Child of the Moon

Pause

Tsukiko had instructed the girls where to meet the rest of the group, after treating them - and Naruto - to dinner out for getting through the first part. Nanami arrived, along with a cheerful Aki and Aiyanna, to hear a lot of confused and somewhat anxious whispers.

"The heck is this?" Aki asked.

"Hm, it seems like a forest," Nanami answered.

"Yeah, I can see that," Aki retorted.

"Must be nice," Nanami said sarcastically.

"Ouch, sorry Nanami," Aki chuckled. "But damn, those are some big trees..."

"I've heard this forest was created by the First Hokage," Aiyanna said absently. "Hey, did either of you two notice that Tsukiko-sensei was acting weird last night?"

"Neato," Aki said. "Uh, yeah, sorta. She seemed like she was trying really hard to focus."

"She was nervous," Nanami said. "Although, I have no idea why."

"Maybe she made a bet, and she is waiting to find out if she won?" Aki suggested.

"Maybe," Aiyanna responded.

"This is the location for the second phase of the exam," a voice called from the front. Aiyanna had said she was the second proctor, Anko. "It's the forty-fourth battle training zone. But we call it... the forest of death."

"Sounds thrilling," Nanami commented aloud.

"I'm guessing for this phase we're having a survival test, if we're entering a forest with that kind of name," Aiyanna sighed.

"Uh..." Aki seemed confused about something. "Are you guys seeing this?"

"It looks like darkness," Nanami responded.

"My bad, I meant are you seeing this, Aiyanna and are you sensing this Nanami?" Aki sighed.

"Is that... a fake rock chasing Naruto?"

"Actually, its three children in a box chasing Naruto, but I guess it must look like a fake rock," Nanami said.

"Oh, well if that's all it is, then whatever," Aki said. "So, this part of the exam sounds like it's gonna be way more interesting than the last one, and more up to your speed, hey Nanami?"

"Yes, I did find the last one somewhat... boring," Nanami sighed. "There was so much tapping and scraping... it was truly awful."

There was a sudden explosion, and the two vision able girls turned to observe what had just happened.

"Looks like... Uh... those kids from the other day," Aki said. "The ones that were with Naruto when they got into a bit of trouble with those Sand ninja, and then Nanami had to lay down the law."

"I didn't do anything quite so drastic," Nanami insisted.

"You heel palmed that guy in the gut," Aki said. "It was awesome."

"Well, whatever," Aiyanna said. "I wonder when this part of the exam is going to start already."

"Probably once Anko deals with the interview that she's supposed to be doing with those kids that ambushed Naruto," Nanami said.

"Who?"

"The proctor, Aki," Aiyanna sighed. "Although, you've probably already come up with some weird name for her anyway."

"Yeap."

"What is it?" Nanami asked.

"Proctor."

"Well, it's better than some of the other things you've come up with," Aiyanna sighed.

"Alright, we're taking a ten-minute break!" Anko suddenly called. "Those of you scheduled to be interviewed, please be courteous respectful to the reporters from the Academy Newspaper!"

"Are they interviewing teams or random individuals?" Aki questioned.

"Teams," Nanami sighed.

"Yeah, Tsukiko-sensei did mention something about that," Aiyanna sighed. "We're scheduled after Team 7, right?"

"Something like that," Nanami said.

"Oh great," Aki sighed, the group sitting down together.