BTW: This is set after naruto comes back from training with ero-sennin and Gaara has been saved. But before they do anything about Sasuke. That means everyone but Naruto is a Chuunin.

My characters are about to enter for jounin (except for Matsu and Izumi who are going in for Chuunin).

Disclaimer: I do not own naruto etc.


"I think we should train further away from the village, it would avoid disturbances" Hiroko patted Kiba on the shoulder.

Nanoko was sitting in front of him, healing the bump on his forehead and his split lip.

"Yea then maybe I would't have to worry about people running into me" Matsu hissed.

"You weren't looking either! SO don't blame me!"

"Shouldn't your pet give you warnings?"

"AKAMARU IS NOT A PET!"

Matsu and Kiba glared at each other and jumped to their feet.

"Oi sit still you! Both of you!" Nanako felt one of the others grabbing her and pulling her out of the way. Taku had hold of one of her arms. She shook him of and brushed the dirt off her new top. Ryo was to their left hopping from foot to foot in excitement.

"oooooh! Fight fight fight!"

Saiko leaned past Nanako and Taku to stare at Ryo.

"How old are you?"

"Shut up!"

"Make me."

"Shhhhhh" Taku waved his hand in front of Saiko to make him pull back.

Kiba and Matsu were already locked together, kunai grinding as they hissed at each other.

"Good for nothing dog trainer"

"Pompous prat"

"Well at least I don't look like one of my weapons"

"You're really asking for it now! If I have to say Akamaru..."

"Yea, he's also your only friend"

"You think your so big…"

"No, I just know I'm better than you."

They threw each other backwards and ran at each other again. Only this time Matsu jumped over Kiba at the last minute. Pulling a miniature puppet from his pocket he aimed it straight for the back of Kiba's neck. Akamaru jumped and knocked the puppet away from Kiba. Matsu landed on a tree branch and pulled the puppet back towards himself.

"If your so much better how come you hide behind bits of wood instead of fighting yourself?"

"Why, but that would mean my beautiful face might get damaged. And that's why I'm in the situation as it is, look at this bump! It's all your fault!"

Matsu's tone stared mockingly but turned serious half way through. He jumped and threw a handful of stars at Akamaru as he redirected the puppet at Kiba. But before it reached Kiba and before Kiba even had time to react a swam of insects engulfed the puppet. Matsu squeaked and broke off the chakra lines and Kiba and Akamaru jumped back in surprise.

Shino walked over to them calmly.

"And how do you think this sort of behaviour is appropriate for two chuunins from the same village?"

Kiba stared sideways at the floor and Matsu, who was standing upside down on the nearby tree branch scowled.

"Saiko, Hiroko, Taku. Tsunade wants to see you about inscriptions for the jounin exams. You better be quick she's not in a good mood."

The three chuunin nodded and disappeared into the trees.

Kiba looked up and licked the dry blood off his lip. He couldn't feel his bump anymore but when he looked at Matsu he started to laugh. Matsu, still upside down in the tree, had a very visible bump, that had started to turn blue due to the rush of blood to his head. Nanako sighed and got to work.


Rini, Sorano and Akira were leaving Tsunade's office as Taku, Saiko and Hiroko walked in.

"Honestly where have you guys been, you're so late!" Akira joked as he walked past.

Hiroko stuck her tongue out at him and the others muttered something about it being Kiba's fault.

In the office Shikamaru was standing in front of Tsunade's desk looking disgruntled.

"I just don't see the point in almost killing myself just to gain a rank. Its pointless, not to mention the tests are always so troublesome."

"Haven't changed much then have we" jeered Saiko as he stood next to him.

"You can go kill yourself if you want but I'm quite happy with my life as it is."

"That's the difference between us. I won't die."

Taku and Hiroko pushed past the argument and quickly signed the enrollment list, Taku went and leaned on the window sill waiting for his friends. Hiroko stepped back next to Shikamaru and nudged him.

"Well Saiko?" Tsunade smiled and handed him the pen. Saiko signed by his name and pushed past Shikamaru towards the door.

"Go on Shikamaru!" Hiroko was jumping around the number one coward ninja now, poking him repeatedly "Promise not to let you die!" she mocked.

"Leave him be, he can do what he wants" Taku reached out and pushed his friend towards Saiko. Taku and Saiko strolled out side by side along the corridors. Hiroko hung back, walking slowly behind them. Shikamaru caught up with her as they were getting to the stairs.

"You know if something bad happens during these exams I'm blaming you guys"

"Fine by me, everyone already does" muttered Saiko in reply to Shikamaru's comment.

"Don't be like that, either of you. I'm tired, I'm going home. See ya" and with that Taku was off across the roof tops.

"Ah no come back I was about to invite everyone to mine for dinner!" Hiroko shouted out the open window at him.

On the way to Hiroko's the group stopped by to call on Izumi. They found her sitting in the garden of her family home, finishing a watercolour of the pond. Even though she seemed to be enjoying this task, the invite had her instantly running to her room to put it away. Hiroko made them stop off at the market to buy a few things, during which they managed to also pick up the rest of the teens. Hiroko was starting to wonder if the garden would fit everyone for a bbq and decided that they'd have to use the kitchen as well.