I haven't died again. Still alive and kicking.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Eight: Fighting Back
Sasuke spent the better part of the day running. He started not to even feel the weight of his teammates after about an hour. Shorts stops were all he allowed himself to take because he didn't want the pedophile to find them. It was almost dark when Sasuke stopped. He knew he was close to the tower, but without scrolls, he wasn't going to get anywhere. Anyone who had brains was probably guarding the tower anyhow to get their own scrolls.
"A few more hours," Sasuke mumbled. He sat near his teammates as he waited for one of them to wake up. Naruto was never out for long since their team test; he would probably wake first. Sasuke tried to spend the time thinking of what happened since they've become a team. He watched Naruto change into a boy who was so much more a tool than boy to a frightened child now. Sasuke tried to think of the future. Founder already told them that when they were Chunin, they became true adults and no longer had to be part of the Assassin Corp. That's why they weren't given the tattoo. Sasuke and Sakura had already discussed how they would be leaving. They didn't fit in with the other assassins. Only Naruto and Kakashi ever seemed to be in their element. Sasuke pushed that out of his mind as he looked over the clearing again. "A couple more hours." He was trying to make himself feel less afraid, but it wasn't working the way he wanted it to. He sat there and watched for any dangers.
ICECOLD
Team Eight had both scrolls. They were currently camping in a large tree as it was safer than being on the ground. No one was really talking as the moonlight was unable to reach them. They were trying to picture their arrival at the tower. Kurenai would probably tell them how proud she was of them and leave it at that. Hinata sighed and looked at her teammates.
"Do you think Naruto is already at the tower?" Hinata whispered. Sounds seemed to be forbidden in this forest when night fell. Kiba and Akamaru were already straining to make sure no one attacked them. "He wasn't the same as he was during the mission." Shino stiffened at the thought of that mission. He didn't like the idea of watching Kiba die again. He wasn't sure he could even do the Chunin exams because of that possibility.
"Naruto is probably already there and talking to Kurenai about his walk through the forest," Kiba murmured. Hinata wanted hope. Kiba gave it to her because he cared. Hinata blushed and nodded. Everyone knew about her crush on the white haired boy, but no one could understand why. She saw him as brave. "Why do you think Naruto walked away from that Kabuto guy? He was a minute away from ending him." Kiba did notice that Naruto only walked away whenever he spoke up.
"Naruto is a loner. Those who are closest to him die during his life, and many rumors point to it being his fault," Shino said. Kiba nodded, remembering his mother talking about Naruto and Tora. Everyone in Tora's squad said the man wouldn't have slipped up normally. "Subconsciously, Naruto knows this, so whenever someone offers friendship or does something similar to it, he backs away. The only person close to Naruto now is Kurenai, and he fears losing her." Kiba and Hinata couldn't help but agree. Shino searched for the moon through the dense leaves. "It's hard though. Naruto's like a magnet."
ICECOLD
Sasuke was tired, but he wouldn't give into sleep. Naruto and Sakura were still out, which was more concerning than it should be. Sasuke watched in silence as the team from Oto stood at the other end from him. He wasn't afraid of them and remembered what they called each other before the exam started. Zaku and Kin appeared to be harmless, and there seemed to be more to Dosu than what was shown. Sasuke calmly withdrew a kunai.
"When Orochimaru told us to kill the boy with the Mohawk, he forgot to mention the two teammates. This kid doesn't look like much of a challenge though. So weak that I feel bad," Zaku said. His teammates just smirked. Zaku appeared to be the leader, so Sasuke figured if he took out him, the other two would scatter. It always happened. "Let's make this simple. We take the one named Naruto, and you and the girl escape with your lives. Think about it. There will be other exams." Sasuke must've twitched because Zaku's smirk was getting bigger. "We'll give you a few minutes." Sasuke stood up and gripped the kunai harder. This got Zaku almost smiling.
"Fox and Flower will not be touched by the likes of you!" Sasuke said. He tried to push how defenseless they were out of his mind as he charged. Zaku laughed as Dosu went out to meet Sasuke. The Uchiha was sticking to taijutsu and tried for a kick to Dosu's temple. It was blocked up the amplifier on his arm. Sasuke was blasted back by something and watched everyone sway. His ear went deaf, so he stumbled to stand. "I will not let you hurt them!" Sasuke fell forward as Zaku and Kin laughed. He couldn't get up without falling, so he figured his equilibrium was thrown off.
"It was nice to see you try though," Dosu said. Zaku walked past Sasuke and Sakura to Naruto. He yanked the boy up by his hair and looked at the sleeping face. "Just finish him off, so we can move on." Sasuke growled and gritted his teeth. What the hell happened? He couldn't be this weak! Naruto and Sakura would've had no problems taking these three jokers out, but he couldn't even fight one! A kunai whizzed through the air and hit Zaku's arm. Sasuke was surprised to see Rock Lee with his teammates.
"To kill a defenseless boy isn't anywhere close to being youthful," Lee said. Neji and Tenten only followed because Lee said that the kid he fought before was there. They wanted to see his power. There was no power. "Fight someone who can defend themselves. Youthful teammates, assist the Uchiha." Tenten stayed as Lee's backup as the taijutsu master took off. Neji went to Sasuke and the rest of the team. Zaku had let go of Naruto, and Sasuke managed to crawl over to them.
"You're as good as dead now. Your hearing will need a moment to go back to normal," Neji said, coldly. Sasuke was shocked at how similar Naruto and Neji were. The Hyuga looked over Sakura and Naruto. He paused at Naruto and remembered a smiling eyed boy who spoke of fairytales. He couldn't remember his name no matter how hard he tried. "The girl is about to wake up. There was a spike in her chakra." Sasuke was glad and scooted closer to her. She would be upset with him later, but she would probably suggest leaving the area with Naruto. Even Sakura knew when to run.
"Neji!" Tenten shouted. Lee was thrown back with bleeding ears. Tenten had set up a defense using her weapons as Neji planned what to do next. Sakura stirred and sat up with a start. She already had a kunai drawn, looking for Naruto's attacker. Sasuke was slowly able to stop stumbling as he stood. He gave Sakura a look that he would explain later.
"Enough already!" Zaku shouted. He used Kin as a shield to get behind Tenten. "We'll just kill all of you." A dark chuckle stopped Zaku short. Everyone was looking around for the source, and no one noticed Naruto was gone. "What now!" Dosu got up, recovering from his fight with Lee and looked almost pale as he noticed someone was gone. "Show yourself!" The chuckling continued as Naruto appeared on a low branch. His eyes were blood red with his whisker marks darker.
"Orochimaru has already lowered himself to killing little girls?" Naruto said. He dropped to the dirt and looked at Zaku. "If I remember right, I'm the target. Let them go. We'll fight, and I might let you three leave alive." Naruto smirked and looked straight at Zaku. "I might decide that I like you in pieces more though." Zaku shoved Tenten away and grinned at Naruto.
"Try us. We know everything about you from your taijutsu reliance and smoking addiction," Zaku said. Naruto sighed and pulled out his cigarettes. Sasuke and Sakura urged Neji and Tenten to get back with Lee. The cigarette Naruto lit was green and let out a green smoke. Naruto didn't move as he was waiting. "Too afraid to move? Don't worry. I'll make it quick." As Naruto went through some hand seals, Zaku threw out his arms to do the airwave attack of his, but nothing happened. Smoke started curling out of the tubes.
"Burn," Naruto said, throwing his cigarette at the Genin. Zaku started screaming and dropped to the ground. Nothing was happening to him, and Naruto walked over. He kicked the Oto Genin in the gut to stop the screaming. It was reduced to a mere whimper. Kin pulled out several senbon needles, but Naruto had her pinned to the dirt before she could truly use them. "Mommy forgot to tell you what happens to kids who play with sharp objects." Naruto held a kunai close to Kin's face. "They get cut or lose an eye. I really don't remember." Naruto's red eyes glowed brightly as he cut Kin's face below her eye. "Bye, bye." He lifted the kunai and brought it down. Kin passed out as the kunai was buried into the dirt. Naruto stood up and looked at Dosu. "One left. How does it feel?" Sasuke and Sakura watched from the sidelines with a plan. They needed a way to get through to Naruto.
"Fox, that's enough. Just take their scroll, and we can leave," Sakura said, stepping closer to Naruto. The boy wouldn't look at her as he watched Dosu think of a better plan. Naruto was supposed to be dead by the end of the exam. "Just let them go." Sakura was close enough to grab him now. Naruto looked at her with his red eyes. Founder told them that when Fox had red eyes, it was best to stay away. Let it run its course. "It's okay. We're okay." Naruto's eyes flickered, but it wasn't enough. He turned back to watch Dosu set the scroll on the ground and disappear with a whimpering Zaku and a dazed Kin. The red eyes finally flickered back to the blue.
"We need to move," Naruto said without skipping a beat. He picked up the scroll and looked at Neji and Tenten, who were holding Lee. "Bring him here." Naruto brought glowing green chakra to his hands and cupped them around Lee's ears. The taijutsu user blinked and sighed in relief. "I owe you nothing, so expect nothing later." Naruto looked at the shadows and didn't trust them. He turned away and listened to the team take off. "We better hurry to get the other scroll. I don't want to stay any longer in the forest." Sakura and Sasuke followed Naruto into the trees as they went searching. Naruto felt it was more like running in reality.
ICECOLD
Anko growled in frustration as she paced the weight room at headquarters. The Hokage ordered her to take a few days away from the tower. Ibiki promised to keep an eye out for Orochimaru and Naruto. Everyone must've heard about her outburst because civilians were calling her crazy and under the demon's spell. Anko took out her frustration on some of the equipment, but she soon gave up and curled up in a ball on the bench. She stared at the door, almost expecting Naruto to walk in and give her that look. He would then sit next to her and patiently wait for her to talk about anything.
"Stupid boy," Anko muttered. She closed her eyes and tried to stop caring. That's what she did best, right? The villagers thought so. Orochimaru's bitch. She wasn't worth the dirt on their shoes. Anko gripped her legs tighter and tried to think of a time she was happy after Orochimaru's corruption. Her happiness was in the weight room when Naruto listened. Her happiness was that day outside the bar when Kurenai smiled at her. She uncurled herself and ran from the weight room. She found Team Seven's room with easy and threw open the door. Anko took the steps over to the dresser. It was as empty as it was the first day except for the first drawer. Anko had taken old clothes from the lost and found and created a sort of blanket for a yellow fuzz ball. Ritoruman meowed and outstretched a paw at her. Anko lifted the creature up and held it close to her. This room, Kurenai's house, the weight room, and the dango shop were the places Anko felt safe and happy. She silently wished that Naruto too was safe. He had to be.
ICECOLD
Naruto didn't regret killing the shinobi from Ame. He took their scroll and walked away because the bodies were starting to scare him a little bit. Sakura and Sasuke helped, but he was elected to search the bodies. The scroll was lucky to have survived. Naruto took the cigarette out of his mouth and held up the scroll for Sakura and Sasuke to see it.
"Let's get going. The tower is close, and night is almost here," Sakura said. They were already into day three out of the five, and day one wasn't leaving their thoughts. Naruto wasn't able to replace his shirt because the burn hurt and was an angry red. The burn ointment didn't seem to help much either. Naruto tried to pretend it wasn't there, but it held such a weight that he knew it was. On the plus side, he hadn't heard the voice in a long time. "Don't get left behind!" Naruto jumped to catch up.
ICECOLD
Teams that appeared early were allowed the time to see a medic. It was sort of a way to say that being first meant healthier outcomes, but the medics could only heal so much. There wasn't to be too much of a disadvantage. Naruto was forced to go see one. He sat there with the medic when she walked in. Her red eyes just looked at him and took in the injury. Anko had broken down and told her about the attack. Naruto said nothing as she quietly sat next to him.
"It's good to see you still standing," Kurenai said softly. Naruto nodded. His fist clenched as he remembered the terror he had felt when Orochimaru had him. He wasn't a hero, but he had to be unafraid for her. "It's okay to be afraid, Naruto. Orochimaru causes many Jonin to shiver yet, so everyone understands." Naruto said nothing. He listened to the medic's mutterings about the symbol. Silence between Naruto and Kurenai wasn't uncomfortable but strange.
"Uzumaki, I've been able to heal the burn, but the symbol isn't leaving. I'm sorry," the medic said. He left rather quickly as Naruto pulled out his cigarettes. The hospital knew Naruto well enough not to say no to certain behaviors. With one lit and in his mouth, Naruto got up. Kurenai followed him as they walked through the halls.
"Naruto, will you ever tell me about why you are so afraid?" Kurenai asked. Naruto kept glancing around the corners as they walked. He eventually found an empty room and stood in the center of it. "It was bad, huh?" Naruto nodded. His mind wanted to forget his disturbing voice. "When did it start?" Naruto was always just considered crazy. He sighed and enjoyed the taste of his cigarette for a moment.
"When I killed Mizuki, I was stopped by a dumb kunai. He whispered in my ear about how I would go to him. Called me his pet and Naru-chan," Naruto said. He shivered and stared at Kurenai in the eye. "I couldn't scream or even run away." Naruto swore that he would leave out bits, but he couldn't. "He kissed my neck, and I turned around to face him as I got my guts back. I was pulled into a genjutsu. A voice started talking in my head after that in the hospital. I've never been more terrified." Naruto looked angry at himself. He wanted to be a hero in her eyes. The feeling of being unstoppable was more desirable than being human. He suddenly loathed his own species.
"You have nothing to fear anymore. You have a strong will, and I don't think you would ever go to his side," Kurenai said. She saw the flicker of emotion in Naruto's eyes. He was in a self hating mood, and she had to let it run through. She stepped closer to him. "Don't forget the places where you were happy. Use those moments and remember what led to them. Don't be fooled by illusions." Kurenai kissed his cheek quickly before leaving. Naruto stood there, dumbstruck. He gave a small smile and touched his cheek. Maybe it was good to be human sometimes. He walked out of the room and was willing to put to rest the terror in his heart. Orochimaru probably thought he had Naruto under his control, but he forgot to include how much a cornered animal would fight.
"Naruto!" Sakura shouted as she spotted him walking around. She smiled and looked better. Her bruises were fading already, and Naruto noticed she had cut her hair. It looked better. He allowed himself to be hugged by her and didn't understand her blush. "Forgot a new shirt, huh?" Naruto shrugged. He walked with Sakura as they wandered around the building. Nobody stopped them. "What is going to happen when we become Chunin, Naruto?" She was addressing Naruto as a person and not her teammate. Naruto paused in his walking to think.
"You will go on to medic training instead of returning to the corp. and will become greatest medic in Konoha since Tsunade. Every man will want to be with the great Haruno Sakura," Naruto said. Sakura blushed and looked away. Naruto started walking again. "Sasuke will one day get his revenge." Sakura noticed that Naruto said that rather quietly. Nobody remembered Itachi's friendship with Naruto. They were more concern with Sasuke's trauma. "He'll probably wait to start his family and will probably be stuck teaching a group of bratty Genin." Sakura smiled at that. Naruto said nothing more. He didn't forget himself because there was no other future. Sakura came up with his future for him.
"You'll move on become a superb Jonin or ANBU with Kurenai waiting at home for you because we all know that you'll marry her as soon as you turn eighteen. By then, we'll be like a family to you," Sakura said. Naruto nodded and already felt like practically family to Sakura. "We'll all leave the Assassin's Corp. and become heroes. Maybe they'll put our names on that stone that Kakashi is always sneaking away to visit." Naruto nodded, knowing that Sakura and Sasuke would have a place on the stone.
"We'll be like the heroes Hikari used to tell me about," Naruto said. His eyes had a sort of a twinkle in them, and his lips twitched as a small smile. Sakura was slowly learning of the people who meant the world to Naruto and of the people he lost. She knew more than Sasuke and Kakashi because Naruto interacted with her more. It was their dynamics, she guessed. "So, when does this thing end?" Naruto was unsure of what time it was.
"Tomorrow is when we find out who survived the forest," Sakura said sounding sad. Naruto nodded, understanding why she sounded that way. Team Eight, Team Ten, and the team that saved them were out there because they haven't seen anyone from those teams. "Look, I'm going to go find Sasuke and Kakashi. Try to stay alive. It would suck to have you die now." Sakura walked away with a smile, and Naruto was alone again. He silently smoked as he wandered the halls. Not a thought passed through his mind that wasn't about his future and past. He knew where he was heading.
"I wish I could tell Sakura that she was right," Naruto muttered with a shaking head. He saw a few of the other Genin. There was a blonde from Suna that looked at him with a bit of shock and a light blush. He almost chuckled at her. He was too lazy to find his team's room because he didn't want to talk to Kakashi or Sasuke. They wanted him to spill about what happened. He walked until something hit him back. Naruto scrambled to get back up to fight again a wall of sand. Sand? The red haired boy from Suna stepped out and was glaring at Naruto.
"Stay out of my way," the boy growled. Naruto felt pain erupt in his stomach as if the Kyuubi was trying to take control. His eyes flickered between blue and red, interesting Gaara. The Suna boy quickly pinned Naruto to the wall with his sand. "Who are you? Why does Mother call you Kyuubi?" Naruto didn't struggle. He just stared at Gaara, choosing his words carefully.
"Uzumaki Naruto, the container of the Kyuubi," Naruto said slowly. Gaara seemed satisfied as he let Naruto go and walked away, just as Mother ordered him to do. The Kyuubi was not someone they wanted to fight. Naruto just watched Gaara leave before picking up his cigarette and smothering the tiny burn it created. He wanted to fight Gaara suddenly, but that would have to wait. He turned and continued his wanderings because he had time.
ICECOLD
Naruto joined the crowd of Genin in the arena as the forest part was over. There was still a lot of Genin, so he listened to Anko describe a sort of preliminaries to weed out more kids and the rules. He glanced around him and was glad to see Rookie Nine was all there. Even the team that rescued him was there. He already knew about the Suna team, and his eyes narrowed when he spotted Kabuto. Oh, how he wanted to face the glasses man.
"Anyone willing to back out? It won't stop you from retaking the exams again the next go around," Anko said. She was hoping to see Naruto back out because she wanted to get him somewhere safe. Even Kurenai told her she wished he would. Naruto didn't though. A brown haired boy from Konoha backed out and was escorted out rather quickly. Naruto was glad to see Kabuto stayed. "With that, let's begin." All eyes went to the screen to see who went first.
"Uzumaki Naruto vs. Yakushi Kabuto!"
Naruto and Kabuto stayed put as everyone headed for the stands. Their sensei were already waiting for them there, and Naruto gave a small look at Kurenai. He was excited to finally be able to show Kabuto the pain he wished to have inflicted in the testing room.
"As much trouble as this is, Naruto, I hope you realize that taijutsu isn't the best route. I know how heavily you rely on it, so you should just forfeit and retake the exams next time," Kabuto said. He knew Orochimaru wanted the boy alive. He wasn't sure why, but he was positive it had something to do with the way Naruto's features resembled two powerful shinobi.
"Kabuto, your cards can't tell you everything. I assure you that I will be fighting you, but my taijutsu should be the last thing you're concerned about," Naruto said, pulling out his green cigarettes. Anko got them ready and sent them off. She watched Naruto study Kabuto's stance and the scalpels Kabuto wielded. "Medic ninja. Interesting." Naruto bent his legs and went into a four legged stance. "Welcome to Hell!" The arena erupted in green grey smoke that covered everything. Everyone in the stands looked stunned except Team Seven who were looking away.
"Go Naruto!" Kiba shouted. He didn't care about the glares he got because he was supporting a hero. The smoke cleared to a less than desirable scene. Naruto was standing with several scalpels embedded in his arms and two in his abdomen. His shirt was gone as if disintegrated. Kabuto was injured and limping, but he too was standing with glowing green hands. Naruto did the same thing except he put his hands to the ground. Nobody knew what happened, but Kabuto collapsed. Naruto walked over to him, pulling out the scalpels as he went. He stood over Kabuto and smirked.
"Pathetic. You're a poor representation of Konoha," Naruto said. He didn't kick Kabuto or even try to cause him more injury. His eyes widened, and Naruto jumped backwards with a flip. He landed as everyone saw Kabuto's outstretched hand. A scalpel was there, sticking out of Naruto's chest where the symbol was. Naruto didn't look surprised or in pain because he quickly threw something at Kabuto. It hit the glasses boy square in the face, breaking his glasses and noses. It was simply a rock Naruto had found in the forest. Kabuto went down, finally knocked out.
"Uzumaki Naruto is the winner!" Anko announced. She resisted teasing him because Naruto started to hack up blood. He ripped the scalpel out, much to the horror of the medics that he was ignoring. One leap and he was up in the stands with his team, who were quick to help him. Anko smiled, knowing Naruto's list of usual injuries. "The next battle is Tsurugu Misumi vs. Kankuro!" Naruto paid no attention to the battle because he just finished healing himself from the injury. The blood was from an earlier blow. Stupid punches hurt like hell when in a medic's hands.
"So how are you feeling?" Kakashi asked to his seated student. Naruto turned to watch Sasuke's fight next against Kabuto's last teammate. He remembered something about his fight and his eyes flickered over to a creepy looking Jonin. The creepy Jonin just so happened to be watching Kakashi and Naruto. "Calm down. I've noticed him earlier, so I've been looking out for you." Kakashi's voice was in a whisper, so Naruto knew it was best to keep it low.
"He smelled like death, blood, and snakes. It was disgusting," Naruto whispered. He hated the smell of the reptiles except on one person. With Anko, he didn't notice it. "Kabuto and his teammates aren't loyal. They've been working both sides for a long time though." Naruto was starting to remind Kakashi of someone else. "Sakura is worried. She is so desperate to become Chunin with Sasuke and me at her sides." Kakashi knew why, and he also knew that the Hokage was talking about pulling someone from the team. "I won't leave." Kakashi wished he could tell Naruto everything about their time as a team, but he stayed silent. It was best that Naruto didn't know.
"Don't concern yourself with that Jonin and follow me," Kakashi ordered. Naruto silently got up. He placed his hand over the symbol, smirking at the feeling of a small scar. He wasn't anyone's. He belonged to nobody. They passed Kurenai on their way out, and Naruto only gave her a quick smile. She just watched them with worried eyes. He would have to tell her later if he was allowed. Naruto hated worrying Kurenai, but he was following orders. "We're being followed." Naruto didn't look back because the terror in his stomach wouldn't let him.
"Where are we going?" Naruto finally questioned. He didn't like how they left the arena because he considered it a safe zone due to the amount of people. He suddenly wanted Anko to be there. Kakashi was acting very strange, so Naruto wasn't sure about trusting him. The Jonin grabbed a hold of Naruto's arm and pulled him into a room without a word. Minutes passed, and Orochimaru joined them with a chuckle. "Kakashi, please." Naruto felt the terror growing with a new pain in his chest.
"It's funny seeing you in Konoha again," Kakashi said. He was standing in front of Naruto as a way to protect the Mohawk kid. Orochimaru stood only a few feet away. "What purpose do you have with Naruto? There is no connection between you two, and he doesn't fall under your desires." Kakashi must've had a plan. Naruto just had to watch, which was the worse role he ever played.
"Naruto is nothing but a toy to me. He was so cute as a child," Orochimaru said, smiling. Naruto hid his face into Kakashi's flak jacket, like a child. "Kakashi, did you ever think I would tell you my plans? That would be incredibly stupid." Orochimaru looked straight at Naruto with a creepy smile. "Naru-chan, are you ready to beg yet? If not, you will in time because that symbol is bound to start hurting again." As if on cue, Naruto collapsed and whimpered from the floor. Kakashi threw several shuriken, making Orochimaru disappear. He knelt down and looked at the symbol.
"It stopped hurting once he left. What is this thing!" Naruto shouted. He clutched that part of him like a wounded animal. Kakashi wanted to leave to get someone, but he couldn't leave Naruto now. Not with Orochimaru running around. He did the only logical thing he could think of. Kakashi picked Naruto up and walked back out to see the matches. Naruto walked once they reached the arena, and Kakashi had found a shirt for him in a random closet. Kurenai stopped them and took Naruto away from Kakashi's care, something he was grateful for. Sasuke and Sakura only watched.
"We've got a problem, and I need you two to be on the alert for the Oto Jonin. Don't let him near Naruto," Kakashi whispered. Sasuke nodded firmly for the both of them. Naruto wasn't the only one in deep water though. Everyone was concerned over the screen. "Hyuga vs. Hyuga. This will be a terrible match." Finally noticing it, Kakashi glanced at the teams that somehow gravitated over to them. He looked over at Naruto, who was watching the match. The boy seemed to be okay.
"Kakashi, the match is getting out of hand," Gai said. Kakashi saw the Jonin tense up and knew what they were going to do. He didn't want to get involved with politics. "Be careful." Neji was going for a kill when the Jonin sprung. Kakashi was there too, surprising his friends. Even Anko was involved. Naruto jumped down and only watched. He looked like he was trying to figure something out. He bent down and coated his fingers in Hinata's blood. He clenched a fist and looked at Neji.
"I will end you. She didn't deserve that," Naruto said. Neji looked at Naruto and smirked. "Don't think I don't hold grudges. Hinata is way better than you." Kurenai wasn't allowed to go with Hinata, so she helped Kakashi convince Naruto to leave. Naruto is talking in a low voice to Kakashi. "There is something more going on in this exam. He's got his little group watching Sasuke." Kurenai wasn't anywhere close to finding out the truth. She trusted Naruto though and hoped that he would tell her in time.
"Naruto, you're bleeding again," Kurenai said. Naruto didn't say anything. He just jumped back up to the stands with his hand over the symbol. Sasuke dragged the Mohawk kid away as a scalpel fell to the ground. Nobody noticed because everyone was watching Ino go up against Sakura and because Naruto and Sasuke were ordered to get out of there. They needed an excuse.
"Kurenai, I need a favor from you," Kakashi said, almost smiling at the other Jonin. Kurenai had a feeling she wasn't going to like this favor very much. She only nodded.
How was that? The Naruto and Kabuto fight is long from over, and I'm trying to start dropping hints about different past topics. Also, sorry about the crappy fight scenes. It's extremely difficult for me to write them for some reason.
While writing this chapter, I realized several things. I have a plot in my head. How I reveal it will be fun. Also, I'm trying to get Kurenai and Naruto to interact more. That will come soon. Till then, Kyuubi no Kitsune.