I'm so, so sorry! Schools been a bitch lately and I haven't been able to keep up. I had the chapter done, but chapter fourteen was being an ass, so I had to wait until it was done to post this. Then I had to wait until today, then I had chess, and, damn it, life sucks.

Also, in case you didn't notice, there's been a bit of change. Somehow, the KG came up somehow even when I didn't want it, but I'd been on a roll, so I had looked it over. It's back to the way it was supposed to be now. Anyways, I'll be trying - attempting - to keep up.

It'll still be every other Thursday, as to give me time with my new schedule, but you can sure as hell count on me to make sure this fanfic gets finished. With love ~Koi

Sakura looked down at the storage scroll in front of her and sighed. "I have the clothes, the kunai, the canteens, the solider pills, the exploding tags, the medic kit, and the trap wire," she whispered to herself, mentally checking off each of them as she pulled them from a shopping bag and laid them down on the floor.

She'd nabbed most of them from her basement, where her mother kept all of her old weapons. Most of the stuff was in good condition, though the exploding tags were a little worn and the kunai had needed to be sharpened.

It didn't matter, though.

She had all the stuff she needed for the survival part of the Chunin Exams. The way her mother had talked about it, it was right after the written test, which meant they weren't supposed to have anything on them.

But, she couldn't be careless. The Exams were full of life or death situations, and she wasn't going to risk getting herself or the boys killed. Naruto needed to become Hokage, and Sasuke… he needed his revenge.

Sakura grabbed the storage scroll she'd nabbed from the basement and started to place all her materials inside. She put the clothes in last – a dark green version of her mock neck and her apron-skirt, two pairs of black cargo pants, two belts, and two dark green muscle shits.

The Haruno didn't want anything to ruin them.

A flash of skin and people would notice them. There was a reason she picked the colors she did; they blended in with the foliage and the shadows it cast. She quickly folded up the clothing and put them in the scroll, rolling it up and placing it in her weapons pouch.

Sakura went over to her closet and pulled on a light pink mock neck that was the same shade as her apron-skirt. She'd thrown the red one, the one given to her as a graduation present, at Ino, who also happened to be the one who'd given it to her.

She wasn't exactly going to ask for it back, that'd be too awkward, but she wasn't going to wear her old dresses. Those weren't exactly easy to fight in, and she never knew when the team would have time to change.

If they had time to change. This was their first time competing in the Chunin Exams, and even if they asked people who had gone through it before, it was bound to be different. Only idiots would re-use the exact same test.

Then everyone would be able to pass it.

The pinkette checked her weapons pouch and her pocket watch before taking her hitai ate off her skirt flap. She grabbed its original cloth from around her thigh bandages and put it back on. Sakura stared down at the Konoha symbol etched into the metal, tracing it with her fingers.

It was proof she was a kunoichi, that she had passed the genin exam. And within the next hour, she'd be starting the Chunin Exams. Sakura smiled and tied the hitai ate around her forehead, pulling the knot tight.

She turned to her mirror and stared at her reflection. Raising her arms up, she posed a bit. The action itself felt silly, something that Ino would do. Still… Sakura turned a bit and smile, winking a bit to make herself look cuter.

She did look good. Maybe if she spent a little longer on her hair in the mornings, made it look a little glossier, then boys might start to notice her. Sasuke might notice her. Maybe he'd even…

"Sakura," Mebuki shouted from the stairs, startling the said girl. The Haruno dropped her arms and whirled around, her face burning.

"What?" she called down hesitantly.

She really hoped no one saw her. Even though her dad always knocked before entering her room, and her mom was obviously downstairs, there was a still a possibility that someone knew what she was doing.

She heard her mother huff. Sakura knew Mebuki hated calling people from across the house. In fact, she only saved it for occasions like right now, when someone was at the door and she couldn't leave without looking disrespectful.

"You're teammate is here!" Mebuki yelled.

Sakura's eyes widened. There was no way in hell that Sasuke would pick her up, in fact, she'd agreed he'd be the last stop since the Uchiha compound was along the route to the Academy, where they'd be taking the test.

Besides, he wasn't that close with her. And even then, it wasn't his style. He'd probably standing in the street, out of view, and send a kunai with a note through her window. Uchiha Sasuke would never show up at anyone's door willingly, let alone Sakura's.

He hated social situations after all, not to mention Ino was almost always at the pinkette's house, so there was a big chance he'd end up running into her. And running into Yamanaka Ino was never on Sasuke's to-do list.

So that meant that the person at the door had to be…

Sakura raced to her bedroom door, throwing at open and sprinted down the stairs. She took them three at a time, something she wouldn't advise to anybody who wanted to keep their bones intact, and jumped the entire landing.

She hit the floor with a bang and ran over towards the front door, where her mother and Naruto stood. Sakura sent him a half-force, half-genuine smile. She didn't feel bad about him being here at all. Her mom had some weird fascination with the boy, after all.

When her father left, she'd always ask how he was doing. But that was when her dad was gone, and right now, she didn't know if he was here or not.

Sakura greeted the Uzumaki with a brief wave before pulling her mom aside, "Kaa-san," she said, "Did Tou-san see him?"

Mebuki shook her head, a small twinkle in her eye. "No, hon," she said softly, "he didn't. And I made sure to talk to him last night about it."

Sakura frowned, "How do you know he listened?" she asked.

A sly smile made its way up her mother's face, "He always listens when we –" Sakura cut her off by throwing her hands over Mebuki's mouth and staring her in the eye for a few seconds.

The green eyed girl turned around and smiled at Naruto, "Hey," she said.

He grinned, "Hey."

Mebuki smiled, her eyes darting between the two. A few awkward seconds passed before her mother clapped her hands together and spoke again. "I'm guessing at this point nether of you have eaten breakfast," she said, looking at them both for a bit, "so…"

She pulled out what looked to be a mini tart filled with sausage, cheese, eggs, and a bit of gravy. They were wrapped up so nothing spilled, but Sakura could see, and smell, them from where she stood.

"Stole this from the oven a while ago," Mebuki said with a wink, "They're a bit cold, but they'll do. Gotta eat if ya wanna fight."

Naruto's face lit up like a Christmas tree, "Really, dattebayo?!" he asked.

Sakura knew for a fact that he didn't get things often. Hokage-sama would give him things for his birthday and for holidays, and Iruka-sensei would treat him to ramen every once in a while, but that was that.

Most of the stuff he had to get for everyday life was sold to him at an unreasonable price; the money the orphanage lent him couldn't keep up. Then again, even they skimped out a bit. Sakura knew what Sasuke lived like; Naruto's lifestyle should have been like that, too.

Well, minus the compound and Uchiha family house.

Mebuki nodded and handed it to the Uzumaki, "If you ever need anything," she said, looking him in the eye, "then come over. Same to Uchiha-san as well." Sakura smiled. Her mother was just too motherly sometimes.

Maybe it was because she grew up knowing she'd be a kunoichi, so she didn't really have time to bond with her own parents. Then again, Sakura found time in her schedule, so maybe Mebuki had as well.

"And speaking of Uchiha-san," the Haruno held up a bag, "There's one for him, too."

Sakura giggled a bit and took both the bag and her own breakfast, "Thanks mom."

Mebuki waved her daughters words off, "Eh, it was nothing," she said, "Now, go and beat the other genin to a bloody pulp. And don't die while you're at it, I wouldn't like that too much." The blond sent Sakura and Naruto off, smiling the entire time.

"Your mom's really cool, 'ttebayo," Naruto said as they made their way to Sasuke's house.

Sakura shrugged, "She was a ninja," the pinkette replied, "She knows how we work."

"Still, 'ttebayo," he said, "She's awesome."

The rest of the way to the Uchiha compound was traveled in silence, the only sound being that of nearby civilians as they made their way through their daily routines. Sakura glanced around her and found that, once again, people were glaring at Naruto.

She watched as women pulled their children aside and whispered for them to never go near the blond. A few shopkeepers flipped their signs from 'open' to 'closed.' One man, who looked to be well over his expiration date, even spat at Naruto's feet, which earned him a glare from Sakura.

"You're a bastard," she said, being as blunt as possible.

He narrowed his eyes and took a step towards her, "You shouldn't be with him, ojou-chan, he's dangerous. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't be acting rude towards an innocent jiji."

Sakura whipped out a kunai and took a step forward.

"Even if he wasn't around," Sakura growled, holding the knife so it gleamed in the sun, "I'd still be rude towards you. You're a disgrace to any and all elders that live in this village."

She left him at that, pocketing her weapon and grabbing Naruto by the wrist.

"Come on," she hissed, "Let's go." She tugged him after her, going at a pace that had him stumbling over his own two feet.

"You'll regret this," a shop owner called, "Once he hurts you, you'll understand."

"An oni!" a kid no older than ten shouted, pointing straight at Naruto. The said boy was hanging his head and biting his lip. "Mama told me that!"

"He's a demon fox!" his mother corrected, pushing her child behind her as she took a step closer, which earned a few gasps and muttered from the passersby who had stopped to watch.

"And you're one as well if you stick with him."

Sakura glanced around her and smiled, "I like to think of him as a Kamigami," she said, raising her voice so people around her could hear. A few civilian's eyes went wide. So it'd spread that far already.

"And I believe I am one, as well."

She turned around and pulled Naruto around a corner and into the Uchiha district, only to bump into Sasuke, who was waiting there for them both. "A Kamigami?" he asked, raising an eyebrow

Sakura blushed a little, "I got caught up in the moment."

He sighed but didn't keep the topic for long.

"We'll go through the back way," he said, "That way your moment won't be ruined."

Sakura rubbed the back of her head and muttered a thanks. "And, Naruto," the Uchiha continued, surprising both Sakura and the said boy by using his real name.

"Keep your head up," Sasuke said, "Demon and proud."

A small grin broke out across Naruto's face, "Demon and proud, 'ttebayo."

Kakashi-sensei jumped down from the Academy's sign, landing right in front of his team. He glanced at each of them for a few seconds, before sighing and running a hand through his hair, "All of you showed."

Sakura scoffed, "Of course."

Naruto nodded, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, dattebayo!"

"Hn," Sasuke grunted out, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Kakashi-sensei laughed, "You've all changed, too" he said. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows a little. "You've warmed up to each other. You've matured. You've become more confident in yourselves and in your abilities."

"Aw, shucks, sensei," Naruto said, "You don't have to compliment us so much, 'ttebayo."

Sakura smacked him upside the head, though her blow was more playful than anything.

"I'm proud of you three," Kakashi-sensei continued, "And I have no doubts that you'll all pass." And with that, he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Sasuke shook his head, "Flashy as always," he grunted out. Sakura giggled at his words. He glanced over to her and smiled a bit.

Naruto leaned towards the building, a hand cupped over his ear.

Sakura had learned over the course of her time with him that he had better senses than almost everyone on the team, though Kakashi-sensei's sense of smell was better than all three of theirs combined.

"Everyone's loud, 'ttebayo" the whiskered boy said, "I can hear it from here."

"A commotion?" Sakura asked. "What're they saying?"

The Uzumaki shook his head, "I can't tell, dattebayo, too many voices." He leaned away from the building and turned to Sasuke, "What do we do, 'ttebayo?"

He looked at Naruto like he'd turned into the Kyubi no Yonko or something, "Me?" the Uchiha asked, baffled.

Naruto rolled his eyes, "You're the smart one," he said.

Sakura faced him and raised an eyebrow. "Er, the tactical one, 'ttebayo?" he tried. Sakura puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel and huffed. Sasuke smirked a bit. "The… good… looking one?"

Sakura gave up trying to torment him. "You mean he's the better leader," Sakura tried, forcing down a few giggles.

"Yeah, 'ttebayo," he said with a nod, "that. So, teme, what do we do, 'ttebayo."

Sasuke glanced back to the door, then to the Academy's wall.

"It's best we avoid the crowd," he said, starting towards the building. He glanced over his shoulder and smirked, "Anyone remember how to climb without their hands?"

Sakura blinked, confused for a few seconds, before a sly smile made its way up her lips. Beside her, Naruto broke out into a full grin. "Race ya!" he shouted, sprinting to the wall.

"Oi!" Sasuke shouted, racing after him.

Their rivalry would never get old.

Sakura erupted into laughter and ran behind them, pumping her legs as hard as she could. She wasn't the fastest of the group, that title belonged to Sasuke, but she wasn't the slowest, ether.

The pinkette closed in on Naruto, passing him up slightly.

In front of her, Sasuke made contact with the wall. Less than a half meter up, he stuck his foot on the ledge of a window and pushed himself forward. "No hands!" Naruto yelled, close behind.

Sakura continued up the stone after the Uchiha, grabbing the same window sill he did and hoisting herself up higher. "Sakura-chan!" Naruto whinnied, "No cheating, 'ttebayo!"

"Shinobi," Sasuke said, "Remember?" Sakura reached up and grabbed a hold of his shirt, tugging him down.

"And we always play dirty," she added with a wink, running past him.

He growled and sprinted after, Naruto right next to him. The Haruno passed the second floor window, pressing her foot onto the sill like Sasuke had done and pushing forward.

Sakura felt pride swell in her chest.

She wasn't watching their backs. She was worth something, she had to be. Sasuke was the genius who knew everything, and Naruto was the ninja that grew by leaps and bounds.

And she was in front of them, winning a race.

As she reached up to grip the third levels window, two hands reached out and grabbed her wrists. She glanced at her sides to find teammates. She blinked, then grinned. She swung her arms together, and Naruto and Sasuke followed.

They smacked into each other, their lips connecting.

Both of them immediately lost their concentration, pushing away from each other as they fell to the earth.

Sasuke hit the ground and rolled over on his side, hacking and coughing.

Naruto spat on the grass multiple times and tried to wipe off his tongue.

It was true entertainment.

Sakura couldn't control her giggles as she yanked open the window and threw herself inside. Righting her position, she took a few seconds to get used to standing upright again before poking her head out the window and waving down at the boys.

"Having fun?" she sang through her laughter.

Sasuke's head shot up so fast that it was a miracle he didn't break his neck.

"Why you conniving little bitch," he growled, stalking towards the wall. Naruto hissed out a low 'dattebayo' and followed right after.

Sasuke crawled through the window and into the hallway. As soon as he straightened, Sakura realized that he was at least half a head taller than her.

Gulping, Sakura backed away from the boy, "Now, now," she said.

In less than two strides, he was towering in front of her.

Grabbing her arm, the Uchiha tugged her into a headlock and dug his fist into the top of her skull. "Ita!" Sakura yelled out in pain.

He kept the position until Naruto popped in.

Sakura wiggled out of Sasuke's arms and scuttled away from him, smoothing down her hair. She hissed at him a bit and he rolled his eyes in response. Naruto ignored them and continued down the hall.

"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke said, "Where are you going."

Naruto turned around and grinned.

Sakura knew that grin. It was the same one he'd thrown on their first day as a team when he'd lodged an eraser full of chalk in the doorway. That grin meant he'd be doing something stupid.

And something that'd definitely give Sakura a memory she'd never remember.

Naruto held his fingers up in familiar a cross sign that the Haruno knew all too well. He whispered the name of his jutsu and made a kage bunshin. It poofed into place beside him and leaned its head towards its creator.

Naruto cupped a hand around his mouth and bent down to speak into the bunshin's ear. The chakra clone nodded at its original and scampered towards the stairwell. It turned around and looked at Naruto. The blond grinned once more and held up a thumb.

"Do it," he whispered. The clone giggled a bit and headed down the stairs.

"Naruto," Sakura started, only to be cut off by the said boy.

"Shhh," he said, holding a finger to his lips. Sakura immediately shut up. Naruto smiled again and motioned for his teammates to come forwards.

Sakura nodded and followed, poking her head into the stairwell.

Sasuke was close behind, mumbling a few things under his breath. She watched with the boys as Naruto's bunshin made it way towards the doorway the lead to the second floor.

"Commence Operation Annoy the Completion," Naruto ordered with a whisper.

The bunshin nodded once again and opened the door.

"Oi, 'ttebayo," it called.

Every head in the second floor hallway snapped towards it. Naruto held up a hand sign and whistped a quick 'kai.' Sakura glanced up at the marker and watched in amazement as it changed from a three to a two.

She looked over towards the window and found a small, blond strand of hair wedged in the window. So that's why it took his so long; he was checking out what the commotion was.

'The kids smarter than he looks,' the voice commented. Sakura scowled and told it to shut up. She turned her attention back to Naruto's kage bunshin.

Everyone was staring at it. Some with annoyance and some with confusion. Sakura recognized the rest of her graduation class, along with team Gai. Not a single one of them was looking at the marker.

The bunshin grinned cheekily and stuck its thumb out behind it, "The third floors up here."

Beside her, Naruto held out his hands for high fives. Both Sasuke and Sakura shared a look of amusement and smacked their open palms down onto Naruto's. The boys clone retreaded back up the stairs and into the hallway before disappearing with a pop.

"Let's do this," Sakura whispered.

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, 'ttebayo."

"We'll win," Sasuke said, "And we'll become Chunin."