Author's Note: Sorry for this delay! Recently I was banned on YouTube thanks to my AMVs, so I was trying my best to get my new account up and running again...just without most of my videos. -sigh- Stupid TV Tokyo. Plus, I got addicted to getting out some of the other stories going around in my head. But it's back to work on LOACB!

I'd like to dedicate this to my loyal reviewers that have been patient and waited for this latest update. Hope you all like it!

Sorry if this seems short, but now it's time for the Jonin exams!

Chapter 8: The Exams Begin

When Sakura woke up the next morning, it was in an empty bed with the scent of frying bacon filling the room. 'Kabuto-kun must be making breakfast...and a disaster hasn't happen yet?' she thought with a bit of a laugh, pulling on her robe as she stood up from the bed.

She followed the smell of the bacon to the kitchen and almost went into stitches at the sight of her husband in her lilac apron. "Grease and I don't get along," he said with a bit of blush on his cheeks, "If it weren't for that, I wouldn't wear this ugly thing."

"Hey! Ino gave that to me!"

"Hence furthermore the word ugly."

"That was mean," Sakura replied, lightly hitting him in the arm before going to make her early morning cup of tea. Kabuto only smirked as he turned off the flame, "Your point is?" She only smiled and placed a quick kiss on his lips, "What am I ever going to do with you?"

"Well, I do have some ideas--"

"Not going there."

"You asked."

"It was rhetoric. Anyway...where's Sasuke-kun? Did he go home?"

"He was gone when I woke up. A good thing; I need some of the extra energy, and the disguise can take up a good amount of chakra," he said, preparing the rest of their breakfast, "Sadly, with the exams I won't be at my best, but still I'll do well." Sakura was silent, trying her best not to get upset at that bit of known information and preferred to stare at the pot for the water to steam.

"I'll be fine, Sakura-chan."

"I know..."

He sighed as he brushed a hand through her pink hair, "I'll be fine. I promise." She smiled back at him, her attention half-divided between him and the pot. "Yes, I know. With Sasuke-kun and Narie on your team, and your advanced abilities, you'll do well," she said, "Still, it's natural for a wife to worry about her husband."

"It's also natural for a wife and her husband to participate in other activities."

And suddenly breakfast and tea seemed so unimportant.


"Kaburen-san and Sakura-chan are late. Man, they better not be taking a page out of Kakashi-sensei's excuse book!" Naruto exclaimed. Narie and Hinata sighed through smiles, Sasuke stayed silent, and Marco chuckled at the yell their future Hokage gave. "I'm sure they will be here soon," Marco said, leaning on his crutch as he repositioned himself against the bridge's rail.

"They probably woke up late. Remember, Sakura-chan's not much for alarm clocks," Hinata remarked, remembering one time years ago where she watched a younger Sakura smash a clock into pieces for going off. 'And Tenten wasn't too happy to have a piece of broken clock hit her in the head,' she added herself as she outwardly shook her head.

"Maybe they are at home busy doing marriage things," Sai popped in, only just coming into the conversation. "Sai!" Naruto yelled, hitting him in the arm, "You don't go and say stuff like that!" Narie promptly blushed and Hinata only sighed as she tried to restrain her slightly-enraged boyfriend (with some help from Marco's crutch).

Sasuke was quiet throughout the entire event, preferring to stay in silence than participate. Inwardly, he was growing impatient at the lateness of the missing two to their little party, and his anger began to increase with the unexpected arrival of Sai and his comment. He didn't want to think about the things that the two were possibly doing. Having perverted thoughts about his teammate's relationship with her husband was something Uchihas never want to think about.

Unless they involved him and the cherry blossom.

He was broken from his reclusive shell by a hand on his shoulder. "Sasuke-san, aren't you nervous by the exams?" Narie asked, "You've been very quiet today, and by now I thought you would've hit Sai-san for being a...pervert." Somehow Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's struggle for the right word, "Interesting stall. But no, I'm not nervous. It's nothing I can't handle." She smiled, removing her hand from his shoulder as she leaned against the rail.

"I am a little bit. But it's only natural. I mean, this is a big step for me. If I pass, I'll be the first Jonin in my family, and that's a major accomplishment."

"Hn."

"Hey! Kaburen-san, Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled, noticing the approaching figures, "You two are late! Did you decide to pull a Kakashi-sensei on us?" Sakura only gave a sheepish laugh, "Sorry Naruto. We woke up and ate breakfast late." Kaburen only smirked, "Nice excuse."

"Kaburen-kun!"

"Told you."

"Shut up Sai!"

Narie only looked away, "Um...can we just go to the exam site? Now?" Sakura nodded, "Yeah. You three need to get going or else you'll be late." She gave a hug to each Narie and Sasuke (much to his enjoyment), "Good luck you two. Come back safely."

As Naruto, Marco, and Sai bid their well-wishes and farewells, the blossom turned to her husband and wrapped her arms tightly around him, "Be careful."

With a chuckle he kissed her lips, the affection tender and his voice a whisper, "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

"You know what I mean."

"I know. But as I told you before, I'm very good at disguises."

She smiled and kissed him again, unaware of a pair of onyx eyes watching them.

'Disguises?'

Uh-oh, it seems someone is getting suspicious. Be careful Kabuto, your secret is in danger!

Anyway, enjoy this update! I'll try and get the next chapter out soon; just need to piece together all the ideas.