(The epic Chunin Exam Arc is underway! In the Twelfth Chapter Kuroda makes his way back to Team 3. What is his next move? The Second Round of the Chunin Exams continue! What will be the outcome? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
Kuroda dashes through the treetops, jumping from one branch to the next at a fast but not too urgent pace. He arrives at the spot where he left his two comrades just as the sun is peeking its head above the horizon. The forest is bathed in warm, yellow rays of light as he drops back down to the ground.
He notices the signs of battle: some blood, broken branches, dirt kicked up, a few kunai lying around. "Any problems while I was gone?" he inquires.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Sakura states proudly.
Jando starts to regain consciousness; he wakes up rubbing his head and groans, "Uggh what happened?"
Kuroda lies and says, "We were attacked by some Rock Ninja and you were knocked out. Sakura and I managed to defeat the enemy and luckily they had the scroll we needed plus another extra one."
"Damn, I don't even remember them sneaking up on me," comments Jando, "So, what are we going to do with the extra scroll?"
"We will keep it for now," Kuroda decides, "You never know, we might actually need it."
"Should we head towards the tower now?" asks Sakura.
"I'm hungry," declares Jando, as his stomach growls, "I want to eat something first."
"Good idea," Kuroda nods, "I could use a meal as well."
After Hoshi snaps out of her daze she dresses herself again. Then she waits huddled against a tree until she sees that Naga and Yamashita are starting to wake up.
Naga massages his aching neck and asks, "What happened? Did you get him?"
"No," she responds, "After he defeated you he just left for some reason, but everyone else is dead."
Naga immediately vows, "I'll get that bastard back! He won't be so lucky next time now that I know what he can do."
Ignoring the useless boasting of her comrade Hoshi explains, "I took a scroll from one of the corpses. Let's move out and head straight for the tower, so at least we won't have completely failed."
Naga starts to object, "What are you talking about? I want to go after him!"
But Yamashita cuts him off, "Even if we could find him, we don't have the numbers we had before. Plus he has probably gotten back into contact with his team, so that puts us in even more of a disadvantage. So we might as well pass this portion of the exam and try and complete the mission in the next stage."
Naga sees that he won't be able to convince the others, "Fine, whatever. Let's get moving then."
They gather up their things and leave the battlefield without a second glance at the fallen Rock Shinobi.
In the center of the forest, Team 15 arrives safely at the tower a few hours after dawn. Once inside they see that a Rain squad and a Grass team have already arrived.
Rame Tsu comments, "We would have been here yesterday if that second Snow team hadn't attacked us."
"It doesn't matter how fast we got here," comments Shun, "All that matters is that we made it before the time limit was up."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," admits Rame Tsu as she runs her hands through her hair, "So what are we supposed to do now?"
"Well, it looks like we just have to wait until the rest of the teams arrive," says Naoko as she takes a seat on one of the long wooden benches in the room, "If any more do arrive."
Rame Tsu sits next to her and starts rearranging some of the tools in her backpack. Then she looks over at Shun and asks, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing really," replies Shun as he scans the room.
"I bet you were expecting to see Kuroda's team here already," comments Naoko as she re-ties her ponytail, "I was too, considering what happened in the first section of the exams."
"Yeah, you're right," Shun admits, "It seemed like he had a plan, so I thought he would be here already."
"Well, he does have Jando on his team," adds Rame Tsu as she takes out an apple to snack on, "So they might have been slowed down."
"I don't know," comments Naoko, "They seemed really confident, including Jando and Sakura."
"Well, it isn't our problem now," says Shun as he sits next to the girls and catches an apple that Rame Tsu throws to him, "Right now we need to focus on recovering and information gathering."
"Information gathering?" asks Rame Tsu.
"Yes," confirms Shun, "Those two other teams have been watching us this entire time, and I have been watching them."
"Me too," says Naoko as she pulls her black glove off, "I don't remember anything significant about that Rain squad. The tall guy and girl look pretty tough, and those umbrellas seem like they could be a problem. However, I do remember that Grass team."
Rame Tsu glances over and exclaims, "Yeah, that's right! That guy with the crazy hair wearing the green outfit was the one everybody was talking about. What was his name again?"
"Hara," says Shun, "Hara Gaki."
"I guess all that hype wasn't for nothing," comments Naoko.
"You know it's strange, but something about him reminds me of you, Shun," Rame Tsu mentions.
"I was thinking the same thing," Naoko agrees.
Shun leans back on the bench and replies, "Well, then hopefully we can fight, and see who the better ninja is."
"You should rest, Shun," advises Naoko, "We'll keep an eye on him and the others."
"All right," agrees Shun, closing his eyes, "But wake me up if anyone strong looking comes in."
"No problem," replies Rame Tsu.
After eating his fill Jando suggests, "All right, now that we are refreshed and refueled we should head to the tower as fast as possible."
Kuroda objects, "I had another idea. We have this extra scroll, so we should try and give it to one of the other Hidden Leaf teams. Sakura, please summon Apollo and Phoebus."
Jando objects, "What are you talking about? That is stupid, why would we want to help the competition even if they are from our village?"
Kuroda responds, "The more Leaf Ninja that become Chunin, the stronger the Leaf Village will become, so we should try and help anyone we can. You can't always be thinking only about yourself, Jando. You have to look at the bigger picture."
"I agree," adds Sakura.
Kuroda also taunts, "Besides, Jando, are you afraid that you might be beaten in the next round?"
"I'm not afraid of anyone!" Jando proclaims, "Do whatever you want, as long as we pass this stage of the exam."
"All right, Sakura, if you will," says Kuroda, nodding his head to give her the go ahead.
"Right!" says Sakura as she performs hand signs, next she bites her thumb, smears the blood across her palm, and then slams her palm on the ground, "Summoning Jutsu!"
Two beautiful butterflies appear; both have bodies the size of a log and wings about 2 feet long.
"Hello, Sakura, how are the Chunin exams going?" asks Phoebus. "You summoned us, Miss Sakura?" says Apollo as he hovers around his twin sister.
"Yes, I would like you to go out in opposite directions and search for other Leaf Ninja squads. If you find one that is in need of an earth scroll then report their position to us."
"As you wish, Sakura," replies the female butterfly.
"Phoebus, there is a large tower in the center of this forest. You can see it when you go above the trees. We will be slowly making our way in that direction. If you don't find anybody in 2 days, then just report back to us," orders Kuroda.
"Understood," replies Phoebus.
"Ohh, and one more thing," adds Sakura.
"Yes, Miss Sakura?" asks Apollo.
"Try not to get too close to anyone, they might attack you," she says, "And watch out for the squads from other villages as well."
"Understood," responds Apollo before he and his sister depart.
The creatures make their way around the Forest of Lost souls searching for their instructed targets. Hours pass and Team 3 slowly makes their way to the tower.
Phoebus returns when it becomes night and informs them, "Apollo sent word that he has found Ichimaru's team, but they are in bad shape. They have barricaded themselves in a cave. Also, the journey will take you off your current path."
Jando complains, "No way! I want to get to the tower."
"Phoebus, is Apollo positive they are in need of an earth scroll?" inquires Kuroda.
Phoebus flutters in the air for a moment and then replies, "Yes, he confirms seeing them with a heaven scroll."
"All right then, please lead the way," orders Kuroda.
"Hey, wait a minute!" shouts Jando.
However Kuroda, Sakura, and Phoebus have already taken off, so he scrambles to catch up with them.
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? Kuroda plans to help other Leaf Ninja pass this portion of the exams, but does he have an ulterior motive. Will they even be able to get out of the Forest alive? As usual, if you want more information on my characters you can see their bios on my profile page. Be warned, there may be some spoilers. Also I'm in the process of getting pictures drawn for the characters, but I have no idea how long that will take. If you're interested in drawing and have a DA account then send me a Message. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review.)