Nebula's Echo (a Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 30

Third person POV

The genin were standing in front of a worn down gate, looking with wide eyes at the sight before them. Beyond the fence, lied a dark, overgrown forest, the old trees reaching high into the sky and casting a shadow over the area. The vines hanging from the trees and the densely growing bushes and suspicious plants made the forest seem all the more impregnable. While most of the genin were gazing at the imposing trees with looks of awe, apprehension or slight curiosity, there was one pair of eyes that was shining with a very different emotion.

A pair of pale purple eyes were gazing at the forest with a nostalgic look, the softness in her gaze expressing her fondness of the place. A small smile graced the corners of her lips as she looked at what had been her home for over half of her life in this world. Her smile stiffened when a certain woman with no tact started running her mouth.

"This is the location for the second phase of the exam, the 44 battle training zone. Also known as the Forest of Death... kukuku..."

Cei sighed in exasperation, leaning her forehead on Sasuke's shoulder. She had climbed back on his back on the way to the Second exam, resuming her lazy sack position.

Anko is trying so hard to be creepy... isn't it below her dignity to try so hard just to scare a few kids?

Cei felt embarrassed on her behalf.

"Ohh, Forest of Death, so scary... YEAH RIGHT! YOU CAN'T SCARE ME AWAY!"

Naruto stood and pointed at Anko, a confident grin on his face. Sasuke and Sakura looked at him with a deadpan expression, but Ceiren just lifted her head from Sasuke's shoulder, her eyes flashing a cold light.

Anko looked at Naruto, and slowly a creepy grin spread on her face. Before anyone could react, a kunai was sent flying, grazing Naruto's cheek and leaving a trail of blood behind. Not even a second later, Anko appeared behind Naruto, her creepy grin still in place.

"Ohh, looks like we've got a tough guy~"

Anko licked her lips and lifted her hands, her finger tracing the skin under Naruto's bleeding wound. Naruto's eyes widened in shock and slight alarm.

"You're not afraid, are you? Tough guys like you usually leave their blood all over this forest..."

Anko caught a drop of blood running down Naruto's cheek and was about to bring it to her mouth, when she suddenly whipped out a kunai, aiming over her shoulder. Everyone stood in shock as they saw a tongue holding a kunai stretch out over Anko's shoulder, barely missing her brandished kunai. A raspy voice spoke up behind Anko.

"I was just returning your knife~"

Anko gave a closed eye smile as she addressed the creepy genin behind her.

"Oh, why thank you grass ninja! But you know, I really don't recommend to stand this close behind me, unless you wish to reach a premature end."