Normal speech
Thought
Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely for my, and hopefully everyone else's, enjoyment. Thank you!
The Second Test Begins!!
As the gates sprung open, many teams shot into the forest with great speeds and determination.
"Those three right?" the mask less Grass-nin questioned.
GrassKunoichi: Right… find those brats!
Many of the teams scurried about in search of possible targets. One such team hit the jackpot just a few minutes into the course. A team was just standing around in the middle of an open area in the forest, as if they had nothing to worry about…
Kiba: So basically, everyone is headed to the tower, right? Then it would be best to set traps up there…
It appeared that they were discussing strategy but had absolutely no clue that they were being watched. As they were about to make their move… a wrench was thrown in their plans…
Just a few minutes into the test, screams echoed throughout the forest. It had been the team keeping a watchful eye on Team 8… they had been attacked by leeches and fell into another trap, all set up by the team.
Kiba: Leaf Village jumping leeches… They sense other life forms and attack in groups. Five minutes of sucking and you'll be taking a trip to the next world. We realized this and set up traps where the enemy might escape to…
Sakura: Th-That sounded like human screams… didn't it?... I'm… getting a little nervous.
Naruto: Don't worry Sakura … This… This is nothing…
Sakura: … Even if you say that…
She turned around to see Naruto standing in front of a tree. She was curious about what he was up to, that is… until she heard the sound of something being unzipped. Putting two and two together she freaked…
Sakura: What are you doing in front of a lady you disgusting pig…?!!! Go find a bush!!!
InnerSakura: If it were Sasuke on the other hand, it'd be a different story…
So as to not upset Sakura any further, Naruto made his way into the bush. While in the process of… doing his business, Naruto heard a rustle in the surrounding bushes…
Sakura: It sure is taking Naruto a while… What do you thinks taking him… uh… never mind.
Sakura was on edge because she couldn't get over all the screaming that was taking place. What was making her even more uneasy was that there was screaming that seemed to be coming from an area near where they were. Also, it seemed like it was getting closer and closer…
Suddenly, a guy in a yellow body suit came flying out from the bush. Noticing the enemy, Sasuke and Sakura took a defensive position, but there was no need as the guy laid there unconscious. Then there was more rustling in the bushes and it was…
Sakura: Naruto…!! I was worried about you, you idiot… What were you doing?!
Naruto: Well I did like you said and found a bush so that I could take a…
Sakura: I said not in front of a lady you filthy…!!!
Naruto: Oh… well… I was doing my… "business", when this jerk tried to ambush me in the middle of it!
Sasuke: Be on your guard you guys, his teammates may not be too far behind…
Sasuke pulled out his kunai and readied for a sneak attack, but Naruto assured him that there was no one else in the vicinity. Naruto then began rooting around through the mysterious Rain-nin's things…
Sakura: What are you doing Naruto?
Naruto: … I'm looking for his scroll, maybe we lucked out…
After thoroughly checking the enemy, Team 7 was terribly disappointed that there was no scroll, "Heaven" or "Earth", to be found.
Sakura: … So what do we do now?
Sasuke: I've got an idea…
Two more Rain-nin in similar body suits were making their way through the dense forest, frantically looking for their missing comrade. After a while, they stumbled upon him in nothing but his underwear. He had been completely stripped of everything, his clothes, his weapons, etc. and left in the middle of the forest to die. They immediately rushed to his aid in hopes that he was at least still alive…
Sasuke: NOW!!!
The two Rain-nin looked up just in time to see a low swinging log careening for them. It just narrowly missed as the two jumped out of the way only to be ambushed by Naruto and Sasuke…
Sasuke: Sakura, you know what to do...
Sakura: Right! I'm to guard this one to make sure he doesn't come to and attack you guys from behind…
Naruto got in a good punch that smashed his opponent into the trunk of a tree, knocking him out cold. Still on the run the remaining Rain-nin did all he could to escape with his life. He tried to buy himself some time by throwing exploding tags attached to kunai. He managed to slow Sasuke's pursuit, but Team 7 had different plans…
The Rain-nin took the opportunity created by his opening to flee for his life, however, he was flanked by Naruto who connected with a devastating right hook. The Rain-nin managed to recover, catching himself before he crashed into the ground, but then… Sasuke plunged a kunai into his chest.
Hanging on by a thread, the Rain-nin was desperate to get away. Seeing that his attackers were coming from two sides, he decided to escape up the middle. He soon found himself in a clearing that looked oddly familiar. He ignored this feeling since if he stopped now, he would be done for…
This was the wrong choice and he would soon find out why. Without paying attention to his surroundings, he made his way through the clearing, dodging a volley of swinging logs along the way. Thinking he had made it out of the fire… he was hung up by his feet and looked on in horror as another log barreled right for him…
Sakura had a front row seat as the bone shattering collision commenced. Fearing the worst, Sakura looked away before it could hit. Suddenly, the first Rain-nin sat up. She grabbed a nearby rock and slammed it on top of his head with a cry of agony from the other in the background…
When all three Rain-nin awoke, they seemed to be fine… with the exception of a few broken bones and their hurt pride. They were tied up and dangled from a tree with all of their ninja tools and their scroll missing…
Kiba: YAAAAHOOO!!! This was too easy, right Akamaru?! Luckily those guys that fell for that trap had just the scroll we needed. At this rate, we'll be the first ones to the tower and probably set some record while we're at it!!! *jumping through the trees*
Shino: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's best to be cautious and not draw the enemy's attention… Even the smallest insect, in order to protect itself will always…
Kiba: Yeah, yeah… I know…! But like always you gotta say it in a weird way, ya Bug Loving Freak!!
Hinata: Um… B… But… I think Shino makes a good point…
Kiba: Alright…! Jeez… We'll be careful. When we make it to the tower we can take it easy…
Hinata: …… I hope Naruto is doing alright…
Akamaru then got a whiff of something. As he led Kiba and the team through the forest to investigate, Hinata was getting a bad feeling…
They stopped so that Hinata could scout ahead so that they wouldn't run into trouble. She pressed a button on the headset device she called H.A.L.O. It had been resting on her head and produced a visor that dropped over her eyes. With it, she looked 1 kilometer in the direction Kiba pointed out…
A/N: Remember, she takes more after her mother who is from a different clan. Even though she looks like a Hyuuga, she doesn't share all of their traits. The device she is using to scout ahead is called H.A.L.O. (High-tech Adversary LOcater) the only thing I could think of. It is a technologically advanced type of optical instrument with similar uses to that of binoculars, night vision goggles, and heat vision goggles.
Hinata: Oh… people are fighting over there…
Shino put his ear to the tree and mentioned that there must be six people in the area…
Kiba: Ok…! Let's go check it out; maybe we'll see something good!!
Hinata: Huh?!
Shino: Kiba… what are you saying? We can't do that. Why would you…
Kiba: The examiner said to bring both scrolls to the tower, she didn't say that we had to only bring one of each. This way, if we get more… then we'll have less to worry about later.
Hinata: … B… But…
Shino: I don't like it… it's too risky…
Kiba: C'mon, let's just check it out. If it looks bad, we'll get out of there…
Without giving them a chance to plead their case Kiba took off, headed for trouble. Akamaru was trembling. Kiba explained this behavior as Akamaru sensing chakra that sent chills up his fur. He was going to suggest that they leave, but something caught his attention on the other side of the bushes. The team stayed and watched. Hopefully, they would find out what had spooked him…
It was a Rain trio and they were facing off with the Sand trio of Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara…
The Rain-nin pulled out a few umbrellas on his back and tossed them into the air. From there he commenced with his attack of "Raining Needles". There was no escape from the thousands of needles that came pouring down, but then again… Gaara didn't need to escape…
The force of the raining needles kicked up a lot of dust, but when it cleared… Gaara was unharmed. Somehow he had shielded himself from danger with what appeared to be a shield of sand. The Rain-nin tried again but got the same result. Attacking was hopeless, and any chance was suffocated away as Gaara let it be shown just how sadistic he could be…
Gaara: A rain of needles eh? Then I'll do one better and… make it rain blood…
Everyone but the other Sand-nins couldn't believe their ears. Did he really intend to make it rain blood?
Kiba: That sand… it has a pungent odor… like blood… *he whispered*
They had their answer. He really did mean what he said. They found out exactly what had frightened Akamaru, and one of the Sand-nin's ability, but Kankuro soon filled them in with more information on our sadistic little ninja.
Kankuro: A wall of sand… that's Gaara's total defense!!! The sand is packed into the gourd with chakra… It also protects him of its own accord. A jutsu used only by him… and to top it all off, it happens regardless of his will. For some reason it takes place automatically. Basically, against Gaara all attacks are useless. Face it… there's no way you can't defeat Gaara.
Foolishly, the Rain-nin charged Gaara after all he was told, and in an instant… was wrapped in a cocoon of sand…
Gaara: SAND COFFIN…!
Temari: The sand on the ground and in the air can all be controlled by Gaara's will.
With the Rain-nin incapacitated, his umbrellas fell to the ground. Gaara proceeded to pick one up and hold it over his head. He slammed his hand shut and in one moment…
Gaara: SAND BURIAL...!!
He killed the Rain-nin by crushing him with sand. His blood rained from the sky, dripping on everything. It was a truly gruesome sight to behold, but that wasn't the half of it. The other two Rain-nins offered their scroll in hopes of escaping with their lives, but… this was their unlucky day. They shared their teammate's unfortunate fate… a cruel and unusual death.
Kankuro collected the scroll and luckily it was the very one that they needed. With their task and the second test complete, it was time to head for the tower, but Gaara had different plans…
Gaara: I… I haven't had enough… blood… *looking in Team 8's direction*
Kiba: Crap!! Did he notice us!!?
Things had taken a turn for the worst as Gaara demanded more fights, more competition… more blood. He was getting out of control, so much so that he even threatened to kill his own siblings, Kankuro and Temari.
This really made Team 8 quake in their ninja boots. If he was willing to turn on his own siblings… what wouldn't he do to them? Luckily this wasn't the case since Temari managed to get Gaara to come to his senses.
With the threat gone, Team 8 could finally rest easy, or so they thought…
Naruto: WHOO-HOO!!! We got both scrolls… I knew this exam would be easy! *jumping through the trees*
Sakura: That was a great plan Sasuke…
Naruto: What was so great about it?! It was just a string of complicated moves that got lucky. There was no point to all of that…
Sasuke: I thought of all of that to compensate for where you might have messed up, idiot! Besides… I was just having a little fun.
Naruto: That wasn't that fun either. I'll tell you what would've been fun… if we had just beat the snot out of those two, no complicated plans or traps. Just mano y mano, face to face, fist to… *stops abruptly*
Team 7 was on their way to the tower, when Naruto got a bad feeling. He tried to warn his teammates, but it was too late…
Teams 7, 8, & Sand have already gotten their scrolls...
A sudden turn of events seek to deter them...
Next chapter: Surprise attack...