Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Eyes piercing the darkness ❯ The beginning: Chunin exams part one ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

So is everyone ready? I finally get around to starting the next chapter, and because this is the beginning of the chunin exams, I'll have to put my best foot forward from the jump. Also, for the Gaara fans out there, he finally gains an active role now, happy? Anyway here's the references I made last chapter.
Fruits basket: The end when JJ confessed his love for Mika was inspired by the way Tohru's mother and father met. If you look at it Thinking back now, I probably got a lot of things from this series. I love Furuba. Kyo rules.
Avatar: The last airbender: To be truthful I kind of realized after coming up with Mika's power based on toph's powers from Avatar, but one of my friends said "Hey, she's kind of like Gaara." I stared at him for a second and then thought " Damn she is, might as well run with it." So I did, and truthfully I found out many ways to take advantage of it, one of them was what happened in the last chapter.

Wow, that was short. I don't really make references anymore, I think. Anyway, DON'T SKIP THIS I want to share something with you guys, a little insight into me. I have many people who underestimate how much thought I put into coming up with this story. I have a friend, who is a big NaruSaku fan, I hate that pairing, but he loves it. He also reads this story and he said that I only put Naruto into the Hyuuga compound because I want to make this NaruHina. I replied.
"While that's true to a point I actually had more reasons than that. They could have chosen the hokage tower, but the tower is a symbol of the leadership in the village, therefore it would become a prime target during an attack from an enemy. If the tower were to fall and accidentally free the demon, it would be disasterous. Also, there is the Hokage monument, but sealing him inside such a structure would be a bad idea. If they underestimate him, as they did anyway, and he managed to escape, it would result in the mountain collapsing, which would destroy the village. That would make a very bad geographical location to house a demon. They could have sealed him outside of the village, but then it'd be hard for someone to feed him and if enemy ninja were to see someone going into the place and wonder what was inside. It'd be like handing a weapon to the enemy. At this point they decided to have someone look after him. In picking a clan they would need to choose someone they could trust to look after the boy. Since your Sakura doesn't neccessarily have a clan, it would be stupid to put the boy in the care of the Haruno's because they would also have the need to defend the area in case of an attack."

"Then there was the Uchiha clan, which I actually contemplated for a while, it would put a true bond between him and Sasuke if they grew up together. But, I didn't really see the Uchiha clan as trustworthy, and I give Masashi Kishimoto thanks for helping me out on that point. I didn't know it when I came up with the story originally, but now I know that the village heads suspected the Uchiha clan of starting the attack in the first place, giving them Naruto would be like saying 'Here you go, don't worry you'll get us next time.' So that was out of the question. The Hyuuga clan not only has enough space to house the demon, but they also have alot of secret passages, so it would be hard for someone to figure out exactly where to find Naruto, the only reason he was found during the stone attack was because Hinata and Hanabi led them to him. Also, with all of it's members it would not be easy for someone to just enter the complex and do whatever they like. Seeing as Hyuuga is one of the most prestigous and trusted clans in the village it would be a wise strategic move both for protection and concealment."

He walked away looking stupid, just for my friends and fans I spend alot of time daydreaming because it makes work go faster. Also because I've never really been able to shut my mind off, it just goes and goes, so I aim it. My aim has led me to come up with the stories I've wrote and some I haven't as well as my original stories that will never get on this site. I tell you all out there, ask me any question you want and I bet I'll be able to give you an extremely detailed explanation on why I did it. I want to make my own things like this one day, that's probably why you may notice how some things in this seem like a real anime. Except for maybe the little things that I do just to be funny. Anyway, here we are.

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The beginning, chuunin exams part one!




Time was building up for a single event that drew millions of young ninja into the leaf village. Preparation for the chuunin exams had begun. Naruto sat back in reflection of the many things that had happened upon his release from the sealed tomb. Two days ago his team had returned from stone, and they had stopped them from achieving their goal. It didn't take long for the news of the village's destruction to reach them, but Mika didn't seem to be fazed by it. She even started calling herself by her mother's last name after the story relayed to them by Gaia reached her ears. Naruto opened his eyes just in time to catch a training kunai flying for his face.
Konohamaru: Sorry about that, Boss.
Naruto: Keep working, make sure you hit your mark.

He said throwing the kunai back to his apprentice. Konohamaru caught it and looked at Naruto.
Konohamaru: Aren't you worried about the exams?
Naruto: Not really.
Konohamaru: But I've got a bad feeling about something.

Naruto lifted his eyebrow at the boy, if he was getting the feeling too then maybe it was obvious to everyone, so why was the hokage allowing it? Was it because it was already delayed due to the attack from stone, or was it because the ninjas had already began to arrive. Naruto closed his eyes once again as he began to focus on the next day. Konohamaru turned around despite himself and walked over to the other members of his crew. Hanabi looked over to Naruto and smiled before Konohamaru arrived in front of them.
Yu: Hey guys, what do you say we challenge teacher?
Moegi: You mean fight Naruto?
Yu: Yeah, we won't be able to train with him for a while why don't we make it fun.
Konohamaru: Yeah, good idea. Alright, Moegi, Udon follow me. Hanabi and Yu go around to his back.
All: Right.

Konohamaru walked up to Naruto once again and smiled at the older boy. Naruto cracked an eye open and looked at him.
Naruto: Something wrong?
Konohamaru: No, why do you ask?

He said watching the girls reaching their position. Yu stood in position and nodded to Konohamaru.
Konohamaru: Hey boss, I want you to tell me something.
Naruto: What is that?
Konohamaru: How did you train so hard in sealed room?

Hanabi and Yu smiled as they charged at Naruto.
Naruto: Well I had plenty of different means for training some of which were provided by mom. I could let you use some of them if you want.
Konohamaru: No thanks.
Naruto: I have a question for you too.
Konohamaru: What's that?
Naruto: Did you guys really think you could catch me off gaurd?

Naruto peeked back as both girls jumped at him with a flying kick and then he flipped backwards over them. Naruto smiled and motioned for them to come after him. All of the children looked at each other and charged forward. Udon punched for Naruto's chest three times, all of which Naruto blocked and countered with a sweep kick that knocked Udon flat on his face. Konohamaru ran passed him and looked down before he jumped at Naruto with his fist reared back. Konohamaru punched for his face, but Naruto caught it.
Naruto: Com'n that all you got?

Naruto placed his hand on the boy's chest whilst still holding him into the air before thrusting his arm forward. Konohamaru went flying back through the others as if he had been shot from a cannon. Moegi ran back to check on him and the other standing members of the team continued forward. Hanabi thrusted her palm forward and Naruto stepped away to dodge it. Yu ran behind him and punched for his back, Naruto grabbed her hand and Hanabi kicked at him, Naruto grabbed her as well. Hanabi smiled and lifted her other leg and Yu flipped sideways before both girls kicked at Naruto they both landed their hits, but not on Naruto. Naruto was standing behind them smiling as the log replacing him landed to the ground. Both girls landed on their hands and looked over to Naruto as Moegi and Konohamaru ran in front of him. Udon picked himself up and sniffed before all three ran after Naruto. They all threw a flurry of attacks at him and Naruto blocked everyone with amazing speed as he slowly walked back. Konohamaru jumped back and smiled as Hanabi and Yu ran behind Naruto once again. Both pulled back and punched at Naruto's back, but he smiled and split down to the ground and threw himself back. Yu and Hanabi stopped their hands right before they could hit their teammates and took a deep breath before they all turned to Naruto. He smiled at them and waved his hand in front of his face. Everyone slid back and Yu smiled as she tightened and glove on her hand and charged forward at Naruto.
Naruto: So it's only you this time?
Yu: Yeah, you better be ready Naruto-kun.

Naruto placed his foot back firmly on the ground and prepared. Yu was a year older than the others, and she had a presence to her that showed she was nothing to be underestimated. She was easily the strongest one in the group and the others knew that. Naruto smiled, they must have wanted to wear him down. Yu stopped in front of Naruto and wiggled her left hand before she took off toward him. She punched for his chest, but he blocked. Yu smiled and followed her attack with a quick roundhouse kick. Naruto ducked under it and the second Yu's foot hit the ground she flipped sideways and ripped her dagger from her sheath. On her spin she slammed the dagger down at Naruto, but he quickly blocked it with a kunai and pushed forward causing the girl to go flipping back. Yu quickly recovered and quickly placed hand seals effortlessly. She placed her fingers in front of her mouth and blew.
Yu: Fire style: fireball jutsu!

Three fireballs flew at the young genin and he repeatedly flipped back away from them as they crashed into the ground behind him. Naruto stopped himself in front of a raging flame and his eyes wdened as Yu ran from inside of it and slashed at him with her dagger drencthed in fire. Yu slashed at Naruto once again and he stopped it, but Yu only smiled as she placed her hand on the back of the blade.
Yu: Fire style: hell serpent.

Naruto looked down as the fire engulfing the blade shot forth and followed him. Naruto jumped back and did handsigns of his own.
Naruto: Water dragon jutsu!

Two water dragons emerged behind him and slammed into the fire serpent. The meeting of the two attacks created and large smoke screen around them. Yu smiled and ran after Naruto through the smoke with her sharingan in full blaze. She flipped forward and dived through to Naruto and punched him in the face.
Yu: Got you!

She shouted, but suddenly there was more smoke around her. Naruto grabbed her from behind and whispered.
Naruto: You've just been killed.
Yu: A clone, damn.

Naruto dropped Yu and looked back at the other children as they all charged at him. Naruto smiled and held up his hand to halt them.
Naruto: Sorry, but this is where we stop for today.
Konohamaru: Ah, really, but I was just about to show you my new move.
Naruto: I've gotta start getting ready for tommorow.
Hanabi: Should I help?
Naruto: If you want I don't mind. Konohamaru, train hard, next time I want it to be you who comes after me face to face.
Konohamaru: Right boss!

He said with a salute.
Naruto: Dismissed.

Everyone smiled and scattered in their own direction. Yu stopped and turned to Naruto.
Naruto: Something wrong?
Yu: Oniichan is going to be there with you. Try your best because I'm sure he's going to give it his all.
Naruto: Then he also has me to worry about.
Yu: Good.

She said confidently, wearing a huge smile on her face before she turned around and ran off.
Naruto: What was that about?
Hanabi: I don't know.

[Flash]
JJ had been watching Mika train for a while, she was so focused. He couldn't bring himself to do anything like that. It felt weak to him, the chuunin exams were gonna be easy as far as he was concerned.
JJ: Mika?

Mika quickly stopped and turned her attention to the boy.
Mika: Yes?
JJ: We've been here for a while right?
Mika: You mean in this spot or this village.
JJ: The village.
Mika: Yeah, I guess. What's this all of a sudden?
JJ: It's weird, it kind of feels like home now. Even though I am just a genin again. I'd sacrifice my rank, just to be able to live here.
Mika: Was the darkness village bad?

JJ looked up slightly and then laid back down.
JJ: No, but this place just feels.....right.
Mika: Yeah.
JJ: Did you look back?
Mika: No.

She said instantly, as if she knew what he was talking about.
Mika: I could care less if that village were burn to the ground. I hated everyone there anyway.
JJ: You can't really mean that.
Mika: If Orochimaru died, would you miss him?
JJ: Hell no!
Mika: Well that's how I felt about them. I didn't feel anything and I only regret I couldn't see it burn.

She said with the cold heartless eyes of a killer. Mika gasped and shook her head, seeing Yugo again had opened a flood gate. Now she had a tendency to revert back to her old self, despite her efforts not to. She turned away and looked back at the many trees in front of her.
JJ: I'll be there. Don't worry about going out of control, I'll be there okay.

He said with a smile that Mika could feel on her back. She looked down and slightly closed her eyes before she started training again.

[Flash]
Neji walked slowly in stride with Ishi close to his side. She was talking about something that he had already decided not to listen to. Ishi smiled and leaned down in front of him.
Ishi: Thinking about the chunin exams?
Neji: Yes.
Ishi: Don't worry, you'll do fine.
Neji: I'm not worried about that.
Ishi: Then what is it?

Neji simply became quiet. Ishi frowned and looked away from him. She had a vague idea of what was bothering him, but she couldn't read his mind without touching him, and that method wasn't very descreet. Ishi looked down the path and saw the Yamanaka flower shop. She locked her eyes on it and stopped walking. Neji, lost in his own thoughts, was slow to notice that she wasn't at his side anymore. He stopped his stirde and looked back at her with wonder. Ishi stared at the many flowers with a sad smile before Neji called out to her.
Neji: Ishi-sama?
Ishi: Oh.

Ishi jumped and looked back at him. She smiled widely, but Neji didn't need mind reading powers to see though it. Ishi caught back up to him, but she walked in silence. Neji looked back at the flower shop, but never stopped walking.

[Flash]
In a small village just outside of Konoha, Orochimaru smiled happily as he gazed out of the window in his room. The stirring of someone behind him caused a smile to grow wider on his face.
Orochimaru: You're finally awake?

Aneha sat up, holding the cover against her body as she yawned. She looked at him and frowned.
Aneha: Close that window.

Orochimaru chuckled and turned back to her.
Orochimaru: I figured you would be out longer. You seemed tired when you went to sleep.
Aneha: Maybe you're losing your touch, Orochimaru-sama.

She said as she stood from the bed, despite her appearance during her battle with the boys of team 14 she was in the form of an adult. Her green hair flowed down her back and her light hazel eyes glowed in the sunlight. She reached up and played in her frazzled hair with a smile.
Aneha: Where are we going anyway?
Orochimaru: To handle business, before we head to the leaf there is something I would like to take care of. Gaara and Kabuto are already there, so there's no need to rush.
Aneha: I won't let any harm befall you Orochimaru-sama.
Orochimaru: Hehe, be careful once we're there don't overdo it.

Aneha slowly put on her clothes and chuckled.
Aneha: Yeah, if I die you'll lose power.

Orochimaru's smile dropped.
Orochimaru: You underestimate your worth to me.
Aneha: No, I'm just careful not to overestimate my worth to you.

She replied as she finished dressing. Aneha smiled at Orochimaru, whose own smile still alluded his face.
Aneha: Now will you answer me, why are we here?
Orochimaru: You can enter my body, why don't you read my mind.
Aneha: You know that is beyond even my power.
Orochimaru: Then I guess you'll have to wait and see.

He said as he walked away from the window and toward the door.
Orochimaru: It looks like the show has finally begun. We'll have to hurry, I want to arrive in Konoha before the second phase of the chuunin exams.
Aneha: Fine.

She said as she followed behind the cryptic snake sennin. The monent they stepped from the hotel a roit among the people had caught their ears. Aneha turned to a small girl who seemed to be singled out by the other villagers. The young girl had deep black eyes, long red hair and two ears stucking from it, beyond just that she had a slim tail sticking from behind her. Her tail trembled, showing her fear as she laid back preparing for the attack the villagers would no doubt unleash upon her.
Aneha: Oh, I see. You're scheming again. That girl is a demon like you.
Orochimaru: No, she's a half-demon.

He said with a smile before he took a step forward.
Orochimaru: Excuse me, but you're in the way.

The man turned back to him and looked at the tall pale skinned man.
Hiroshi: Who the fuck are you!?
Orochimaru: I have business with that girl. And you are going to move.
Hiroshi: I have business with that monster to take a number.
Orochimaru: Well, that gives you all the more reason to move. Or you'll die.

Hiroshi turned around to the other villagers and informed them of the troublesome man behind them. Hiroshi smiled and reared back his blade. Orochimaru smiled as Aneha appeared in front of him and destroyed the sword with her own finger.
Orochimaru: Are you scared little girl? Allow me to help you.

The vilagers rallied around Orochimaru and he smiled before he started to regurgatate something. Everyone looked with wide eyes as he bent over and vomited out seven snakes. Orochimaru smiled and wiped his mouth before the largest snake shifted into the form of a man and leaned forward to the small woman at the head of the pack.
Orochimaru: Leave the man this man alive, but kill everyone else.

He said pointing to Hiroshi. Insuru grabbed the woman's head in a tight grip before he began to sqeeuze. He continued the agonizing act until her eyes rolled back, which he made sure took a while.
Insuru: Kill!

The other demons spread out into the village chasing people down to the their houses and viciously ripped them apart. Some were seen flying through windows, while others were crushed like bugs. All were killed with no discrimination, women, children, it didn't matter. Hiroshi laid shivering at Orochimaru's feet wondering why he was being spared, as Aneha walked behind him. She grabbed Hiroshi's neck and smiled at Orochimaru as she threw a weapon at the young girl who stood watching.
Orochimaru: Are you scared?

He asked an obvious question as he chuckled.
Orochimaru: There's no need to fear me, I won't harm you. It's him who wishes to bring harm to you. Pick up that sword.

The girl looked down and shakingly lifted the sword.
Orochimaru: Kill this man, and I will forever protect you.
????: What?
Orochimaru: Is it fair that you are always attacked? What have you done to these people?
????: I....
Orochimaru: I'm giving you the choice cat-girl. Come with me and realize your full potential or spare this man and live forever in this hell forced upon you.
Hiroshi: Please, Yura.

Yura stood up and looked down at the man as she gripped tighter onto the sword in her hands.
Yura: Please? How many times have I asked you that? How many times have I begged you Hiroshi?

She said walking closer. Her deep black eyes were indifferent until he decided to beg her. Her emotions welled up and she felt long building resent surface.
Yura: I always begged you, and you always attacked me or kicked me out of the village. If things were different, you woudn't think twice about killing me.

Yura walked over with a frown as she slowly lifted up the sword to the bound man.
Yura: And I think you'll be glad to know, neither did I.

She said as the man screamed out. Shortly afterward he was silenced as the weapon was loudged into his neck. Yura let go of the sword and let Hiroshi's body drop to the ground. Yura dropped her arms to her side and closed her eyes.
Yura: Whatever you're going to do to me, get it over with.

Orochimaru smiled and walked over to her. Yura could feel the presence of the other murderers surround her. An arm touched her shoulder and she opened her eyes. Orochimaru bent down in front of her and rubbed her cheek.
Orochimaru: Be proud, you're now much stronger than before. However, you can grow stronger still, away from the hell around you. Welcome to paradise.

He said as he stood tall with smiles falling down on the young girl from every direction.

[Flash]
Neji was walking the opposite direction of the chunin exams. He walked to Ishi's house and knocked on the door. When the door opened he noticed that she was preparing for something.
Neji: I have to get ready to go.
Ishi: What are you doing here?

She asked walking through the door as she repeatedly peeked to see what was behind him.
Neji: Well.

He said scarcthing the back of his neck. Neji turned away and held out flowers in front of her. Ishi's eyes went wide and she slowly reached out for them. Neji turned around as soon as she grabbed them an faced the opposite side of the road.
Neji: You were looking at them yesterday. It's nothing special.
Ishi: Neji-kun.

Ishi looked down and noticed a faint glow in the boutique. The flowers Neji had picked out were the same flowers that filled the large field she had showed him in her kingdom. The feild that wasn't there anymore, he said it was nothing special, but to her it was anything but. Ishi held the flowers close and smiled warmly at Neji's back.
Neji: Well, I should be going.

Ishi ran in front of Neji and quickly kissed him bofore he could say anything. Bypassers stopped and stared at the two. Neji's eyes went wide and Ishi pulled back before saying.
Ishi: Thank you.

Neji blushed and backed away.
Neji: What was that for!?

He shouted through lack of a better reaction. A combination of shock and embarrasment washed over him and he didn't know what else to do. Ishi smiled and walked away.
Ishi: I look forward to seeing you later today.

Neji walked on as she walk back to her house with a smile. He quickly wiped it away before anyone could see and pondered what she meant about seeing him later. Naruto walked slowly through the streets as JJ looked up and smiled before catching up with his stride. Mika walked from behind a fence and walked aligned with them as well. The building was now in sight, Naruto walked in front and opened the door with anticipation. Much to his surprise, there was no one there.
Naruto: I was kind of expecting someone to jumped out at me.
JJ: Don't expect too much, this is gonna be boring.

Naruto led the walk through the empty halls and looked around to all of the people gathered in front of a single door. Lee was sitting on the ground rubbing his face as two boys in front of the door screamed at him.
Lee: What are you doing?
Rando: You think it's gonna be that easy to get in here?
JJ: Oh for the love of- the door's fake!!!!!!!!!!

His shout grabbed the attention of everyone around and in front of the door. JJ turned around and walked away before saying in an exasperated tone.
JJ: Let's go look for the real door.

Some people looked around, while other still tried to force their way into the room. Those who knew better went looking elsewhere, if JJ said it was the wrong door, it was the wrong door. It didn't take long for them to track down the real room. JJ stood in front of it and frowned, something had hit him hard, it felt like a force, the power behind it was immense. Naruto walked forward and opened the door, hundreds of people waited behind it, all staring at the new arrivals. Mika walked in and her eyes quickly caught the sight of someone she recognized. A boy with cold deadly eyes. Before she could walk forward a voice called out to her.
Hinata: You made it.

Mika turned and caught sight of the entire rookie nine roster and team Gai behind them. Hinata stood next to Naruto as usual and Raizen looked around the room at all of the people. Sasuke huffed at Naruto and he huffed back, a greeting in their own way. Sakura looked nervously around at all of the people and Shikamaru sighed deeply.
Shikamaru: Everyone's staring at us.
Choji: Yeah, we showed out of nowhere.
Neji: Are you always so quick to become intimidated?
Naruto: Heh, I'm glad you're all looking.

He said taking a step forward.
Naruto: I've got an annoucement, so listen up. I'm going to become the Hokage, so I plan on crushing each and every one of you.

All eyes turned to frowns as the arrogant's boy's finger pointed to them. JJ and Raizen laughed while most of the others looked incredulously at Naruto.
Sakura: Are you trying to make everyone hate us?
Naruto: If they have a problem tell them to take it up with me.

Sakura's jaw dropped and JJ laughed louder. One person from the crowd walked out and rubbed the back of his head.
????: That was mighty gutsy of you.

Sasuke lifted his head and looked at the person in front of them.
Sasuke: And you are?
????: Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Kabuto. Nice to meet you.
JJ: Same to you.

He said scanning his aura, but he found nothing. Something was odd about Kabuto, but he couldn't track it.
JJ: [Maybe I'm wrong.]
Kabuto: I wouldn't take everyone here lightly my friend, I've had to take these exams three times now.
Ino: That must suck.
Kiba: Tell me about it.
Kabuto: Not really, because of it I was able to gather valuable infromation, on these.

He sad pulling a deck of cards from his pouch. He held them in front of his face and spread them out.
Sakura: What the heck are those?
Kabuto: My ninja info cards.

He said placing one of the cards face up. All of the leaf's young genin gathered around and gazed at them.
Kiba: There's nothing on it.
Kabuto: Yes, at first they appear blank, but if I seep my own chakra into it, I can display information of any ninja I've gather intel on.

Kabutos hand turned blue and the card displayed the face and statistics of the first ninja he saw.
Raizen: It's me.
Kabuto: I hope you'll forgive me friend, but I actually know alot about you. Not enough to determine your true power though.
Sakura: True power?
Sasuke: What does that mean?
Kabuto: Just that Raizen here is much stronger than he lets on.

Raizen's eyes went wide and he smiled before laughing loudly. Kabuto didn't know enough to determine his true secret, but he did know that he was holding back.
Raizen: Yeah right, like I have anything to hide.
Kabuto: Yes, maybe I'm presuming too much.
Shino: How many of us are in there?

Kabuto looked up with a smile and replied.
Kabuto: Not enough for you to be worried. I can gather intel, but I'm not a really good fighter.

Mika looked over into the crowd again and caught sight of the red-headed boy once again.
Mika: What do you know about him?
Sasuke: Yeah, I ran into him earlier, there's someting weird about him.
Kabuto: Him? Well let me check.

Kabuto pulled out a different card and laid it face up. Once again he seeped his chakr into it and read the card.
Kabuto: He's Gaara no Subaku, all I know about him is that he's dangerous.

JJ looked away, someone was moving oddly. The boy was wrapped in bandages , he smiled and pulled back his sleeve.
Dosu: Let's show these arrogant brats what real ninja can do.
Zaku: Alright, I'll go in first.

Both boys vanished into the crowd, slowly making their way to the group still standing near the door. Zaku jumped above the group and launched three kunai down at Kabuto, but Naruto pulled him out of the way. Dosu ran toward Naruto with a swing and JJ stepped in front of him, grabed his arm and wrapped it up in his own.
JJ: Sonic emitters? What good will those be if I break them? And your arm?

He said before exerting pressure into his own arm. Dosu smiled under his wraps and swung his other arm. JJ caught it and smiled, the others got ready to aid him, but he nodded his head.
Dosu: Now Kin!

A girl with long black hair jumped from the crowd and tossed four senbon needles at JJ's forehead, but he didn't even try to dodge. The needles collided with JJ's head and broke into pieces. The entire crowd stood up and stared at him.
Kankuro: What the hell just happened!?
Temari: I don't know.

Gaara looked on with a blank stare.
Gaara: [His skin became tougher on the moment of impact, something a normal weapon can't pierce. Interesting.]

He thought to himself. JJ released Dosu's arms and kicked him fiercely in the chest, then he looked at Kin.
JJ: Com'n girl, someone as cute as you shouldn't be playing with such dangerous weapons.

Kin frown at his mock tone and charged in. JJ stepped back and Mika stepped in front of him. Mika stomped the ground and a large pike shot through the floor. Kin jumped back and stared at her.
Kin: She didn't use seals?
Zaku: What the hell?

Mika ran up the pike and flipped off with the very tip of the pike connected to her foot.
Mika: Stone guillotine!

Kin narrowly dodged the attack and Mika's leg slammed into the ground. Each stone shattered and floated over Mika. She sent each on flying at Kin and the girl could do little more than dodge. Mika jumped back and slammed both of her fist together, causing the stones to form together into a clone of herself.
Mika: Terra clone!

Mika was about to command her clone, but she noticed something in the front of the room. Mika dropped the stones and looked down.
Ibiki: Good to see you had the consideration to stop such foolishness once you took notice. Naruto, I see you've already been making friends.

Everyone's attention turned to the front wall as a row of Jounin looked at the young students.
Ibiki: Mika, if you don't mind can you return the room to normal?

He asked with a frown that showed it was more of a command than a request. Mika bowed and moved everything back to it's original places. The walls and floor reform around them and Mika stood at attention.
Ibiki: Now that everyone's got the stupid out of them, you may take your seats.

Dosu's team sat down with bitterness in their hearts, but they supressed it for the moment. Naruto looked at his side and smiled as Hinata sat next to him. Mika's seat was next to Gaara, close enough for her to talk to him without anyone noticing. JJ sat in the middle of the room, as to get close enough to all three teammates in case they need to communicate.
Ibiki: Alright, you all may notice that there's a sheet in front of you. That is the first part of the exam. Your job is to decode and awswer all nine of these questions. If you are caught cheating five times, you and your team fail. If at any point you think you can't answer these questions raise your hand and say I give up, but that will result in your entire team will be forced to leave. Are there any who wish to quit here?

JJ raised his hand and Naruto and Mika looked at him.
Ibiki: I didn't expect to see your hand.
Dosu: Must not be as good as he thought.
JJ: Oh I don't quit, I just want to know something.
Ibiki: That is?
JJ: What do I do if I'm already done?

The entire room shook for a second.
Ibiki: What?
JJ: These questions are easy. Take question one for example. "You're surrounded by enemy ninja, you've exhausted your charka and you're wounded. You only have two kunai, a paperbomb, and ten feet of wire. How do you make it out?" Simple, lure the enemies close to you and wrap the paper bomb around the hilt of the right kunai. Cover the paper bomb in dirt, so it won't be easy to see.

He said demonstrating each motion with his own weapons.
JJ: Now tie the wire to the ring in each kunai and wait for the ninja to come into place. The wire is thin so it won't easily noticed, throw the kunai close together.

He said throwing the two kunai.
JJ: Because of the force from the throw the kunai will spin and eventually clash with one another, sending both flying in different directions.

Ibiki's eyes went wide and he ducked quickly under the speeding wire.
JJ: The force from the kunai sperating would stretch the wire and slash whoever it touches. Normally you'd aim for the torso, that way it'd be to low to duck under, yet too high to jump. That alone should rid you of many enemies, but once again the wire tearing through the enemy will draw the kunai closer together and toward the ground. And that's when.

He said holding two fingers.
JJ: Kai.

The paper bomb started to flare up and then it died down.
Ibiki: A dud.
JJ: Even if the attack doesn't dismiss your enemies, it will give you enough time to escape during the chaos, instant victory, There's many other ways, but that's the one I wrote.
Shikamaru: Simple, but effective.
Raizen: Genious.

Everyone stared for a moment, then pencils set fire to paper.
Ibiki: Stop giving answers!!!!!!
JJ: Alright.
Ibiki: Just sit there quietly.

JJ flopped back in his chair and yawned. He quickly cycled through seals and placed his hand over the back of his sheet.
JJ: Nores style: Blue aura display.

A blue liquid copied the words on his paper and then it sank down to the floor and spread across to teammates. Mika smiled as blue words appeared in her right eye. Naruto nodded and copied down the words before signaling for Hinata to copy everything he wrote with her byakugan. Akamaru perched on Kiba's head and whispered everything Hinata wrote. Hinata smiled back and looked over to Shino who only nodded silently to her as his bugs gathered information. Ino smiled and aimed her mind transfer at JJ. JJ smiled and laid down his head as soon as the attack got close to him. Ino missed and her mind was transfered into the person in front of JJ.
Ino: DAMMIT!!!!

She stood and shouted. The entire room turned to the body she inhabited and JJ smiled. She coughed into the boy's hand and sat back down.
Shikamaru: Troublesome.
Choji: Tell me about it.

Mika looked over to the side and whispered.
Mika: What were you doing in stone?

Gaara didn't answer or acknowledge her.
Mika: Why'd you kiss me?
Gaara: Heh.

Gaara smiled and looked over to her.
Gaara: You feel drawn to me don't you?
Mika: You destroyed it, the stone village I mean.

Gaara looked away with a chuckle and Mika looked away as well.
Mika: You're not going to answer me are you?
Gaara: No.

Mika frowned at him and held her head. All around them people were being removed and kicked from the room. Ibiki smiled and shouted loudly.
Ibiki: Pencils down!!!

Everyone looked at him.
Ibiki: There is one more question that I want you to answer. This question will be the most difficult of them all. If you miss this one you will fail. And you will never be able to take this exam again.
Naruto: What?
Ibiki: If you're too scared, you can always quit here.

Naruto looked around and frowned.
Naruto: Damn.
Hinata: Naruto-kun.

Hinata smiled warmly at him and grabbed his hand. Naruto stared at her and frowned, before nodding. With his resolve settled, Naruto stood up and shouted.
Naruto: So what if this question is hard! I don't care, give it your best shot, whatever it is can't scare me away. I am going to be Hokage, no matter what, even if I have to go straight from the genin rank!

Everyone looked up at him and smiled.
Naruto: I won't lose here, no matter what you have!
Sasuke: I agree, whatever it is, I can take it.

Naruto looked over to Sasuke and they both smiled, before sitting down with their pencils at the ready. Everyone else had smile creep across their face as well as they all looked on to Ibiki to issue the final question.
Ibiki: [AMAZING, that one outburst put courage into all of them. I doubt they'll quit now.] You all pass.

Naruto's shoulders dropped and JJ lifted an eyebrow.
Choji: Huh?
Ibiki: It's simple, being a ninja isn't all about fighting and using justu. You need guts, what I wanted to know was already answered. The tenth question was, do you have to guts it takes to be a ninja? So you all pass.
Raizen: Clever.
Ibiki: Now if you'll all-

Ibiki turned as the door to his right shot open and Anko jumped in accompanied by someone that made Neji's face drop.
Anko: My Name is Anko Mitarashi!
Ishi: And My name is Ishi Kusagani!
Anko: We are you your proctors for the second part of the exam.

Ishi was wearing the same outfit as Anko and she even had her hair pulled up like Anko's. A banner fell down behind them and Neji's face hit the desk in front of him. Some of the boys had their eyes locked on the white haired beauty in front of them, while others stared at the dark purple haired one. Either way, none of the boys were listening to a word they said after their names, except Naruto, Sasuke, Shino, Gaara, and Shikamaru. Mika looked at JJ and thumped a rock into the back of his head.
Ibiki: Do you always have to jump the gun Anko? I wasn't even finished explaining yet.
Anko: Then maybe you should explain faster Ibiki.
Ibiki: Whatever, please turn your papers over to the left and follow Anko-sensei.

It was at this time that he finally took notice and turned to the person with Anko.
Ibiki: What are you doing here?

Ishi smiled widely with such innocence that it dragged in the other boys in the room.
Ishi: I'm a proctor.
Ibiki: That's not what I mean.
Ishi: Hello everyone, I hope you all do your best in the exams.

Rapid shouts and whistles flew from the crowd and Ishi smiled innoncently as Anko led her and the young genin to the next stage of the exam. Ibiki took a deep breath and sat back in his chair.
Ibiki: Something doesn't feel right.

Genma walked into the room and smiled.
Genma: So the first part's done huh?

Genma walked closer and gazed down at the papers on the table. He picked up some of them and sighed.
Genma: This many? What happened?
Ibiki: It seems Naruto has the power to inspire confidence. They stuck through till the end.
Genma: That's some kid, even without using his powers at all, he seems to radiate his influence.
Ibiki: Well, he's Anko's problem now, let her deal with it. By the way, what brought you here?
Genma: Oh, this may be nothing, but paranoia, but something seems to have snuck into the village a few hours ago, it couldn't have been anything that bad or else someone would have picked up on it. Still, I have a bad feeling something is wrong.
Ibiki: There's no need to disrupt the exams, we've already postponed it due to the attack by stone. You and I will look into the matter, no need making a big deal if we're going to find nothing.
Genma: Yeah.

Ibiki stood from his seat and walked away from the desk before giving one last glance to the papers resting on top of it.

[Flash]
Ishi lagged behind Anko just enough to talk to Neji without anyone noticing. Neji frowned at her and quietly shouted.
Neji: What are you doing here!?
Ishi: Oh, well I was supposed to train with Anko-sensei today, but she told me.

[Flashback]
Ishi: But you're supposed to train me.
Anko: I know, but I have to be a proctor.

Anko looked over to Ishi as she pouted and held her chin sagely before she snapped her fingers.
Anko: I know, I'll take you with me.
Ishi: Can you do that?
Anko: It'll be okay, maybe.

Ishi lifted an eyebrow at her teacher and asked.
Ishi: Are you sure Anko-sensei?
Anko: You probably have no need to worry.

She said patting the girl on the back.

[Flashforward]
Ishi: And that's what happened.
Neji: [Is it okay for a jounin to be so carefree?]

He thought with an disappointed look on his face. Neji looked at her once more and asked.
Neji: Why are you dressed like that?
Ishi: Anko-sensei said it would get a raise out of you. Do you think I look sexy Neji-kun?

Ishi pulled up her long hair and smiled seductively at Neji who quickly covered his nose as blood spurted from it.
Neji: That is no way for a princess to behave!!
Ishi: Sorry.

She said rubbing the back of her head. Ishi looked as they reached the forest and quickly caught back up to her teacher and stood by her side as the teams gathered in front of a massive fence that surrounded a vast forest.
Anko: Alright. Everyone this is the forest of death. Each of you will be given a scroll, one is the earth scroll and the other is the heavens scroll. Each group will be given a scroll on random, your job is to find someone with the opposite scroll of yours and take it from them.
Ishi: Once you have both scrolls you will be required to make your way to the tower deep in the forest. You are forbidden to open your scroll.
Anko: And we will know if you try, Trust me, you don't want to open it. Now step though this door and sign your name on the sheet, once inside you'll be given a scroll and you will return here. The best advice I can give you here is, JUST DON'T DIE!

The words Anko finished with intimidated some of the young genin, but others seemed unfazed and unafraid. Anko smiled at the reactions she recieved and asked.
Anko: Any questions?

JJ raised his hand and Anko looked over to him.
Anko: Yeah, what is it?
JJ: Do you realize that you look like Sheena Fujibayashi from Tales of Symphonia?

Anko took a step back and everyone gazed at her for a second.
Ishi: You do.
Raizen: Yeah, it's weird.
Anko: S-Shut up! I do not, and stop metioning things that don't exist in this universe.

JJ flinched a little and put his hand down.
Anko: Any other questions?

And with that JJ's hand raised again.
Anko: Anyone else?

Everyone just looked at each other and shrugged. Anko sighed and asked reluctantly.
Anko: What?
JJ: What do you eat to make your boobs so big?

Anko's eyebrow twitched and muffled snickers were heard among the crowd. Anko swiftly pulled and kunai from the holster on her leg and hurled it at JJ before anyone even saw her move. JJ lifted two fingers and stopped the kunai as if it were nothing. Blood trickled from his fingers and he curled the kunai into an under hand position before he once again raised his hand.
Anko: WHAT!?
JJ: My question still stands.

He said with a blank face that caused the crowd to be overcome with laughter. Anko slowly walked over to him and stared down into his eyes.
Anko: I don't LIKE you.
JJ: I love you too Anko-sensei.
Anko: Just go sign up you idiot!

JJ smiled and walked passed her before going into the booth to sign up for his team. Naruto walked in behind him and Mika followed.
Mika: Did you really have to mess with the proctor like that?
JJ: Yeah, it's fun.
Naruto: That might come back to bite you in the ass.
JJ: Ah, I don't think she's that mad.

[Flash]
Ishi: Anko-sensei?

She said worriedly at her teacher who was slamming nails into a small straw doll wearing a jacket.
Anko: A curse! A curse on him!!!!

[Flash]
JJ: Suddenly my chest hurts.
Naruto: It's just your imagination. Should we just go in or-
Mika: Did any of you read that form? It says that if we die, it's not the fault of the village. It covers, decapitation, disembowelment, incineration-
Naruto: That's easy, like she said "just don't die."
Mika: Well true, but it's still kind of scary to read it.
JJ: Alright, let's get ready.

He said as he walked from behind the curtain and watched as others began to enter the forest. The second that they entered, they scattered into the wind. All seeking to find ways to elminate the competition. Anko watched slowly as JJ walked passed her and smiled as he clentched his chest.
Anko: Something wrong?

JJ quickly removed his hand and said.
JJ: No I'm fine.

JJ walked through with his team and Anko chuckled. She turned her attention to Ishi who was being pestered by a few of the young hopefuls.
Jaico: So, after this is over, why don't we hang out, young sensei-chan.
Ishi: Sorry, but I can't.
Masi: Don't worry, it'll be fun. A cute girl like you shouldn't deal with the scrubs in this village.

Ishi peeked an eye back toward Neji who was staring daggers into the back of the boys surrounding her. Ishi sweatdropped and smiled.
Ishi: Sorry, but you should all get going.

She said pushing them toward the forest entrance. With a single step back she said.
Ishi: Be sure to run fast.

While waving to the boys and their teammate. It was the only warning they were going to get. Ishi looked over to where Neji was standing, but there was nothing there.
Anko: Looks like we got rid of them all.
Ishi: What now Anko-sensei?
Anko: Well, how about some training while we wait.
Ishi: Alright.

[Flash]
Naruto found himself walking cautiously through the forest alone. The entire group had split up after finding their second scroll.

[JJ: Alright guys. You can do whatever you want, I'm going to take a nap.
Mika: In the middle of a forest crawling with enemies!?
JJ: Yep, I'll keep the scrolls. You guys just have fun. I already know what you're going to do Naruto. If you want Mika you can sit here and watch me sleep.
Mika: I'm going to look around.

She said quickly walking away. Naruto shrugged his shouders and walked away as well. JJ strecthed his arms and leaned back on a tree before falling into dreamland.]

Naruto the vortex of his mind and looked down at a pile of boys with distorted chakra.
Naruto: Looks lke Neji was here. Oh well, I guess I should get moving, who knows where Hinata-hime is right now.

The second he said that a scent caught his nose. The scent completely wiped his original objective and set a new one in it's place. Naruto took off runnning, preparing for a battle.

[Flash]
JJ laid back against th tree sleeping silently surrounded by four unconcious genin.

[Flash]
Sasuke sat in wait for Raizen to return from his "business" as Sakura curiously looked around in the trees. Sakura's eyes went wide as something seemed out of place, she didn't know if it was just her mind, but some of the bark on the tree had shifted.
Sakura: Sasuke-kun....
Sasuke: What is it?
Sakura: Something's up there.

Sasuke's eye locked onto the tree in question. With a single motion he hurled a kunai into the spot and something quckly shot from it toward him. Sasuke flipped back as something flew back at him. The attack barely missed, but it was enough to let Sasuke know that his enemy meant business. Sakura ran in behind him, but the presence Sasuke felt was emmense, something wasn't right.
Sasuke: Sakura, stay back.

Raizen finally finished his business and washed his hand in a small spring. He looked down and saw a reflection coming from something ooming over him. Raizen quickly slid out of the way as a giant snake snapped down at him. Surprisingly, the snake as amazingly fast for it's size. Raizen found himself repeatedly dodging it's attack with no opening to land his own. Raizen jumped up and started hand seals, but before he could finish the act, he was swallowed whole by the snake. Raizen had little time to think, but he didn't panic. He grabbed his massive shuriken and stabbed it into the snake stomache before cycling through another round of seals.
Raizen: Lightning scythe jutsu!

Raizen's shuriken shot open and flew around the snake's stomache in a spiral motion. Lightning shot from the snake's stomache with each slice until finally it's entire body ripped to shreds. Raizen flipped to the ground and grabbed the shuriken as it hovered in front of him.
Raizen: Sorry, but I'm not on the menu.

Suddenly Raizen felt a chill ride his spine, warning him to something worse than his own predicament. Raizen quickly placed his shuriken back in it's holster and made his way back to his teammates, when he arrived he found them both lying on the ground bleeding from various wounds. A single person looked over to him with a smile and said in a voice only above a whisper.
????: So you escaped my little pet.

Raizen quickly ran over to Sakura and checked her pulse, but found nothing. Sasuke tried to stand, but the wounds on his body bursted open and he fell lifeless to the ground. Raizen's eyes went wide and he looked up at his enemy with rage filling his eyes. His entire personality went out the window. His eyes rolled back and in a roar of concentrated anger he charged at his enemy.
????: A berserker!!!

Raizen punched the man in the chest sending him flying through five trees before hitting the ground hard. Raizen's rage built up and he drooled furiously. It was as if he turned into something else. Suddenly a voice called out to him.
Sakura: Raizen!

Raizen's eyes returned to normal and he turned around to his teammates. Sasuke and Sakura were looking at him with wide eyes. Raizen's muscles untensed and he walked over to them.
Raizen: Are you all right?
Sasuke: You broke the genjutsu.
Raizen: I was under a genjutsu? Thank god.
Sakura: What happened to you.
????: A berserker is someone who's experienced great anger. When they change they're given extraordinary physical capabilties. However, they lose the ability to distinguish friend from foe. Am I right?

He said walking from the rubble virtualy untouched.
Raizen: You play some sick games bastard.
Sakura: He's not even hurt.
????: I believe that you interfered with something.
Sasuke: He ate his scroll.
Raizen: I'm pretty pissed right now. I'll just take it out on him by cutting it out of his stomache.

The man smiled as he jumped up into the trees above them and smiled.
Raizen: You're not getting away.
Sasuke: Stop!!

Raizen and Sakura both looked at Sasuke with wide eyes.
Sasuke: If I give you our scroll, you have to leave.

Raizen took a step back and stared emptily at Sasuke.
Raizen: What are you doing?
Sasuke: We can't beat this guy!
????: You sure can't.

All three members of team seven looked up into the trees and gazed at the new player joining the game.
Naruto: Isn't that right? Orochimaru!

He said with his eyes as red as burning flames.
Orochimaru: Oh you tracked me down. Not surprising.
Naruto: Yeah, I don't really care about subtle when you're involved.

Naruto smiled as he took a step forward.
Sakura: Orochimaru?
Raizen: Damn.

Orochimaru returned the smile and said with closed eyes.
Orochimaru: Sorry, but I'm not here for you. However I do have a friend who's dying to speak with you.
Naruto: Huh?

[Flash]
Gaara stopped in the middle of a small opening and closed his eyes, waiting for his hiding enemies to reveal themselves. Temari looked around and looked down at her little brother.
Temari: What is it Gaara?
Gaara: ........

Gaara never replied, instead his gourd's cork shot from the tip and flew across the feild. The sand erupted from hs gourd and stabbed down into the bushes laid in front of him. The sand pikes were covered in blood and he slowly lifted them into the air to reveal and display his felled foe. The boy coughed on his own blood struggled to speak as his teammates jumped up in shock. Gaara's sand lashed to the side and viciously ripped the second ninja limb from limb, throwing body parts everywhere. The final boy tried to run, but Gaara's sand wrapped around his neck and forcefully dragged him back. The sand slammed the young ninja into a tree and slowly started to crush at his throat. Gaara smiled as his sand shot into the boys's stomache and ripped his upper half slowly from the lower part. Gaara walked over to the fallen ninja's lower half and removed his scroll from it.
Gaara: Worthless.

He said throwing the scroll to Kankuro who caught it and looked down.
Kankuro: Why kill people if we already have both scrolls?

Gaara didn't answer, his eyes locked onto something in the bushes on the opposite side.
Gaara: It seems we have more company.

The three spectators flinched slightly as the boy turned in their direction.
Kiba: Damn, he found us.
Hinata: What do we do?
Shino: Stay calm, worse case scenario, we try to escape.
Kiba: Yeah and those guys sure did a damn good job when they tried that.

Suddenly something shot out of the bushes and reached for them. Hinata tried to shreik, but a hand covered her mouth.
????: Shhh.
Hinata: Mika-san?
Mika: Be quiet, I'll keep him busy, you guys get out of here.
Shino: What about you?
Mika: He won't kill me.
Kiba: How can you be so sure?
Mika: Because he can't kill me.

Mika stood from the bushes and walked forward, Kankuro sighed.
Kankuro: You should've just run.
Temari: Isn't that the stone girl from the exam room.

Temari looked over and noticed something else.
Temari: [Gaara hasn't attacked yet? Why?]
Mika: You sure make a mess of things.
Gaara: Remind you of someone?

He asked with a smile, something about Mika drew him closer.
Mika: I still have to repay you for when we were in stone.
Gaara: ........

Gaara frowned silently before he licked his lips. He slapped up a seal and his frown was replaced by a sinister smile.
Gaara: Care to dance?
Mika: Fine by me.

Mika stomped on the ground and a slab of stone flew in front of her. She kicked it forward and Gaara smiled and the stone disintegrated in a poof.
Temari: Tricks like that won't work on Gaara.

Gaara gathered the sand above him and formed a spike. He motioned his hand downward and it flew down at Mika. Hinata almost jumped up in fear and Kankuro turned away. Mika smiled and extended her hand. The sand spike suddenly changed into a stone rod and Mika grabbed it.
Mika: And his tricks won't work on me.

Everyone stared on with wide eyes. Gaara laughed and stood tall.
Gaara: You haven't changed at all. My beautiful monster.
Kankuro: What!?
Temari: Gaara likes her!?
Gaara: Show me the brutality you displayed in stone! Come and fulfill my lust for destruction!?

Gaara bent over again and prepared.
Gaara: I will make you sing the most beautiful song of all.
Mika: Sorry Gaara-kun, but I don't sing.
Shino: I see, they're jutsu are so similar.
Kiba: What does that mean?
Shino: They can't fight one another. It's like one big stallmate, no matter what they'll be able to shift the other's attack in their favor. Making it impossible for one to best the other.

Hinata didn't comment, her eyes were locked on the fight. Mika threw the rod into the air and kicked it forward, before it could reached Gaara it burst into sand particles and scattered around him. Once the sand moved from his vision he saw something in front of him. Mika charged forard under the cover of the sand and closed in with her fist drew back. Her punch landed close in front of Gaara, but unflinchingly, his sand blocked it. Mika turned the sand into stone and with it close to Gaara, she blasted it back. Mere inches before it could reach him, the wall scattered into the wind and as a torrent, flew down at Mika who smoothly dodged out away from the attack. Mika kicked herself into the air as Gaara's sand collided with the spot she was previously standing in. The sand followed her and she pointed her hand down to it, creating a small mountian. Mika sat at the tip and crossed her legs, smiling down at her opponent.

Gaara was filled with excitement, never before had he met an opponent he couldn't kill, at that, he never met anyone he couldn't kill if he wanted. he was special, something about her was enticing, he wanted to know what it was. Even if he had to rip her apart to find out. Gaara returned the smile in favor and sent his sand high into the air, he brought in down on Mika and collapsed he mountian. Mika seemed to have been crushed by the attack, but suddenly the ground under Gaara began to crumble, two jaws of stone emerged from the ground and slammed on Gaara's body, Mika jumped from the ground and slid back away from the jaws as sand began to leak from the cracks. The jaws exploded and formed around Gaara's body, he extended his arm and the sand flew over the Mika, encasing her completely in his sand.
Gaara: Sand coffin!

Gaara's shell dragged Mika into the air and he closed his hand quickly.
Gaara: Sand burial!

The sand closed around Mika and crushed her, she never screamed. Temari walked over to Gaara and stared on as the girl's head rolled from the mound of sand.
Temari: Guess that's that.

Gaara didn't say anything, there was something wrong, not only did she not sing, he didn't even see blood. He walked over to it and looked down, Mika's head looked at him and then crumbled to dirt. Mika emerged slowly from the dirt and punched at Gaara, only this tme his sand didn't block it, he did. Gaara's foot flew at Mika, who barely blocked the attack herself. Mika shoved his leg away and followed with a straight kick to the stomache. Gaara didn't even slide back, instead he ran forward and punched Mika across the ground. As she rolled along the ground, her bdy began to shattered into pieces until there was only small rocks along the ground. Mika flipped from the tree above Gaara and kicked hm back along the ground as he had done her. Gaara flipped back into landing position, but vanished before he could hit the ground. He reappeared behind Mika with sand flowing from his body. Mika turned around and faced the boy once again, but before it could go any further, there was a loud explosion. Both parties turned toward the noise and saw a large trail of lightnng coming at them. Gaara quickly retreated with his teammates and Mika made her way back where the others were.
Mika: Idiots, I told you to run!!!

She shouted as she made her way to them. She created a large slab of stone and forced it to carry them quickly away from the attack. Once the damage was done the blinding light finally disipatated and Mika looked on at the destruction it caused.
Hinata: What was that?
Mika: I don't know.
Kiba: That was Rai.
Akamaru: Arf!
Shino: Don't be ridiculous, do you know thw amount of chakra it would take to make an attack of that level.
Kiba: I don't get it either, but I know Rai's attacks. That was him. Even Akamaru can tell.
Hinata: Naruto-kun?

She said holding her heart.
Shino: Hinata?
Hinata: Something's wrong.
Mika: Where is Norugi at times like this?

[Flash]
JJ silently shifted his weight as he slept peacefully against the tree, surrounded by fourteen unconcious ninjas.

[Twenty minutes ago.]
Orochimaru: I have business to take care of, but I have a friend who will keep you company.

Orochimaru's jaws unhenged and he coughed out a small snake, which grew to be much bigger. Naruto walked passed it and ran for Orochimaru, but suddenly something grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him up higher into the trees.
Orochimaru: Now, where were we?

Naruto landed on a branch and gazed at his new opponent. It was a man with short green hair and dark hazel eyes, deep with a twisted feel to them. Naruto's entire body seemed to be held stuck by his very presence. For the first time in his life, Naruto had hesiatated.
????: Do you know who I am?
Naruto: No, but I can take a guess. You're a member of the Orochi.
????: Yes, my name is Insuru. The lead head and original. So, you're the one Yubiki chose, it's nice to finally meet you Naruto.
Naruto: How do you know Mom?
Insuru: I know more about her than anyone else, even how she looks when she sleeps.
Naruto: What are you to her!?
Insuru: Ask her. I want you to deliver a message, tell her that I've returned for her. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know that.
Naruto: Sorry, but you won't be able to see her at all, because I'm not oing to let you. Whoever you were to her, you're not getting passed me!
Insuru: Then I guess, I'll have to show you the power of a real demon.

Naruto frowned as he body became highlighted by red chakra and he charged toward Insuru, one punch flew into Naruto's stomache, and that one punch was enough to force him from his transformed state. Naruto took a step back and cursed as he cletched his stomache. Naruto looked down and checked himself, it wasn't a punch, it was some sort of justu.
Insuru: It's called the five-pronged seal. It completely seals chakra, or in your case distorts it.

Naruto felt his vision grow blurry.
Insuru: Remember to say hi to Yubiki for me.

Naruto's power drained fast, he couldn't even see straight anymore. Naruto stumbled and Insuru whisper to him.
Insuru: Don't die just yet.

[Flash]
Yubiki's ears flicked and she looked out toward the forest of death.
Yubiki: That scent, it can't be his?

Just as Yubiki had noticed the smell, it vanished, she looked away and shook her head, surely her nose was wrong.

[Flash]
Naruto stumbled once again and found himself plummeting toward the ground fifty feet below. With the last of his strength he reached out to a branch on one of the many trees surrounding him. The action snapped his arm and only helped to slow his descent to the ground. Sakura jumped over from seemingly no where and grabbed him before landing on one of the tree's large branches. Sasuke looked back and sighed that Naruto was safe, but now he had to worry about escaping the murderer in front of him. Naruto looked over to Sakura and whispered.
Naruto: Man do I owe you one.

Shortly before passing out into dreamland. Sakura looked ver to Raizen and he nodded back to her.
Raizen: Sasuke, we have to fight this guy.
Sasuke: Are you crazy? We don't stand a chance against him.
Raizen: Sasuke this is not the time to freak out. We have to fight, or die. I think about it, do you really think we can outrun him, he'd catch us in an instant.
Sasuke: That's why we should-
Raizen: I don't care! I won't back down, running in cowardice is something I'll never do again. I learned the first time. You can run all you want, but running never solves problems, it just covers them up until they catch up to you again. I will not lose here, and I refuse to die until I kill him.

Raizen reached around and grabbed his shuriken.
Raizen: If you want to hide in the shadow of fear whenever it's convienent, fine by me. Just make sure you don't get hurt, chicken.

Orochimaru looked up and opened his mouth as a small snake fell from the tree above. Orochimaru swallowed it and wiped his mouth.
Orochimaru: Are you finished with your little pep talk?
Raizen: Yeah, and I'm ready to fight. I don't know what you want, but you're not getting it.

He said preparing for battle. He eyes caught sight of someone to his side.
Raizen: So you're gonna fight?
Sasuke: Yeah, you have a habit of getting paralyzed if I don't.
Raizen: Low blow, you better keep up, or I'll leave you behind.

Raizen led the charge forward as Orochimaru eagerly awaited the attack to begin.

[Flash]
Anko: Too slow. Make sure to build up your speed before you try that attack.
Ishi: Yes Anko-sensei.
Anko: Is there something you want from me?

Anko turned her head toward the person approaching her. Ishi smiled and stood tall watching as the man closed the distance.
Naki: Anko-san. There's something we want you to see.
Anko: This had better be important.
Naki: Trust me, it is.

Anko followed quickly behind the man and Ishi trailed behind her. Once they reached there destination she gazed down upon three bodies litering the ground in front of three stone statues. Ishi covered her mouth and Anko frowned.
Anko: So we have an intruder?
Naki: Yeah, but it gets worse, look at this.

Naki walked over to one of the bodies and rolled it over.
Ishi: The face is missing.
Naki: Yeah, and we checked these kids out, they're participants in the exams. Why would someone steal they're faces?
Anko: To wear them.
Naki: Who would be sick enough to do that!?
Anko: I know someone, Naki I want you to go inform Hokage-sama about this.
Naki: What about you?
Anko: I'm going hunting.

Naki nodded and held up a seal before disappearing from sight.
Ishi: I'm going with you.
Anko: Don't be stupid.
Ishi: I'm not going to let you go alone.
Anko: And what will you do besides slow me down!?
Ishi: Something! I know you, you plan on doing something stupid!

Anko clicked her teeth and frowned back at the girl. In a flash Anko was standing in front of Ishi. Ishi vision went black and a whisper came to her.
Anko: Sorry about this princess.

Ishi passed out shortly after she heard those words. Anko smiled warmly down at her and charged off into the forest.
Anko: Orochimaru, I will have my revenge.

[Flash]
Raizen quickly closed in while waving from side to side. Orochimaru took a step back as the boy quickly closed the distance. Raizen threw two lightning fast hooks and followed with an uppercut, all of which were blocked. Orochimaru flicked Raizen's hand to the side and kicked him in the stomache. As Raizen slid back Sasuke ran forward and jumped into the air. Sasuke kicked down at Orochimaru, only to have his attack blocked. Before a counterattack could fly back at him Sasuke spiraled back away from Orochimaru, just narrowly avoiding a kick sent his way. Sasuke landed back over Raizen as he ran for his enemy. Raizen threw a straight punch at Orochimaru, but this hit landed. With a smile, Raizen continued his attack. He dragged his other fist forward and launched it into Orochimaru's stomache. Sasuke ran up Raizen 's back and leapt off with a kick that sent Orochimaru sprawling across the ground. Orochimaru ground the bark of the tree and flicked his arm to the side, before it could even be seen, he was slithering across the trees around them. Even Raizen couldn't track him, he looked over and saw Sasuke's eyes change to red.
Raizen: Where is he?
Sasuke: Below.

Sasuke and Raizen both jumped at the same time as Orochimaru slid under them. Orochimaru opened his mouth and his tongue wrapped around Raizen's leg. The tongue slammed Raizen into the branch of the tree and then toward Orochimaru's face, with anger Orochimaru slammed his fists into the boys stomache and then a last punch to his face that sent him rolling back along the massive tree branch. Raizen stopped himself and looked back at Sasuke. Both nodded and Raizen charged forward. He pulled back his fist and ducked as Orochimaru punched at him. Raizen countered with an upward scissor kick and knocked Orochimaru slightly off the ground. Sasuke ran under the airbourne man and jumped up before grabbing him upside down. Sasuke flipped Orochimaru over and dragged him down to a lower branch into a corkscrew pilediver. [A/N: Falcon drop!]
Raizen: I'll be right down!

Sasuke flipped away from his enemy whose head seemed to have been driven into the very bark of the tree. Raizen flipped down to Sasuke side and Orochimaru placed his leg on the ground, while still upside down. His feet pulled his upper half back up and he quickly made his way to both boys. Sasuke jumped back away from the flurry of punches, but failed to dodge the final backhand. Orochimaru pulled forward and kicked into Raizen's stomach before pulling the same leg into Raizen's face. Orochimaru then turned his full attention to Sasuke. He punched the boy twice in the stomach and sent a short jab to his face. Before Sasuke could stumble he grabbed his head and dragged into into his knee. Sasuke stumbled and Orochimaru gave him a quick hook to the face that sent him rolling back. Raizen stood to his feet and ran at Orochimaru, who swept quickly at his feet and slammed his fist downward into the boy's stomach. Before feeling could return to his body Raizen found himself lifted into the air. Orochimaru pulled back his free hand and punched into Raizen face before slamming him into the tree branch. He smiled and lifted the boy back up before throwing him from the branch. Raizen was falling fast, so he was forced to think the like. Raizen reached back and grabbed his shuriken before opening it. He quickly threw it at Orochimaru, who caught it in mid-air. Raizen smiled and started cycling through handsigns.
Raizen: Instantaenous transport jutsu!

Once the boy finished shouting his attack his hand appeared on the shuriken Orochimaru was holding. Raizen pulled back and punched into Orochimaru's face. Orochimaru lost his footing and tumbled back across the tree, but Raizen wasn't finished. He ran in a blur and caught up to Orochimaru in what seemed like a microsecond.
Raizen: Light speed assault.

Raizen charged forward while rapidly slamming his fists into Orochimaru's stomach in succession, reaching a speed that not even the great sennin could match. Raizen suddenly stopped and shouted.
Raizen: two-hundred, seventy-five hits!

Raizen smiled and picked back up his speed. He reached out for Sasuke's hand and dragged him along with him before he turned in a spin.
Raizen: Go!
Sasuke: Right.

Raizen threw Sasuke at mach-speed and Sasuke started forming seals. He placed two fingers in front of his mouth.
Sasuke: Fire style: Fireball jutsu!

Sasuke fire blew into front of him, but because of the speed he was moving at, it simply came back at him and covered his entire body in flames. Sasuke's eyes flared through the fireball and he shouted in unison with Raizen.
Sasuke/Raizen: Sonic missile!!!!

Sasuke slammed into Orochimaru and the fire surrounding him completely shifted from his body to Orochimaru, blasting him back into the body of the tree. Sasuke wasted no time, he quickly tied wire onto eight shuriken and threw it around the tree Orochimaru was resting on. The shuriken returned to him and he pulled tightly tying Orochimaru to the tree. Sasuke handed one of the wires to Raizen and both boy started doing handsigns. Once they finished Sasuke placed the wire between his teeth and Raizen held tight onto the wire.
Sasuke: Fire style: Dragon flame jutsu!
Raizen: Lightning style: Lightning rod justu!

Both attacks trailed down to Orochimaru's body and he screamed out in pain. The fire burned his body from the inside, while the electricty fried his insides. The power of the attacks knocked Orochimaru back through the tree and the area in the forest was brightened by the light of the flames. Sakura looked down and smiled.
Sakura: My teammates are amazing.

Raizen looked over to Sasuke and smiled, Sasuke only huffed a reply.
Orochimaru: Good to see that you're both so happy.

Both boys turned back with wide eyes and Orochimaru walked forward looking like his face was shedding. A layer of skin was peeling from his face, slightly revealing another face under it. Orochimaru quickly placed seals and blew hot fire at Raizen, that blasted him back along the tree with tremondous force. Raizen blacked out and fell into disillusion. Sakura jumped down to him and Sasuke closely watched his enemy begin another round of seals.
Orochimaru: Cursed seal jutsu!

Orochimaru's neck stretched out and he bit down into Sasuke's neck.
Sakura: Sasuke-kun!!!

Sasuke tightly grabbed his neck and collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. Sakura ran over to him and Raizen quickly awakened after hearing Sakura's scream. His hearing slowly returned and gripped his head.
Orochimaru: Soon you will seek me out, you will desire more power. And I will grant it to you.

Sakura dropped Sasuke and stood in front of him with her arms spread wide as she cried with determination. Sasuke held his stomach and screamed before passing out from the pain. Orochimaru smiled at the young girl and took a step forward, but before he could go any further a boy stood in front of Sakura. Raizen frowned and said back.
Raizen: Sakura, remember what Kabuto said?
Sakura: Huh?
Raizen: I have been hiding something, but I need you to keep it secret. Don't tell anyone about this, promise me. Especially not Sasuke, no one can know what I'm about to do.
Sakura: Raizen?
Raizen: Promise me.

Sakura stared for a second and then nodded to Raizen. The boy smiled and turned to Orochimaru.
Raizen: I don't know what you did to my little cousin, but I'm not going to let you hurt him anymore.
Sakura: Little cousin?
Orochimaru: So you believe a nobody like you will stop me?
Raizen: I'm not a nobody. And I'm going to show you just how much I can do!

Raizen said as his eyes flared red. Sakura and Orochimaru both stared in shock, it couldn't be.
Orochimaru: There are no other Uchiha besides Itachi, Yukari, and Sasuke! How can you possess a sharingan!?
Raizen: I don't brag as much as Sasuke does about family ties.

Orochimaru stopped and calmed himself.
Orochimaru: Fine, but that makes you no different from Sasuke.
Raizen: Ha, I'm nothing like Sasuke, I'm stroger than him.

Raizen's eyes began to morph and he smiled widely as his eyes shaped lightning bolts.
Raizen: Lightning god sharingan!!!!

Raizen's eyes finally finished changing and he disappeared from sight. Before Orochimaru could even react Raizen slammed his fist into the sennin's stomach. The punch felt like a lightning strike, it coursed throughout his body and electricity shone around the boy's fist. Raizen sent a straight kick into Orochimaru's stomach and it was accompanied by a lightning bolt. Raizen took no chances, he had to end this quick. He launched his shuriken around Orochimaru and it circled him. Raizen appeared above it and held his hand out and shouted.
Raizen: Indignation!!!!!

The shuriken conducted the lightning into a cone that struck down on Orochimaru rapidly. The shock sent the man soaring into the air. Raizen laughed and zapped back to Sakura. He gently threw her into the air along with his shuriken and then jumped up into the air.
Raizen: Full power: Thor's hammer!!!!!!!!!!!

Raizen's hands locked together and he slammed them into the ground in front of Orochimaru. Lightning trailed through the entire forest and dragged Orochimaru along the ground, far away from those Raizen protected. The fight was over, Raizen held his hand up and shouted.
Raizen: Instantaenous transport jutsu!

Raizen teleported up to Sakura and lovingly held her in the cradled position as he brought her back the ground. Once he landed he smiled, his calculations were correct, he moved Sakura because she was in the way, the way he attacked avoided the two unconcious boys with them, he just felt bad for the people caught up by the attack. He looked around and frowned, he destroyed a good chunk of the forest with that one attack. He looked at Sakura, she was still in shock. Raizen rubbed her long pink hair and kissed her forehead. Sakura blushed and Raizen pulled back.
Raizen: Just I put too much into that, and sorry for throwing you. You weren't hurt were you, my sweet cherry blossom?

Sakura didn't answer, she didn't know if it was the shock, the fact that Raizen was an Uchiha, or the fact that right now he was being extremely affectionate. Raizen didn't wait for an answer, before he passed out. The use of that much charka made him dizzy, as well as the fact that he hadn't fully recovered from the attack Orochimaru gave him, but he passed out with the satisfaction that he got him back and his friends were safe, at least for now.

[Flash]
The attack had indeed reached far and destroyed much, but the destruction still wasn't enough to kill Orochimaru. He stood tall and dusted himself off.
Orochimaru: It's a good thing I didn't go all out, my aura consealment would have worn off.

With a large smile he thought back on the boy who attacked him, maybe it wouuld have been better to take him instead of Sasuke. The one problem being that the boy seemed high-set on his village and friends, he wouldn't be easy to manipulate.
????: Found you!!!!!

Orochimaru's ever present smile returned once again. He replied to the shout without turning.
Orochimaru: Anko, how long has it been?
Anko: Long enough! Now I'll finish you once and for all.
Orochimaru: Anko, we've been through this. You aren't strong enough to attempt such a feat. Are you still angry with me?
Anko: Angry doesn't begin to cover it.
Orochimaru: I'm sorry, but I've had a really stressful day, can we make this quick?
Anko: However you want it!!!!!

Anko ran toward the man, but this time he didn't try to hold back. He opened his mouth and revealed a large sword. The sword launched from his mouth toward Anko, who readied herself to dodge it. Orochimaru smiled and his eyes turned red, the sword was quickly accompanied by seventeen other chakra swords that Anko barely dodged. Even with her quick thinking the blades managed to cut her. Orochimaru quickly closed the distance with a single step. He tightly grasped her neck and slammed her into the tree behind her. His golden eyes flashed red, repeatedly.
Orochimaru: The same song and dance with you.
Anko: Damn you!!!!
Orochimaru: Oh, don't be angry Anko-chan. I'll haven't come here to bother you, or make you feel inferior again.
Anko: I'm not inferior! I don't know what you're after, but I'm going to finish you here.

Anko's body bursted apart into several different snakes, all of which rounded Orochimaru's body and converged into one. The snake slammed into Orochimaru's body and pinned him against the same tree he was holding Anko against. The snakes mouth opened and Anko emerged from it. She quickly placed her hand over Orochimaru's and slammed a kunai through both. With her free hand Anko firmly grabbed Orochimaru's and cycled through seals with him.
Anko: I'm going to kill you, and myself along with you.
Orochimaru: Really? So you'd sacrifice yourself to simply kill a clone of me?

Anko's eyes went wide and she turned around to Orochimaru standing right behind her.
Orochimaru: Do you really hate me that much?

Anko turned back to the clone and it melted into dirt and mud. Anko cursed and ripped the kunai from her hand.
Orochimaru: Oh, don't mind me, you can go ahead and finish if you want. I have no use for you anymore anyway.
Anko: You bastard.
Orochimaru: Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave of this place. Have fun Anko-chan.

Orochimaru slowly walked away and Anko stood still cursing her own powerlessness. She used dark charka to summon that jutsu, simply doing so left her in a dazed state. Orochimaru could have easily finished her off, he was toying with her. Tears fell from her and eyes and the curse seal pounded. Anko slowly walked after Orochimaru and found herself walking through the forest of death alone. Anko made her way out of the forest, but she quickly expanded all of her energy. She collapsed on a large stone and tried to regain her strength. With each breath she could feel herself losing conciousness. Growls cut her thinking short, she whipped her eyes around and found that she was surrounded by a pack of tigers, huge ones. Anko backed away slowly, but found her attempt stopped as she bumped into a large rock. She had no way of going on top of it with her waining conciousness. Suddenly someone walked throught into the opening and slowly advanced toward her.
Anko: Ishi-hime?

She said weakly as the said girl walked in front of the tigers. All turned to what looked like an easier meal, but Ishi's eyes were cool as steel. She glared at the tigers with eyes that shot fear straight into them. All backed down and scurried away from the area.
Anko: How did you?

Ishi didn't say anything, she simply walked over to the woman and placed her hand on her forehead. After a quick second she pulled the hand back and slapped Anko. Anko was quickly in shock, the shock caused her to forget completely that she was exhausted.
Ishi: What would I have done if you had actually gone through with that jutsu!?

She shouted with tears filling her eyes.
Ishi: You idiot!!!
Anko: I'm sorry.

She said looking down to the ground. Ishi put arm arm around her sensei and hugged her.
Ishi: I know it must hurt, but you still have a life to live, don't throw it away.
Anko: And if I actually let you come with me you'd have done the same thing.
Ishi: No, I have no intent on dying. And for that slap, I think I owed you one.

Anko chuckled and Ishi smiled widely, she was mad, something Neji had only seen once. Anko knew that Ishi wasn't always the innocent, naive girl people took her for. Now she knew that it could be aimed at her, she'd have to be more careful in the future.

[Flash]
JJ: I'm up now!!!! Are you happy!!!!!

He shouted out into the crowd of moaning ninja. All crying and clutching their various wounded body parts. JJ stood up with a large bag of scrolls and walked away from the scene. He pulled up the bag and prepared to toss it somewhere until he saw someone.
JJ: Ino-chan?

Ino jumped at his voice and Shikamaru sighed.
Shikamaru: Just our luck.
Choji: Hey what are you doing here?
JJ: You guys had an earth scroll right?
Ino: Please don't take our scroll.

She said holding her hands up, JJ shot a look at her and smiled before he reached into the bag and tossed them a heaven scroll.
JJ: See you guys in the next round. I hope you guys make it.

Choji looked at it as if it were a trap, but suddenly Ino blushed and smiled at JJ.
Shikamaru: Well that makes our job a whole lot easier.
Choji: What did he do that for?
Shikamaru: Who knows.

JJ locked onto Naruto's aura and stepped back as he saw it distorted. From the other aura in the area he figured that he was with Sasuke, Sakura, and Raizen, but all but Sakura seemed to be unconcious. He walked forward slowly and stopped as the destruction caused by some strong attack caught his eye.
JJ: What the hell did that? Did Naruto cut loose? Huh? No, this is different from anything Naruto does, I know he doesn't use lightning jutsu.

JJ looked up and saw a piece of stone floating in the air. With a large smile he jumped up on the trees and flipped onto the stone. Once on it he saw Mika, Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino all asleep on it. JJ smiled and shook Akamaru.
Akamaru: Arf.
JJ: What happened here?
Akamaru: Woof.
JJ: So Mika asked you not to tell me? Was it something bad?
Akamaru: Woof.
JJ: Alright, it's okay, just wake everybody up, we need to be somewhere.
Akamaru: "Howl"

Kiba shot up and Shino simply lifted his head.
Kiba: What is it Akamaru!?
JJ: Hey.
Mika: Norugi-kun?

She asked as she slowly sat up rubbing her eyes.
JJ: Morning, how'd you guys sleep?
Kiba: Bad, what are you doing here?
JJ: Well I kind of saw one of my teammates hanging with you guys and I decided to drop in. What happened anyway?

Mika shot up and started thinking of something.
Mika: We decided to stick with each other because of the dangers of the forest.
JJ: Really? Well that's cool, anyway we have to go somewhere.
Shino: Why, we already have both scrolls.
JJ: Well, it seems like Naruto got into alittle trouble while we were gone.
Hinata: What?
JJ: Don't worry, if something really bad happened to him you would've felt it. But he does seem to be out of it. Care to join me?

Mika and Hinata stood up and grabbed their things. Shino stood up slowly and placed his hands in his pocket, while Kiba just growled.
Hinata: Kiba-kun.
Kiba: I'm coming.

He stood reluctantly standing up. JJ smiled as Mika crumbled away the slab of earth they were standing on. All landed on the ground and made off into the direction Naruto was resting in.

[Flash]
Sakura had been trying to recover from the events of the night before, the shock of learning Raizen's secret, Sasuke getting marked, facing the true Orochimaru. She wanted nothing more than to take a long rest, but with the circumstances, she had no time to rest. Her eyes fluttered closed and she quickly snapped back up as something came running toward her. A small squrriel made it's way her hideout. Sakura smiled looked onto it's back.
Sakura: A paperbomb?

The squrriel kept it's course to her. Sakura whipped a kunai in it's direction and it stopped int it's tracks. Sakura walked out and careful took steps to the small creature. She picked it up and gently ripped the tag from it's back.
Sakura: Who would do something so cruel?

Sakura placed the squrriel back on the ground and smiled as it scurried away.
Sakura: [Someone's after me.]

She thought to herself as she carefully scanned the area. Sakura pulled three shuriken and threw them into what looked like a random bush, but the second she did three shadows flew from it. One slammed into the ground at her side and swung at her. Sakura skillfully ducked under it and flipped back over five senbon needles. Sakura landed back to the ground and tried to evade the next attack, but was completely unprepared as a third person knocked her back across the ground. Sakura stopped herself along the ground and looked up at her new opponents. One was a boy with spiky black hair and an arrogant stare. The other was a girl with long black hair, while the third was a boy wrapped in bandages. Sakura wiped her mouth and stood to one knee. With a smile she took a step back, something snapped and a sound erupted from behind the three people. A large log tied to a tight rope fell toward her group of enemies. One boy turned around and opened his palms, a sonic boom thundrously shot from his hands. The log broke to pieces, but Sakura smiled again.
Dosu: what's so funny?
Sakura: You'll see.

She said diving into the hole of the tree where her friends rested. When Dosu looked around he noticed something that Zaku didn't. There were explosive tags placed on the log, with the pieces now scattered around them.
Kin: Dammit! Move!

Before they could move the tags exploded around them. Sakura pulled out three kunai and threw them into the smoke that was left behind. Each one hit a mark, Sakura had successfully protected her friends, or so she thought. All three stepped from the dust and laughed at Sakura's attemt to stop them. Sakura looked down and walked from the hollow tree to face them while protecting the others.

[Flash]
Orochimaru walked away from the forest and smiled as his guest arrived on the scene.
Kabuto: Well, it looks like you had a bit of trouble.
Orochimaru: Many unexpected things did happen. Have you met the boy with Sasuke?
Kabuto: Yes, his name is Raizen Aname, don't worry, he's not a threat.
Orochimaru: Is that really what you think?

Orochimaru pointed to the destruction around their position and Kabuto turned to it.
Kabuto: You mean the lightning strike? What about it?

Orochimaru smiled before answering.
Orochimaru: Do you remember seeing the sky dim for that lightning? Did you hear any lightning before or after that?
Kabuto: No.
Orochimaru: In order for lightning to strike there would have to be clouds gathering, do you see any?
Kabuto: Are you saying that Raizen kid did that!?
Orochimaru: His potential may be more than even Sasuke.
Kabuto: Are you saying that we should capture him? He doesn't have what we want, even if he can do this.
Orochimaru: I don't understand it, but he possesses a sharingan, he as well as Sasuke, is an Uchiha.
Kabuto: How can that be?
Orochimaru: I don't know, but he has willpower, that makes him dangerous. I want him dead.
Kabuto: Yes Orochimaru-sama.

Kabuto smiled and pushed his glasses back up to his face.

[Flash]
The battle continued, many had rushed to Sakura's aid, but all fell before the young sound ninjas. [A/N: Because I hate rewriting things I don't change, I find it unneccessary.]

Sakura's face was beaten and bloody, most of her long flowing hair had been cut by her own hand. She struggled to her feet as she pulled out a kunai, her breathing became ragged, her hands were unsteady. Tears rolled down her face as she cursed her weakness. Lee, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji all came to save her from the three sound ninja, but she could bearly even fight own her own. If it were Raizen or Sasuke the fight wouldn't have even gone on this long. Even if she weren't on their team, even if it were just them, they would have still been as good as they are. The thought crushed her, what exactly did she do for them.
Zaku: Finally realized that you can't win?
Sakura: Shut up! I'll stop you all, I won't let you hurt them.
????: Atta girl.

A hand fell atop Sakura's head and she looked back up to JJ.
Sakura: JJ-san?
JJ: You must have been scared, yet you fought on, just to protect your friends. There's no reason to cry, you did a good job. Watch after your friends, I'll take it from here, just don't cry anymore.

JJ gave the girl a pat and walked forward.
JJ: Ino, return to your body, Choji come back me up. Shikamaru, I want you to look after Ino. Kiba, you scout the area. Hinata, check Sakura and Lee's wounds. Shino, I want you to watch and see if any one jumps in. Mika, gaurd the hole in that tree.
All: Got you.

JJ stood in front of the sound ninja and completely took charge of the situation. Choji stood by JJ's side and smiled.
Choji: Two on two, seems fair.
JJ: Yeah, even though I have no respect for people who jump a lone girl, but I like a good fight. Watch my back Choji.
Choji: Got ya.

Kin sat up from her forced unconciousness and looked at the area around her.
Zaku: All right, I've been waiting to find you again.
JJ: Sorry I made you wait so long, I mean I was sleep against a tree, it's not like I was hiding or anything. You guys must have sucked at hide and seek as kids.

Dosu pulled back his long sleeves and run after Choji, who smiled and ran forward after him.
Choji: Giant human boulder!!!

Dosu charged forward and prepared for to counter the boy once he got close enough, but suddenly, the ball stopped moving. Choji reached his arm out and grabbed tightly onto JJ's who smiled as he jumped into the air with the still spinning boy.
Choji: Team attack: Human wrecking ball!!!!!

JJ spun upward and slammed Choji's spinning body back into the ground on top of Dosu and many trees in the area. Zaku aimed his hands up and blasted at JJ, however Choji quickly flipped back into his normal self and swung JJ at the boy before he could react. Zaku's eyes went wide as a fist collided with his face. Zaku rolled back and stopped himself by pushing a loud sound wave from his hands. He shot back at JJ with a boom. JJ smiled and headbutted the kid as he rushed at him. Zaku's head gushed blood and he collapsed back to the ground.
JJ: I know that must have hurted you, but my skin is as tough as dragon skin.

Zaku sat up and wiped his head, Hinata looked over to something as it erupted from the tree stump Naruto and the others were resting in, in fact it caught the attention of everyone. Suddenly a gust of wind flew from the area and something that sounded akin to a swift slice through wind caught everyone ear. Sasuke had awoken. He was standing in front of JJ, holding the Zaku in the air by his throat, pushing all of his strength into crushing the very life from him.
Sasuke: Sakura, was it this one who did that to you?

Sakura was speechless, the only thing she could think about was the black marks along his body, and the dark raidiant chakra he was emitting. Zaku pulled his hand forward and placed it on Sasuke's face.
Zaku: Sonic blast!!

The rushing sound blast Sasuke in the face, but the boy didn't move. Sasuke grabbed tightly onto Zaku's hand and tightly sqouze until he heard a snap.
Sasuke: So your power is from your hands.

Sasuke slammed the boy to the ground and kept his hand on his arm. Sasuke placed his foot on Zaku's knee and and kicked it out of place.
Zaku: AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sasuke: I'm not done yet.

Sasuke slowly walked forward as the entire feild became still from his actions. Sasuke stomped down on Zaku's shoulder until a satisfying crunch came from the wound. At this point, from looking eyes, Zaku's arm looked like a lightning bolt, completely broken. Sasuke smiled wickedly and stomped on the other boys elbow. Sasuke slowly walked around the boy's battered body as he quivered in pain and fear. Sasuke was suddenly stopped though as a hand fell on his shoulder. JJ pulled him back and said sternly.
JJ: It's over, you've won.
Sasuke: Don't tell me when I'm done. Touch me again lizard, and I'll kill you.

Everyone's eye went wide at Sasuke's statement, but JJ took the threat seriously, his entire demeaner changed. He said in a cold voice that one, but Naruto had ever heard from him.
JJ: Try it.

Sasuke smiled and lifted his palm up.
Sasuke: Have it your way.
Sakura: Sasuke!

Sakura quickly stood to her feet and ran to her teammate and crush, once she reached him she completely threw herself onto him and wrapped her arms around his body. Sasuke stopped in his tracks and his eyes went wide.
Sakura: Please Sasuke, please stop.

Sasuke stood still and looked down before the marks on his body retracted. Sakura finally let go and Sasuke collapsed to the ground, holding the mark on his neck. Kiba wasn't watching them after Sakura hugged him, a few of them had noticed something. One of the people in the tree stump had woken up. Raizen stared at the moment, not understanding anything, but what he saw was something that made his heart stop. Kiba walked over to Raizen and lifted him up, Ino's eyes were stuck on both, she would have been lying to say she didn't still carry a torch for Sasuke, but Raizen was so nice, something about looking at him at that moment hit her right in her heart. Raizen quickly shook it off and put on a false smile.
Raizen: Looks like I missed something interesting.

His voice made Sakura jump almost out of her skin. Neji jumped down from a tree and Tenten quickly ran after Lee, who was still in a state of unconciousness. Dosu walked over to Zaku and helped him up before quickly retreating with Kin following close behind. Raizen wrote that off and checked Sakura and Sasuke.
Raizen: What happened to you guys, and your hair? Are you okay?

Sakura looked away and JJ leaned back to Choji before whispering.
JJ: Ackward.
Choji: Tell me about it. Maybe we should go.
JJ: Yeah, but we have to wake up Naruto.
Hinata: I'll do it.

She said with a smile, dispite the moment just a while ago. Hinata walked to the hole and said.
Hinata: Naruto-kun, dinner's ready.
Naruto: Dinner!?

He said shooting up into sitting position.
Naruto: Hey, there's no dinner, and the place looks like hell, what did I miss.
JJ: Alot, what happened to you?

Naruto looked around at all of the people in the area, they were doing their own thing, but he knew how easy it was to overhear certain things.
Naruto: I'll tell you later. First I need you to remove something.
JJ: What?
Naruto: Someone put a seal on me.
JJ: What kind?
Naruto: Five pronge seal.
JJ: Potent huh? Alright, stand back.

JJ started quickly cycling through seals and then he foucsed all of the chakra into his fingers.
JJ: Five pronge seal release!!!!

He said slamming his fingers into Naruto's stomache, Naruto coughed and placed his hand over his stomach.
Naruto: Ow.
JJ: Well, it's not like I can do it lightly.
Naruto: What's next?
JJ: We find the tower I guess.

JJ walked from the tree stumped and smiled at Raizen before throwing him two scrolls.
JJ: See you in the next exam.
Raizen: See you there.

Ino looked at JJ walk away and returned to the job of fixing Sakura's hair.
Ino: What were you doing?
Sakura: You're just mad, because I got to Sasuke first.

She said slanting her eyes. Ino roughly pulled Sakura's hair.
Sakura: Ow, you did that on purpose!
Ino: Damn straight I did. Why are you always so narrow sighted? I'm not going to tell you who to like, but could you keep that to a minimum? Maybe you didn't see Raizen's face, but I did. I'm guessing that's why Kiba stayed back for a while too.

She said looking at the two boys talking and smiling as Raizen helped Sasuke.
Ino: If it was on tape, you could probably freeze the exact moment his heart broke. He's good at playing it off, but that just makes it more difficult to watch, he's always nice to you, try to be nice to him. Done. You guys should get to work, we have a lot ahead of us.

She said as she put the finishing touches on Sakura's hair.
Ino: You might want to get that done over at the first chance you get, there's only so much I can do with a Kunai.
Sakura: Thanks Ino.
Ino: No need for that stupid, we're friends again aren't we?

Sakura smiled and nodded to Ino, despite how she felt months ago, it was good having her as a friend again. Sasuke stood up, still holding his neck. Raizen looked over to him and asked.
Raizen: Something happen to you?
Sasuke: No, my neck just hurts.

He said pulling his collar over his neck.
Sasuke: I think we should get going.
Raizen: Yeah, com'n Sakura.

Sakura walked slowly to her teammates, Sasuke asked her to keep the mark a secret. In the forest she found out a secret about both of her teammates, both secrets that should have been told. She looked up from the ground and ran to the two boys.

[Flash]
JJ sat in front of the massive tower and watched his team walked up to him.
Naruto: This place is bigger than I thought.
Mika: Tell me about it.
Naruto: What do we do now?
????: I guess we go in.

JJ looked up behind Naruto and smiled at the familiar face.
JJ: Kabuto, how come we didn't run into you in the forest?
Kabuto: I was rather busy.
JJ: Did you get two scrolls?
Kabuto: Yeah, I guess I'm going in with you guys.
Naruto: All right.

JJ turned around and opened the door in front of them. He smiled and the quickly dropped it when he saw into the empty room. All that seemed to be waiting for them was a large banner hanging from the wall at the far end of the room.
Naruto: Without......Heaven? What does that mean?
Mika: There's words missing.
JJ: Not quite, it's up to you to add the other parts. It's simple.
Naruto: Care to enlighten us?
JJ: Heaven is the concious mind, if you lack the ability to think, you must sharpen your mind, and earth is the human body, if you lack strength and stamina, you must work your own strength. You see without the mind the body is nothing, but a husk, but without the body, the mind is just an object that can't act out it's own will. Only once both are aligned can they become truly strong, it doesn't help if you have fast reflexes, but you can't think ahead, or if you can think fast, but your body can't keep up.
Kabuto: Nice.
JJ: That's what I figure anyway.

JJ pulled out both of their scrolls and opened them before flapping them down open on the floor. Once the scrolls opened a puff of smoke eerged from it.
Iruka: Well, I'd be a lair if I said I was surprised. So you guys made it here. I figured you'd be here sooner though.
Naruto: We had some problems. Has Mom ever told you about someone named Insuru?
Iruka: Not that I know of. I'd figure you'd know before me.
Naruto: I guess I'll have to ask her. Anyway, how do we get though?

Iruka stepped against the wall and pressed a small button on the wall and smiled as the wall opened up for the young genin. Once opened the room ahead was large and wide. There was a balcony above the first floor and on the far end of the room there were stone hands set up in the ram seal. Naruto smiled at the other people in the room. With a single step he could feel the intensity in the room fall down on him. His team lined up behind the other members of rookie nine. Lee smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
Sabutori: I'm glad you all could make it.
Ishi: Good job Neji-kun!!!

Neji turned away and hid his face.
Neji: Ugh.

Sarutobi sweatdropped and looked away as well. He coughed into his fist and said loudly.
Sarutobi: I hope you're all ready because the next exam will be an elimination tournament. You will all face one another in a tournament and the winners of their matches will advance to the next round.

Everyone's eyes went wide and they all looked at one another. Anyone one of them could have been paired against each other. Sasuke smiled and looked over to Naruto, who in turn looked at him. Naruto looked at JJ and smiled as well.
Sarutobi: Now if everyone is ready, let's begin!

Chapter 9 end.

Naruto: It finally starts. I'll be the one to win it all.
JJ: But, what if you have to go against Hinata?
Naruto: Easy, I'll quit.
Mika: Wow, your sights are set so high.
Kiba: I don't care who it is, I'll crush 'em.
Shino: Don't celebrate so early, be prepared for anything.
Hinata: I'll try my best.
Naruto: Give it your all too.

Next time on Eyes piercing the darkness: Chuunin exams part two, genin face off!!!

Sarutobi: Let's begin.


Omake theater begin.

Omake 1: Gaara's torture.

Gaara smiled as he held up the young unsuspecting genin by the throat. Sand quickly took the boy from his hands and pulled him higher into the air.
Gaara: Wanna know how I became this way?

He asked with an evil smile.
Gaara: Well, my father was a Kazekage, and a fiend, he wanted to create a weapon of unparrelled power. So while my mother was giving birth to me, a seal was placed around her. A demon was placed inside me, because of that, there was complications in birth, and my father didn't like that. NOT ONE BIT. So he began to pump chakra into her stomach, causing me to burst from my mother's stomach. Father lifted me into the air and looked down at mom. As she laid there, dying, he told her "Die for me."....Then she died. Years later, I've been locked in a dark room many years now. My uncle comes into the room, drunk. He decides to go off crazier than usual, throwing kunai at me as I ran away. As I cowered he said "Die for me. No one could ever love you." Finally I snapped, I held him in the air, just like this, and I told him "Die for me." Right before I slowly disemboweled him.

Gaara smiled and turned back to the boy as the sand behind him rose into the air.
Gaara: Die for me.

The sand rushed at the boy and shortly after the screms of pain erupted into the forest of death. In short the message means, Gaara rules and so does "The Dark Knight".

Omake 2: Team 14's one failed mission.

Naruto walked out into the large feild of grass and stared out into the distance.
Naruto: So we just have to protect this grass?
JJ: I'm curious too, what's so special about it?
Nohu: This grass is special, without it I will lose all of my money.

Said the timid old man, Mika sighed and walked closer to the grass.
Mika: It smells funny.
Shikamaru: This is such a waste of time.
Claire: Don't complain, Asuma asked me to look after you so you're going to work too.
Shikamaru: What a drag.
Mika: Why are we gaurding grass?
JJ: Well this is a D-rank mission, I guess there's something important about it or else ninjas wouldn't though trouble of trying to steal it. Alright guys, I need you to set up a parameter around the grass, if something happens radio it in.
Shikamaru: Fine.

Two hours had passed, yet nothing worth mentioning had happened yet. The young ninja had began to doubt the credibility of the field's threat.
Naruto: Maybe the old man is just paranoid.

He said into his radioset.
Mika: Maybe he's right.
Shikamaru: Yeah, who would attack someone for grass anyway?

He said staring up into the sky.
JJ: Doesn't matter, we took this mission so look alive. Even if there is no threat we must do our job.

After JJ's words were said Shikamaru sat quiet for a moment and then asked.
Shikamaru: Is he always so stuck up like that?
Naruto: Only on missions, it gets old real fast.
Mika: Yeah, he's always shouting orders like that. You get used to it, even if it does work your nerves.
Naruto: Tell me about it.
JJ: You know, if you're going to talk crap about someone, make sure you turn of your radio first. I'd expect that from Naruto, but not you Mika.
Mika: Sorry, Norugi-kun.

She said with a smile. Shikamaru sat up as something wiz passed in front of him.
Shikamaru: Are any of you in my area?
Naruto: No. What's going on?
Shikamaru: I guess the old man wasn't paranoid after all.

He said sitting up.
Shikamaru: Come on out.
Ryo: So you noticed?
Shikamaru: Yeah you're not very quiet.

Shikamaru stepped out of the way as a kunai flew passed his face and he countered with a kunai of his own. The ninja easily dodged and closed the distance between them.
Shikamaru: Idiot, you fell for it.

Shikamaru smiled as he slapped together seals and his shadow crept up to the ninja and caught his shadow.
Shikamaru: Shadow possession jutsu.

After catching the ninja in his trap he walk him over to the kunai that he had thrown earlier and forced the ninja to pick it up. Once it was in his hand Shikamaru forced the ninja to slam the kunai into his own head.
Shikamaru: One down.

The second he said that the ninja exploded into a poof of smoke and jumped up from behind Shikamaru.
Ryo: I'm not that easy to kill.

Ryo pulled back his fist and Shikamaru ducked forward under it and flipped forward, kicking the ninja in the chin with his heel. Ryo rolled back and Shikamaru slid along the ground before turning back to Ryo as he stopped himself.
Ryo: You're good.
Shikamaru: You too.
JJ: Shikamaru, what's going on?
Shikamaru: We've got company.
JJ: I'll be right there.

JJ moved his headset away and looked around as something ran passed him. A smile crept onto his face and he turned around just in time to stop a high kick. The ninja cursed the boy's awareness and rapidly punched for him as JJ simply flipped back over them. Naruto came from nowhere and ran under JJ with a punch of his own. The ninja was sent sliding back and he slid back to his feet. He reached back and grabbed a large sphere shaped object.
Naruto: What the...?
JJ: Flash bomb!!!!!

JJ covered his and Naruto's eyes from the explosion, but the second it was over the ninja had closed in on them. Before he could try anything the sound of earth moving under his feet caught his attetion. He looked down and jumped high into the air. Mika smiled and sent the ground to the airbourne man. The stones missed as he swiftly spun in mid-air, but he countered with an attack of his own.
Kyo: Fire style: Flame wheel jutsu!!!!

The man spun his arm and a twisting fireball came flying down toward Mika. Mika stomped on the ground and a stone sheild covered her from the flames, but the grass wasn't so fortunate. Shikamaru fell back to their position and looked around as the fire overtook the entire feild.
JJ: Crap, hurry and put it ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..........

Before he could even finish his statement something had overcome him. In fact, it took over everyone. Ryo and Kyo both landed on the ground in front of the children. All's eyes went wide and dialated as the entire feild of grass was reduced to nothing, but smoke.

[Flash]
Claire had finished reporting the events of the mission to Sarutobi and Asuma who both stared curiously at her.
Sarutobi: So the feild was.....?
Claire: Yes.
Asuma: And the kids?
Claire: Well, JJ's been laughing in a corner to 3 hours, Naruto won't stop staring at his hands, and Mika won't stop eating everything she touches.
Asuma: And Shikamaru?
Claire: He's been the worst.

She said closing her eyes. Both leaf shinobi and hokage prepared for the worst.
Claire: He's been staring at the sky for the last 4 hours talking about clouds.
Asuma: ...........
Sarutobi: ..........
Asuma: So he's no different?

The next morning, none of the children had any recollection of the night before, and the mission ended in complete failure.

Omake 3: Anko and Sheena.
Anko: Hi everyone, dispite what JJ said in this chapter I just wanted to clear the air alittle.
Sheena: Yeah, the truth is that we look nothing alike at all. I mean, we don't even have the same hair color
JJ: Yes, you do, you even have the same hairstyle.

Both women looked at each other and frowned.
Anko: We not even the same height.
JJ: Yes you are, you're just as tall as each other. You even have the same profession.
Sheena: That doesn't mean anything.
JJ: You also have the same eye color.
Anko: I do not!!
Sheena: Yeah shut up!!!!!
JJ: You even have the same bust size.

He said shrugging his shoulders. Both women looked at each once again and frowned.
Anko: Stop copying me.
Sheena: You're the one copying me.

Both jumped back and grabbed their weapons.
Anko: I'll cut you down paper girl.
Sheena: Bring it on snake wench!!!

JJ stepped between the two and held them back.
JJ: Whoa, there's no need for that. Now we can settle this like two responible and very, very sexy kunoichis. Naruto.

He said whipping his face over to his friend who just happened to be innocently standing there.
JJ: I want you to get me a really large tub, Mika you make mud.

Then he lifted a finger.
JJ: I'll go sell tickets.

All of the other people looked at JJ walked away with sewat dripping down their faces.
Anko: Am I the only one who doesn't feel like fighting anymore?
Sheena: No, no you're not.

In short, I'd love to see these two mud wrestle. ^o^


Omake theater closed!


Well it took me forever to finish this and I feel bad about that. I wouldn't if it was because of something I couldn't control, but it's all my fault. I sort of got sidetracked all through the development of this chapter so I'd like to apologize. Also there was the Naruto manga chapter 437, it got me all disoreintated anyone else who read it would know why. I'm not going to leave a spoiler, but if what seemed like it happened, happened. Then I'll probably not be reading or watching Naruto anymore. I'll still write this story, but if at any point you start to think, "That's not how it happened." You'll know why. Anyway, I was trying to think up a way to make this chapter worth all the time it took. I was wondering how I'd do it, but I came up with a way, while reading a manga. Sometimes manga creators like to show their other works, before they started working on the story you're reading, or sometimes they'll just show stories that didn't quite make it. That's what I'm going to do, I want to show you all a story that almost beat this one out. I was almost going to write this before I wrote Eyes piercing the darkness.



Extra: Tournament of Dreams!

It was a simple name, but it was appropriate. When I came up with this it was to showcase one of my best qualities as a writer, it was plain and simple. Gather characters from other worlds, bait them with what they most desire and make them fight it out. JJ was the conducter of the entire thing, what only those who read RE: AC would know, is that JJ originally had different powers, he could write out words from his chakra and crush it in his hands, whatever he wrote would become reality, no matter what it was. There were no boundaries. I changed that in ETPD because that kind of mind him a god-like, so I changed it for this story. Originally I made him the other way because I wanted there to be a clever way of him being the author of the story inside the story. He basically had the same powers I do as the writer. Anyway, tournament of Dreams was a story where JJ gathered people from the universes of Naruto, King of fighters, Street fighter, Final fantasy, Inuyasha, Legend of Zelda, Mortal Kombat, Bleach, One piece, Blood +, Fullmetal alchemist, Tekken. And that's just the one I remember, there was probably more at the time. All except Dragonball Z characters. Because we all know they'd win. Well I'll let the story tell the rest. Also, I wrote this one in Narrative form, for all thos complainers out there, you know who you are.

The Tournament of Dreams!

Somehow, the table was long enough to fit all of the people in the room, there were many, all talking on how the happened to appear in this strange place, surrounded by people they'd never seen or met before. All strange in their own way, gathered together at a single table in a large hall, lit only by dim candles. All eyes wondered the table, soon the guest in the large hall found people the recognized, but with them being so far apart and being cautious of the situation they all chose to stay where they were. "It seems I have some explaining to do." The voice came from nowhere. All eyes wandered to the sound of footsteps slowly walking toward the hall from a small ledge above. A small shilouette walked from the darkness of the main hall. "You are all my guests, please eat. There is no reason to be suspicious."

"Are you the one who brought us here?" Asked a calm man with long white hair. The boy at the top of the hall smiled as he answered the question. "Yes, I guess I am." The entire room went into an uproar, all erupting into an angry riot. With a single wave of his hand the boy forced everyone back into their seats. His smle returned and he said calmly. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to react that way."

"What are we doing here?" Said a short blond haired boy with his hair pulled back into a pony-tail. "Easy Edward, I'll explain everything, but first I need you to calm down. The boy's eyes grew wide and he frowned before asking, "How do you know my name?" "I know everything about all of you, that's why I brought you here. I want to offer you the opprotunity to gain everything you've ever wanted." This statement caught the attention of the crowd, all turned up to the boy with interest. "Could you say that again." Called out a boy with sppike orange hair and a long sword hang from his back. "I will grant you anything you wish." He said with an innocent smile once again.

"You're full of it." Said a young boy with fiery blonde hair, and an orange suit with black on the shoulders. "Naruto, you have something to say?" The boy asked calmly and awaited a reply. "We're supposed to believe that you can grant wishes or something. What the hell are we doing here? And who the hell are you?" The boy frowned and thought. "I didn't introduce myself did I? My name Is Norugi Suzaku, most call me JJ. Like your self Naruto, I am a ninja. But I have a special ability, that makes me...different."

"How" Was a simple question asked by a spiky blonde haired man with a large broadsword. JJ smiled and answer the question in kind. "Because my word goes, no matter what." He said writing out something in his own chakra. The words read, "And I switched control to a simple snap of my fingers." JJ crushed the words in his hand and smiled wider. "That's better." He said happily. As he held his hand out once again. "Do you wish to hear more?" All grew silent until Edward slammed his hands into the table and shouted., "Who the hell do you think you are!?"

"Callm down brother" Said a voice coming from a large suit of armor. "Whoa cool, talking armor. There's all sorts of weirdos here." Said a boy wearing a straw hat as he smiled widely, a man with green hair and three swords slammed his fist into the boy's head. "Quiet Luffy." JJ smiled once again and chuckled, "Seems I got an interesting group, well I've got some explaining to do. I'll begin like this."

He said snapping his finger and appearing down with the other people at the bottom of the hall. "I am a ninja, my special kekkai genkai, is the ability to re-write existence, I can do anything I so desire with simple writing. That, makes me extremely powerful, because the entire world can be changed at my whim. But I always tend to get bored, but watching the lives you all live, it entertains me. So, I decided to gather you all together for one reason, I want to grant you anything you wish, but I want you.....to earn it." Once again the boy's words caused an uproar. JJ finally lost his cool and shouted, "Shut up!!!" All voices became silent. "As you may have noticed there is a lot of people here, the reason is because I want you to participate in a tournament. If you can manage to win, I'll grant you everything you've ever desired."

"How can we be sure that you can even do that?" Asked Edward, still sceptical of the young boy's power. "I can do anything." Was the only response he got. JJ snapped his fingers and Ed's arm and leg turned back to flesh as well as Al's body returning to human. Both boy's stared at themselves in shock. "A great feeling isn't it. A reunion to flesh." JJ said as the boys returned back to their previous forms. JJ opened his hand and a young girl in a school uniform gasped. Small pieces of jewels started to fly toward JJ. The shards gathered together in his palm and formed a small sphere. "A jewel that grants incredible power." He said tossing the jewel the the silver haired man. His eyes blaze with the single touch of the jewel. "This power, is amazing." Suddenly the jewel shattered and returned to those who held them previous to the demonstration. "I can give you anything, so long as you're willing to fight for it."

"You're just trying to get kicks out of us." Shouted a girl with bright pink hair. "So." He answered the girl straight out with a frown. "I've watched you all for a long time now, You all fight right now anyway. Just to gain what you want you've had to endure hardships, hatred, pain, even losses. I'm just giving you a short cut. Besides, what is a goal you're not willing to fight to achieve? It's nothing." As much as they hated what he said most of them agreed with him. "I have no bonds, if your wish is to have the ultimate body. I will grant it." He said snapping his fingers, causing Orochimaru to completely form into Sasuke's body. Orochimaru smiled and laughed before he returned to normal and growled at the boy. JJ smiled and turned to a Boy with blue hair and black cold eyes. "If your wish is vengeance." He said turning to someone on the other side of the table. Sasuke frowned and growled at his brother. "Unrequited love." He said looking over to the same pink haired girl from earlier. Who looked over to the still growling Sasuke. "A great treasure and fame beyond your greatest dreams." He said looking over to the straw hat boy who gained a sly smile. "The courage to take what you want." He said eyeing a girl with long raven hair and pale eyes. " No matter what you want, I will give it to you, all I ask, is that you fight for it. Show me how much you want it."

Despite how everyone had felt earlier, there were smiles of eagerness on most of the competitors faces. "One catch." Once again eyes flew to JJ. "There is no penalty for killing your opponent in a match. And though it is in my power, I will not revive you." All eyes wavered after that was said, "But, isn't that what you do everyday? However, I will remove you from the fight if you stay down for ten seconds, give up, are knocked from the stage, or if you are knocked unconious, I will remove you instantly. I ask only one question, How much does your dream mean to you? Would you fight for it? Would you kill for it?" All around looked at the other people at the table and then at themselves before JJ finished the sentence. "Would you die for it?"

The last question seemed to stop the entire room, some seemed ready for such a risk, but others looked as if they were trying to come to grips with the thought. "If not, you're free to leave. That door there will return you to your home." He said pointing to the door covered by light. He waited for a second and suddenly a question flew to him. "What if we wanted money?" Asked an orange haired beauty with dark brown eyes. JJ smiled and answered, "Just make up any number, even if it's just an imaginary number, and I'll give it to you. The woman's eyes glew and she smiled widely. "Luffy, Zolo, Sanji, we're entering, you'd better not lose." Luffy chuckled and replied, "I was gonna enter anyway." JJ smiled and asked, "Anyone gonna leave? I also have something else to tell you. This is a pairs tournament, you and a partner will have to team up to win this." Friends smiled at each other and prepared to group up until, "But your teammate cannot be anyone you know, and I will choose your team member."

"What!? What kind of game are you playing here!?" Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs, pretty much saying the words on everyone's minds. JJ smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I'm going to team you all up with someone I know you'll work well with. I promise, once you've had time to talk with your team member there will be no doubts on how well you'll work together." Once again the room became quiet. JJ took the silence as a sign and continued, "I guess no one's leaving. Okay, right now, displayed on your retina is a room number, only you can see it. Once you find your room, enter it, whoever shows up there with you is your partner. You have one week to learn them inside and out. There is also a vast training room inside each room, you will practice there with your partner alone." He said once again giving an innocent smile. "Be careful, in a battle, if you or your partner are knocked out, the fight will continue, so you'll be alone with the two remaining members of the other team if you lose. If you can manage to sin, your team will move on. But if your partner is killed, your time is over, you will lose and be disqualified. So watch each others back. Also, no fighting outside of the matches. Or else."

With that said JJ walked away and the restrants on all of the competitors fell apart all stood up and looked around the room, growls and anger flew around, but all relaxed and made their way to their rooms.

[A few cut meetings later.]
"Glad to see you all ready, prepare for the first round. Team Cherry blossom, members Sakura Haruno and Sakura Kasugano versus Team Beast, members Reptile [A/N: Motral Kombat] and Blanka [A/N: Street fighter.] Prepare for the fights to begin. While there is a small detail I want to inform you of. Each fighter will take place on a stage, the first fight wil have a basic flat stage, but others will change as the fight continues. Sakura K. looked over to her partner and smiled. "Well I guess we better begin, eh." Sakura H. smiled back at her and cracked her knuckles. "Yeah."

JJ held up his hand said, "Oh yeah, I'll have music playing during every match." Sakura H. looked up to him and asked, "Why?" JJ rubbed the back of his head and replied. "Because I feel that music can draw out even the most primal emotions. A good song can make people's responses quicker and more fluid."

[Music que: Hurt by T.I. ft. Alfamega and busta rhymes.]
"Begin!"

All four fighters quickly closed the distance between each other and clashed in what sounded like a bolt of lightning. Blanka reached out and grabbed Sakura H. and threw her down to the ground before swinging his leg back into her partner's stomach. Sakura K. swung back from the attack and jumped into the air before sending her foot into Blakna's face. Once she landed after the attack she followed with a fierce roundhouse kick into Reptile's face. Sakura H. flipped back to her feet and punched into Reptile's stomach before following with lightning fast punches into his stomach as she dragged him allow the road with her, forcing him to absorb every attack she threw. She finished with an uppercut and Sakura K. jumped over her with a dive kick that knocked Reptile across the ground. Blanka jumped toward the two girls and curled into a ball before crashing into Sakura H.'s back. She rolled across the ground with incredible speed and Blanka reached over to Sakura K. and grabbed her by the neck before slamming her down to the ground. Once he finished he lifted her back up and punched her back across the feild. Sakura H. stood back to her feet and tried to run over to assisst her teammate, but something grabbed her leg. She looked down and a long tongue seemed to beholding onto her. Reptile's tongue whipped back and pulled Sakura H. into the air before slamming her into the ground. Before she could even recover the tongue whipped her back into opposite direction. After throwing her he ran forward, going after the other Sakura as she fought off Blanka. Blanka swiped at her, but she ducked under it and counter with a soaring uppercut. "Shoryuken!" She shouted as her attack landed right into the beast's chin, sending him soaring into the air as he landed into a roll. The second Sakura K. landed back on the grund Reptile's tongue whipped around her neck. Reptile began pulling her back as she struggled until finally she turned back to him and placed her hands together. "Hadoken!!!!!"

A large fireball flew right into Reptile's mouth and blasted him back. But beore he could lose his footing he stopped himself and growled at the girl, until he noticed a leg coming down on him. Sakura H.'s leg came crashing down into Reptile's face with tremendous force and slammed him down into the ground. She quickly ran over to the other Sakura and prepared for the next attack as they both shouted, "Senpuukyakku!!" Both girls jumped into an intersecting spin kick that landed on Blanka's face, repeatedly kicking him in different directions, until both finally landed to the ground. "Shoryuken!!!" They both once again shouted in unison as their attacks bth landed on their unfortunate enemy. Blanka landed on his back a loud thud. Reptile quickly re-emerged from what seemed to be nothing and grabbed Sakura H. by the neck before throwing her back, trying to seperate the two girls. Before he could do anything, however, Sakura K. jumped into the air and thrust her leg forward into his face before charging into battle after him. Sakura H. watched her partner run off and smiled as Blanka stood up, ready for a fight. He charged at her and swiped downward, after she dodged he followed his attack with a flipping thrust kick, once again the girl just dodged the attack. Blanka growled and charged with a downward swipe that connected with the girls face and sent her sparling along the ground. Sakura H. stopped herself along the ground, but the second she opened one of her eyes she noticed Blanka coming at her with his palm open, once he reached her he dragged his hand upward into her chin and sent her once again sliding across the ground. Sakura H. slid to a stop and looked up as Blank came down at her with his fist open, but she flipped back to her feet and avoided the attack. The second she landed she started doing handsigns, "Clone justu!" and once completed there were one hundred copies of her, all surrounding Blanka from every side. One charged at him and swung, but no damage was done. Blanka looked around as all of the clones started to attack him, but suddenly one of them landed an actual blow. The real Sakura was somewhere in the midst of the clones, skillfully moving and attacking while bending in with the copies. After ten blows Blanka stood up and sniffed. His nose led him to the real one. He slammed his hand over her face and bashed her head into the ground, before, with a quick turn the hurled her into her own teammate. Sakura K. lost her balance and fell prey to Reptile's acid spit. It ate through her clothes and singed her flesh before finally disolving. Sakura H. stood to her feet and started handsigns. As she finsihed her hand started to glow green. She placed her hands over her partner's wounds and they began to heal. As Sakura H. heal her wounds Sakura K. looked around and noticed that the enemies were closing in on them. Sakura K. placed her palms at Blanka and blasted a hadoken into his chest before she gathered more power into her palms and aimed in the other direction. "ShinkuHaduken!!!!" She shouted, sending out a much larger fireball into Reptile's chest, sending him soaring back like a bullet. Sakura H. finished healing her partner's wounds and wiped her brow, but her eye quickly locked on to something. Blanka somehow became engulfed in yellow electricity, Something he had yet to do in the fight. He curled into a ball and shot like a rocket toward Sakura K. who had yet to notice.

"Look out!" Sakura H. screamed as she pushed her partner out of the way. With her partner safe, Sakura H. was forced to take the brunt of the attack. The attack was crushing, the blow sent her rolling along the ground into unconciousness. JJ stepped forward and snapped his fingers, the second he did Sakura H. was removed from the stage and placed on the sidelines, completely healed. She sat up and cursed out loud as she watched the two enemies close in on her teammate. Sakura K. looked down to the ground and suddenly a dark chi began to spill from her body. When she finally looked back up her brown eyes turned red and she threw her hand down to the ground. A small hadoken shot from her hand and propelled her into the air. A that exact moment Blanka wizzed passed her. Reptile threw a smoke bomb on the ground and reappeared next to her. He quickly kicked at her, but she once again shot a hadoken downward, sending herself higher into the air. Attacks quickly flew at her from all sides, but each time she skillfully used a hadoken to evade it. Finally both of her enmies closed in on each side once again, but to avoid it she thrusted both of her hands toward the ground. A large hadoken flew out and sent her higher into the air. She turned and opened her arms like a plane and smiled as Reptile once again flew at her from the side. Blanka landed directly below her and launched at her in a ball once again. Sakura K. turned and slammed her foot into Reptile's side with such force that his body bent sideways. Reptile's tongue flew from his mouth and Sakura K. grabbed it before she spun around and slammed him directly down into Blanka. Both went falling back down to the ground as a result of the attack. Sakura K. smiled as she forcely thrusted her hands down, throwing hadokens at an alarming rate, all slamming into her opponents and drilling them deeper into the ground. Finally once she gathered enough chi she held her hands back and shouted. "ShinkuHadoken!!!!!!!!" The resulting explosive wave that came from her hands slammed into her enemies and crushed the ground under them, until finally the ground collapsed and blasted them down through the floor. Sakura flipped back and fell down to the hole her enemies had fallen through. Suddenly the stage reappeared under her feet. She landed clumsily and tried to gain her balance, once she did she folded her arms and smiled with her eyes closed as the winds blow her clothes.

JJ smiled and shouted out, "Team cherry blossom wins!" with a snap of his fingers the girl and her opponents were teleported from he feild.

[A few cut congratulations and team introductions later.]
"Next match is team king members Naruto Uzumaki and Monkey D. Luffy VERSUS Team fireblade members Scorpion [A/N: Mortal Kombat.] and Vega. [A/N: Street fighter] I hope you all enjoy this next battle, because this is just the first of many to display how the stage may change. Now-" he shouted, lifting his hand in the air.

Music que: My drink n' my 2 step by Cassidy.]
Both Naruto and Luffy smiled as they stared at their two enemies from across the plain feild. Both looked at each other and then to the hidden expression of their mask wearing opponents. Naruto chuckled and ran forward as his partner stood back. Naruto led with a punch that almost landed on Scorpion, but the ninja simply ducked under it and Vega ran toward him and slashed at him with his cat like claws. The claws ripped through air, but nothing else. Naruto slid back and rolled along the ground as Scorpion ripped a large broadsword from his back and slammed it down at Naruto, who flipped out of the way. Sakura looked down from the observer's seat and shouted, "Why isn't his partner helping him!?" A woman with orange hair walked over to her and smiled, "That look on Luffy's face means that they're planning something, this is gonna be good."

Naruto flipped back as Vega once again swept for him. In mid air he spread his legs and a fist came flying toward Vega's face. "Gumu Gumu no pistol!!!!" Luffy's fist crashed into Vega and sent him flying back along the ground, constantly popping up like a rock skipping on water. Scorpion quickly turned to the rubber man and threw out his hand. "Get over here!!" He shouted as a spear flew from his hand and stabbed into Luffy's chest, before he could pull on it Luffy grabbed it and smiled, "Okay." He said to Scorpion, replying to his earlier statement. Luffy stretched his head back and sent it forward, "Gumu Gumu no Bell!!!!!" Luffy head yanked back and collided with Scorpion's face. Just like his partner before him, he went skipping back along the ground. Scorpion stopped himself and backed into his partner, the second he did they vanished and reappeared above their adversaries. Vega opened his arms and swooped down at Naruto, Who just barely dodged the attack. Scorpion fell down in front of Luffy and kicked him back across the ground, Luffy rolled to his feet and smiled, no damage was done. Scorpion ripped off his own face and revealed nothing but a skull on his shoulders. Luffy jumped back, "Hey Brook, when did you join the tournament?" Scorpion ignored the question and breathed out hot fire at Luffy, that engulfed his entire body. Luffy was blown back by the flames and sent rolling back along the ground. Luffy smiled through it and said, "Fine then." Luffy pulled back both of his arms and thrusted them forward at such speed that it appeared as if there were hundreds of fists, "Gumu Gumu no Gatling gun!!!!" Luffy's fists collided with Scorpion's body and pummeled him along the entire stage before Naruto jumped over him. Luffy pulled back his arms and smiled as Naruto jumped over him with a bright blue sphere in his hands. "Rasengan!" He shouted as he slammed the sphere into Scorpion's chest. Luffy smiled, but failed to notice as Vega ran up behind him. Vega swiftly slashed across Luffy's back and then stabbed his claws into Naruto's stomach. Naruto coughed up blood and smiled as he erupted into a poof of smoke. Scorpion quickly tracked down where Naruto really was and kicked back into his stomach. Scorpion ducked down and uppercutted into the boy's chin and sent him flying into the air before falling flat on his back, what Scorpion failed to see however was that Naruto held up a handsign after his hit. Once Naruto hit the ground he split into many different copies. All of them charged at Scorpion and attacked. Fists flew from everywhere and slammed into Scorpion's body until one grabbed his waist and turned Scorpion around. Once he turned Naruto's clones all slid up under Scorpion and kicked upward, "Na-ru-to!". The unfortunate ninja was caught right in the middle of Naruto's attack, but he wasn't out of tricks. Naruto prepared to land the finishing blow, but Scorpion disappeared in a blaze of fire. Before Naruto could even react a fist crashed into the back of his neck. Naruto rolled to the ground in pain and Scorpion once again breathed fire down on his enemy. Naruto quickly dodged and JJ smiled.

"Time to switch things up a bit." He said as he snapped his fingers. The floor below the competitors disappeared and a roof appeared, nothing, but chains hanging from them.Acting quickly as to not fall into the pit below, Scorpion latched his spear onto one of the chains and grabbed Vega on his way up to them. Luffy did the same, bringing Naruto up with him. Scorpion grabbed on tight and let loose his spear, he laughed as he started to spin it and slice the chains surrounding them. Luffy and Naruto looked up as their chains were sliced and sweatdropped. Naruto quickly casted the shadow clone justu and formed a chain of his own as the clone at the top formed the wallwalker jutsu. Scorpion cursed and tossed Vega up near them. Vega smiled under his mask and pulled his claws out as he swiped down into the chest of the clones, Naruto, and Luffy, but before he could fall into the abyss, Scorpion retrieved him. They repeated the attack, completely aware of their opponents' inabitlity to strike back. Luffy smiled and jumped from Naruto's hands. "Gumu Gumu no Fireworks!!!!" He shouted as his limbs shot from various parts of his body, all slamming only into the enemy. Luffy constantly grabbed onto something during the attack and pulled himself up, continuing the attack and saving himself. Naruto made the clones threw him over to the other team as Luffy attack finally finished and punched Vega in the face. Naruto flipped from the chain and and quickly turned down .

"Uzumaki barrage!!!!" He shouted as he delivered a heel kick to Vega's face, sending him spining down into the dark pit below. JJ smiled and snapped his fingers, bringing Vega back from the pit and returning him to the waiting area. Scorpion looked up and saw Luffy coming down at him as well. He tried to dodge, but the other chains were gone. Almost as if the fates were laughing at him, he had no choice, but to accept the attack that followed. " Gumu Gumu no bazooka!!!!!" Both of Luffy's fist collided with Scorpion's stomach and sent him into the pit below like a cannon ball. JJ snapped his fingers and both members of team king fell down to the mat. JJ smiled as his two winners stood up and thought to himself. 'This is gonna be one hell of a show.'


Special Extra End!!!!

Well, that's it, maybe I'll do this again sometime. Anyway if the Sakura and Sakura team confused or angered you. Good, that's what I was aiming for. I like to mess with the fans sometimes. Getting to the chapter, The real big bad guy showed himself in this chapter, trust me, by the end of the chuunin exams I will make you hate him. As for Yura, she's going to be the Catwoman to someone's Batman, but I'm not telling who just yet. You'll have to wait and see. I know this took a while, but I'll get the next one out fast okay. Shine eternal!!!!