Author's Note: So this is Chapter 8 this is the Forest of Death chapter! A lot of stuff is going to be happening during this chapter. So strap in and enjoy the ride!

On with the Story...

As Anko shouted for the exam to begin Naruto set an alarm on his watch to tell him when the twenty-four hours were up.

"Okay team, I marked everyone with a seal in order to teleport to you if you get into trouble. That being said it will be easier if we move as 3 teams. Takaru you have enough skill to take care of yourself I believe, Sasuke so do you. I'll stay with Ino-chan. If you find the scroll raise your chakra and I will find you, got it?" Naruto asked after explaining the strategy.

Everyone shook their heads in agreement. "Oh yeah, Takaru, thanks for working with me on my Kenjutsu these past two weeks. Hopefully I'll get a chance to use 'Yorukaze' even though I'm not as skilled as you yet" Naruto said with an appreciative smile. "Lastly if you dont find anything by nightfall spike your chakra so I can find you and we can set up camp" he said with a sigh. "Okay disperse" he ordered. Immediately they sped off into the forest.

With Takaru...

Pumping chakra into his feet, he jumped tree branch to tree branch. He was focused, but a part of him was also hoping an opportunity to encounter his crush, Tenten, presented itself. He quickly shook those thoughts from his head. "Gotta stay focused" he mumbled to himself. He slowed to a halt as a shrill girly scream echoed through the deadly forest. He decided to check it out.

A few moments later...

As Takaru arrived, his heart skipped a beat it was Tenten. She was having difficulty fighting off her assailant, who appeared to be a heavily bandaged swordsman. Takaru realized this mummy looking shinobi was intent on killing the young girl.

"Hey you! You mummified freak! Why dont you fight me? Instead of fighting this defenseless young woman!?" Takaru shouted angrily. This comment seemed to arouse the interest of this bandaged shinobi.

Takaru jumped down from the branch of the tree he was standing on. "Ten-chan! Get as far away from here as you can! I dont want you to see this" he advised while giving her a pet name in the process.

"No" she said defiantly. "I won't leave you to fight this guy alone!" she insisted.

"Enough talk, all you Konoha shinobi do is run your mouths" the 'mummified freak' shouted eager to let the bloodshed begin.

'Fuuton: Kaze Senbon' the young mummy looking boy yelled before spitting out wind chakra that took the form of needles.

Takaru having little time to react decided to take the attack head on, he quickly stepped in front of his crush. As the attack connected it caused deep cuts mostly on his arms and face. His clothes were slightly tattered due to the strength of the wind current that was shot at him. He pulled out a single sword from the sheath on his back, tilting it slightly in front of himself. Almost as if in a challenging way.

"Before I kill you, what's your name?" Takaru said in a cocky yet demanding tone.

"Kill me? Aren't you confident? My name is Shin but since you won't live to see tomorrow I'll tell you that much" this bandaged shinobi said with just as much cockiness.

Takaru charged at Shin with deadly intent. He swung the sword diagonally cutting the shoulder of this living mummy. 'Damn he's quick' Shin thought hitting Takaru with a wind fueled punch to the face, causing the boy to fly into a tree. Losing one of his swords in the process.

"Takaru!" Tenten shouted frantically, hoping her 'savior' was okay.

Takaru groaned slightly spitting blood seeing as his lip was busted. 'Gotta finish this' he thought. He picked himself up from the wreckage that was a tree. Once more charging at the living mummy. He formed a single hand seal 'Fuuton: Kaze no A-ma- no Jutsu' an invisible layer of molded wind natured chakra engulfed his body making him lighter and more agile. There was however a downside.

"I'm growing tired of this, boy, now you die" Shin yelled before making a long series of hand seals 'Fuuton: Sattou Dangan'

An orb of light green wind chakra appeared before a barrage of at least twenty-five small bullet like projectiles shot out in the direction of Takaru. Which he dodged without difficulty, thanks to his wind armor.

'Guess I'll use 'it' to counterattack' he thought calmly. He pumped chakra into his scarred left eye turning his normally black eye to a bright orange color with three flame like tomoes. It closely resembled a Sharingan.

'Shakugan: Nensho Me' he thought. Almost instantaneously highly intense reddish-orange flame engulfed Shin seemingly reduced him to ashes.

"It's over" he mumbled, walking over to Tenten who had a look of shock on her face. "Are you o..." He started, but then he felt a sharp pain in his chest as he began to cough up blood. A sword was protruding from his chest. His own to be exact. His eyes lost all light and he fell to the ground defeated. A severely burned but alive Shin stood over Tenten.

"Seems your friend wasn't able to save you" he said laughing maniacally. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. She knew no one could save her this time. She took a deep breath and accepted her fate. Shin lifted the sword; she was waiting for the pain that was associated with death.

Strangely the pain never came. She opened her eyes to see a fist sized, flaming hole punched through the chest of Shin. "Sorry to worry you, Ten-chan" he apologized pulling his hand from the limp body of Shin. "He let his guard down, that's was his downfall" he said shaking his head. Before falling to a knee from chakra exhaustion.

xxx

"Takaru-kun?" Tenten said in an innocent tone, while tending to his wounds.

"Yeah Ten-chan?"

"I dont get it... I mean we're not even on the same team, or anything, so why did you help me?" she asked softly with curiosity in her voice as she applied some pressure to one of the bleeding wounds.

"Well to be honest...I-I kind of have a c-crush on you...ever since I first laid eyes on you at the academy" he managed to say after stumbling over his own words. Tenten's eyes widened in disbelief. An awkward silence fell between the two.

"Look Ten-chan, I understand if you dont feel the same way, but that is truly why I wanted to help you out" he said honestly. "Once you finish patching me up I'll be on my way. Just forget I said anything" he suggested. Still no answer.

"All done" she announced. "Oh yeah, what do you call that jutsu you used" she asked.

"Oh um, I call it 'Inferuno Tenohira' I made it up" he said proudly.

"Oh that's so cool" she squealed.

She then hesitantly decided to give him a present. "Here" she said presenting him with a Doton/Earth scroll.

"I can't take that" he insisted.

"Please take it before I change my mind" she argued before kissing his cheek and disappeared into the forest; leaving a stunned Takaru to think.

After a few short moments he snapped himself out of it. Remembering the orders given by Naruto he spiked his chakra and almost as if immediately his blonde haired team mate appeared along with Ino.

"Hey Taka...whoa what happened to you?" a curious Naruto asked noticing the tattered clothes and cuts on his comrades face.

"Never mind that, I got the Doton/Earth scroll for us in the process!" Takaru said excitedly. "Now to find that emo prick" he added with a light chuckle.

Naruto quickly pulled out the small scroll in which he had sealed the Heaven scroll in and sealed the Doton/Earth scroll in it before returning the smaller scroll to his tactical pouch. He then tapped into Kurama's power in order to sense Sasuke. 'Bingo' he thought. "Takaru stay here with Ino and protect her as you would your crush, Tenten, I'll be back in a flash" he said jokingly towards the end. He then flashed to Sasuke's location in a yellow light.

Naruto grabbed Sasuke by the collar of his shirt, and flashed back to Ino and Takaru.

xxx

"So what do we do now Naruto-kun?" Ino asked not sure what they'd do for the next 18 hours of the test.

He pondered the question a moment before responding "I guess we stay here for the night then make our way to the tower in the morning" he said realizing it was growing dark.

Sasuke sensed an ominous evil presence. He looked behind himself and was paralyzed with fear as a giant snake was making its way towards the group of Genin. If there was one thing Sasuke didn't like, and was afraid of it was snakes.

He tried his best to speak up but couldn't. Naruto then caught on to what his best friend was looking at. "Ino-chan, get away from here. Now!" He barked with the most serious tone Ino ever heard come from her boyfriend. 'I knew he was involved somehow, damn Orochimaru' he thought.

'Kit knowing how obsessed that freak is with immortality and Uchiha's I'm willing to bet he's after Sasuke' Kurama said in a warning tone, heavily aware of the impending situation.

'Yeah you're probably right' Naruto replied in agreement.

"Sasuke, snap out of it" Naruto said smacking his comrade in the back of the head.

"The fuck was that for!?" Sasuke cursed.

"It's Orochimaru, he's infiltrated the exams, and is trying to get to you" he said calmly.

"Well it seems the Yondaime's brat has it all figured out. Too bad this is where you die. Once I've marked Sasuke-kun, I'll take you out...permanently" the voice of Orochimaru rang out amongst the trees.

Sasuke stood up, activating his Sharingan he prepared for a battle to the death with one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.

"Oh how did I forget my failed experiment Takaru" Orochimaru said with a snake like hiss emitting from his lips. With a look of shock both Naruto and Sasuke looked at Takaru for confirmation. He nodded acknowledging the truth that haunted him, a truth he hated. With his temper beginning to rise he made a sudden outburst one with malice and hate emanating from him.

"Orochimaru! You killed my parents, used me as you saw fit and then threw me away like a piece of garbage. You marked me with that damn prototyped Cursed Seal of Hell, and now you wanna mark Sasuke with an improved version. I cannot and will not let that happen, you hear me you fuckin' freak"

In a matter of seconds he just unveiled his entire background to his team mates, the Snake Sannin however was not moved by Takaru's remarks. If anything it slightly infuriated him.

"Come at me you damn spoiled gaki's" Orochimaru said with a twisted smile. Takaru spit his toothpick out, and then proceeded to charge at his onetime master, while wielding both of his blades something he rarely did unless he was serious.

He swung both blades in opposite directions; one slash in a downward motion while making a horizontal slash hoping to land at least a single blow. Having time to react the Sannin blocked the horizontal slash with a kunai while simultaneously blocking the other blades slash with the backside of his fist.

Naruto seeing this small opening in defense ran through a series of hand seals before making a small vortex of wind chakra in the form of a dragon.

'Fuuton: Kazeryuu no Jutsu', with that he directed the dragon in Orochimaru's direction. Takaru luckily sensed it and moved out of the way. Leaving the Sannin in the wake of a giant dragon. Thinking quickly he bit his finger and slammed it into the tree limb upon which he stood 'Kuchiyose: Rashomon', a giant door like barrier appeared blocking the oncoming attack. Throwing a tri tipped kunai at Orochimaru, Naruto prepared a 'Rasengan'. Taking this chance the Sannin decide to play along.

He dodged the kunai by ducking underneath it, knowing the young jinchuriki would flash behind him; he flipped over the newly appeared Naruto, dodging the spiraling chakra sphere. While in the air Orochimaru failed to sense his initial target Sasuke behind him. Who delivered a devastating kick to the ribs.

This knocked the Sannin to the ground below. With a sickening thud the legendary shinobi hit the ground. Hard. "My, my quite the combination attack, but it'll take more than that to defeat me" he said mockingly, favoring the left side of his ribs.

'I need to somehow mark this snake loving freak, or at least make an opening' the blonde whisker marked boy thought to himself.

Then an idea hit him. He crossed his fingers signifying the use of his signature jutsu. He shouted 'Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu' as the words left his mouth at least one hundred clones appeared. They all charged at Orochimaru some of them were easily dispelled by several kunai.

While the clones fought with the Sannin, Naruto told Sasuke and Takaru to prepare for a combined Katon/Fire and Fuuton/Wind fueled attack, using their strongest jutsus.

Takaru was to use his 'Katon: Gouka Mekkyaku' to hit the clones that were fighting Orochimaru to cause a smoke screen.

While Naruto and Sasuke formed an collaboration technique known as 'Fuujin Chakka no Jutsu'; Sasuke would spit a fireball then Naruto would then combine his wind chakra with it to intensify the flames.

They then launched this very lethal attack.

A thick black smog engulfed the battlefield in the aftermath of the attack. This seemed to have been a very effective plan but it exhausted their chakra greatly.

As the smoke cleared Orochimaru stood tall. He seemed to be unscathed by this otherwise deadly combination attack. Seeing that they were totally exhausted. The Sannin decided to engage them with Taijutsu and Kenjutsu. He opened his mouth, and summoned a sword known as the 'Kusanagi'. He charged straight at Naruto hoping to kill the jinchuriki. Naruto with his quick instincts pulled out his trusty 'Yorukaze'. With a flick of his wrist he blocked the legendary shinobi's initial attack.

"Not bad!" he hissed with an evil grin. For a second Naruto's face grimaced in what could be considered pain.

He quickly pushed off of Orochimaru wanting to create some distance. He was able to hold off Orochimaru; matching him blow for blow with his sword. 'Damn I need to finish this' he thought. With some of his available chakra he formed a spiraling ball.

Takaru jumped to his team mates' side. "Takaru infuse your fire chakra with the Rasengan, quickly" Naruto ordered. Takaru quietly whispered 'Katon'. Suddenly the Rasengan became a crimson red color and generated a fair amount of heat. "Thanks" and just like that Naruto disappeared.

'What dont tell me that he somehow marked me!?' Orochimaru thought panicking slightly. Being the experienced shinobi he was he instinctively grabbed the wrist of the hand that the chakra sphere was in. With a small amount of effort he tossed the boy to the side.

"Congrats on doing this well but I must leave now, but for you Sasuke-kun a little parting gift" he said before stretching his neck and head in the direction of Sasuke who was too exhausted to move.

Seeing no other alternative Naruto, using the last of his chakra, flashed in front of Sasuke taking the bite to the neck.

Immediately afterward a burning sensation engulfed both Naruto who then passed out and Orochimaru who was slightly poisoned by the Kyuubi's chakra. He cursed under his breath, and retreated but not before swearing that Sasuke would be his. Claiming he could offer power to the young Uchiha.

Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan, while throwing Naruto onto his back. It resembled a piggy-back ride. Both he and Takaru walked for at least 10 minutes before they caught up to Ino. Who became alarmed by the fact that her boyfriend was unconscious.

"What happened to Naruto-kun" she asked with worry in her voice.

Sasuke told her to calm down and fix a place up for Naruto to lie down.

He then explained what had in fact happened he explained everything including how Takaru was an experiment of Orochimaru...

"That bite was intended for me but he took it instead" he explained. "Takaru! What will happen to Naruto!?" Sasuke asked, assuming Takaru had the answer. Ino was wondering the same thing.

"That bite was more than just a bite it is a jutsu, it's a Juinjutsu. Orochimaru was attempting to take control of you, Sasuke. But Naruto was the receiver of the seal. Anyway worst case scenario Naruto will go on a murderous rampage. I want to check the seal" he explained, making his way over to Naruto as he spoke his last sentence.

To his surprise there was no seal "interesting. I guess the Kyuubi helped to reject the seal" he commented.

"Yeah Kurama thinks of Naruto as his own, he wouldn't let that guy hurt his host" Ino commented.

"Who?" Takaru questioned with a raised brow.

"Oh, that's the Kyuubi's name, Naruto can talk to him, they are apparently close, Sasuke and I have even talked with the fox through Naruto" she tried her best to explain.

Takaru shook his head "Okay that's...unusual" he said softly.

xxx

The three young Genin set up a fire, along with two tents that Naruto had sealed in a scroll he gave Ino before the exams started.

Ino tended to her unconscious boyfriend. He had been out for at least 3 hours. He was snoring lightly. She smiled slightly before kissing his forehead. Naruto groaned at this, before wearily opening his eyes. He noticed it was now darker outside with a slight golden-orange luminescent light that he assumed was a fire. He tilted his head a little to the left and smiled at the sight of his girlfriend.

The golden reflection of light from the fire on her peach colored skin, made her look more beautiful than ever. "Hey beautiful" he complimented hoarsely. Ino jumped slightly not expecting him to be awake this soon. But then again according to Naruto the Kyuubi accelerates his healing process.

"Glad to see you're okay Naruto-kun!" she squealed. He smiled warmly at her, before attempting to sit up. As he sat up he felt her slender arms wrap themselves around his back. Ino then nuzzled her head into his shoulder taking in his scent. It was a light, fresh scent, it was the smell of rain.

Naruto smiled once more, he gently patted her back reassuringly. "I'm fine I swear, Kurama-san explained that when Orochimaru was about to bite me he pumped some of his chakra to my neck to negate the effect of that seal, all while slightly poisoning Orochimaru" Naruto said carefully trying not to worry her. "I am a little stiff in the neck now though" he said with a small chuckle, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Ino gave him a quick kiss on the lips, before standing up.

Sasuke directed his attention to his best friend, brother, and rival. "Hey Dobe thanks for...you know" he stammered, not sure how to thank his comrade. Naruto smiled.

"No problem teme!" he said nodding his head slightly. He looked at his watch. There was still a little over fourteen hours left in the exam. He then recommended that everyone get some sleep. Setting a second alarm for 10 hours later. Giving them roughly four hours to get to the tower a good ways off in the distance. Saying goodnight to one another the three boys decided to sleep in the giant tent giving the other to Ino who they figured they'd give some privacy to. But not before Naruto made a clone to stand guard as they slept.

"Goodnight Ino-chan, love you!" Naruto called softly.

"Love you too!" she replied.

xxx

Next Morning...

Naruto was the first to awaken the next morning. He groaned as he got up and got dressed. Neither Sasuke nor Takaru seemed to want to get up. Forming a single hand seal he uttered "Suiton"; manipulating some of the moisture in the air, a blob of water appeared. He then dropped said water blob onto his sleepy comrades.

"What the fuck!?" The two exclaimed in almost perfect unison.

"Get up" Naruto said innocently.

Sasuke muttered something under his breath. Takaru simply groaned picking himself up from the now wet floor of the tent.

Heading over to the other tent were his girlfriend Ino slept, he began the process of waking her up. He knew she was a nightmare to wake up or so said her dad Inoichi. But surprisingly she got straight up.

xxx

"Okay let's head out" Naruto said as finished sealing the two tents into there respective scrolls. With as many scrolls as he kept on his person it was amazing he didn't confuse himself.

xxx

"I think we're almost there Naruto" Takaru said rather plainly while chewing on his toothpick, noticing the rather plainly colored tower come into view.

"Yeah" he responded simply.

A few quick chakra enhanced jumps later they arrived at the tower.

After pumping chakra into the scrolls, a thin smoke screen appeared. Before them stood a womanly figure. It was the proctor Mitarashi Anko. "You guys are second to arrive, head upstairs and enjoy the 2 hour break you get before the start of the last part of the exams" she explained...

Author's Note: Chapter 8 is now finished. Please review! Let me know what you liked what you didn't like. Also feel free to give me ideas. Next chapter will feature several familiar fight and some not so familiar. What are some fights yall would like to see? Leave it in your review please! Also the Shakugan was an experiment conducted by Orochimaru 10 years prior to now. It in many ways is just like a Mangekyou, in that is has a flame jutsu attached with it but unlike the Amaterasu it can be extinguished with high level Suiton justu. Anyway until next time I'm out! Peace!

P.S: I had written this chapter earlier in May(2013) but unfortunately my mom had a stroke, so I'm just now getting to submitting the chapters so please work with me as I put up more chapters but at a slower pace, My summer from school has started so I'll try to submit chapters more regularly, and my mom is on a higher pedestal than this fan fic as of the moment. Still love you guys and gals though!

Jutsu Mentioned:

Fuuton: Kaze Senbon- Wind Release: Wind Needle

Fuuton: Kaze no A-ma- no Jutsu- Wind Release: Wind Armor Technique

Fuuton: Sattou Dangan- Wind Release: Bullet Rush

Shakugan: Nensho Me- Shakugan: Burning Eye

Inferuno Tenohira- Inferno Palm

Fuuton: Kazeryuu no Jutsu-Wind Release: Wind Dragon Technique

Kuchiyose: Rashomon- Summoning: Rashomon (same)

Katon: Gouka Mekkyaku- Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation

Fuujin Chakka no Jutsu- Dust Cloud Ignition Technique