This took forever for me to update. O-o Had to keep rewriting it…

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES! I also do not own any of the OCs, except:

The Tsukuyomi Clan

Nero

Hajin

Ayano

Zoki

A/N: I was about to put a warnings sign here…. ;D

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Chapter Two: Uneasiness About the Exams

Training didn't last as long as I thought… Thank the gods. I was way too tired for it. I found myself tossing my things onto my bed. I had only brought so many weapons, a couple kunai, a few shuriken, and one of those spiffy daggers with the hooks on the sides. Otherwise, I was confident in my ninjutsu.

I paused to glance out the window. There was a lot of people outside, celebrating the upcoming Chuunin Exams. Bright lanterns hung on every shop and apartment building, people were squished in crowds. I was tempted to go investigate. Kazuya did say mingling with the opponents was a good thing.

I picked up my dark gray vest, tore the zipper up half way and strapped on my headband accompanied by my kunai pouch around my waist. I headed out the door, peeking down the hallway and the sound of yelling. I could recognize Akira's and Nero's voices. It made me smirk.

They were such babies about sharing rooms. I slipped out of my room, shutting the door and heading down the hallway, my shoes making a soft thud noise on the wood. I easily walked by their room without being noticed and hopped down the steps. Night was a lot cooler here as I met with a soothing gust of wind when I stepped outside.

People were shouting and cheering from both sides of the streets, others laughing and telling jokes. It was a cozy atmosphere. I started walking down the path, checking my pouch for money to find that I still had some of the money that Nero lent me.

He wasn't supposed to be sharing his money, mind you, but he always gave me money… I didn't ask why, though, I already had a hunch. I had to squeeze between couples and families to find a nice shop selling little glazed pastries. Normally I hated sweets, but the happy mood just put me in the mood for sweets.

I ended up eating them before I could even put them in the bag to take with me, but oh well. It just meant they were really- I whipped around and smacked right into a green back.

Yea, it was green and rubbery. I leapt back, wincing and this weird looking Konoha kid whipped around with a wide grin.

"I am sorry! Am I in your way? My name is Rock Lee!" He talked so fast I wondered if he was on something, but managed to stare at him with a straight face.

"Uhm… Name's Tsukuyomi Ruriko… Uh, not really. I don't know where I'm going." I muttered. He grinned.

"Would you like me to show you around? It is fun, particularly during the festivals!" He pointed out quite literally, thrusting his finger in the air matter-of-factly. I knew I shouldn't of been staring, but how can you not stare a kid this weird? He was dressed in a bright green jumpsuit and his hair was just- No. I did smile, though, as nicely as I could.

"Uh, sure, why not?" I asked. And that's how I got my tour of Konohagakure. I was being led by some weird green beast, who kept yelling almost everything he said, making some heads turn. It was a little awkward, but having someone like that around is actually pretty nice.

"You said your name was Ruriko, yes?" Lee asked as we walked through the crowds. I nodded. Lee grinned as he seemed to contemplate something. In a matter of seconds, he was hopping in front of me, thrusting a finger in my face.

"I challenge you to run ten laps around Konoha! No, wait-"

"Hold up," I interrupted, getting as loud as him, feeling my eye twitch in annoyance, "You can't be serious!" Lee blinked, dropping his raised fists to his sides.

"Why would I be joking?" He asked obliviously. I twitched and rolled my eyes, folding my arms over my chest.

"Look, uh-"

"Lee."

"Lee. I'm confident in my abilities and all, but there's no way in stinking hell I would ever run more than one lap around this village."

"Aww, why not? It is a training exercise!"

"Why'd ya think I ditched my teammates back at the hotel? I'm not the training type." I responded with a huff. Lee grinned.

"So, you are saying you can beat me in these exams?" He asked curiously. I winced.

"Ah, I never-"

"It is a bet! I bet you that if I become a Chuunin before you, you must run fifteen laps around Konoha! If you win, then I will run a hundred laps around Konoha!" Lee yelled excited, stomping both his feet like some kind of military man. I sweat dropped, opening my mouth and holding up my finger to negotiate this, but he was already babbling incoherently about it.

Oh great. I hope not all Konoha shinobi are like this or else this whole situation is going to be one big pain in the-

"Lee! Hey, Lee!" I blinked and looked up as a dark-haired kid in a maroon jumpsuit with stripes on the sides came walking over. Lee perked up even more and waved frantically, almost hitting himself in the head.

"Daisuke! Daisuke, have you met Ruriko yet? She and I made a bet for whoever becomes Chuunin, they must run laps around Konoha!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, even when Daisuke was right in front of us. Daisuke raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Did you?" He asked. I sweat dropped.

"Uh, I never agreed to anything. He's just getting in way over his head…" I muttered. Daisuke laughed and thrust a hand out.

"Name's Yagani Daisuke! I take it you're here for the Chuunin Exams then." He took my hand instead of waiting for me to shake his. I just shrugged.

"Yea, but so far, it's just been a huge hassle." I muttered.

"Perk up," Lee whooped, "Becoming Chuunin is a great honor! Why, we can be just as excellent as Shikamaru!" Daisuke seemed to pout at this, folding his arms over his chest.

"Shikamaru doesn't even do anything." He pointed out. Lee paused to rethink his cheer, then grinned anyway.

"He usually does! Well, if his mom gets him up." He and Daisuke both seemed to shudder at the mention of this Shikamaru's mother. I felt out of the loop, so I just sweat dropped.

"So, anyway," I drawled slowly, "About that so-called bet, Lee, I don't think I can-"

"Ruriko!" I heard Akira yell, approaching with Nero. I twitched.

"Damn it, can't I finish a damn sentence without someone interrupting me?" I yelled, making Lee and Daisuke both jump.

"Wow! Such a loud voice! You were quieter before." Lee commented.

"I'll say!" Daisuke whistled. I was still twitching, glaring at Akira, who was approaching with a smirk and Nero wearing his usual guarded expression.

"Don't be so loud," Akira ranted, "It's obnoxious. And who're your nice friends here?" I rolled my eyes, folding my arms over my chest and looking in the other direction now.

"They're names are-"

"I'm Rock Lee! And this is Yagani Daisuke!" Lee announced, giving a little salute. Daisuke smirked, putting a fist on his waist before glancing at Akira.

"And you?" He asked.

"Name's Tsukuyomi Akira. See ya met my baby sister!" With that, Akira threw his arms around me and jerked me into a totally random hug, squishing me. I winced, trying to wiggle away.

"Akira! Get off me!" I protested, my mouth muffled by his arm. Akira snuggled his face against mine before letting go and letting me breath.

"Smooth job, forgetting to introduce Nero." I snapped, rubbing my neck in annoyance. Akira blinked, then gave a shrug before grinning crookedly at Nero, who rolled his eyes.

"Nero's not much for conversation. He's stuck up." He told Daisuke and Lee, who stared at him. Nero took this chance to give Akira a harsh smack upside the head, glaring pointedly at him. I sighed, folding my arms back over my chest and looking down at my feet. Akira could be so mean sometimes, even if he didn't mean to. He was just… A little self-obsessed.

"Well," Lee declared, "It's nice to meet you, Nero! It's a pleasure to have you and your teammates enter the Chuunin Exams!" He thrust his hand out for Nero to shake, only earning a flat stare.

"Uh, what he said." Daisuke agreed with a nod, thrusting his thumb at Lee. Nero seemed uncomfortable. He wasn't used to people being so friendly around him and I could tell he wanted to go back to the hotel and hide under his blankets.

What a baby.

"Did I tell you about the bet-"

"For God's sake! There is no bet!" I yelled, feeling a vein pound in my forehead. Akira's eyes lit up, seeing as Akira was into the gambling thing. Reminded me of the rumors of the Hokage.

"What kind of bet?" He asked curiously. Lee puffed out his chest and began to recite and very dramatic and totally not true explanation for the bet that I am not partaking in. Daisuke and Nero sweat dropped.

"A bet?" Nero asked at last, glancing at me as I stood between him and Daisuke.

"Uh, don't ask. I'm not doing any bet." I muttered.

"Why not? Afraid you'll lose?" Daisuke asked with a smug grin. I rolled my eyes.

"No, I just don't like making bets just in case I do lose…" I drawled.

"So, yea, you're just afraid you'll lose." Daisuke summed up with a nod, touching his knuckles to his chin thoughtfully. I sweat dropped.

"I put it more loosely, you're just being deadpan." I responded flatly. Nero averted his eyes lazily, running a hand through his hair as he shoved his other hand in his cloak pocket.

"What's supposed to happen if you lose?" He asked innocently.

"He's going to make me run ten laps around Konoha." I replied, the annoyance in my voice seeping like blood through a cut. Nero sweat dropped. Daisuke laughed.

"Only ten?"

"Are all you guys freaks?" I demanded, stomping my foot. Daisuke waved his hands innocently as if to surrender.

"No, no. I'm just saying that normally Lee would make a bigger challenge, like a hundred or something." He answered, his eyes getting a little wide. Nero sighed.

"Ruriko doesn't learn from training. She learns from experiences and sleep. She's a lost cause." He answered. Daisuke laughed. I would've gotten mad, but I saw a smile wedge onto Nero's face, signaling that he was getting a little more comfortable around Daisuke. Nero had a lot of trouble making friends back at our village because he was shy back then and really reserved, quite frankly, he was a bit of a scaredy cat too.

It got me to thinking… I really hoped that the Chuunin exams were going to include being super social or something along those lines. Nero wasn't good with meeting new people. He mostly just followed Akira and I around, rarely talking to our friends. I wondered if Kazuya ever thought about trying to improve Nero's social skills, even though it'd probably be pointless.

LATER…

I felt so much better when I sank into the bathtub back at the hotel. My feet were killing me from walking around all night with my teammates as well as some new friends. I learned that Lee's teammates, Neji and Tenten, were hard workers too, but more subtle about it. Daisuke's teammates, Sora and Mai, were into the training thing too, but they seemed very different from Daisuke…

I was glad that Akira and Nero were doing more of the talking and I just tagged along to listen in on their conversations. I was thankful as well that Nero nor Akira spilled any secrets about what goes on behind the scenes of our team.

I paused to stare at the soapy water in the tub. If that had happened, Akira would've gotten into a lot of trouble… He could be such a blabber mouth. I frowned, closing my eyes and tilting my head sideways thoughtfully. He's already lost a lot of our family's trust, even the Kazekage seemed weary of him now.

Ever since-

"Ruriko! Ruriko, you in here?" Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I flicked my eyes at the door, watching it open a tad before it slammed shut. I winced.

"What the hell do you want, Akira?" I demanded, sitting up in the tub. Akira laughed on the other side of the door.

"Almost walking in on you while you're bathing~ Anyway, I came to tell you that Kazuya wants us all to have lights out in ten minutes. We need sleep because we're getting up bright and early to- You guessed it! Train! Practice! Work hard!"

"Ohhh, gods. Thanks for the great news." I muttered and sank down in the tub to my mouth. I heard Akira snickering. I rolled my eyes and slammed my fist down on the side of the tub, making a loud thud that made Akira burst into laughter before calming down.

"Say…. Ruriko?" He asked seriously now, probably leaning on the door, making it creak. I frowned, sitting up again.

"What?" I asked. I listened to him breathing on the other side of the door before he sighed and spoke.

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm not gonna let you get killed or anything during these exams." He stated. I lifted my eyes to the door, frowning.

"Psh… I'm not going to die."

"Yea, I know that… But people have died during these things before. I'm just telling you right now that if you get in a situation where you think your life is in danger, just yell my name and I'll be there in a flash, got it?" He asked. I sighed, lolling my head back on the edge of the tub with a smirk.

"Yea. I got it. Same goes for you, Akira. You and Nero. If you two babies need any help, I'm there before you can even call my name." I responded. I heard a huff.

"I really can't have a serious conversation with you, can I?" He demanded.

"Nope! Now get out so I can change for crying out loud. The water's getting cold." I announced and stood up, the water sloshing around in the tub. I heard Akira sigh, but I didn't hear his footsteps move away. I sighed, rolling my eyes as I grabbed my plush teal towel, wrapping it around myself and brushing my hair out only to pull it up into a loose bun, thick strands falling to my shoulders.

"Ruriko?" Akira's voice asked. I was looking in the mirror, seeing the door open a tad.

"Stay out," I commanded, "I thought I told you to leave anyway."

"I know," Akira replied, ignoring my first comment and opening the door carelessly, "But I'm getting nervous."

"About the exams?" I asked, frowning as I glanced at him in the mirror. Akira shrugged a little, his eyes on the floor and thankfully not at me.

"I'm just nervous that they'll get as tough as Daisuke said…" He replied. I remembered that Daisuke had pointed out, during our walk to the hotel, that the exams this time around were going to be a lot harder than last times.

"It's fine, Akira. You need to quit doing that. You and Nero were both so confident when we got here. And I know we're not gonna die or anything big like that… I mean, really. You two worked really hard before and during our trip here. I've seen you two spar. Nero's taijutsu has gotten really awesome and your use of genjutsu far exceeds that of Hioshi's, which is really saying something." Even as I spoke, I saw Akira looking a little down hearted. I sighed and dropped my hands to the sink, then turned to face him.

"Don't give me such a look, Tsukuyomi Akira, or I'll challenge you to a fight just to prove that you're good." I commanded. Akira smirked, rolling his eyes away toward the tub.

"Che. As if. I'm not going to try my hardest against you."

"Oh yea? Why not?"

"Because I don't wanna hurt you! Duh!"

"Aha! So you are good!" I laughed, thrusting a finger at him. Akira smiled, his eyes locking with mine.

"You're so dumb, Ruriko." He stated. I smirked, leaning by the sink.

"You're so hypocritical." I replied, pleased that I could put him in a good mood. I really had talent in that department. Or so it usually seemed. I didn't want to be overconfident in my abilities, nor under confident. I knew my strong points and my weak points.

"Now get out," I waved my hand at him, "I've already let you come in here and you're not sticking around either." Akira laughed and stuck out his tongue childishly.

"Eww, why would I want to?"

"Akira!" I warned, picking up a shampoo bottle. Akira laughed again.

"Oh, I'm so scared of a shampoo bottle about the size of your brain!" He taunted. I threw it, but he ducked and raced into the bedroom. I scooped up the bottle, running into the room after him, throwing it again just as he opened the door to the hallway.

Just my luck that the shampoo bottle collided with Nero's chest. I winced. Akira bolted past him, laughing as loud as he could.

"Haha!" He yelled.

"Akira!" I yelled, then stopped to realize why Nero was staring at me, barely keeping his grip on the shampoo bottle.

I was still in my towel.

"You pervert! Shut the door!" I shouted angrily. Nero grinned, waving the shampoo bottle.

"Don't you need this?" He asked. I stomped up to him, snatching the bottle and slamming the door shut, locking it.

"You guys suck!" I barked. I heard Nero laughing on the other side of the door.

"Haha~ I seriously needed a camera! Didn't you brothers ever teach you to not come to the door naked?"

"I'm not naked! Well, I am, but I have a towel on! Shut up and go away before I tell Kazuya!"

"Hahaha, you're so cute, Ruriko~ In some kind of dangerous killer way~"

"I'm giving you to the count of three to get our ass away from here before I kick it!"

"If it'll get you into the hallway, it's worth it."

"NERO!"

Next Day…

I was glad to be in bed. Hotel beds were my absolute favorite and always smelled clean and crisp. I was cuddled up under the blankets in a silky black night gown and had the pillows on and under my head. It was the perfect way to sleep. It was probably about six in the morning, however, when my lovely sleep was ruined by loud banging on my door. I winced and groaned, throwing my blankets off as well as pillow. I rolled over, glaring at the door hatefully.

"What'd ya want?" I barked.

"Ruriko, it's time to get up! Training time!" I heard Kazuya announce, sounding cheerful. I rolled my eyes and flopped back on my bed, tearing the blankets up over my head and snuggling back under the covers.

"Ruriko!" Kazuya's voice turned into more of a sweet warning. I groaned and squirmed under the blankets and pillows.

"Dieeeee!" I wailed and buried my face into the blankets and pillows. I got my response moments later when Kazuya apparently go the key from the manager, getting into my room. He threw the blankets and pillows off, ordering Akira to open the window and let in the blinding sunlight.

"Wakey, wakey, Ruriko!" Kazuya sang as he tore the last blanket off, smiling down at me oh so innocently as I glared daggers back at him. I dug my nails into the sheets.

"What time is it?" I demanded.

"About six Oh somethin'." Akira announced. I glared even more at Kazuya, throwing myself into a sitting position as he jumped back off the bed with a sweet smile.

"Nice night gown." Came Nero's comment from the doorway. I glared at him, then swung my legs over the side of the bed. Akira, however, wanted to move faster and grabbed my arm, tearing me forward with a loud whoop that made my head ache terribly.

"Woo! Hurry up, Ruriko! Training time! We get to brush up on our ninja skills!" He sang. I stumbled when he tore me to my feet and jerked my hand away to hold my hands over my ears.

"I hate you guys!" I yelled, earning a sweat drop from Akira. Kazuya sighed, shaking his head.

"Doesn't matter. Get dressed, girly, so we can get to the training grounds. I want you to show me what you guys can do since I last watched you spar!" He announced, then shooed Akira and Nero away. I groaned and fell back on the bed.

I officially hated Chuunin Exams.

I eventually got dressed in my red jumpsuit, but instead of pants at the bottom, it was a pair of shorts with a skirt layer over it. I zipped my dark gray vest halfway and hooked my kunai pouch to the headband around my waist. I jerked my shoes on tiredly, glancing outside to see the sun glaring at its hottest.

Ew, I was going to sweat.

I sighed and stood up, tying my hair into a loose ponytail, letting my somewhat short bangs fall over the right side of my face. I eventually left the room, meeting my team downstairs where we headed for the training grounds. There were only a few people in the streets now, some cleaning up after the partying last night. I yawned a little, rubbing at my hidden eye sleepily, clenching my teeth together. I was getting hungry, but Kazuya said we weren't allowed to have breakfast until we were done training… Which is pretty stupid if you ask me! I thought food was like fuel for our energy, not some stinking reward! Even so, Kazuya ignored me.

When we arrived at the training field, Kazuya had us line up together. He had on that serious expression of his that meant no joking around or we're screwed.

"All right," Kazuya began, putting his hands on his hips, "I want you all to come at me with everything you got. First one to get me down wins. If none of you can get me down, I may just have to pull you out of the exams." Our jaws dropped.

"That's not a training exercise!" Akira protested.

"Yea, that's more like cheating us out of a good trip!" Nero agreed.

"That sucks." Was my deadpan comment. Kazuya smiled, but it looked a little like a testy smile.

"I'm all serious, guys, so try and take me down. If you can't even take your own sensei on, then you don't deserve to be in the exams… Am I clear?" He asked. He was replied with muttered 'yes, sirs'. Kazuya nodded.

"Good. Let's start this out as simple hide-and-seek… I'll count to ten and you all have a chance to scatter… One." He closed his eyes and covered his ears, but it was mostly to tease us. We could tell he could feel our movement. Akira was the first to shoot off into the trees. Nero sighed and shot after him. I waited until Kazuya yelled eight and zoomed into the trees.

This was going to be the worst training session EVER.

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A/N: I lied in the last chapter. ;D My ideas for this fan fiction totally changed, so yup! Sorry about that. Don't kill me. Anyway, I'll be slow in introducing OCs and I apologize! D': I have so many entries and still more to come. lol~ So don't think I'm abandoning your OCs, cuz I'm not! I'm just taking my time bringing them in. -shifty eyes- Anyway! Thanks so very much for reading and your reviews are totally spiffy and loved!