Chapter 8

Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata were happy. Actually, they were more than happy. They were the first team of Genin ever to complete an A-ranked mission. They felt pretty damn proud. They had celebrated with a round of ramen (what else?). When Mr. Ichiraku heard the news, he gave them the ramen on the house. That made the ramen taste sweeter. Minato-sensei called an emergency meeting at the training field. He was late, as usual.

"My wonderful students, I have called all of you here today to tell you that you may soon no longer be required to be my disciples. The time has come for that extra-special time of year. It is time for the Chunin Exams!" explained Minato-sensei, as eccentric as ever. Naruto and Hinata jumped for joy (well, Hinata's was more like a hop for hidden happiness). Sasuke was as indifferent as ever.

"The Chunin Exams? Are you sure we're ready, sensei? I mean, some Jonin hold their students back a whole year, or more, just so that they'll stand a chance." asked Sasuke. To the common observer, Sasuke might seem like he was worried, but he wasn't. He was just making sure. It wasn't the Chunin Exams, he was anxious about something else...

"No need to worry, Sasuke. You three completed an A-ranked mission without even being fully aware of what the mission entailed. I have my utmost confidence in you three. In fact, my exuberance may even be setting a trend. After I recommended you guys, Kurenai and Asuma recommended their teams. For the first time, it looks like the entire Rookie 9 will be competing in the Chunin Exams!" With his vocabulary and gesticulations, you'd think Minato-sensei was a politician, huh? Well, needless to say, yet I'm going to say it anyways, Team 7 was excited. They each got their entrance papers and were dismissed. Naruto said he had some business to take care of, so it was just Sasuke and Hinata, walking home alone tonight. Even after a couple months, they were nervous around eachother, though neither understood it. Eventually, Hinata turned to Sasuke and shyly asked, "D-Do you t-think I-I should enter the Exams? I-I know I-I'm not v-very strong, so..." Sasuke stopped her and looked her in the eyes.

"Hinata, I don't care what anybody says, not even you. I'm telling you right now that you are strong. You mastered chakra control first in our group, and it's thanks to you that I'm able to control my chakra at all. You're a strong young woman, definitely strong enough to be a Chunin." After his spontaneous response, Sasuke and Hinata realized that Sasuke's hands were on her shoulders. The 2 blushed and apologized profusely, then continued on without saying a word. Soon, they were each home, lying on their beds, thinking the same thing.

'What the hell just happened?'

Sasuke was staring at his ceiling (which was covered with all the family pictures of the Uchiha). He was lying on his bed in his black muscle shirt, stonewashed jeans, and socks, pondering.

'Great,' he thought, 'now I have to deal with the Chunin Exams. I'm already stressed about the news that I have a demon sealed inside me. I haven't been able to sleep, and now I have these strange whiskers on my cheeks. Thankfully Hinata hasn't said anything about them. Wait, why do I care what she thinks? Damn it, what's happening to me!?' He sighed, getting up and walking to his computer.

'Maybe they have some good news,' he thought. Sasuke logged onto his Jabber account and started a 4-way chat with a few of his father's old acquaintances from out of town.

CopyCat2369: How gos the hunt?

TwinxniwT: Nothin here in the Cloud Village

ppetro360: Same here, srry :(

KoalaComerQueso: Got a few leads. Chekin 'em, ill keep u guys updated

CopyCat2369: :) gr8, thx again guys. I g2g cya

"Finally, some good news!" Sasuke said to himself. He went to his new chemistry lab, which was now underground, locked up tight, and Naruto-proof. He spent a little while experimenting with some bombs for the Chunin Exams. Afterwards, he leveled his training field again for a few hours and went to sleep...eventually. His dream progressed much like every night. Him stuck in a maze of sewers, no way of getting out. Although there was a difference this time. A faint, red light was leading him through the maze. The more he followed, the brighter the light got, and the louder the echoes became...