Ch. 28
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but the Gushikan family and a select few are mine.
Chapter 28- Chunin Exams Part 2- The Forest
I stayed up with dad for the majority of the night as he explained everything about Orochimaru. From his childhood to his abilities. To his teachers to who he taught. And finally, probably the most classified thing my dad has ever told me... Where they think he is and what he is after. That actually wasn't that much information though. He is very much still at large and it's very minimal about what we know he wants.
"Officially he wants to rule The Village Hidden in the Leaves," Dad said as he rubbed his forehead scar. "But, that's too general. In some way, most terrorists want to rule over others. They want to be the alfa. No, I think it's much more complex than that. Orochimaru probably feels superior over the people in this land already. Especially since the third let him escape after his atrocities were discovered."
He sighed as he sat back and gave me a glance.
"He is a sick man. Probably suffering from psychosis in some way. So he really shouldn't care about others or even ruling them. However, from his research, we can tell he probably fears death. Which is a very human response. He's a weird guy, for sure with mild psychosis if that's a thing. I, however, think what he values most is information. His experiments are all for the purpose of living forever. I believe he is out there continuing his sinful experiments to achieve eternal life."
He pauses before his mouth turned into a smirk.
"Perhaps the sick bastard already got his wish."
We were silent before I pulled my feet off the floor and onto the chair with me. I hugged my knees.
"What does he look like?" I asked as I examined my fathers face.
He chewed on his lip before getting up and walking across the living room to the bookcase. He ran his finger across the top row before pulling out what looked like a photo album. He came back to the couch and sat before patting the spot next to him.
As he flipped through the pages I moved next to him.
To my surprise, the album had bingo books in the plastic slots where photos would usually go. Next to each one was written the year it was for.
As my eyes skimmed the dates I was shocked to see how old some of these books are. Some dating back over 80 years.
"What's the point to have all of these?" I muttered as I stared at the sheer size of the album.
Father smiled as he flipped through. "Memories. No one in our family has ever been blacklisted so that's something to be proud of. Also," He paused and tapped at some tally marks near the dates. "To show how many blacklisted ninjas our family has taken into custody or killed. Almost every year has a tally or two. That's something to be proud of. Our family has almost run the Anbu for multiple generations. It's rumored the first head of the Anbu was a Gushikan."
He smiled down at me before stopping to a date about thirteen years ago. He gently pulled the book out of the slip and flipped to a dog-eared page.
"This is the year Orochimaru was first considered a terrorist." He gently handed me the yellowing papers. As I stared at the inked image I felt an odd feeling of déjà vu.
While I stared at it dad grabbed his weapons pouch off the table and pulled out the current book for this year. He flipped around for a second before handing me the new book.
I stared at the current image and then looked back and forth for a second.
"Uh, these are the same picture?"
He nodded. "Orochimaru usually keeps to himself but whenever someone sees him and survives, the description is the same. That is why I suspect he succeeded in creating a forbidden jutsu."
He crosses his arms and leans back.
"Long inky black hair, no bangs. Thin pointed face, high bone structure. Thin yellow eyes with silted pupils. Usually purple eye makeup. Tall with white skin, not pale but white."
I deadpan, "That's disturbing." He nods in agreement.
I continued to stare at the pictures before piping up again. "I'm getting some weird déjà vu from this."
He raises an eyebrow, "Anything coming to mind?"
I sigh as I rub my face. "No, it's just familiar."
He hummed, "Well if anything comes up, tell me. Personally, I think children are an underused source of information. After all, some people won't fear if a child hears their plans as much. Their lips are looser."
I smile as I shrug. "I'll keep you updated."
"So about Anko..." dad stiffened at my words and he rigidly took back the books and put them away.
"Do you think she knew Orochimaru is bad? Is that why you don't like her?"
His shoulders slump and he looks a lot more tired and old. "I know that she knew Takara. She willingly helped him in his experiments."
My eyes widen "Are you sure?"
Dad slowly sets the album on the coffee table before wrapping an arm around me in an uncharacteristic but comforting way.
"I was there when the Third raided Orochimaru's lab. I saw some very horrible thing but most importantly I saw pictures of Anko during experiments and notes on her. He trusted her to a degree and she was his prize experiment. I also sat in on her interrogation. She confessed to knowing everything but apologized profusely. She was released because she was a child."
He withdrew the arm. "I can't trust her or like her because I know the things she allowed to happen."
"What about now? Doesn't she hate Orochimaru?"
He breathed out harshly. "She holds a grudge for him putting a seal on her. So yes she does hate him but that's not enough in my mind. Perhaps I'm a bit close-minded but the things I saw in that lab changed me."
"So you knew Orochimaru?" I asked curiously.
He shook his head, "Not exactly, I had held conversations with him occasionally but it was not personal. He always gave me the creeps. His smile never reached his eyes. Besides, he was much older than me so we were in different groups. He's probably fourteen years older than me."
I nodded understandingly. "What about Mom? What did she know."
Dad reached over and pinched my cheeks. "Go to bed curly top. You have a very rough couple of days ahead of you. It's almost one in the morning."
I frowned at him avoiding the question but made my way upstairs and crawled into bed.
I couldn't help but lay there for a few minutes as I thought.
Orochimaru's picture is extremely familiar and his name feels natural. Why do I feel like I know this? Why do I feel like something bad is about to kick off?
I tossed and turned until my mind finally let me surrender to sleep.
My eyes sprung open as my heart lurched in my chest. I panted quietly as I sat up in my bed. I quickly slid off the gray sheets and peered out the window. It was dusk still.
Nothing.
I took a deep breath and walked to the bathroom to wash my face. It's probably around five in the morning.
As I made my way back to my room I paused to set my ear against Usagi's door. I could hear the sound of blankets tussling around.
I opened the door and stared at my baby brother for a moment. He is drenched in sweat and is wiggling around in his bed.
Is he having a nightmare? Why did we both have one?
I walked over and shook his shoulders till his eyes sprang open.
"Oneechan!" He cried out and he hugged my arm and cried into my shirt. I tried to console him but he just continued to cry.
"The bad mans here! The bad man is after him!" He cried.
I hushed him and held him tightly. "No, it's ok Usa. There's no bad man here. It's just you and me."
He just continued to shake his head and say I'm wrong.
I frowned, unable to do anything to soothe him.
I held him as he cried until he started to cough. I rubbed his back to calm him while he cried himself back to sleep.
I stayed with him for several minutes before I went back to my own room. Waiting next to Usa's door is dad.
We make eye contact before nodding at each other. I went back to sleep but I never did hear dad move.
At 6:30 am I bid my family goodbye and started my walk to the next test location. I hadn't even left sight of the house when I heard Usa call out my name and run to catch up with me.
"Usa what are you doing? Go home, I have a test today." I tried to explain but Usa only motioned for me to bend down.
I sighed but complied. He leaned close to my ear and started to whisper very quietly.
"Taka-onee the bad man wants Sasuke-Nīsan."
He leaned back and looked at me with his big doe eyes. I looked back with my sharp poisonous eyes.
"Who is the bad man Usa?" I asked thoroughly confused.
He frowned "The snake!" He answered, looking at me as if I was stupid.
I frowned back, "The snake?
He nodded confirming me before running back home.
I stared at him before continuing my walk.
The snake? What does he mean? The bad man who name is the snake?
I continued to ponder this as I walked into a field where most of the contestants for today's exam are.
Then it hit me.
"Orochi," I said aloud as recognition floods my eyes.
The clattering of someone dropping something makes me pause.
I glance and see Kabuto frozen after dropping a kunai.
The hate and anger in my heart seized as we made eye contact.
He simply smiled at me. "Sorry, what did you just say Takara-chan?"
The irrational desire to kill this kid makes me just glare at him before turning and walking away from him.
Alright back to my mind puzzle. Orochi is a male name meaning snake. So Usa is saying some dude here named Orochi is planning on... taking Sasuke? He said the bad man wants him but why? Why does he want him?
The image of Orochimaru slides into my mind but I frown.
It can't be Orochimaru, why would he want a snot like Sasuke for anything? That is unless he's after Sasuke Sharing-
"Takara!"
Naruto shouted and waved at me as he came up next to me. Shortly he was followed by Sasuke.
"Are you ready to be one step closer to a Chunin!" Naruto gleamed excitedly.
I couldn't help but grin at his infectious joy.
"Sure am, but let's remember our lives are much more valuable than a title." I responded to Naruto before placing a hand over my heart. My eyes slid to Sasuke and we exchanged a mutual look of encouragement.
The three of us turn to stare at the large forbidding chain link fence. It had to be over twenty feet tall. On the other side, we could hear the calls of animals and other creepy crawlies. I felt an unnatural chill hit me as I stared up at the large trees towering over us.
Naruto made a noise of distress, "It looks pretty creepy." He muttered.
Sasuke grunted before responding, "Nothing we can't handle." Before turning to glance at an object edging closer to us.
I also looked at the object. A box colored like a rock. Well seems like Naruto's alley so I paid it no mind.
We wait only a short amount of time before Naruto is drug off to play with Konohamaru and his friends. I, on the other hand, begin to chat with Sasuke.
"It's tough since we don't know how long we will be out there but we should be able to ration our combined food for at least a week." I brought up after Sasuke mentioned bringing extra protein bars. He nodded but his eyes told me he wasn't quite into the discussion.
"Is something bothering you?" I wondered.
He shook his head, "No, but who do you think we will have to worry about. If we are forced to fight others."
I hummed curiously back.
"Well anyone from a foreign nation could get the drop on us with a traditional jutsu. Plus those Sound ninjas are very mysteries. From the Leaf, I have to worry about Lee. Since Lee has lost to Neji before we also have to be cautious of him. Then, of course, there's the Sand ninja. They seem to be on a whole different level."
We remained silent after my analysis.
"We can do this," Sasuke said suddenly, surprising me.
A grin spread across my lips. "If we can fight against the Devil of the Mist, we can survive an exam. If we can survive being ambushed by ninja bandits, we can survive this. If we can manage not to kill each other, then we can survive this." I spoke putting emphasis on multiple words, attempting to be also a cheerleader. I think it worked from Sasuke's smile.
Naruto reappeared only a few minutes later but not a second to spare. Anko was ready to announce our test.
I made brief eye contact with her before she gave me a grin and cleared her throat gathering everyone's attention.
"This is the Forest of Death, and you'll soon realize why." Her smirk made the other examinees flinch… all except Naruto of course.
Sometimes I forget we are kids. I've personally never felt my age to be me mentally. Naruto, on the other hand, I'm sure is mentally younger.
He sets his hands on his hips and wiggles his butt like a sassy girl, mimicking Anko, "This is the Forest of Death, and you'll soon realize why!" He then straightened himself up and pointed right at my aunt, "Do your worst! I'm not afraid of anything!"
I groan, already knowing he's made a great mistake challenging her like this. Anko is also on Naruto mental age.
She fake laughed and squinted her eyes at my idiotic teammate. "Oh? Looks like we've got a tough guy!"
I one fluid motion she pulled a kunai from her sleeve and launched it at Naruto. Just lightly grazing his face but sending a clear message.
My entire body tensed up just as Anko body flicked behind Naruto.
Sometimes I forget that Anko really is a ninja and a damn good one at that.
She lightly touched his other cheek before drawing herself closer to Naruto lightly bleeding wound.
"Tough guys like you die quick. Their bodies line the Forest of Death. Their red blood feeding the trees.
One of her fingers lightly caresses the blood on Naruto face before the temperature drops.
She draws yet another kunai and turns around at an incredible speed. In an attempt to protect herself from the Grass ninja that came up behind her.
The Grass ninjas long tongue unraveled to reveal Ankos first kunai intact.
"I'm just returning your kunai knife." She says rather clearly for someone with their tongue sticking out of their mouth.
Anko only smiles, squinting her eyes at the woman. It almost hurts when Anko smiles like that, eyes partially closed. She got that habit from mom.
"Why thank you for the trouble Grass ninja." She replies but never letting down her guard. Naruto, still being grabbed by one of her hands, eyes practically pop out of his head in fear. It's a very tense situation to even watch. I don't even want to try to break up this stare down.
"You know…" Anko begins, her voice laced with stress and anger. "I don't recommend you standing behind me. Especially when you reek of bloodlust. That is unless you want to die." Anko finished up by retrieving her kunais and putting them away.
The Grass ninja retreats her tongue and licks her lips creepily. "Its only in my nature to act up at the sight of blood. Not to mention you cut a strand of my precious hair. I'm afraid I just got excited. I meant no harm."
There was a stiff silence and I found myself searching the crowd for Kabuto. When I found him his eyes met mine. His smile wiped off his face when he noticed me but it had been there. He was amused. My eyes trace back to the Grass ninja. Something about her isn't right. All of my internal alarms are going off but I can't put my finger on it…
She turned around to walk away from the situation and for the briefest of mini-seconds, I saw her full face.
Orochimaru's mug shot flashed in my mind. I lightly shook my head at the thought. I must be going crazy at this point. That's a girl. She doesn't even look like him. But still, she is someone to watch out for.
I turn back at Anko and finally stepped towards her and the now released Naruto.
"Anko don't you feel like you take things too far." I scolded as I lightly pulled Naruto back toward me.
She only scoffed, "I guess we are all a little hot-blooded today. This is going to be fun."
Naruto rolled his eyes at her. I mentally agreed.
"Now before we begin you must fill out this piece of paper. It's pretty standard consent form. Basically, some of you may not come out of this exam alive and I need your consent for that. Otherwise, it would be my responsibility!" She laughed as though she had told a good joke.
She hadn't.
I glanced at my teammates and they also had a weird expression. We all knew taking this test could be fatal but it's still a weird notion.
"Alright, while you pass those around I'll explain the test. Essentially it will test your survival abilities to the absolute max. Firstly, I'll explain the terrain of this training field. Training field number 44 is surrounded by 44 locked gas entrances. There are rivers and a forest with a tower at the center of this field. This tower is about 10 kilometers (6.214 miles) from any gate."
She unrolled a small map and gave it a quick turn so we all got to see it for the smallest of seconds. I noticed when it was turned in my general direction it paused ever so slightly longer. I used those extra few seconds to try to memorize it but I'm not sure if I accomplished anything.
"The test consists of: An anything goes scroll battle! Specifically for these two scrolls!" She holds up two small scrolls. One is black and the other white.
"You'll be fighting to get both scrolls. A Heaven and an Earth scroll. Altogether only 26 teams passed the first exam, so half of those teams will get the Heaven scroll and the other half Earth. Your team must bring both scrolls to the tower. Essentially only thirteen teams will pass. If that many actually make it." She smirked.
"Oh, and one more thing, this is a time-limited test. You only get 120 hours to get to the tower. You must finish within exactly five days!"
Instantly there was an outcry from multiple teams. Especially from Choji about food.
Anko laughs sadistically. "Just look around! There is a treasure trove of food in the wilderness."
I grumbled angrily while Sasuke and Naruto gave me sympathetic looks. I'm absolutely trash at identifying plants. My bet is I'll eat something poisonous immediately. It's a good thing we have enough rations to go around for a while if we are careful.
"But that's not all," Kabuto interjected. "The forest is teeming with fierce people-eating animals, poisons bugs, poisonous weeds, and much more."
I rolled my eyes at his words. It doesn't matter what he says, it pisses me off.
"We will constantly be surrounded by enemies and won't have any time to sleep. And, if we get injured when fighting for scrolls…" Sasuke spoke up. We made eye contact and I offered a small shrug.
"That's right! This is designed to simulate being behind enemy lines! This will be a grueling test that some won't be able to endure."
"So what if we decide to quit in the middle of the five days?" Shikamaru asks with a hint of worry in his voice.
"Simple, you can't. It's not like you can stop in the middle of a mission." Anko practically laughed at him while Shikamaru pouted.
"There are also ways to be disqualified. Firstly, if all three team members can't make it to the tower with both scrolls within the time limit. Second, if a team loses a member or if a member becomes incapacitated. But, most important, none of you, absolutely none of you make look at the contents of the scrolls until you reached the tower."
"What if it flops open and you read it accidentally?" Naruto questioned.
"Trust me, kid, you don't want to know!" And emphasized with her Cheshire smile.
Naruto groaned but Anko continued. "There will be times when a chunin must deal with secret text. This is to test your integrity. And, that's it! Ill exchange your teams consent forms for a scroll in that hut." She points to a small covered building. "Then pick a gate where you will be lead inside."
Anko muttered before making clear eye contact with me. "Heres a piece of advice, just don't die!" She hollered before turning on her heels and walked away to the hut.
There was a moment of unsureness before everyone who had been crowed in one spot moved away. Some in their teams and other on their lonesome. I glance at Sasuke who was already making his way towards a rock. Naruto shot off before I even had a chance to talk with him as well. That leaves me all on my lonesome.
I look at the small paper. Ankos right it is standard. Basically, if we die or get injured then it isn't the proctor's fault. We aren't being forced into this either. It's weird something so small holds so much power. Nonetheless, I pull a pen from my pouch and signed my name after I read it twice to be sure. There's no way I'm going to worry about this because of a piece of paper.
I let out a breath and adjusted Balance on my back before looking around again for my friends. The wind is heavy, pulling my curls from side to side. I reach up and adjust my pigtails before awkwardly pushing dirt around with the toe of my shoe. I shouldn't annoy my teammates yet. I'm sure signing away your life is a lot harder for others than for me.
As I stand waiting long black hair catches my eyes, turning my attention to the girl from earlier. She was standing a bit too close for my tastes but I stood still and continued to look at her. Her own eyes soon finding mine.
"That symbol on your bandana, that means you're from the Gushikan clan, yes?" The way she slouches forward with her hair in her eyes reminds me of a poorly used marionette doll. She doesn't talk like a friend either like she is trying to squeeze the info out of me like a constrictor.
I took a chance. What did I have to lose anyway? Either we laugh it off or…
With an extremely straight face, I turn completely towards the girl. And, I address her…
"Orochimaru-san"
Silence
Her eyes widen and she straightens her back, towering over me.
"Now that's cruel. Comparing me to that man." She scolded lightly, obvious humor in her voice.
I nod back, "My apologies, Ninja-san. Good luck to you." I replied in a polite tone before turning and walking towards where I had last seen Sasuke.
But I saw. I saw her hand move when I called her that name. It twitched. Maybe I'm reading too far into it but I think she wanted to kill me.
After I got to Sasuke it wasn't hard to find Naruto. It's like he appears every time we are alone. We silently hold out our consent agreements. We had all filled them out perfectly. We began to stand in the ever long line for a scroll.
"Do you think you can get any info from your Aunt to help us?" Naruto questioned but I shook my head.
"No way, Anko does her own thing and will most certainly not help us any more than others."
I paused in thought, "But I want you guys to be careful of those Grass ninjas. I really don't trust them. Not that we should trust anyone right now."
My teammates nodded understandingly.
After an uncomfortably long wait in the line, we finally reached the booth where we got our Heaven scroll and turned in the contracts for our souls. That time Anko refused to look me in the eye as she handed me the scroll. I put the fairly small wrap in my pouch attached to my thigh. I hope the fact that they are usually kunai packs will divert attention from it. Before we left I turned to Anko one last time.
"I'm sorry I was so harsh on you the other day. I was angry."
She looked taken aback but shrugs. "It's fine."
A moment later I speak again, "Watch those Grass ninja. The main girl, well, she seems suspicious. Even for an exam."
Anko raises an eyebrow but nods all the same.
As we leave the station we only walk a short distance before getting to our gate, 12.
Naruto is quick to ramp up the confidence exclaiming that he won't lose. Sasuke looks intense in his own right. I clench my fists because I'm ready for this too!
We only wait twenty minutes before our proctor glances at his watch before swiftly walking to the giant padlock and undoing the set of chains around the door. He steps back before the doors swing open, and the test has begun.
We move out, running in a straight line. "Everyone is going to head to the tower eventually so if we wait close to it then we can ambush them." I offer out. Sasuke and Naruto both nod and we ramp up the speed. We only continue on for a few minutes before Naruto slows down before stopping on the ground floor. Sasuke and I share a look before landing next to his squirming form.
"You have to piss don't you," I say more as a statement than a question. Sasuke glances around to make sure we are safe and I nod at Naruto. "Go before you ruin the only clothes you brought."
Naruto nods thankfully and runs off behind a large tree.
Sasuke turns to me after Naruto leaves. "So our primary objective is to find the tower?"
I nod, "It seems like our best chance. I know we are fairly strong but an ambush never hurt the winners. Although we might have to tape Naruto mouth shut to do it successfully." I joked. Sasuke gave a light smile back.
"WOOH that was a lot! It just wouldn't stop! Man, I feel great!" Naruto exclaims walking back toward us.
I grab Balance by the hilt and swing it out of the sheath, pointing it at 'Naruto'.
"Wah? Takara, what are you doing?" He sputtered.
I glance at Sasuke who nods.
"Sorry dude, but you are absolutely not Naruto. I didn't even have to see your poor disguise to know the difference. You got his talk all wrong." I explained.
"Besides, Naruto got a scratch on his face earlier," Sasuke added.
Fake Naruto frowned before poofing into a taller boy with a gas mask and a Rain village headband.
"Unlucky. You got me." He grumbled through his voice distorting mask. "Now which one of you has the scroll?" He commanded.
"Well since you were so polite about it..." I started, but I jumped forward at the guy. Swinging my katana downward at his shoulder.
He just barely dodged the brunt of my speedy attack, still receiving a thin slice down his arm. With no time to recover Sasuke tackled him and pushed him into a tree with all his force.
To be honest the rain ninjas recovery time was impressive. He very quickly pulled a substitution jutsu and disappeared.
'That was way too easy.' Conscience grumbled, almost making me trip. It had been so long since I heard her. Still, I ignored her voice and rounded the tree we had last see Naruto at.
Sasuke followed me and we found the pitiful boy completely tied up by once long strand of rope. With balance still out I sliced it down the rope freeing him.
"What happened? How did you get captured so quickly?" I mused with a hint of anger.
Naruto sputtered, face turning red. "He caught me with my pants down! What was I supposed to do!?"
"Yell for us." Sasuke deadpanned making him and I freeze. "We would've come to help if we had known." He reasoned. I nodded furiously at his words. "We need a way to check for fakes. Who knows maybe the next guy who does that will get one of our personalities down too." Sasuke added.
"Ya, like if they turn into Sasuke they just have to not talk at all and they'd peg him." I joked but Sasuke only glared. Oh well, I thought it was funny as I quietly giggled to myself.
"Anyway, we need a password. And if someone gets it incorrect then no matter what they look like they are the enemy."
I nodded, "Okay what do you have in mind."
He thinks for a moment, "Something long, an answer to a question too."
'Long?' I question. 'If it's too long Naruto won't remember it.'
'That's the point.' Conscience answers back.
"Oh ok, I get it," I said while glancing at poor Naruto.
"Okay, I'm only going to say this once. The question is: When does a ninja strike? The answer is: A ninja waits until the time is right. When the enemy sleeps and drops his guard when his weapons lay forgotten in the dead of night. That is when a ninja strikes."
Holy shit that's long, I hope I remember it!
I look at Naruto who seems very concerned. "You got it Naru?" I ask and he laughs it off. "Ya sure, piece of cake!"
"Alright good, then I'll take the scroll." He says holding out his hand to me. I frown in return.
"No, I don't think that's necessary. I'll-"
"Ouch! What was that?" Naruto yelps. I whip around to see him nursing his other, now bleeding cheek.
"Naruto, what happened-"
A burst of wind slammed into us like a wall and it was clearly only getting stronger.
"Naruto!" I yelled holding my hand out to him and just as he begins to reach for it the wind becomes too strong. He flings away right down the path of the wind. Since I was on its edge I get spun off the side of it into a tree.
After clonking my head on the tree I fell into a bush stunned for a moment.
I slowly reach up and gently touch my forehead revealing a small streak of blood on my hand.
I rustle the bushes branches as I crawl out from it and manage to stand up. Other than the small cut the rest on me made it out fine.
I glance around for Sasuke but I only needed to take one more step before he stood up from another close by bush.
We were both silent for a moment.
"When does a ninja strike?" He asks, pointing a kunai at me.
I sigh, exasperated at the situation. "Firstly what a shit password this is, second, A ninja waits until the time is right. When the enemy sleeps and drops his guard when his weapons lay forgotten in the dead of night. That is when a ninja strikes. What? Want me to dance with the tune too?" I spat, feeling a bit annoyed from my injury.
Sasuke breathed a sign of reef and lowered his weapon. "Well it's you, that's for sure."
I walk a bit closer to him. "Why do I always get hurt immediately on missions?" I question, while Sasuke pulls out a band-aid form his pouch and places it on my forehead.
"You're either the most unlucky person I've met or the clumsiest."
"Probably a bit of both." I retorted
That's when we heard Naruto stumble through some bushes.
"Hey, guys! That was crazy! What was-"
"Hold it right there Naruto." I commanded making him pause, "Whats the password? When does a ninja strike?"
He smiled, "That's right! It's, A ninja waits until the time is right. When the enemy sleeps and drops his guard when his weapons lay forgotten in the dead of night. That is when a ninja strikes."
Sasuke and I share a look.
Sasuke smirks before throwing a kunai right at Naruto. In surprise, he jumps to the left to dodge it.
"What the heck! You could've killed me!" He exclaimed.
"Ya Sasuke, you missed," I added, making the fake Naruto give me such a horrified look.
"Takara why?" He almost begged.
"Well, obviously you're not Naruto. You are better than the last one though." Sasuke threw out and I nodded.
"Besides Narutos a righty, meaning he would've dodged to the right. Not the left." I added. "So who are you?"
The fake Naruto smiled and licked his lips, true voice shining through. "Aren't you a clever one."
I immediately stiffened as the Naruto poofed to reveal the girl from the rain village.
'Run…RUn…..RUN….GET OUT OF THERE!' Conscience screamed. 'IT'S OROCHIMARU'
A pit grew in my stomach. Sasuke was calmly talking to the psychopath.
I flung my arm out in front of him. Completely startling him.
"What are you doing?" He questioned, obviously confused.
"We need to get out of here," I whispered. They are out of our league.
Sasuke looked offended.
But the 'girl' just laughed. Pulling out her Earth scroll to show us. "Your Heaven scrolls would go so nicely with my Earth scroll…"
I Kept my arm firmly in front of Sasuke. I'm surprised he hasn't pushed it down yet.
We both watched horrified as she unhinged her jaw like the snake she is and swallowed her own scroll.
"Well when this is over, one of us has both scrolls and the other will be dead." For the first time, they activated their true bloodlust and it was instantly choking.
I stood frozen but I could hear the sound of Sasuke fall to his knees beside me.
It was like he had been punched in the stomach. But, I stood firm. I was used to the feeling of bloodlust. Dad had been activating his around me when we spared for years for me to get used to it.
I could hear Sasuke begin to vomit in fear.
I clenched my fists and breath out harshly.
"Orochimaru-san" I demanded.
The 'girl' smiled, "I thought you might give me trouble. You Gushikan clan and your inability to feel fear."
"We are small picking, what do you want from kids like us you monster," I growled. Realizing I was poking the not so metaphorical bear.
I heard Sasuke struggle back to his feet again.
"Just for some fun Gushikan girl. Don't worry, I'll make it quick." He/she pulled out two kunai and began to step towards us.
I turned on a dime, grabbing Sasuke by the arm and taking him along with me as I ran.
I'm not sure how far we went, but it wasn't long until Sasuke was exhausted. Fear does that to people.
"I-I froze…I couldn't do anything… I had to be saved by… you!" He finally stuttered.
I shook my head, "Its, not a big deal, everyone has to get past fear sooner or later. We are a team, I'm here to help."
He shook his head and stared at his shaking hands. He was almost muttering to himself. Wow, he is really shaken up.
I frowned, "Get a hold of yourself Sasuke, we need to figure this out!"
He looked back up at me with wide scared animalistic eyes.
Before he could respond, a shadow filtered over us. A large shadow. We both turned to look at a giant snake rearing up to strike. Without saying a word we both jumped away to different branches.
The snake, however, followed Sasuke, opening its large mouth with the intention to swallow him hole. I watched frozen as Sasuke freaked out (rightly so) and hit it with an overkill (literally) of shurikens.
As the snake lay limp over a tree branch, Sasuke landed further away panting harshly.
Our eyes locked before looking back to the sliced serpent. The serpent that began to crack away as the 'girls' body broke through its rough skin.
"I sense your desperation. It's only natural, the prey must never let down its guard around a predator."
The snake woman launched herself at an incredible speed. Practically becoming a snake herself as she wrapped her way up the tree to Sasuke, but before she could get there…
Multiple kunai plant themselves in the bark in front of her face, stopping her.
I pause and look up. I most certainly didn't throw that many. I only threw two so that could only mean… I smiled.
"Hey, Naruto!"
He grinned from further up in a tree, "Looks like I made it just in time!"
I sighed, "I'd say so!"
'I gotta admit.' I thought to myself. 'We are in a shit storm of trouble.'
Authors Note:
Well, I'm alive, that's the good news. I really have no excuse except I was busy but now I'm back!
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I hope to post again soon!
Thank you and have a nice day!
~ToL