When he wasn't training or doing missions, Sasuke spent his time wandering the Leaf Village, looking for his rival. He was more than slightly concerned, not because he thought someone could defeat the insanely strong kid, but more because somehow the blonde had ended up five days away from Konoha without even noticing.

By now, Kakashi had handed out the applications for the Chuunin Exams and explained what they were. Team 7 didn't even need to speak to each other to agree that they were going to enter; a mutual glance passed between them all and they'd decided. Sasuke still carried his application with him, feeling a rush of excitement every time he touched it; this was something that would weed out the weak from the strong, and it was a place where he could push himself even further.

Still, deep down he was slightly disappointed. After hearing about the Chuunin Exams, he'd convinced himself that his trainer, who looked around the age to take the Exam, was visiting because he would also be participating. It would be a chance to learn more and also show off how proficient he'd gotten in chakra control, thanks to the blonde's advice. But he saw neither hide nor hair of anyone who looked even remotely like the boy he'd met by the lake. All he saw were a bunch of bullies he, Sakura, and Sai had to fight off.

The day before the Chuunin Exams, when he'd finally realized that it was too late for his trainer to show up now, he had an odd encounter. He was sitting in a tree, leafing through the class registries of his year to find out if they contained any information on this Naruto Uzumaki kid, when three Sand ninja he'd seen around were approached by three Rain shinobi.

"While lookie here, we got ourselves a runt and two other weaklings," one of the Rain shinobi laughed, pointing at the small redhead who stood in the middle of the other Sand shinobi.

"I'd appreciate it if you moved," the small kid said quietly, and Sasuke lowered the registry to watch the two groups with interest. The Rain shinobi were much bigger than the Sand, but the three Sands radiated a confidence far beyond what people that young should.

"Huh? You trying to tell us what to do?" one of the Rain ninja asked, stepping forward and scowling down at the kid. Sasuke almost laughed; if this kept up, someone would be getting badly hurt, and he doubted it would be the Sand villagers.

"Yo, if Gaara says to move, I'd do it," the other boy of the group said, hefting whatever was on his back higher. So, this guy's name was Gaara. Sasuke made a mental note of it, a small smile curving his mouth upwards. This was going to be almost fun.

"Stupid little Sand shits, never knowing when to keep your traps shut," another Rain ninja snapped, and the girl of the Sand squad's hand twitched to the massive fan she held on her back.

"I think the only stupid ones here are you if you're trying to pick a fight with the Kazekage's kids," she said, giving Gaara and her other brother warning looks. "We're not interested in a fight right now. You want to show off, do it during the Exams."

"Nah, I think now's good," the third Rain ninja said, and Sasuke rolled his eyes. These Rain kids were so annoying, and now it would be up to him to stop them from wrecking public property. He drew two kunai and prepared to toss them in front of the Rain ninjas' feet to stop them, when all of a sudden all three of them stopped. Their eyes went wide and flickered from side to side nervously, but they didn't move. Or couldn't.

"Man, this is seriously such a drag. Everyone's starting fights right near my house today. Why do I have to use up all my chakra to stop you? Go fight somewhere else."

Shikamaru Nara, lazy kid extraordinaire, stepped out from behind one of the fences, forcing the Rain ninjas to follow suit. His shadow possession was certainly a jutsu to watch out for; if you weren't aware of it, it was easy to get trapped. Of course, once he trapped you, there wasn't much he could do since he had to do whatever he wanted to make his opponents do. Lucky for him, someone else was just as annoyed at the bullies as him.

With one flick of her wrist, the Sand kunoichi sent the three bullies tumbling so far they probably wouldn't want to come back even if they could. Sasuke had only barely glimpsed her movement, it was so graceful. Ninjas from the Sand were really something else. He briefly wondered if that's where his trainer was from, and the thought was enough to make him drop from his tree behind Gaara and his siblings.

The three turned halfway, keeping both Shikamaru and Sasuke in their sights.

"So, the Leaf is ambushing us too, now?" the girl asked, sounding unimpressed. Shikamaru straightened from the position he'd been using the jutsu in and snorted.

"No way. What's the point? If there's no need to fight, I have no desire to do it. In fact, I think I'm going to catch a nap."

As if to accentuate his point, Shikamaru let out a huge yawn and turned away, holding one hand over his head in a languid farewell wave. The Sand kunoichi smirked in amusement at Shikamaru's antics, but the other two turned their full attention on Sasuke. Gaara was the first one to speak.

"Do you plan to fight us alone, then?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. Sasuke held up both hands in the universal white flag sign, shaking his head, and the tension in the air let up.

"I just wanted to ask you a question. On one of my missions, I met a small blonde kid. He was beyond strong, and we trained together for a while. I don't know his name, but you guys look pretty strong. Is he from your village?"

"Temari, Kankuro," Gaara said before either of his siblings could say anything. "I'll deal with this. You go on ahead."

Temari narrowed her eyes at Sasuke, giving him a slight shake of her head as if to tell him not to pursue the subject. Kankuro winced sympathetically, as if Sasuke was about to be horribly beaten, and then the two left together, throwing worried glances over their shoulders. It was a strange reaction, to say the least. Evidently they knew something about who the blonde kid was, but if he was truly a Sand shinobi, what was with the weird reactions?

"Before I say anything, I need to confirm something," Gaara murmured. Sand began to swirl around his feet agitatedly, and Sasuke wondered if maybe his trainer had somehow pissed off an entire village. "Was there anything… odd… about his appearance?"

"Besides painted nails, wrapped fingers, strange face markings, and a weird seal on his stomach?" Sasuke asked. He could tell immediately that Gaara knew exactly who he was talking about. Gaara's face visibly darkened and the sand started to make little spikes around his feet.

"I'm not going to ask how you saw the seal, because I don't want to know. However, I need to ask two other questions—did you recognize him, and did you tell anyone else about him?"

For some reason, Sasuke felt like his entire life was resting on the answers to those two questions. Recognize his trainer? Hardly; someone like that was impossible to forget, and he was quite sure he didn't remember seeing someone like that before. As for telling people… he'd debated telling Sakura and Sai, but somehow it felt weird, as if he were crashing two worlds together that weren't meant to be mixed.

"No and no," Sasuke answered honestly, and the redhead relaxed marginally. "We decided to become rivals, though. I just wanted to know if you knew who he was and whether or not he's going to be in the Exams."

Gaara mulled over this for so long that Sasuke's patience threatened to snap. Why did everything involving his rival have to be so mysterious? Why couldn't someone just walk up and say 'Yeah, I know that guy, his name is so and so, he's from this place'? Sasuke felt like if he could just solve this one mystery, he could also solve the mystery behind true strength.

"I don't know if they found him or not. I don't know if he made it here or not. I don't know if he decided to go through with anything he planned. Him being here is a long shot. However…"

Gaara's eyes were so intense that it took Sasuke a moment to realize he was holding his breath. But what Gaara said next was so ridiculous that Sasuke wondered if Gaara had been messing with him the entire time.

"If you're looking for him here, the only place I can imagine him being is in a bathhouse. Most likely the girls' side, although he wouldn't look like himself."

Sasuke waited for Gaara to burst out laughing and say 'I'm just yanking your chain; I don't know who you're talking about.' He waited. And waited some more, but Gaara never even cracked a smile; he only turned and silently began to walk away.

"Wait," Sasuke called, making the redhead pause for a second. "You never answered my original question. Is he from your village?"

Gaara thought about this for a while again, before answering, "He'll appear to be."

Then he walked away, leaving Sasuke alone with thoughts that were even more confused than before.


"Oh, oh, oh! Pick me! Please, please, I wanna go! They have such great dumplings in Konoha and I wanna eat them with Naruto!"

Every member of the Akatsuki had returned from whatever mission they'd been on to convene at a meeting of who would go to retrieve Naruto. Naruto's frequent absences had never bothered Itachi much before, but at this moment the lack of a bubbly blonde jinchuuriki by his side felt like a physical ache. Even though he'd been on long missions before, this was still the longest he'd gone without seeing Naruto since they'd left the village together. As illogical as it was, Itachi was worried. What if Naruto got hurt? What if he was consumed by the Nine-Tails? What if he was captured by Danzo? The longer the absence stretched, the more Itachi worried. There were too many things in this world that could injure even the strongest people.

"Tobi," Pain warned as the masked man made as if to grab Pain and shake him by the shoulders. Tobi stopped just short of it, but he was almost vibrating with a nervous energy. Tobi and Naruto got along famously, running around together and trying every new type of food they could get their hands on when they went on missions together. It was nice that they were great friends, but they were also complete idiots together, despite the fact that Tobi was actually Madara. Tobi would be a huge hindrance to this mission if he was selected.

"I've already made my selections," Pain said in a tone that brooked no argument, but Hidan immediately started swearing, saying that there was no point to a meeting if it was already decided. It took a while to get him to calm down, but when he finally did, Pain resumed as if nothing had happened.

"Konan will go since she can travel large distances and provide cover if needed. Sasori will go because he can use his puppets as agents in the village. And—"

"Good old Deidara, hm? Partner of Sasori and the one who can create flashy explosions for distraction, hm?" Deidara asked. Itachi fixed Deidara with a glare until the youngest Akatsuki member folded his arms and tried to look smaller, realizing how stupid what he'd just said was. Sending a bomber on a stealth mission was not a good idea. In fact, it was the epitome of a bad idea.

"No," Pain said with a sigh, as if even he were disappointed in Deidara. Zetsu put his hand over Tobi's mouth before he could make a quip about Deidara's stupidity and lead their group to fighting again. Itachi just wanted to get the meeting over with, and deep down, he may have been hoping Pain had chosen him so he could ensure Naruto's safety with his own eyes.

"I myself am the third person," Pain said tersely, earning shocked looks from everyone. The missions Pain went on were usually huge, grand missions integral to the core of the Akatsuki's ideals. That he himself would travel to Konoha to rescue their young friend…

"Hmph, wasn't expecting that," Kisame muttered to Itachi under his breath, and Itachi nodded in silent agreement. Though it was certainly different, the fact that the strongest Akatsuki member was going to help eased his mind a little. More, Pain had the power to stop the Nine-Tails if it came to that. His Rinnegan and Itachi's Sharingan had been the only things standing in the way of the kyuubi taking over Naruto's body permanently last time.

"Naruto Uzumaki has become more than just a pawn by now. Surely you all recognize that," Pain said, and the room went deathly silent. There were some things they never spoke of, some subjects even the strongest ninjas couldn't bear to talk about. Pain stood taller and seemed to be looking down at them all, even as he stood shorter than many of them.

"Every one of us in this room recognizes true pain, which is why we strive toward our ultimate goal. From the deaths of loved ones, to the hatred old comrades show us, to the injustices fate has smashed down upon us… To end these things, we know what we must do. Naruto knows this as well—he agreed to his fate four years ago.

"As a jinchuuriki, Naruto is more equipped to understand the other vessels' pain, and in doing so he can defeat them. By words or force, he will bring them here; he has been raised solely for this purpose. On his shoulders rests the pain of entire organization, but that is a burden he agreed to bear. Just as he agreed to give his own life to us when he learned of our purpose."

Even Hidan didn't speak into the heavy silence that followed. Everyone's reactions were similar; they'd gone ashy, and there was guilt written into the lines of every face. Tobi's reaction was even greater; he was trembling, and for a second Itachi was sure he saw a trace of red in the one eye Tobi's mask didn't obscure. Itachi focused sharply, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. Tobi—who was actually Madara—wasn't really that attached to Naruto, right? Was the sickness advanced enough to make him see things?

Itachi shut the thought down, not because there was no possibility it could be true, but because he wouldn't allow it to be true. He had two younger brothers to save, and he would force his body to live longer than humanly possible to save them. Death would lay no claim on Itachi Uchiha until his purpose was carried out, no matter how desperately its fingers wound through his soul.

"I don't believe there are any more words to be spoken, so this meeting is adjourned," Pain said, closing his eyes as if looking at the world tired him. "Konan, Sasori, the two of you are with me. The rest of you have your missions."

Itachi turned and walked away from Pain, his feet barely making a sound. Kisame hurried to catch up with him, shaking his head disapprovingly.

"What?" Itachi asked, looking up at his partner with all the indifference he could muster.

"You don't have to worry so much; Naruto Uzumaki will live, one way or another," Kisame said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Itachi wasn't sure where Kisame's confidence was coming from, but he appreciated it. He gave one small nod to his partner, glad they were on the same page. But Kisame's lips were still pressed in a flat line.

"You're a terrifying guy, you know that?" Kisame muttered, shifting the sword higher onto his pack and avoiding Itachi's eyes. "Did you really not notice? Ever since the middle of Pain's speech, you've been using Mangekyou. It's really hard to look you in the eye like that."

Itachi reached up and pressed his hands against his eyes, willing the advanced Sharingan to go away. Sometimes, he wished he could do the same with his heart.


Sasuke met Sakura and Sai outside of the first place the Exam was taking place in. Sakura was practically jumping with excitement, while Sai's eyes glowed brighter than usual and there was colour in his typically pale face.

"Sasuke!" Sakura called as soon as she saw him, giving him a huge wave that made the other recruits snicker.

"Shut up," Sasuke hissed, his cheeks colouring. He shoved his hands in his pockets to regain some semblance of his dignity, then followed his squad into the building. There were already a ton of people gathered around the door they were supposed to go into, but when Sasuke got closer he realized there was something off.

"Is that…?" Sakura asked.

"Genjutsu?" Sai questioned.

"Genjutsu," Sasuke confirmed, and the three of them sighed at the obvious trick that had somehow managed to fool what looked like half the genin in the Exams. Some of the genin overheard and the word spread like wildfire, leaving most people looking shocked. Three Leaf genin who didn't look shocked caught Sasuke's eye, and the guy with the purple eyes stared Sasuke down in return.

"Hm, I don't think I've seen you around before," the guy said, his voice and face the picture of arrogance. He made his way up to Sasuke, his two companions trailing behind him, and crossed his arms over his chest.

"My name is Neji Hyuuga, strongest Hyuuga of this generation. Who might you be?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he looked the genin up and down, assessing what skills the Hyuuga might be packing. Everyone knew about the Byakugan, but there were other, more secret skills the Hyuugas possessed which made them extremely strong.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

An amused smile made Neji's face look even more arrogant, and Sasuke couldn't help a smirk from creeping across his own face. This guy radiated strength; he was more than worthy of being an opponent, just like that guy Gaara.

"And I am Rock Lee!" one of the strangest ninjas Sasuke had ever seen said, stepping up beside Neji. With a bowl cut, eyebrows that looked ready to crawl off his face, and a green jumpsuit, Sasuke wondered if he was actually supposed to take this guy seriously or not. "I am here to challenge strong ninjas and prove that hard work can be just as effective as genius! I hope to meet you in battle, Sasuke Uchiha."

He even spoke in an odd, formal manner, but Sasuke could hear confidence in his voice, and the way Neji cut his glance to his comrade showed respect. If Neji respected this clown, Sasuke supposed he couldn't be all that bad, so Sasuke gave a curt nod. Rock Lee whooped as if this were some great victory, then paused, looking at something over Sasuke's shoulder.

"You… you are truly beautiful! What is your name?" he asked, and Sasuke stepped aside to see Sakura staring at Rock Lee, startled. Sai watched the proceedings with interest, as if he'd never seen these kinds of interactions before.

"Sakura Haruno," Sakura muttered, looking creeped out by Lee's attention.

"Sakura, would you be my girlfriend?" Lee asked, giving a thumbs up and smiling so that his teeth sparkled. Sasuke had to bite back a laugh as Sakura's expression went from incredulous to angry, and her fist spoke before her mouth could.

"As if!" she yelled, while Lee just managed to dodge her punch. Now that she'd learned about chakra control, Sasuke had noticed her punches were much stronger than before. Since she wasn't fawning over him anymore, he reminded himself he needed to stay on her good side.

"Lee, we need to go sign up," the girl of Lee and Neji's group said, ushering her two squad mates onward. Rock Lee seemed even more smitten with Sakura knowing she was that tough, but he let the girl drag him away, leaving Team 7 behind. Sakura shook her head in exasperation while Sai looked as if he'd just seen something great. Maybe because it had been someone other than him being punched.

"This should be interesting," Sasuke said as they followed Neji's squad. When they finally got to the room they were supposed to be at, Kakashi appeared. Hearing him say how proud he was of them was as shocking and amazing as it had been the first time he'd praised them, and Sasuke knew they were truly making the right decision. With warmth in his heart for the first time in a long time, Sasuke set his hand against the door, and Sai and Sakura's hands joined his to push the door open. The Chuunin Exams would be—

Death.

It radiated through the room, scentless but as potent as the scent of a rotting corpse. Only the feeling of his comrades by his sides kept Sasuke from reeling back, but most other ninjas were as far away from the middle seat as they could get. Sasuke's Sharingan flickered on and off as his eyes widened, and the figure in the middle of the room glanced over his shoulder.

"Ah, it's Sasuke," the monster said, his cruel grin so wide it was a wonder his face didn't split. "Hello again! Your seat is right next to mine."

Then he reached into his pocket and took out a lollipop, unwrapping it with no regard to how loud it was in the completely silent room. He popped it in his mouth then stretched, setting his feet on the desk and his hands behind his head.

"This'll be fun," the redhead sang around his lollipop, his voice reverberating throughout the room. He closed one eye and tilted his head back to continue grinning at Sasuke. Nobody moved a muscle, most people scared to even blink.

"Kaze Naminato," Sasuke breathed. He wondered what his rival would do when faced with such a fearsome opponent. The thought lent him just enough bravery to square his shoulders and walk forward, ignoring all gazes, until he stopped beside the monster. Kaze gestured languidly beside him, and Sasuke took the seat without missing a beat, sweat beading on his upper lip.

This Exam was going to be more difficult than he could've ever imagined.