A Family Of Foxes And Snakes

Chapter 22

Naruto woke up and groaned. He gave a tired yawn and he tried to get the crust out of his eyes. He looked around the room that Iruka had brought him and his team to when they entered the tower. He looked to his right and saw his pink haired teammate, lightly snoring. He gave a chuckle at that. He turned to his other teammate to find him missing from his bed. He wondered where he may have gone so early in the morning but just shrugged it off. He didn’t feel like dealing with his attitude anyway.

He lay back down in his bed and thought about the past two days. He was silently wishing to meet that grass ninja again so she could beat the information out of her about her master. He did make a promise to punch Anko’s old teacher for hurting her. Yet, he knew that he had to get stronger because of that chick’s level. He sighed and looked at the ceiling.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open and Naruto was tackled out of bed. Sakura awoke with a start and reached for a kunai. She turned to face who had attacked them when she saw what had caused such a disturbance. On the ground, rolling around, were Naruto and his oneesan, Anko. Anko had him in a scissor hold that Naruto was attempting to get out of. It would be very hilarious if it didn’t look so perverse. After a few seconds, Naruto gave up and Anko released him. He glared at her while she had a big smirk on her face.

“Why can’t you greet people normally?” Naruto snarled

“Where’s the fun in that?” Anko asked cheerfully. Naruto grumbled about psychos but turned his focus on her.

“So, what’s up sis?”

“I’m just checking up on you. I heard you were on the worse side of an ass whipping.”

“Yeah, well, your old sensei was one of the Sannin. It’s no wonder that I would lose to one of his students.”

“How do you know that?”

“Know what?”

“That I was trained by one of the Sannin. I never told you that.” Naruto suddenly got nervous and looked for an escape. Anko glared at him hard. “Naruto!!”

“I may have broken into your personal files and I may have broken into the old man’s personal files.” He said. While she was very impressed, she was a bit annoyed. She cracked him over the head with her fist.

“You couldn’t let it go, could you?” she asked with a sigh.

“I needed to know who I was going to punch. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it.” He said. Anko just smiled at him. She placed her hand on his head.

“You are one suicidal nut. Only you would think that you could actually hit Orochimaru.”

“Orochimaru, you say that your sensei was Orochimaru?” asked Sakura

“Yeah, what of it?” Anko asked

“That’s who attacked us and he was the one who bit Sasuke in the neck.” Sakura explained

“Bit Sasuke in the neck,” she whispered. Her eyes went wide and she pulled off her coat. She pulled down her mesh shirt a bit to show her neck. “Hey pinky, did you see this mark on him?”

“No, I didn’t see a mark. I wasn’t close enough.” Sakura said

“I’ve seen that mark. I don’t know why but that thing is evil.” Naruto said

“What do you mean?” asked Anko

“I woke up to see Sasuke pulling out a sound ninja arms. He had a crazed look in his eyes and these weird markings on his whole right side. When I restrained him and busted his balls about what he was doing, the markings disappeared into that mark. What the hell is that thing?” he asked

“This is not good. I have to warn the Sandaime. I want both of you to search the tower for your teammate. Do it now.” Anko ordered. The two nodded and Anko bolted.

Anko had burst into the office that the Hokage was using. She surprised all the Jonin in the room and went straight to Sarutobi.

“Lord Hokage, we have a serious problem. The Uchiha has been marked.” Anko blurted out.

“Calm down Anko, what is this about Sasuke?” Sarutobi asked

“I have confirmation that Sasuke has been given the Juin Jutsu (Cursed Seal Technique). Not only has he survived the mark but he had unleashed it. I recommend that we place him in an ANBU lock-up.”

“That won’t be necessary. The Juin Jutsu has been dealt with. I saw to it.” Kakashi said

“What the hell do you mean?” Anko asked

“Iruka informed me about my team and I went to visit them. I saw the mark on Sasuke when he was asleep and told him that we needed to seal it. He was a brat about it but we came to an arrangement that I would allow him to continue in the Chuunin exams.” He said

“Are you crazy?” shouted Anko. “You can’t allow him to continue. That mark is dangerous to every one around him.”

“I think I know how to handle my own students.”

“No, you’re being irresponsible. You’re more concerned about Sasuke that the safety of the village.”

“I have to agree with Anko on this Kakashi. Your actions have become quite irresponsible. You should have informed me about the mark.” Sarutobi said

“I apologize for that but I felt that swift and decisive action was needed. I still do not see a problem as the mark has been dealt with.” Kakashi explained

“I will see to that myself. Take me to where he is resting. I will decide if he should continue.” Sarutobi said

“Thank you Hokage-sama.” Anko said. Sarutobi nodded and stood up. He looked at Kakashi and gave him a look that said that they would have words. Kakashi gulped and followed the old Kage out of the office. Anko had a small smile on her face.

Three days passed and the second part of the exam was over. It was also three days later and Anko was still pissed off. The Hokage had deemed Sasuke fit to continue after Kakashi showed that he had indeed taken care of the cursed mark. He used the Fuuja Houin to seal the mark. Anko still argued that he should have been pulled out of the exams because of Sasuke’s mental behavior but it didn’t work. She had a scowl on her face, which scared some of the Chuunin hopefuls, and refused to speak to any one, except Naruto. The Hokage looked at her and gave a small sigh. He knew that an angry Anko was a headache waiting to happen. He could only image what would be in store if Naruto got wind of it.

The first match was announced after the long speech with turned out to be Sasuke against Dosu. Everyone went to the balcony to give them room.

Naruto looked at Sasuke from the balcony with a critical eye. Anko was pissed off during the third day in the tower. He had asked her why and she told him about Orochimaru and the cursed mark. He was quite surprised that the chick that he cracked in the jaw was actually a dude and her old sensei. He was happy that he managed to keep his promise to her and without knowing about it. He then got angry at his sensei for playing favorites again. He told her that it isn’t a surprise. She then told him to look out for Sasuke from now on. Naruto agreed and as a reward Anko taught him another jutsu. It was a very powerful Katon (fire release) technique. The fact that it was a Kage level technique was even better.

“You are looking at Sasuke quite hard Naruto.” Kakashi said

“Just making sure that he doesn’t use that thing on his neck.” Naruto said. Kakashi sighed and closed his book. He looked at Anko briefly before speaking again.

“It has been taken care of. You need to stop worrying.”

“Anko-oneesan doesn’t think so and I agree with her. Sasuke doesn’t strike me as someone who just gives up such power.”

“Don’t say such things about Sasuke.” Sakura said. Naruto just glared at her.

“To think I was starting to respect you.” Naruto mumbled. Sakura looked hurt by that.

“That’s enough Naruto, you’ll apologize to your teammate.” He ordered

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen. I’ll apologize when you actually teach me something.” Naruto said and walked away form his team. Kakashi ordered him back but was ignored by Naruto. Naruto walked to the end of the balcony and sat down. He watched as his teammate kick the sound ninja in the jaw. He had a smug smirk on his face as he advanced on him. Suddenly, Naruto watched as Sasuke dropped to one knee, clutching his ears. He wondered what was going on when he looked across and saw Hinata attending to Kiba and Akamaru. They were also holding their ears. He wondered why he couldn’t hear anything when he remembered that the Inuzuka clan had very sensitive hearing.

‘So he’s using sound waves that are very high pitched. He has also contained it within a field that surrounds him and Sasuke. The teme got careless.’ He thought. That when he saw it. The seal on Sasuke’s neck began to glow. He saw Sasuke snarl at his opponent and his Sharingan blazing. ‘Son of a bitch, he’s actually using the seal. Stupid Kakashi.’

Anko also saw the seal glow and Sasuke expression. She gave a look to the Sandaime and sighed. She then turned to Naruto who was sitting away from his team and saw his face. He had come to the same conclusion as she had. Sasuke was attempting to use the seal.

‘I knew it. That Kakashi is so stupid.’

Sasuke growled as the sound was piercing his ears. The mummy sound ninja looked glad that he had him on his knees. He would not lose here, not to this nobody. He needed power and he would use that seal. Just as he was about to use it, he remembered what Kakashi told him. He growled some more when he did. To think that the Hokage would confine him if he used that mark. He mentally cursed and was starting to lose consciousness. He looked with his Sharingan and saw how he was using his chakra and did some hand seals.

“Katon: Goukakyu no Jutsu!!” he shouted. He blew out the fireball at Dosu. Dosu jumped to avoid it. When he landed he attempted to drive his fist into the ground but Sasuke beat him to it. He launched Dosu into the air and disappeared. He reappeared behind him and hit him with a back fist. He turned in mid-air and punched him again with a punch to the stomach. Sasuke’s final attack ended the match when he dropped an axe kick on Dosu chest. The kick combined with the ground made a loud crunch. Sasuke called this attack the Shi Shi Rendan. Sasuke was given the match.

Sasuke walked back to his team. As he walked up the stairs, he saw Naruto sitting at the end. He was curious about why he was there but decided that it wasn’t worth his time. He walked past his teammate without a word. Naruto, however, had some words.

“So, you’re not such a coward after all.” He said. Sasuke stopped and turned to his teammate.

“Excuse me.”

“Just making an observation.”

“Is that so? What is that observation?”

“That you’re nothing. Your Uchiha blood is nothing but a relic because the last member who is nothing but a coward. He’s also too scared to do things on his own so he steals the hard work of others. If that is what Hatake is teaching you to do, then you’re more pathetic that I first thought.” Naruto said. Sasuke was boiling with rage and grabbed Naruto by his collar.

“You want to say that again dobe?” Sasuke snarled. Naruto just smirked and grabbed Sasuke’s wrist. Sasuke grunted when Naruto applied pressure to it. He released Naruto and vise versa. Sasuke cradled his wrist as Naruto just smirked at him. Sasuke growled and looked ready to attack but Naruto appeared behind him with a kunai to his throat.

“What,” was his reply

“Now that’s a bad Sasuke-chan, be a good boy and go to your sensei. I just know he wants to give a hug and kiss for doing so well.” Naruto joked. He moved the kunai from Sasuke’s throat and walked back to his spot. Sasuke looked ready to kill but he was stopped by Kakashi. Kakashi watched as Naruto ignored him and the rising killer intent that was coming from Sasuke. He was beginning to think that much of Anko’s behavior had rubbed off on him. He reminded himself to talk to the Hokage about that. Kakashi dragged Sasuke back to Sakura. Naruto didn’t even give the two the time of day and awaited his turn.

Authors’ Notes: The new chapter is here. Been a while huh? Tell me what you think.