Sum of our Parts
Trial by Shadow
Thanks to all those who read and respond to my stories!
***If I owned Naruto I would be sitting on a beach somewhere, relaxing. ***
"Le gasp!" normal talking
'das fuken?' normal thinking
set-you-on-fire-no-Jutsu: Jutsu and other techniques
"I will murder you!" Tailed beast/demonic voice
***SooP***
"Man this is so troublesome." The genius Nara complained, as his team began making their way through the streets of Konoha towards their destination.
"Could we at least stop and get something to…."
"I swear to Kami Choji, if you ask to get food one more time during this portion of the exam I will personally take over the bodies of every restaurant owner in Konoha and deny you entrance!"
"That's a bit harsh Ino" The bug user stoically called out, as his Akimichi teammate began silently crying at the thought of the blonde's punishment.
"Yeah well we are trying to become Chunin here, it's about time we started acting like real Ninja!"
"You just say that because Sakura is on Sasuke's team and you want to show off." Shikamaru correctly assumed, earning a somewhat shocked expression from the girl.
"Hey Shikamaru, why aren't we just going on the rooftops like those other teams, I thought we had a time limit"
"Man this test is way too troublesome, if we go on the rooftops then we will be spotted way easier by the proctors. This isn't about getting to the objective first, it's about showing that we can be stealthy and avoid potential enemies."
"Impressive analysis Shikamaru, undoubtedly we will be targeted far more due to our numbers as well. I am glad that both you and Ino are so proficient in seeing through Genjutsu though, otherwise we might have been headed towards the other side of the village right now."
"Yeah what Shino said. We have to show that we are the best no matter what, and if that means 'suggesting' some targets for the proctors then well… all is fair in love and war after all." The Yamanaka grinned evilly at her last statement, making the other's shiver a bit in fear.
***SooP***
Teams seven, on the other hand, had already encountered one of the examiners and were currently being pursued by him.
"DAMNIT KIBA WHY COULDN'T YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!?" the Kunoichi shouted, as they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, trying to put some distance between them and their pursuer.
"Hey it isn't my fault! I just wanted to point out that he looked a bit too old to be doing a Chunin, especially one that was involved with testing children. How was I supposed to know the guy would take offense to it?"
"Once we get to the objective I swear I am going to beat you!"
"Would you both shut up for a minute so that we might actually be able to lose our tail for longer than three seconds?" The Uchiha growled out, as the pursuer once again found them due to his their shouting.
"Of course, anything for you Sasuke-kun." Sakura practically had hearts floating above her head as she moved a bit closer to the black haired boy.
'This is pathetic… hopefully the rest of the exam is individually based so that at least Sasuke and I can pass.'
"Get back here you brats!"
The three grumbled before following Sasuke's lead into a nearby ally, where they ambushed the Chunin and knocked him out, allowing them to continue unhindered towards the objective.
***SooP***
"This sneaking around is most unyouthful Tenten-chan." Lee whined as Team ten snuck through the side streets of Konoha.
"I agree, Hyuga do not run and hide."
"Would you both shut the hell up! I am not failing this exam because of your dumbass pride or your dumbass flames of youth. We are not going to risk running around like a bunch of freaking idiots especially since one of you sticks out like Sensei in a mime commercial."
The other two stared at the girl for a moment before shrugging and following her lead, neither wanting to invoke the Kunoichi's wrath and be used as "target practice".
Suddenly the team heard the sound of a person landing on the roof above them. Fearing the worst Tenten grabbed her teammates and shoved them into a nearby manhole, leading down into the sewers.
"Tenten-chan…. Do I even need to say it?"
"Yeah yeah it's unyouthful I heard you the first fifteen times, now start walking, I would rather not take any more time down here than necessary."
"I believe I would rather just fight the Chunin than go through this sewer."
"For once I agree with Neji-san."
"Oh? Well I agree with the logic of 'SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET WALKING'!"
***SooP***
As the Suna team continued towards their destination they noticed a great deal of Genin headed in various directions through the village, some even stopping to attack others, thinking that they needed more than one map to pass.
Not for the first time today was Kankuro happy to be brothers with Gaara, as many of the other teams seemed to shy away from the redhead boy in fear.
The first time had been when they were spotted by a Chunin proctor early on.
Needless to say the man was currently in the process of being escorted to the hospital, after all nothing mentioned that they couldn't attack the proctors that were attempting to take their map.
The only thing that worried him, and Temari too by the expression on her face, was that they would be figured out before the invasion could commence. If that were to occur he wasn't sure if Gaara could protect them while in the middle of an enemy village, cut off from reinforcements.
He also wasn't sure if Gaara would protect them.
***SooP***
As Ibiki stood at the destination point, a small building at the edge of town, he wondered how many teams would actually make it through the test. He had already received word that over a dozen teams had either lost their maps or a teammate by Chunin and the time on the exam was already running out.
He looked up just in time to see the Suna team walk in, looking unhampered and relaxed.
He frowned in annoyance, none of them were supposed to be looking okay after being chased around the village.
A few minutes later and the only group of four Genin also walked in, looking slightly worse for wear but otherwise unharmed.
Ten minutes after that Teams seven and ten appeared. The first of which was bruised and slightly bloodied, the second stank like a sewer. This earned a grin from the fellow Konoha team.
"Whooo damn forehead you look like you went through ten rounds with a wild animal… did you and Kiba finally settle your differences and make out?"
"HEY!"
"Troublesome…"
"Hn"
"Oh yeah pig!? Just because we have one less teammate than you doesn't mean we are any worse than your team. ALSO I DID NOT MAKE OUT WITH KIBA!"
"So does that mean you made out with Sasuke instead?" Shino spoke, capitalizing on the fact that she specifically mentioned Kiba.
The two girls' jaws dropped before Sakura developed a smirk.
"Maybe I did, what do you think about that Ino pig?"
"I think that there isn't a person in Konoha that would believe you."
Just as their argument was about to escalate further Team seven walked in, also perfectly fine and calm.
"How the hell are you three so relaxed?"
Natsuko turned to the three Konoha teams before giggling, "Hinata-chan is awesome with Genjutsu."
The three Kunoichi's jaws dropped, before muttering about unfair advantages and natural Genjutsu specialists.
Ibiki just smirked. Using Genjutsu to cloak her entire team from Chunin level opponents was quite impressive of them, but to be honest he was far more impressed with those who had taken the hard way through, especially Gai's team who had gone through such lengths to avoid being spotted even once.
As several other teams began shuffling in the lead proctor took count of the number of Ninja villages and the teams they sent.
Konoha had eight teams still in the running, Suna had three, three from Ame, one from Taki, six from Kumo, five still from Iwa, and finally three that were of Kiri.
Ibiki scowled in an annoyed manner, this many were not supposed to have passed the first stage, maybe he was getting soft?
"Alright well the time is up so everyone here is allowed to take the final portion of the first exam. Each team will be given a task, if you complete it you will be allowed through, if you decide not to take it though you fail immediately."
"That's dumb why would we decide not to try then?" A random Kumo Genin responded.
"Because if you take the task, and fail…. You will be prohibited from ever becoming a Chunin."
"That's total crap! I've been in these exams before and that was never a rule!" This time it was a Konoha Ninja who voiced their opinion.
"Well I guess it's just bad luck that you got me as your proctor then huh?"
Several Ninja slowly stood and left, apologizing to their teams for taking them along as well.
When the numbers started to dwindle down Ibiki glanced over at the cheerful blonde from Team eight before trying his luck.
"So you are confident that you won't fail eh, so sure of yourself that you would risk not only your career but your team's as well?"
"Nah we won't fail, onee-chan is awesome and Hinata-chan is super cool. Besides we are Ninja, it wouldn't be much fun if every mission wasn't fail or succeed right?"
The scarred man opened his eyes wide at such a proclamation that seemed to strengthen the resolve of the others present.
"Well then, for your final task you must walk through that door." The man pointed towards the back of the building, which lead to curious glances as the teams did so, albeit a bit hesitantly for some.
After passing through Ibiki followed and closed the door behind them.
"Congratulations you pass!"
"Wh-wha?"
"The final portion was a test of resolve, every mission you go on could turn into a life or death situation, only those who are willing to put everything on the line for their countries and their teammates are fit to become true Ninja. The rest are just worthless. Now then the proctor for the second exam should be…"
Suddenly the nearby ground exploded in smoke as a woman wearing a long trench coat appeared underneath a banner which read 'INTRODUCING ANKO MITARASHI THE AMAZING, SEXY, INCREDIBLE, STUPENDOUS, HOT, LETHAL, POWERFUL…' the banner continued on, praising the woman who stood below with a large grin on her face.
"Did you really need that much of an entrance Anko?"
"Aw come on Ibiki, what fun is it if I just walk in like some boring asshole?"
"I just walked into the exam you know…."
"And that's why I am wayyyy better at interrogation than you."
"If the statistics are what I remember them being then…"
"Jeesh Ibiki you let twenty two teams pass!? What getting soft on me now are you? I mean sure there will only be half that number when I am done with them but holy cow I would've thought that…. GAKIS!" The Jonin proclaimed, quickly changing the subject.
The woman happily ran over to her favorite team, and earned an ecstatic hug from the young blonde, while many of the men looked on in envy.
"Ahem, Anko perhaps you should explain your portion of the exam?"
"Alright fine fine. Listen up everybody cause this part is where most of will probably die in horrific awful fashion. The next portion of the Chunin exams takes place behind me in this fenced in area, which we have nicknamed 'The Forest of Death'. Each time will be given a scroll, either labeled 'Heaven' or 'Earth'. In order to proceed to the next phase you must acquire one of each scroll and make it to the tower at the other end, you have five days to complete this. But before you go in I am required to have all of you sign a waiver, just in case you should be eaten by one of the horrible creatures in the forest or what not." The woman casually explained, while several of the Genin paled at her explanation.
After gesturing towards the handout booth the snake Jonin returned to her favorite team.
"Anko-nee-chan, why did you start training the other boy? I thought we were your favorites?" The blonde spoke out sadly, as tears began to threatening her eyes.
"W-what do you mean? I would never train anyone else! You three know you're my favorites!" The Kunoichi quickly defended herself, trying to stop the pull at her heart at seeing the normally energetic blonde in distress.
"Th-then why does that white haired boy with glasses smell like you do?" the young Uzumaki continued.
This statement froze Anko, but only for a split second before she smiled and crouched down to comfort the young girl.
"Don't you three worry about him, you are my prides and joy you know that."
"R-really?"
"Of course Natsuko-chan, now hurry up and get your scrolls, you don't want to be late for the next portion."
During the entire conversation Hinata looked at her two teammates with a puzzled expression, which Akane subtly signaled that they would explain later.
***SooP***
After the teams had received their scrolls, and lined up at the pre chosen gates, Anko began the countdown.
"Ten"
"Nine"
"Eight"
"Six"
"Uh Anko I think you skipped 'seven'?" Ibiki muttered out
"No I didn't… it knows what it did…"
"Five"
"Four"
"Three"
"Two"
"One….."
The various teams crouched down into runner positions, ready for the inevitable bell or explosion or whatever would signal for the next portion
"Eh go"
The Genin almost face palmed at the nonchalance at which the gates opened and the next stage began, before sprinting off into the forest.
***SooP***
"WE MUST FIND AN SCROLL OF HEAVEN SO THAT WE MAY COMPLETE THIS PORTION OF THE EXAM AND SHOW THE TRUE EXTENT OF OUR YOUTH!" Lee loudly shouted, before being punched in the head by an irritated Tenten.
"Seriously did no one teach you the concept of stealth during the academy, like at all?"
"I do not think that he would understand the concept of silence if it smacked him in the face."
"UNTRUE NEJI-SAN I SHALL SHOW YOU THE TRUE YOUTHFULNESS OF SILENCE, AND IF I CANNOT ACCOMPLISH THIS THEN I SHALL RUN ONE HUNDRED LAPS AROUND KONOHA USING ONLY MY FINGERTIPS AND IF I CANNOT…"
"You guy's should really learn not to have such loud conversations, especially when enemy Ninja are in the area." A voice called out from behind Team nine as a group of three Kumo Shinobi stepped out from the nearby tree line.
"See I told you we should have kept moving, rather than standing in such an open area."
"Be quiet, would you rather have Lee running around shouting through the entire forest?"
"I guess not, you don't have to be such an ass though…"
"Excuse me but I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation you are currently in. We had been hoping to run into a Hyuga and it looks as though we found one of the only two currently in the exam, even better as you look free of that annoying seal your clan uses."
"Indeed I am of the Main Branch, unfortunately for you though we have been… expecting you."
"Wait… what?" The Cloud Ninja replied in confusion, just before the Kunoichi and Hyuga disappeared, obviously Bunshin, while the green clad boy charged forward at a remarkable speed.
One of the Kumo Genin's companions immediately moved to intercept, but before he could a series of Kunai flew from a nearby tree. Two struck him in his right arm while a third was now embedded in his leg, forcing him down the ground.
Next his other companion fell, a cry of pain escaping from his lips as a series of Juken strikes brought him down without effort.
Spinning around the Kumo leader began to weave through a series of hand signs, intending on frying the Hyuga bastard, despite their orders to take one alive back with them.
Unfortunately he had forgotten that about the original green blur, and was promptly dropped to the ground from a leg sweep before a powerful raised axe kick knocked him out.
"Well that worked well, glad we decided to use Lee's obliviousness to our advantage and lure out a team that would need our scroll." Tenten chirped happily, while taking the, now defeated, team's possession.
"Indeed, I hate to admit that it was your plan but I suppose congratulations are in order."
"That wasn't nice Tenten-chan… how could you use your fellow Konoha Shinobi, WHO IS SO FULL OF THE YOUTHFUL SPIRIT, as a lure for our enemies?"
"Oh I didn't use you at all Lee, I just let you be your normal charming obnoxious self and then allowed whoever may be in the area to come to us. Rest assured though that we can now proceed towards the tower without having to worry about this."
"The only thing that concerns me is that they seemed to be specifically targeting Hyuga…" Neji muttered out, remembering that Kumo was the one who attempted the kidnapping when he was younger.
"Your right, we should try and find Team eight and warn them…"
"Do not concern yourself with that trash. They would have no use for a Branch member anyways. She is sealed and thus cannot be used for creating the Hyuga bloodline back in their village."
"But there are still more Kumo teams out there… what if they gang up on them and just kill them instead?"
"Then that is one less team for us to compete with."
"YOU ARE MOST UNYOUTHFUL NEJI-SAN!"
"Lee is right, to hell with what you think, if we run into them I will be warning them and any other Konoha team. Just because we are competing doesn't mean that they are our enemies, especially since we are all fighting for Konoha."
***SooP***
"So Mr. Genius what is the plan now?" Ino asked as sarcastically as possible.
"Do I have to come up with every plan? Man what a drag… alright well I guess we should head towards the tower, if everyone else is as well then we should be able to spot another team before they spot us, especially with our numbers. If not then we will camp out a distance away and lay down some traps since we know what the end destination is it should be pretty easy."
"That was a very astute analysis Shikamaru. I am curious though if there are any teams we should try and avoid or hope to come into contact with."
Between mouthfuls of chips Choji managed a mutter out a response, "I say we try and meetup with a couple other Konoha teams, since we are so outnumbered."
The others practically came to a halt to stare at the large boy wide eyed.
"That was…. A very good suggestion Choji, normally your tactical analysis isn't nearly that high." The Nara complimented, earning a blush from the boy.
"Yeah well I just so happen to know that Natsuko tends to keep a large stock of Ramen on hand at any given moment…."
The others sweat dropped at this, of course it would have something to do with food.
"I believe that Team eight is also the most viable traveling companions we could run into." Shino nodded in agreement with his other Shinobi teammate.
"Oh? That wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that they are all girls that you two might just so happen to find cute would it?" the blonde teased.
"Of course not, the fact of the matter is that they seemed to be the most diversely trained of any Konoha team." The bug user replied.
"That and Akane scares the hell out of me." Choji muttered, earning a few hesitant nods in agreement.
***SooP***
Team eight was busy bounding through the trees, with Hinata in front. She made a slight gesture and the three Kunoichi came to a stop on a larger branch nearby.
"There is no one within a thousand feet of us." The Hyuga announced, earning a slight breath of relief from the blonde and a nod from her sister.
"You probably would like clued in on what our conversation to Anko was about correct?"
The nod confirmed Akane's suspicion.
"Oh that's simple Hinata-chan, Anko-nee-chan always told us that if we ever ran into someone who smelled like her to inform her immediately, and that they were likely bad people."
"Smelled like her?" Hinata had always been aware that the two Uzumaki's had heightened senses, primarily hearing and scent, but she didn't know what Anko could smell like besides maybe dango or sake.
"That white haired Konoha Ninja smelled like snakes." The redhead clarified.
"That's why I told Anko-nee-chan, she said to do it discreetly so that they wouldn't know."
"Oh…. Well I am not sure exactly what that means but I am glad that you told her if it was important. So what is the plan now?"
"Well I figure that we need to find an opposing team, get their scroll, and then head towards the target point as soon as possible. The longer we are out here the more chances there are of us running into opposing villages teams, and if they start working together it will become dangerous very quickly."
"What if we find another Konoha team one-chan?"
"That would work Natsuko assuming that they are trustworthy. Remember right now it is each team for themselves."
Suddenly Hinata's head turned to the side, staring off towards the left.
"We have company."
"Any idea who Hinata?"
"It isn't anyone from Konoha that I can say for certain."
"So what's the plan Hinata-chan?"
The pale eyed girl paused for a moment, before a plan formed in her head.
***SooP***
The Kiri Ninja reached the clearing where they had last sensed an enemy team and glanced around nervously.
They had been able to sense them up until a few minutes prior and now the Ninja were nowhere to be found, which put them all on edge and wary of possible traps.
"Spread out, find them, and eliminate them." The implied leader growled out, as he leapt onto a nearby branch.
The other two members nodded in agreement before beginning their own search, the larger of the two searching the left half of the field while the Kunoichi checked the right half.
As the leader began leaping through the trees, he stopped when he spotted a poorly concealed Kunai trap. Chuckling, he easily disarmed the device before taking the Kunai, and immediately recognized it as being from Konoha. The experienced Genin turned to pass on this information to his team, but never got a sound out as a shadow dropped behind him silently before placing her hand over his mouth and stabbing him through his neck with a kunai.
***SooP***
The Kunoichi from Kiri had continued her search, until she heard a rustle from a nearby bush. Glancing towards her teammate she noticed that he was still aimlessly looking and found herself grinning at the thought of finally one upping the man who constantly claimed that 'all Kunoichi are useless'.
She would show him by capturing their enemy first.
Pulling out a kunai she quietly encircled the concealing foliage from behind before throwing her weapon in, and at hearing the sound of impact upon flesh dove in to discover… she had killed a rabbit.
Swearing in annoyance the girl never noticed when Hinata seemed to meld from the tree behind her, until a series of Juken blows knocked the Kunoichi unconscious.
***SooP***
Luckily for the remaining member of the unfortunate Kiri team he was enough of a sensor to notice when his two teammates vanished.
Glaring in annoyance he activated one of his favorite Jutsu, and the favorite of his idol Zabuza.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu"
The Shinobi had been expecting his crappy Kunoichi teammate to die, after all women had no place in a kill or be killed world, they should have just stayed at home where they belonged.
What was unsettling was that his Shinobi squad leader had also fallen, albeit he was only elected squad leader due to being his Sensei's favorite. The last man standing was always the strongest of the three.
As he sunk back into the fog and expanded his senses he began detecting Chakra signatures that did not align with his former team, clearly they had already realized that he wasn't just playing Shinobi and that their deaths were unavoidable at this point. Leave it to Konoha to promote children where they should have been left in the academy.
He began making his way toward one of the signatures, which soon revealed itself as a pretty young blonde, before sneaking up behind her and slashing through her torso with a tanto.
The girl instantly disappeared in a puff of smoke.
***SooP***
"Got him, ready onee-chan?"
"Ready Natsuko" The redhead confirmed as she interlocked her fingers and crouched down, allowing the blonde to run towards her full speed.
Just as Natsuko stepped into her sister's hands she channeled a large amount of Chakra into her legs and jumped, allowing the boost from her sister to throw her even higher into the air.
As the girl rocketed upwards she easily cleared the tree line and flew into the open sky. With a single hand sign she created a clone, which grabbed and whirled her around, throwing her even higher.
Here was one of her newly discovered favorite places to be, high up in the crystal blue sky, so far away from the cares she had in life. Up here she was free, simply existing among the crosswinds of the world. But up here she did not have her sister or her friends, those who truly mattered in her life, and so stealing her resolve she once again made a single hand sign.
One Kunoichi became a hundred.
Each of them pulled out two Kunai and threw them towards the mist cloaked ground below before making another furry of hand signs.
"Ninja Art: Kunai Shadow Clone Jutsu"
Each Kunai became a hundred.
Over twenty thousand Kunai rained down on the area, utterly annihilating it.
***SooP***
Knowing what the blonde was going to do next Akane immediately grabbed ahold of her remaining teammate, who let out a silent yelp in reaction, before throwing her against a nearby tree with a curve in it, knowing that it would prevent them from being struck due to it's angle.
Hinata herself was practically hyperventilating as the Kunai, which sounded less like metal impacts and more like rain at this point, fell from the sky and blanketed the area. But it wasn't the attack which was causing her freak out no it was the fact that she was being pressed against the tree by her red haired teammate.
Akane's body was pressed against the young Hyuga to ensure her safety, but her eyes were scanning for potential ambushes.
Meanwhile the pale eyed girl couldn't pry her gaze from the face of the one in front of her. Her body was warm against her own, her hands pressed to either side almost like they were…. Their lips were inches apart.
If Hinata just pushed her head forward just a tiny bit…. if she were just a bit braver or more honest with herself….
Suddenly the attack halted and a cheerful voice called out, "All clear onee-chan and Hinata-chan!"
Hinata let out a disappointed sigh when she felt the warm body leave and go to rejoin her sister.
Maybe one day…
***SooP***
It had been two days since the start of the second exam and Team Eight was still moving towards the tower. Although they could have probably made faster travel they had agreed that just rushing through and arriving exhausted would be dangerous, especially if any teams had been setting up traps towards the end.
Moving through the trees Hinata glanced over towards one direction in particular, and slowed a bit. By this point the two Uzumaki instantly recognized that sign as the Hyuga sensing or seeing something worth noting.
"What is it?"
"It is a dark Chakra I have never felt anything like it before."
"Is it demonic?"
The pale eyed girl shook her head, remembering the feeling of Gaara's presence from when they had spied on the Suna team a day ago and watched as the boy slaughtered an opposing Genin team.
"No nothing like that, but it feels… unnatural like the darkness is covering up a normal person's Chakra."
"We should stay away from it then huh onee-chan?"
"I agree, something like that could either be the product of the forest itself or…"
"Oh no…."
The two looked towards the, now horrified Kunoichi.
"What is it Hinata?"
"There are others with it. It is hard to tell exactly who but Lee and Team ten for sure."
Akane muttered out a curse before coming to a complete stop.
"We certainly can't let them get hurt now can we?"
The other two shook their heads before the three took off towards the source with Natsuko smiling the entire time at the bonds her sister seemed to be making
***A/N***
Hope everyone enjoyed the change made to the first exam, like I said I was never really all that interested in it during the actual manga/show.
I will be doing more with Team seven and the rest in the next chapter, which will pick up with the Sasuke cursed seal incident.
I have no idea why I decided to make Tenten so violent and aggressive towards her teammates, I guess I just kinda figured that being stuck with Gai, Lee, and Neji that she would just naturally gravitate towards that personality.
I already have a few ideas for pairings, but if anyone has any suggestions feel free to shout them out.
As always I hope everyone who reads this does enjoy it!
