White Dragon Hidden in The Leaves

"Seems to be a herd of Centipedes, We should wait for them to pass." Neji's eyes scanned the sky which was growing darker. Lee picked me up as we all moved away and up a tree, as night came, the eerie silence of the Forest of Death. Neji was being extra vigilant and scanned the area one last time with his Byakugan before turning to us with a decision. "We need to set up camp, it's too risky to continue in the dark."

And so we found a large tree with a sizable crevasse inside for us to rest in. Tenten immediately began arranging the perimeter with traps and warning seals while Lee, with his usual diligence, started gathering firewood. Neji had dropped Naruto like a bag of Potatoes onto the ground. while Sakura moved to place Sasuke next to him, she busied herself tending to Naruto and Sasuke, who were still knocked out while Sasuke seemed to be having a fever. It was from the curse mark if I had to guess.

With our camp barely set up, Neji turned to look at us. "We'll set up watches. I'll take the first watch. Tenten, you follow, then Lee. It's best we stay alert."

Lee carefully placed me against a comfortable tree, checking to make sure I was as comfortable as possible given the circumstances. "You good here?" he asked, his brow creased with concern.

"Yeah, thanks, Lee," I replied, giving him a small smile despite the dull throbbing in my limbs. It wasn't as bad as before. It seemed I was slowly healing probably thanks to Moonhydra.

The night was unnervingly quiet as watched Neji take the first watch, He really was a stick in the mood but I guess it had its perks. But It was no time to stay up all night, trying my best to fall asleep.

Hours later, I Heard Neji wake Tenten for her shift. "Your turn. Everything's been quiet."

I had opened my eyes tiredly as I watched her. She nodded, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and took up her position. "Got it." A yawn came from her as she stretched.

 Eventually, I went back into a fitful sleep. It must have been only a few hours since I was jolted awake by a sudden loud explosion in the distance, If I had to guess it might have been the trap I had set up. Sudden Memories started to fill my mind from my clone. Yeah, it was, and it seemed to be some mist Ninja's that got caught in the trap. I looked to see who was on shift now and it was Lee's, and he was silently pacing the perimeter.

The faintest hint of dawn was beginning to light the horizon I turned to look at him, Neji, he had black bags under his eyes, maybe he was a much lighter sleeper than me. "We should get moving soon," he murmured, it seemed more to himself than anyone else. He glanced at Naruto and Sasuke, both still unconscious. As he looked to where the sound of the explosion came from. "Don't worry that was one of my traps, nothing to worry about for now," I said to him as he looked at me.

Without a word, Neji scooped Naruto up, his movements almost dismissive as if carrying a sack of potatoes, his focus already on the path ahead.

"Let's gather everything. We can eat while we move," Lee suggested, already dousing the fire.

We quickly packed up our minimal camp, and Lee came over to help me up. "Ready?" he asked, as he picked me up.

Nodding, as Sakura and Tenten picked up Sasuke. we set off, the forest seemed to awaken with us, the sounds of distant creatures and the rustle of leaves filling the air with a symphony of the wild.

The journey to the tower was fraught with the dense silence of the forest, punctuated only by the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant cry of a forest creature. 

Neji led using his Byakugan sporadically to scout ahead through the thick foliage. I'm not going to lie I was very jealous of how easily he could use that and that there seemed to be barely any drawback

"The tower is within our reach," he announced, pointing towards a thinning in the trees ahead where the structure could just be glimpsed against the sky's lightening palette.

Lee adjusted his grip as he carried me, his concern ever-present. "Just a bit further, Ayumi. You holding up, okay?"

I nodded, pushing away the discomfort that racked my body. "Yeah, Let's just get this over with So I can sleep in a proper bed." Once we opened the scrolls inside we should have at least two or three days before everyone finishes this part of the exam. So I wanted to use that time to rest and see if Grandpa could help me heal faster.

We hurried towards the tower, our pace quickening. Finally, we reached the entrance, and Neji pushed the door open cautiously. Inside, the air was cool, these fucks were using Ac while we were out in this.

"We made it," Lee said, relief evident in his voice as he carried me inside.

We gathered in the main hall. "Let's open them," I suggested, my voice strained with exhaustion.

We each opened our respective scrolls, and in a puff of smoke, our teachers appeared. Anko, Gai, and Iruka stood before us, their expressions a mix of concern and pride.

"Well done," Anko said, her eyes immediately locking onto me. She moved over and lifted me out of Lee's arms with surprising gentleness. "Nice work, lover boy But Ill be taking this Princess off of your hands now. she teased Lee, who blushed furiously. 

Gai gave Lee a thumbs up and a wide grin. "You did well, Your Youth Burned Bright!!"

Iruka looked at Naruto and Sasuke, concern etched on his face. "I need to get them to the Hospital." He picked them both up and Headed inside, there must be a route here that would ignore the forest altogether. Sakura followed behind him.

Gai's team, unhurt and ready to continue, prepared to leave. "We'll head to the next phase," Neji said his usual stoic demeanor in place.

"Take care, Ayumi," Lee said, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer.

With a salute that was as much a part of him as his own skin, Gai led Lee, Neji, and Tenten followed the path Team 7 had gone to.

Left in the quieter space, Anko helped me to a makeshift seat, her expert eyes scanning the injuries with a critical eye. "You did good, kid. Kept your head on straight even when things went south. Especially against Orochimaru"

"Thanks, Anko-sensei," I murmured, allowing myself a moment to relax under her watchful care.

As the first light of dawn began to brighten the tower windows, signaling the end of our ordeal, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and apprehension. We had survived the Forest of Death.

"Let's get you back to the village, Ayumi," she said gently, while she held me effortlessly into her arms. Her teasing demeanor softened as she carried me through a hidden tunnel within the tower, a route that bypassed the dangers of the forest. This was the same path the other teams had used, leading directly back to the safety of Konoha.

As we moved through the dimly lit tunnel, this was so convenient to have. 

"You're tough, kid," Anko said, her voice echoing softly off the tunnel walls. "Not many can say they faced Orochimaru and lived to tell the tale."

I managed a weak smile. "I wouldn't say I did that much. Im glad you are alive as well" Feeling a bit let down that I didn't do all that much at least that was what it felt like.

"You held your own and Survived that's all that matters," Anko said squeezing her arms and causing me to yelp in pain. " Besides it seems like you though I would die."

"Never sensei," I said quickly as she smirked.

As we emerged from the tunnel, the familiar sights and sounds of Konoha greeted us. Anko carried me swiftly through the village streets, drawing curious glances from the villagers but wasting no time in getting me to my grandfather's house.

Upon arriving, my grandfather opened the door, his face a mix of worry and relief. "Ayumi!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to take me from Anko's arms. "What happened?"

"She had a run-in with Orochimaru," Anko explained, her tone serious. "But she's tough. She'll be okay."

My grandfather nodded, his grip on me tightening. "Thank you, Anko."

"Take care, Ayumi," Anko said, giving me a reassuring smile before turning to leave. "Rest up. You've earned it."

I waited for Anko to leave as the servants escorted her out.

As my grandfather gently laid me down on the bed, I grabbed his hand. "Grandpa," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "I need your help with something."

He leaned in closer, concern etched on his face. "What is it, Ayumi?"

"I need to drain a prisoner," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Someone on death row, could you bring me one like when you got one to teach me to get used to killing?"

He nodded, His once blond Hair now white. with a few strands still holding gold. "I'll see what I can do," he replied, his voice calm but firm. "Rest now. I'll take care of it."

As he left the room, I closed my eyes, allowing the darkness to take over. The pain and exhaustion were overwhelming, but knowing my grandfather would help me gave me a sense of reassurance. Now I could sleep without worrying about someone getting the drop on me like I did in the forest of death.