Another Beginning

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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Chapter 13: The Forest of Death

-Sasuke-

We all stared at the woman in front of us.

"Congratulations. You've all made it to the second exam. But it's only gonna get harder from here. Because…" She had a sly spark in her eye, "…you'll soon find out why it's called the Forest of Death."

I narrowed my eyes. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad.

Of course the dobe just had to make fun of her. I watched in disinterest as he was attacked, resulting to a cut on his cheek. What a loser.

"Now, before we start the exams, there's something I want to pass out." She held out a stack of papers. "These are agreement forms that you all have to sign…because if you were to die during this exam…I would be responsible for it," She announced with a smile.

Agreement forms? So it seems this test is finally getting serious.

"Ok, so this is how the exam works. To put it simply…it's a test of survival…" She held out a map. "This is training ground no.44. There are 44 locked gates around the entire area. There is a tower in the middle of the dense forest grounds that are about ten kilometers from each gate…your task is simple…all you have to do, is get your hands on these scrolls," She held out two scrolls. One said heaven, while the other said earth. "Each team will be handed one…so half of you will get a heaven scroll, and half of you will get an earth scroll…To pass this test, your team must arrive at the tower…with both scrolls…you guys see where I'm going with this? You must use what ever force necessary to get them. This is why at least half of you will fail this portion of the exam…Of course, there's also a time limit. You must arrive at the tower with both scrolls in exactly five days."

"FIVE DAYS???!!!!!!!!" The fat kid from the academy exclaimed," But what will we eat?!"

"Relax…the forest is filled with food. Just watch out for the man-eating beast, poisonous insects, and poisonous plants…So you might not only fail during this exam…you might lose your lives as well…Now let's talk about the rules…First, if you don't make it to the tower within the time limit, you obviously fail…Second, if one of your teammates die during the exam, you also fail…Also, there's no quitting in the middle of the exam. You go in now…you're in there for five days…And finally……you may not look into the scroll while you're carrying it to the tower."

"What happens if we do?' Naruto asked.

The woman smiled, "Let's just leave that as a surprise for those who do…Chunnin are going to be asked to carry classified information on missions that cannot be opened under any circumstances. This is going to test your trustworthiness…Well, that's it for explanations…trade your three forms for a scroll at the counter over there, then pick a gate……

……Oh, and one more piece of advice……Don't die."

I watched as team after team arrived that the curtained counter to retrieve their scroll. So you can't tell which team gets which scroll, or who on the team is carrying the scroll. It's as that guy Ibiki said…in this test, we will risk our lives to find information.

Everyone is an enemy.

We got off easy on the first test. No one was injured…but now, people can die during this exam.

I pulled out the sheet of paper Sakura had given me yesterday.

Kabuto

Good information gathering skills

DO NOT TRUST HIM. He's trying to befriend us for a reason.

I smirked. That girl's smart. She knew what was going on before it happened.

No wonder she always beat me at written exams.

--

-Sakura-

I walked around the courtyard, alone. To anyone else, it probably looked as if I were wondering whether or not to take the exam. But I was actually observing the other teams.

The display of behavior we gave yesterday at the academy was bad. Now all the teams know that we're the rookies. We'll be easy targets. Not good.

I looked around the teams. Not many seemed worried about the exam. This is going to be a fight for life and death.

Am I willing to die? I can't…the whole clan is counting on me. I looked down at my left wrist. I sent a little chakra to the area and watched as a small white circle formed. The Haruno crest. Everyone in the Haruno clan has one, only theirs is black. The white circle represents the heir.

And the heir to the Haruno Clan can make the entire clan do whatever he or she wishes. I can make everyone become my slave if I wanted to…

Well, that is if I can control the power, though I haven't yet. I smiled a bittersweet smile. But if the crest were to be passed onto my Uncle…then it'll all be over.

I can't die…

But I can't back down. If I can't survive this exam, then what will happen when Uncle finally comes after me? He can attack any day now, in fact I'm a bit surprised he waited this long. He won't wait another ten years, that's for sure. If I were to bring another heir into the family, it would be another person more to kill.

I sighed…it looks like this exam will not only test my ability to become a chunnin…but my ability to stay alive as well.

"Well well…if it isn't billboard brow."

I looked up to see Ino and her teammates. "I'm surprised that you made it this far…someone as weak as you."

I narrowed my eyes. Ino's crossing the line. I looked at her face carefully. I could see that her entire complexion was covered in makeup. Since when did she use foundation like a second skin?

"Using weak words as a form of intimidation. How pathetic." I stated.

"Why you! You know, you've been acting really stuck up. Thinking that you're better than everyone. Well you're not. I'm ten times better than you!" She declared.

I saw her teammates sweat drop.

"I'm not better than everyone, but I surely am better than you. You better start getting your act together, or you'll surely die."

"Watch your mouth! Don't you dare forget who befriended you when all the other girls were making fun or your forehead!"

"Yes, and I appreciate you for doing that. And I have tried to keep our friendship. You're the one that changed these years, not me."

"Shut up! You're going down forehead! There is no way you'll be able to past this test. I feel bad for Sasuke-kun that he has to deal with you for five whole days!"

I ignored her. Instead, looking at her scared looking teammates.

"Hey, you two." I called.

They looked up.

"A little piece of advice. Don't trust anyone." I turned around and walked the other way. "Including me, for that matter."

--

We waited at gate number twelve. I could see Naruto shaking from excitement. He's either really courageous, or really dumb to take this so lightly.

When the gates finally opened I felt a rush of chakra in the air. So a lot of teams are eager to get this over with. I smirked at their ignorance. High speed won't change anything. They're just wasting their chakra. Ten kilometers is not a long distance…but it's what we'll encounter during those ten kilometers that will make a difference.

The walk was mostly silent. Even Naruto seemed to understand to keep his mouth shut. When we heard a scream, we all looked back. I frowned. Somebody just lost their life.

"Uhh, I gotta go, you know…" Naruto said, unzipping his pants.

I quickly looked away in disgust. "Naruto! I'm a girl…do it behind a bush or something!" I exclaimed.

"Oh…gomen, Sakura-chan."

We waited as he finished his business.

"Ah…that was a lot, I wrote my whole name, he declared."

I rolled my eyes. Suddenly, I saw Sasuke punch him into a tree. I was shocked, but quickly recovered, and looked carefully at Naruto. I saw what made Sasuke react.

"He doesn't have that scratch on his cheek…His kunai hoister is on his left leg…and his chakra feels wrong." I whispered in a low voice.

Sasuke nodded, and quickly jumping up to attack him imposter. I took out a couple kunai as well, and aimed them at the enemy as he fell from the tree.

"Hey, what's the matter with you two!" 'Naruto exclaimed.'

"We're just attacking before you could." Sasuke answered, taking out a kunai knife and charging.

"You two have gone crazy. The fear must be getting to your heads." He said, taking out a kunai as well.

"Who are you? What have you done to Naruto?!" demanded. I began building up chakra for an attack.

"What are you talking about?! I am Naruto." He said.

"Then where's the cut on your cheek that you got before the exams? And why is your kunai hoister on your left leg, when you're right handed. Your transformation technique is worst than Naruto's!" Sasuke said

"I can sense your chakra signature. You're a fraud!" I declared.

We watched as he turned into his original forms. I caught a look at his headband; he was from the village hidden in the Rain.

"So you got me. Doesn't matter, I'm still gonna get your scroll." He stated. "Hand it over, or else. Which one of you has it?"

We made no move to give him any indication.

"Very well, I guess I'll just have to take you both out."

He charged at us.

"I got him. Look for his teammates," Sasuke-kun whispered, jumping up. "Fire style, phoenix flower jutsu!"

I made a shadow clone for protection, then closed my eyes in concentration.

"Harutno Secret Jutsu no. 32: Insight.

I observed the surroundings. I spotted Naruto, but there was no one else here. That guy's pretty stupid to think that he can take us on all by himself.

"There's no one else here. I got Naruto," I announced towards Sasuke. I jumped up onto a tree and threw a kunai at the tied up Naruto. Then I observed Sasuke's fight. I acted quickly when the rain shinobi cornered him with a kuani at his back, throwing one of my own down at him. The battle continued for a couple more seconds, until Sasuke managed to injure the ninja's arm, resulting for him to flee.

I let out a breath that I didn't notice I was holding. That was close.

"We need a password in case a situation like that happens again." Sasuke announced. "The next time, our opponent may not be so weak as to mess up a transformation jutsu. We need a way to figure out who's who quickly and easily."

"What do you propose the password should be?" I asked.

"I got one, but I'll only say it once, so listen carefully…First, ask the ninja song 'Ninki.' And the answer is…'It is a good chance when a large number of enemies are making a scene. There are no hideouts even in a quiet place. It is important for a ninja to know the right time. The time when the enemy is tired, and has his guard down. That is the moment a ninja strikes."

"I got it…but…" I threw a glance towards Naruto. I know for sure that he couldn't memorize something like this. I saw Sasuke give me a look. He's planning something. I'll just have to go along with it.

"Uhhh, could you repeat that?" Naruto asked.

"I said I'd only say it once." Sasuke answered. "I'll take the scroll."

I was just about to stand up, when something cut Naruto's cheek. I all looked in the direction it came from, only to be met by a large blast of wind.

I tired desperately to cling to the ground with my chakra, but failed. I found myself flying through the air. I caught on to a tree branched, and forced chakra to my hands, finding that it was easier than using my feet.

When the windblast finally ended, I found Sasuke underneath me, hiding behind a bush. I swiftly landed near him.

"Sakura…" He swiped out a kunai. "Don't come any closer. What's the password, the ninja song 'Ninki?"

"It is a good chance when a large number of enemies are making a scene. There are no hideouts even in a quiet place. It is important for a ninja to know the right time. The time when the enemy is tired, and has his guard down. That is the moment a ninja strikes." I recited without missing a beat.

He lowered his kunai. "Hn."

"Hey guys!" Naruto ran towards us panting. "You alright?"

"Matte…what's the password?" I asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I know… It is a good chance when a large number of enemies are making a scene. There are no hideouts even in a quiet place. It is important for a ninja to know the right time. The time when the enemy is tired, and has his guard down. That is the moment a ninja strikes." He recited, grinning.

Now I know what Sasuke was up to. For someone so arrogant, he's actually pretty smart.

Sasuke acted fast and threw a kunai. Surprisingly, the imposter dodged it.

"So this time it's someone good enough to dodge my attacks." He said.

The imposter smirked and transformed back into his original form. I spotted his headband. He was a grass nin. "Clever. How did you know that I was a fake?"

"I knew that you were hiding from underground." Sasuke explained. "That's why I made up the whole password. There is no way that Naruto would have been able to memorize something as long as that. You had to be a fake"

"I see…you guys are pretty smart. This might actually be fun." He smirked.

I narrowed my eyes. This guy is much stronger than that Rain ninja. This isn't going to be easy.