Chunin Exams pt2: The Forrest

Previously

"A Genjutsu do I look 5?"

"My names Kabuto"

"You"

"SILENCE!"

"To cheat huh?"

"You pass!"

______________________________________

Team 5 stood infront of training ground 44, which was told where the second part of the exams were to be held.

Katsu was more than a little shocked to see the so call 'Forrest of death' was where it would take place.

Mika was a little scared though she would never tell her team that in fear of Katsu teasing her for it.

Zeref looked bored. He seemed so over the exams and that was exactly how he felt. If he was being honest the only reason he was trying was so he could reach the third round so that he could finally open the gift Shisui got him.

The other teams were handling things slightly differently.

Team 7, had Naruto mocking the Proctor, Sakura shouting at him and Sasuke looking perfectly ready to stab his team and then himself.

Team 8 were huddled together, they seemed to be planning which was what everyone should be doing.

Team 10 had Shikamaru on the verge of falling asleep, Chouji eating some chips and Ino whining at the two boys.

The sand siblings just stood off to the side, Kankuro was prepping his puppets, Temari was scanning the forest and Gaara was glaring at everyone and anyone.

Though if you payed close enough attention you would spot a red head, a young Uchiha and a young Hyuga occasionally looking towards Zeref with a certain look in their eyes and a very light blush on their cheeks.

When Anko announced that they needed to sign a contract so that their deaths wouldn't be her fault was when Zeref finally realised what this could mean.

"This is bad" Katsu voiced quietly.

"What is?" Mika asked her voices quiet, shakey and serious all in one.

"A team could demolish everyone, but as long as they hold a heaven and earth scroll they can pass." Katsu explained.

Mika was a little slow and still didn't understand.

"So?" She said.

"So, as long as you get a heaven and earth scroll you could do anything within that forest and have no consequence. Rape, murder, thievery, even dojutsu thieves could get away with it. " Zeref explained.

Mika's eyes widened at the thought.

The boys were right, the rules only specified that you don't open the scrolls, in the forest, and for you to have them both in the tower before the 5th day, nothing else was specified.

Team 5 decided that they wanted to spend as little time in the forest as possible.

When Zeref spotted everyone being distracted by Team 7 and the kids Zeref left a shodow clone and use Genjutsu to get inside the tent to see what the scrolls looked like.

Once he did using Fuinjutsu Zere created a very realistic replica of both scrolls and swapped them out for two real ones, he then hid them swapped positions with his clone and continued to act like nothing happened. He didn't know if they would be handed a heaven or Earth scroll after all, and the extra could be a.great distraction.

When the children were finally told to leave Anko collected the contracts and told each team to send one member to get the scroll.

Team 5 got an Earth scroll.

Zeref handed a peice of paper to Sasuke.

On one side it showed a seal, on the other a note.

Force your Chakra for help, Encase you need me

-Z

Sasuke knew it was an emergency only thing and kept it in his pocket, it made him feel warm knowing that Zered cared so deeply for him.

Finally the teams were told to go to go to their gates and wait to be let in where the exam would start.

_______

The Jounins were sitting in one room watching the exam take place through hidden cameras that were placed all throughout the forest.

"So Kakashi, how do you think your kids will do?" Asuma asked, a cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth....

Well it was before Kurenai pulled it out and threw it in the bin.

"Eh, they'll be fine." Kakashi answered absent mindly, clearly paying more attention to his book, than the exam.

"That's either a lot of confidence or cockiness" Kurenai replied.

"I say what I mean, and mean what I say" Kakashi replied.

"The Forest of death, I hope my students will be alright" Kurenai mumbled staring at her team on the screen.

"What about you Neisho?" Asuma asked the almost asleep Nara.

"Those troublesome kids? Heh, they'll be the first to pass." He announced.

"Now that is being cocky" Kurenai announced.

"No it's being logical, my students know how troublesome this exam is, so they took precautions just like I taught them too. Trust me, they'll be the first team to pass." He announced.

Neisho was indeed confident in his students, mainly because he saw through Zeref's Genjutsu, and knew that his team already had the requirements to pass, and the speed to get to the tower before any other team. He knew this would take his team about half an hour.

.

.

.

.

So why did he feel so worried that something was going to go wrong?

____________

As soon as the gates opened Team 5 bolted in a triangle formation. Zeref in front, Mika to his left, Katsu to his right.

"We head straight to the tower" Zeref announced pumping up the speed.

His team was struggling to keep up, but they were used to this.

"We still need a heaven scroll" Katsu announced.

"We don't, Zeref grabbed it earlier" Mika announced, ofcourse she wouldn't be fooled by a Genjutsu.

"I saved us the trouble, we now have two Earth scrolls and one Heaven. We can go straight there and stop wasting our time in this place" he announced.

With the team now on board, they bolted straight to the tower at full speed. It would take a while but nothing more than half an hour.

_________

A pair of green eyes watched Team 5 speedboat them. Chasing them would be useless, they were almost at the tower and they didn't want to be caught.

They knew they would have to go for the younger Uchiha, even though the older one is their true goal.

They would have to get hold of him at a later date, as the Frog and the Dragon were in town.

__________

Upon reaching the tower Team 5 opend the Earth and Heaven scroll, which summoned their Sensei.

"*Yawn* 27 minutes and 32 seconds, we need to work on speed. How troublesome, congrats you've passed, you have 5 days in the tower, it's a pain but you can't leave the forest, feel free to head back out into the forest, but if you die out there you team will fail. I'm going back to sleep" Neisho announced before dissapearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Lazy, lucky bastard" Katsu mumbled.

Mika gave a nod of agreement, while Zeref was heading off to find their room.

Once the team was settled Zeref felt a tug on his Chakra, his eyes widened at it and before his teammates could question him, he was gone in a flash.

"Shit!" Katsu shouted grabbing his sword.

"What's wrong?" Mika asked.

"Something has gone wrong, and Zeref went to check it out, We've got to go after him, he could be killed!" Katsu announced.

"But we have no way of tracking him" Mika realised.

Katsu's eyes widend with realisation.

"We have to just trust him on this one" Mika said.

It was evident that Katsu was pissed, but he put his sword down, and sat on his bed.

"Fine, but I'm not happy about it" he said.

Mika sat next to him and gave him a side hug, that Katsu leaned into.

_________

Sasuke was Frozen in pure fear.

Death.

It was all he could see, no way out, no escape.

He had no idea where Naruto was, and frankly he didn't care, Sakura was next to him, but she was in a worse state than he was.

Standing infront of him with mischief in her eyes, was a Grass Ninja. She was toying with them, like a Snake surrounding it's prey.

He was terrified.

He had also just witnessed this thing eat the Heaven scroll that his team needed.

This was bad, very bad.

In a moment of bravery, Sasuke stabbed himself, which snapped him out of his frozen fear.

He grabbed Sakura and made the executive decision to run away.

Hidden behined a tree he snapped Sakura out of it.

"S-s-sasuke?" She stuttered.

"Sakura, listen to me, you need to be in top shape, we need to leave" Sasuke announced.

Sakura was about to respond but she spotted something.

"Sasuke look out!" She shouted.

He turned and saw a Huge snake chasing them. He grabbed Skaru and ran.

The snake kept up attacking the trees they were on.

Sasuke settled Sakura dow, and jumped away, just like he thought the snake him.

He used Chakra strings and managed to wrap them around the snakes neck, he then wrapped it around a tree branch and pulled with every ounce of strength.

The snake popped in a cloud of smoke, but from it emerged the grass lady. She slithered up the tree towards Sasuke when some Kunai stopped her.

"Sorry, I'm late, but I forgot the password!" Naruto shouted.

"Naruto thank god!" Sakura shouted.

"Forget the password idiot, we need to get away, she's too strong!" Sasuke shouted in fear.

Naruto didn't listen and got ready to attack.

"No! Look here this is what you want right, you can have it!" Sasuke said holding up the earth scroll.

"I see, in order to escape the predator, the prey hands a peace offering" the woman hissed.

Sasuke threw the scroll over but Naruto grabbed it and punched Sasuke.

"What are you doing?" Sasule asked.

"Are you Sasuke?' Naruto asked.

"What the hell of course I am, idiot, your going to get us killed!!" Sasuke announced.

"No, your not the Sasuke I know. When did he turn into such a coward. Think idiot, who's to stop her from killing you and taking the scroll anyway!" Naruto shouted back.

Sasuke had a moment of realisation.

The woman was toying with them, if she wanted them dead she could have killed them when they were frozen in fear, but she didn't.

"She's after a person, not a scroll" he mumbled.

With that, Naruto used the power of the nine tails and attacked the snake woman.

He managed to stop a snake that was heading for Sasuke.

"Your not hurt are ya? Scary cat" he said.

The woman wrapped her tongue around Naruto and placed a seal on him that cut off his access to the nine tails chakra.

Sasuke stood up, with determination, utilising his Sharingan je faught the ninja.

"Such mastery of the Sharingan at such a young age, oh I can't wait to see his." She said.

Sasuke managed to get the drop on her and pinned the woman to the tree using Chakra strings.

"Fire Style: Great Fire ball Jutsu!"

Sasuke roasted the woman and took a knee, Panting heavily.

"Come on let's g-" he cut himself off seeing he woman shedding her... Skin?

It revealed a... man? Who looked like he used way to much makeup, but the KI he was producing was worse than before.

"Who are you!" He shouted he reached his hand into his pocket to grab another Kunai but felt a peice of paper.

His eyes slightly widened, before he pulsed his Chakra through it, carefully.

"I am Oroachimaru" he hissed, a creepy grin grew on his face.

Suddenly a flash of black and blue appeard imprint of Sasuke, and with his Sharingans Blazing, it was very clear that he was pissed.

'I've never gotten the Chance to practice this but I have to try' he thought.

The instant his feet touched the branch he moved his hands too quick for the other Genins to follow.

"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!!" Forcing most of his Chakra, a Huge wave of Fire was blown over to the Snake sannin.

It was smaller than what it was supposed to be, but for this moment it was perfect.

"What's the situation?" Zeref asked, his eyes glued on the fire.

"That creep is after Sasuke, and Naruto has been knocked out!!" Sakura shouted.

Orochimaru shed his skin once again, however a huge grin was left on his face.

"Oh~ Your here, this is perfect. I'll have you instead, look at your developed Sharingan, yes your body will do just fine" he said.

"Where is Naruto?" Zeref asked.

I managed to pin him to a tree" Sakira announced.

Looked over and saw said boy passed out and held to a tree by a Kunai...

'So she can be useful' Zeref thought bitterly.

Slowly pulling out one of his marked Kunai, Zeref looked at Oroachimaru and threw the Kunai.

Orochimaru slightly moves his head and dodged the Kunai, but Zeref had a Chakra string tied to it, so with a tug it wrapped around his neck.

While he was distracted the Kunai set on fire, and Zeref teleported it, he then gave a Chakra enforced punch that sent the sannin flying through a tree, he then pulled the Chakra string to yank Orochimaru back to ward him.

"Fire style: Fire ball Jutsu!!"

Orochimaru's body separated into multiple snakes, all that launched at Zeref, who jumped back.

The sannin came out from the tree branch and grabbed Zeref's foot, only to launch him at Sasuke.

With the two boys knocked down, he sped towards them and stretched out his neck at a speed non of the Genins could comprehend.

Zeref grabbed Sasuke and flashed over to his stray Kunai, heaving heavy breaths.

"The flying Rijin, you are perfect" Orochimaru hissed.

Zeref stood up slowly and gave a deep breath, he let all the Chakra in his body flow.

His eyes turned from blood red, to a yellow center to a red outer. Scales grew on the side of his face and his covered body as a purple aura slowly surrounded him, forming a lizard like tail and two horns.

BOOM!!

Zeref launched at Orochimaru with such strength that is cracked the thick tree branch, the two were exchanging quick blows with each other, but Orochimaru was getting more hits.

Orochimaru ducked under a right hook and punched Zerefnin the stomach sending him flying back.

Skidding across the branch to keep himself up, a small drop of blood left his mouth.

Zeref took off his Shoes and un tied his under headband.

At an even faster speed than before Zeref exchanged more blows.

"Fire style: Fire dragon Jutsu!"

A huge dragon made from flames that could be seen from across the forest flowed from Zeref's mouth, and in a fiery rage it smashed into Orochimaru.

The Sannin shed his skin once more only to show that he was no longer amused by this battle. He held his fingers up in a sign.

"Kai!" He shouted.

The damage around him rippled away, as did the children.

Orochimaru was standing in the forest with no one around him.

"Genjutsu, he used it when he first looked at me, I didn't notice until that sudden burst in speed. Smart child, and a perfect body" he muttered to himself a sickly smirk grew on his face as he spread out his Chakra to hunt for his prey.

_________

Zeref, who was holding Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were still on the run, they wanted to get as far away as possible to rest.

When they traveled fro about an hour, taking random turns and getting closer to the tower than one would think a team with no scrolls would, they finally sat down by a river to take a breath.

"H-how did you... do that" Sasuke asked out of breath.

"Genjutsu, I'm surprised it worked" Zeref said setting Naruto down.

"Well it did, if we never see that guy again it will be too soon" Sakura said, shaking in fear.

"Where is your team anyway?" Sasuek asked, calming his raging heart. It was too close for comfort, that Sanke man got way to close for comfort.

"At the tower, we were done within the first half an hour.

"Lucky, you don't have to deal with the creeps" Sasuke muttered, slight jealousy in his voice.

"Yeah, well I'm here now, no?" Zeref said.

"Indeed you are" a voice hissed.

"Shadow clone Jutsu!" Zeref shouted.

He was running dangerously low on Chakra, and this Sannin won't fall for the same trick twice. With his Sharingans blazing once more, him and five clones surrounded the sannin.

"Wind style: Wind bullet!" Half the clones yelled.

"Fire style: Fire ball Jutsu!!" He and the other half yelled.

With the wind bullets the flames increased, but the sannin used a Substitution, and bit Zeref's neck.

'Too.... quick' he thought in pain he dropped to the ground and grit his teeth not giving the snake the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

The Sannin then bit Sasuke who, unlike Zeref, Screamed in pure pain.

"What did you do to them!?" Sakura shouted.

"I left them a parting gift, they'll come to me now" he said dissapearing.

Sasuke passed out, but Zeref was on the verge of unconsciousness.

"Gonna..... re....turn.....good.....l...l.uck" he grit out before dissapearing in a flash of black and blue.

Sakura knew she was on her own, but also knew that if Zeref died here his team couldn't progress, though she was annoyed he left her alone.

______________

Katsu, who was usually the calm one was pacing back and forth in their shared room.

Mika was looking at him in worry.

With a thump, and a flash, Zeref fell to the ground holding his neck in pain. Zeref was fully aware of what Orochimaru gave him, having studied seals since he was 9, but if Orochimaru thought Zeref wasn't going to fight back he was dead wrong.

"INK! I NEED INK!!" he shouted as soon as he landed.

"What happened!?" Mika asked.

"NOT NOW... INK!!!" Zeref demanded, if he didn't seal it before it settled it would hurt to seal it later.

Katsu ran and grabbed some spare ink that Zeref had in a scroll.

Immediately Zeref went to work, using a mirror to draw some complicated seals, his body was Shaking but somehow his hands were steady.

With the seal ready he pushed his Chakra to it, which created another waved of pain that made him scream, and finally pass out.

The two teammates were looking at each other with worry, they carefully lifted Zeref making sure not to smudge the seal and rested him on his bed.

"What do you think happened?" Mika asked.

Katsu gave a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples.

"Well of the lack of Chakra has something to say, I assume he flashed off to help his brother, or that red head." Katsu said.

He put his sword down and laid on the double bed.

Mika laid next to him as they fell asleep, it was lucky that they got there on the first day, this could have been much worse.

Now Zeref had five days to wake up.

___________

Neisho was pacing back and forth.

'Orochimaru.... Orochi - Fucking - Maru, what did my student do to deserve this' he thought.

Yes he was fully aware of what was going on, but he could only leave it lt the ANBU. he may be smart and strong, but even he knew Orochimaru would kill him in a heart beat.

This was bad, Zeref had talked to him about seals before, and seeing the one put on his neck he could only assume it was one thing.

"A curse Mark" he analysed, his brain running thousands of scenarios, and how bad this could turn out.

He knew Zeref would seal himself, it was just the type of thing he would do, but he couldn't stop being worried.

Now Zeref only had 3 days left to wake up.

Time skip

Zeref woke up with two days left. He got an earful from all three members of his team before he retreated to the roof to get some peace where he discovered Hinata, he was surprised when he didn't see Gaara up here.

"Hey Hina" he said sitting next to her.

Hinata blushed and gave him a quick glance before looking back up to the night sky.

"I love the Stars" she whispered.

It was quiet and Zeref let that float for a second before replying.

"Why?" He asked curious.

Hinata opened her mouth before her light blush grew heavy, her whole face went red.

"They... uh.... they are just beautiful to look at" she said.

'Actually it's because they remind me of the way they sparkle in your eyes' she thought, not that she could ever have the courage to say that out loud.

"No... stars are mesmerising, your beautiful" Zeref said absent mindedly.

Hinata passed out.

Zeref grabbed her and let her rest on his lap as he let the cool breeze cool her down.

One more day and it will be hectic, so he let himself relax in the presence of his sparing buddy, completely unaware of the racing heart of the Hyuga on his lap.

______________________________________

Next time

"We have Preliminary fights first"

"If you can't fight leave now"

"Naruto will win"

"How weak"

"That will be interesting to watch"

Quote of the Chapter: when the world knocks you down get back up and shout, 'you Hit like a Bitch! - ???

GOD!!! Writing fight scenes are a BITCH!!!You best appreciate what little fight scenes I do write. God I have to write so many next chapter UGHHH!!!

Alright who is in the lead to kick Neji's ass.

Remember tou only have this Chapter left to decide who.

Naruto - 0

Zeref- 0

Hinata - 3

Thank god I'm kinda sick of seeing Naruto fight Neji.

Anyway now let's check the love interest.

Hinata - 7

Temari - 1

Sasuke - 5

Gaara - 5

Other - 0

Single Pringle- 1

Ok, Gaara and Sasuke are tied. Also sorry of your confused about numbers going up but not seeing comments, I'm putting my friends choices into this as well.

Another thing, I know the Zernata was short, but they are in an Exam, I'll probably make an OST dedicated to each ship since doing it in story is kinda hard without straying too far.

OH!! Last thing I swear.

I'm only asking once, but...

Unless I haven't posted a Chapter in about a month, please don't try to rush me. I haven't seen Naruto in a while so this is based of memory and YouTube videos.

College is nearly over so I'll have more time but sometimes I forget, but will try to get a chapter out each week.

Thank you.

JA NE!!