Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 40! Final Exams! Part Three!

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Ren's POV

The trees seemed to warp as we picked our speed. "It's not long now, guys. Keep up." I commanded back to my team. I grit my teeth again as another burning sensation wrapped around my belly. I palmed the flat plan of my belly and winced. 'The seals breaking again... it's not supposed to do that.'  An explosion rang off as we stopped for a second.

"Woah, what was that?" Sakura asked as Naruto leapt down to her, and Pakkun crashing down on his head.

"Trip wire traps." I say gently. "They're certainly not making Sasuke's job easy for him."

"Sasuke..." Sakura sighed. "Do you think he might have been--"

"I wouldn't worry about Sasuke." I said gently, smirking at Sakura. It takes a lot more than a few trip wire traps to get rid of him."

"Yeah, Sakura. He'll be fine." Naruto agreed. We started to run again. A chill washed down my back, and I gazed backwards, my brow furrowing in worry. "Hm? What's wrong Ren?" Naruto asked, bringing everyone's attention on me.

"It's just... Something doesn't feel right.... like.... something bad is happening right now. It's probably nothing... Let's hurry." I shake my head and we continue. After a moment, Pakkun stared to speak.

"There it is!" Pakkun said.

"What is it, Pakkun?" I jump faster to be besides him.

"I smell Sasuke!" Pakkun says. "He's not alone. I smell others with him. He's caught up to them."

"At last!" Sakura gasped.

"Sasuke..." Naruto sighed.

"They're close together and they've stopped moving. Could mean a fight. We should hurry!" Pakkun commanded. Pakkun turned to us. "Smells like we're not the only one tracking Sasuke. There's something else out there."

"Really where?!" Naruto snapped.

"Who is it?" I ask. "Friend or foe."

"I don't know... But--"

"But what?" Naruto asked.

"It isn't human."

I swallowed thickly, hoping they'd be a friend. We really didn't need anymore problems at the moment. We kept running through the forest, and I felt a wave of uneasyness wash over Pakkun. "What is it?" I ask as Sakura, Pakkun, and I stop on a branch. Naruto sails ahead and slams into the tree as he looks back to see what happened.

"You want to clue me in on what's going on?!" Naruto shouts unhappily.

"Smells like they're in motion." Pakkun explains. "Sasuke along with two of the other ones. And they're moving fast. Smells to me like Sasuke's chasing them."

"Huh?"

"You sure?" Sakura asked.

"But there are two more still there not moving." Pakkun explains.

"So what! Who cares about them!?" Naruto shouts. "We've gotta catch up to Sasuke, come on!"

"Naruto, I'm acting as squad leader, so shut up for a second." I snapped, feeling bad about that agitated look on his face.

"What's the matter, Ren?" Sakura asked.

"Are the two left about to fight?" I ask Pakkun.

"Yes. I can smell it." Naruto and Sakura gasp in shock.

"We need to go around them. Even if it means we'd lose some time." I explain.

"Are you crazy?! We don't have time to lose time!" Naruto argues. "So what if they're fighting. Big Deal! I say full speed ahead!"