Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga Naruto. All rights go to the brilliant mind of Masashi Kishimoto-san.

A/N: And here's chapter four! And the element is...! Not going to be released until the ANBU exams! Heehee. When you have at least fifteen note books on your floor, eight Naruto Manga books on your bed along with who knows how many pencils and erasers, sketch books and a Shonen Jump magazine. You get the urge to write! This chapter may be a little longer, but that's because I have nothing for the fifth chapter! I had everything else pre-written. So, I might have a bit of writers block until I post the next chapter. Plus, a little thank-you for those kind enough to review at the end of this chapter.

.::Chapter Four::.

"Happiness Before the Storm."

One Week Prior To The Exams...

Is it a bad thing when you somehow fear what your ex-student is about to do?

Because this is one Hatake Kakashi's current predicament. Both were standing in the middle of the same open field just outside of hidden village's gates in the bright morning sunlight (well, mid-afternoon now) with Sakura glaring a hole right through him.

The Jonin laughed nervously, hands up in self defense. Eye also nervously creased up. "It was my only other option, honest!"

"..."

"Uh... Sakura?"

"..."

'She wont kill me, she wont kill me, she... she's going to kill me.' Kakashi thought with worry, idly wondering the best method of escape if it came down to it. Hiding in the ground for several hours obviously wasn't an option as the scary young kunoichi would probably just slip her gloves on and start bashing the ground until it eventually turned into sand. One would think she'd be scolded by Tsunade by all the damage she caused to the training grounds over the weeks. Guess being the Hokage's apprentice did have it's perks after all.

"When." Sakura said blankly.

Kakashi could have sworn he heard a faint tone of... malicious intent, just from that single word. Kakashi laughed nervously again at the thought. "Oh, in about... two weeks."

"But--" twitch. "you--" twitch. "said that you--" twitch, twitch. "would train me for three--" twitch. "more weeks after the Jonin exams, so I can go on a crash course to prepare for ANBU." twitch, twitch, twitch.

Ooh shit. Twitching once is enough warning to run. Twitching eight times means pain. Kakashi winced. Why did he have to have such a violent person as a former student? "Oh heh, heh. Yeah, well you see I can't exactly turn this mission down, Sakura." He could have sworn that she just growled.

"But Kakashi-sensei," she said through gritted teeth, forcing a sweet voice with the by now obvious malicious intent. "that only gives me one week for my ANBU training. I wont be able to do this in just one week."

A sweat drop rolled down the back of his silver head. "I'm sure you know someone else besides me who is still actually in ANBU."

"Like?" Sakura now had her hands on her hips, eyeing the trees and surrounding area out of the corner of her eyes to make sure there was nothing near by for the former ANBU member to substitute with. He wasn't about to get out of this one.

"Well, for example our current, sometimes, fourth member of team seven."

"Sai." Sakura deadpanned. She coughed into her hand. "Sorry for my rudeness when I say-- hell fucking no!"

Kakashi blinked, amused by the reaction, but refrained from laughing. "Why not? You know he could help you."

"I would like to have proper training thank you and not the kind that consists of me actually trying to kill him for always calling me ugly or hag!" Sakura snapped.

"... Ooookay, then what about S--"

"Shikamaru isn't in ANBU, yet." Sakura replied quickly. Already knowing how the lazy nin had been considering this for some reason. And also knowing him he would try it for a while and get aggravated with it unless Tsunade made him apply.

"Then how about K--"

"Neither is Kiba. Not until next year, anyway."

"Then--"

"Come on! You know that besides Tsunade-sensei, your the only one I want to train with!"

Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose through the mask to suppress the sharp pain lingering it's way to the center of his brain. "Then just ask Naruto to help you with some of the jutsu you're having trouble with. You know his level is higher than Chunin and he'd be willing to help you."

"I know, I wouldn't mind training with Naruto but I want to learn more about ANBU, what I'm required to know, what I should be prepared for and to expect... and you're the only one I really know." she mumbled the last part.

'So in other words, I was the only one she's comfortable enough with to ask.' Kakashi sighed again. "Then the only one left is someone you're not too fond of."

"Who?" It felt like a hard back book called realization just hit the back of her head and knocked her over. "Woah, woah, woah! That's like painting me red and pushing me in front of a charging bull!!"

Kakashi crossed his arms and looked around again. Where was a log or scarecrow when you needed it the most? "If you want to train with someone you know you can trust, then you have no choice."

"No way! I wouldn't even last two days with the guy, he's too strong!"

Kakashi raised a silver eyebrow. "And I'm not?"

"No! Wait... I mean yes! Ugh you know what I mean! But you wouldn't have me put in the hospital after one day of training!" Sakura tried to retort.

"He's not as bad as he used to be."

"No!" Sakura flailed.

"Scared?"

"... For my well being, life, or not being able to make ANBU." Sakura stated blankly again.

Kakashi was starting to get irritated now. "Just give it a chance, Sakura. If it doesn't work out, I'll try and think of something else."

"And what makes you think that he would help me, of all people?" And she nearly winced at her own stupidity. Sakura could feel another lecture coming on.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you were trained under me being in the first and only team I had ever passed, training under the Fifth Hokage, being a medic-nin surpassing Shizune and possibly Tsunade-sama, having insane strength, Intense Genjutsu abilities and because you have the habit of playing baseball with trees and boulders... That good enough?" Kakashi asked the last part sarcastically after his rant. It was just sad how she never took any pride in her achievements. Bragging and owning what you can do are two completely different things. "Oh, and let's not forget precise chakra control."

Sakura hated it when he won arguments. And when she doesn't have a comeback, she then goes with her last and only option... She pouted.

The Following Week...

'Oh great, what am I getting myself into.' Sakura thought in anticipation. 'The exam starts in ten minutes. What if I have to use those jutsu?' She scowled. First he tells her to forget the ninjutsu he had already taught her, then that she couldn't show any of the new ones until the ANBU exams. 'I wonder why he'd do that?'

"-- HellooOOOoo!"

Minty eyes blinked and looked next to her when a hand waved in front of her face, completely forgetting that Naruto was walking her to the academy for the first part of the exams. "Oh, what were you saying?"

Naruto sighed. "Nothing, forget it. Are you nervous, Sakura-chan?"

Well, if they say the Jonin exams make the Chunin exams look like the most easy thing there is, then she was screwed when it came time for her to go through the ANBU. "A little... I'm surprised you didn't want to be in the exams, Naruto."

"I might. I want to train a little more with pervy sage first, then when I enter the exams you can help me prepare for what to do and look out for!" Naruto grinned, laughing at the look she gave him.

Sakura scoffed. "Go figure, I'd want for you to help me but it ends up being the other way around, talk about irony."

"Who else is in the exams?"

"Dunno." Sakura shrugged her red clad shoulders. "I don't think that anyone else is wanting to become Jonin anytime soon. The only ones who'd probably try is the rest of team Gai."

"Sooo, what's the score with your training with Kakashi-sensei?!" Naruto asked hyperly.

Sakura sighed and slumped. "Kakashi-sensei, one-hundred and fifty. Me, one."

"Oh, well that sucks." Naruto's arms crossed behind his head for a moment before falling again. "Wait! You mean you won once on your own and didn't tell me?! How'd that happen?!"

Sakura looked around warily at the villagers who stared at the hyperactive blonde by her side. "Well, it was an unfair win."

"How?"

She laughed nervously. "I used the latest Icha Icha series against him."

"Oh, I was wondering how you--" Naruto paused again. "WHAT!!?"

"Don't freak out on me. You remember when we went to Ichiraku's and ran into Jiraiya. He told you the plot and I used that against Kakashi-sensei since we started training when the book came out."

"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot about that."

"Hey! Forehead!" A new voice called out somewhere behind them.

Sakura slumped when they turned and saw Ino running up. "What now, pig?"

"We need new nicknames," Ino grumbled under her breath. "I just wanted to walk with you guys." she held up a piece of paper, her application. "I'm entering the exams, too!"

"Wha?!" Naruto pointed to her, scaring the person who happened to be walking by from his outburst. "B-But I thought you said that you wanted to stay a Chunin so you could take over the flower shop?!" Why was everyone trying to go up the rank ladder without him! First he's the last to become Chunin, now he's probably gonna be the last to become Jonin. If everyone was in there taking the exam he'd be pissed! There's no doubt about it, whenever he found pervy sage Naruto would be damned if he let him get away with it this time. Naruto wouldn't let him leave Konohagakure until he helped him with his latest technique! Even if he had to develop a new pervy one just to convince him to!

"Yeah well I changed my mind. So, lets go!" Ino smiled happily, continuing the trek through the village to the academy. Unlike the two beside her Ino didn't have that far to go to get to the academy. Turn left out of the flower shop, turn left on the third block, and it would take her straight to the academy doors. It's not like she didn't know how to get there. It was the same path she took as a young kunoichi in training, after all.

"Are you up to something?" Sakura eyed her suspiciously. The pink haired girl knew her friend was determined, but this was a little too enthused. Even Naruto seemed disturbed by something with this picture.

Ino groaned. "How does me wanting to be a Jonin end up being such a big deal? I don't see anyone freaking out about you walking there. And no, I am not up to something."

Sakura grinned. "Or is it there is a guy who only likes girls of Jonin status. I wouldn't be surprised if--"

"I said I'm not up to anything! I have no motive, I just want to be a Jonin, I don't want to stay a Chunin the rest of my life all right!!?" Ino snapped.

Sakura blinked. "Woah, okay, okay. I was just kidding."

Ino crossed her arms after scratching the back of her head. "Sorry, I just want to take the exams. If I don't pass this time then no big deal."

Naruto was hiding behind Sakura until they reached the academy out in the hall. Lucky for Naruto, Ino cooled down by then. "Good luck Sakura-chan! You too Ino!" Naruto called out from the other end of the hall, waving.

They nodded and waited a moment before walking through the double doors. As soon as they closed behind them, a chill swept over them both. Ino's brows furrowed in discontent to what lie before them both. "Uh, Sakura. Why does this look like uh... I mean... Well...." Ino whispered, unable to find words.

"A lot scarier than both Chunin exams put together? Then yeah..." She whispered back, trying her best to glare off all of the unwanted attention.

There were only few girls in the whole room not including themselves. All the rest were men and they looked... Well, is sadistic the right term? Yeah, should be. Most had many scars or tattoos which covered almost all of their arms and half of their neck. Others glared warningly at them and few had stares that almost, yes almost made Sakura want to hide behind Ino, who was completely ignoring all of them. One thing was for sure. Sakura didn't want to be caught off guard by those guys. She shivered at the thought. Sakura didn't want to know what they'd do. Most of them weren't even Konoha nin's. The rest couldn't have cared less, they looked bored, while others just sat there waiting. They had forgotten if one allied village wasn't hosting an exam they were eligible to participate here in Konoha depending on how many openings there were from they're own village.

"Hey Sakura, isn't that Hinata?" Ino asked, pointing to a girl on the other side of the room who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, silvery eyes looking at the floor.

"Yeah, it is." They went to the left side of the room. She was the only one standing there, obviously avoiding the creeps with the leers. "Hey! Hinata-san!"

Hinata gasped and looked up. "S-Sakura-san, Ino-san. W-What are you doing here?"

"To become a Jonin, what else?" Ino asked happily.

"So... Father or Neji-niisan didn't have you look for me?" She asked, confused.

Sakura blinked when she noticed the younger girl didn't stutter. "No? Why would they send someone to look for you?"

Hinata looked away, blushing. "Oh, w-well... because no one knows I'm here. The only ones w-who know are Kiba-kun, Shino-kun and Kurenai-sensei."

"So you're here alone?" Ino asked, exchanging glances with Sakura. This was definitely one exam you shouldn't take alone. It almost instantly made the two feel worried for Hinata. They knew she could take care of herself, it was just her gentle nature they felt obligated to protect. Especially from the creeps in the room.

Hinata nodded. "But I'm wondering if I made a mistake."

Sakura smiled. "Of course not!"

"But, w-what if I fail and they find out?" There was no doubt in either of their minds that Hinata worried about what her clan thought of her. From what the quiet girl was willing to tell them over the years, it didn't seem like such the loving bond that Ino and Sakura had with their own family. Even though the girl was strong it seemed even that alone wasn't enough for them. In their eyes, Hinata was probably the weakest one among the family.

"You wont, we'll stick together! I'll make sure you pass this Hinata-chan, even if it means I can't." Sakura assured her, hoping she wouldn't want to back out at the last minute before even trying. They would have figured one of her teammates would at least be with her. Maybe they thought she would be able to do this on her own.

She blushed. "You don't have to--"

"Nope! The next exam is in December, only five months away and Naruto was going to take the exams then. So if I don't pass I'll just help Naruto out. See? Win-win either way, so don't worry about it."

"Same here! I'll look out for the both of you." Ino added. "Besides, you guys seem to want to be a Jonin more than I do, so it doesn't matter to me."

Hinata smiled. "T-Thank you."

There was a loud boom on the other side of the room as if someone kicked the doors open. In which, someone did and the doors slammed into the walls before closing the same way. Very few people in the room jumped, others tensed and took their seats.

"Oh, not him again!" Ino whined with a twitch.

"Oh no." Sakura sighed.

He wasn't Ibiki but he might as well be. He never went by his name, everyone opting for calling him Sir. The man was tall and built bigger than the average ninja, although his attire gave away his profession clearly.

"Okay you vermin's, sit the fuck down or leave now!" The deep voice boomed. For some reason, he was the proctor for when they took the Chunin exams the second time. No one questioned why Ibiki wasn't there, because the poor sap who did was failed instantly. "For those of you who have any questions state them now. You can only ask one!"

Ino raised her hand after taking a seat. Like she was intimidated by this guy-- unlike the guy beside her who was shaking a little. "How many different exams are we going to take? In the Chunin exams there were only three but one I participated in ended up being four because there were too many applicants."

"There are only three main exams including the one that's about to start. There are tasks within each exam, extending it further. I am not permitted to release any more information than that concerning the matter. However, those left will fight against a Jonin in the end. If you are unable to defeat them, you fail! Only five slots are open for new Jonin. Hell, even if any of you in this room make it that far doesn't grantee you'll be accepted for the slot. We're looking for Elite. If you do not meet our requirements then you should remain where you are in the ranks and not bother us any further."

Ino grit her teeth together. Did he have an infatuation with the word fail? That prick.

Sakura raised her own hand. "Then what are the tasks in this part of the exam, is it a written test?"

"You catch on quick. Yes it is. You will have two hours to finish this exam. There are three forums you will have to fill out. One, being an IQ test, it being one-hundred questions. Two, a questionnaire consisting of fifty questions. And Three, to evaluate which form of Jutsu you have the best affinity with so we know who to match you with during the final exam." The proctor scanned the shinobi and kunoichi in the room before him, frowning how few grinned at is reply. "Don't let it fool you. The forums your about to fill out in this part of exam were made by the best Jonin in Konoha and the Hokage herself. To which village your from your own forum has been done accordingly as well."

Just then eight shinobi came out with clip boards. Two on each end of the room and four in the front. One of them, Sakura sadly noticed, was Genma.

The proctor waited until the papers were handed out. "And just so you know, unlike the Chunin exams this doesn't have to do with your spying ability. Intelligence is one of the most important factors in becoming a Jonin, without it you'll most likely die! Not to mention being a disgrace to your villages if that is something you lack when your being considered an Elite! Now, if you get spotted cheating even if once you will fail and will not be permitted to enter the Jonin exams for two full years."

Sakura froze at the smirk he had as he watched the occupants of the room. Holding her pencil tighter, she could even see Hinata, who was sitting in front of her one over to the left, tense.

"You have two hours until the end of this exam. I don't expect to see all of you here by then... Begin!!"

Most of the people in the room jumped slightly at the harsh command, but started flipping through the papers and began writing.

Sakura's heart beat faster as she read the first question on the IQ test. She sweat dropped. This was way more advanced from the questions in the Chunin exams test! 'Oh jeez, this is tough even for me. I know I might be able to wing it, but can Ino? There's no way she can use her shintenshin jutsu without the risk of getting caught.' Her question was answered when she heard a familiar feminine voice squeak out an "Eh!?" Towards the back of the room.

An hour later she was finished with the IQ test, as was Hinata. All trying to ignore the Prick who barked out orders for the cheaters to leave. 'Okay, I already have a headache so lets wrap this up.' She read over what she had to fill in first, glaring at how small the boxes were next to it that she needed to write it all in. It was pretty basic if you could remember it, it was names of common jutsu's, weapons and the like. All she had to do was give a summary of them. She twitched... Detailed summaries, which was picking at her brain. Sakura grinned after a while, writing down the answers quickly. Only thing left was page four and Test Three. The latter, to list all known techniques she is able to use, the element she has an affinity with, and that was about it.

Although, she didn't understand why on page four it asked for names of who she's trained with.

Finishing the very last page of test three Sakura felt like her brain was mush. Though some of the questions were medical ninjutsu or had something similar to do with it, so that was simple. But still, you have to pay very close attention so you don't give the wrong answers. 'Oh Kami-sama. And Naruto will be taking this? I should tell him so he can study, other wise he'll fail for sure!!' Her eyes narrowed as she stacked her papers; she forgot to sign her name on the first test, of all things. 'I wonder how Ino is doing? Hinata is already finished, too.'

Sakura looked up at the clock. Eight-fifty-nine am. Only one more minute left until--

"The written part of the exams are now complete! Those of you who failed to complete the tests before the time limit, get out now!" the proctor barked out again.

Sakura turned around to see Ino sitting two rows back, smiling. She sighed in relief before turning back around. There had to have been eighty people here at the start of the exam. Now there were only around twenty. Guess she must not have been paying attention to exactly how many left.

"For those of you who completed the test bring your applications to me." After collecting the first set of papers stapled together, the proctor grinned. "And by the way. How you've done in this portion of the exam can alter the outcome of your chance for Jonin. Any IQ level under one-hundred and fifty doesn't stand a chance."

After handing them in, they were instructed to go straight to the forest of death. When they stepped outside Ino took a deep breath and sighed dramatically. "Oh, fresh air! Finally I can breathe!" she stretched, keeping her arms behind her head as they began their long trek to the forest of death.

Hinata giggled. "I-It was kind of stuffy in there, wasn't it?"

"More like an oven. So, who cheated?" Sakura asked.

"W-What? I-I didn't."

Ino hesitated for a second. "Oh, I had to a few times. I'm sure they didn't see me though."

Sakura sighed. "I didn't. Half of that was basic knowledge you need to know for being a Medic... and for when Tsunade-sensei passes out on last minute reports that I have to help Shizune-sempai finish for her."

"I wonder how Naruto will be able to handle this." Ino mused.

The proctor was sifting through the test papers scattered about the large desk for one in particular.

Genma walked up and tossed the grade book on the desk, open on one students name. "As requested. Jeez, who knew you could really pull this off. How'd you get dragged into this, anyway?"

He sighed. "The 'real' proctor, as the odds had it, is sick. So I had to play clone today. And Ibiki-sama is in interrogations right now." he 'poofed' into smoke. "So, how'd I do?"

"You could be one hell of an actor, that's for sure. You could even give Ibiki a run for his money and job, Kakashi."

Kakashi's eye creased up, he laughed nervously. "Too much?"

"Actually, dead on. That's the scary part. So, why did you want me to watch the little cherry blossom? Usually you tell me not to." he grinned.

Kakashi sighed again. "I just wanted you to see how well her skills have gotten."

"Pretty damn good. She didn't cheat, not even once. Her eyes were on the papers the whole time. The only times she looked away was to look at the clock and that was it." Genma shrugged.

Kakashi sweat dropped as he looked over her test sheet. 'Even I can't answer half of these damn questions. Even now she's probably the only one who didn't cheat.' Why the hell were half of these even in the exam anyway? Well of course Kakashi knew the reason why, it still didn't make it right. The Chunin exam consisted of your spying abilities. All this did was test how much stress you could handle. "That reminds me, I know I'm not suppose to but I owe them a favor anyway. How was the status of the two girls she was with?"

"Ah," Genma stopped to think who she left with. "you mean Hyuga's cousin and the Yamanaka girl?" Kakashi nodded. "The Yamanaka girl didn't cheat either, she didn't even look away once. Same goes for Hyuga."

"I see..."

"And now that I've got permission to 'watch Sakura's every move no matter what.' I can--"

Kakashi glared death seven times over on him. "If I see you near her or your eyes where they shouldn't be, I'll gouge them out with that senbon." he snapped maliciously.

Genma gulped, gripping the senbon tighter betwixt his teeth.

They stopped once they reached the group near the forest of death's gates. Sakura looked up at the giant trees and felt a little dizzy. That happened every time she came here. Those trees were just too tall for their own damn good-- plus she fell out of one of them when she was at the very top and almost broke her neck. Sakura still owed Shizune one for that.

"Listen up!"

They turned their attention to the trench coat clad, purple haired woman standing at the gate.

"Jeez, first him, now her again?" Ino sweat dropped.

"Go figure," Sakura sighed. "she pretty much does everything concerning the forest when exams come."

She smirked at seeing new bloods along with some familiar faces in the crowd before her. "As some of you may already know, my name is Matarashi Anko. Now! This exam is going to last for only two days including today. Your deadline being tomorrow night at Midnight. By the end of tomorrow I expect to see only ten of you." Anko pointed to the forest behind her. "There are thirty-two of you here now. There are only ten scrolls. Your task is to find a glass orb similar to this one," she held one about the size of a softball in the air, it was crystal clear with what looked to be air bubbles inside. "The thing is, you must find a scroll which is located somewhere inside the forest. Once you open it, it will inform you of where to find the glass orb in the nearest stream, pond or river. Once you find the orb go straight to the tower. There, you will hand the orb in for another scroll for your next task." Anko smirked out of pure sadism to what their reaction would be. "Remember, if you cannot find, break, or lose an orb you must take from another. As any shinobi would on a mission. If you still don't have it... you will need to kill your opponent to get it."

"W-What?" Hinata squeaked out, looking at Sakura and Ino worriedly.

"Great..." Sakura muttered, looking around. A lot of these people were strong, stronger than most at Chunin level. "Hey, Hinata-chan, Ino." Sakura whispered, ignoring what else Anko was saying.

The two girls leaned in. "This better be good, forehead."

"Whatever. Obviously we go in the forest as one person cells but they said nothing about being able to go in teams once inside. When we pick our gates, stop exactly one mile in. Hinata-chan, can you use your Byakugan to find us?"

She nodded. "I'll try."

"What are you up to?" Ino asked.

"Well, if everyone is in one person cells and we go in as a team we'll have the advantage and we can get this done a lot quicker."

"But what gates do we choose? My Byakugan can only see so far."

Sakura paused as she tried to remember the layout. "Gates twenty-one, twenty-two and twenty-three. Those are the only ones closest to the tower-- and river. Cutting off at least six and a half miles."

"How would you know this? You've only been here twice." Ino scowled.

"I've been helping Shizune-sempai train the newbie medics here. Once for a week, every two months we put their skills to the test here."

"I hope you girls have been paying attention." Came a voice from behind them. Anko grinned when they turned around, holding up three sheets of paper. "Now, you know the drill. Sign these, unless you want to get me into trouble." Anko shoved the papers in their hands before walking away.

Ino watched blankly after her. "How can she be so careless about peoples lives..."

"I... Don't think we need to know." Sakura shuddered before signing the forms.

After signing the papers and picking their gate numbers, Sakura stood in front of gate twenty-two, ready to take on whatever was thrown at her. After all, Kakashi-sensei told her that the only thing she had to worry about was the Jonin she had to fight against during the last exam.

But, Sakura had no idea of the living hell she was about to go through once she entered that fence and into the darkness. A darkness that made even her cruelest of dreams seem like welcoming light.

To The Awesome People Who've Reviewed So Far...

Tsubaki - :) Thank you!!

to be Pinoy - I think I know what this story was missing. It was detail, more minor detail then anything. The kind where your not just reading, your picturing it too. I'm still working on it. Thanks for reviewing!

Yumiyume - --glomps-- Ten-chan!! I know her off of fanfic. Thank yooou!! Heehee, and hey, nothing is wrong with liking angst, it's like an addiction for some reason.

Missymee-Mee - Thank you!! I'm glad I'm getting good reviews, lets me know I'm doin' this right (I hope) lol.

ForeheatKATT - Lemons!!! --cough-- I mean, um. lol I'm corrupt, sorry Hun. Thanks for the review!

Silent Whisperer - I use Icha Icha in almost any Naruto fic I can lol, I love it for some reason... And I know! I figured, well they actually got more than you'd figure a nin would, but I changed it a little. (I can't remember, did I keep her having the i-pod? lol) but I changed the song. I read over it and could not believe I wrote that... But I found a song I really liked and seemed to fit this more. So sorry about that, hope you like the edit to it. :)

Zutara Lover - I agree, my favorite (top four female characters) it goes: Ino, Tenten, Hinata, Sakura. But every story I've written so far has Sakura. It's just a lot easier to write about her being depressed and not have it seem OOC for some reason. Her character just seems more flexible personality wise and that's why she's most written about. But no worries, the next chapter will have more depression! Bwaha! She's been too happy lately, no? lol that was mean wasn't it... Oh well. Thank you for the review!!

A/N: So here you have it. --squeals-- Just ONE more chapter until our dear ice block appears, teehee. No, I'm not an obsessive fan-girl. I'm just hyper. Why, I don't know. lol I'll work as much as I can, but I hope I get more reviews. It makes me wanna write faster-- plus they make me haaaappy. You want me to be happy, don't you? --looks at the amount of reviews for the last chapter-- I guess not... --starts sobbing like Lee-- It's so depressing!! In a non-emo way, of course. --cough--

--Translation Keys--

-san: This is the most common honorific and is equivalent to Mr., Miss, Ms., and Mrs. It is the all-purpose honorific and can be used in any situation where politeness is required.

-sama: This is one level higher than -san. It is used to confer great respect.

-kun: This suffix is used at the end of boys' names to express familiarity or endearment. It is also sometimes used by men among friends, or when addressing someone younger or of a lower status.

-chan: This is used to express endearment, mostly towards girls. It is also used for little boys, pets, and between lovers. It gives a sense of childish cuteness.

Sempai: This title suggests that the addressee is one's senior in a group or organization. It is most often used in a school setting, where underclassmen refer to their upperclassmen as sempai. It can also be used in the workplace, such as when a newer employee addresses an employee who has seniority in the company.

Sensei: This title is used for teachers, doctors, or masters of any profession or art. It's literal meaning is, "one who has come before."

-[blank]: This is usually forgotten on these lists, but it's perhaps the most significant difference between Japanese and English. The lack of honorific means that the speaker has permission to address the person in a very intimate way. Usually, only family, spouses, or very close friends have this kind of license. Known as yobisute, it can be gratifying when someone who has earned the intimacy starts to call one by one's name without an honorific. But when that intimacy hasn't been earned, it can also be insulting.

Kunoichi: Female ninja.

Shinobi: Ninja.

Kami: God

Senbon: A needle-like weapon (think acupuncture needles)