I'm back with 12!

And guess what I remembered!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but Kaira belongs to me!

Oh yes, and I thought I should also mention - because Kaira replaced Sakura, I moved her to Team 8 with Hinata, Kiba and Shino. Originally, she was going to be in Ino's team because of their rivalry, but I didn't want to mess up the Ino-Shika-Cho thing. So, yeah, remember that for this chapter!

Once again, Kaira swears a little here.

Kaira was having a weird day.

Being chased by a ninja, whose village symbol she couldn't remember, wasn't her idea of fun. The fight had gone on over the rooftops of civilian houses, meaning she nearly tripped over many tiles and had to keep her jutsu to a minimum. After hitting him with an electrified kunai, the ninja disappeared, annoying the red-head to no end.

Once she had gotten bored of looking for the man - which didn't take long - Kaira went for a walk around the forest to see if either of her teammates were there.

She didn't find them, but despite it now being late, the girl carried on through the woods. After awhile, she heard three voices and the sound of kunai hitting a tree.

Is that Sasuke? But who is he with? I don't think Naruto would be training at this time.

"Did you hear?"

That wasn't Sasuke.

"We're gunna have rookies at the exam - first year genin. That has not happened in five years."

Awesome! We're making history!

"No way." A female voice took over as Kaira jumped to a tree so she could take a look at who she was spying on. Although she didn't get the best view, she comfirmed they weren't enemies and listened. "I bet it's just some Jonin trying to boost their egos."

Hey! I'm totally a genin!

The male voice took over again. "No, there is more to the story than that. Three of them are from Kakashi's squad."

That's me! Kaira grinned as she realised the boy was talking about her, Naruto and Sasuke.

"Interesting." A new voice spoke up, a boy's.

"Not very." The girl said, shooting another kunai at the tree, making Kaira jump.

Kaira frowned. I'm interesting!

"Either way, it's too bad for them." The second boy said, before looking up to the tree Kaira was in. She was sure he couldn't see her, though.

"I know you're there."

Apparently, he could.

His words surprised Kaira, making her wobble on the branch she was on. Obviously going to fall, Kaira did her best to make it look like she meant to do it.

The only way she could think of was to stand upside down on the tree, her hair falling off her shoulders.

"I'm from Kakashi's squad, you know."

She tried her best to sound serious because after falling off the tree, she wanted to make a good impression.

The other two ninja turned to face her as well. "You and your teammates must be skilled, then. Kakashi does not take many students." The boy in a green training suit said, smiling.

The girl was next. "That doesn't give you the right to spy on us."

"I apologise. I didn't come here with the intention to spy."

Kaira held back a grin. I sound like Sasuke!

"What is your name?" The first, bushy-browed boy asked.

"Kaira Akiyama. And yours?"

"I am Rock Lee," He then gestured the boy below him, who was leaning against a tree with a target covered in kunai above his head. "This is Neji, and Tenten." He finally said the girl's name.

"How old are you and your teammates?" Neji asked the girl. Looking around, Kaira noticed a lot of the trees had targets on them too - many of them had been hit dead on the centre.

"Twelve." She answered. "Are you three taking the exams as well?"

The boy nodded. "Yes. But we aren't rookies, like you."

Kaira's cool persona began to fade. "Just because we lack experience, doesn't mean we are not capable of taking the exams."

"We never said you couldn't" Tenten took over the conversation. "But you're gunna have a rough time."

Kaira leant up and grabbed the branch with her arm, and flipped back round the right way before dropping to the ground - trying to be as graceful as she could. "How do you know - have you taken the exam previously?"

"No, but we've been told how hard it is by our sensei. I'll pass on a tip, because you're new to all this." She continued. "Don't make ninja from other villages mad. It's likely that they've taken the exams many more times than you, so bugging them and thinking you know best will just start a fight before the exam even starts."

"I'll remember that." Kaira nodded, but Tenten's words just left more questions in her head.

The older girl sighed. "Good. The last thing we need is cocky rookie's making everything harder."

"I should be leaving now." Kaira decided she should leave, before she ran out of long words to make herself sound clever. "I am supposed to meet my teammates for some last minute preparation for the exam tomorrow." She lied.

"Good luck to you and your team." Lee called before she left.

"You too." Before she left, Neji had one last thing to say to her.

"I can tell you're faking your personality."

Dammit. He's good.

She contemplated on what to say.

"Ha ha, you got me." She turned with a grin, holding her hands up. Neji shook his head. "See ya tomorrow at the exams!" After giving the three a quick wave, a stupid grin still on her face, she turned and jumped away.

When she reached a clearing, she stood for a moment before noticing who was there.

"Oh, hey, Sasuke!"

He turned around as she stepped forward where there was no branch. She fell to the floor, bumped her head and swore under her breath.

After she recovered, Kaira looked up to see a confused Sasuke cocking an eyebrow, questioning her sudden presence.

"Yeah, I don't wanna act like you anymore."

After meeting up with Sasuke and Naruto the next day, the three went off to hand in their registration forms. They climbed up to the third floor of the building, where a large crowd had gathered around room 301.

As Team 7 pushed through the people, Kaira noticed the three she had met the night before - Tenten and Lee were already on the floor.

"Hi, you three." She sent them a confused frown. "Why are you on the floor? I thought you guys were all tough about the exams!"

"Those two won't let us through!" Tenten complained, pointing at the two ninja blocking the door.

Naruto gave Kaira a questioning look, and he didn't need to speak. "I met these three last night." Kaira said, but didn't explain much more.

Sasuke stepped forward. "Both of you, step aside and let me through."

"And while you're at it, reverse the genjutsu. We can see through your illusion anyway. We're going to the third floor."

There were murmurs from behind, and Naruto and Kaira looked at each other before moving their attention back to Sasuke. While the two ninja spoke, Kaira held out her hand to Tenten, who smiled and took the red-heads hand to get up. Afterwards, she helped Lee.

"Well, well, you noticed the genjutsu."

"I doubt either of my teammates noticed it - but you can't hide it from me."

When Sasuke finished, the number above the door swirled, and changed to 201.

"Well, aren't we the smart ones." The ninja on the right said, sarcasm lacing his voice. "You noticed an illusion. Now, let's see how you deal with this!"

The ninja shouted at the end before jumping up in the air and aiming a kick towards Sasuke - who prepared himself to return it.

But, before the hit landed, there was a flash of green, which revealed Lee standing in the middle of the two - holding there feet.

That was so fast! Where did his bruises go? Kaira thought.

He stopped my kick? That's some chakra he's got in his arm. Thought Sasuke.

As Neji and Tenten stepped forward to scold Lee for whatever reason, Kaira felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hey, Kaira, what's going on here? Why was Sasuke in a fight?"

Kaira sighed. Of course that's what she's thinking about.

"Hey, Sakura."

"Yes, yes, hi - what happened with Sasuke?" Kaira turned around to see her pink-haired friend stood impatiently with her hands on her hips. Hinata, Shino and Kiba were stood a few metres behind. She gave a little wave to them, which Hinata returned.

"Oh, there were just two ninja blocking the door, and there was a genjutsu as well, but Sasuke and Lee dealt with it."

"Ah," Sakura smiled. "I thought I noticed a genjutsu."

Kaira turned back to her teammates. What she didn't expect to see, however, was a starry-eyed Lee, gazing at Sakura.

And when Sakura herself noticed, Kaira couldn't help but giggle at her response.

"Ha! Play nice, Sakura!" Kaira winked.

Lee walked over to the two girls. "My name is Rock Lee. You are Sakura, right?" He asked the pink-haired girl.

"Erm, yes?"

He held a thumbs up. "Please be my girlfriend! I vow to protect you with my life."

Kaira burst out laughing and ran behind Naruto in case Sakura decided to hit her.

"Her face!" Kaira giggled. "Priceless!"

She stopped laughing when she saw Sakura's newly devious expression. "Sorry, Lee, but I think it wouldn't be right for me to go out with you. You should ask Kaira! She was so impressed when you stopped the fight."

Sakura winked to the red-head as Lee turned to her. "Play nice - Kaira!" She smiled wickedly.

Naruto found this funny too, and moved out the way so Lee could see his teammate.

"Erm, erm. Hi there, um, Lee..."

"Kaira, is this true? So, would you like to go on a date with me instead?" Lee beamed.

"I... Err..." Kaira struggled to come up with an excuse. "Well, you see..."

Sasuke shook his head as Kaira rambled out an excuse. "Idiots."

"- and that's why I can't go out with you!" Kaira finished, and scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

"I see. Perhaps another time!" Lee smiled.

"Erm, yeah."

"I will see you all later, then!" The boy finished, and turned away to see his teammates. Kaira breathed a sigh of relief and swore under her breath at Sakura.

When Kaira saw Sasuke talking to Neji, and Naruto seemingly lost in his thoughts, Kaira went to talk to the other rookie team.

When Sasuke had finished, he called her and Naruto to leave.

"Come on, you two, let's go."

This day was weirder than the one before.

Even after leaving to hand in their application forms, trouble still seemed to follow Team 7.

This time, in the form of Rock Lee.

After Naruto was flung into a wall, and Sasuke was beaten in a game of speed, despite his new found Sharingan - at which point Kaira had a tantrum and started sulking. She came out of her sulk in time to stop Sasuke crashing to the floor and pick up Naruto from his collapsed position.

"Even if you're stronger than Naruto and Sasuke right now, doesn't mean you can throw them about like that!" Kaira shouted at Lee.

But he was a little pre-occupied.

By a turtle.

A fucking turtle.

Kaira face palmed.

"Alright, that's enough, Lee!" The turtle shouted.

A turtle that fucking talks. I'm going insane.

Lee and the turtle's conversation continued. Kaira shook her had and blinked.

"Nope, this is really happening."

Sighing, she helped Sasuke to his feet. "Get it together, Sasuke. We have to go hand in our registration. You can challenge this guy again later."

Naruto ran over to Kaira and Sasuke, and began ranting about the turtle.

Then, there was an explosion of smoke from the turtle, and what seemed to be an older version of Lee struck a pose on top of the it.

"Hey! What's shakin'? How ya doin' everybody?"

Kaira grabbed hold of Naruto and Sasuke's arms.

"We're leaving. Now."

Once Team 7 had escaped the turtle filled room, they received a small speech from Kakashi - who said how proud he was of them and how far they had come.

And with that, he stepped aside and let them go through the doors to the exam.

What they weren't expecting was a room full of hot-headed, impatient ninja waiting to take the exams.

"Well, shit." Kaira said bluntly. "Looks like the whole world and his mother came to the exams."

As she scanned the room, hey grey eyes locked on to a pair of foam green ones.

Gaara.

She thought.

What's wrong with him? His eyes...

Apparently, Sasuke noticed the two's staring contest, and quickly yanked her arm to get her attention.

"Don't stare at that guy. Something's off about him." He said under his breath.

"I'm well aware of that - I don't need you to baby-sit me, Uchiha." She hissed back, crossing her arms in a huff while Sasuke shook his head.

"Sasuke, where've you been?" A high-pitched voice cried.

Ino jumped on his back.

What is it with those two? It's all about Sasuke, I'm right here! Kaira thought, a scowl on her face. After this, Kaira gave a quick hello to the other members Team 10, before she turned back to the team from the Sand.

Gaara had stopped paying attention to her, but she didn't particularly care.

Of course, the male red-head was stood with his other teammates, Temari and 'Kitty-Head'.

Hey look, Kitty's back. Kaira smirked at the boy, who sent her a glare, after which Temari gave him a whack round the head, which nearly made Kaira burst out laughing.

I wanna fight all three of them. Especially Gaara, but Sasuke's already got his eye on him. Maybe I can get away with it outside the exams. Her eyes happened to meet his again.

But... What's wrong with me? That look he's giving me, it's looks...

Like he wants to kill me. And everyone in this room.

"Kaira!"

Naruto's voice made her jump.

"Huh? What?"

"You looked kinda distant there."

She tried to act normal again. "Whatever, aren't I allowed to think?"

"Yeah, yeah. Come meet Kabuto!"

She turned around, to see all the rookie genin, who she hadn't even noticed arrive. "Oh, hey guys!"

Naruto dragged her over to a grey-haired ninja with glasses. "And this is Kaira, my other teammate!" Naruto said, who must have introduced Sasuke first.

"Nice to meet you." Kabuto smiled.

"You too."

"So you guys are the rookies? You're in for a rough ride, then."

"Why?" Shikamaru complained. "You said before that you've tried the exam seven times - is it really that hard?"

Seven times? Wow.

"Don't lose hope. Here, maybe I can help you."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out cards - Ninja Info Cards.

Kabuto went on to explain how they worked and eventually asked if any of the rookies needed information on anyone else.

Just as Sasuke was about to say something, Kaira butted in, which earnt her a glare.

"Gaara of the Desert! He has red hair and id from the Village Hidden in the Sand. That enough?"

"Plenty." Kabuto said. "But you're no fun, knowing they're names makes it easy."

"While you're at it, there's Rock Lee of the Leaf Village."

Kabuto swiped at the cards, picking two up.

Kaira and Sasuke waited impatiently.

Rock Lee was first. Sasuke got what he wanted to know, but Kaira wasn't interested and Naruto had no idea what was going on in the first place.

Then came Gaara. There was barely any information on him, which confused and frustrated both Kaira and Sasuke.

"But there is this." Kabuto said. "He completed every mission given to him - even a B-rank - without a scratch left on him."

He's better than I thought he'd be. I have to watch out.

The group talked a little more afterwards, but then an older man stepped into the room.

It was time to start the Chunin exam.

Just her luck.

Well, balls.

A written test.

I am so screwed.

Kaira sat a few rows from the back, so she could see both Sasuke and Naruto, but neither could see her.

In fact, she had a pretty good view of the whole room.

The proctor of the exams listed all the rules.

No cheating, no asking questions, if you miss out a question, you lose marks, you start with all the marks... I can't remember them all!

"Begin!" Ibiki - the proctor - called out, and everyone turned over their papers.

At first glance, Kaira didn't know how to answer a single question.

Okay... Cheating it is!

...

But how? If Sasuke can't answer, he has that stupid Sharingan. I'm not sure how Naruto would, but Hinata's next to him. If he does it smartly, he could copy her somehow. But me? I don't know how I'm going to do this.

I really don't.

Kaira's POV

I can't do this. I don't want to let Sasuke or Naruto down, but I have no way of answering any of these questions and I have no way of cheating.

I have five chances.

I have half the time left.

I have got to do this.

Resting my head on my hands, I tried to think.

This isn't working.

Looking down at Naruto, I realised he wasn't doing too well either. Had he even worked out he had to cheat? I don't think many of us have a choice.

With a test this hard, what other options do I have?

I looked around, most people near me covered their tests with their hands, and the only people who didn't were too far away.

Come on, Kaira. You know plenty of jutsu. Can't even one of them help?

Dark Fire burns stuff. That won't help. Or will it? No, of course not.

Lightning electrocutes stuff. I don't think that will help, either.

Wait!

If I give the person next to me a quick shock, that could make them move!

Can't it? Well, it'll have to.

And then, I can look at their paper.

No, the ninja watching us will see. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if someone else will cheat.

But what if we really aren't supposed to? What if it's just me?

I sighed.

I guess I'll just have to find out.

Normal POV

"Alright! Listen up - here's the tenth and final question."

Ibiki broke the tense silence.

With the Sharingan, Sasuke had answered every question.

With her lightning and sneaky looks when someone else had the watching ninja's attention, Kaira had answered about four and a half questions. Although, she wasn't happy about it. Someone near her had realised what she was doing, and had stared at her to see when she did it again.

Unfortunately for them, it was considered cheating and he and his team were all sent out.

Because of me. Kaira thought sadly.

Naruto had completed none of his test.

He trembled with nerves. Here we go, everything's riding on this one.

"But, before I give you the tenth question, there are some more rules that you need to be aware of."

Not more! Kaira mentally slapped herself. She heard the door open, and a familiar face walked in.

Hey, I never even noticed Kitty-Head leaving.

"Take your seat, you just in time." Ibiki said before continuing. "These rules are unique to question ten. Listen carefully, and try not to let them frighten you."

The test is bad enough, how can I be scared by the rules? Kaira thought.

"Very well, then. Rule number one: Each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision."

That's what Kakashi said. Kaira thought. But then, before we came in here, he told us it's about all three of us. I don't think this should be different.

"Woah!" Temari called out. "So what's the catch? Let's say we decide we don't wanna do it - what happens then?"

"If you choose not to take the tenth question - regardless of your answers to the other nine - you'll get a zero. In other words, you fail. And that means, of course, both your teammates fail as well."

There were gasps and murmurs from around the room.

"Not so fast, you didn't let me finish. If you do except the question but answer it incorrectly - you will not only fail, you will be barred from taking the chunin exam ever again!" Ibiki shouted the last part to gain everyone's shock and attention.

Ibiki went on to say that anyone who wishes to leave, should raise there hand now.

What am I going to do! Kaira thought. If I fail this, I'll have ruined chance not just for me, but for Naruto and Sasuke too. But if I quit, they'll be just as mad at me.

Kaira decided. I'd rather them be mad at me than destroy their chances altogether.

She rose her hand.

Luckily, Naruto beat her to it.

At least he did, until he slammed it back on the table and yelled. "Don't underestimate me! I don't quit and I don't run. You can act tough all you want, you guys aren't gunna scare me off - now way! I don't care if I do get stuck as a genin for the rest of my life." He stood up to face Ibiki. ""I'll still be Hokage someday!"

Sasuke smirked. He's completely clueless but he's still going for it. Hmph. The kid's got guts, I'll give him that.

Well, I can't give up after that little speech. Nice job, Naruto. Kaira smiled.

"Well then, I admire your determination. If no one else wishes to stop, then I'll move on. For those of you remaining, there's only one thing left to do. And that's for me to tell you -"

"- that you all pass the first exam!"

Yey for quick updates!

Next chapter - The Forest of Death.

Please review, it is greatly appreciated and I love to hear any thoughts or advice from you guys - I know I can improve!

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