Chapter 11 - The chunin exams part 1

Thank you for all the reviews and followers, hope you enjoy this next chapter.

I shall be editing the other chapters as well, if there some part of the plot you think should be changed please tell me. I think this is longest chapter I have written so far, do you prefer the shorter chapters or longer ones? Sorry about how close it is to the real plot it is at the moment.

About the pairings, to vote just leave your choice in an review, also there won't be major pairing this early on into the plot as they are 12 year olds. Though some pairings may start to show this early on.

Also I was planning to make it Naruto/Hinata pairing though I don't know who Sasuke should be with, there will be hints of Ino/Sasuke one sided in this chapter. I may add other pairings than these but the story is very sakura-centric, I may add some romance between the two of them - not sure yet.

Also Sasuke is an bit of an jerk and believes he better on his own, his goal isn't to kill Itachi but to surpass him as he feels that he is always in his shadow and getting compared to him all the time. In previous chapters, I am going to add flashbacks to under the history behind Sasuke and Naruto.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just my plot.

Chapter Summary- Sakura meets Itachi and Gaara, the chunin exams begin and Sakura meets the rest of Rookie 9.

The morning afterwards was calm, something she was never use too, not having to worry about being attacked in the middle of the night, not that it didn't help her be on constant watch. Laying in bed, she took the time to go through her thoughts about what had happened and the pros and cons of the situation.

Pros-

1. She was safe at the moment.

2. She may be able to get allies.

3. They would never look for her here.

Cons

1. She can never leave if they find her otherwise she would have others hunting her down.

2. She will have to interact with people.

3. There may be spies.

4. She has to participate in an ninja exam.

5. Her teammate hates her.

At the moment it looked like the cons outweigh the pros, however some of the cons she didn't care at the moment, she only cared about the present, what was happening now. Signing she got up and got ready for the day. Sliding on one her dresses on, it was slightly different from her travelling dress, this one was pure black that sleeves went past her hands, though instead of going to the floor it went to her knees all fray looking but actually hide senbons, an technique that Haku taught her before she left the waves villages, knowledge wasn't the only thing her gave her. It also had an hood that covered her face as well as her hair, meaning that she didn't need to wear her cloak, her forehead protector was around her waist on a white piece of cloth. The last item of her outfit was on the table near the door, she picked it up with an small, soft smile on her face before placing it on and leaving for the bridge.

Flashback

I was sitting on the deck, where I was beforehand though this time it felt different, my emotions were not out of control and the air I breathed felt lighter, cleaner as if it was telling me that my burden will not just be mine to bear. I didn't look up when I felt someone coming towards me, I knew who it was. A friend.

"Is this your pastime? To look into what cannot be seen?" Haku asked me, not to taunt my weakness but to try and understand me, like an true friend would.

"It is though I believe I will have less chance to do so in the near future. I don't believe your interest in small talk has brought you here, how may I help you."

An chuckle was heard, not an mean one but full of life, something I haven't experience in a long time. "Your correct. Before you leave, I want to give you something. Here."

My hand was taken and an cool object were place in it. A mask. His mask.

"You gave me your mask, why?"

"It has an genjustu on it that I place there with a seal so it won't wear off, when you wear it you would show to have brown eyes. It's to help you hide your secret."

I grabbed his arm and pull him into an hug, he didn't have to but he did, how nice it felt.

I whispered into his chest "Thank you."

"No, thank you."

End of flashback

The whole of Team 7 were waiting on the bridge for ages due to their 'lazy' sensei however it did give the chance for all of them to talk in the early hours of the day, though many were not up to it.

"Say Sakura-chan where are you staying?"

"Spoilers."

"You know I REALLY hate that word along with 'Hn and Aa'. It's soooo annoying!"

"So are you Dobe."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!"

"Anyway, your both having dinner at my house tonight. Sakura my brother knows your condition so no hood." Sasuke told his other two teammates, not wanting into the issue at the moment and was hoping that they already had plans. However fate was not nice to the younger Uchiha brother.

"WOOOOHHH FREE FOOD. THANK YOU KAMI!" The bright ball of yellow and orange bounce up and down, his mouth already drooling of what nice food he would taste. But also there were tears in his eyes, that someone wanted him around their house, no one ever had wanted him round before. He was trying to tackle Sasuke into an hug however when Sasuke was trying to push him away, Naruto tripped and fell onto Sasuke who also fell, causing their lips to lock.

No one said anything for an while, as Sakura couldn't see what happened but had an feeling and Naruto and Sasuke were frozen for some moments before both picking up their guts into the water below.

"Aww, I knew that there always chemistry between you too. How cute." Smiled Kakashi who seemed very amused at the blackmail he had on two of his students. "But what not cute is that your not inviting me to this dinner tonight."

"Your not invited." Sasuke glared at Kakashi.

"I wondered what Itachi would say-" Kakashi began to say.

"Dinner starts at 8." Interrupted Sasuke, knowing what his sensei was trying to do, blackmail him to his brother.

"I thought so, anyways I just wanted to let you know that training today is cancel, it may surprise you but I've recommend all three of you for the chunin selection exam. You have to fill out these applications."

"MASTER KAKSHI, I LOVE YOU. EVEN AS MUCH AS THE RAMEN GOD BUT NO ONE IS AS GOOD AS THE RAMEN GOD MAYBE THE RAMEN GODDESS. OH MY GOD, SAKURA-CHAN YOU CAN BE MY RAMEN GODDESS! WHAT YOU SAY?" Naruto exclaimed while glomping Kakashi who when jumped had dropped his book, which says that he weren't please at all. Though it was nice for Kakashi to see that he was still a kid, not just an emotionless ninja that he fears that one day he met become.

"Get off… you're embarrassing me!"

"HEH,HEH,HEH." Naruto chuckled when he finally let go off Kakashi and was reading the application form with an massive grin on his face. He can't wait to show everyone what he was made off, he would be one step closer to Hokage after the exam. He couldn't wait.

"If any of you don't wish to compete, the exam is entirely voluntary. The choice is yours." Kakashi said while smiling at his students, but he knew that they would all enter, Sakura would because she had no choice not to, Naruto would want to become Hokage and Sasuke would want to pass his brother. But he had to give them the choice, even if it was an impossible choice. "You needn't turn in those application forms unless you want to. If you do, report to Room 301 at the school by 4.00pm tomorrow afternoon. That's all."

With that said Kakashi wave his lazy wave and turned into leaves, already planning the rest of the day reading his book in his apartment and to arrive late to the meal at the Uchiha household.

Back at the bridge.

"Hn." Sasuke said before walking away though he did look back over his shoulder to say "Remember 8 O'clock." before leaving so that he could get some last minute training in. Within an short space of time only Sakura and Naruto left.

"Hey Sakura-chan, would you like me show you around Konoha? I could show you Ichiraku, they do the best ramen and the people are really nice! What do you say?"

"Sure." I replied, I had nothing to lose and it would be nice to eat out again.

"DATTEBAYO!" Naruto cheered before starting to go down one of the worn paths before stopping to wait for me to catch up with him, it was kind of quite but it was quite comfortable although Naruto did start talking about ramen and the different flavours, truthfully I never knew how many flavours of ramen there was. Learn something new every day.

"So then you have to seasoned the noodles slightly, before putting them into the sauce at the very last moment-"

I had noticed an couple of people following us, though they didn't seem like an threat as I could hear them whispering and following us down the path quite an while ago, though it was funny to see how long it took Naruto to see them. It looked like he had just notice as his charka went from happy and cheerful to suspicious and annoyed, then he decided to run round an bit watching the people follow him, until Naruto stopped in the middle of the road and turned to face the people who been following him.

"PSYCH! Faked you out, rock! Little hint…no rock has perfect angles,perfect corners…and eye holes. KIND OF AN BIG CLUE!"

Naruto shouted pointing at the box and heard grumbling coming under it before it was lifted up and three small children came crawling out. The first one, Konohamaru, out was and small boy with short spiky brown hair and black eyes. He was wearing an yellow shirt with the Konoha symbol in red, grey shorts, a ling blue scarf with a pair of googles on his head. Next came out an boy, Udon, with short brown hair and dark eyes, with an drip of snot hanging from his nose. He was wearing an simple dark blue shirt that zipped up in the middle, an pair of brown pants, sandals, round glasses and an pair of googles on his forehead. The last person who crawled out was an girl, called Moegi,who had orange hair tied up into two pigtails, with a constant blush with black eyes. She was wearing an red tank top over an pink t-shirt that was layered at the bottom, she was also wearing grey pants, traditional sandals and the googles on her forehead.

"Leave it to the man I have acknowledge as being almost my equal! Your skills rival my own!" Konohamaru declared when they all were standing up and posing, him in the middle arms crossed, Udon on his right, arms at his side and staring off into the distance and Moegi on his right with her hands held together just under her face.

"Oh, it's you guys." Naruto said, one hand rubbing his neck, trying to look cool as he realised he was still in the presence of his new nee-chan, who he didn't want to look too uncool in front before he could really make her his younger sister. "Uhh…What's up with the googles?" Naruto asked trying to make conversation that would make him seem 'smart'.

"Heh Heh Heh" Konohamaru laughed his hands going up to play with his googles "You're our idol, right? We're copying the style you used to wear." Naruto couldn't help but feel the pride forming in his chest, he was accepted not by one person but three individuals who admire him for being himself. He wish he could of have this acceptance earlier but he didn't mind for he was just happy that he had it now. But he didn't want to start crying or embarrass himself so he decided for once in his lifetime to play an Sasuke.

"Oh-kaaaaa!…" His other hand coming up to support his head, looking like he didn't really mind, though he had an feeling that Sakura knew what he was feeling after all, she didn't have to see him to know how he was.

"What do you mean 'okay'?" Konohamaru started to yell at Naruto, his finger in his face, the other kids were also giving him evil looks "Suddenly too cool for school, big guy?" Though Konohamaru didn't really feel his anger but felt rejected, again, Sakura heart went out to the little guy, she knew how he was feeling. Strange, she thought to herself, I am an sucker for helping little boys in help.

"What do you want from me?" Naruto asked the academy students, ignorant of the thought Sakura was having of the presence situation. Konohamaru staged whispered to Udon 'He's looking down on us!' while Moegi asked Naruto question.

"We'll show you, Boss! Can you come now?" Her confident voice asked him, which made the decision a lot harder but he had to look cool.

"Nope!" Pointing to himself "I'm leading an tour for Sakura-chan!"

Konohamaru heart broke, he was being dumped for an stupid girl. How could his Boss do that to him. "BUT…BUT YOU PROMISED TO PLAY NINJA WITH US! RIGHT?"

Naruto head started to sweat "Heh…Oh,yeah….was that today?" questioned himself out loud but as he did he realised that he did. But he promised Sakura-chan as well. This was an hard decision for him to make, the pressure was hurting his head, but it seemed that he didn't have too.

"Naruto." She decided to be polite in front of others, but it didn't feel right "Aren't you going to introduce me to these amazing people" She decided to walk closer and bend down slightly as if bowing to them before straightening up and holding her hand out.

"Oh, right sorry Sakura-chan, this is Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi. Guys, this is my new team mate, Sakura. Anyway Sakura don't call me Naruto-san either call me Naruto or Naruto-kun or rather better Naruto-nii."

"You want to be my brother?" Sakura asked titling her head slightly, her hand came down to her side, her voice was filled with emotions, that set off Naruto who was now sweating buckets and looking nervously around, stammering at the beginning of his speech before becoming more confident in what he was saying, showing Sakura that he every word of what he said.

"Maybe, if you want me to be. I promise I never let anything hurt you, anyway I never had an little sister before and I want us to be more than team mates, I owe you my life for saving us in the Land of Waves, so it's the least I can do. Also, you don't have any family here and nor do I so I thought we could look after each other."

"Naruto-nii, it has an nice ring to it." Sakura just commented though after being with Sasuke for a long, he could tell that she was touched, very touched but didn't want to break down, it was like he was feeling.

"Hey Boss's sister, I'm going to be the next hokage." Konohamaru said bouncing on the front of his feet, he didn't like being ignored for too long and he wondered if this new girl would come and play with him.

"I must apologised, I digressed from our introduction it's very nice too meet all of you. And I think your going to have some hard competition Naruto-nii, Konohamaru seems like he would become an good Hokage." Sakura teased making not only both of the boys to blush but set Moegi off giggling.

"Sakuraaaaaa-nee, your suppose to be on my side!" Whined Naruto though he was beaming inside as his (OFFICAL!) sister and his friends got along.

"HELL YEAH, DID YOU HEAR THAT NARUTO I'M GOING TO BE AN BETTER HOKAGE THAN YOU, SO WATCH OUT!" Konohamaru shouted pleased that he could make fun of his boss but when he and his friends were laughing an bit too loudly and for an long time did he sense an evil aura, one that promised pain, his laughter became weaker as he turned to where he felt the aura, which was coming off Naruto.

He gulped.

He was dead meat.

"I'm going to be Hokage and the best Hokage there will be, believe it!" Naruto declared in an weirdly no-attitude voice that didn't match him at all. As soon as that was said, his aura and face changed into one of mischief.

"So you want to play ninja then? Start running." Naruto said, pulling up his sleeves of his horrendous orange jumpsuit jacket, and started to run at the children who were gulping and giving Naruto an rabbit-in-the-headlight eyes.

"RUUUUUUUUN!" Shouted Konohamaru as he pulled his classmates with him, he could hear Sakura laughing softly at the antics and Naruto gaining ground, who was laughing loudly as well. They were all having an good time, running away that soon he and his classmates were also laughing as they were running through the village. Though on one of the dirt paths near the village entrance he hit something hard.

POW

Something grabbed him by his scarf, and he heard laughter, not the happy sounding one but the one that promise a lot of pain.

Great. He thought though he was scared when he realised that he was grabbed by an stranger, a foreigner, who was an older male than Naruto, who was taller and had facial paint on, he was wearing an black hood, black clothes with an green sash around his waist, bandages that went up his three-quarter length trouser, standard sandals, cat-like ears and an forehead protector with an symbol that took a while for him to place.

Sunagakure.

Next to him was an girl who was older than the boy that was holding him, she had teal coloured eyes that were glaring at him, her sandy blonde hair was in four ponytails. She wore a purple-colour off the shoulder garment that ended at the front in the middle of her thighs and at the back finished at the knees. She wore shorts underneath and fish nets on both her shoulders and legs, in her hand was an pure white fan and her forehead protector was around her neck.

"KONOHAMARU!" Shouted Meogi, who stepped forwards to the foreign ninjas and Konohamaru, though was pushed behind Sakura with Udon by Sakura, both of them grabbed onto her black dress, clinging to her like their lives were on the line. Naruto was standing in front and to the side of them, sweating slightly at the scary ninjas, he wanted to run but he didn't want Sakura to deal with them. He was her big brother, also he needed to protect Konohamaru, it was his fault he was in this position.

"UNNH" cried out Konohamaru when the ninja holding him pulled him up even more, so that he eye level with the ninja holding him.

"That hurt, Snotface!" Snarled the foreign ninja, making Meogi whimper behind Sakura, which drawer the Sand people attention to the others there.

"Knock it off, you're gonna get it as it is." The female ninja said, looking around with her eyes warily, an scowl on her face.

Meogi getting her confidence back slightly said as confidently as she could from behind Sakura " It was my fault, I was fooling around…" which gained her an grunted and an tut from the foreign ninjas. Sakura was worried, she had grown fond of Konohamaru and she knew if she didn't do anything then something bad may happen. Though she was pleased that she didn't recognise the charka signature, they weren't as deadly as they came though she memorised their signals in case they pass each other again in the future.

She didn't like where this was going, before she could do anything, someone else had.

Naruto.

"PUT HIM DOWN, YOU BIG APE!" Naruto screamed, angry ticks on his face and an hand in an fist shaking it at the foreign ninja.

'These guys must be genin-level from Konoha village." Muttered the foreign male ninja to his companion, which gained him an snort of agreement from her.

Loudly he spoke to answer his companion question "I just want to play with him a little… while we're waiting for the nuisance to get here!"

"OWW!" Konoharmaru moaned as the grip on him tightened.

"Nee-chan, do something!" Begged Moegi to Sakura which ended up with the female ninja giving them an longing look, not that Sakura could notice it.

"Very well." She finally spoke, an sign in her voice, she didn't want to harm anyone yet nor make the younger ones scared of her, she was terribly fond and attached to them. She must have been alone too long if she was growing attach to everyone she was meeting, but the truth was never before had she ran without fear of the world, and just been a free child.

"Excuse me, may you release him otherwise I'm afraid the consequences wouldn't be pleasant."

Sakura spoke softly though it carried to were the foreign ninjas were, which again brought attention to herself, which made both of the foreign ninjas to catch each other eyes before laughing out loud, tears forming in their eyes at what they believe was an joke, that an small girl who thought she was brave because she was wearing an hood would hurt them!

"I haven't laugh like that in such an long time."

"You were warned." Sakura said still very sweetly and softly, she had them worrying though Naruto just had to mess up her plan. She sometimes felt annoyed by him, well most of the time, but he did mean good it sometimes doesn't show.

"Hey! You in the black pig suit! Release him now and I'll go easy on you, goon!" Everyone just face palmed at Naruto statement and Konoharmaru, even in the position he was in muttered;

'Nee-chan is so much cooler."

Though he ended up gasping as he was pulled up again, the foreign ninja forming an fist with his other hand, he gulp, he was going to get hurt.

"Bad enough that you're a short little kid… you're disrespecting your elders!" Stated the foreign ninja to Naruto "You make me want to kill him."

"WHAT?!" Naruto exclaimed, going pale at the thought, Meogi was crying and Udon shivered. Sakura just stood there, her head slightly titled to the side.

"I… will not be responsible for this.." the female foreign ninja stated turning her head away from the scene that didn't come.

Though the fist was coming closer to Konohamaru, Naruto running at the foreign ninja with his fist in the air, the punch was stopped by an rock hitting the foreign ninja wrist, making everyone's attention snap to the tree where Sasuke was sitting, juggling some more rocks in one hand, the other resting on his knee.

"Tell me…What are you guys doing in our village?" His voice cold as ice, though he had to admit himself he looked cool. He was kind of happy that he decided to finish training early, as it meant that he could help his team mates out, well not help out make them seem like idiots and him to be cool and an amazing ninja.

"It's Teme!" Naruto exclaimed, surprise at his appearance but glad that he help stop the attack, now if he only help with getting Konohamaru out of harm's way.

'Hmm..pretty cool!' The female foreign ninja thought, looking away with an blush on her cheeks.

Sasuke threw another rock but at the hand holding Konohamaru, making the ninja drop him but before he hit the floor he was caught by Sakura who he hadn't sense moved, she then ran quickly back, that it look like an flicker to her original spot. She place Konohamaru down in front of her, looking at his neck to see bruises had formed, she gave him a quick hug before placing him behind her and in the arms of Moegi who started to cry in relief that her friend was all right.

"Oh look another brat." The foreign ninja commented looking at his hand where the rock had hit him.

"Get lost." Was the great comeback Sasuke managed to come up with and it came free with an snarl. Though the three academy students all had eyes of awe at his response, Konohamaru who had gotten out of Moegi arms and still had tears falling down his face pointed at Naruto and said

"Naruto….You suck! I can't believe that I use to look up to you!"

"Don't be stupid. I could have handled that loser if Teme didn't butt in." Declared Naruto, going down to Konohamaru level who just looked away and made that noise which meant 'sure, I totally believe you.'

"Come down little squirrel" taunted the foreign male ninja as he turned his body to the tree which Sasuke was occupying.

"Think you're pretty smart, don't you?" Replied Sasuke who had yet to move but had given the ninja one of his infamous glares.

"SHF." The ninja replied before moving one of his hands to the wrapped up thing on his back.

The female ninja grabbed the arm that had been removing whatever was on his back before speaking "Tell me you're not planning to use the Crow!"

"Kankuro! Don't" An new voice spoke out, full of hatred and froze everyone. "You're a disgrace to our entrée village."

On the upside down side, on the other side of the tree that Sasuke was occupying was an deadly looking foreign ninja. He was quietly smaller than Naruto and had fair skin and short, spiky, red hair, but no eyebrows. He has pale blue-green eyes which had black lines under, on his forehead was the kanji for 'love'. He was wearing an black full body suit with t-shirt like sleeves, open neck and three-quarter length trousers. Be had an massive gourd on his back which was held by an wide leather band system over his left shoulder and the right side of his hip, on this band was his forehead protector.

"G-gaa-ra…" Kankuro gulped looking deathly pale under his face paints, the female looked like she was sweating slightly as well.

"It annoys me that you'd lose control in a quarrel with children. Have you forgotten why we're here?" His voice spoke strongly making the situation for the foreign ninja, even worse. His pale eyes wandered slightly to the other ninjas, the one on the tree was interesting as well as the small hooded figure that was in front of the children. It made his blood boil that the hooded figure was protecting the children, didn't he once longed for that before he realised that it was weakness to let someone else stand in front of you. Pathetic. That was the word he would describe those kids, pathetic for needing that protection, weren't they becoming ninja's? That person wouldn't be there then.

"But Gaara…they started it. The little one slammed me!" Kankuro tried to defend himself but at the end of his sentence he turned his head quickly and snarled at the kid, Konohamaru whose figure was blocked by the hooded figure. She was getting on his nerves.

"Shut up…or I'll kill you." Gaara stated, no promised which not only made Kankuro pale even more and close his mouth shut but sent shivers up everyone's backs, the three academy students grabbed on tighter to the dress Sakura was wearing, Naruto position himself slightly so that he was in front of both the children and Sakura and Sasuke had jumped down and was standing next to Naruto though his attention and positioning was on the person in the tree.

Suddenly the man turned into whirlpool of sand and disappeared from the tree, to end up right in front of the other foreign ninjas.

"Sorry about my friends." Gaara said, his attention all on Sasuke. "Kankuro."

"Yes Gaara, you're right. I was out of line. We're sorry….okay Gaara?"

"Let's go." Gaara said before turning away to walk the other way, he was excited at what punishment he could make for his sibling, this behaviour will not go unpunished, his demon inside was practically laughing at the thought of causing someone else pain, unfortunately he wasn't allowed to kill his siblings. Yet.

"WAIT!" Naruto shouted pausing them all to look at him, when the attention was on him one of his hands went to scratch the back of his neck. "You're here for the chunin exams rights?"

The female ninja put out her chest and glared at Naruto over her shoulder. "Yes, we are. What's it to you?"

"We need to see your travel papers, please." Sakura said, interrupting the conversation before Naruto could insult someone else or say the wrong thing. She was given an couple of glares and an smirk from Sasuke at her quick thinking, letting them know that they are the ones in charge here.

"Here." The female ninja said holding some items out, Sakura nodded to Naruto who look at them and saw that everything was in order, he was surprised to find out that they were siblings. He gave an nod to Sakura, to keep up the appearance that she wasn't blind (she made them promise her that fact before they left the land of waves) and handed it back to the female ninja, who he found out name was Temari.

"Oh! You there! What's your name?" Sasuke demanded.

"Who me?" Temari asked in an voice she believed was flirty, the blush coming back full red and one of her hands went up to the middle of her chest, but Sasuke didn't notice, his attention was on the red head.

"No! I was talking to the spook beside you." Which made Gaara turn all the way round than just looking over his shoulder and for Temari to deflate.

"Gaara of the desert, at your service. And you are?" He asked which surprise them all but made his siblings sorry for the boy, Gaara had an interest in him and that means that he would be killed by him as well.

"Nee-Chan, we're going to be late for our afternoon lessons, let's go!" whispered Udon who had realise the time and the three were expected to be back at the academy for their next lesson, otherwise they would have one of the teachers yelling at him and Moegi, Konohamaru never got told off because of who his grandfather was.

"Huh, oh right. It was an pleasure meeting you three, I wish you look in the exams." With that said and an small bow, Sakura grabbed the hands of Udon and Meogi, who grabbed Konohamaru hand before walking the way they had came.

"Nee-chan, wait! I'm coming with you!" Exclaimed Naruto before waking goodbye to the ninjas leaving an very tense atmosphere.

"And you are?" Gaara asked Sasuke again, annoyance building in his eyes, before Sasuke who was wondering about the nee-chan thing grunted and replied.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"What was her name?" Gaara then asked, trying to hide the excitement gleam out of his eyes, he could imagine her voice begging him not to kill her, her blood raining from the sky, it would be thrilling.

"None of your business. Now excuse me." Sasuke said, he didn't want to be with these weird ninjas anymore and left by jumping onto the tree again before jumping to another. Now he just had to get ready for tonight. Great.

8pm Uchiha household

They were late.

It was 8.01 and they still weren't here, he didn't expect Kakashi to be here on time, and Sakura couldn't see so she may not have realised the time, and the dobe well he was the dobe. Okay he understood why they could be late but here he was with his brother in the kitchen cooking and him in the hallway waiting for the knock at the door.

They were annoying.

8.10 - still no one here. He could feel the anger and frustration radiating off him, he couldn't murder them not just yet, he would have to wait until the chunin exams, he could instead beat them until it hurt them to move. Yes that was the plan, he chuckled darkly to himself before realising that he was an Uchiha and Uchiha's don't chuckle. He was brought out of his thoughts by an sharp poke in his forehead. He glared at his brother who just looked amused and was wiping his hands clean with an tea towel.

"Foolish little brother, aren't you going to ope the door for our guests?"

The people he was planning the deaths off had apprantely came at last though had been waiting for an while due to him not being aware of his environment. A loud bang on the door shook part of the house and he could see two outline of people. He would bet all his money that it was the dobe and Sakura.

Which it was, the dobe was wearing an different outfit that suited him more, he had an dark orange t-shirt with an red swirl in the middle, black trousers and his normal blue sandals. His hair actually looked combed and he could smell the smell of deodorant and washing powder on the done instead the normal smell of ramen and sour milk.

Next to him was Sakura who looked all dressed up as well, if he would it to himself pretty. She was wearing an floor length pale green kimono that was layered with different shades of green with an white obi. Her pink hair was all place in an bun and the cloth around her eyes seemed to be new. She smelt of clean crisp water and honeysuckle. She was holding her usual black cloak.

"Hello, sorry we're late, I had to make sure no one saw me. May we come in?" Sakura said making him wonder what had changed, the day before she was more harsh and cold but since she been in this village she been more polite. It didn't suit her, and he was missing the remarks she use to make.

As he allow them both in, with Naruto taking off his sandals and Sakura walking past him he grabbed her arm slightly making her pause, he whispered something in her ear, that normally would have girls in an pile of mush but instead receive what he believe would be an glare if she could see and her pulling her arm out of his grip before continuing.

She was back.

The nerve of some.

She wanted to punch him, but she couldn't she was an guest at his house so it would have to wait until tomorrow then he would regret what he said to her.

"Stop being nice, it doesn't suit your personality at all."

What did that mean it didn't match her personality. She could be nice sometimes. Okay so he may have not seen her nice to him but she had been nice to Inari, Udon, Meogi and Konohamaru.

Well he can suck it. She was being nice even when he told someone her secret which she going to deal with later. Urghh that boy got on her nerves so much.

She stopped her internal ranting when she felt an new charka signal standing in front of her, this must be his brother. His charka reminded her of the ocean, it may be beautiful and peaceful of the outside but in the ocean there was undercurrents and rocks.

Itachi POV.

He didn't know what to expect of his brother female teammate, maybe an mixture of the fangirls his brother had or and muscly, ugly women. What he didn't expect was an small girl with pink hair. Pink hair! Who has it, though it was bugging him slightly, like an old memory trying to be known. Maybe it would come to him later now. Hopefully when it's not too late.

Though the first impression of seeing her was fake. Fake pink hair, fake attitude, fake politeness though he had to hand it to her for trying, if he wasn't an Uchiha he would have fallen for it but she was acting like he did in public.

Interesting. She didn't trust him then or her teammates.

I watched as my brother said something to her only for her to pull away, I decided it would be best to let myself be known. I decided to step in front of her which made her jump slightly before going into an bow, I in return bowed slightly back.

"Hello, I'm Itachi, Sasuke older brother, glad you can make it Miss…"

"Sakura, just Sakura. Thank you Uchiha-san for you hospitality and opening your home for us."

As she raised her hand to shake mine, I decided to hold it and bring it to my lips, kissing it lightly. I expected her to blush and start stammer though this girl was nothing that I would consider ordinary, instead she frowned and pulled her hand out of mine, then wiped the back of her hand on her kimono. I decided to charm her further and act like she didn't insult me.

"Please call me Itachi, Uchiha-san was my father." I received an small nod, so she was still trying to be polite, what an shame I wanted to see behind that mask.

"Very well Itachi-san. Are you parents present?"

Ahh, that conversation I would have thought one of her treammates would have said something previously though it didn't pain me as it use too, it was still very unpleasant for me to talk about it.

"Unfortunately, there are no other Uchiha than myself and Sasuke, our family was murdered an couple of years ago."

"I see. I apologise bringing up such an morbid topic and I offer my condolences."

"Thank you. May I escort you to the dining room, I shall be bringing the food in an moment."

"Thank you Itachi-san but no thank you. I can find my own way there."

"Very well, if you can excuse me."

With that I walked to the kitchen to retrieve the started I had prepared earlier, it was interesting most girls would have died at the thought of being escorted to an seat by myself. I'm not being arrogant it's just an fact. But to be dismiss so casually it was unheard of for me apart from some of the older women in the village. Maybe it's because of her blindness that made her want no help with things.

It was refreshing. It was as exotic as her hair colour and I couldn't wait until I gained more. Maybe just maybe I would see her in the near future and she will see me as everyone else

does.

Dinner was tense. Sakura didn't talk unless she was being spoked to, which Itachi tried to charm her but it wasn't working she would cut him down with snide comments hidden in politeness, Naruto was scoffing down the food, leaving no imagination to what food being digest in the mouth seemed like. Sasuke was brooding and glaring, he didn't like this one bit and he couldn't make the time go any faster.

Though he was glad that his sensei never turned up, well for the meal. As the two brothers were saying goodbye to Naruto and Sakura as Sasuke opened the door he was met by Kakashi.

Which lead to the three of them staying there for another hour for dessert. So at 10pm, they finally left the Uchiha household.

"So your teammates are unique, Sasuke."

"Hn."

"Especially Sakura, she's very refreshing as an female companion."

This got Sasuke attention, it was bad. His brother was interested in Sakura, meaning he wouldn't stop obsessing over her until he got her. Though it was slightly disturbing that his brother was interesting in an girl five year prior his age.

"She's too young for you brother, just leave her alone."

"I know she too young, but she won't be in about five years."

"Naruto would murder you if he heard what you have been saying about his little sister."

"Well, he's not hear at the moment is he?"

"I will murder you if you touch her in that way."

"Is that an threat?"

"No, it's an promise."

With that said Sasuke walked up the stairs and got ready for bed, he couldn't wait for the chunin exams tomorrow. He would show them all how powerful he was, he would finally step out of his brother shadow even if Itachi had passed the chunin exams when he was 10. He knew that he may not see his brother tomorrow due to him being ANBU, Black Ops captain. Maybe one day he would be captain, maybe he would lead his brother.

One could only dream, and that he did.

The Next Day

Sakura POV

She didn't enjoy last night at all, not only did she have too show her face the whole night but Sasuke brother weird her out, sure he may had paid a lot of attention to her, but the attention felt weird. Too intense. Hopefully she wouldn't have too see him for a long while.

But today was the day, she would be fulfilling one part of her side of the bargain, it seems like it would be worth it.

Signing, she placed her hair into an simple braid and placed her mask on, feeling the comforting feeling of Haku charka come over her, she didn't know what to think of him, someone so pure yet willing to do anything for those who souls were pure black. Not evil, no she didn't consider herself evil just the situation caused her to taint her hands and her soul.

She like how he look after her.

It reminded her of some of the good memories she had.

Maybe one day, her hands wouldn't be so tainted.

She wasn't evil, she remembered all of them, all their names, all 78 men.

Shaking the list of names out of her current thought, she tugged on her dress (her black knee length one) once more before walking out of her home, closing the door with an small thud and determination racing through her veins.

She was going to make her teammates past the chunin exams.

She was glad that she had taken the academy students back yesterday, otherwise she wouldn't have had an clue where the building was, though now that she was here she could sense a lot of charka from the building.

"SAKURA-CHAN! OVER HERE!" Naruto yelled, bouncing on his feet, wearing the clothes he was wearing last night. Though he hadn't admitted it to Sasuke, Sakura had paid for his clothes, even though she had been living int he wild for an long time, she was rich! When at the counter (where the worker was glaring at Naruto but didn't say anything unpleasant due to the threat his nee-chan made) she pulled out loads of gold pieces, making not only the cashier eyes pop out.

Sakura walked, smiling softly at her new nii-kun, they decided last night to not let people they consider each other family in case they used it against their team.

"Naruto, Sasuke." She greeted both of her teammates, Naruto gave her an hug which she flinched slightly at the contact, she was getting use to his casual touch more and more, though she knew she would never be use to it.

"You ready?" Sasuke asked, not really bothered if they were or not, he wanted to get in there and show all the other ninjas what he, Sasuke Uchiha was made of.

"No, that's why I'm standing here." Sakura answered sarcastically.

"Hn." Sasuke said before looking over her and smirk "Welcome back."

Sakura just laughed lightly, playing along. "It's good to be back."

We walked together up into the academy, going up two level of stairs, Naruto on the right, Sasuke in he middle and myself on the end.

We could feel an shift in charka which I could tell was an genjustu, Sasuke tapped my shoulder which indicated that he also noticed. Though it seemed that Naruto hadn't notice but carried on forwards without us going into the crowd that separate near an door and an couple of people.

It looks like they haven't notice yet.

Good. Less competition.

I heard someone being punched and someone hitting the floor, ouch it seemed like that would hurt. I could hear murmurs about how horrid the leaf ninjas were, but they haven't even gotten past the decoy yet.

"Is someone as relentless as you really planning to take the chunin selection exam?" one voiced called out, they had an genjustu on their face which wasn't really well done.

"Why bother?" Another voice called out, another person with an poor excuse of an genjustu on their face. It was pathetic really that no one else had noticed it.

"Bunch of wet behind the ears snotnoses!"

"You should all give up!"

Someone else walked up to the two in disguised and started to talk reason but was stopped due to an slap around the face, so hard that she fell in our direction, where Naruto grabbed her before she fell all the way down.

Naruto grabbed the falling girl, it was mean to hit an girl like that. So when he grabbed her before she contacted the floor he expected an smile or an thank you. Though his mind was racing forwards into different outcome, including where they would run away together into the sunset. He had to admit she was pretty, she had steel grey eyes, brown hair that were in two buns either side of her head with some hair as an fringe that fell onto her forehead protector. She was wearing an white sleeveless qipao-style blouse with dark pink trimmings and fastening buttons, dark pink pants that tighten just below the knee and the standard ninja sandals.

Instead of what Naruto believed would be an thank you, her eyes turned into an glare as he realise that one of his hands was grabbing her boob. She slammed one of her fist under his chin, making him fly backwards. Then when she had walked over to him, began kicking him in the ribs shouting out how he was an pervert and that next time he even looked at her boobs she would rip his manhood off, making the guys around her step away. Sakura had decided with Sasuke to walk past their fallen teammate and carry on up the next lot of stairs, however these were on the other side of the corridor, catching Neji attention.

Finally with her anger out her system, she walked back over to her teammates,Neji and Lee like nothing had happen.

Neji had long, silky, shiny, black hair that reach the middle of his back, tied in an loose ponytail, and white eyes. He had his forehead protector on his forehead like his teammates which had strands of hair framing it either side. He wore an white khaki shirt with loose sleeves, dark brown shorts, brown sandals and white bandages up his arms and legs.

Lee was slightly different than his teammates, he had slightly bigger eyebrows and thick eyelashes around his black eyes, his hair was black that was swept to one side of his head as a fringe (covering some of his eyebrows) and was long at the back, tied in a braid. He wore a green jumpsuit, bright orange leg warmers and the normal traditional sandals. He had bandages onto of his jumpsuit on his hands that go up to his elbows and an set on his right thigh. His forehead protector as an belt.

"I thought we were suppose to keep an low profile."Neji said looking like he was bored at the situation.

"That was before an young idiot thought it would be good to touch me up. I am an strong women who shall not be treated that way by no man." Tenten grumbled still really annoyed that someone had touched her breast! It wasn't fair, she thought her love of her life would have that honour but noooo, he just had to be the hero and have an good squeeze as an reward. He was lucky she remembered that she was trying to hide her skill, that's why she never brought out any of her weapons. Even though he did deserve it, it wouldn't be wise to paint a target on their backs just yet.

Sakura was bored, she and Sasuke had decided to go ahead, as Sasuke didn't want to be involve with an enrage female and she well, she didn't want to be near her period. So here they were by the door to the exam, waiting for the blonde idiot to turn up.

"Sasuke?"

"Hn."

"When were in there, could you keep people away from me?"

"Why?"

"You know why."

"Hn, you scared of people."

"Yeah, also if you tell someone else about my 'condition' I will tell the whole world that your gay and how you kiss Naruto, starting with your weird brother."

"Hn."

"Thanks, I knew you would understand."

"SAKURRRRRAAAAAAAAA-CHAANNNNNNN!" Yelled Naruto as he was running up the stairs, both his teammates sighed though sakura smiled softly at his attitude. "THERE YOU GUYS ARE, YOU LEFT ME! HOW COULD YOU?" He wailed, tears forming in his eyes.

Sasuke eye twitched before turning away. "Dobe."

Sakura sighed again and before Naruto could reply grabbed one of his arms softly. "Sorry Naruto, we thought you could handle it and we could find the room for the first part of the exam. We didn't mean to leave you behind, can you forgive us?"

Naruto just grabbed her in an hug which she flinched automatically on contact of another person that wasn't her own terms. "Of course, I forgive you Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke who had seen the interaction and how Sakura reacted to people touching her, decided to help fulfil his set out task, starting with the dobe. It wasn't because he was scared of her, no it was because Naruto hugs can be deadly as Sakura had learnt first-hand "Dobe, let her go. It's time."

Sakura sent an nod to Sasuke to which he grunted, he then nodded to Naruto who was standing next to him and opened the doors at the same time, bringing some attention to them. Sakura felt the different charka signals which she tried to memorise them all, some felt worst than others, in the room was the three ninjas they met yesterday, they were standing in the far side of the room. Naruto and Sasuke stopped near the stairs, while Sakura decided to sit on an window seat the nearest to the door, which had no one around.

Naruto and Sasuke were having a glaring contest when the doors opened again and an squeal reached everyone ears. Everyone knew what it was. People felt sorry for its victim.

A terrible monster that was in an form of an fangirl.

"SASUKE-KUN! Where have you been cutie?" An Fangirl called Ino called out as she jump up on Sasuke from behind, her arms around his neck. "I could hardly wait! It's so exicting, seeing you here again after all that time. Hopefully your next mission won't be so long, so you can spend more time with me."

Ino was an pretty girl, she was average height, green eyes that had flecks of blue in them, long blonde hair which was tied in an high pony-tail with a fringe that covered the right side of her face. She wore bright red lipstick and purple eyeshadow. She had 3 silver earrings in each ear, purple belly top that showed her toned slightly tanned stomach that was covered with an mesh top, a short purple skirt with slits down her two sides, her legs were covered with bandages to her blue sandals. Her forehead protector was around her waist, on her arms were purple arm warmers.

"Get off me, you're annoying." With that said Sasuke pulled her arms off him and moved away, which left Ino in an depressed state, and muttering how her Sasuke-kun must not be feeling well if he was treating her like this and how he is normally amazing, cute, sweet, etc,etc.

"Troublesome." Sighed Shikamaru as he walked to his teammate, his other teammate Choji following him.

Shikamaru has solder length hair thats tied into an high pointy pony-tail, narrow brown eyes. He wears 2 silver earrings in one ear, an mesh top that stops at his wrists, black top that sleeves finish just before his elbows, his forehead protector worn on his left arm. He also had black trousers with large pockets and the blue standard ninja sandals.

Choji was slightly tubbier than any of his friends, he had brown hair that was spiky and stopped in the middle of his neck, red swirls on his cheeks (clan sign) and brown eyes. He was wearing dark green shorts, light green top, white scarf that was wrapped round his neck twice and the ends finishing an couple of inches after his top does, his arms covered in bandages, a set of silver earrings in both ears and his forehead protector was on his right forearm.

"Well, if it isn't the three stooges!" Declared Naruto loudly, bringing more attention to them.

"Stop calling us that." Choji said in between muting crisps.

"I'm going to make Sasuke-kun mine." Giggled Ino to herself, making everyone step back from her and Shikamaru say his famous word. "Troublesome."

"HEY! There you guys are!" A large voice shouted, coming closer to the two teams, it was Kiba and his two teammates, Hinata and Shino, the former stood next to Naruto while Shino walked away from the group and near the window where Sakura was sitting.

Kiba had messy brown hair, sharp black eyes, pronounced canine teeth, sharp nails and the red fang marking on his cheeks. He wore grey pants that were tucked into his sandals, an greyish white, hooded fur-line coat,underneath he wore amour and a mesh top and his forehead protector on his head. His companion was an small white dog called Akamaru whose head could be seen from being zip up in Kiba jacket.

Hinata had pale skin, dark blue hair that was cut short at the back and longer pieces hanging at the front, she has white eyes (from her clan). She wore her forehead protector around her neck, an cream hooded jacket, dark blue trousers and cream boots that had fur inside of them that came mid calf.

Shino was an fair skinned, skinny and quite tall. He had brown short hair that went out rather than down, black eyes that are covered by an pair of sunglasses. He wears an sea-foam jacket that had long sleeves and an high unturned collar, that goes down to his knees and black trousers, instead of the normal standard blue sandals he wears black ninja boots that come up just below his knees. His forehead protector is on his forehead.

Shino and Sakura.

"May I have an seat?"

"Be my guess."

"What village do you come from?"

"This one."

"I have not seen you before. So how can you be from this village?"

"That's because I just move here. You like bugs?"

"How did you know?"

Shino was shocked, that an random stranger would could out with an question like that straight away. Also it was suspicious that she had just moved here right before the exam. Maybe it was an coincidence and that she would be an good ally.

"The window, it's slightly open and as soon as you sat down, more bugs have came over and stayed near you. So either you smell good to bugs or you like them as much as they like you."

She was as observant as he was, under her hood. It was unusual to see an girl like that who wasn't observant because she was an fangirl. At least he hopes she not an fangirl.

"I do like bugs. I apologise but I have to go back to my teammates, it's nice to have someone as observant as I am. Why you ask? For no one notices my connection with bugs in the 1 minute of meeting each other. I have to ask, what is your name?"

"Sakura."

"Well, it was nice talking to you Sakura-san. I will give you my name, I'm Shino, Shino Aburame."

"Likewise."

Meanwhile..

"Uh..hi.." Hinata said, speaking softly, her fingers playing together, though she was ignored by most apart from Naruto who heard her due to her standing close to him.

"HIYA HINATA-CHAN!" Which caused the girl to go bright red, luckily she didn't faint as Sasuke pulled him away slightly, though this made her feel an bit angry at the dark-hair figure, as Naruto was her love-intreat and Sasuke would have to find his own somewhere else.

"So.. I guess all three of this year's newbie have decided to apply, hunh? But I thought you had to be in an three-man cell to enter, so where's your third member?" Kiba said asking loudly, grinning so that his sharp teeth were on show.

"Trying to psych us out by acting all cool, Kiba?" Sasuke asked smirking, before Naruto could open his mouth and talk all about Sakura-chan, she better appreciate what he was doing for her, having to talk to people he didn't like. It was beneath him. Thankfully it had the desired effects he wanted, riling Kiba up.

"WHO'S ACTING? The way WE'VE trained, no way can you beat us!"

"Would you guys do us all an favour and just shut up?"

An new voice called out, drawing their attention to an guy with grey hair tied in an pony-tail and the back of his neck, glasses that cover onyx eyes. He wore an dark purple top with a high collar, dark purple pants, dark purple fingerless gloves and blue sandals. His forehead protector that symbolised Konohagakure was part of his white cloth waistband.

Ino as soon as she saw the guy swooned slightly, edging as near as she could, she could imagine their future together, they would make children that would look like her and Sasuke-kun chidlren, blonde hair, onyx eyes. But she knew she had to keep strong, her one true love was her precious Sasuke-kun.

"You lot are all genin-right? Just barely out the local academy? All behind-the-ears and runny-nosed! This isn't an school trip you know."

"Who do you think you are?" Demanded Sasuke, he didn't take nicely to being insulted nor did he like the look of this fellow.

"Name's Kabuto, so what? You kids need to open your eyes."

"Why?" Questioned Ino, before Kabuto indicated behind them all, when they all turned they could see forge in ninja's giving the death glares, making Hinata, Ino (and an few others who would swear they didn't) shudder slightly, realisation dawned on them. They were making themselves become targets.

"Watch out for the group behind you. They're Amagakure, they have an very short fuses."

"Oh." Naruto grumbled out, looking slightly put out, he want to show them all what he could do, he didn't like how Kabuto was treating them, like they were pathetic. Well he didn't know them and they had an secret weapon, his nee-chan!

"It's probably unavoidable, like all rookie's, you think you already know everything. I remember what that was like."

"So are you implying this is your second time then?" Sasuke asked, smirking as he was happy that he found an weakness in what he was saying. Sasuke would never need to do this test again, he would gain his chunin title in this exam.

"Not second, seventh. Twice an year for four years now."

"That means you must be experienced." Ino said which came across with two different meanings to the older ninja, shame she was an fangirl, which means she wouldn't be an decent ninja in his opinion, otherwise he wouldn't mind flirting with her, even if she was a little bit younger than her. (Kabuto is nearly 17, Itachi just turned 16, Ino is 13, the rest of from rookie 12 are 12 or 13.)

"I guess." He said trying to pull of the humble card, it works all the time. "How about I give you guys your late graduating present, some vital intelligence on what you're in for, with these skill cards." With that said he brought some cards up near his face, he could see the admiration in their eyes.

"Skill cards?" Asked Ino again, which a`Kabuto smiled at her (which made her swoon slightly) before answering.

"I collected around 200 cards about the ninjas arounds us, there teams, where they're from, strengths, weakness. I have information cards for this exam as well. For example, this card. It's shows me that there are 153 applicants this year, 30 from Sand, 21 from Rain, 6 from Grass, 87 from Leaf, 3 from sound and 6 from waterfall."

"Are you willing to show us an profile from someone out of our village." Sasuke demanded, the need for knowledge burning him, as his brother always said, knowledge is power.

"Why? Someone here you have a particular interest in?" Kabuto chuckled slightly, it was so easy to be trusted by these new graduate students, their nature would be their downfall. "I would be happy to help you out, who is it you need?" With that said he sat down on the floor, his cards in his hands.

"Gaara from sunagakure." Sasuke demanded.

"May I add someone else to the list? Why you may ask, is because I am interested in her. Who is she you may wondered, her name is Sakura from Konoha. How I know her is because I just went to speak to her." Shino said emotionlessly, though proud at his skills, his two teammates congratulating him, Kiba through an smack on the back and an whispered one from Hinata.

Naruto was annoyed, what information would they have on his precious nee-chan, also he didn't like how Shino used her to get information from her. He would hold an grudge for that.

Sasuke was also annoy, though it was at Sakura. She threaten him, then he had to talk to people just for her to get noticed. His eye was twitching and his vision was starting to go red. She owed him big time.

Kabuto watched curiously at the reactions to the name, Sakura. It was cute and obvious who her teammates were but where was she? Shouldn't she be with them?

"You know there names then,no fun!" He said before putting down his first card, the ninjas crowded around him.

"Gaara of the sand, desert country, 8 C-ranked missions, 1 B-rank.. which is incredibly rare for rookies. Nothing else really just that he comes back from every mission without an scratch on him. Must be good."

"And this Sakura girl" Growled out Ino, she was mad that there was an girl near her Sasuke-kun, she better watch her back, she would teach her whose boss.

"Calm down. Alright. Here it is. Sakura, no known last name. 11 years old. Joined Konoha 3 days ago, 1 B-rank mission. Part of Team 7 which consist of Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. No past history. No skills recorded. It looks like she didn't exist until then."

Interesting, Kabuto thought but his boss wouldn't be pleased, it was an unknown factor that might damage their master plan. They would just have to wait and see.

"So you were hiding her then Uchiha, why is she that pretty that you fancy her or something? Why else would you keep her to yourself?"

"Teme doesn't fancy Sakura-chan! Never say that again! She didn't want to be distracted from the first part of the exam by meeting new people." Naruto defended Sakura and Sasuke, unknowingly saving Sakura from an world of pain from Ino's hands. No one could be fancied by Sasuke but her.

"I would like to meet this 11 year old wonder, where about is she?" Kabuto said, standing up, bringing back the focus of the conversation, Sasuke eye's betrayed him by flitting over to the figure by the window, how odd he never notice her before. He smiled at Sasuke, showing that the Uchiha had made an mistake before walking over to her. The other genin were talking between themselves, as it looked like he had just walked off from the group, he notice some ninja's looking at the figure as if they have also just noticed her.

From the looks of it she was small,petite yet quite your average girl.

"You must be Sakura, I'm Kabuto. It's nice to meet the person whose confused me."

"That's me. How have I confused you?" Sakura asked, pretending that she hasn't been listening to the conversation her teammates were having, she even heard some colourful threats that were directed at her from another girl. She would have to play to her strengths.

"There's not a lot of information about you, care to spill why?"

"That's the whole point, the less people know, the more of an advantage you have."

"Strange way of thinking, some would say you have an secret to hide and other would say that you have trust issues."

"Then let them talk, the only ones that know the truth would be the ones I believe deserve it. Isn't that one skill needed by an ninja?"

"It is, it's very refreshing seeing an young person talk that way, taking the lessons to heart. I would possibly like in the near future to see your opinion on different matters, would that be alright with you?" It was purely to help build an better profile of this Sakura, a girl whose attention was more on the outside than what was happening in the room. He could see her attention was on the busy market road directly below her, maybe she had never seen such an busy market before so maybe from a small village?

"I don't know, for I don't know who you are. Maybe it depends those who are close to me opinion of you." She turned her head to look at him, though he couldn't see any of her feathers due to the 2 hoods she was wearing though he could feel her gaze on him, probably sizing him up. "I find you when I have an answer."

"Then until that day, I shall be waiting for it." Kabuto smiled, his charms working or so he thought when she turned her attention onto the Uchica next to him.

"Hn. Let's go."

She nodded before standing of the window seat, showing off how tiny she actually was; she didn't reach his shoulder, more middle chest, her bare legs and feet, strange girl, possibly too poor to buy shoes?

"Until next time Kabuto."

"Yes, next time." With that said both Sakura and Sasuke left, the prior glaring at Kabuto before walking behind, quite close to Sakura, he seemed to be hissing in her ear, which she returned with a look which made the boy silent.

What power she must hold over him. Yes, his boss would be very please.

Right now he had to focus passing the first exam.

They were told through an speaker that they had to hand in their applications for their seating assignments card where they would begin the exam with an written paper, Sasuke had gone to get their slips while Naruto was pacing freaking out, he wasn't any good at exams so he would probably fail. Sakura was nervous herself, she wouldn't be able to see what was written on the paper, there would probably be charka in the paper already meaning she couldn't place her own in without it being destroyed.

"Naruto, calm down. You can do this. Answer the questions if you can, we don't care if we end up failing, there are more than one chance. Just don't let the pressure get to you okay?"

"Sakura-chan, you're the best!" Naruto fears had lessened and had calmed down enough when Sasuke had arrived with their seat numbers.

Sakura managed to find her seat with her two body-guards, even then Naruto didn't leave to his spot until the proctor, Ibiki came in with some other ninjas who were all holding clipboards, they sneered at the contestants, which some gulped in fear.

"Welcome to the first part of the exam, there will be no questions, so listen carefully to the rules. You will leave the papers facing downwards until I give the signal, once I have given the signal you will have 1 hour to complete the 10 questions, the 10th question will not be given until the end of that 1 hour. There are also certain rules you must number 1 - Each applicant Begins with an perfect score of 10 points. There are 10 questions worth one point apiece. A point is subtracted every question that is answered number 2 - The exam is an team event. Rule number 3 - Anyone caught attempting to cheat or aiding an cheater will lose 2 points for each offence. Rule number 4 - Anyone who has 0 points, will make their whole team fail, you and your team will then be asked to leave. No questions asked, myself and the ninjas around the room will be watching over your shoulders when you least expect it."

"You can begin now."

The hour was tense, you could hear people basically thinking, writing and even cheating. It was obvious what the aim was, don't get caught cheating, meaning it didn't matter what you put on the paper. When Sakura had worked that out she turned the paper over, surprising some people, especially the ninja's around the side and started to draw, her hooded face staring in the direction of Ibiki, her hand moving on it's own account.

Sasuke had worked out that they had to cheat and figure Sakura would as well meaning he didn't have to worry about her. It was the dobe he was worried about, he wasn't smart so he wouldn't be able to answer an question on his home and they had no way of communicating. He wish that he wouldn't mess up.

Naruto was stressed out, he knew none of the answers to the really-hard-and-really-stupid questions, he didn't want to fail his team. Of course Sakura said it was alright but Sasuke would probably kill him himself. It wasn't fair. At least he was sitting next to Hinata, she offered to give him the answers which he was about to look at until he heard one of the ninjas write an name down, probably his or Hinata. No he would have to do it on his own, he didn't want Hinata failing because of him, he would never live with himself. Right now, everything was riding on the last question.

Hinata wanted Naruto to do well, she had all the correct answers that she copied with her eyes but Naruto had no way. When she offered, her heart started fluttering and she started to stammer when he question her motive, so instead of telling him it was because she loved him, she said that rookies have to stick together. Then he came out with saying that he didn't want to get her in trouble her heart melted, there was an reason why she loved him so much, his kind nature.

"Get ready for the tenth question."

"Before we get to the tenth question itself, there one more rule to add. First you must choose whether or not your doing the final question."

"Choose? What happens if someone doesn't accept the question?" Temari shouted out, saying the question on everyone's mind. Naruto was confused and scared, Sasuke was wondering what the deal was and Sakura just carried on drawing, her hand not stopping for an moment, her gaze not wavering from the form of Ibiki as he paced slightly.

"If you reject the question and don't even bother to try and answer it, you lose all your points and your team would have failed."

"SAY WHAT! Why would anyone choose to reject it?" An random stranger shouted out.

"Because of the other rule. If you try and get the tenth question wrong, you will never be able to apply for the chunin exam ever again."

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!? We know for an fact that there are ninjas here who took the exam more than once already." Kiba shouted out, Akamaru backing from on top of Kiba's head.

"Heh heh, I am making the rules this year. Meaning what I say goes. So anyone with doubts should put their hand up and try again next time. Ready? Then let's begin."

"Number 50! Failed! Take number 130 and 111 with you!"

"Me too.."

"I-I'm sorry guys…"

"I quit too!"

"Me too…"

Naruto was stressing out, he didn't want to fail the question, he wanted to be able to become Hokage. Also he didn't want Sasuke killing him, he would make it look like it was an accident. H could feel his hand going up, shaking as it did, he could hear people, his friends gasping at what they were seeing. He could feel Sasuke glare burning him and he could feel Sakura accepting his decision, she didn't mind what he did, she would support him all the way through because that what teammates do, what family do. So he shouldn't be taking her chance away from her because of his worries. With that in mind he slammed his hand onto the table, looking at Ibiki straight in the eyes and declared;

"NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ME! I DON'T QUIT AND I WILL BECOME HOKAGE EVEN IF I'M STUCK AN GENIN THE REST OF MY LIFE. I'LL ANSWER YOUR STUPID QUESTION! I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU."

"I'll give the chance again, quit while you still can."

"I never go back on my word, that's my shinobi way."

"Anyone else?"

No one else went up, everyone steeled with the determination given from the loud blonde boy, leaving 87 left. He wished that it was lower, Anko is going to have an ball with this how he was outsmarted by the village idiot. But at the moment he didn't care, more people are needed like the blonde. There was no point dragging it out any longer, no one else will quit.

"So everyone who is still here just pass the first exam! Congratulations!"

"HUNH?!"

"The tenth question was if you accepted or rejected the last other questions had a purpose which they goal was to test your skills at spying. The questions were too hard for genii's to handle so we had chunin pretending to be genin so you would have a chance to get the right answers. Anyone who cheated in an clumsy or obvious way failed. Because there may be circumstances where being caught in an act of spying can cost more than your life, it can cost your teammates lives as well. The information you obtain can't be trusted if you can't keep your presence secret from the enemy."

"He's amazing!" Naruto claimed, awe filled eyes.

"The next exam will begin in an hour time's, go to your sensei to receive your information packs, you can leave through the doors you came through."

Once everyone had left, Ibiki went round, picking up the exam papers, the blonde loud-mouth kid hadn't answered an single question, he pass someone with lack of spying skills. How interesting this bunch were. The rest were attempts of answering or the correct answers. The last exam paper he picked up was on the far left, where he could remember an hooded figure watching him all the way through. He wouldn't admit but that person eyes nerved him somehow. Looking at the paper he could see it was turned over and there was an picture that was drawn.

It was an little happy boy who was surrounded by the darkness, blood on his hands, an wooden chair that had straps on it looking into an mirror where there was another version of the same little boy but he was sad, surrounded by the sun, trees, rainbows and an couple of faceless figures.

It shock him seeing the picture, it reminded him why he decided to go into interrogation, so that he wouldn't have another team that he may lose because of his lack of skills in espionage. He decided to keep that picture on him, so when he doubted his skills in his job he could look at it and see what he had lost, and why he was doing his job for.