Running Up That Hill. Naruto Story. Book 1

The Forest Of Death

The next day

"Whoa, nice place. What is it?" Naruto says.

All 73 candidates stand in front of old rusty gates surrounding a huge forest.

"This is the location for the second phase of the exam. It's the 44th battle training zone. But we call it: The forest of death." Anko says.

Why would it be called the forest of death?!?!?!?

A square box that’s suppose to be a rock moves over to us. Me and Naruto look at it. The box moves closer to Naruto. Now everyone stares at it. Naruto starts to walk away and it follows him. Naruto starts to run back and forth, but the box follows him. I let out a frustrated sigh and walk over. Naruto runs past me, but just as the box is, I kick the box off of whoever hiding inside. Underneath, sit Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon. They look up at me and grimace.

"What the hell are you three doing?" I ask.

"Yeah, I knew it was you guys the whole time." Naruto says. I shake my head. "What are you losers want? I'm getting ready to take the second phase of the Chunin exam and you're interrupting me."

"We came here for an exclusive interview." Moegi says.

"Can you get one after the exam? I bet Naruto will have a LOT more to say then?" I say. The three of them look at me and smile.

"Ok. We'll be back Naruto!" Konohamaru says. Anko comes over to us.

"What's going on!" She says.

"They are here for an interview." I say. Anko blushes.

"That’s right! The Hokage said something about them wanting to interview me!" She says proudly. "Ok everyone! Take a ten minute break!"

Me, Sakura, and Sasuke sit around a tree watching Konohamaru interview Naruto.

"I'm sure Naruto is just talking about himself over there to those kids. I'll bet he never even mentions us." Sakura says.

"Who cares?" I say gently. I sit a foot away from them. Sasuke looks at me but I don't meet his eyes.

10 minutes later

"This whole place just completely creeps me out." Sakura says.

"It should. They call this place the forest of death for a reason, and soon, you're gonna find out why." Anko says.

Naruto puts his hands on his hips, sticks out his butt, and starts to wiggle around.

"It's called the forest of death." Naruto mocks "And soon enough, you're gonna find out why. Do your worst! You're not gonna scare me away. I can handle anything! Believe-"

I punch him on the head before he can finish.

"Say believe it one more time Naruto, and you'll be the first one to find out why it's called the forest of death." I growl.

"So, it looks like we got ourselves a tough guy." Anko says smiling. Never a good thing. She pulls out a kunai throws it past Naruto’s head and appears behind him. "Are you tough enough to handle this?" Anko whispers in his ear. "You're not afraid, are you?"

blood appears on Naruto's cheek from the kunai Anko threw. She grabs his other cheek and pulls him closer.

"Tough guys like you leave their blood all over this forest." Anko says. She gets some of Naruto’s blood on her finger. All of a sudden Anko pulls out another kunai as a long tongue slithers over her shoulder with the kunai held in it.

"I was, just returning your knife." The girl says, her voice like a snakes.

"Why thank you grass ninja." Anko says politely "Ya know, I only recommend you stand this close behind me, if you wish to reach a premature end." Anko says smiling. She grabs the kunai and the girls tongue goes back in her mouth.

"My pardon With a site of blood on your blade slicing through my hair, I'm afraid I just became a little excited. I meant you no harm." The girl says. She chuckles and turns around. She looks at me for a second then walks back to where she was. Anko walks back to the gates.

"Let's go over the rules." She says, smiling.

"All right you maggots! The second part of the test has begun!" Anko yells and the gates open. Ninja's run in.

Unknown POV

"You know who we're looking for?" I say to my partner.

"Yeah, those four brats." He slithers.

Back to Alexis

We walk into the forest and I put the scroll in my pocket.

"All right!" Naruto yells happily.

"Something bad is about to happen." I say softly. Sasuke hears me and looks at me. And this time, I meet his eyes.