Author's Note: Wheee, another chapter! Notes for this chapter: in canon, it never really specifies exactly how the Chuunin Exams work (whether they're always in Leaf, whether the tests are the same each time, or at least the same type, how sells with one or more members already passed take it, etc.), so I just left it vague and made a few guesses...heh. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 7: Vote of Confidence

(In which Sakura tries to decide whether or not to take the Chuunin Exams, and Kabuto thinks she should.)

By the time they finished the Hangover Cure no Jutsu (they were still working on a better name), more months had passed. The finished product was pretty good--it dealt with headache and nausea, and removed any alcohol currently in the body. If Tsunade had noticed that Sakura was doing a little extra research in her free time, she just approved of her apprentice's studiousness. And if she noticed that Sakura was getting better at helping her with her hangovers, she just appreciated it without really wondering why.

But while Sakura had been occupied with their admittedly fun project, she had forgotten something.

Something being the approaching Chuunin Exams, of course.

Tsunade had told her she would recommend her if she wanted to take them, and it was clear she expected Sakura to do it. But Sakura was less confident. Was she really ready? Last time she'd taken the exam, she had done it without really knowing what she was getting into. And then...Naruto and Sasuke had been with her...they had taken it as a team, as Team 7...

The Chuunin Exams...that was when Sasuke had gotten the Curse Seal, when the whole mess had started. When Lee had gotten so badly injured. When Hinata had nearly died. When the Sound had attacked and the Third had been killed.

But it was also when Sakura had finally reached the level of her rival, Ino, the one she admired. It was when she had fought to defend her team and succeeded. It was when she had found her inner strength.

With so many conflicting thoughts chasing each other around her head, it was no wonder Sakura decided she needed a good drinking session.

"You look troubled, Sakura-chan."

Of course, she'd decided to go out drinking after a mission (escorting a minor noble to his home). And of course, that meant certain people who couldn't take a hint just had to bother her.

"Go away."

"Oh, come now. If you're going to brood, you might as well have company," Kabuto said, sitting beside Sakura at the bar.

Sakura figured she had no chance of getting rid of him, so she sighed and took another swig of her beer. Cheap beer, not exactly great-tasting, but it would do.

"Let me guess," Kabuto said, because he could never just leave it alone, "The Chuunin Exams?"

She hated when he did that. "I'm not sure whether I should take them."

For once, Sakura had managed to surprise Kabuto. "Why?"

Sakura just shrugged. She didn't feel like exploring all of her worries and memories and emotional baggage with Kabuto, of all people.

"I'm honestly curious, Sakura-chan. Why wouldn't you take the exam?"

"Why should I?" Sakura shot back. "My training isn't finished yet."

"Is there some reason you can't train as a chuunin?" Kabuto said. As reasonable as it was, it still pissed Sakura off.

"What difference does it make to you?"

Kabuto just smiled at her. "I just wondered why someone who is obviously at the chuunin level refuses to take the exam. Don't tell me you're nervous."

"It doesn't matter if I wait for the next one," Sakura said, dodging the implied question. "More training can't hurt."

"I watched you take the last exam. I know your skill level."

"We only got through the exam because you got us our second scroll."

Kabuto shook his head. "You did most of the work yourselves. I just kept an eye on you. And you were at a disadvantage, since the Sound genin were ordered to attack you."

Sakura just shrugged again. They hadn't been ready for the exam then, and she didn't feel ready now. And it felt wrong, somehow, taking it without her teammates.

"I assume you'll be taking it with Team 10? That blonde girl and the Akimichi boy? They're missing a member, after all. You're friends with them, so I'm sure you'll work well together."

"If I take it," Sakura added. Taking it with Ino and Chouji...they probably would work well together. They could start training now...

"It's in Suna this time, isn't it? Maybe I'll come watch you in the finals."

"You're a wanted criminal in Suna," Sakura pointed out. "And we might not make it to the finals."

"Well, that's true," he said. "I haven't seen your friends in...it's almost two years now. So I can't say if they're strong enough to make it. But I wouldn't mind coming just to watch you."

"If I take it," Sakura said again, although she couldn't help feeling flattered. A little creeped out, but flattered all the same.

"Mmhm," Kabuto said, standing up. "I look forward to it, Sakura-chan."

Sakura rolled her eyes. Stupid asshole, always making assumptions about what she was going to do. And he'd left her to pay again.

Two months later, after Sakura had left the post-exam celebration with her new chuunin vest in hand, she noticed a package in her mailbox. Written across the top was 'congratulations, Sakura-chan'. She shook her head, smiling. Bastard. Always assuming things. She opened it as she walked inside.

It was a bottle of sake.