The Light Of Konoha

This Sucks Eggs

Aki's P.O.V

The screams were certainly unnerving, but I had to stay sharp.

Byakko had his senses on high alert for any kind of threat as we travelled through the trees and for that I was glad, having him with us reassured me.

I have to admit that Byakko has grown on me over the past week or so.
He may be a nuisance sometimes but he's made everything so much more fun, and it's been a while since I've felt so loved and protected... I only felt this way when I was with my mother...

Since she died there was always a part of me that felt exposed and vulnerable, I was used to having her loyal affection and protection.

Naruto and I were close friends but what I needed was too selfish to ask of him.
I wanted someone who would only care for and protect me and make me feel safe once more, and Byakko has started to fill that gap.

'Is this what it feels like to have a big brother...? He's always doting on me, protecting me from the 'big bad boys' and lecturing me...
I've only known him for a short time but I already feel I can trust him with my life.
...
Although I wish he wasn't so damn tall...'

...

As the monotonous shapes of trees passed by quickly, my mind wandered to the other examinees.

'N-No one specific o-or anything!! *blush*'

I sighed,
'Less then half of the examinees will make it through this phase...'
It wasn't an encouraging thought.

We stopped in a clearing momentarily.

"Did you guys hear someone... scream?" Said Sakura nervously.

I rolled my eyes, "no! Of course not!
Cause no one would ever scream in 'the forest of death', that's simply preposterous!" I mumbled, my still present headache souring my mood.

"This place is creeping me out!" She continued, obviously not hearing or choosing to ignore my sarcastic remark.

Naruto relaxed his stance, placing his arms behind his head lazily.
"I'm telling you, Sakura, it's no big deal," he said confidently.

His face scrunched up as he stared in silence for a short while before turning and zipping down his fly.
"...uhhh... I gotta take a leak..."

Sakura flinched then dropped her jaw as I sniggered at her expression.

"Not in front of me, bozo! I'm a lady!" She yelled whilst punching him in the back of the head in a contradictory manner.

I sweatdropped, 'sure.'

"Use the bushes!!" She screamed.

"OW!!"

Naruto left to find a more concealed spot as we waited impatiently.

The familiar sensation of unease filled me, the type of unease I felt when I sensed malicious intentions.

I narrowed my eyes, Byakko lifted his snout into the air, smelling it warily before growling.

He padded up to a tree and pressed himself against it, melding into the dark forest with ease, perhaps a lot better then I ever could with my pure white hair.