Note: This chapter features a lot of introductions and very little action. Please bear with me for this one, I promise the next chapter will be SO much better! Believe it! (I really have been in this world for too long XD). If you haven't read Naruto, I apologize even more so; these next few chapters are going to be rough…

…and if you HAVE read Naruto, and are a fervent fan, I throw myself at your feet and beg for your reconciliation! XD

We now return to our regularly scheduled Chapter 25 (already in progress…)

The group stayed back while Kakashi went ahead to get a spot in line. They relaxed under the shade of a tree, when suddenly-

"SASUKE-KUN!" A girl with a long blonde pony-tail and a purple blouse came from nowhere and glomped Sasuke on the back. "I didn't think I'd get to see you before the exam started! You have no idea," she said whispering into his ear, "how much I've missed you this last week…"

"Get off him, Ino-pig!" Sakura yelled, pointing her finger at the girl.

"Oh, hello Sakura-chan. Still trying to make the Big Forehead look happen?" Ino teased. "That's so cute!"

"Oh great," Naruto grumbled, folding his arms. "Another Sasuke groupie."

"Oh, don't tell me you guys are taking the exam, too?" A boy with short black hair and a very sour sneer came from the same direction as Ino. He was followed by a rather chubby boy, who was attacking a bag of chips. "This is going to be a huge pain…"

This conversation seems so familiar… Sukotto pondered, the déja vu sinking in. Oh, wait. This is almost exactly what happened in the Naruto manga…I wonder if the exam is going to be the same way?

"Aw, come on, Shika-kun! Lighten up for once!" Meari punched Shikamaru's shoulder and laughed. She turned to Sukotto and Saimon. "This is the Asuma cell, #10, Ino-chan, Shikamaru-kun and Choji-kun!"

"Nice to meet you!" Sukotto offered a hand to Shikamaru, who snorted.

"That goody-goody stuff will get you killed in this exam. Are you serious about entering?"

"Oh, I'm not entering, I'm-"

"-a cheerleader?"

Saimon walked up to Shikamaru and smirked. "What's with that sneer? Is it supposed to frighten off all the scary ninja? Keep it on there long enough and it might stay that way." Shikamaru grunted, then walked away with a roll of his eyes, Choji following in his stead.

"Hmm?" Ino looked over Sasuke's shoulder at Saimon. "Who are you?"

Saimon turned. "Guran Saimon. You're Ino-san, right?"

"Yeah…" A slight pinkish glow began to crawl over Ino's face. "Hey… uh…you-"

"Ino-chan!! We're next up!" Choji called to the girl from the registration line. "Come on, I don't wanna wait around here anymore!" Shikamaru had already returned to Asuma-sensei, their Cell leader, and was waiting with some impatience.

"On my way! Just hold on a minute!" Ino released Sasuke and began to walk back to her group. She stopped and called over her shoulder. "If you want… you can call me… Ino-chan…" With that, she hurried over to Shikamaru and Choji without a backward glance.

There was a small silence before Sukotto turned to Saimon.

"Good job, Saimon-kun!" Sukotto gave Saimon a thumb up. "She definitely has a thing for you!"

"You think so?" Saimon was clearly distracted from the conversation.

Meari snorted. "Can you spell 'oblivious?'"

"No kidding!" Naruto laughed. "This guy is completely clueless!"

"Oh… H-Hi, Naruto-kun…" A blue-haired girl with white eyes and a shy smile had made her way over. "You… you came… I'm… uh… I'm really happy you're here…"

"Oh, hey, Hinata-chan!" Naruto turned back to Saimon. "Really! I mean, how can you not notice that kinda stuff?!"

"Naruto-kun, you are SUCH a loser!" A boy appeared behind Hinata. A white dog with brown ears was perched upon the ninja's long, shaggy black hair, and red war paint decorated his face. The brunet beside him said nothing. His mouth was hidden behind his jacket collar, and his dark sunglasses completely concealed his eyes.

"You wanna say that to my face, Kiba?!" Naruto shook his fist towards the shinobi.

"Sure! LOSER!" Kiba laughed, and Hinata began to nervously twiddle her fingers together.

"You're sounding pretty confident, Kiba-kun." Sasuke spoke up, a menacing grin on his face.

"I am! We've been training like mad, and we sure as hell won't lose to you!"

"Oh yeah?! Why don't we go into the forest over there and-"

"I'm Sukotto!" Sukotto interrupted the argument with an over-enthusiastic laugh and a handshake to Kiba. "This is Saimon-kun, here! It's nice to meet you!" Sukotto looked up to the small puppy. "This is Akamaru-kun, right? Good boy!" Sukotto reached out to pet the dog.

RUFF! GRRRRR! CHOMP!!

"It's okay! It doesn't hurt that much! Just let go, okay? Please?!" Akamaru released Sukotto's hand and made a sound resembling laughter. The group chuckled, then the three followed the previous group to go register.

"Meari-chan, that third guy was…Shino-kun, right?" Saimon asked, recalling back to his Naruto graphic novels. "I can't remember too much… What do you have on him?"

"Shino-kun? Not much." Meari shrugged. "But they say he's a pretty good fighter." She gave him a quizzical look. "Why?"

"He… he felt different… than the others… Like he wasn't… alone… My swords agree with me…" He sighed at the weird looks the other two gave him. "I'm just saying he's someone you should watch out for, Meari-chan."

The group nodded, and then got out of their mini-huddle to rejoin with the rest.

"Amazing…" Sakura regarded as the last two teams finished their registration. "All three rookie teams from Konohagakure are here…"

"Oh, right. This is your first time taking the test, isn't it?"

"Yeah. We just passed the Academy exam this year… It's unheard of that so many teams should go to the exams without at least a couple years of experience…"

"Well, then," Sukotto clapped his hands together, "all the more reason to do your best! Let's go get you guys registered. Kakashi-sensei's almost at the counter."

The gang walked over to one of the many small booths that had been set up outside the city gates. They were in time to see Kiba's team enter the gates, accompanied by their Jônin leader, Kurenai-sensei. The attendant at the counter waved for the next group in line, and Kakashi went forward, beckoning the group behind him.

"Kakashi Hatake, Cell 7 from Konohagakure." The attendant checked a long list.

"Another rookie team… hmm?" The attendant looked up at the group and raised an eyebrow. "It seems you misunderstood the test rules, Kakashi-san."

"Ah, not quite." Kakashi leaned in to whisper to the attendant. The group strained their ears, but couldn't hear a word. Kakashi stepped back and the attendant nodded. "The Hokage has already given me consent. I have the necessary documents." Kakashi produced some passport-shaped booklets to the counter.

"Very well. Uzumkai Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke, please?" The named three stepped forward. "Take these identification papers to the city hall down the main street." The group hesitantly took their passports and followed the direction the attendant was pointing, Sakura turning to look back before going in after the boys.

"Uh, Sensei… what's going on?" Meari asked nervously as the other half of the group passed the security guards into Hayashigakure.

"You did read the entrance requirements for the exam, did you not?" Meari nodded. "Then, you'll know that only teams of three are permitted to take part in the exam?"

"I do, but you said you'd take care of that!"

"And I did. You have your team of three right here."

"I don't…" Meari gasped, turning to Saimon and Sukotto.

"What is- ohhh…"

"Wait… wait… are you telling me-"

"Cell 13, Bobaku Meari, Suchuwa Sukotto and Guran Saimon, please?"

---

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Saimon broke the tension as the attendant held out picture ID to the three. "YOU WANT US TO GO IN THE EXAM, TOO?!"

"Saimon-kun, you're attracting a lot of attention…"

"I DON'T CARE! YOU JUST THOUGHT YOU'D GO AHEAD AND NOT TELL US ANYTHING UNTIL WE GOT HERE?!"

"Would it have changed anything?" Saimon made a move to retort, but stopped. "The fact remains that Meari-chan can't take the exam unless she's in a group of three genin. If I had told you this, would you have turned down her chance to become a chûnin?" Saimon and Sukotto remained silent. "And I wouldn't have entered you if I hadn't believed you to be adequate."

"You were planning this since Meari-chan told you about us, weren't you?" Sukotto realised. "Becoming a genin wasn't necessary to go on this trip with her after all… and that training… you were preparing us. At the same time, you were keeping us in the dark so that we'd still be able to keep Meari-chan confident."

"That was the idea…"

Sukotto frowned, folding his arms. "And if we hadn't come when we did?"

Kakashi sighed. "Meari-chan would've had to wait for an opening in a pre-existing squad. That being said, there's a good chance she would've had to wait until next year, possibly later."

"So you thought you'd bet her potential future on such a slight chance just so you could-"
"'KOTTO-KUN! SHUT UP!" Sukotto's mouth instantly snapped shut. "That stuff doesn't matter! You managed to come in time, didn't you? You decided to travel here with us, and now we've made it! The both of you aren't gonna quit on me, right?" The boys looked at each other, and nodded. "Right. So let's not think about what could've happened and just be glad that everything worked out for the best, 'kay?" The boys paused, then nodded again.

Meari went forward and took her ID passport. Saimon followed her example, and Sukotto sighed and took his as well. Kakashi smiled. "I wish you luck. Stick together, you three." The group turned and walked through the large wooden gate, entering Hayashigakure, the city hall dead ahead.

Well, we survived the first of many gruelling exam chapters! If you're still reading, thank you for sticking it to the end! Take some Omake as your reward! (More groans) Oh, quiet!

OMAKE!

Welcome to the third edition of Owari: Interview with the Characters! Today, we have own element-girl5, the fire shinobi of Konohagakure, Chibi-ko!

Meari: My name is Bobaku Meari, Baka-suke!

Kotto: Oh, of course. I wonder how that got on my sheet. (snigger)

M: (Glare) You're asking for it, ya know?

K: Yeah, but I'll take my chances. (Ahem), so, are you ready for the review? We have a pretty good turnout. I guess Saimon-kun really was just unpopular.

From far away: SAY IT ONE MORE TIME, YOU BASTARD!

M: (Laughs). Yep, I'm good. Shoot.

K: Okay, then! Question 1: Do you have an anime role model?

M: Yeah, a couple. Shippo (Inuyasha) , Hinata Hyuga (Naruto), Haruhi (Ouran High School Host Club), Sakura the Cardcaptor and Mokona!

K: Mokona's your role model?

M: So?

K: That explains a fair amount.

M: (Punches Sukotto).

K: OW! I WAS JOKING! Question 2: Do you have any pets?

M: Lots! ...Do dead pets count?

K: …No… (What the…?)

M: Then I have a German Shepard, a cockatiel, and a monkey!

K: A MONKEY?! REALLY?!

M: No, that's just my sister.

K: (Clearly disappointed) Oh… darn… Question 3: What is your favourite ninjutsu technique?

M: Anything with fire! My parents always told me not to play with it, but I do anyway! WEEE!

K: (Pulls fire extinguisher closer to chair) Question 4: Your weapon of choice?

M: Long distance stuff! Bows, arrows, kunai, shuriken, stuff like that!

K: Which would explain your addiction to kunai?

M: Quiet! I like them!

K: And you said Saimon-kun and I were like kids with a new toy… (OW!) Question 5: What's your favourite caffeinated drink?

M: Uh… well… er…

K: Come on, Meari-chan.

M: Okay, I'll spill! I drink Sobe Energy drink mixed with Red Bull sometimes!

K: EGAD!

M: Yeah, it gets you awake pretty fast…Don't drink it if you're already wired, though…

K:… That cannot be healthy… Question 6: If you could Order Sukotto-kun to do one really embarrassing thing before you lose your power over him, what would it be? …Do I want the answer to that one?

M: (Evil glare…)

K: Meari-chan…

M:Makehimtapdanceinhisunderwearwhilesinging'DoYouLoveMe?' ButImnotsayingIwanttoseehisbodyoranythinglikethatIjustthinkitwouldbereallyfunnytomakehimdothat

K:… I am SO glad I didn't understand a word of that…

M: Maybe it's for the best…

K: Question 7: If you could be a vampire or a pirate, which one would you choose and why?

M: I'd say the vampire. As long as I'd be okay in sunlight.

K: You could probably get away with that. Fai-san did.

M: Good, cuz I've been having this pain in my neck for a while and I can't seem to find myself in the mirror. (Smiles to reveal fangs.)

K: (Screams and falls out of chair). OH MY GOD!

M: (Starts laughing and pulls out fake teeth.) You're SO gullible!

K: (breathing heavily) That…was…not…funny…

M: HEEHEE!

K: Question 8: Is it true that you and Saimon-kun danced together?

M: (Blushes) Uh… yeah… BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR P.E! NOTHING HAPPENED!

K: Didn't you tell me he was a good dancer afterward?

M: S-SHUT UP!

K: (Evil snicker) Question 9: Out of all the Ouran High School Host Club "types", which one do you look for in a guy?

M: Hm… I suppose the Natural type, like Haruhi.

K: Not the Prince-type?

M: No, I think Haruhi was the best host in the series (expect for the fact that… well… you know).

K: Hm…

M: What? Does that displease you, Tamaki-kun?

K: (Slaps hand over mouth) Don't call me that here!

M: Okay… (Tama-chan…)

K: Question 10: Is there anything going on between you and Suko- Wait, WHAT?!

M: (Wide-eyed stare)

K: Who keeps putting these in here?!

Same trio from last time high-five in audience.

K: (Squints) Don't I know them?

Blonde with Lunch Bag: Emi-chan! The smoke-bomb!

Red-head with Smoke Bomb: Got it, Samasa-chan! (Drops, explosion of smoke) BOOM!

Brunette with Green Eyes: Bye, "Tamaki-kun"! (Three scurry away)

K: Damn it, they are going to get it, BIG TIME! (Turns to Meari-chan, who is giving him a death glare) What?

M: SUKOTTO-KUN! BEAT YOURSELF UP!

K: MEAR- (BANG, BAM, BLEED)

M: While he's busy with that, (turns to audience) I'm secretly going to be running an extra special interview for 'Kotto-kun! So send in your questions, please!

K: OOF! OWW! IIIEEEEEEE!

M SUKOTTO-KUN! STOP!

K: (Collapses to ground) I think I just kicked myself in the head…

M: Heehee! See you next time!