I do not own Naruto or Venom/Carnage
a terrible loss, a sundering of self
a wound that would not heal
Chapter 5. Final exam
Yawning Sakura stepped out of her house, she took a moment to stretch before yawning again and looking up. False dawn cast a wan light over the sky, real dawn still an hour away.
Rubbing her eyes she she made her way down the street. Her stomach rumbled loudly causing her to look around frantically. Luckily for her the streets of Konoha were empty this early in the morning. Rubbing her stomach mournfully she continued on her way to the training ground. "I shouldn't have skipped dinner last night." She grumbled to herself. "But I started a new diet last night and I wanted to look good for Sasuke-kun."
Yawning into her hand she ran her fingers through her hair. Taking a lock of hair between her fingers she examined it critically for split ends. I wonder if I should change my hair. I know Sasuke likes long hair but does he like straight hair or wavy?
So absorbed in her examination of her hair that she didn't notice Naruto until he tapped her on the shoulder.
"Gaacck! Naruto what the hell!" Sakura turned an angry glare at Naruto. Who as usual was dressed in his black cargo pants and blue shirt, with kunai holsters on each leg and and double ninja pouches.
"Sorry I called your name a few times, but you didn't hear me."
"Whatever lets just get going."
The two walked along in a semi companionable silence for a few blocks until Sakura cleared her throat and spoke.
"So Naruto you said that Kakashi-Sensei was your uncle?"
"Yeah he is."
"So whats he like"
"Hes my uncle, umm what exactly do you want to know."
"What's he like as a person?"
"Umm well hes late a lot, but he's usually on time to important things."
"Like yesterday?"
"Ah well stuff he thinks is important."
"I see, so what else."
"Well mom told me once that he knew over a thousand jutsu."
"Wow really. How many has he shown you?"
"Not a lot. He doesn't really show off, he spends most of his time reading."
"So he likes to read?" Sakura asked excitedly. An avid reader herself she was hoping for a connection to her new sensei.
"Actually its just the one book. Something paradise. He reads it all the time."
Before Sakura could respond her stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Digging into one of his cargo pockets Naruto pulled out a small cloth wrapped bundle. Unwrapping it he pulled out a few small meat buns.
"Here you go Sakura." he held one out to Sakura and took a bite out of the one in his hand.
"Naruto what are you doing? Kakashi-Sensei said not to eat breakfast!" She screamed at him.
"Are you sure? He's always telling me to make sure to eat well and be rested before a mission or training."
"Really?" Wracking her brains Sakura tried to remember just what exactly Kakashi-Sensei had told them yesterday. "He said that we.. we.. we probably shouldn't eat breakfast! He didn't say we couldn't! Give me that!" Snatching the meat bun from Naruto she shoved the whole thing in her mouth.
"Umm Sakura you should probably chew that"
oOo
Closing the door to his apartment Sasuke stepped out into the predawn light. A quick step forward and a jump brought him onto the roof. He turned a long look in the direction of the abandoned Uchiha district. Finally it starts today. No more delays. I'm going to rebuild my clan and then... He paused to savor the feeling. Itachi is going to die.
Stepping off the roof he let himself fall. Halfway down he kicked off the wall turning his fall into a blindingly fast dash across the rooftops.
Arriving at the training grounds he found Sakura and Naruto were already there. At least their here on time, I don't have time to chase them around.
Walking over to the three upright wooden posts where the other two were lounging he gave the two a cursory nod and settled against one to sit down and wait.
"Morning Sasuke." Sakura called cheerfully as she sat down next to Sasuke.
Not getting a response didn't slow her down. Chattering happily she went on to outline what she had learned about their sensei. Sasuke listened disinterestedly, he would form his own opinion on this sensei of theirs.
Watching Sakura chatter away Naruto settled himself a bit more comfortably against his log. "Huh what is that?" he muttered as he felt something poke his leg. Reaching into a pocket he pulled out the small scroll that Anko had given him yesterday.
Unrolling it he saw instructions for a jutsu written in the old mans clipped handwriting. "Shadow clone jutsu" he read out loud.
Naruto. The scroll began. Once again congratulations on graduation. After talking with Iruka, I have decided to give you the instructions for the shadow clone jutsu. This is an advanced clone jutsu but I think it will be easier for you to learn. This jutsu will let you create actual solid clones that can you use to fight. Once you learn it remember to ask your sensei on the advanced uses for this jutsu.
After that the scroll went on into a series of pictures showing the appropriate hand signs. There were a few warnings about dispelling a large amount of clones all at once, as well as making too many. All of the warnings were both highlighted and underlined. Knowing the old man as well as he did he made careful note of the warnings. Near the bottom there was a smaller section for the, "Mass shadow clone jutsu" Placing the scroll on the ground he began to read.
oOo
"God! Its been 3 hours where is Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura moaned. Glancing around she spotted Naruto still reading that damn scroll of his. Shed never seen him that quiet, but he had been making hand signals and reading since they had arrived. There was the occasional puff of smoke as clones appeared and dispelled.
Even as she watched he reached down and scratched his ankle lifting up his pant leg as he did so. She noticed he was wearing some weird ankle thing... There was writing on it but she couldn't make it out. Curious she got up and walked over to Naruto.
"Hey! Naruto what are you wearing on your legs?"
Glancing up from the scroll Naruto looked surprised. "These? They're training weights. Guy-Sensei gave them to me."
"Who's Guy-Sensei?"
"My taijutsu sensei."
"He must not be very good, your like the worst fighter in the class, I beat you a couple of times. And I'm not that good." Sakura began. "Why are you laughing!" She yelled out at his sudden fit of laughter.
"Sorry, its just... never mind. Hey check this out." Naruto managed to choke out as he drew a deep breath in order to stop laughing. Scrambling to his feet he closed his eyes and placed his hands in to the seal he had been practicing all morning.
"Kage Bunshin."
With a puff of smoke 4 Naruto's appeared next to the original. Each clone had a slightly different expression on its face.
"Wow Naruto. Looks like you finally made some good clones." Sakura said clapping her sarcastically. "What is with that smirk?" she shouted angrily. All 5 Naruto's shrugged. With a another puff of smoke all 4 clones banished. Off to one side Sasuke was having more or less the same thoughts as Sakura.
"Oh whatever." Turning around to leave Sakura noticed something. "What is?" Slowly turning around again she stared disbelievingly. In the soft dirt around Naruto were 4 sets of footprints.
"Yo."
"Your late!" Naruto shouted as he pushed past Sakura.
Tearing her eyes from the ground Sakura turned around to see Kakashi crouching nonchalantly on top of the post that Sasuke was sitting against.
Ignoring for the moment the lively debate going on between her sensei and Naruto she stared again at the footprints in the sand. Clones don't leave footprints.
"Sakura."
"What!" She shouted back.
"Kakashi's ready for us." Naruto said. From his perch Kakashi gave her a small wave.
"Oh." walking over to the others she took a spot next to Sasuke.
"Good morning Sensei." She greeted him respectfully.
"Hey, so now that were all here. We can get started." Kakashi began, reaching into a pocket he pulled out a small old fashioned alarm clock. "Alright here we go." He muttered as he wound it. "Alarm set at 12." jumping off his perch he placed the clock on top of the log.
"Well lets get started." He held up two small bells. "Your assignment is very simple, you just have to take these bells from me. You have until noon. If you don't get a bell you don't get lunch."
So that's why he said not to eat breakfast. Thought Sasuke grimacing at the first hunger pang. Next to him Naruto and Sakura shared slightly guilty looks.
"Wait Sensei there's only two bells?" Sakura asked.
"Yes that means that one of you will go without lunch, and be disqualified for failing the assignment. That one goes back to the academy."
"That means one of us will fail? Sakura asked timidly.
"Yes. Then again all three of you could flunk out too." Kakashi answered. "you can use any weapons tools tactics or jutsu you know. If you don't attack with the intent to kill me you won't be able to get a bell."
"Sensei that's too dangerous." Shouted Sakura. Looking at her two teammates she noticed the hard determined looks on their faces. "Right guys." She asked quietly.
"When I say start we begin." He palmed the bells. "Start!"
Dropping a smoke bomb at his feet Naruto jumped away, the thick smoke obscuring his movements. Sasuke and Sakura used the smoke to hide as well rolling away to take cover in the trees. In the clearing Kakashi had pulled out his book and started reading.
What is he doing. Hes just standing there reading. Is this a joke? Is he making fun of us? No. Calm down. Sitting in a tree Sasuke weighed his options carefully. I can't count on the others. So I need to do this myself. Reaching into his pouches he ran his fingers over his supplies and tools.
Oh no what am I going to do? hiding under a bush Sakura looked around desperately for one of her teammates preferably Sasuke. Spotting a blue shape in the trees she followed it. That's him. Together well get those bells, and then it will just be the two of us.. Cheered by her little fantasy she took off quickly.
For a good while the training ground was still the only sound the soft rustling of paper as Kakashi turned the pages on his book.
Snapping the last vine into place Sasuke double checked his preparations. Here we go. Jumping from branch to branch he reached his starting marker. Pulling out his last two shuriken he threw them off into the trees and dropped to the ground and rushed straight at Kakashi.
"Oh." Spotting the Uchiha rushing straight at him. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder what the young man's plan was.
As he ran Sasuke kept his gaze focused on Kakashi. Now. With a thunk the two shuriken hit the vines holding several branches in place. With a snap they whipped back into their positions sending a hail of kunai and shuriken at Kakashi. As he ran forward he began to run through some hand seals.
Spotting the hail of steel coming at him Kakashi jumped forward towards Sasuke.
"Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!" Holding up his hands Sasuke directed the stream of fire to intercept Kakashi who ran straight into the middle of the blaze. The hot stream ignited the grass and tore out a crater in the dirt. I did it! Rushing forward Sasuke covered his face with his arms and jumped straight through the lingering flames. Breaking through he stepped into the still smoldering crater his jutsu had left. He looked around desperately. Where is he? what? Right between his feet was a charred log. An unmistakable smiley face carved into the wood.
"That was very impressive. You have a great deal of chakra for one so young." An amused voice called out. Turning towards the voice Sasuke spotted Kakashi standing behind him, book held negligently in one hand.
"Of course. I'm nothing like those other two." Sasuke spat out.
"I'll give you that you are different, but just remember one thing."
"What?"
"A ninja must see past deception." Kakashi said before disappearing with a pop and a puff of smoke.
Where d he go? Behind! No Above. "What?" Feeling something latch itself around his ankles he looked down. Two gloved hands were sticking out of the ground and had grabbed onto his ankles.
"Headhunter Jutsu!" With a yank and a crunch he found himself buried neck deep in the ground.
"Now where are the other two I wonder." Kakashi mused as he walked away.
"Come Back!" Sasuke shouted.
oOo
"Naruto are you sure this is going to work?" Sakura asked as she tied a smoke bomb to a shuriken.
"Do you have a better idea.?" Naruto asked.
"We could find Sasuke? He'll know what to do."
"We don't have time Sakura." Naruto hissed.
"But what can the two of us do without Sasuke? I'm sorry but we can't do this alone."
"Look yes we can."
"Naruto no we Can't!"
"Sakura were ninja now we have to at least try"
"Naruto Don't be an idiot."
"ugh FINE!" Punching the ground he sighed. "Well were supposed to be a team right."
"Right" Sakura exclaimed happily.
"All right come on lets go find Sasuke."
Together the two crawled up to the edge of the clearing. Kakashi was still in the center of the clearing, but there was no sign of Sasuke
"Do you see him" Sakura whispered.
"No, keep looking hes probably hiding too."
"Oh my god" Sakura's voice was horrified. "LOO-" A hand suddenly slapped over her mouth.
"Shut Up" Naruto hissed. "I see him. Don't worry It looks like he's just stuck in the ground."
Digging into his pouch he pulled out several small bombs. "Here these are flash bangs. Sakura look at me." He waited until the shaken girl was looking at him. "Listen I'm going to get Sasuke. When I run out there distract Kakashi. After I get him well go ahead with the original plan."
"OK, do you think it will work."
"Of course, now it will be all three of us. Hang on, Give me a sec." Taking a knee he put his thumb in his mouth and bit down drawing blood. Hiking up his pant leg, he ran the blood over the seals on his ankle weights. Repeating the process he did the other leg as well. Sighing a bit as the weights fell away he nodded to Sakura.
"Ready on three, you count."
"Got it 1... 2... 3!" Sakura counted out.
With a shout Naruto and Sakura erupted out of the tree line and headed straight for Kakashi. Sakura tossed a kunai at Kakashi and followed it with a flash bang and another kunai.
"Working together. Not bad." Kakashi mused. Closing his book with a snap he used it to deflect the first kunai. Spotting the flash bang he closed his eyes and jumped to the side. Smirking under his mask he began a series of hand signs.
Running behind Naruto, Sakura prepared some more weapons. Suddenly a rush of leaves swirled around her blocking her sight.
Hearing the flash bang go off in front of him Naruto waited a second before opening his eyes. Seeing the path ahead clear he launched himself forward. Pushing himself he crossed the clearing in a blink of an eye. Unfortunately his sensei was just as fast.
"Nice try." Kakashi said as he casually kicked out and caught Naruto in the side sending him flying forward to land not too far from Sasuke's Head.
Dodging the second blow Naruto windmilled his legs and pushed himself into a handstand. Lashing out with his feet he aimed for Kakashi's head. Keeping up his momentum he used his arms to spin his body even faster forcing Kakashi back a step as he blocked Naruto's blows.
"What's going on!" Sasuke shouted. From his position he couldn't see anything. All he could hear was the sharp crack of flesh hitting flesh in a continuous wave of sound, and feel tremors rocking the ground.
"What's going on?" Looking around frantically Sakura tried to find her way back out of the trees. All of sudden she had found herself back in the woods. And it had gotten darker as well. "Sasuke! Naruto!" She called out. "Kakashi-Sensei, is anyone there?" she whimpered. Jumping into the tree canopy she tried to get above the treeline. But it only seemed to get darker. Dropping back to ground level she did her best to suppress a shiver.
But failed.
Hearing a soft rustle she froze.
"Looks like you've improved Naruto" Kakashi commented as he sidestepped an ax kick that left a sizable crater in the ground. Naruto's followup blow thundered toward his knee, but was stopped by his hand. Spinning on his own axis Naruto grabbed Kakashi's arm and threw him. Glancing around he tried to find Sakura.
"Sasuke, Naruto" Turning around slowly Sakura kept her hands on the kunai and flash bang she held in a death grip.
A horrified scream tore through the clearing. Instantly all movement stopped.
Screaming in terror Sakura couldn't tear her eyes off the mutilated form of Sasuke. "NO NO NO NO NO NO" she screamed. Tearing her eyes from him she focused on her hands. With shaking hands she tied the flash bang to the kunai. And threw it straight up.
A blinding flash of light and a shock wave shattered the genjutsu. Breathing heavily she reached into her pouches and filled her hands with shuriken. Looking up she found Naruto, meeting his gaze through sweat soaked hair. She gave him a single sharp nod.
Nodding back at her Naruto pulled out a smoke bomb and detonated it. In seconds a thick roiling cloud of smoke obscured Naruto and Kakashi. Immediately a dozen black and blue blurs shout out of the smoke each separate form trailing streamers of smoke.
Coming straight up out of the smoke cloud Kakashi's one visible eye was wide as he took in the scene. About half of the clones were heading for Sasuke, while the others were sprinting around to form a circle around the rapidly dispersing smoke cloud.
Sliding to a halt around Sasuke's head the 5 Naruto's all cocked back their fists. "Brace yourself!" They shouted, the sound oddly resonant as it came from their 5 throats.
Still in the air Kakashi came under attack from Sakura, pulling out two kunai of his own he began to deflect them away. Underneath him the Naruto's began to dance around as they moved to avoid the falling weapons.
Five fists smashed into the ground around Sasuke cratering it and sending fissures spiraling away. They kept going until they hit Sasuke. Five hands opened as one and closed on his shirt.
Underneath Kakashi the Naruto's had paired up. Three of them stood back to back their hands forming into cradles to launch the other three into the air. Then bracing again one of them launched the other two into the air.
Seeing the clones fly into the air Sakura stopped her attack and ran forward.
With a savage yank the clones ripped Sasuke out of the ground. Once he was clear of the earth Sasuke kicked out and caught one of the Naruto's in the chest. Kicking off he used him as a springboard to launch himself back towards the fray. The Naruto he used as a springboard popping out of existence.
Watching the events unfold beneath him Kakashi had just lowered his arms when the first of the clones reached him.
The first three clones launched into the air spun skyward and latched onto his arms and one grabbed onto his shoulders from behind, as they began to fall the following two grabbed his legs immobilizing them.
Coming in right behind Sakura Sasuke watched helplessly as she too was launched into the sky by Naruto. Following on his heels were the rest of the clones, as they moved behind him they all reached into their pouches.
Flying into the air Sakura made a grab for the bells.
Jumping onto Naruto's head Sasuke launched himself after Sakura. He didn't notice Naruto poof out of existence beneath him.
Even as her fingers closed around the bells Sakura felt a yank and found herself being held by the clones. "What, LET GO NARUTO!" Wincing at her yell all of the Naruto's let go and vanished.
Checking his jump Sasuke turned in midair scanning for Kakashi. He didn't pay attention to Sakura as she fell back towards the ground.
Underneath the two the remaining Naruto's came to a stop and launched a hail of kunai into the treeline. Attached to each kunai was an explosive tag. As Sakura landed she was caught by two of the clones. All the clones jumped onto Sakura forming a protective wall around her. Sasuke landed lightly next to the group just as the tags blew.
With an earsplitting boom the entire treeline next to them went up in flames. As the blast wave hit them every Naruto poofed out of existence. Leaving Sasuke and Sakura hanging on to each other. For a few moments the rush of hot wind and burning pieces of ash kept the two from moving.
"What was that" Sasuke asked. "And where the hell is Naruto."
Coughing a bit Sakura took a moment to answer. "I'm not too sure. He said he would try and ambush Kakashi-Sensei if he went into the woods." She coughed again. Hearing the crunch of footsteps from the demolished forest they both turned towards the forest. Even as they turned the alarm sitting on the log began to sing shrilly.
"Damn I'm out of time." Sasuke roared as he dug his fingers into his hair and stared angrily at the ground.
"Sasuke-Kun calm down we just have to try harder next time."
"I'm an avenger I have to become stronger than him." Sasuke began, no longer listening to Sakura.
"Who sensei?" Sakura asked.
"I can't afford to stumble here."
"What do you mean?"
But Sasuke was already walking away.
"Yo" a calm voice called out.
Coming out of the smoldering forest with Naruto slung over his shoulder was Kakashi. "Kakashi-Sensei" Sakura cried out and ran toward the pair.
oOo
"Naruto, wake up. Hey WAKE UP NARUTO!." Yet again Naruto was being shaken like a rattle. It was starting to become disturbingly familiar. Opening his eyes the only thing he could see was a blur of pink and blue.
"Whaaa. Huh" Acting instinctively he brought up his arms and broke the hold.
"Ow! What the hell Naruto." Sakura shrieked as she rubbed her wrist.
"Now now calm down both of you. Sakura you just surprised him give him a moment." Kakashi lazy drawl called out.
"Sorry sensei."
Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs Naruto took in his surroundings. He was leaning against one of the three wooden posts in the center of the training field. His team and Kakashi were sitting in a circle around him
"I'm good Kakashi." Naruto said given his uncle a thumb up.
"Naruto its Kakashi-Sensei, now."
"Oh okay."
"Sigh..."
Standing up the Kakashi turned a stern eye on his team. "Now lets talk about your assignment today. Not one of you managed to get a bell. In fact the only one to even touch one was Sakura."
All three of them looked away.
"However I've decided not too send any of you back to the academy." Anything else he might have said was drowned out by Sakura's and Naruto's cheers.
"Even though we didn't get a bell." Sakura asked excitedly.
"Yes, I'm going to give you another chance. However" moving faster than they could see, he rushed forward and slammed Sasuke against a post. Moving just as quickly he tied him to the post. "The point of this exercise was to teach you teamwork." He turned a one eyed glare on Sasuke "You didn't even attempt to work with anyone. Did you even think of Why we split you into teams?"
The two stared at each other. Kakashi took a deep breath before continuing.
"We are ninja's. To be ninja you have to be strong. Individual strength matters, but beyond that there is teamwork."
"What was the point of teamwork. There were only two bells." Sasuke spat out. "We would have fought over who got the bells."
"I know." turning to look all three in the eye Kakashi continued. "The point of this was to see if you would put others before yourself. Individual strength matters. But ninja work in teams. No matter how strong you are a team of weaker ninjas can take you down. Or working together you could beat a much stronger opponent." Leaning down he brought his face close to Sasuke's. "You should remember that, if you want to achieve your goals." He whispered "Teamwork is more important than individual strength."
"If you had all worked together you would have probably gotten a bell. Sakura Naruto. You worked together to get the bells and rescue Sasuke. You did very well. Just a bit more and you would have gotten it. As it was Naruto almost caught me in the forest after the tags blew."
"You mean our plan worked?" Sakura asked happily.
"It almost did, but I am a jounin after all."
Straightening up he handed Sakura and Naruto each a boxed lunch. "Here are your lunches. At 1clock we will be starting again. Use this time wisely. I'll be back at one to start the test, you will get one last chance to get a bell. This time I'll have three bells."
With a small wave he turned and began to leave the clearing. "Oh one last thing." Turning his head he gave them a glare. "Sasuke doesn't get any lunch. If you give him any food I will fail you immediately. Do you understand?" he accompanied his words with a wave of killing intent that washed over the three genin freezing them in place.
Nodding dumbly they managed to respond. Nodding back at them Kakashi dissolved into smoke and disappeared.
For a few moments the three sat in silence, unable to move after their sensei's parting words. The silence was finally broken as Sasuke's stomach growled.
"Sasuke-Kun are you all right?" Sakura asked concernedly.
"Tchh just eat your food we have to get ready." he spat out.
"Sasuke-kun."
Sitting next them Naruto ate his lunch quietly. In a sudden movement he yanked a kunai from his holster and cut Sasuke free. "Here." he pushed his still full bento into Sasuke's hands.
"Naruto? Kakashi-Sensei said not to give him any food." Sakura blurted out.
"Were supposed to work together, were a team."
"Hai, Here Sasuke you can have some of mine." Sakura chimed in, holding out her bento to Sasuke.
"Thank you" Sasuke said quietly as he held both bentos in his hand.
Suddenly dark thunderclouds rolled in, in seconds the sun was blotted out behind clouds of inky darkness. A cold wind whipped their clothes around their bodies and the crash of thunder echoed through the sky. Instinctively the three put their backs together and pulled out weapons.
"FOOLS!" a thunderous voice crashed through the clearing shaking the very ground.
"You disobeyed me" amidst the roiling clouds a shape began to form. Features began to appear until a giant head appeared above them. Its features sharpened until it resembled Kakashi's masked face. "Ninja who disobey orders are scum" it roared. Waves of killing intent radiating from its intense visage. "That means..."
"you pass." as quickly as the storm had appeared it disappeared revealing their sensei standing before them.
"What" Sakura squeaked.
"Kakashi I don't understand." Naruto blurted out while Sasuke stayed quiet, the only evidence of his nervousness his rapid breathing.
"Ninja who disobey orders are scum." He paused for emphasis. "But ninja who abandon their comrades are even worse than scum. You chose to help each other, and Sasuke you chose to accept that help. That is why you pass."
Once again loud cheering filled the clearing, even Sasuke smiled a bit.
oOo
AN: Thanks to my Beta's Whitedragon17 and Psudocode Samurai, without whose help and inspiration this story would never have gotten off the ground. Both are amazing authors and I highly recommend all of their fics. And thanks to all my reviewers.
AAN: If you think I made a mistake or have a suggestion or an idea, Please PM me or leave it in a review.