Sarada Uchiha- a Lion Among Lions

Chapter 5

The Sun had well and truly set when the two Genin had set up camp and the temperature had dropped a good ten degrees. The dense undergrowth meant that they were provided with a little shelter but in the chilly air the two of them were wrapped up in thick travelling cloaks.

Before the darkness fully set in the two had set up traps for catching a meat based meal for the morning and settled to the water biscuits and dried fruit they head with them for that night. Sarada had taken first watch and the distinct lack of anything eventful had her on edge.

'Surely Konohamaru-Sensei wouldn't have sent us here just for a little camping trip. There must be a further aspect of training in this exercise.'

Sarada glanced over at her team mate who was lying undignified sprawled out at the base of a tree under his cloak and a sleeping bag. The two had decided earlier not to light a fire as to not attract unwanted attention in the mysterious place; as a result they donned thick travelling cloaks. Although the cold did not much bother the young kunoichi, that didn't mean it was fun being cold all night.

Sarada's spine tingled as her sharp hearing detected movement behind Bolt's tree. Sarada stared intently at the spot in the undergrowth. The only light was provided by the crescent moon so Sarada crouched low and leaned towards the thick ferns. The metallic sound appeared to spook whatever was there as Sarada warily drew a kunai and a fox bound out across the camp. The blood pounded loudly in her ears and the cunning animal disappeared into the inky darkness.

'Pull yourself together you wuss,' she mentally scolded, 'calm down and be logic.'

Keeping her weapon gripped firmly in her hand Sarada took up her spot by Bolt once more but remained standing.

Bolt suddenly snorted loudly and sat up awake.

"You could wake up the whole fire nation in your sleep dolt. Now look sharp, we've got company."

Bolt's face set with determination and he too drew a blade.

'He may be a bit of a nut job but I can't deny he's a great ninja. At least he's reactive when he needs to be.'

"What's going on Uchiha? My danger senses are tingling all over," Bolt muttered.

"I can feel a chakra presence not far off. About half a kilometre or so away."

"Well come on then! Let's go!" Bolt made a move for the lower branches of the trees.

"Hold it Bolt! I can't tell if it's coming our way or not, we might not have to engage in combat," the Uchiha tried to reason logically.

"Sarada, we're in training ground D and should be the only human beings for miles around. I can sense that presence too and I also know that you know as well as me that presence sure as hell should be there!"

The blonde had a point. Unfortunately. The energy of the presence had a sharp edge to it which felt as if it was grazing threateningly along Sarada's insides.

"I suppose it's better than being sitting ducks," she stated at last. Bolt's face suddenly split into a mischievous grin. "Besides, we might as well get some hands on training done while we're on this little camping trip."

And so each with a determined set look on their face the two young ninja made for the lower branches of the dense trees.

The closer they got to the source of energy, the more it seemed to affect the duo. The sinister sharp edge caressing Sarada's insides was now starting to claw its way up her throat. And if the pale complexion smothering Bolt's face was anything to go by, he too was physically affected by the mysterious energy.