Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 8
And here we have chapter 8
'An ink bird'
Sakura remained silent the whole trip to the forest of death, her green eyes constantly surveyed her surrounding hoping for signs of the raven haired artist.
"...and so Hinata-chan offered me to copy off her test. Why do you think she did that?"
A small snake slithered out from behind a tall tree.
"Sakura-chan?"
Green eyes narrowed as she studied the small black garden snake. It's small beady eyes stared back at her.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto screamed into the pink haired girl ear, which resulted in a punch in the head courtesy of the said girl.
"What?" Her tone was coated with a hint of annoyance.
"Why do you think Hinata-chan offered me to copy off her test, I mean I hardly know her."
Sakura gave the blond an impassive stare. 'He really is that slow…' "Maybe she likes you."
She watched as Naruto's eyes widened. "Really?" After that he remained silent the whole way to the forest contemplating what Sakura said
"That is a big forest…" Naruto stared in awe at the large dense forestry. Large trees intertwined with each other, and the sound of crows could be heard form within it.
Nearly all of those who passed the first part of the exams have arrived and a stifling silence fell on the group. No one was looking forward to going inside that dreaded forest. An ominous feeling could be felt radiated from the said forest.
"MAGGOTS LINE UP."
The genins stood up straighter, at the sound of the booming voice of their second proctor. Leaning beside a tent, she tossed her dango stick at a tree.
"ONE OF YOUR TEAMMATE WILL ENTER THIS TENT TO GET EITHER AN HEAVEN OR EARTH SCROLL. YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE OTHER SCROLL FROM THE OTHER TEAMS. ONCE YOU GET BOTH SCROLLS, YOUR TEAM WILL PROCEED TO THE BUILDING WITHIN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST." Anko shouted.
One by one each team selected a member to enter into the tent. Soon a single fill line formed near the entrance of the beige tent.
"I'll go." Sasuke said as he stalked off towards the tent.
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Once the line slow died out, and the genins returned back to their team. Anko kicked open the gate to the forest. A maniacal smile creeped up her face, and her purple eyes twinkled mischievously. "There are things in this forest that are beyond your imagination, try not to die in there."
Almost simultaneously the large group of genins tensed. Nervous exchanges were exchanged between teammates.
"Oh, and be sure to not open the scrolls till you have reached the building. You have three days. BEGIN!"
Anko stood back, as the group of genins ran in to get a head start.
"YOSH!" Naruto did a fist pump as he dragged his two teammates into the forest. The sound of the creaking gate shut behind them.
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As the team ran though the forest, the mid morning sun disappeared behind the tall looming trees. The sound of crows, and the buzzing of insects could be heard from all around them, and the scent of death lingered in the air.
Sakura felt her heart drop. She never realized the features of this forest the first time, but this time she could just feel the death creeping through the nooks and crannies of the forest. It reminded her of the war, where death carelessly hung around them like a fourth teammate. She closed her eyes trying to calm herself. 'This isn't the war. You're not in war. This isn't the war.'
She felt someone shaking her body. "Sakura." Her green eyes opened as she stared into onyx ones. A hint of worry could be detect in those obsidian depths.
Sasuke was slightly taken a back when he saw fear in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Taking in a deep breath, Sakura nodded. "Just reminded me of the war."
"It's over. The war is over." He quietly reassured her as he gave her a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.
"COME ON GUYS" Naruto shouted as he pointed into the densely packed group of tree.
"Naruto wait!" Sakura called out to blond, who was already proceeding up ahead.
"Let's go before we lose sight of the dobe." Sasuke smirked.
Nodding, she and Sasuke ran after their third teammate.
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It was a few hours into the second part of the exam and they have yet to encounter any team, and Naruto was getting antsy.
"So we need the heaven scroll." Sakura examined the small earth scroll in her hand. She had forgotten how small this scroll had been.
Sasuke grunted in response as he scoped out the dense forest trying to seek out for any signs of chakra.
"Sakura-chan…" A small whine came from her left. Pocketing the small scroll into her ninja pack, and turned to the blond who was jumping up and down in an awkward fashion.
Her brow quirked at Naruto's behaviour. "What?"
"I have to pee…" Naruto placed his hands over his crotch and started hopping around.
"Then go to a bush or something." Sakura pointed to a nearby bush. Naruto started to awkwardly run towards a small bush. "But, stay in my view." Sakura added when she recalled what happened the last time when Naruto went to pee. He was freaking swallowed by a snake.
Nodding his head rapidly, he turned away from the bush and headed for the tall pine tree instead. A small sigh escaped his lips when he felt his bladder empty.
Sasuke made a face of disgust as he watched Naruto shamelessly pee in front of their female teammate.
Seeing the face he was making Sakura gave a short laugh. Sasuke attention turned towards her, a confused looked now present on his usual stoic face.
Shaking her head, she watched as Naruto run back towards them. "Trust me Sasuke-kun, he has done far worse things in front of me than just peeing."
"Like what?" His voice came out strained, and his eyes narrowed at the grinning blond. He didn't know why but whenever Sakura mentioned how close her and Naruto's relationship had become during his time away...it irked him.
Sakura tapped her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Well, this one time I walked in on him and Hinata doing the nasty...avoided the both of them for a week afterwards-" Sasuke's face of disgust returned, when he briefly thought about the dobe's sex life. "-oh, and his seventeenth birthday Kiba got him drunk, and he streaked across Konoha-" Sakura gave a light chuckle. "-I was the only one who was physically strong enough to subdue him...so I have seen parts of that boy that I would have very much liked to keep to the imagination."
A small pang of regret shot through him. It seemed while he was getting stronger, and isolating himself, the people in Konoha were creating memories and bonds. He knew it was pathetic of him to dwell over this fact, considering that it was his choice to leave and gain power, but just a small part him wished he could have been apart of those memories.
"Sakura-chan, teme let's go get the heaven scroll, and KICK THIS STUPID EXAM'S ASS"
Yup, that's the Naruto they knew...
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It was night time, when they emerged from the thick patch of trees and arrived at the side of a small rocky cliff overlooking a small stream. During their several hours of trekking they encountered Hinata's team. Even though they had the heaven scroll, no fight resulted, but they did spend a good amount of time reviving a fainted Hinata, and by the end of the whole fiasco they decided it would be best to not fight among themselves.
Settling down their bags, the team decided to rest for a bit. Naruto and Sasuke were down by the stream, engaged in a small competition of who can get the most fish, while Sakura headed back to the forest to gather firewood.
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"3" Naruto shouted, as he threw the fish beside their packs. The bottom of his orange pant soaked by the water.
"4" Sasuke smirked as he held the wriggling fish, before tossing it into their growing pile of fish.
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The sound of leaves crackled under her feet, as she walked into the pack of trees. Occasionally picking up the stray branch. Lost in her own thoughts of a happier time she mechanically picked up more branches. Replaying all the fun times the konoha rookies had before the war, a smile found itself up her face.
"Sakura-chan."
The said girl snapped out of her thoughts, as she looked around. There was not a single person in sight.
"Naruto? Sasuke-kun?" No one replied nor did either of her teammates showed up.
Dropping the firewood to her ground she reached for her ninja pouch, when she found nothing she mentally cursed 'Shit it's back with Sasuke-kun and Naruto.'
"Sakura-chan." The voice called out again from within the trees. Green eyes scanned her surroundings.
"Come out!"
The leaves on the looming trees quivered, as two ninja descended before her. The grey haired man pushed up his glasses, and a long haired male beside him.
Sakura felt her blood freeze. 'Kabuto and Orochimaru'
"You're not getting Sasuke-kun." Sakura growled as she got into offensive stance, and her eyes hardened.
"We don't want him. You're going to take his place." Kabuto casually replied as he took a step towards her.
Sakura scoff. "What the hell do you want with me?"
"Getting Sasuke-kun has proven to be a problem, so you'll have to do."
"Like hell I will!" Sakura seethed, as she charged towards the two ninjas. Obviously not seeing her as a threat, they merely stood there. Not happy about taken light, Sakura growled. Jumping into the air, she performed a series of hand signs. "Doton: Doryuheki."
A large wall emerged from beneath the two ninja. Kabuto jumped forward while Orochimaru fell back.
'Perfect'
Landing on the top of the wall, she stared to her left. 'Kabuto'
Gathering chakra to her feet she ran down the wall and towards the grey haired man. As she reached the bottom, she slammed her fist into the ground. A smirk on her face when she saw the shocked expression from Kabuto as he jumped out of the way.
"Very impressive Sakura-chan."
Sakura stared up from the rubble, to see Kabuto running towards her with chakra scalpels. Her smirk grew. Gathering chakra to her hands she formed her own chakra scalpels. Sliding one feet behind and lowering her body she got into the Hyuuga stance for Hakke. In swift moments she glided her feet across the field, dodging and blocking Kabuto's attacks.
Gracefully, she leaned her body left to avoid a blow from Kabuto and using this opportunity she thrusted her own palm to his shoulder. She felt her scalpel rip through the muscles and tendons.
Grunting in pain Kabuto moved back, clutching his wounded shoulder. With his other hand he gathered medical chakra.
"You sure you want to be doing that?" Sakura said as she disappeared from his view.
A scowl present on Kabuto's face as he searched for the girl.
"Magen: Jubaku Satsu"
A large cherry blossom tree rose from behind the grey haired male. It's branches reaching out from the trunk and wrapped themselves tightly around him. Cherry blossom fell around him, creating a serene scenery.
"Goodbye" Sakura reappeared before the man. With her fist cocked back, she threw a chakra filled punch at the man. Blood splattered out from his mouth, and his head fell slack.
'One down one to go.'
Turning around she ran for Orochimaru.
Unbeknownst to her, the wound on the grey haired male was slowly regenerating. His ruptured organs slowly repairing themselves.
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Jumping over the mud wall, she saw Orochimaru stare at her with an amused look. "Seem like you're more than fitting for my vessel."
"Kiss my ass, asshole." Sakura sneered, as she ran towards him with chakra scalpels. Once she neared him, she sliced with one of her hands, which Orochimaru neatly dodged. Raising his leg he kicked Sakura aside. Her body smashing through one of the trees. Coughing up blood she staggered up.
A sharp pain radiated in her abdomen. Weakly placing one hand on her stomach, she felt her medical chakra slowly stitched things up.
"Medical ninjutsu, huh?" Orochimaru was even more amused. Opening his mouth, a snake emerged with a sword. Grabbing said sword, he ran towards her.
'Shit' Sakura thought as she jumped out of the way of the sword. Making chakra scalpels once more she used the protective barrier of her chakra to defend and block against the blade.
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Poking at the dead pile of fish before him, Naruto waited for Sakura to return from gathering the firewood.
"Man Sakura-chan's slow."
Sasuke looked up from the kunai he was polishing and stared into the place where Sakura had left to gather wood. It was eerily still. His eyes narrowed, something didn't feel right.
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Panting, Sakura struggled to stand up as her body was adorned with small cuts. There was no way she was going to win against him, especially since her chakra was depleting rapidly. She had to release that. Her hand raised to do the sign, she hesitated. If she released it there was no going back, but if she doesn't she might die. Weighing her options she gave a frustrated stomp, the ground splintered.
'Fuck it.'
"Byakugou no jutsu." A small purple diamond seal appeared on her forehead, as her earlier battle wounds healed. The seal that she had released during the war reappeared on her forehead. She could feel the three year worth of chakra she had been storing up in preparation for the war resurge within her.
Orochimaru's maniacal smile grew larger. This vessel was going to be perfect.
Placing his sword back into his mouth, he held out both arms. Hundreds of snakes slithered out from his sleeves, and headed towards her.
"Not going to happen" Sakura smirked. Raising her fist she prepared to slam it to the ground. Her attack would probably destroy the whole forest but at least Orochimaru was going to be dead.
"Kabuto NOW."
Sakura's eyes widened and her attack stopped in mid air. Turning her head she saw Kabuto standing on top of the mud wall. 'How?'
As if reading her mind he replied. "Regeneration jutsu."
Growling Sakura tried to finish her attack, but her body was immobilized. 'What?' Glancing at her body carefully she noted tiny chakra strings had wrapped around her arms and legs, preventing any movement. 'Is this Kabuto's doing?'
"Take my gift Sakura-chan." Sakura watched in horror as the snake man's neck extended towards her at an alarming speed.
"NOOOOO" She screamed as she felt his teeth sank into her neck. A burning pain radiated from her neck to the rest of her body. The chakra strings around her loosened and she fell to the ground in pain.
"You're mine now." Orochimaru smiled.
Defiant green eyes stared back. "I'll never join you."
"Then within three years I'll take you forcefully." With that said he and kabuto disappeared in a whirlwind of snakes.
Another shot of pain coursed through her body. Biting back another scream, she staggered up. It wasn't safe here. She needed to go back to her team, to Sasuke-kun. With much difficulty she forced her legs to walk. Every step felt like lead, her vision blurred in front of her.
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"DID YOU HEAR THAT?" Naruto shouted as he stood up clutching a kunai. Sasuke was already in front of him, his sharingan activated. An uneasy feeling crawled inside of him. He recognized that scream, it was Sakura.
He was about to run into the pack of trees when he saw a hunched over figure appear. His sharingan deactivated when he saw pink locks cascade down the person. 'Sakura.'
Running towards her, he managed to catch her just before her fell face first on the ground. He noticed the grimace on her face, and how hot her body felt under his touch.
"By-byakugou s-s-se-se-seal c-co-cover it."
Sasuke stared at the diamond seal on her forehead. Carefully shifting her so she was cradled in one arm, he swiftly undid her hitai-ate and repositioned it across her forehead.
"What happened to her?" Sasuke stared up to the shocked and scared expression of Naruto
"Get a cloth and cold water." He barked, and Naruto immediately ran to their packs to search for a towel.
"Sakura what happened." Sasuke asked as he looked at the now passed out girl. She didn't have any physical injuries, so why? Then his eyes fell on the hand tightly clutched around the base of her neck. 'No'
Carefully, he lifted her clammy hand and stared down at the familiar heaven seal. Three black commas stained her pale skin like ink.
His blood ran cold. Sakura got the curse mark. If her body rejects it…
She'll die.
Yay done!
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