Chapter-25

The next day came quickly. Okay today is the test of Forest of Death. I still don't know what I'll do with Orochimaru. He will definitely be there. She kept thinking not noticing Sasuke standing in front of her with a scowl. She bumped into him and looked at him. He just kept glaring at her.

"What?"

"Why are you not paying attention?"

"Oh… it's nothing. I'm just thinking about some stuff. Don't worry about it."

"What is it?"

"I said it's nothing! Now come on, Naruto is waiting."

She said with finality in her voice and started walking ahead. Sasuke just looked irritated. Why doesn't she tell us anything? She's always lost in her own world.

And then they met up with Naruto and started heading towards the Forest of Death. Sasuke was looking around and noticed that Sakura was looking at the forest with a grim face.

"Sakura-chan? Are you okay?" asked Naruto worriedly.

"Hm? Oh yeah. I'm fine. Let's do our best okay?" she finished with a smile

"Hell yeah!"

Sasuke was just looking at her back. She's hiding something.

And then Anko came.

"All right you brats. It's time for the second test. This forest is called the Forest of Death. There are two scrolls. One is blue and the other is white. Each team will be given a scroll. Nobody knows which team will be getting which scroll. The test is to capture the second scroll from any opponents you find in the forest. Then you have to head to the centre of the forest where there is a tower. You get there with both scrolls, you pass. Of course, all the team members have to be there as wel. If your teammate dies, you will be disqualified. There are enough dangers to make you wet your pants in this forest so be careful. One mistake and you will die. You have 5 days for this test. Understood?"

Everyone had worried faces and were talking to their teammates about the situation.

"Okay I think we should let Sasuke hold the scroll." Said Sakura.

"But why?! I'm better than him! Come on, give it to me."

"Shut up, Dobe. That's a good plan. Okay let's go get the scroll."

They walked towards the table and got a blue scroll. Sasuke kept it and they went off to the gate they were assigned. They were told to wait half an hour before the test begins. Sakura was just looking around and then she saw him. He had taken over the girl and was in a disguise. He was looking straight at Sasuke with a crazed look. Sakura quickly looked down and avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists and tried to calm herself down. Sasuke looked at her and saw her looking down.

"Sakura?"

"Yeah?" she said as she lifted her head to look at him.

"What are you hiding?"

Shit. He' suspecting me. I should have kept my cool.

"Nothing really. I'm just nervous. Everyone here is strong and I am the weakest so I don't know what will happen. I don't want to hold you guys back because of me." She said with a sad look.

Ah. So she's feeling insecure. But why is she feeling like that. She is stronger than before. Thought Sasuke.

"You're gonna be fine. We'll be together."

"Yeah. Thanks." She flashed him a smile and stood ready as the gates were about to be opened.

"All right! Let's go kick some butts! Ready Sakura-chan, Teme?" asked Naruto excitedly.

"Yeah!" "Aa"

They all smirked and when the gate opened the ran in.

The forest felt grim and heavy. Team 7 kept walking when suddenly they heard screams.

"Looks like it has started. Be on your guard." Said Sasuke and continued walking. Suddenly Naruto ran to some thick bushes.

"What the hell, dobe! What are you doing?" asked Sasuke obviously irritated

"I have to pee! I'll be right back." He gave a nervous laugh and sped up into the bushes.

"Idiot."

Sakura just laughed. He will never change, will he?

Suddenly Naruto came back and started walking towards them. Sakura just threw a kunai at him.

"What the hell? Why did you do that?"

"Because you're not Naruto."

"Huh? What are you talking about. It is me!"

Sasuke also noticed it.

"Naruto is right handed and you're wearing your kunai holder on your left leg. Your transformation skills are worse than Naruto's." said Sasuke angrily

"Oh. You sure are good."

The guy ran forward to attack Sakura but Sasuke reacted quickly and pulled her out of the way. Then he threw some shuriken at him and he dodged some but he got hit on his shoulder and leg. Sasuke took out some strings and tied him.

"Now talk. Where's Naruto?"

"Heh. Like I'll tell you."

Sakura felt Naruto's chakra behind the bushes and she took off there.

"Sakura! Where are you going?" asked Sasuke as he ran behind her. They soon stood in a clearing where Naruto was tied up.

"Thank god you guys are here." He said dramatically

Sakura bent down and cut off the rope that tied him. They were ready to leave when suddenly that guy came back and threw a aper bomb. Team 7 jumped into the trees to avoid getting hit. Then the guy came behind Sasuke but Sasuke didn't notice him. Sakura quickly jumped down and tackled him down.

"Sakura!" "Sakura-chan!"

He grazed a kunai on her cheek when started bleeding but Sakura punched him and he went unconscious. Naruto and Sasuke came down. Sasuke saw the cut on her cheek and got angry.

"Come on. Let's gp before his teammates come." Sad Sakura and took off.

Sasuke and Naruto followed her. Sasuke kept looking at her cheek and just felt down that he couldn't do anything.

The first day was over. They found nobody worth fighting. And now there were sitting in a clearing, eating some fruits they found.

"Okay, I think we should come up with some sort of code to make sure we don't get fooled by imposters."

"I agree" said Sakura

Sasuke nodded. "Okay the code is the poem of ninja. Whenever we split up and come back again, we ask each other the password and if they say it correctly, then we can trust them."

"okay"

Naruto was fidgeting because he didn't know the poem.

"What's the matter Naruto?" asked Sakura

"Oh nothing nothing."

They soon fell asleep. They didn't notice that someone heard their strategy and hid himself.

Morning came and they started travelling again. Suddenly a wind attack from their side which made them fly back. They got separated. Sasuke got up and started looking for Naruto and Sakura. Suddenly Sakura came from behind a large bush and saw him. She started walking towards him when Sasuke held out a kunai.

"What's the password?"

"oh yeah. It is the poem of the ninja."

She recited the 5 line poem and then Sasuke let his guard down.

They looked for Naruto and suddenly he came from behind a tree. That Is Orochimaru. I know this creepy chakra. What should I do? Sakura was panicking but didn't show it. I shouldn't draw attention.

"Stop there. What's the password?"

"Do I really have to say it?"

"Yeah"

"okay. Poem of ninja." He recited the poem correctly and that's wen Sasuke and Sakura threw their kunais at him.

"Hey! I said it correctly? Why attack me?"

"That is why we attacked. Naruto doesn't even knows that poem." Said Sasuke smirkingly.

Suddenly he started laughing. He released the transformation and in front of them stood a mature girl. She eyed Sasuke like he was her prey. Well he is actually.

"I'm sorry but you will be dying today."

"I don't think so." Said Sasuke firmly and got in a defense position.

"who are you?" Asked Sakura shakingly

"My name is Orochimaru. And that is all I will say because you wont live long enough to know about me."

Suddenly the skin from his face started melting and it revealed a whitish skin with snake like eyes. They were terrifying. Sakura started to shake. No, No! no this time. I'll fight him. I'm gonna protect Sasuke. Whatever it takes.

Orochimaru stretched his eye to show his full eye ball and when Sasuke and Sakura looked into his eyes. She saw themselves being murdered horrendously. It was too chilling.

Then Sasuke puked due to nausea. And both of them found themselves panting with sweat all over their bodies. They couldn't even move. Sasuke was terrified to the bone. Who the hell is this guy? He looked at Sakura and noticed that she had covered her face with her hair. But he could see her shaking. Damn it. What do I do?! We're gonna die at this rate.

"Did you see your deaths? That's how it will be. Goodbye."

Orochimaru took out two kunai and threw them towards their head. Shit. I have to do something. Sakura is in danger. When the kunai almost reached them, Sakura deflected it away with her own kunai. She glared at Orochimaru.

What? She can move? How? Thought Sasuke in a frenzy.

"Oh. You sure are talented girl. You overcame your fear by something else that you feel about strongly. I am impressed."

"shut up."

Orochimaru was fascinated with the girl. She's interesting.

"Well too bad your body is still shaking. What will you do now?" asked Orochimaru evilly.

Sakura quickly turned around and faced Sasuke. Sasuke was looking at her amazed.

"Sasuke, its gonna hurt a little but this is the only way."

"Aa." He said nodding.

Then Sakura jabbed a kunai in his thigh which made him grimace and come out of his fear. Sakura started shaking and fell down.

"Sakura!" he asked while helping her up.

"I'm fine, Sasuke. Let's go. Hurry." They gave one last glance at Orochimaru and ran into the woods to find Naruto.