Naruto: Creatures
Chapter 3 – The Creature Exams! The Forest Of Undead!
XXX
"Hmm..." Sakura yawned, rubbing her eyes and looking up at the clock.
"Hi Sakura chan!"
"Ah!" She sat up in bed quickly punched the unknown person in the face.
"Ouch!" Naruto cried. "I think you broke my nose!"
"You shouldn't had sneaked up on me like that!" She softly blushed. "Come here, I'll heal you."
"But Tsunade said to let you heal from last night's attack..."
Sakura held out her hands and coated them with green healing charka. "I'm healed."
Fixing Naruto's nose, she let out a sad breath. "Sorry again Naruto."
He boyishly smiled. "It's no problem! I just came here to see if you were awake or not so that I can tell you the news."
"What?"
"The Creature Exams are starting tonight!" He tried to laugh, but only hurt himself some more.
"Don't move around so much." She turned her attention back to what her demon friend just told her. "So they're still going to do the exams after what happened last night?"
"Having the Creature Exams a night after Halloween is an old tradition. Not even the Hokage can cancel this event."
"Looks like someone has done some reading." She chuckled, finishing up healing. "There, done. How are you feeling?"
He touched his nose. "It's like you never punched me! You're an amazing nurse!"
Sakura halfheartedly smiled. If she was so amazing, Sasuke wouldn't had suffered the way he did during the battle with his older brother. Which reminded her, "Is Sasuke kun awake?"
"Yeah, a visitor is here talking to him right now." Naruto answered. "Couldn't see who it was since his room is so dark. To block out the sun and junk."
"I'll be right back." She climbed out of bed.
"Uh... Okay." Naruto watched as Sakura left.
Sakura knew the asylum hospital like the back of her hand. After getting a few pouches of blood, she walked down hallway after hallway. The medical ninja finally arrived to the vampire section of the building that was epically dark. Looking at each door's windows, she came to one that had a lit candle in the room. She peeped through it to see a figure sitting up in bed with a blonde fairy sitting on a stool by his bedside peeling something.
"It's good to see you're all healed up Sasuke kun." Ino smiled, continuing to peel a bowl of fruit by candlelight. "These apples will lift up your spirits!"
Sasuke didn't look over. In a blank trance like state, all he could think about was losing to his brother.
*Itachi then grabbed Sasuke by the neck and pushed Sasuke against the wall. "Weak... Why are you so weak?"*
*Itachi lean forward and smiled. "It's because you lack hatred."*
Sasuke tighten his grip on the blanket covering him.
"It looks like Sakura is still a dead weight to your team." Ino laughed. "If I was a member of team seven, I wouldn't hold you back, that's for sure!"
"I don't understand..." Sasuke thought, still blocking himself from reality. "I've been training. I've been hating him. And he's still stronger than me? What he did to our family... I won't let him get away with it!"
"Here Sasuke kun!" Ino cooed, holding out a bowl of peeled applies to him. "They're perfectly cut just for you!"
Sasuke finally turned his head around and slapped the bowl of fruit out of her hands.
"Sasuke kun!" Ino cried out. "What's the matter with you?!"
"Vampires don't eat." Sakura entered the dimly lilted room. "They drink. Blood."
"At least I tried. Unlike a certain someone last night who nearly had Sasuke kun killed!"
"Get out..."
Sakura and Ino looked over at Sasuke.
"See?" Ino evilly smirked. "He doesn't even want to see you."
Sasuke glared at Ino with red filled eyes. "Get out Ino."
"Sasuke kun..." Ino shot a nasty look over at Sakura. "This isn't over. We will have our little duel soon. I promise."
The fairy stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Sakura walked over to Sasuke's IV that was hooked up to him and held up four different pouches of blood.
"I didn't know which blood type you preferred, so I brought one of each kind."
"O is fine."
Sakura placed down the other three pouches on a desk and put up the new blood pack on the IV. Finishing up, Sakura sat down on the stool and looked at the tossed apples on the floor.
"I know Ino is a jerk, but it's because she cares for you." Sakura frowned. "It was that reason why we became rivals."
She looked over to see Sasuke was spacing out again. "Thank you... For what you did last night."
He hissed softly. "Itachi knocked me out in seconds and he almost got away with you."
Sakura's face stern up. "You handled the situation as well as anyone else would had."
Sasuke closed his eyes.
Sakura sat up. "It might have not gone the way you wanted it to, but you saved me and the rest of Haunted Konoha! I wish I could had done the same for you."
Sakura slumped back onto the stool. "I look up to you Sasuke kun... You're brave, smart, and you know what to do in the heat of the moment."
He opened his eyes and glances over to Sakura.
"Everyone has been making promises to me... It's time that I make a promise to someone." She balled her hands into fists. "I promise that I will become stronger so that I won't be a burden to anyone!"
Sasuke turned away and chuckled. "You're starting to sound like Naruto."
"At least I didn't add a 'believe it!' to the end of my sentence." She got up and walked over to Sasuke and gave him a warm hug.
"..." Sasuke looked back around and looked at her with dull eyes.
"Becoming as strong as you and Naruto is my goal." She stopped the hug. "And I will make sure nothing like last night will never happen again."
"Sakura..." Sasuke was able to stop her before she left.
"Yes?" She turned around.
He smiled. "It's nice to see you so determined. Good luck."
"It was luck that made me a human. It's going to be hard work that will make me a decent ninja. See you at the Creature Exams Sasuke..."
Sakura managed to stop herself from saying 'kun'. There was no doubt that she was in love with him, but it was time for her to change. To blossom into a better person, she needed to stop acting so childish and focus on the only things that mattered: The safety of her team and turning into the best ninja she could be. Giving Sasuke one last smile, she walked out of the room.
"My goal..." Sasuke pictured Itachi. "Requires me to become stronger than him... Once the Creature Exams are over, I will find a better way to become stronger."
XXX
"Lord Orochimaru," a zombie wearing round glasses slowly dragged himself into a secret lab, "the Creature Exams have once arrived in Haunted Konoha."
"Sss. Perfect." The serpent hissed with a deadly grin. "This is a very important year Kabuto. Do you know why?"
"Brains?"
"Yes, but will be focusing on one certain brain. Sss." Orochimaru peeled back a tarp off the wall to revel pictures of the Uchiha clan. "Sss, Sasuke Uchiha will be old enough to enter."
"Ugh." The zombie groaned.
"For years, I have been trying to get my hands on Uchiha blood. And this is the once in a lifetime chance to get it." He examined the picture of Sasuke. "Kabuto, do you know what makes the Uchiha clan the most powerful vampire clan in the nation?"
He shook his head.
"Their eyes!" Orochimaru pointed at each Uchiha's eyes. "Their Sharingan has the power to read and copy any move or justu. And when their eyes are fully awaken by drinking human blood, they will get more power that varies depending on the type of eye shape they get. That is why I want that gift for myself."
"How are you plan on doing that?" Kabuto asked with a loud groan.
"I will give him what he desires." Orochimaru showed his fangs. "And when he wants more, he will come to me."
XXX
"Welcome to the annual Creature Exams!" A feline woman welcomed the groups of ninjas. "The rules are pretty simple: Survive in the forest for five days with a team of three without dying! Those who are still alive will make it to the second part of the exams. Any questions?"
No one raised their hand. "Good. The gates will be opened in five minutes. Prepare yourselves!"
"Where's Sakura and Sai?" Naruto looked around. "They're going to miss it!"
Sasuke faced his sensei. "Kakashi..."
"Sai has been missing all day." The mummy teacher answered. "If Sakura doesn't arrive soon, you guys will have to wait until next year to participate."
"No!" Naruto cried. "I've been waiting all year to do this! It will bring me one step closer to becoming Hokage! Believe it!"
Running over to them, Sakura arrived with three backpacks. "Sorry that I'm late! I just finished making some survival kits for you guys. Hey, where's Sai?"
"Looks like he's a no show." Sasuke answer.
"Sakura chan, we need you to come with us!" Naruto begged.
"In the Forest of the Undead?" Sakura handed them each a backpack. "I guess I can come with you."
"You're a lifesaver!" Naruto hugged Sakura.
"Careful! There's some important vials in these bags!" She stopped the hug and put on her red backpack.
"Good luck you three." Kakashi spoke up, grabbing their attention. "As long as you remain hidden and stay alert, you will be fine."
"It's time!" Anko opened the doors. "Have fun!"
Groups of creatures from different villages rushed into the forest, leaving team seven in the dirt.
"Let's do this!" Naruto raised his fist into the air.
"I will keep my promise. I'm not going to hold back!" Sakura thought.
Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke hurried into the forest as well.
"This is going to be interesting." Anko closed the gates.
"Yeah..." Kakashi looked to the sky. "Be careful Sakura... Naruto... Sasuke..."
XXX
"I was afraid you weren't going to come." A frail man turned around to face a familiar face. "Sai."
Sai bowed his head then looked at the other fellow members of Root.
"Our ANBU group might be a secret from the public, but it is our sworn duty to protect the creatures of Haunted Konoha from any harm." Danzo growled. "As you all know, we were attacked by the Akatsuki last night. Among them is a powerful rogue vampire that is a threat to our beloved village. Itachi Uchiha."
All the mimes nodded in agreement, everyone besides Sai.
"The Uchihas were once a powerful clan that created Haunted Konoha." Danzo explained. "But they were consumed by greed and wanted more land to expand the village. It was thanks to former Hokage Hashirama that the Uchihas were stripped most of their powers because of his curse that he placed on the Uchiha clan. But now, the arrival of his older brother may corrupt Sasuke Uchiha into turning his back against the Leaf and abusing his powers. That is why I have placed Sai in team seven's team. One slip up from Sasuke, and I want him killed."
Danzo turned to look over at Sai. "That's an order."
Sai nodded.
"Itachi and Sasuke are the only known Uchihas that were born without Hashirama's curse." He reminded them. "They are very dangerous. Keep an eye out on them both. You are all dismissed."
They all bowed and left the meeting room in a cloud of smoke.
"Sasuke will slip up sooner or later. It's in his blood." The old man said to himself. "And when he does, he will be as dead as his clan."
XXX
"It's pitch black in here!" A teenaged demon complained. "How are we suppose to find shelter when we can't even see?"
Sakura pulled a flashlight from her backpack and flashed it at him. "I packed each of us a flashlight."
Sasuke and Naruto pulled out their two and turned them on.
"Kakashi sensei said we need to find a hideout and stay there until the five days are up." The nurse wearing a clean uniform looked around. "Let's starting searching."
As they traveled through the unknown forest, Naruto noticed a bush with tons of bright red berries.
"Sweet! Food!" The demon laughed, running over to the bush.
Sakura looked at the berries and gasped, trying to stop him. "Don't eat those! They are poisonous!"
"..." Naruto took a big gulp of the berries. "Whoops."
"Idiot." Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Not even five minutes here and you already got yourself poisoned."
"I'm sure they won't do any harm to me!" Seconds later, Naruto collapsed to the ground. "Gah!"
Sakura rushed over to her teammate and pulled out a light blue bottle. "You just ate some paralyzing berries that will permanently do some damage unless you drink this. It's an antidote."
She lifted his head up and forced the contents of the drink down his throat.
"The deadliest plants in Haunted Konoha are in the Forest of Undead." Sakura scowled him. "You're lucky I made an antidote for each poison that's located here."
"T-thanks..." Naruto sighed, them looked up at the sky covered with thick leaves. "I'll make sure not to eat any more strange berries."
Hearing something rustling not too far away from his group, Sasuke hurried over to his team. "Naruto, Sakura, we need to get moving."
"Can you get up?"
Naruto attempted to stand, but feel back into her lap. Sakura rolled her eyes and helped him up by putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Sharingan!" Sasuke activated his eyes to get a better look at who was spying on them.
"Sss. So skilled." A creepy laugh surrounded team seven. "Already using the Sharingan at such a young age? Impressive."
"..." Sakura couldn't make out where the voice was coming from.
"What an amusing group Kakashi has." Coming out of a tree, a pale white woman used charka in her feet to balance upside down. "An Uchiha vampire, a ninth spirit demon, and a human. However, my business is with one person."
The mysterious woman pulled out a kunai and tossed it towards the vampire.
"Sasuke!" Naruto and Sakura called out.
"A basic attack like that won't work on me." Sasuke grabbed the kunai before it could hit him.
"How fast." The snake like woman giggled from behind him. "There's no doubt that you are an Uchiha."
Sasuke's eyes widen. "How did she?..."
The woman swung a balled up fist at him and he easily grabbed it, tossing the woman into a tree.
"Naruto, I need to help him." Sakura put Naruto down on the ground.
"I think playtime is over." The female snake disappeared into the ground. "Sss. Sasuke, I have a gift for you!"
Using a hand sign, the woman restraint Sasuke by using tree roots to keep him from moving.
"Let him go!" Sakura called out, tossing three kunai at her.
The snake pulled out another kunai and blocked all three tossed weapons at her. "Oh my. I haven't seen so much fight in a human since the fourth Hokage."
Naruto blue eyes turned orange, allowing the ninth spirit's charka to give him power. "How do you know my father?"
Sasuke broke through the justu and jumped over by Sakura and Naruto who was getting up from the ground.
"I can't be wasting time trying to fight off the ninth spirit." A disguised Orochimaru thought. "Very well then, I have no choice."
"Ninja art: Summoning justu!" The woman brought forth a giant snake.
"That's huge." Sakura took a step back.
"Go deal with our demon friend." She snapped her fingers.
Her pet obeyed and used its tail to whip Naruto far away.
"Naruto!" Sakura and Sasuke called out as they watched the snake go after him.
"I'm afraid I can't let you two leave." Heavy energy brought the remaining teammates to their knees.
"What kind of genjustu is this?" Sakura couldn't move her body.
She looked over at Sasuke. He was under the same pressure as she was. All she had to do was make a hand sign then the justu would be canceled out. She tried to bring her hands up, but they fell to the ground like ten pound weights.
"Move..." Sasuke thought, watching the dangerous lady walking over to him with his Sharingan. "Move Sasuke!"
"End of the road kids." She pulled out a giant star shaped weapon, tossing it at the two of them.
Using every ounce of strength, Sasuke pulled out a kunai and stabbed his leg to break the justu. Just seconds before the weapon could slice them up to bits, he grabbed Sakura and left the area.
"Hm." Orochimaru watched Sasuke leave. "He was able to break it. I have underestimated him."
"Sasuke..." Sakura looked at her teammate who wasn't in good shape.
"My eyes..." His eyesight was failing him. "Dammit!"
He hopped down on a large branch and place Sakura down on it. He looked down at his hands and couldn't make out what was in front of him.
"Game over. Sss." The woman appeared behind his, forming a seal with her hands. "Curse mark seal!"
XXX
