's save the day…

"Heh…I imagine you're paralyzed by now…" the tongue man laughed. Sasuke forced his body to stand gripping his kunai in hand. He could protect them but not for long. Kunai's shot out of the ground. His eyes widen they were headed toward Kira!

Tackling her out of the way, Kira snapped out of the hold. She stared wide eyed as Sasuke stabbed his leg blood spouting from the fresh wound snapping Sakura out of the trance with his small cry of pain.

"Sasuke…" she whispered fearfully. Picking Kira up Sasuke and Sakura shot into the forest on the run. Why was he carrying her? He was wounded! They made it a few feet, resting in one of the trees. Sasuke panted, his hot breath tickling the side of her neck as he placed her on the branch. His body ridged with fear.

"Speak to me Sas-" Sakura tried to help. Sasuke's hand flew up smacking over her lips. Shutting her up from speaking anymore. He was so jumpy. Kira thought back to healing Kakashi. She could heal him. Reaching over she placed both hands over Sasuke's wound. He snapped his head toward her in surprise.

He didn't see her crimson eyes. He saw blue. Both her eyes glowed blue, her fingers were ice cold, the soft light blue light emanated around her fingers over his leg. He could feel his leg feel numb till she pulled away. His leg felt better. Kira's eyes lost the light and returned to normal.

Sakura was making a screaming sound under his hand. Turning around her eyes widen in surprise "SNAKE!" She shrieked.

A snake was above the three of them. Sasuke jumped out of the way the large snakes body twisted around the branch with ease, shooting after Sasuke. The snake was after Sasuke. "Get lost!" Sasuke threw a large variety of throwing stars at the beast killing it, or that's what it seemed.

The large snake's body fell to the ground but started to crack open. Oh god. Tongue guy was in the snake!?

"For shame, letting your guard down! Stay on your toes like a good prey should." Tongue guy taunted "It makes the chase so much more rewarding for the predator."

Tongue guy zipped his body up the tree like a snake, Sasuke looked like he was done for but Naruto saved the day. The real Naruto was here. Kira's heart leapt out of her chest, she felt the urge to cry. He was here to save them.

"Sorry, Sasuke. I can't remember that stupid password!" Naruto made his presence known.

"Naruto…"