Third Person's POV

"NIKKI!!" Sasuke shouted as she had passed out in his arms. He turn to Sakura. "What happened to her?" He asked her.

"Um... She has a fever." Sakura answer, slightly scared.

Suddenly Naruto woke up, screaming since Choji had giving him a bump on the head.

Naruto looked around until he guy. That guy...?
He remember the Grass ninja. "Everyone hide! No, lie low quick!"

Naruto lay down on ground while looking around. "W-Where is that guy?" He mumbled.

Sakura and Sasuke turn to see him awake. "Naruto..." Sakura whispered surprised.

That fool, he finally woke up. Ino thought, glance at Naruto annoyed.

Choji poked Naruto's bump with a stick.

"You are quite one of a kind." Shikamaru commented. "Actually, you are getting on my nerves." Choji agreed.

Naruto looked around again and was shocked to see Sakura's hair. "Sakura!" He shouted, running to her.

"What?" She wondered.

"Y-Y-Your...! Sakura...your hair!" Naruto exclaimed as he squatting in front of them.

"Oh! This...?" Sakura touched her short hair. "I'm changymy image, changing my image! I like it better long but, when I move around in a forest like this, it gets in the way if it's long." She explain to him.

Naruto suddenly notice a passed out Nikki in Sasuke's arms. "Nikki!" He turn to them. "What happen to her?" He asked as she was breath heavily.

"She has a bad fever..." Sasuke answer, looking at her worried along with Naruto.

Nikki... Naruto look at her worried before turning to see Shikamaru and Choji. "By the way...why are you guys here?!" He asked.

"Hah... It's such a pain to explain it to you." Shikamaru said.

"Everybody help out." Sakura told Naruto surprising him.

Sakura's putting on a show of bravado... Ino though smiling toward toward her.

Tenten suddenly appeared in front of Ino and a passed out Lee.

"I'll take care of him from here." Tenten told her.

"Ah... Okay..." Ino was unsure but let her take him.

However when Tenten get a hold of him, she start shaking him silly. "Keep it together! Lee!" She said causing Ino to sweat dropped as he woke up.

"Oh? Tenten, why are you here?" Lee asked her when he saw her.

Tenten kneel down. "I came to help." She told him.

"Huh...? Those guys, where's the Sound Village Ninja?" Lee asked her.

"A kid named Sasuke drove them away!" Tenten answered.

Lee turn to when Sakura was at. "Really..."

"Why did you hastily decided to act on your own?! Beside, you really got beaten up!" Tenten scolded him.

"S-Sakura was in danger. So as a man, I..." Lee said

You're kidding...! If it were Lee alone, he wouldn't have lost to those guys. Tenten though. "You're really stupid." She told him.

"I can't argue with that." Lee said, ageing with her.

"You, Bushy-Brow!" Naruto had run up to them pointing at Lee.

"Naruto! Don't say rude things to Lee!" Sakura exclaimed while throwing a punched at Neruto, sending him flying.

What in the world... Naruto wondering in confusion.

"That Naruto, he's completely out of the loop." Shikamaru said as he and Choji saw the whole thing.

"He's not the type to be the protagonist of a story certainly not." Choji said.

"Lee..." Sakura get his attention. "Thank you. Because of you, I was able to wake up. I feel like I've gotten a little stronger!" She told him, smiling at him.

"Sakura... It looks like my efforts weren't enough!" Lee said, wiping away his happy tears then he turn to Sasuke, who was holding Nikki bridal style. "Sasuke... Just what you'd expect from the Uchiha clan. To case off the Sound Village Ninjas, just as I thought, you possess amazing strength. I was beaten to a pulp." He told Sasuke.

Sasuke was surprised with he had heard. What?! He was beaten to a pulp?! What's he talking about? We're those guys really that strong? He though until he notice how much Nikki was sweating and went down to one knee on the ground and having Nikki lean against his chest, using his other leg to support her body as he using a cloth to wiped her face.

"Sakura! The Lotus of Leaf Village blooms twice." Lee said to her.

"Huh?" Sakura look at him surprised.

"When we meet again, I will have become a stronger man. I pledge it." Lee told her, not noticing Tenten and Naruto frown at him.

"Okay." Sakura smile at him.

"Hey Sakura!" Ino called out as she turn to her. "Come here, come here! Your hair! I'll fix it for you!" She said, waving Sakura over.

"That'd be great." Sakura said with a smirk.

Ino was kneeling behind Sakura, fixing her hair. "I can't believe how sneaky Nikki was. Hugging him like that." She complained, gritting her teeth together as she steal glance at Sasuke, who was taking care of the unconscious Nikki in his arms.

Sakura looked over as well and frown. Why does Sasuke care about her? Why not me? She though in jealousy.

Neji was looking over the group before he turn to Sasuke. Sasuke... Uchiha. At any rate... he's a strong opponent. He though.
_____

It was the fourth day of the second exam and Nikki, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto were still inside the forest. They were resting at a river since Nikki's fever had only getting a little better but hasn't woken up yet.

The boys went to get some fish while Sakura was getting firewood as Nikki was resting against a tree.

Nikki's POV

I open my eyes to see Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura sitting around a fire while grilling fish.

"Sasuke..." I whispered weakly as I notice that Naruto was only in his boxer shorts.

Sasuke heard me as he snapped his head towards me with widened eyes, when he saw me awake. "Nikki!" He quickly came to me and hug me. "Your awake..." He whispered as he tighten his grip around me.

We parted as Naruto push Sasuke to the side, allowing him to hug me too while he begin to tell me how worried he was.

I apologies to him just as Sasuke shuffle him aside. "Are you okay? How's your fever?" He asked me as he put his hand on my forehead causing me to smile at his concerns.

I gently removed his hand. "I'm okay." I said softly as i hold his hand.

"You still have a fever so take it easy, okay." Sasuke told me as he help me over to the fireplace.

As we were waiting for the fishes to finish grilling in silence. "It's already been four days since the second exam started." Sasuke said as Sakura agreed.

"The start of the second exam was around three in the afternoon. We only have twenty-five or twenty-six hours left." Sasuke explain as we all stared at the fire.

"There may already be some teams that have passed. That means..." Sakura said as I saw Naruto drooling while watching the grilled fish.

Once their were done, Naruto was the first one to grab a fish.

Sasuke took one and blow it to cold it down before handle it to me. "Here Nikki, be careful it a little hot and eat it slowly, okay." He told me causing me to smile.

"Thanks, Sasuke." I kissed his cheek, surprising him causing me to giggle at his expression before eating the fish.

As we were eating, Sakura decided to break the silence. "For all we know...there may not be any Heaven Scroll." Causing us to stop and look at her.

"What do you mean, Sakura?" Sasuke asked her as he push some of my hair, out of my face to behind my ear.

"Well, in this second exam...four of the five-day time limit have passed already. So that means we're already used eighty percent of the total exam time. Seventy-eight participants and twenty-six teams. There are only thirteen each of the Heaven and Earth Scroll's. At most there are only thirteen passing teams." Sakura explain to us.

"Moreover, you remember, don't you, Sasuke? That the Orochimaru guy burned, the Heaven Scroll that we had." Sakura said as I remember our encounter with Orochimaru.

"Which means..." Sasuke said looking at our scroll.

"The teams that will pass had already, at that point, decreased by one. Also, all of the other scrolls are not necessarily safe, so..." Sakura said.

"After parting ways with the Leaf Village bunch, we allotted two days for healing... So from here on, we have to increase the distance of our actions. At any rate the next enemy is our last chance." Sasuke said.

I suddenly start coughing causing Sasuke to rub my back. "We're going to get some drinking water." Sasuke told them as he help me up before we walk from them to a river.

When we arrived at the river, Sasuke help me to a rock to sit on as he went to get me some water while I was resting.

"Here drink this..." Sasuke said when he return and held the bottle to me.

I smile. "Thanks, Sasuke." I said while taking it and took a sip.

I watch Sasuke while drinking as he pulled out a handkerchief from his pouch and drip it into the river a couple of time before giving it a squeeze and walk towards me, kneeling in front of me and press the wet handkerchief against my neck, forehead then wip my face causing me to sigh in pleasure from the coldness. "How does that feel?" Sasuke asked me.

"Feel nice." I said as Sasuke did it a couple of time more before he felt my temperature.

"Hmm... Feels like your fever is going down a little bit." Sasuke said, holding his own to compare.

Suddenly our eyes met and Sasuke lean in for a kiss but I put my finger over his lips, stopping him.

I look down shyly. "Sasuke, I have a fever." I blush, before looking back at him. "I don't want you to get sick."

Sasuke smirk as he kissed my finger tip before removing my hand. "I don't care." He said before he kiss me.

The kiss wasn't like any of our previous kisses, it was more intense as I wrapped my arms around Sasuke's neck as his was around my waist, pulling our bodies closer to each other, tightly while rubbing his hands on my body.

I moan when he licked across my lips, asking for entrance which I grant him.

His tongue enter and our tongue rubbed against each other, like their were dancing.

Sasuke groan when I pulled the hair of the back of his head.

I learn back against the rock when Sasuke leaned forward so he was on top of me.

When we parted, only a string of saliva was between our lips. "Sasuke..." I whispered as I know my love for him was shining in my eyes as we were panting for air.

Sasuke smile. "Nikki..." He peck my lips before hugging me. "I love you." He whispered into my ear causing me to tear up in happiness as I hugged him back.

"I love you too." I returned.

We were enjoying our loving moment as we hugged, letting the sound of nature surrounding us.

Sasuke then pulled back. "Let's go back." He said looking at me with the same amount of love as me causing me to smile and blush as I nodded.

He help me up then we walk back to did others, hand in hand.

However as we were returning, we stopped at the site of Kabuto.

"An enemy?" Sasuke mumble as we quickly took action by pulling out our Kunis and ran toward him.

But we could action, Kabuto stopped us and explained to us what was going on and what happened, this causes Sasuke get angry at Naruto and Sakura while Nikki looked at them disappointment.

"Man, you're beyond saving..." Sasuke said.

"That was close." Kabuto said.

"W-We're sorry." Sakura apologized as she and Naruto had their head down in shame.

"Those who ignored the rules are forced into the situation of having to retire. In the previous exam, hypnotism Jutsu Formula was set up to get into the eyes of those who looked at the scroll a long the way. A measure to get them to lie in the forest until the end of the exam." Kabuto explain to us.

"By the way... If I'm not mistaken, you're Kabuto, right? What're you doing hanging around here alone?" Sasuke asked suspiciously.

"It's not that I'm after your scroll." Kabuto said to him.

"I didn't think so. If that was your intention...you could've taken it from Naruto just now. So you're also after the Heaven Scroll?" Sasuke question.

"No." Kabuto answered. "I already have them both. See?" He show us both scrolls.

"What?" I was shock to see them in his hand.

"Things led to things...I was hurrying over to the vicinity of the tower to wait for my estranged companions. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Kabuto said, walking away.

"Wait!" Sasuke called out, stoping him. "Fight me." I was shocked.

"Fight you, you say?" Kabuto asked.

"S-Sasuke." Sakura was shocked.

I could understand why Sasuke wanted fight for the scrolls, given our situation.

"This idiot - Sasuke. What are you saying suddenly?" Naruto asked Sasuke.

"Are you serious?" Kabuto asked.

"Sorry, but we don't have anymore time." Sasuke said causing me to put a hand onto his chest.

"Sasuke." I whispered to him, worried.

"Hey, Sasuke! Kabuto saved us!" Naruto told him angrily.

"Sasuke, I don't know about that, myself." Sakura agreed.

"Shut up!" Sasuke told tem furiously.

"Sasu...ke." Sakura mumble, surprised by his tone.

"It can't be helped. I said it before, too. This is all that can be done to survive through this forest now." Sasuke said.

"Hmm... That's a lie." Kabuto said, surprised us.

"What are you saying?" I asked confused.

"Your heart isn't totally in this as much as you're saying. If you could really become serious about this exam... Why is it necessary unguarded moment, without going to the trouble of announcing it. That's...a Ninja." Kabuto said.

"Hmm, that's profound." Naruto said, looking dumbfound.

"I don't dislike that side of you. So I shall talk as we move. The smell of broiled fish in the smoke fire had reached a great distance. At this rate, we'll be marked by fierce animals...and enemies." Kabuto said, looking at the burned out fireplace before looking back at us.

"Ugh!" I collapse to my knees causing Sasuke to quickly react.

"Nikki?! You're still weak." Sasuke looked concerned. "It would be better for me to carry you." He said.

"Kyaa!" I squeaked when he pick me up, bridal style.

"Humph!" Kabuto smirk at the sence.
_____

"Are there really still enemies around?" Sasuke asked Kabuto as he jump from tree branch to tree branch with me in his arms.

"Yes, no mistake. If you think about it a little, you'll understand." Kabuto said as he was leading us to the tower. "Do you know the cleverest way of fighting in battles in the jungles and expansive forests such as this?"

"No." I said.

"The tower located in the center of the forest, the common goal for us test-takers. That means when the last day of the test is here...the area near that tower is the easiest place to gather scroll." Kabuto told us.

"Oh, i see. Ambush, right?" I said in realisation.

"In other words, we go after the scrolls of the teams that have both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and are setting out for the tower." Sakura explain.

"That's one-third of the answer." Kabuto said, surprising her. "I mean that guys are not the only ones thinking that! Near the tower, the same badgers have probably already set traps, so..." Kabuto said.

"I see! That means there are lots of enemies lying in waiting to engage us. Heh, having a handicap get me pumped, I say! I'm looking forward to it! If we just beat them all and get the Heaven Scroll, we'll all survive the second exam!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.

"No! This is still two-thirds of the answer!" Kabuto said.

"What's the remaining one-third of the answer?" I said as Sakura glance at me.

Oh...was she going to say the same thing. I though with a nervous smile.

"The collectors who are certain to appear during an exam of this nature." Kabuto said.

"Collectors?" Sakura asked confused.

"In this exam with t tower just a stone's throw away, you definitely can't rest easy... Those particular conditions are what create them. In other words, those who gather extra scrolls...as compensation for sparing them when coming across an unexpected enemy. Also, those who get information to proceed favorably through later exams by providing the lacking scrolls to comrades sharing the same village. And those who are thinking of, under conditions favorable to them, as annihilating the powerful ones who will probably get through to the third exam. It goes without saying, but these guys are quite the big guns and the worst enemies who are definitely not conceited." Kabuto explain to us.

"I see. I understand the reason why you appeared before us. You're scared too, right?" Sasuke said.

"That's right." Kabuto answered before their pick up speeds.
_____

Hours had pass and Sasuke was carrying me on his back now.

"Now then, the tower has finally come into view. From here on is hard part." Kabuto said as the tower was at our sight.

"All right, let's go!" Naruto cheered, punch the air.

We all suddenly gasp. "An enemy already?" Sakura said.

"There!" Naruto exclaimed as he quickly pull out a Lunau and throw it. "Throw it. "Oh, it's just a centipede."

Yikes! I though creeped out by the sight of the bug as I feel a shiver, run down my spine.

"Yikes! It's huge." Sakura said, freaked out. "All those legs are gross."

"Naruto." Kabuto said.

"Huh?" Naruto turn to Kabuto.

"I'd like t avoid inadvertent sounds and careless actions from here on." Kabuto said but Naruto just look at him confused. "Rushing ahead through a dense forest making noise like an elephant is the same as serving notice in notice in a loud voice that we're coming. We'd definitely receive an enthusiastic welcome."

"He has a point, Naruto." I said in agreement as Sasuke let me down from his back gently.

"O-Oh, I see." Naruto said, nervously.

"As long as time allows, we should go slowly while remaining hidden." Kabuto said.

"Yeah/okay." Sakura and Naruto answer at the same time.

"Sure." Sasuke and I said together causing him to smirk at me as I blush in embarrassed.

Third Person's POV

Heh, not bad, everyone. Kabuto though as he release his camouflage jutsu, up at the trees.

Sakura was walking through the tall grass as Sasuke and Nikki was hiding in the river, using bamboos to breath underwater.

Oh? Kabuto though as he use the camouflage jutsu again as Naruto was caught up in same vines.

Nikki's POV

"Okay, it's this way." Kabuto said, looking through this compass.

I was finally able to convincing Sasuke to let me walk since I was strong enough to walk but I had to hold his hand at all time and let him know when I get tired.

Naruto was suddenly stopped by Kabuto as I notice a piece of rope in front of him.

Kabuto use his chin to point up to the died bodies.

"Is it a trap?" Sasuke asked as we all looked at them.

"Yeah. It'll get intense ahead from here on." Kabuto said as we start walking away.

Suddenly Naruto accidentally spring a trap surprising him causing Kabuto to react quickly as he shielded him, taking the hit.

"Kabuto!" Naruto exclaimed but Kabuto had used a substitution jutsu as a log was reveal where Kabuto once was.

"H-Huh?" Naruto was confused.

"That was close, Naruto." We all turn to see Kabuto, who was standing on a tree branch.

"Substitution Jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I told you, it would get intense ahead from here on." Kabuto said as we look at him shocked.

We had walk for what felt like hours. "I've...had it..." Sakura said weakly as she collapse.

"Oh! Sakura!" Naruto proclaimed.

"For crying out loud, how far have we walked?" Sakura question, panting heavily. "The tower hasn't gotten a bit closer."

"Here we can see it right in front of our eyes. Strange..." Naruto said.

"It seems that were already within the enthusiastic welcome. Take a look at that." Kabuto said, point behind us.

"Oh, that can't be!" Naruto proclaimed as we were shock to see the same giant dead centipede. "What on earth is going on?"

"No way!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Is it Genjutsu...?" Sasuke asked as he was rubbed my back as I was trying to catch my breath.

Third Person's POV

"So it seems. We were lured in perfectly. It appears we were meticulously careful, and we're made to walk around the same place in a circle." Kabuto said.

"We're being watched..." Naruto said.

"Probably. They intend to wear down our physical strength and catch us unprepared when we're bone-tired." Kabuto said.

"If so, than this follows the enemy strategy." Sasuke said, grabbing my hand.

"Then... they'll be coming soon." Kabuto said.

Then from the trees and the ground, what looked like clones appeared all around the small group.

"They've appeared." Sasuke said.

"Hah! This is the perfect handicap." Naruto said as we were surround.
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Note: So finally update🙂
Thank you all for being patient with me, I know it has been a long time since I last updated but I appreciate all of your support.
Thank you guys❤️