A/N: I've got two more chapters for you. (Man I'm popping them out like crazy.) Enjoy!

Second Exam!

The crowd was hushed as Shigame-sensei introduced the Second Examiner. He stepped up onto the upraised rock. "Good day, everyone," the Cloud Jounin from before said, "My name is Yusuke Fugisaki. I'll be your Examiner this evening for the Second Exam. Allow me to begin with the explaination. In the Second Exam, you will take the rubies that you aquired in the first Exam and go to the top of this volcano. The very top. Once you are there, you will see the opened pit of lava. The terms are that you cast at least two rubies inot the pit of lava."

A murmur spread throughout the Genins.

"Silence! We will have Jounins up there to make sure that you throw two rubies inot the volcano. Once that has happened, they will lead you to the next place where the explaination for the third exam will be held. If you fail to meet these terms or you quit, you will be escorted else where. All teams that don't make it to the top will be assumed dead and will be failed. You have a time limit of 3 days."

Again, a sensation of protests spread across the crowd of young ninjas.

"If you don't like my terms then quit. No one is forcing you to take the Exam. Now, for all those who do want to take the Exam, you will see, to your right, 4 openings in this rock wall. You will be seperated into quarters thus far. When we give the signal, you will be released into the open. After that, you are no longer our responsibility. Any deaths that occur are not to blame the Examiners. You put your life on the line during this exam. Anyone who wants to quit, raise your hand and you will be led out."

No one raised their hand. After a period of time, Yusuke-sensei cleared his throat and spoke aloud, "Good. Now if you'll follow me and Shigame-san."

They split us up into fourths with 4 teams to each opening. Unfortunatly, the Sound ninjas were with us. I had a bad feeling that they were following us. But what were they after?

Of course! They want Hinako! Well, whatever that Akatsuki clan, or whatever is, I won't let them take her!

I was determined now, and glared at the cannibal guy. He seemed surprised by my sudden anger. I then turned my attention to the Exam. Only three days to climb up the volcano? Not to mention the fact that it'll get hotter as we go up. This was definitely gonna be survival of the fittest. Suddenly, Shigame-sensei and Yusuke-sensei yelled out, "Ready, Set...GO!"

And everyone ran threw the openings, after that, we all went our seperate ways. Our team was on the far left so we went as left as we could to escape the enemy. We traveled non-stop until about lunch time.At that point, we were starving. Our stomachs grumbeled.

"Ooooooh, maaaaan," Jin groaned."Why didn't we bring something to eat? Nothing grows on a volcanooooo."

He was right. The volcano was flat and barren. Very bad. There was nothing to hide in, and we would be clear and weak if any strong opponents decided to come around. "Why did they make this so haaaard," I whined. "People could seriously get killed in this Exam."

I bet the cannibal guy wouldn't have to worry.

"This is a survival test," Hinako said, unaffected by the hunger. "A person could go month without food. And besides, I secured water from a pond in the cave."

"But why did they make it on a volcano?" Jin asked.

"This whole Exam is like a mission."

"Huh?"

"Ok, say that we are Chuunin, and our mission is retreive these rubies from the enemy. The first Exam, was like going through enemy territory. You don't really no it, so that was displayed by the many tunnels and the darkness of the cave. Also, the enemey would have traps for you, so there were traps in the cave. Once you have retreived the rubies, your mission is to return them to your HQ. But, the enemey will most likely be chasing after you. So, that is why all the teams are going at once. The other teams represent the enemy. He never said that you couldn't have more than 2 rubies. Other teams will probabaly try to steal them from other teams, so we must be on our gaurd. So, Jin you take a ruby, and I'll take one."

"What about me?"

"Sorry, Sarafu, but you're an idiot. You'd probabaly drop them somewhere."

"But," Jin asked. "Why is he making us through them in the lava? That's such a waste, don't you think?"

"On the contrary," Hinako explained. "it tests our ability to complete the mission. These rubies look very valuable, and

will probably fetch a good price at the pawn shop.Most people would be tempted to take them for themselves, and would thus, fail the mission. Which do you hold more valuable, money or becoming a Chuunin?"

"Chuunin." "Money." Me and Jin spoke at the same time. I looked at him. He was gonna throw our ruby into the fire, wasn't he?

"But," Jin said lazily, "it would probably be more profitable to become a Chuunin. Let's go melt these valuable orbs of delight."

We smiled and nodded. I then saw something that caught my eye. "Hey, smoke!"

...to be continued.