A/N: I'm back at last! Though there were only a few I must thank everyone and anyone who wished me well last week. The past week has given me a bit of time to clear my head and I've spent the past few days deciding what's gonna happen now. So I'm telling you all now, prepare for NaruHinaHaku fluff, ShikaTema fluff, and maybe even GaarHaku fluff! A lemon will occur between Naruto and Hinata after the Chuunin Exams and Destruction of Konoha. Ok so here we go the tenth chapter's here!

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Chapter 10: The Ninja from Sunagakure and the Chuunin Exams

Beep! Beep! Be-Smash!

"I hate alarm clocks," a certain blonde fox-boy said sleepily, turning his head to look at the alarm clock that was now pinned to the wall by a kunai.

"And I hate you Kit, but now it's time to get out of bed and go meet your precious Hinata-chan and Haku-chan for morning training," Kyuubi said to his container. Naruto mumbled something under his breath about how wished there was a jutsu to make people shut up till he wanted them to speak again.

After a quick shower, and an even quicker breakfast of ramen, Naruto got out his new training outfit that he brought, at a ridiculously high price, the day before and threw it on. The outfit was of a midnight-blue that looked exactly like Hinata's hair, with fiery red-orange swirls in various places. The sleeves had bracers pinned securely into the forearm area, and shin guards in the lower leg area. The metal used for it was similar to what was used in forging kunai and shuriken, but it was slightly denser, which made it more protective but at the same time, heavier. After grabbing his tools pouch and kunai holster, both brand new as well, and filled with new shuriken, kunai, and various other tools, Naruto headed off to meet Hinata.

Upon arriving at the clearing where he and his girlfriend trained, Naruto was surprised for two reasons. First off, his girlfriend was here before him, which happened only on rare occasions since she often had to cook breakfast for the Main House before leaving. Second, there was someone else training with her. Naruto immediately recognized the long black locks of his newest friend, who had been an enemy only a couple of weeks ago.

As he watched the two practice, he observed the ice mistress counter the Hyuuga heiress's Jyuuken by using senbon, holding three in each hand, one between each finger. He was surprised, since even he hadn't discovered a way yet to counter Hinata's family's taijutsu style other than simply dodging. He walked up and shouted, "Oi, Hinata-chan, Haku-chan, what are you two up to?" The two kunoichi stopped abruptly and turned to the blonde, both with a smile on their faces.

The midnight-blue said, "I was just showing Haku-chan where we regularly train and my Jyuuken. She's even better at fighting against it than you, Naruto-kun." Haku blushed at the compliment and asked her fellow kunoichi, "Was I really all that great Hinata-chan? I was certain that Naruto-kun here would be far better against it than I am."

"I saw you Haku-chan, and I got to say that I'm really impressed. Hinata-chan rarely uses her Jyuuken when we spar since I can't counter it well and all I can really do is dodge," Naruto explained. Haku started to blush even more, still not being used to being praised for her skill. Naruto then said, "I really want to see that one technique you used against Sasuke-teme and the dog-boy back when you fought them on the bridge."

The ice mistress was rather surprised by the fox-boy's request, since the only time she used her Makyō Hyō Shō was when she was serious about a fight and intended to kill. A lazy voice then said from somewhere in the trees, "Same here, since I never really got a good look at it because of Zabuza's Kirigakure no Jutsu." The genius of Squad 10 then hoped down out of a tree with a smirk on his face. All three of them were surprised since Shikamaru never really moved to do anything and that it was only about six in the morning. He raised an eyebrow at the trio and asked, "What's wrong with you three, you look like you've seen a ghost or something?"

The blonde then said, "Well, it's just that…" the midnight-blue continued, "You never really move…" and the black-haired Chuunin finished, "To do anything, Shikamaru-san."

The lazy Nara sighed and thought, "Great, they're around each other so much that they're starting to finish each other's sentences." With pure laziness in his voice he said, "I knew you three would be here and I just wanted a glimpse of Haku's best technique, though it was troublesome as hell to get up so damn early."

Naruto smirked slightly and then said, "I've got an idea. If Haku-chan is good enough to stop Hinata-chan's Jyuuken with just senbon, I want to see how good she is against all three of us."

Hinata then said back, "Naruto-kun, I think that would be unfair, three against one. How about something more fair, like, you and Shikamaru-san versus me and Haku-chan?" Naruto was about to answer his girlfriend when the ice mistress put in, "Hinata-chan, I think it would be a good test for me to face the best of the rookie Genin at the same time."

Naruto smiled at this and said, "Looks like it will be the three of us versus you Haku-chan, unless the lazy genius here has something to say."

Shikamaru sighed and simply said, "Sure, whatever." He then mumbled under his breath, "Troublesome blonde, troublesome women."

In what went quickly from a friendly sparring session between friends to a heated contest, Squad 10 eventually found themselves completely out-classed, even with Hinata's Byakugan and Naruto using Kyuubi's chakra for a boost. After half an hour, Naruto admitted defeat since they just couldn't catch Haku as she jumped from mirror to mirror while throwing senbon at them.

After everyone had plucked out all the senbon, in Naruto's case he looked like a porcupine before he did so, they all sat down and talked about the upcoming Chuunin Exam for about fifteen minutes. After resting enough, Shikamaru left to get back home before his "troublesome" mother got mad and hit him over the head with a rolling pin for going out so early without leaving a note.

The fox-boy, Hyuuga heiress, and ice mistress kept talking though, until well past seven thirty, when Naruto got up and said he was going home to clean up. Hinata and Haku waved the blonde off as he left, and then the kunoichi duo head off for the Hyuuga complex to get themselves ready. As they walked through the streets of Konoha, they saw that several shops and stands were open or just opening.

When the two were about five minutes from the Hyuuga complex, Haku said, "You truly do love Naruto-kun, don't you Hinata-chan?" the white-eyed girl was slightly surprised by her friend's question and blushed fiercely. Shyly, Hinata said, "Yes, I really love him, because… he's always been my inspiration, but he's also everything I'm not. He's outspoken, fearless, and handsome." Hinata's face was no so red it looked like it was ready to explode.

Haku giggled lightly and said, "You're more like him than you think, Hinata-chan. You may not be as brave or willing to speak your mind, but I think that your beauty is equal to his handsomeness." Hinata was blushing as furiously as ever, and stayed that way until the pair reached the Hyuuga complex. After both Hinata and Haku had cleaned themselves up, they went out to find Naruto and Shikamaru since they had planned to meet Asuma later that day.

Hokage Tower Later that Morning

"It's good for all of you to have come on such short notice," said Sarutobi to the large group of Chuunin, Jounin, and Special Jounin standing in front of him. Many however, didn't hear the Professor, as their attention was focused on the large man with bandages on his neck and mouth and with the large sword on his back. Finally, a man who was similar in height to Zabuza, Morino Ibiki, spoke up, "Hokage-sama, what the hell is Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of Kirigakure, doing here, and why is wearing a Konoha Jounin vest?"

The Sandaime took a puff on his pipe and calmly said, "Ibiki-san, Zabuza-san is the newest Special Jounin in Konoha and will become a full Jounin in one month's time after his probation period has ended." This news shocked everyone except for a certain bearded chain smoking Jounin and his fellow silver-haired, one-eyed Jounin. As many of those present began to talk amongst themselves, Sarutobi cleared his voice and said, "I've called you all here for three reasons, first, is to announce the return of one of my former students, and one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, to Konoha. Second, is to inform you all that another of my old students and another of the Sannin, Orochimaru, has been reported to be the leader of the newly formed Otogakure no Sato, and has set his eyes on invading and possibly destroying our village. This information reached my through Tsunade, who has promised me to remain here in Konoha until this matter is resolved. The third and final reason I summoned you here is to announce the start of the Chuunin Selection Exam. A week from today on the first of July, Genin from various villages will gather. I am sure that many of you Jounin here are planning on having your squads enter, but I need to receive recommendations from you first." The aging Hokage looks over the group before him and then continues.

"I would first like to begin with the three rookie squads from this year." The Sandaime nods to Kakashi who steps up and says, "I, Hatake Kakashi, lead Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino, and Uchiha Sasuke in Squad 7. I recommend all three of these Genin for the Chuunin Selection Exam."

Next, Kurenai stepped up and said, "I, Yuhi Kurenai, lead Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura, and Akamichi Chouji in Squad 8. I recommend all three of these Genin for the Chuunin Selection Exam."

Finally, Asuma stepped up taking a drag on his cigarette and said, "I, Sarutobi Asuma, lead Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, and Nara Shikamaru in Squad 10. I recommend all three of these Genin for the Chuunin Selection Exam."

Out of everyone present, no one was more shocked by this then Iruka. He was about to say something when Kakashi said, "Iruka, I know how you must feel about these kids, but they are our subordinates now and not your students. All three of us feel that they are ready for the trials to become Chuunin." Iruka was left speechless. Asuma then finished his cigarette and flicking it away he said, "Iruka, don't worry about it, they'll be fine. I'm almost certain anyway that out of the nine rookies at least one of them will become a Chuunin, and the one I got in mind may be lazier than a stump, but he'll become a Chuunin no sweat."

The Professor took another puff of his pipe and then said, "Very well then. Now, moving on…"

Streets of Konoha

Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata and Haku had all met up, and were walking to the spot where the Squad 10 members were to meet Asuma. As they turned a corner into one of the cleaner backstreets, they saw Ino, Kiba, a small boy with a runny nose, messy brown hair, and goggles on his head, and a small girl with a constant blush in her cheeks, orange hair done up in two braids, and with similar goggles. They were standing next to two people, one of them, a shinobi in a black, full-body suit with what looked like cat ears on top and a large, bandaged tool on his back. Next to him was a kunoichi with blonde hair done back in four pig-tails and a large fan on her back. The guy in the body suit had a kid with spiky, dark brown hair, a blue scarf around his neck, and goggles similar to the one the other small boy and girl had. They could clearly tell that something bad was happening and ran over to see what was going on.

"Put Konohamaru-chan down!" the little, orange-haired girl cried, tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Just put the kid down, you cat-eared freak! It was nothing but an accident!" Ino yelled. The guy, who from Ino's point of view could be seen that he had a large amount of purple makeup on his face, smirked. The blonde behind him said, "Put the brat down Kankurou, we'll get in trouble!"

Kankurou snapped back, "Shut it Temari! It's shitty weaklings like these that just make me want to kill them; and I'm gonna start with this trash that bumped into me." Kankurou tightened his grip on Konhamaru's scarf, causing him to gasp for air. Temari spat inwardly then said, "I'm not involved in this."

The dog-boy then ran at him yelling, "Let him go bastard!" Kankurou's smirk widened and he flicked the ring finger on his free hand slightly. Instantly, Kiba fell head over heels, literally.

From where they were running, Naruto's group saw this and they all recognized it as the Puppet Technique. While running, Naruto picked up a rock and hurled it at Kankurou, hitting him on the hand and freeing Konohamaru. The puppet user looked at the fox-boy and spat, "More Leaf Genin trash?!"

Temari looked at Naruto then at Shikamaru and thought, "Those two are kinda hot, especially the lazy looking one." Kankurou meanwhile, pulled the bandaged tool off his back and slammed it to the ground. Temari was knocked from her thoughts and looked at Kankurou wide-eyed saying, "You're not actually going to use the Karasu are you?!"

"Kankurou," a cold emotionless voice said from the tree next to where Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Haku were standing. "Stop acting like a fool, you're an embarrassment to our village." The voice belonged to a red-haired shinobi who was dressed in black and dark brown robes, with a white sash where his headband hung. He also had a large gourd on his back and a red kanji tattoo that read, "love." Kankurou was shaking in his sandals at the sight of the boy and mumbled, "He-Hey Gaara." The ninja then disappeared in a whirl of sand and reappeared in front of Naruto.

The boy turned and said, "I apologize of Kankurou's behavior, he can be a horrible baka at times." Naruto however wasn't paying attention, since he was focused on the dark circles under the redhead shinobi's eyes. He also noticed the faint smell of blood coming from his gourd. That's when he heard Kyuubi in the back of his mind say, "This brat… Ichibi no Shukaku is sealed inside of him. Keep an eye on him Kit, that damn Tanuki never was right in the head." The blonde nodded inwardly and refocused on the boy in front of him.

As he and the other two ninja turned to leave, Ino walked up and said, "Hey you three, you're from Sunagakure, what are you doing here in Konoha?"

The fox-boy looked at his fellow blonde, Konoha Genin and says, "They're here for the Chuunin Exam." He then turned to the three Sunanin and asked, "You with the gourd, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, what's your name?" The sand master turned and said, "Gaara, Sabaku no Gaara." With that, the three Suna siblings headed off to their apartment.

Naruto turned to the Hyuuga heiress, the ice mistress, and the shadow master and said, "I think we'd best go and meet Asuma-sensei now." The three nodded and they headed off to the Academy where they would meet the chain smoking Jounin, leaving a bewildered and confused Ino, Kiba, and Konohamaru Corps.

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A/N: Alright still not up for writing super long chapters, but the Chuunin Exam has begun… well kind of. Anyway, I am now looking for Beta readers after this chapter. I just need a vote for whether you people want to see Hayate die at the end of the prelims. It may be early but whatever. As always review and I kindly ask for no flames. See you at the Chuunin Exams.