Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows* Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto…

Chapter 9

Red, Kasumi, and Satoshi all went home and packed before heading to the Forest of Death. Red remembered training there with Wataru, but this time, he would be out there, alone with his team.

He was not quite sure how he felt about that.

Kasumi packed quickly, adding extra changes of clothing and, blushing, slipped a vial of honey-sweet perfume in her bag. Now might be the best time to make Red notice her!

Satoshi filled his backpack with lots of instant ramen, whistling cheerfully.

He’d prove that he was better than Red this time!

They met Wataru outside of the Forest of Death. The Jounin was smiling grimly, as he passed out forms.

“What are these?” Takeshi asked.

“Release forms, stating that you will not blame me or the village if you die.” His fangs flashed as he smirked. “If you do not sign the release form, you cannot take the second test.”

Most of the genin signed cockily, sure that they would survive. Wataru chose not to enlighten them. There were many dangerous creatures in the forest – giant snakes and insects, poisonous fungi, and of course, other things…

It was not his responsibility to coddle them.

“Now then,” He said briskly. “Let me explain this test in more detail. Half of the teams will be given a scroll of Heaven. The other half of the teams will receive the scroll of Earth. To pass this test, you must arrive at the Central Tower in the forest within a week with both scrolls. That is all.”

He smirked nastily. “Now, if you’ll follow the Chuunin to your assigned gate, we will begin.”

Red and his team headed to Gate #3, and into the depths of the forest.

No wonder Wataru had assumed that at least half the teams would be defeated. They would have to fight other genin during this test…

He felt panic beginning to rise within him, but fought it down bravely.

He could do this!

Their first encounter with another genin was one who came howling, swinging out of the trees on a vine. If not for the Leaf forehead protector he wore, Kasumi would have pegged him as a wild animal. As it were, she shot three kunai in his direction, one that cut the vine, and that was when Satoshi charged up a Thunder attack – his skill with lightning jutsu had improved – and fried him senseless.

Satoshi cheerfully gave her a thumbs-up, and she almost returned it, before wishing it was Red.

But maybe, maybe…

Maybe if she went out with Satoshi, Red would get jealous? It would just last a few weeks…

That was a good plan of attack, and she doubted Yellow would be able to steal Red away during that time.

So she gave Satoshi a smile that made him almost drool, as Red sighed and closed his eyes.

Well, at least if Kasumi hit on Satoshi, she was out of his hair…

The next encounter was more difficult, and Red was vaguely aware of detached terror taking a hold of him, as the man just stared, and his flame attacks wisped away to nothingness, and then Sakaki was about to kill him and the man had bitten his neck and…

A pressurized bolt of golden energy suddenly smashed into the man, sending him into a tree. Sakaki gasped for breath, surprised.

Where had that come from?

“Bastard.” The voice was familiar, and Satoshi blinked.

Wataru?

What was he doing here?

“I knew you would come sniffing around.” Wataru continued, and as he moved forwards, his from began to waver, silver dappled light crawling up his body, forming what looked like scales.

Sakaki pushed himself to his feet. “Wataru.”

Wataru’s smile was sharp, and his fangs were elongating, and wings were growing out of his back, sharp-edged, before he moved.

The blur was fast, and sharp, and Sakaki staggered backwards, blood spurting from long slashes raked across his torso. His light robes were no protection, and a nasty orange color was pooling at the edges of the cuts.

“You… you traitor!” Sakaki hissed, enraged. “I… after all I did!”

Wataru laughed, rumbling and deep, as he folded his wings neatly behind his back, settling on a tree branch.

He watched, as Sakaki lurched forwards, but Satoshi shot a handful of shuriken at the man before he could reach their group, and Kasumi felt a Protect barrier forming around them.

Hopefully, it would hold…

Sakaki lunged forwards, impacted against the barrier, which shook, but miraculously held, and spat venomously.

“If I die, your precious lover will never gain the power to defeat his brother! Only I hold the key to defeating Genji!”

“You lie.” Wataru purred. “And I shall prove it.”

Red shivered. Sakaki… had enough power to defeat Genji?

Should he trust him?

But he wasn’t Wataru’s lover! He blushed at the thought. No. Sakaki… he had heard his name before.

Sakaki had been a Leaf-nin, once, and then had deserted their village…

“You’ll regret this, Wataru!” Sakaki gurgled, before he collapsed.

For a few moments, there was silence, before Wataru glided down to the forest floor. The transformation melted off, and he frowned.

“You three had best get out of here – the second test is still in progress. I’ll call a squad of ANBU to deal with… this.” He indicated the corpse.

The three needed no further encouragement, and sped off, though Red wondered…

What power had Sakaki spoken of?

End Chapter

Completed 7/14/07

Poor Red! *Huggles*. And Lance should kill Giovanni! ^^