"What's with all the noise," A familiar groggy voice cuts through the heavy and emotional atmosphere like a ray of sunshine through cloud cover.

"Take it easy Naruto," I say looking over at the blond who is barely able to processes his surroundings. "I have no clue what that bastard did and we have no idea how it will affect you."

"What happened Kokoro," Naruto asks in a dazed tone. "And why are team 8 and 10 here."

"I activate an emergency protocol that I set up with Shikamaru and Kiba before the exam started," I state informing both my team members of the situation. "After analysing the situation we all decided that it would be best to work together for maximum strength. I already obtained an earth scroll after killing off that sound team while you were both unconscious. We are now discussing battle strategies and I proposed that we mix up the teams a bit to give an element of surprise. We might also have company in the form of Gai-sensei's students since Rock Lee witnessed me taking out the sound team."

"Wait hold on," Sasuke says mood shifting drastically. "You took on an entire team while heavily injured. I thought we already talked about your reckless and borderline suicidal behaviour Kokoro!"

"They attacked me first and I had the advantage since I had already set up my Okami no Kuchi." I state knowing that Naruto and Sasuke are very familiar with that trap set up. "They were trying to eliminate Sasuke while he was still knocked out on Orochimaru's orders."

"Please tell me you don't have it up anymore," Naruto says shivering at the memory of when we tested the trap using his shadow clones. "That thing is brutal."

Sasuke shakes his head, "I don't think the other teams would be able to stand in the clearing if it was still up, Naruto."

"Kiba and Akamaru helped me dismantle the majority of it before the others arrived. Though we kept the corpses suspended as a warning to those that come across our territory, kinda." I reply with a fanged grin.

Naruto scratches the back of his head, "Not gonna lie but that feature of your traps has always disturbed me."

"Wait you actually design the traps to do that," Ino cries. "That is really creepy Kokoro."

I smile like a wolf hidden among sheep, "Oh come on Ino, and it's all in the name of psychological warfare, kinda."

"We should return to our focus back to developing our strategies," Shino say sensing the wayward direction the conversation and atmosphere has taken. "We are in a position that is time sensitive."

"I say that Chouji, Kiba, Akamaru and Naruto scout out and collect resources while keeping their eyes out for signs of enemy activity in the area surrounding here." I say drawing an outline in the dirt.

"Then Shikamaru, Sasuke, Ino and Hinata can scout for enemy groups carrying the scroll we need further out ward," Shino adds.

"That would leave Shino, Aōko and Kokoro to secure a defensive perimeter and alarm system around our home base here," Shikamaru say nodding in agreement.

"Hey-"I start.

"It makes sense Kokoro considering your medical condition is the worst of all of us," Sasuke says siding with Shino and Shikamaru.

"Not to mention that your traps are extremely effective and you're the closest thing we have to a medic nin," Chouji adds pointing to the carnage wrought by my traps.

"Since my insects are going to be acting as the communication line between all of us it makes sense that you stay here since your also able to understand them to a degree," Shino states enhancing the strength of the case building against my wishes.

"Not to mention that your probably the best person we could choose for back up with your tracking and combat skills," Naruto states and there is no way for me to make any point against them any longer. "You're also the perfect person to carry all of the scrolls we have currently since they will blend right in with all your other ones.

"Fine you guys win," I admit in defeat sending a glare at Ino who is no doubt forming some fantasy about me and Shino having a secret relationship judging by the look she is giving me. "Bad Ino."

"I haven't done anything," Ino says way too innocently.

"Her behaviour is identical to Tsunami's whenever you would get into a heated discussion on medical ninjutsu with Haku," Naruto comments drawing unwanted parallels.

"Who's Haku," Kiba growls.

"Classified as part of the S-ranked mission, kinda" I snip quickly not in the mood for my brothers overprotective antics.

"I don't think that you developing a close relationship with a boy is information worthy of restricted classification," Sasuke comments evilly.

In seconds the killing intent in the air spikes dramatically with annoyance radiating off Shino because we are wasting time and anger from my Kiba.

"Wait you have a guy back in wave and you didn't tell me," Ino exclaims.

"I don't have a guy back in wave Ino," I state with exasperation. "Haku is merely I friend I made to increase our chance for success during the mission."

"Considering the methods that you have been using to increase your chances for success lately, especially when it comes to contacts your statement isn't very reassuring. "Kiba snaps.

"You saw for yourself that it was Kankuro that set the tone for my relationship with him," I defend. "He showed interest of that fashion and I am manipulating him accordingly."

"Wait please tell me you haven't been using seduction methods on that make up wearing loser from sand," Ino says scandalised no doubt thinking back to some of the more mature seduction methods taught to us.

The quite gasp from Hinata accompanied by her flushed cheeks confirms that the interpretation of the situation is also headed in that direction. Maybe even more so than Ino's. "I-I didn't expect y-you to be the kind of person to us-use such tactics."

"Hell no! I haven't used any of those techniques. Get your minds out of the gutter you two," I cry flushing bright red. "First of all I remind you that members of my clan mate for life and secondly Kiba would have noticed his scent on me if he so much as touched me."

For a good few minutes the awkward sounding hum of Shino's insects is the only thing to be heard as the boys are left to imagine just what sort of techniques me and my fellow kunoichi were discussing and Ino and Hinata shamefully recover themselves and their dirty minds.

"Enough gossiping about my imaginary love life we have jobs to do," I proclaim loudly to break the atmosphere. "Now get moving people and go easy on your chakra Naruto. All of you should be back here by mid-day."

"Right," Shikamaru says as Sasuke and Hinata nod in agreement. All of them automatically following Shikamaru's lead as the head out.

"Naruto," I say addressing the blond before a power struggle can form between him and my brother. "Let Kiba take the lead forests are his area of expertise as much as they are mine and him and Akamaru have the keenest senses of your group."

Naruto nods agreeing with my advice knowing that I have a point.

"Keep her out of trouble," Kiba says to Shino before heading out with his group.

"I don't think I have ever seen Naruto comply with instructions like that," Shino comments adjusting his glasses. "Though are you sure putting Kiba in charge was a good idea?"

"Naruto is just as capable of leading as Kiba is however the circumstances are better suited to my brother's abilities. His mind set is also more focused than I have ever seen it outside of meditation and medical practices." I remark. "Naruto however is still recovering from an attack that messed with his very chakra and I can tell that he isn't going to recover from it anytime soon."

"I am still not entirely sure that that groups dynamic will be effective if tested." Shino says. "Why? Because they are all short ranged heavy hitters and lack a person with a tactical mindset."

"Chouji will balance out Kiba and Naruto's inclination to fight. Though you also underestimate Kiba quite a bit," I reply with a smile as I finish my drawing of a burning candle. "Kiba is a hunter just like me and knows that there are times when one must be silent and simply wait. A skilled hunter must be able to watch and understand their prey while remaining completely undetected. There is a lot of planning that goes into killing even a simple animal like a rabbit. Rabbits are able to escape quickly using hard to see escape routes and are fast making them hard to catch. You have to wait for just the right moment when your prey is separated enough from its escape routes to attack, of course this is after you carefully identify all of them of course."

"I can't say that I am convinced that Kiba has such capabilities." Shino says to me as I hold out a threaded kunai to Aōko. "Why, because I have never seen Kiba behave in a way that would support your claims."

"True my brother prefers to be brash in everything not related to clan practices," I admit with a fond sigh. "What do we say we put your clan's specialty to use by not only setting up an alarm system using your Kikaichu but utilise the native insects in combination with my traps as well."

"I already have a few ideas as to how to accomplish and best utilise our surroundings." Shino says as we head out to the north using the setting pattern that has become second nature to both of us over the years. "I have already located nests of highly deadly insects in at least several areas. These spots are optimal spots for setting traps that will funnel unsuspecting teams into the territory of these nests."

"With your help to pacify the native insects I can also set up a secondary trap that will triggered if the nest is destroyed," I propose with ideas coming together in my head. "I might even be able to set up a few that even some of your Kikaichu can triggered. It would be easy to make it look like the trap has already been triggered by someone else and would be the perfect way to catch unwanted guests off guard."

"I believe that it would be near impossible to set up a trap that can be triggered by my Kikaichu." Shino replies sceptically. "Why, because it is near impossible to know the amount of weight or pressure a kikaichu has and so many other things could set the trap off."

"One I know how much pressure a Kikaichu places on an object and how much one weighs since I feel it every time one of yours lands on me," I counter with a smirk. "And two, I am not going to use weight or pressure to triggered the trap but the Kikaichu's very nature its self."

"You mean to use their diet as a trigger," Shino says catching on but far from comprehending the whole thing. "How?"

"Do you think you could instruct you kikaichu to consume a portion of my chakra when they sense an enemy's signature," I ask taking out a handful of small pieces of paper from my left sleeve.

"I am willing to try it," Shino say with trepidation clear in the sound of his insects. "Just what exactly are you planning to do?"

"It isn't dangerous at all, well for us at least," I reassure as a grin spreads across my face. "I designed this papers to hold onto a chakra signature and you insects should be able to eat them."

"When one of my Kikaichu sense an enemies presence they would eat the paper saturated in you chakra triggering the trap on the unsuspecting trespassers," Shino verbally pieces together the puzzle. "Your ability to invent such complicated traps on such short notice is both admirable and terrifying, Kokoro."

"Yes and it seems like our company might just see how terrifying I can be," I say turning to face team Gai as they land on a branch behind us. "One of them has already caught a glimpse of it, isn't that right, Lee-Kun."

"So you weren't bluffing when you said that you had back up coming," Neji says obviously disgusted by the notion of it.

"I had no reason to lie about it anyway my darling Birdy-kun," I rasp using a coating of chakra along the inside of my throat to distort my voice and make it echo. "After all the sound was silenced once and for all so quickly. It was barely any fun at all, Kinda."

"We are all from the same village and should avoid fatal confrontation whenever possible," Shino says trying to intervene, the sound of his insects caught between aggravation and apprehension.

"But Shino," I whine putting on an over exaggerated face of disappointment as I lean my head against his arm. "Killing Birdy-kun would just ensure that Orochimaru doesn't get his hands on him and his Kekei Genkai. After all he already went after Sasuke."

"Orochimaru," Lee parrots.

"That's right Lee-kun," I yip tilting my head to the opposite side causing my bangs to hide my eyes. "The sound was working for the snake. That is why they were after Sasuke and therefore why they had to D.I.E."

With a sound that is the demented offspring of a giggle and a growl I slowly let my chakra cloak flicker to life with Aōko mirroring me perfectly, "Now tell me do you too have to die?"

Tenten at this point is griping her kunai till her knuckles are white and the other hand is clearly twitching with the repressed urge to reach for some of her scrolls. One of them has already fallen victim to my mind games and quicker than anticipated as well.

"I would suggest you retreat," Shino says cutting in his toneless voice no doubt eerie to others in this atmosphere. "Why, because any confrontation would end quickly and badly for you. You are after all standing on a tree infested with Caro Repens Vermes and I assure you that they are aptly named for they burrow even more effectively into flesh than they do wood."

Neji tenses obviously able to see the withering creatures inside the tree with his own eyes.

"We aren't looking for any trouble," Lee says trying to diffuse the hostile atmosphere. "We were just passing through in pursuit of another team."

I straiten myself up and give an overly sweet smile, "Good now as long as none of you dare to try and harm any of my other pack mates I might just let you live see what lies beyond the confines of the forest again, kinda."

"I promise that we will not target any of your teammates," Lee assures.

"Team 10 is also allied with us and should be avoided for your own safety," Shino adds his voice sounding almost hollow.

"Right," Lee says the tension slightest bit of tension is his voice giving his unease away before him and his team make a hasty retreat.

Letting my cloak fall away once the team has moved a considerable distance away I turn to Shino and know that I am in for a reprimanding.

"Just what did you think you were doing provoking them like that," Shino says buzz, quite literally, with irritation. "There is no way we would have won in a confrontation with them with you in the condition you are in."

"I thought you had a-"I say before realising the truth. "Those worms in that tree aren't actually flesh eaters, kinda."

"imitanda reptilia vermis is the name of that species," Shino says adjusting his glasses. "They were named that because of how closely they resemble flesh eating worms."

I still don't understand why Latin is still used for scientific terminology when it isn't the root language to the spoken or written language of this world.

"Here I thought my intimidation tactics were scary," I say with a grin though I can tell that Shino is even less impressed with that.

"It could have easily not have work if their Byuakgan user had a more in-depth knowledge of insects," Shino replies. "We could have easily gotten killed."

"Lee's pride and loyalty for Konoha wouldn't have allowed it and they already know that I am more than capable of taking out an entire team on my own," I snarl. "Lee watched me kill Zaku before anyone could so much as blink then got a really good show when I beheaded Zaku triggering a trap that allowed me to imbed my spear between Kin's eyes all in one fluid motion. Then there was the grand finally were I ensnared Dosu leaving him suspended helplessly while I taunted him before driving my spear right through his heart. I accomplished all that solo, not even A ōko was by my side for it, and Lee knows not to mess with me. I could smell the fear emanating from him as he watched the death I brought swiftly and brutally. I could hear his heart beat become erratic and his breath hold in response to his horror."

"But could you have fought them and won," Shino counters.

"Perhaps I could have," I respond darkly. "Lee would be easily taken down with even the slightest amount of natural chakra introduced to his system and I know enough about Neji's past to bring him to a mental break down or put him into a rage so blinding that he would attack without restraint or thought. Tenten however would crumble the second I took out her teammates and brought the fight into close quarters. However I would most likely die from the wounds I would receive in the process."

"If you knew that the confrontation would end you dying why would you antagonise them," Shino counters his Kikaichu screeching in anger.

"That simulation on the battle and outcome was missing a variable to it," I respond calmly not wanting to continue the argument as we near the site of my team's battle with Orochimaru.

"What variable would that be," Shino asks.

I stop to look at him as the weight of everything starts to make itself known, "I have you by my side meaning that I am much stronger."

Looking out across the devastation left behind after the battle the echoes of Naruto and Sasuke's cries ring out clearly in my ears again. The bitter taste of failure on the tip of my tongue is made stronger by the stillness of the sounds of the area. All wildlife, insect or animal has long left the scene leaving nothing but emptiness since there are no corpses to attract carrion birds and other scavengers. The indent left by my body in one of the trees is dwarfed by the dent it created in my pride and self-certainty.

Aōko whimpers in sympathy to myself hate and I can feel Kiba mirroring the sensation of failure coursing through our link.

"This is where your team confronted Orochimaru," Shino states rather than asks.

"Yes," I respond hoarsely though I know it isn't necessary.

I know that my blood is dripping onto the branch beneath my feet from the self-inflicted wounds created from my claws digging into my flesh as I clench my fists. Three minutes is all the time I will give myself to let myself feel everything I have been pushing down over the last day. The regret, the self-hate, anger, grief, anxiety and most of all the terror that has been building in response to what I have started to become.

Privacy is a luxury I have given up and I am lucky enough to be accompanied by one of the few people I would ever let see the cracks in who I am. I would probably drown in my own darkness if I was alone right now anyways.

"Kokoro," comes Shino's voice through the near silence and I am not sure if it is a statement, a question or something else entirely.

I open my eyes and meet his were they remain hidden behind those ever present dark glasses. I know that I am letting years of hardship and sorrow from both lifetimes show through in my eyes but I don't care at this point. I just need to let it show through for just a short while before it consumes me completely. Let just enough of it flow out that I don't drown, just one gasp for air to keep me going. To my surprise I find myself being hugged by my anti-physical contact best friend for the second time ever with me not being the one to instigate it.

"I am going to kill him," I declare with a deafening whisper.

"You don't have to carry that burden on your own," Shino responds echoing my speech to Sasuke earlier and I can't help but give a hollow smile.

"If too many people start using that line it is going to become cheesy," I joke dryly as I just let the familiar music and scent bring me back from the darker side of myself.

Maybe I will be alright after all.

~o~


"The rate at which you and Aōko are able to set traps is impressive," Shino comments as we finish up the last of the traps having left my little breakdown behinds us at least an hour ago.

"If you think this is fast you should see how fast it goes when Naruto is on trap duty," I respond. "His shadow clones put us to shame."

Shino doesn't comment but I can tell that he is amused by the thought of an army of Naruto's rushing an area as they set up multiple traps, many of the involving very smell goo bombs that make it a snap for Aōko, Kakashi-sensei and myself to track down whoever set it off.

In an instant Shino's insects change their happy tone to an alarmed one signifying that someone has entered the area and judging by the fact that Shino just pulled out a kunai they are very close and a very big threat.

It is when familiar clink hits my ears that I realise just how dangerous the situation is. Take cover/ Suna Ninja/ Approaching/ mentally unstable. I sign franticly as Shino signals me to confirm that he heard it. I pick up my ninken quickly a place Aōko inside my jacket securely. Silently I pull Shino into a hollow in a tree that I wouldn't dare enter if I wasn't with an Aburame since this tree is actually infested with flesh eating worms.

Do not track I sign to Shino quickly in case he decides to plant one of his insects on Gaara. We silently wait till the Suna nin approach our location the silence between us only disturbed by Shino's insects that notify us of yet another team. Their scent marks them as Amen in and I know that their lives will be ending shortly.

The sense of blood thirsty coming from Gaara is so strong that I can smell it. A scent akin to decay, blood and raw flesh. Though those smells could easily be coming from bits of flesh that is caught in his sand but the fact remains that even his chakra alongside Shukaku's feels like blood thirsty. It sickens me slightly that I feel an echo of it in my own soul.

"There is too much blood shed and blood thirst in this forest," the mirror injects my thoughts. "We are most likely picking up on some that is not our own. Theirs especially."

Not even Kurama gave off this much bloodthirsty chakra during the few occasions where I got to feel it. His was more like pure hate but this is even worse. Aōko begins to shake from where she is snuggled inside my coat. Clutching onto Shino's jacket which is already beneath my hands due to the smallness of the space where we have taken refuge I try and ignore the blood thirst seeping into me from the insane jinjuriki.

Shino's insects are just as panicked as me and Aōko are and Shino's heart is racing just like mine. This is the last situation either of us wanted to be even if we had our teams for backup. Shino grasps my arms protectively in a desperate attempt to comfort me and I try to drown out the rest of the world by focusing on his presence.

The overpowering scent of blood that accompanies the dying screams of the ame team however can't be ignored as they assault my senses and for the first time in a life or death situation I curse my heightened sense.

Please don't let Gaara notice us. The sound of shifting sand making its way toward our hiding spot tells me that I am not lucky enough to have such a thing happen. Of course I wouldn't with me being a part of team seven.

"Leave them alone Gaara we already have our scrolls," I have never been more thankful to hear Kankuro's voice.

"Kankuro's right we could beat the record for quickest time if we leave for the tower now," Temari adds and I can hear how frayed her nerves are from the brutal bloodshed.

The sound of the sand receding is a sound more satisfying than anything as I can tell that Gaara listened to his siblings though judging by the increase in their heart rates Gaara isn't too happy about it. There is no doubt that Gaara is silently threatening his older sister and brother and I feel a pain of sympathy for them both.

Neither Shino nor I move until we are both certain that the Suna team has left the farthest reaches of our perimeter. The taste of blood in my mouth catches me by surprise and I realise that my gums are bleeding from me clenching it so hard. I can tell that Shino is worried about the state that both Aōko and I are in.

"I could literally feel his blood thirst Shino," I mutter after wiping the blood from my mouth. "I could literally feel it seep into me it was so strong."

Breaking down for the second time in that day I struggle to rid myself of that feeling and the aftershock of self-terror that came with it, "All I could barely feel anything other than the desire to kill for nothing more than the sake of killing and I have never felt something more terrifying."

Shino just remains silent and still which is exactly what I need in that moment. Without him I would have broken and lashed out getting myself killed in the process. The reminder of my pack and all that I have worked for and continue to work for was the only thing that kept me sane and even slightly stable as it has since I first realised that this is my life and world now.

Resting my head against Shino's chest I just focus on the sound and sensation of Shino's heat beating and all the little lives that rely on him. There is life in this world not just death, there is love and kindness within all the bloodshed and violence. There is something to fight for and a hope for a better tomorrow. A reason to fight, a reason behind all this madness.

"You're like a walking reminder," I say quietly. "You bring an abundance of life and prosperity wherever you go. I don't know if I have ever told you just how extraordinary it is."

"You have always had the strangest outlook on things," Shino remarks as we both make our way out of the confined space.

"I wouldn't say that it is strange but different," I respond feeling a lot calmer than I have in a very long time knowing that I wasn't the cause of my own distress. "It is only according to other people that such an outlook is strange. Really it is quite logical to view your clan's technique as extraordinary rather than an abomination. Instead of looking at it with an irrationally fearful eye towards your insects I see them as a being important to the health of the world and the ability to live and work together harmoniously with such creatures is miraculous. It is one thing for a person to raise a living creature as a companion and another to let them be a part of you so very completely."

A hand placed against my forehead takes me by slight surprise, "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you have a fever," Shino says." Why, because you tend to get sentimental whenever you're hospitalised."

I raise an eyebrow and pull the hand gently away from my face, "Sorry to break to you but I get like this quite often when it comes to others it's just rare that I say my thoughts out loud. Just ask Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba or Shikamaru."

"I did not realise that you and Shikamaru were close," Shino remarks.

"We sort of are," I admit. "Though Shikamaru just tends to have the horrid luck of being the one to find me when my thoughts take a depressing turn more often than not."

Shino's raised eyebrow is his only response.

"What," I respond. "If I talked to Ino than whatever I say will be around the village by sundown, the same goes for Naruto and I don't want Kiba to worry about me anymore than he already does. Plus you and Sasuke aren't the best when it comes to conversation."

Shino doesn't respond and I can't tell how he took my response since he seems torn on it as well.

"We better head back," I state looking up at the sun. "The others will be returning soon and the last thing I need is Ino spreading more gossip about my love life or yours."

Shino nods in agreement and we head out.

~o~


The sound of my spear scraping against the ground is the only normally audible sound as I slowly drawing the line of motion for a new sketch, a recreation of my family's chaotic family photo. Aōko and Akamaru both leaping for the camera as me and Kiba rush to grab them and my mother laughs with my sister shaking her head in dismay.

"Why did you guys rush to help me and team seven if you already had your scrolls," I ask absent mindedly breaking the silence that had been stretching out between me and my bug using friend while we wait for the others to arrive back.

Though Shino seems to be doing absolutely I can tell that the situation is the exact opposite. The amount of activity going on within his body indicates that he is at least up to something even if I don't understand what it is or any of the details and probably never will.

"Kiba rushed out on his own before me or Hinata could stop him," Shino says. "Though I do not understand how he would be able to tell that you were in distress."

I look up at those dark glasses, "we're twins, Shino. We have been able to tell when the other is in trouble and even what the other is feeling to a degree for as long as we can remember. The fact that our clan fosters stronger bonds between members only strengthened that further."

I continue knowing that Shino has a slight fascination with the concept of twins sharing a link since twins being born in his clan is pretty much an impossibility with the complications their Kekei Genkai cause when it comes to child birth and pregnancy.

"You know how people can intuitively feel when something bad is going to happen or that something is just wrong about a situation," I explain. "Well you get that kind of feeling only it is a bit different when your twin is in danger. If I were to explain my theory on how it works it would be like this. A part of you goes with your twin wherever they go and vice versa so when that part of you with your twin is in danger you feel it. At the same time you're never completely alone as long as your twin is alive since part of them is always with you. It's a deep connection between your soul and theirs. That is the best I can explain it, kinda."

"Yet you seem to create a connection with almost everyone you meet," Shino states expanding the reaches of the discussion.

"I think that might have to do with something else," I say stating some of my theories out loud for the first time. "Part of it is me being able to read body language so well. Another is my ability to intuitively feel chakra so strongly and there might also be another factor though I don't entirely understand that factor and only learned about it recently."

The fact that I already know them all as characters from my past life remains unsaid since I can't admit that part out loud.

"You're missing a part of the equation." Shino states, "Why, Because you forgot to factor in the fact that people gain a strong connection to you just as much as you create a connection with them."

"Your right it is a two way road I guess," I agree. "My chakra intuition might be a part of that but that is all I really got on that part of it, kinda. I don't really know how I get into people's hearts and lives the way I do."

"You force your way into their lives without the realising it and your dedication and respect for them makes them treat you the same way," Naruto says as him and the rest of his group land in the clearing.

"What happened," Kiba interrupts as Akamaru rush to Aōko to ensure that she is alright.

"We had a run in with the Suna team," I reply knowing that is probably his main concern. "I will explain in more detail when Shikamaru and his group arrive but Kankuro managed to keep Gaara from killing all three of us."

"Maybe that puppet bastard is good for something after all," Kiba sneers still in a snit over my relationship with the genin in question.

I sigh knowing that no one would really understand why I am working so hard to make Kankuro and ally since they don't know what the future holds like I do. Sure Kankuro is the enemy right now and I will have to fight him at some point but in the long run he is my best bet for keeping Gaara safe when the Akatsuki go after him. I have a plan to give Kankuro a better chance of winning during his battle with Sasori but there will have to be trust between us for it to work and I have to wait till after relations between Suna and Konha become friendly again. The best time for me to make the big step in this plan is when, if it happens, Gaara and his siblings come to the aid of the Sasuke retrieval team. After all the desert is the original habitat of some friends of mine.

The scent of blood brings me out of my wandering state of mind as I turn to see Shikamaru's team arrive with injuries and a heavens scroll.

"What the hell happened to you guys," Kiba and I ask in unison.

"We ran into that Ame team that was down a member and they weren't too happy to run into a member of the team that killed their teammate," Shikamaru says. "Though the injuries are only minor since they weren't expecting Hinata to ambush them from behind and block their chakra."

"Is it just me or has team 8 become much more cunning since graduation," I remark remembering Shino's clever lie during our encounter with team Gai.

Kiba smirks at the complement as Hinata smiles shyly with a blush on her face from being near Naruto and I wouldn't be surprised if Shino was smirking to behind that high collar of his.

"We had a confrontation with two teams while setting up the perimeter and managed to avoid conflict with both," I report.

"Wait two," Chouji exclaims as he starts to set up what looks like a full out kitchen around a fire Sasuke set. "You only mentioned your run in with that Suna team before."

"We also ran into the leaf team a year older than us but managed to avoid combat," Shino states adjusting his glasses. "Why, Because Kokoro used her psychological manipulation skills to scare them off."

"Hey," I exclaim. "I wasn't the only one using scare tactics, bug boy."

"Any way we should rest up a bit before we head out to the tower at sun down," Shikamaru states bring us all back to the matter at hand. "We need to treat injuries and eat something."

"I nominate Kokoro and Chouji for cooking duty," Naruto declares with a grin.

"Shouldn't Kokoro be on medical duty?" Shikamaru asks.

"I can handle patching up the injuries since their not sever enough to demand medical ninjutsu be used," Kiba says retrieving his own medical scroll set. "Besides when it comes to the good old fashion medical practices Akamaru and I are faster."

"It's true," I agree. "Besides it has been a while since me and Chouji got to cook together."

"Hinata and I can take watch," Shino states.

Everyone seems to agree with the plan and I settle down next to Chouji where the fruit of his groups labour is laid out. I smile as Kiba sits down behind me with our backs resting against each other and Naruto begins to chase around the rambunctious nin kin and everyone gets to work.

I smile at the types of herbs Chouji has seemed to produce out of nowhere. I can identify most of them as being ones good for aiding with common everyday ailments that still effect people in the field as well as some that are good for increasing the amount of chakra gained from consuming food though a few of them are a complete mystery to me. Most likely special herbs created by his clan with properties kept as a closely guarded family secret.

"You aren't going to complain about all the space I wasted on spices when I could have carried extra weapons instead," Chouji asks cleaning and skinning a rabbit without even looking.

"No," I respond getting to work cleaning some wild apples and berries after using a suiton jutsu to produce water. "It is actually a very smart selection to bring, Kiba and I carry medicines made from most these herbs with us for medical us. Most them have health benefits that people forget to take into consideration when out in the field."

"You're probably the most accepting person I have met when it comes to my Clan, outside of the Nara and Yamanaka Clans of course," Chouji says.

"Like I have said before it is all a matter of how one sees the world," I reply. "For instance most people would consider your weight to be a liability but I know that it is actually the opposite even if I don't know the details. Your weight gives you strength in more ways than people realise and is nothing to be ashamed about. Even if people call you fat it isn't really and insult when it comes to you because it means that you are strong and there is more of you for people to love."

I look up at a very stunned Chouji who can't seem to reply with my heave handed compliment that would normally have been received as an insult without my explanation of my views. I smile gently knowing that he and Hinata have the biggest struggles with their self-esteem out of the people that I am not regularly around to encourage.

"How do you manage it," Chouji asks suddenly.

"Manage what," I request since the direction of his question is unclear.

"To remain as confident and open as you do," Chouji adds.

I smile knowing that my air of confidence is mainly staged. I lean back a bit more against my brothers back. "I guess I just accept that I have my faults and my strengths and try to work with them. I rely on my pack to help me work past them or depend on them to cover them when I need to and in return I do the same for them. There are aspects of myself that I hate, everyone has those parts after all. You just have to take a step back and see both the good and the bad about you since you will only be making things worse by focusing on your faults alone."

"I hate the fact that I am not capable of preforming medical ninjutsu," Kiba says popping into our conversation while he instructs Ino on some basic medical techniques as she patches up a wound on Shikamaru's cheek. "But instead of whining about it constantly I focused on becoming skilled at what I could do which is how I became so efficient at chakra less medical procedures."

"I can see what you're getting at with this," Shikamaru says. "After all the Ino-Shika- Chou formation is based around covering each techniques weakness and defending the Yamanaka teammate while they are most vulnerable."

"that's right I would be dead a hundred times over if it wasn't for you guys," Ino states slightly exaggerating things though it is more beneficial than anything since the confidence in Chouji's demeanor becomes a bit stronger.

I turn around to look at all the activity going on behind my back and can't help but smile at the sight of Shikamaru and Sasuke having the most nonchalant staring contest I have ever seen. Not to mention the fact that Naruto just face planted next to Shino and Hinata after Aōko and Akamaru worked in unison to trip him. For a minute it feels like we are all academy kids again wasting away our lunch break.

"We're are one dysfunctional mess but we are still a mess together," I remark fondly as a tugging feeling of nostalgia pulls at my heart as I remember cooking food for two rambunctious little boys a lifetime ago. The words are ones that my mother from both lifetimes have told to me repeatedly and remain engraved in me even now.

"There is no doubting that," Chouji agrees with a sweet smile. The boy truly has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen.

~o~


"Wow this food is amazing," Naruto praises between mouthfuls of what can be described as a feast with the amount of food prepared.

"What do you expect with an Akimichi cooking it," Ino remarks with a fond smile directed at her teammate.

"You have to give Kokoro credit for it two," Chouji adds. "She is an amazing cook to."

I flush red at the compliment, being praised for your cooking skills is no small thing when it is coming from an Akimichi.

"Your skill in the medical department is also surprising Kiba," Shikamaru comments.

"Well we both have been studying the medical arts since we were about five and help out at the family clinic whenever possible," Kiba and I reply in a synchronised way that only twins could pull off without it being practiced.

"It was Kiba who got Sakura interested in the medical field after all," I add.

"And I wasn't about to let my sisters path diverge so far from mine quite so soon," Kiba continues.

"We both wanted to remain by each other's sides as much as possible for as long as possible," We finish together.

"We should keep the traps set by Kokoro in place," Shino states steering addressing the mater of our next course of action. "Why, because there is the chance that they might eliminate other teams leaving less competition for us to deal with during the rest of the exam."

"He's right," I say agreeing with my best friend as I lean against Kiba's shoulder with Aōko and Akamaru curled up together in my lap. "We should try and get to the tower as soon as possible so that we can finish recovering in a safe environment."

"We cover our tracks and head out as soon as we can," Shikamaru says completing the tactical minded trinity. "You and Shino should be on point along with Kiba to detect any enemies coming from in front of us."

"While Hinata and Naruto bring up the back of the formation," Shino adds our minds working together like a well-oiled machine. "That way Hinata's Byakugan and Naruto's shadow clones can detect anyone who tries to ambush us from behind."

"Ino-Shika-Chou can be set up in the middle of the formation with Sasuke and Chouji on the farthest reaches of the flank. This would ensure that Ino is in the most defendable position if she uses her clan's technique while extending the reach of Shikamaru's shadows in every direction maximising its effectiveness."

"It is amazing how quickly you three find the most effective strategies when you work together," Sasuke remarks noting the fact that a strategy session that would take half an hour normally was finished in three minutes, maybe even less.

"It's not really surprising," Shino states. "Why, because we know how each person we are working with thinks and have worked together since our time at the academy."

"And everyone expects the three of us to take on the roles of tactical planer since that is the role we play in our normal team dynamics," I add. "Any of us are capable of taking charge of a tactical situation but most of us are used to following the lead of a certain person in our team so it natural that the representative of each team when it comes to tactical planning be the same as the one who would be in charge of tactical planning."

"She's right, it is human nature," Ino states backing up my statement, knowing more about the psychology behind the phenomenon than even I do.

"Well then what are we all doing standing around," Kiba cries impatiently as Akamaru barks in agreement. "Let's get moving.

"Shadow clone Jutsu," Naruto shouts as multiples of him get to work eliminating all evidence of our groups presence quickly. "All done."

"That jutsu is insanely overpowered," Ino deadpans.

"Can't deny that but it is useful all the same," Sasuke agrees smirking at the other rookies astonishment.

"I have to admit I think this is a new record time for him finishing clean up," I remark back.

"No," Sasuke disagrees driving home just how effective the jutsu is. "But you did tell him to go easy on the chakra."

"I am surprised he is even able to use it," I say turning to Hinata. "Can you tell me what is going on with his chakra, Hinata?"

Hinata activates her byakugan and reports her findings clearly, "I see no chakra other than Naruto's in his path ways like what I saw in Sasuke earlier. Though Naruto's chakra control seems worse than usual and is quickly depleting."

"Naruto," I call. "Lay off on the clones a bit while we head to the tower use them at minimal intervals."

Hinata losses what little confidence she had moments before at the thought of our squadron relying so much on her eyes, "Hinata you'll be fine your stronger and more capable than you give yourself credit for girl."

"She's right," Ino says. "Remember how you took down those two Ame nin without them even noticing you were there. You were a complete bad ass."

"Hinata is always a badass when she gets into a fight," Kiba boasts boosting his shy teammate's confidence with his praise.

Hinata nods timidly but the small smile on her face shows just how much her confidence and determination have increased.

"Uhh, guys," Chouji interjects. "We do have to get moving it will take days for us to reach the tower if we keep stopping to chat like this."

I smile in surprise at Chouji taking charge for a change rather than standing in the background. The absence of a bag of chips in his hands indicates that he is taking on our task with more determination than I have ever seen.

This is exactly why a pack dynamic is effective and important. It builds up the people who would normally be treated as a weak link and brings out their strengths and supports them allowing them to grow. With all of us in our awkward teenaged years as well as constantly facing life or death situations such an environment is crucial.

We push each other not just with the intent of beating a rival but also to become stronger in order to protect each other. This is what was missing from the rookie nine in the original series and is what I hope will be the deciding factor in a brighter future for the whole world. They may not know it but they are a part of a generation that will be part of a battle that will be legendary and decide the fate of the world.

If these changes can prevent some of the losses suffered in the original timeline than one of my main goals will be accomplished and maybe I will be able to accept that I have fulfilled what I have accepted as my reason for being born into a world where I didn't originally exist.

I guess in a way it is selfish of me to manipulate others just to validate the strangeness of my situation and my own existence.

"You also use them to fill the gap in your heart left by the ones you left behind in death," the mirror whispers the thoughts I would rather ignore. "You use them to numb the pain and give reason to the pain your death will have caused to those two little boys and the hardship you left your mother and baby sister to deal with."

'It isn't like I had wanted to die in that life,' I fight back. 'I still don't know how I died but I highly doubt that it was by my own hand or choice. If I did die by choice than I wouldn't have died without a damn good reason.'

"It isn't like we don't have a reason to live and work hard in this life either." My younger self shouts. "We have another family to protect. A pack to provide for and a future to fight for. Our motive isn't a selfish as we are making it out to be. Didn't we say earlier that focusing on flaws without taking into account the rest of it is nothing but bad news!"

The back of my mind falls silent as my emotional element wins the argument over my rational element. Though I am beginning to see a pattern with the mirror being my more cynical and doubtful side while my water side being my more confident side.

I am also starting to understand what role cat mask plays into all this. He inspires fear like nothing else and appears more frequently when I am tense or afraid of something but won't admit it. Considering the fact that fear is an important part of the human mind and emotions it wouldn't be entirely impossible that it would get its own representation outside of the id, ego and super ego that me and the two reflections represent.

However I don't have any memory of him and I am pretty sure that both my metal personifications depict myself as I was in a past part of my life or in the case of the mirror, lives. That begs the question as to who cat mask represents and why I can't remember him at all. Though judging by his attire he is not from this lifetime at all.

However it is entirely possible that he is from an entirely different lifetime that I don't remember at all. Though my instincts tell me that isn't the case.

Stopping I watch as Kiba and Shino fall into step beside me having noticed the same thing I did.

"Looks like some poor idiots are going to get there butts kicked," I snarl outing the Ame team that was hiding in the trees above in hopes of ambushing us. "I'm almost impressed. You fella's had the guts and skill to hide so high up in the canopy, kinda."

"Don't go killing them with the deadly insects yet, Shino," Kiba says smugly. "Give them a minute to decide whether or not they want to screw themselves over or not."

They would have to be idiots to engage us in combat," Shino states adjusting his glasses resounding with smugness to match Kiba's though no one else would be able to tell. "Why, because even without the aid of the insects around us we still out match and outnumber them."

"I say we let them go as long as they play nice," I proclaim nonchalantly, running my hand through the back of my hair and striking a confident and alluring pose. "After all if we kill off every team we meet than no one will be able to deliver the message that Konoha's rookie nine are not to be messed with."

"Kokoro already took out a team solo along with a member from that other Ame team that we finished off," Chouji declares. "Let's just let them go it would just be twisted to kill in cold blood."

I look around and see that everyone is in agreement over letting this team go after all they didn't directly target us we just walked into their trap. Judging by the way the wildlife is settled around them the team has been waiting for another team to wander into their set up for almost a day.

"So what will it be boys," I say stepping forward. "An early grave or a second chance, we don't need you scroll we're just heading to the tower."

The slight sound of rustling clothing clues me in that the team is most likely using their village's form of sign language to discuss their course of action.

"We already know you positions, "Call out clearly as I move forward directly into the strongest hit spot confidently.

"They haven't given their answer yet sis," Kiba yells.

"The scent of fear coming from them and the increased heart rates and agitated breathing intervals are answer enough," I state. "None of them are readying a weapon and these traps are so easy to avoid that Konohamaru could evade them blindfolded. They are too scared to be a threat and if they make a move to attack them Shino will kill them before they can so much as throw a kunai he already has a trio of giant centipedes moved into position to kill them."

Shino nods confirming his pre-emptive preparations and Shikamaru shrugs and we get moving again. It isn't long before another ninja pops up on our radar and we stop since both me and Kiba recognise the scent and the Kikaichu know the chakra signature.

The second Kabuto appears before us I have him pined to the ground under my foot and my spear cutting a thin and harmless line in his throat.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing approaching us in such a friendly manner, Kabuto-kun," I growl.

"Easy I was just looking to help you rookies out," Kabuto defends his mask not budging an inch.

"What you think that we need help because we are rookies," I spit. "Well news flash we don't need it and we don't like you so don't act so friendly. We have already taken out three teams in total, don't give me a reason to raise that number to four."

"The pressure getting to you Kokoro-chan," Kabuto says in a friendly manner but the insult is still there.

Swing my other foot around I smash it into the side of Kabuto's glasses forcing his face to the side before I bend down to his ear to make sure my message gets through loud and clear. "Let me make this a bit clearer, kabuto-Kun. This exam has been the equivalent of a d rank mission in terms of difficulty for us. I also want to make sure that you get the message, if you or your team make yourselves to even seem like a threat I will kill all of you. I don't care if your team is from Konoha or not but get it through your head. We aren't friends and your arrogance has pissed me off making me very inclined to slit your throat and drain every single drop of blood out of your body and display it at the tower for all to see, kinda."

"Let him go Kokoro," Sasuke says ready to intervene.

"Fine," I say jumping to the next branch using extra presser as I use kabuto's body as a launch pad. "Just stay out of my way Kabuto and I might not kill you poor excuse for a failed shinobi."

I leave Kabuto's body to burn in the wake of my insults and inflicted humiliation as the rest of the group false into step behind me the tower in clear sight against the pink and gold sky.

"That was a bit much, Sis," Kiba states.

"That boy has been suspicious since the second he came into our lives nii-san," I reply. "Considering who my team ran into and his interest in my team especially I have a reason to distrust him and he has made it way too easy for me to dislike him. Plus if he really in instep with that bastard than he is probably a lot stronger than he portrays himself to be. The fact that he approached a group our size without his team for back up incriminates him even more."

"Kokoro is right," Ino says interjecting as a wave or Naruto clones disables the gauntlet of traps in our way with ease. "That guy is clearly a master of the manipulation arts. I almost didn't see him for what he really is at first if it wasn't for Kokoro's intuition setting off alarm flags."

"His chakra pathways also show subtle hints of him being much higher rank than he says he is," Hinata says speaking up in my defense. Her stutter lost in her haste to back me and Ino up. "The fact that the signs are suppressed and hidden so well indicates that he is used to infiltrating groups with acute knowledge of chakra. Some of the changes are ones that cover things that we are instructed to look for first in my clan."

" It is possible that he is a plant put in place to ensure that all the clan heirs including Sasuke who is definitely a very important asset to the village make it through the exam alive." Shikamaru states covering some possibilities.

"Better safe than sorry," Sasuke says his dislike for Kabuto evident.

"Where here," Shino says as the entrance to the tower comes into view.

Taking out the three pairs of scrolls I hold them out for Shikamaru and Kiba to take the ones for their respective teams.

"Should we enter into separate doors or," Naruto starts to ask.

"Let's just all go in together and quit stalling I am pretty sure that they have showers in there and I don't want to wait any longer," Ino says as she opens the doors immediately ripping the seal on it in the process.

One look at the saying on the wall and Shikamaru and Shino both see the same thing I do.

"We have to open both scrolls at the same time," Shikamaru states.

"Heaven and earth open together," I say echoing the saying displayed in front of us.

"An old shinobi saying and possible reference to the combination of spiritual and physical energy in the creation of chakra," Shino adds.

"Let's just open the scrolls already," Kiba says handing one of them to Hinata as Ino Snatches one from Shikamaru.

"On the count of three," I say handing one to Sasuke. "One, two….Three."

"Wait there," Kiba starts.

"Summoning scrolls," I finish as smoke flows out of the six scrolls. "Everyone toss your scrolls together."

Everyone follows my instructions and six familiar figures appear in the smoke.

"Well this is a bit of a surprise," a lazy tone exclaims as Nara Shikaku steps out of the cloud of smoke to his son's astonishment.

"The Hokage must have expected that something like this would happen since he obviously to made sure that the scrolls would open properly in any of the rookies gates," My older sister says as Aōko and Akamaru rush forward to meet with the Haimaru brothers.

"What the heck are you guys doing her nee-chan," Kiba exclaims.

"Each team is supposed to be greeted by a chunin upon completion of an exam though a special arrangement is made in the case of the Ino-Shika-Chou team due to some of their clan traditions," Iruka sensei explains. "I have to say that it is great to see that all of you continuing to work together even now."

"I didn't think that Kokoro and Kiba would give their teams a choice about working together since it is hard to keep them apart," Hanna says ruffling me and my brothers hair fondly as Akamaru and Aōko chase the Haimaru brothers around the room playfully. "Kokoro and Ino are most likely responsible for team 10 being a part of it."

I flush red at the praise and pride in my sister's voice.

"We all agreed upon it as a tactical decision," Shikamaru states to his surprised father. "Though the idea to work together started with Shino before the second part of the exam even started and Kokoro ensured that we all met up with each other once it did."

"I am not surprised that you two would start planning something like that in advance," Iruka-sensei says addressing me and Shino. "You two have worked together every chance you got since the day you meet at the academy."

"It makes sense to work together," Shino says adjusting his glasses a bit irritated by our academy teachers gushing. "Why, because it is highly effective and keeping Kiba and Kokoro apart would be anti-productive."

"Denying the fact that you and Kokoro are close only makes it seem like you don't want to admit that your feelings for her go beyond friendship," Ino teases much to me and Shino's dismay.

"You also deny that you are close with Chouji and Shikamaru," Shino counters and it is clear to me that he is irritated by Ino's comment.

"That isn't the same," Ino whines invading Sasuke's personal space. "I make it quite clear that I have eyes for one person alone."

"Ino," Shikamaru says fed up with his teammate's fangirl behaviour.

"Oh come on Shikamaru," Ino exclaims. "If Shino doesn't act fast it sounds like that boy in Wave will steal Kokoro away."

"Who is she talking about," My older sister asks with a raised eyebrow.

At this point I am becoming clearly irritated with Ino for continuing to act like a mindless fan girl and rile up my brothers overprotective nature.

"Are you trying to piss Kokoro off, Ino," Chouji says warning Ino of my growing irritation.

"Ple-please don't st-start fighting," Hinata say meekly as she tries to help Chouji diffuse the situation.

"Come one guys we got to the tower with three days to spare," Naruto interjects pulling me and Sasuke into a one armed hug in a fashion that is usually executed by me. "This calls for a celebration not a fight. We have done enough fighting in the past few days and most of us are still injured and Kokoro needs to re bandage her back again. I can see the blood seeping through her bandages."

"Naruto's right," Kiba says in a rare moment of responsibility. "Don't go starting a fight with Ino, Shino. She also has injuries that need to be check on again and Shikamaru and Sasuke are in the same boat. We can't afford to let tension divide us now when there are still clear threats and two highly skilled teams targeting us."

Iruka-sensei and Shikaku are both down right shocked by Kiba's display of maturity. Though Iruka's expression quickly turns to one of pride.

"Congratulations you all pass the second part of the exam," Iruka-sensei declares lifting the tension with a flash of his familiar smile that we all associate with easier and happier days.

~o~


"This room is perfect," Naruto exclaims as we enter inside a large open space that looks like it must be used as a conference room judging by its size and the table in the middle of it.

All three teams agreed to not spilt up even though the second part of the exam is finished and the small bunkers set aside for each team would divide us up since each has room for four people at most. As a result team 7 and 8 have worked to scout out a different space for us to use within the area sectioned off for participants from the leaf village while team 10 tracks down food and things that we can use to make whatever space we find more comfortable since we are going to be here for at least three days.

"There might not be any beds but I am sure we can fix that," my brother states following Naruto and I into the room with Sasuke, Shino and Hinata following closely behind. "The room is also out of the way and easy to guard since it has one entrance."

"My insects also report that this is the only room like this in the leaf villages designated section of the tower," Shino reports. "It also has not been claimed by any other teams since our group is the first of team from Konoha to arrive. The only other team here appears to be the Suna team with the mentally unstable member."

"I guess that this is going to be our new home base then," Sasuke says lounging against the wall his eyes discreetly flashing red so that he can commit the layout of the room to memory in case someone tries anything to spy on us.

Meanwhile Hinata is also using her Byakugan to check for any pre-existing security breaches or unseen dangers that come with the room including structural damage.

"The room appears to be untampered with and secure," the white eyed girl states deactivating her Kekei Genkai.

"Your abilities are really amazing," Naruto says causing Hinata to blush redder than my clan markings.

Slowly Aōko and I work with our brothers to secure the room putting privacy seals in place so that our conversations won't be over heard by anyone who might be listening in. I can hear Shino's insects getting to work as he sets security and privacy measures unique to his clan in every imaginable place were a security breach could happen. Not even a single crack in this room will remain unprotected.

"We brought back food including ramen," Chouji declares as him and his team arrive just as the security measures are put in place and Ino shuts the door closing our room off from the rest of the world.

"How did you guys know where we were?" Naruto asks.

"It was easy with how loud you and Kiba were being," Shikamaru replies dryly.

"That is enough you two," I growl wanting to get the coming conversation over and done with so I can tend to my wounds and get some much needed sleep. Using chakra to remain awake for nearly 48 hours is effective but draining. "We have matters that we need to discuss mainly concerning Naruto and Sasuke's condition."

"What exactly is Naruto's condition," Shikamaru says stating the question that everyone outside of team 7 has been asking silently.

"It is up to you want you want to say," I state siting in a chair across from Shikamaru. As all of us assemble around the circular table laid out with food. "If you don't feel comfortable giving a full explanation of it than don't. You have every reason not and the delicate nature of it gives added reason for you to regulate the knowledge of it."

"What do you mean by that," Shikamaru asks his eyes narrowing and his lazy expression absent for once.

"It's an S-ranked secret that is illegal for anyone but me to mention directly," Naruto says from where he is seated between me and Sasuke a position we took up knowing that the current topic is a treacherous one for the blond. "Though they deserve to know and I don't like keeping secrets from my friends."

Naruto takes a deep breath and his usually cheerful demeanor falls to something so heavy that I fear that he might shatter from the weight.

"You all know that the kyubi attacked the village on October 10th 12 years ago right. Well that was also the night I was born." Naruto recounts darkly. "The truth is that the fox wasn't actually defeated not completely. It was sealed inside my new born body instead. It's why all the adults in the village hate me or fear me though I have done nothing wrong. It's also the reason why I have so much chakra. That Snake did something to the seal on my stomach though I don't know what exactly he did."

The distress of everyone else at hearing that the seal keeping the beast that destroyed our village before any of us should remember is clearly evident and I have to step in. "Everyone clam down, the seal is secure for now if anything it would seem that Orochimaru's tampering has actually prevented the kyubi's chakra from entering Naruto's chakra pathways since I haven't so much as sensed it and Hinata couldn't see it either."

"What do you mean sense it," Ino asks.

I sigh knowing that I dug that hole myself, "I am the most chakra intuitive individual born in the village in recovered history, my team as well as Shino are already aware of this. Certain situations dictated that they be granted knowledge of my unique gift to ensure our survival and proper teamwork."

"Wait you mean you didn't even tell Kiba about it," Ino states with shock.

"I already knew anyway sis," Kiba admits. "It was the biggest indicator that you possessed that ability. I also get why you never told me yourself, Koko."

"Your chakra intuitive nature does explain a few things," Shikamaru mutters.

"What are we going to do about the mark on Sasuke's neck," Shino says directing the conversation back to the one issue that has yet to be addressed knowing that I am not entirely comfortable about the topic of my gift.

"I don't think that we should tell anyone about it yet," Naruto declares. "If anything having a strange chakra and what I'm pretty sure is a seal would just cause stigma against Sasuke."

Everyone in the room understand the unsaid fact that Naruto knows exactly what it feels like to be judged for that exact thing. Raising my hand I address the room, "All in favour of notifying the proctors of Sasuke's condition raise your hand."

"Wait why do you want to tell them about Sasuke's condition," Naruto exclaims surprised that I am against him on the issue.

"You didn't see or feel what that mark did to Sasuke," I explain as Shino, Ino, Kiba and Hinata join my side of the argument. "Your seal is regulated in some way to keep the kyubi from controlling you or overpowering you. That mark on Sasuke's neck isn't regulated by anything and I know that it is designed to consume him."

"Kokoro is right," Hinata says speaking up. "Whatever it is that Orochimaru did to Sasuke-san it is harming him slowly and just isn't right."

"I say that we wait for our jounin senseis to arrive and have them deal with the seal," Shikamaru says laying down a middle ground for everyone to meet on. "Naruto is right about the possibility that the proctors might react badly to the mark and mentioning what happened would mean revealing that we know about Orochimaru's infiltration."

"I agree with Shikmaru on this," Chouji says. "I don't think that we should tell anyone about Naruto's seal at all."

Everyone nods in agreement, we all know how the rest of the village treats Naruto and telling them that the seal has been tampered with can only make it worse at least for the time being. Besides there is no one in the village capable of fixing it at the moment since Jiraya hasn't made his appearance yet.

"Do we have our course of action then," I ask clarifying. "Wait to notify people of Sasuke's condition and keep Naruto's secret completely."

Everyone nods and I lean back in my chair the exhaustion of the last two days hitting me like a piece of windblown paper in the way of a train.

"What about our knowledge of Orochimaru," Sasuke asks.

"They most likely already know judging by Shikamaru's dad," I answer. "With the state he was in I am certain that he has been working to try and fix the security nightmare. There is no point in telling them that we know of the snake or that we encountered him. It would be like fanning the flames of an accidental kitchen fire in the hopes of putting it out."

Everyone agrees with my statement too tired to argue as we all silently eat the food that had remained on the table untouched during the tense truth revealing conference. None of us have it in use to search for proper bedding as is evident when Ino falls asleep where she is sitting before she even finishes eating.

Without a word Chouji rolls up his haori and lays it on the ground before returning to the table as he picks up his female teammate before lay he down with his rolled up haori acting as a pillow for her. The action just reminds everyone that despite their bickering team 10 was raised together to a point where they consider each other family. Chouji is the caring natured member of his team just as Hinata is team 8's and I am team seven's.

As I too start to drift away as my head rest on my brother's shoulder there is only two things I can remember. One we forgot to treat our injuries and two I forgot to tell them all about Gaara's true nature. But those can wait to the morning now that my pack is safe for the time being.

~oOo~


Acrylic paint, clay, wood shavings and fear are the first things I smell as I take in the room around me. Everyone is hiding from something. Afraid of something but I don't know what it is. I know that I should be scared too, that I should be hiding but I want to know what I am supposed to be scared of. I know that I was scared and hid like the faceless shadows when this actually happened. I feel like the shadows should have faces but I can no longer remember them.

So long now. It was so very long ago now and the memories are starting to fade. That makes me feel panicked. I don't want them to fade

. The thing that I should be afraid of is coming closer and I know that I should be afraid of it but I am not, I am afraid of forgetting things.

The end is coming but I don't want it to. I remember that, the pain but it wasn't just physical pain that I felt. Why is that?

Why did my heart hurt emotionally when I died? Why can't I remember who killed me. What I should be afraid of. Why am I not allowed to remember.

The gunshots ring out. The pain that I know so well that has haunted me from another life time hits me and I know that I am dying again and I still don't know why. That I will forget about this dream when I wake up.

I don't want to wake up, not till I know why.

But the pain is too much. It sears through me like lava scaring a forest burning all in its path and burying the rest in hot magma. But the sorrow is just as potent an aguish cold and dark like the Arctic Ocean during the long winter where the sun does not shine at all.

It feels so cold but I know that things will at least be sort of okay again as I feel a familiar hand grasp mine.

Things are okay, but not okay. Why is everything so contradictory?

~oOo~


I wake up with a heavy heart the feeling of Kiba's hand grasping my own and Akamaru and Aōko's flaks moving next to me as they breath is the only thing that comforts me. I have never woken from a nightmare that made me feel this way. I always wake up cause of fear, but this one didn't make me fear it made me feel sorrowful. What brought on the sudden change?

Sighing I accept that I am too sick of questions to be asking more right now. But I don't remember or know why. Everyone is asleep and Shino's insects are guarding us. My pack is tired and needs to rest even if sleep evades me and I am plagued by nightmares.

Half asleep and emotionally and physically drained I realise numbly that we are out of bandages. I'll go look for more. Leaving my spot curled back to back with my brother with our ninken curled up between our legs I head to the door way. And I can tell that Shino's insects are confused.

"I am going to find more bandages," I explain not knowing whether or not they understand me but still wanting to quell there worry. They are a part of Shino which means that they are part of the pack too. "I'll be back soon."

Slowly I wander out of the hallway in search of bandages but really I just need to walk and clear my head. I can't leave the tower or see the night sky which is what I would normally do so I just wander the halls lost in the fogginess of my own mind.

"Hey what are you doing wandering around at this hour," a familiar voice calls and I didn't realise it was him approaching since the telltale clinking sound is absent.

Turning to face Kankuro I realise that I had wandered into the common area shared by all participants form all the villages. He isn't a major threat without his puppet and he has nor scrolls to summon one on him at the moment so I relax but his presence wakes me up enough for me to be aware of my surroundings.

"Searching for bandages we are running low," I reply realising that I should have grabbed my kunai pouch and spear. Not to mention that I left my jacket behind.

"Your team ran into that much of a hard time," Kankuro inquires and I notice that he doesn't have his hood or face paint on.

"Well we are sharing our medical supplies with two other teams since all the rookies from the leaf village decided to work together," I state. "We all got here not too long ago-"

I stop mid-sentence as a telltale mark on Kankuro's hand catches my attention and raises red flags in my well trained medical mind. Thankfully I grabbed the pouch containing some of my medical supplies. The three leaf flower shape of the bite is unmistakable, the slight discoloration around the puncture area just causes me to worry even more since it means that things have already started to take effect and haven't been treated.

"Here," I state retrieving a container filled with medical cream from the small pouch I grabbed. "That bite is from an extremely dangerous insect native to the forest of death and secluded parts of the land of fire. Not only does it have a venom that causes the vital organs to shut down systematically over the course of a week it also carries a variety of deadly viruses and can carry more than one at a time. This cream is able to deal with both the venom and any of the diseases carried by the insect and is openly distributed through the nations so it its contents aren't a village secret. Have your sister use some two if she has any of the same bites."

"Hang on a second I can't just take it," Kankuro protests. "You're from a rival village and were enemies at the moment remember."

"Look you remember those ninja that you managed to get Gaara to spare after he slaughtered that team from Ame," I snarl not in the mood for a stubborn patient. "That was me and Shino so at least take it in repayment for saving our lives back there."

Forcefully taking Kankuro's hand and placing the medicine in it I smile, "besides I take care of those I see as friends no matter where they are from."

"You have got to be the strangest Kunoichi I have ever met," Kankuro says taking a step forward causing me to take a step back to keep a neutral distance between us only to realise that I have backed up into a wall as Kankuro braces his left arm against the wall beside my head.

Leaving the room while I don't have my wits about me was a stupid move I realise belatedly. However I don't feel afraid or nervous with the position I am in. I am to use to having no sense of personal space, something that applies to both my own personal space and others. Not to mention that I am so numb to intimate actions to be put on edge from years of open displays of affection with my pack. Besides this is exactly the kind of situation that a kunoichi relying on seduction methods wants. It was one of the first lessons we learned.

"You aren't the first to think of me like that and you most likely won't be the last," I reply meeting the gaze of his dark eyes with my own knowing that the look I am giving him is one that shows just enough of my true nature to be captivating.

Just as Kankuro leans in falling for my trap hook line and sinker I hear the sound of nearly inaudible footsteps and push Kankuro just far enough that he is an appropriate distance from me without making him stumble. The patrolling chunin rounds the corner before Kankuro can ask whatever he was going to ask.

"What are you two doing up this late at night," Shiranui Genma says spotting me and Kankuro who seems at a lost at what to say with the quick change in the situation.

"I noticed the Norowareta Yuri bite on his hand sure and realised that he didn't know how serious the bite was since it has obviously gone untreated. Most likely due to the fact that this species of insect cannot survive the climate of the desert and the fore has never been encountered by the Suna nin and his team. I gave him some medicine to treat the bite and prevent the dangers associated with the bite," I reply professionally. "After all it would make Konoha look bad not to mention suspicious if the Kazekage's children were to fall victim to something so easy to treat due to Konoha's negligence. As for myself I was looking to replenish my supply of bandages so that I can treat any wounds as soon as possible, kinda."

It takes Genma less than a minute to realise that I have covered every single base with my little report and the chunin simply takes the senbon from his mouth and sighs, "Just get back to your respective area's I'll send word that your group requires more medical supplies."

I bow respectively and head back the way I came leaving the chunin and confused puppet user behind me. Though something tells me that the whole ordeal is going to bite me in the ass later.

~o~


"Hold still Shikamaru," I exclaim angrily as the Nara continues to flinch each time my medical chakra coated hand comes into contact with his skin. "Seriously you're worse than Naruto with the way you keep squirming."

The Nara gives an irritated grunt in reply to my comment as I try to focus on healing the numerous but shallow senbon wounds from where the senbon made it through his mesh top to the flesh beneath. "Honestly I don't know what you were expecting to happen wearing something that displays the clear weaknesses in you mesh armour. Most of us wear ours under something else for a reason. And don't start going on about me having the same thing I have my chakra cloak to work as an extra layer of defense you don't, kinda."

"You sound like my mom," Shikamaru complains. "Besides you chakra has a prickly feel to it that isn't normal for medical ninjutsu."

"It is most likely a side effect of her chakra intuitive nature," Kiba informs the Nara. "Just relax and stop fighting it."

The Nara stills though his chakra continues to stubbornly resist mine as Shikamaru subconsciously fights against me. Though I don't understand why Shikamaru would be the only person to complain about my medical chakra. No one else has ever said anything about it and Kiba wasn't exactly clear on weather or not it is a side effect. It is possible that the Nara clans Kekei Genkai could be behind the aversion.

"I don't see why you have to use medical ninjutsu anyway," Shikamru continues to complain. "After all they are minor injuries that will heal in time."

"Yes but we never know when we will need to be in top condition and ready for combat. They could decide to start the next part of the exam two minutes from now to test our ability to be ready for any situation." I reply finishing up. "Besides I am already done now that you have quite squirming, kinda."

"Did you hear that the Chunin's around the tower have begun to refer to us as the Rookie Squadron?" Chouji asks stopping the argument between me and Shikamaru before it can start in earnest.

"What happened to the whole rookie nine thing," Sasuke asks.

"Considering our actions since we arrived together and the fact that we are the first teams to ever team up and arrive as a group to the tower during this exam it is unsurprising that they refer to us as such." Shino declare from where he is sitting with two small, lazy dogs in his lap. "Why, because we have truly exhibited the qualities and unified nature of a military squadron beyond our designated team cells without jounin leaders to make us a unit with a hierarchy."

"Well that was a long winded explanation," Kiba deadpans as he sit with his back against mine.

"At least it was thorough," I say at the same time as my brother. "We have a visitor."

"I am here with a package addressed to Inuzuka-san," A chunin states from the door way and me and Kiba grin.

"Which Inuzuka," we say in unison.

"Which one of you requested medical supplies," The chunin asks not breaking her professional demeanor.

"Is that what you went to get," Kiba starts

"Last night, yes," I finish. "I thought,"

"That I was asleep." Kiba finishes my sentence. "I woke up and noticed that you left,"

"But didn't think anything of it," I respond. "We were,"

"Nearly out of bandages. But you also wanted,"

"To clear my head. But I,"

"Didn't want to wake anyone up and went alone."

"You forgot,"

"My spear,"

"And kunai pouch,"

"And jacket."

"Yeah it was kind of,"

"A stupid move."

"How the hell do you two do that," The chunin at the door asks looking at me and Kiba.

"We're twins" Me and Kiba answer plainly. "Haven't you hear about us before? We have been notorious as a pair of trouble makers since we both could walk. Our nin kin are also twins earning us as the nick name the devilish dual twin duo. Which is kind of really complicated and barely makes any sense but still sounds awesome."

"Do you two practice that together or something," Shikamaru remarks sort of shocked that me and Kiba are able to speak in perfect sync with each other for such a long period of time.

"No we are just able to do this without trying," we respond. "We are twins after all and it isn't unheard of for twins to be able to,"

"Speak in unison," I list

"Finishes each other's sentences," Kiba adds

"Tell when the other is in trouble," we both say. "We think so much alike that we know what the other is thinking without either of us speaking a single word. It has always been like that between us. Aōko and Akamaru are the same so were all able to understand each other with ease."

"Of course we have our differences," I admit.

"I like to be in the middle of the action and to take action," Kiba says

"While I prefer to sit back and plan out all my moves carefully."

"I suck at literature," Kiba says

"I suck at math," I respond.

"She's female," Kiba points out the most obvious difference.

"He's male," I continue.

"I am better about putting things into action," Kiba states.

"While I am better at learning the theories and mechanisms behind everything." I declare.

"But those differences are actually a good thing since it makes it easy for use to cover each other's flaws." We finish grinning at each other.

"Okay that is enough you two," Ino says interjecting as she pulls me to my feet and starts dragging me to the doorway with Hinata being pulled along by her other arm. "We girls are going to take a shower."

"Doesn't look like your giving Kokoro or Hinata a choice in the mater," Shikamaru comments as me and Hinata are dragged past the chunin who is at a loss regarding what she has witnessed and continues to witness.

"When did you figure out where the women's shower room is anyway," I ask as Ino brings me and Hinata in so that we are locking arms and looking less like helpless victims in the clutch of a beauty crazed demon.

"Yesterday when I was getting food with Shikamaru and Chouji," Ino states. "It sucks that it is a communal shower shared by all the female participants though."

At the word communal Hinata clearly becomes nervous lacking the confidence in her body that me and Ino have in abundance.

"Seriously Hinata you have no reason to be self-conscious," I chirp as we enter the shower room in begin to undress as Hinata stands shyly at the door looking ready to bolt. "Seriously it is just me and Ino here and I already know that you are just as gifted and cursed in the figure department as me."

"Wait you mean to tell me I am the smallest out of the three of us," Ino exclaims already undressed as she works to wrap her accessorising bandages up neatly.

"Me and Hinata are the same size in the breast department I know that much, kinda." I deadpan as Hinata finally starts to get undressed starting with her jacket reveling just how endowed she is.

"Dammit," I curse realising that I have a slight problem.

"What," Ino asks.

"You remember how my shirt was totaled and that I have been wearing nothing but bandages under my jacket." I state.

"You don't have a backup top do you," Hinata says realising the issue.

"We can probably find you one," Ino say.

"If we don't than I can just steal my brother's shirt," I state untying Aōko's bandana that matches her brothers in every aspect except the colour. Kiba and I had them not wear them for the first exams so that we could pull off that little switch.

"Wouldn't it be a bit small," Ino points out.

"Better than me wearing nothing," I sigh.

"You could just continue wearing bandages," Ino suggests. "It isn't like you are shy about your body or anything considering the stunt you pulled back in the forest."

"Privacy was a luxury that we couldn't afford in that situation." I frown getting into the shower as Hinata follows right behind me.

"You're still not above using your body as a weapon in more ways than one and that could come in handy in the next part of the exam," Ino counters giving a new point to her argument in the process.

I sigh knowing that I won't win this argument and focus in washing my hair and Aōko's fur trying to come up with a solution to my shirt problem and trying to remember if I saw any clothing supplies while I was out last night. Last night while I was walking around with nothing but bandages for a top and ran into Kankuro. I curse inwardly, realising that me being spotted out late with Kankuro just became a lot more of a problem considering the state of dress I was in.

"Will you get you head out of the clouds Kokoro," Ino shouts gabbing my attention by force. "I get enough of it from Shikamaru, I don't need it from you as well."

"Sorry I was just trying to think of a solution to my little problem," I retort back as I wash down my legs.

"Oh please not like any of the guys are going to complain," Ino says before getting that look that I dread. "Especially Shino."

"Why the hell are you so hell bent on their being something between me and Shino," I ask calmly not letting her rile me up.

"Well you two are extremely close," Hinata says betraying me. "You did choose to sleep next to Shino instead of me during our mission together."

Kami be damned who thought that Hinata would have such a devilish shipping side to her. Not to mention I have nothing to justify me curling up next to Shino during that mission.

"Wait seriously," Ino says her eyes glinting dangerously with the newly acquired gossip fuel.

"I have shared a bed with Sasuke and Naruto on missions in intervals," I state sharply, hitting both their weak spots. "Doesn't mean I am romantically involved with either of them."

"They're your teammates and you had the choice to sleep next to someone of your own gender but didn't," Ino says dismissing my point.

"I honestly didn't really care what bed I was in or who I was sharing it with at that point. The toxic nature of the forest chakra was effecting my health and mind already at that point due to my sensitivity towards chakra since my won chakra was trying to mimic it." I sigh remembering just how drained that forest had made me. "You can even ask Shino since he started seeing some of the effects it had on me while scouting the village. His insects could also tell that something wasn't right, hence their agitation."

"Wait that place was seriously that bad," Ino exclaims.

"I could see some of the corrupted chakra but it should have been enough to impact you or Shino's insects so strongly," Hinata sates.

"Well the presence of the Jikininki spider nearby probably didn't help Shino's little friends and I am just that sensitive to chakra and naturally mimic the chakra around me to some degree." I state. "Though we should probably get going unless we want to be sharing a shower with that Suna kunoichi."

Hinata immediately starts to dry off not comfortable with being seen naked by a complete stranger.

"You would think that nudity wouldn't bother her considering her clan's kekei Genkai," I dead pan as Hinata dries herself and starts getting dressed at record speed while Ino and I follow suit at a normal pace.

Just as I finish drying Aōko's fur off as much as possible the out of placed sand Kunoichi enters the showers as Hinata stands by already dressed and ready to go.

"Why the hell is there a dog in here," Are the first words out of Temari's mouth causing both me and Aōko to growl?

"You really should be more polite considering you are a guest in our Village Suna-sama," Hinata says with practiced poise and etiquette.

"It wouldn't do well for you to insult one of Konoha's most renowned clans and not mention the daughter of said clan's head." I state with a sweet tone so strong that it is like having a whole pack of sugar down your throat without being able to properly swallow any of it.

"Maybe you should keep your filthy paws off my little brother," Temari snaps.

"It was him that hit on her first and you have three of the heirs to three of Konoha's noble clans as witness to this fact as well as the testimony of the Hokage's own grandson." Ino responds with the grace of a well-groomed clan heir.

"Beside Kokoro's brother is also not very happy with your brothers advancements towards his younger sister Suna-sama," Hinata adds her voice quite but her words sharp as a razor.

"We should all get going now since the others are awaiting our return," I chirp with a fanged smile as me and Ino finish getting ready with me just putting on my jacket for the time being. "It was nice seeing you Temari-chan, we should do this again some time and say hi to Kankuro for me."

With that me and the present females from my pack make a dramatic exist and head back to the room. Though Temari's appearance has brought up some unforeseen question. Since I eliminated the entire sound team Shikamaru, Shino and Chouji won't be facing them which means that the match ups in the next part of the exam. It also means that there will be an uneven number of participants once Kabuto drops out. Then there is the fact that I have a higher chance of facing one of my pack members or Gaara now that the contestant pool is smaller. Ino even ended up facing Sakura in the original. But time will only reveal what the match ups will be so I just have to be prepared for the worst.

~o~


"Two more days to go before the second part of the exam ends and we and those sand bastards are the only ones to arrive," Kiba says sprawling across the floor with Akamaru and A ōko sleeping on his stomach.

"Speaking of that sand team I have a few things to tell you guys about them," I say from where I am laying across Ino and Hinata's laps as they attempt and continuously fail to braid my feral hair. "Most of it is just speculation but I think that having this information known amongst all Konoha genin who make it to the next stage, with the exception of Kabuto's team since we all agree that he is plant though we don't agree on who for."

"What exactly do you have on them," Shikamaru asks giving me the go ahead to proceed with my report. "Even if they are just speculations, you tend to read people and figure them out with unsettlingly good accuracy."

"I have yet to see one of Kokoro's predictions turn out to be false," Sasuke says speaking up from where he and Shino are trying to teach Naruto what he missed in class regarding the history of the elemental nations and the relationship between the hidden villages including the wars. "Sure she will get a few details wrong here or there but they are always minor and she has been shown to profile someone that she has no prior knowledge of with ease that could shock anyone."

"It is as if she can see who a person is and how their past shaped them just by looking at them," Naruto adds.

"It stems from an ability in our blood line that was thought to have died out long before Konoha and the other hidden villages formed," Kiba says causing me to look over at him and glare. "We all have an in-depth knowledge of each other's abilities sis and it is apparent that I am not going to always be there when you enter that state without meaning to. I know that it happened again back while you were in the forest most likely when you were taken out by Orochimaru."

"I remember one of the elders in my clan offhandedly mentioning some old myth about the Inuzuka clan after I got back from taking part in Kokoro's rite of passage," Ino says looking up at my brother. "Are you telling me that those myths are true?"

I sigh, "I don't know what kind of myths your clan has regarding mine, Ino. In truth this ability has been dormant in our clan for so long that we aren't even sure what it is anymore. I don't know how much about it me and Kiba are allowed to tell you guys but I know that it has to do with my insanely sever case of chakra intuition and is as my brother said most likely responsible for my uncanny ability to read people."

"That would make sense since chakra is part of the spiritual energy of a person, in other words their soul." Naruto says sounding extremely philosophical and smart about the topic.

Considering his situation with having another beings chakra with in his own body it isn't surprising that he would think about it a lot and due to the lack luster education he has on the topic it is safe to say that he would no doubt come up with his own explanations and theories behind it even if he doesn't realise it.

"That is an entirely possible theory, Naruto." Shino says adjusting his glasses and I can tell that he is quite surprised after hearing something like that come out of the kid that was considered the dunce during our academy days. "Why, because we are still uncertain about much concerning the spiritual component of chakra."

"With so many different chakra natures and clan specialisation it would be immensely difficult to gather accurate date on all them since they are closely guarded secrets," I state.

"Even if Konoha were to do a big test in order to gather such data most clans would tamper with the information to keep their clans techniques secret," Kiba continues.

"Which means that we would never have data accurate enough to define a clear pattern and link," I muse.

"Not only that but we can't be sure that there would even be a pattern with the vast amount of variables that would no doubt be present," Kiba continues.

"Not to mention the fact that if the theory Naruto proposed is correct than," I say.

"There would be innumerable variables even within on clan due to individuality, not even twins like us are completely identical." Kiba finishes.

"When did Naruto and Kiba become so philosophical," Ino exclaims looking at my brother like he just revealed the biggest secret in shinobi history. "Kokoro has always been philosophical and I know that Naruto can be smart in his own weird way but that is just," Cue weird incomprehensible hand gesture, "coming from you Kiba."

"Kokoro is my twin and we do think alike hence the reason why I developed a philosophical side," Kiba explains. "It just never shows through when Kokoro isn't around and usually never shows up around people outside of our clan. But since your all part of our pack I guess it just surfaced."

"Anyway back to what I was talking about before the conversation moved towards me," I shout getting everyone's attention back front and center. Siting up I face the room. "You all know about Naruto's passenger, well I believe that Gaara has one as well. Shino can attest to the fact that I sensed something extremely wrong with his chakra back in the forest and looking at the whole thing more closely it felt similar but even more distorted than what I feel around Naruto when the other chakra leaks through. Gaara's on the other hand is pure bloodthirst and I am pretty sure that whatever it is that Gaara has is not sealed away as effectively as Naruto's."

Lowering my head and taking a deep breath I prepare to continue before anyone can ask questions, "This means that one, Gaara is being extremely influenced by the beast inside him and needs help. Two, we have to be careful not to set the beast out if any of us face him since that would cause mass devastation no doubt. Three, that all of us should void confronting him at all costs. Four, that we should be warry of Suna since we don't know exactly what their motives were by sending in a time bomb like Gaara into our village."

Pausing again I meet everyone's eyes including Chouji's which are open for once in light of the serious nature of my report, "It could just be as harmless as the Kazekage wanting his children including the youngest and unstable child to reach chunin promotion together if possible. Or it could be a bit more sinister such as a plot to try and cripple Kokoha's power which does dwarf Suna's at this time. If Gaara were to lose control than Suna could just play it off as a misfortunate accident."

Before Shino, Shikamaru or Sasuke could interject with there on speculations I continue, "It could be something much, much bigger all together but sending out accusation like that would no doubt spark a war and that is the last thing any of use need since the other villages would no doubt try and overthrow Konoha while we are fighting Suna causing another Shinobi war."

Raising my hand to stop Naruto from cutting into my rant I continue forward, "His siblings for all we know could be trained to handle Gaara when he starts to get out of control. Shino, Aōko and I did witness them reeling in Gaara when his blood thirst was reaching to high of a level back in the forest."

"For now our hands are tied regarding the situation but the fact remains that we must remain vigilant in the case any of those scenarios are true," I state. "Now you can asks question and add opinions cause I am done, kinda."

The noise level in the room skyrockets as everyone tries to speak about the situation at once. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have them hold everything back till the end. A loud howl from Akamaru and Aōko quiets everyone down as they stop in surprise at the action of the two pups taking control of the situation.

Everyone seems to get the unspoken message the two red and blue clad nin kin are trying to send by sitting in the middle of the conference table as everyone just organises themselves around it and takes a seat clearing up the disorderly atmosphere in the blink of an eye.

"How long have you been thinking all this over Kokoro," Shino asks starting up the discussion again after a long awkward silence from everyone who are all kind of embarrassed by their immature conduct.

"There were three things that got me analysing the situation," I state. "The first was Kankuro's eagerness to flirt with me to get information despite the fact that such tactics are reserved for Kunoichi, the second was Gaara's strange nature, instability and his fear filled relationship with his siblings. The third and last thing is the fact that all the information Kankuro has been trying to extract from me has to do with the village as a whole and would not really help him compete against me during the exam, kinda."

"But questions and information gathering of that kind can have two different purposes," Ino remarks.

"To strengthen and form a bond between the target and seducer while simultaneously relaxing them by reminding them that they are in a familiar environment," Hinata recites like a walking Kunoichi 101 textbook. "It is also used to gather information about an area to use against the target and their allies. The first does not always equate to the second but can be present. This unpredictable aspect of the nature of seduction is one of the keys to its effectiveness hence why it is a valuable skill to develop form any kunoichi even if they do not choose to specialise in seduction tactics. Seduction tactics are a staple component of every kunoichi's tactical arsenal."

"They sure did drill in the 'whole staple aspect of being a kunoichi' thing in whenever they could," Ino says as me and Hinata nod in agreement and all the boys just seem completely taken off guard after hearing Hinata recite all that without stuttering.

"The thing is though," I say stretching my arms behind my head. "I think I am the only kunoichi from our class to actually put those lessons to use, kinda."

"Suzume-sensei would be in shock if she knew," Ino jokes.

"Wait they seriously stressed, no wait out right stated that you girls would have to seduce guys just because your kunoichi," Naruto says and I can tell that he doesn't like the idea of it.

"They took every chance they got to remind us of it," I state bitterly.

"When I become hokage I am going to make sure that every Kunoichi trained in Konoha knows that they have a clear choice whether or not they want to use those kind of tactics," Naruto declares with fire in his eyes and steel in his voice. "Just because a woman doesn't want to use their body as a tool to extract information doesn't mean that they aren't or can't be a kickass Kunoichi. All the girls here, Kurenai-sensei and Kokoro's mom and big sister are all bad asses that are just as valuable as any male shinobi and shouldn't be treated differently or like a tool."

"Calm down Naruto before Inari starts to hear you all the way from wave," I say guiding my rambunctious teammate to siting back down in his seat with a smile. "Hinata, Ino, Aōko and I all agree that the whole idea of kunoichi being automatically valued as a sex object is out of date and just plain sexist and most likely the reason why there are so few kunoichi in comparison to the number of male shinobi. Most females don't like the idea of being seen like that or using those kinds of tactics. However since all the girls here are from shinobi clans we weren't really give a choice in the matter and it is just what was expected of us since we were young. I know my clan has been against treating its female members like that since before we were ever apart of a hidden village but it was common practice in most clans."

"To be honest my dad was against me having to take the training but was the traditional values and the fact that Sakura who was civilian born was fine with it left him with no room to argue against it," Ino adds. "I also know that Shikamaru and Chouji's dads are also against the whole thing."

Hinata's looking down at her lap and I can tell she wants to say something but is too afraid to so I give her a little, "Just spit it out, Hinata. Your opinion is just as valued as everyone else's."

Hinata still keeping her head down and speaking in something just louder than a whisper adds her own words, "M-my clan i-is still v-very st-strict ab-about a kuno-kunkochi fi-filling in the tradtio-dtional rol-roles and st-stars tra-train us before we even en-eneter the academy."

"No offence Hinata but your clan's leaders have too many sticks shoved up their asses," Kiba states brashly. "You however are going to be able to change that when you become head of your clan since your do have that stuck up attitude that blinds you dad from seeing the big picture. You're going to be the best leader your clan has ever seen one day."

Shino nods to Hinata in agreement with my brother's statement, "I would have worded it a bit more delicately but Kiba is right in this matter and everyone here would most likely agree."

"Considering that we have more than just the heirs to the four noble clans present but the backing of present clan heirs and my clan as well including the future hokage of the village," I say. "I would say that our generation is going to bring some huge change to Konoha in the future. Heck I am sure that I can get Kakashi-sensei to back it two since he is the head of a clan to not to mention that Tsunade-hime was also against the practices when she was still present in the village and would also back it if someone were to track her down, kinda"

Well the fact that she will be returning to the village to take up the role of hokage soon enough if I haven't changed things to effect that point in the timeline means that the whole movement towards treating kunoichi better might come to a head much sooner than anyone else realises. After all the Aburame are against the practices just as much as the Inuzuka since the training is more impractical for both of our clans. Even if the Hyuga clan were to try and fight against it they wouldn't stand a chance since they would be pretty much standing alone against the most well-known and well respected clans in the village.

After all when you have both the Aburame and the Nara clan stating that something is unreasonable than it is 99% of the time unreasonable. Even then the Hyuga clan is destined to have a female head in the future whether it is Hinata or her sister so the clan's outlook on the practice is viable to change.

"We will need to decide on a way to notify any other Konoha teams of the threat posed by the Suna genin very soon," Shino says holding out a hand with a single Kikaichu on his finger. "Why? Because the hostile team for the year before us just reached the tower."

"Lee," Naruto says. "He's the most laid back of the three so we should approach him.

"He's right Birdy isn't listen to us and I am pretty sure that his teams Kunoichi hates my guts as much as the Suna kunoichi does by now, kinda" I state.

"It should be me, Kokoro and Naruto who approach Lee than," Ino says her psychology training showing through and I can tell that she is profiling everyone and our target to see who is the best for the mission. "Kokoro and Naruto have both shown themselves to be able to befriend anyone and get through to anyone while I have the most in depth training in psychology. Plus Naruto and I, as much as I hate to admit it, are seen as the weak link in our teams so it will balance out how much of a threat Kokoro has made herself out to be."

"I don't think there is any way for any of us to argue against your reasoning," Shikamaru says as Chouji nods in agreement.

"The plan is sound and made for efficiency so I have no objections," Shino says as Sasuke agrees with him.

"I-if anyone would be able to get at least on of th-them to listen to us I-I am sure it would be you thr-three," Hinata says quietly with a small smile that makes me want to hug her.

"Thanks Hinata," Naruto says completely oblivious to the fact that the action causes Hinata's heart rate to increase and a blush to take over her face as she quickly hides it.

How Naruto fails to realise Hinata's affection is beyond me, than again he is used to seeing the over the top fangirling Sasuke gets all the time so his perception on how a girl acts around her crush is probably warped.

Lee's distinctive scent that smells a lot like curry and sweat tells me that he is nearby and separated from his teammates who I am pretty sure are taking a shower by the sound of it which means that there are all the way in the communal section of the tower.

Following the scent and sound of laboured breaths to one of the bunkers of the Konoha section of the tower with Naruto and Ino close behind me I come across the scene of one of Konoha's most determined individuals training when really he should be receiving some medical attention if the hint of blood and faint trace of poison coming from him is anything to go by.

"Glad to see you made it bushy brows," Naruto say catching the green clad genin's attention.

"I am surprised to see you here Naruto," Lee says approaching the doorway where me and my three companions are standing. "May I ask what the three of you are doing here?"

"First of all there are four of us you, forgot about Aōko," I say as said dog yips at the dark haired boy. "Second of all I am treating those wounds of yours. Training with poison in you system is not a smart move."

"What poison," Lee asks touching the scratch on his cheek.

"Don't argue with an Inuzuka's nose," I respond grabbing hold of the old boys arm and start dragging him towards our base. "I caught scent of it on you when we got closer, though it was hard for even me to detect since it is almost completely odorless and a normal person wouldn't be able to smell it at all."

"We'll explain everything else after we get back to the others and Kokoro and Kiba take a look at you," Ino says grabbing hold of Lee's other arm locking the boy in place between us as Naruto brings up the rear in case Lee tries to escape. "Trust us this is something pretty important."

"Wait if this is so important sho-"Lee starts.

"Your teammates don't like any of us rookie especially Neji," I state pulling him in through the door way. "They aren't going to listen to us and we don't want to start arguing with members of our own village and we will tell you why soon just sit down in the chair and let me and my brother take a look at you."

I think this is the first untainted stroke of good luck I have had in this exam. The poison and injury aren't sever but the whole premise of it left little room for Lee to resist us and got him to come along with us with an ease none of us thought would be possible.

"tacet hyacintho dormientis," Kiba asks identifying the poison with its Latin name. "How long has it been in the system?"

"Unknown but subject has put himself through physical exertion and there are no signs of proper treatments." I state back as Kiba and Akamaru locate the three different antidotes for the commonly used poison. "Timeline of point of contamination is roughly 48 hours. Second rank stimulating reactive agent is the best antidote for the situation."

"Subject has muscle tensions and joint stiffness currently held back by chakra stimulation," I report my hands glowing with medical chakra as I use it for diagnostic purposes. "Use of chakra increasing severity of infliction by a rate of three percent per minute. Poison has not reached any vital organs and has yet to impact sensory imputes with the exception of the skin around the entry point."

"Why aren't you just using medical chakra to heal him," Chouji asks.

"This poison uses chakra almost like a steroid to increase its normally slow spreading rate," Kiba says preparing a needle armed with the antidote. "At this point the poison is too far into his system and using medical chakra to try and heal it wouldn't work and would make things worse. The poison isn't deadly but back when it first showed up during the last shinobi war it caused countless victims to be paralysed for life before Tsunade-hime came up with three separate antidotes for it for three different stages."

I take hold of the needle as my brother hands it to me, double check the dosage and ad mister it skillfully to Lee's right arm where part of his spandex suit is already torn revealing the skin, "Were any of your teammates hit by the same attack that grazed your cheek?"

"No I was the only one hit since I was fighting in close quarters combat," Lee replies. "Tenten was acting as long range back up and Neji was taking down the third member of the team."

"The team was from Suna," I state indicating that now is the time to start.

"Yes how did you know," Lee asks.

"Suna is known for its poisons just as much as Konoha is known for finding the antidotes to them," I state.

"Speaking of Suna that is actually what we wanted to talk to you about," Naruto says scratching the back of his head the second Sasuke finishes closing the door.

"We have decide to notify your team as fellow Konoha shinobi of the dangers posed by the Suna team that arrived to the tower before us," Shino says. "Why, because we have reason to believe that the red head genin on that team has an unnatural power that could put the village at risk if the already unstable genin losses control of it. Therefore confrontation with him should be avoided at all costs."

"We can't go forward with these accusations and suspicions due to the fact that it could spark a war due to that team's diplomatic status as the children of the Kazekage," Sasuke says from where he is leaning against the door. "However we want you and your team to be on your guard in case things take a turn for the worst."

"We are also not notifying the other Konoha team with the white haired boy of the situation due to our suspicions of him being a plant since we don't know who he would be working for," I say patching up the cut on Lee's face allowing me to look him in the eyes. "I already alerted your team of my teams encounter with Orochimaru in the forest which we are also keeping under tabs to avoid showing weakness in front of a potential threat and prevent panic."

Baring my fangs I lean over Lee in a threating manner, "If I catch wind of you or your team saying a word about any of this to anyone else I will see you as a traitor and a threat to my pack and act accordingly. Understood."

"You need not worry about me saying a word to this to anyone however my teammates are different story," Lee says and I back down. "Neji and Tenten both believe that you were lying back in the forest about Orochimaru and I will let them continue to believe that. I also won't out you guys as being the ones to notify me of your suspicions against the other leaf team and sand team. I will let them know that I am distrusting of them myself."

"I am surprised that you would lie to your team like that," Ino criticises seeing that this is obviously out of character for Lee.

"My team is already distrusting of the sand team already and would not listen to anything if I said it came from you even if it is so important," Lee says not liking to admit his own team's faults aloud. "Even so the fact that you all took a risk by informing me of all this shows that you have the wellbeing of Konoha itself in mind and that is something very important to protect. You have also given me information that will help me protect those precious to me so for that I thank you."

"You're not half bad yourself bushy brows," I say giving Lee a genuine smile. "With an attitude like that you fit right in with me and my squadron. Though you best go since your team will be looking for you now that they are no longer preoccupied with their own things. If they ask where you where than tell them that you were getting medical treatment after someone noticed the poison. It isn't a lie, kinda."

~o~


The tension in the room is suffocating as everyone is on edge not knowing what to expect tomorrow with today being the last of the five days since the second part of the exams started. Unable to spare or train as an outlet for our anxiety which has been building up since we got to the tower on the second day all of us are on edge and fidgety.

Three days in a semi-hostile environment without being able to take action is grating on any shinobi's nerves and is worse than medical leave in a hospital. The village hospital is a safe environment with regulated safety measures maintained by fellow Konoha shinobi the tower isn't since we share it with three hostile teams. Two of which bear Konoha head bands and another with a bloodthirsty jinjuriki.

"I am going to go see if I can find somewhere to meditate," I mutter to Kiba before heading out.

Kiba nods knowing full well that I get agitated when I have gone so many days without meditation since it is such a central practice for me. The environment makes it worse and I have put it of not wanting to run into Gaara or Temari around the tower since an encounter with either of them would go badly. The base room is too loud with all the people in it for me to meditate.

Walking down the hallway past team Gai's room I ignore the sneer from Tenten as she sharpens a fraction of her large arsenal of pointy objects. I am pretty sure that the rift between me and Tenten will never fully mend and at best will develop into a rivalry which would make sense considering the fact that we are the only ones of the Konoha twelve that use weapons. Though it would be nice to have someone to talk about weaponry with even if I mainly focus on my spear. I did have a love for studying all kinds of weapons in my past life and that hasn't really changed much.

I lean against one of the blank walls that is identical to every wall in this place with only cracks to indicate any discrepancies between them and listen. Just simple listen and try to find a place where I can meditate in piece.

I can here Lee and Neji bickering about something Gai-sensei did years ago and Tenten trying to break up the argument to the west where I came from. Farther down the hall Shino's insects buzz with irritation as Shikamaru and Sasuke begin to argue about whether or not a move one of them made is a valid one. Ino is gushing about something she read in a magazine to Hinata who judging by her heart rate is preoccupied with the task of looking at Naruto who is sleeping nearby. Kiba, Akamaru and Aōko are all napping as well.

I can't hear Kabuto or any of his team members at all meaning that they most likely have privacy measures in place. The only reason I can hear my squadron and team Gai is cause the door to the rooms are both open letting the sound out.

To the west which is the direction the section designated for Suna participants is I can hear the faint shifting of Gaara's sand. He seems to be meditating away from his brother and sister who are bickering about Kankuro's face paint. The halls reserved for Ame, Kusa and Oto are all vacant of occupants but still off limits and I can hear chunin patrolling the hallways.

The common area is silent and I haven't really been around there aside from the shower with my female squad members and encounter with Kankuro. Heading off in to the common area to explore I tug at the confining cloth around my chest. I never did find a shirt and Kiba's didn't fit me at all so I really am stuck wearing bandages. Honestly I don't know how Ino can wear them as a major component of her outfit they are uncomfortable and restrictive. If my jacket zipped up a bit farther than I wouldn't wear them at all.

The boys reactions when I came back without anything on under the top of my jacket when me and the girls got back from our shower was reason enough for me not to go around without the bandages however uncomfortable they are. The last thing I need is for Kiba getting into a fight with one of the other boys cause they can't control there teenaged hormones.

Sighing I find myself in a small unassuming nook set aside from the wider open area of the common area that seems to be set up as some sort of lounge that has defiantly not seen any use by the genins in the tower. To my delight however the secluded spot has the first window I have seen in the entire building and the view is breath taking.

Even with the deadly nature of the forest one cannot deny the captivating beauty of its seas of green and labyrinth of branches and roots. For every bit of death that lurks in it is a bit of life in the ancient moss covered trees, in each rare type of insect and thriving giant animal. This whole place is a haven for creatures that would be normally hard pressed to find a home and in the middle of one of the largest and densely populated hidden villages that home exists.

It is the strange deathly beauty that Aokigahara also possessed but is untainted by that sickening chakra. The large cloud speckled sky above it and the breeze rustling the leaves gently just screams that this forest is a part of Konoha to the very deepest roots of its trees. There is history that has been witnessed by the great trees. The tales of many genin who have also fought against the odds in the forest in front of me in the hopes of becoming chunin.

Lives were lost in here that is true but heroes, bonds and new strength has been born here too. In the end the title 'shi no mori' doesn't really fit. Sure death is a common outcome for those that enter the forest but that is just a part of the life of a shinobi and those that fall to the forest itself are just part of a cycle that has been going on for longer than recorded history. In the end this forest is one that embodies both the good and bad aspects of the circle of life.

Life must give way to death so that life may exist. That was one of the first lessons I learned in this world and one of the first facts that I accepted. Without my death I would not be here, alive.

Siting in front of the window and gazing out across the forest I just breathe.

Each hunter must find their own path.

Each hunter must find their own words

Each hunter must lose their self.

Each hunter is every hunter.

Each hunter is prey.

The third line is a mystery to me still, but I think I am closer to an answer to it after everything that has happened. Though the more time that passes by the more I feel my old life slipping away. Knowing know that the my mind scape is actually something normal for my clan I can't help but wonder if that means that those with the Kokoro no Mori before me also had memories of a past life.

Maybe that is what it means by losing yourself. To let go of that you from that life and move forward.

I am not ready to take that step yet when there is so much I still don't understand. But I know that I am slowly losing who I was from that life day by day. A little piece of it at a time.

Somethings won't change though, my love for reading, drawing and memories are a part of who I am in this life though not in the same way they were. But even I have forgotten when I stopped thinking of myself as Enid. I haven't spoken English whenever I was sure that I was all alone since…I don't even remember when I stopped doing that to.

I am losing myself and a new me is being born. The name Enid it no longer belongs to me but that part of me that appears in the mirror in my mind. I finally know who she is now and know her name.

But than what does that make the girl in the pond, what's her name?

I never have enough answers.

"Why do you always seem to be alone when you state that you are so close to your pack as you call them," A voice asks breaking me out of my meditation as I look over at the puppet wielder.

"That has been something people have been asking me since I was little," I say from where I am seated on the window sill. "It isn't common for an Inuzuka to enjoy being alone as frequently as I do. Then again I have never been anyone's definition of normal."

Kankuro not quite knowing what to say changes the topic, "at least neither of us has to deal with that forest ever again that thing deserves the name forest of death."

I give a small smile, "Some would say that the desert too is voided of life and a land were only death and barrenness can be found. Those people usually are ignorant to the abundance of life that thrives in the dessert that can't be found in other places. It is easy to overlook life when you are trained your how life to end it but it is important to remember that life must proceed death and that life is always present around us and with us as well. Shinobi tend to forget that and that is when their minds become dark and twisted and they lose sight of what they fight and train for."

I turn to look Kankuro in the eye, "Usually it is life of those places seen as deadly and barren that makes people see them as so. Whether it be a spider or scorpion in the dessert or a deadly wolf in a forest usually that life is what brings death. The majority of the other teams most likely fell victim to the forest than other teams."

"I didn't think that anyone outside of the desert would be able to see the world like that," Kankuro comments leaning against the window in front of me. "Most people wouldn't see how harsh the world really is or that the desert is full of life."

"I started hunting at an early age and saw the struggles of predator and prey," I reply committing the scents of all the poison Kankuro carries to memory just in case. "Hunting also taught me to look for life wherever it might be. There is no were on earth nature itself isn't the bringer of hardship. Rocky Mountains like were Iwagakure and Kumogakure reside are hard places to grow food and treacherous cause of landslides and avalanches in snowy areas. Area's like the land of Water including Kirigakure has harshly cold and wet winters that lead to out breaks of disease and food shortages. Like other island nations they also have to be warry of the sea around them that could swell up into a tsunami."

"You see the world for what it is even beyond your own village," Kankuro states rather than asks and I can tell that his opinion of me is changing.

"Everything in this world is connected and nature doesn't follow the clear boundaries laid out by the nations and things are constantly changing at different paces," I state. "Even if something happens all the land of water those changes can affect people from the land of wind so it is best to be aware of the world as a whole and not be caught off guard by those changes. One single thing can change more than people realise."

"Beautiful and wise," Kankuro comments. "I am surprised that one of Konoha's other clans hasn't tried to set you up with one of their heirs."

Ah a probing statement to try and collect information of the relationship between Konoha's clans, smart and well placed, "The Inuzuka have never practised arranged marriages and my mother would probably kill anyone who would propose it, head of a clan or otherwise. I am free to choose whoever I want to be with."

A smug smile spreads across Kankuro's face as he leans over me, "Do you have any particular person in mind."

"Kokoro has made it clear to everyone in our village that she does not," A familiar voice says as the whit haired ninja himself appears sending a one eyed glare at Kankuro that could cut a diamond in half. "Now I would ask why you seem to think that making such advancements towards a genin from another village is an appropriate thing to do."

"What does it matter if the two of us have a civil conversation," Kakuro counters glaring back at my teacher obviously thinking of him as another chunin on patrol and not realising who he is talking to. "After all our villages are allies."

"It is the underlying intention on starting this civil discussion that I am more concerned about that I am sure is more than just civil," Kakashi says coolly but the killing intent lacing his words is clear. "Now step away from my student."

Kankuro finally realising just who he is pissing of backs off reluctantly, "I'll talk to you later Kokoro."

"The killing intent was a bit over kill, kinda" I say once Kankuro is out of sight.

"I don't think so considering what his intent was," Kakashi sensei says glaring in the direction Kankuro left in. "Just why is that boy acting so familiar around you anyway."

Great I already have one over protective brother and now an over protective teacher, "I have been trying to establish a civil relationship since he arrived in Konoha for the chunin exams. My interactions with him have provided me with valuable insight on his and his team's abilities."

"Well he seem to want to be more than friends with you," Kakashi says sharply.

"Trust me he made that clear from the get go," I say knowing that I am not getting out of this.

"Then why do you allow yourself to be alone with him when he has made those kinds of intentions clear," Kakashi says obviously not in approval.

"Kunoichi are well aware of the dangers such a situation can hold but are also aware of the benefits that can come from it," I state back. "Besides he wouldn't want to cause a diplomatic incident that could be even more serious considering his status as the son of the Kazekage. Kiba would also kill him the second he realised that I was in distress."

"Your still putting yourself in unnecessary danger," Kakashi states. "Quite frankly I don't like that boy one bit and don't want him around you. He is nothing but trouble, Kokoro."

"You sound like your concern for me goes well beyond that of a jounin sensei for his student," I point out and really he is acting like a protective father.

In truth Kakashi is the closest thing that I have ever had to a father in both my lifetimes.

"Perhaps it does," Kakashi admits.

The sound of Akamaru growling and Sasuke and Kiba shout at each other however ruins the whole thing as I rush to see just what is with those two idiots. Kakashi quickly follows behind me as I dash down the hallway only to see that Kiba has Sasuke pined to the ground while the Uchiha's eyes shine with a telling red.

Sasuke quickly kicks my brother off him causing Kiba to skid to a halt a little ways away with Akamaru growling at his heel. I quickly move to restrain my brother as Sasuke is picked up by his shirt by Kakashi before the two can trade anymore blows.

"That is enough both of you," Kakashi says and it is clear to me that he has spotted the curse mark on Sasuke's neck since his eye widens a fraction. "You're coming with me, Sasuke. I trust that you can handle you brother, Kokoro."

I nod and both Kakashi and Sasuke disappear Aōko closes the door quickly making sure that what I am about to say isn't overheard by any of the other teams. "He saw the mark on Sasuke's neck and has probably taken Sasuke to deal with him."

"That explains why your sensei is here ahead of schedule," Shino say adjusting his glasses. "Why, because the Hokage would want to check on our wellbeing after learning of Orochimaru's infiltration into the previous part of the exam."

"No doubt about it," I say in agreement before glaring at my brother. "I don't even give a crap what got you and Sasuke to try and Kill each other you two both know better than to act like that in any situation. Shino, Hinata come with me were going to get food."

Neither of them argue noticing that I am already pissed off thanks to my brother's stunt and we leave in silence down the hall.

"Looks like someone can't keep their teammates and brother in check," A female voice sneers as we pass by the bunker occupied by team Gai.

"Care to repeat that Ten-chan," I ask sweetly turning around to face the girl with a twistedly sick smile on my face.

"You can't even keep your 'pack' from trying to kill each other," Tenten continues stepping towards me. "It seems like your all bark and n-"

I don't even let her finish her sentence as I swipe my claw like nails across her face and clutch her by her chin, "Look Ten-chan. You have been taking my hospitality for granted and since you seem so eager to see just how devastating my bite is I feel inclined to show you with a little demonstration."

Deep wells of blood start to run from the deep rifts my claws left in their wake as blood starts to coat my hand where it is drawing blood from her chin. Tenten goes to pull out a Kunai but is quickly restrained by Lee as Shino pulls me away from Tenten.

"Gai-sensei would be ashamed of us and himself is one of us were to start a fight Tenten," Lee whispers to his teammate not knowing that I can understand perfectly well what he is saying. "Just calm down and let it go."

"I am not letting that bitch get away with intimidating us like she is something more than a genin fresh out of the academy" Tenten shouts.

"Well isn't that a creative name to call a female Inuzuka," I drawl sarcastically as I go to retrieve some kunai and Ninja wire from my sleeve.

Shino grabs my hand before I can even reach it knowing exactly what I am up to and I growl at him.

"I know that she deserves it for insulting you and Sasuke and Kiba," Shino says quietly in my ear as he continues to hold me captive against my chest knowing that if he lets go I might very well kill Tenten. "But you have shed enough blood during this exam don't shed anymore. Don't let its chakra influence you, Kokoro-chan."

I sigh knowing that Shino only ever uses the honorific chan with me when he knows that something is effecting me badly like the chakra back in Aokigahara. Honestly the last thing I want to do is fight my best friend while already pissed off at my brother. I am also a bit of hypocrite for getting into a fight right after scolding my brother for that exact thing.

Lee leads Tenten back into his team's room and closes the door sending us an apologetic look. I relax back into Shino's arm not caring that Ino would fangirl if she saw me and Shino right now and that Hinata is probably going to tell her about it later.

"You know that this really isn't going to do anything to curb the rumours spreading about us," Says looking up at the taller boy who is looking down at me.

"There is no reason for either of us to really care," Shino says and his Kikaichu's tune changes to a fond hum. "Why, because they will continue to talk no matter what we do."

"True but Kiba and Kakashi-sensei both seem to be out for the blood of any male who would dare to look at me as a love interest," I state with a dramatic sigh as we once more head out on our quest for food.

"I wasn't aware that Hatake-sensei was protective of you as well," Hinata says trying prevent a heavy science from falling between us.

"I thought that he was going to tear Kankuro's throat out earlier with how he was acting," I state and Shino bristles at the mention of the Suna nin.

"Why were you around him on your own again," Shino asks.

"I just ran into him in the common area and we got into a conversation about eco systems," I reply hoping that it will be enough to stop the conversation from going into the direction I think it is.

"You know a lot about ecology right, Kokoro," Hinata asks leading the conversation away from the touchy topic.

"Been studying the since I was little," I say as the conversation brings up fond memories from my days at the academy. "Shino used to study it with me during our breaks. He knew a lot about the insects while I had already learned about the wild life and plants."

"I guess that is part of the reason why you two work so well together," Hinata praises.

"That is definitely part of it," Shino admits, "But Kokoro skillset is definitely more varied than mine."

"I am sure that she has even more hidden talents that I would be happy to help her unlock," The voice of a certain puppet master interjects. It is definitely clear that the meaning behind the words is anything but innocent and pure. "Why don't you two keep going so her ad I can try and find them?"

Shino has never sounded more pissed off at anyone before with me around. Irritated sure, but pure unadulterated anger no. Though admittedly Kankuro did cross a line with his comment by talking as if I wasn't present and assuming that I would want to be left alone with him and that my friends would leave me alone with him.

"Just what makes you think that Kokoro would even consider engaging in such behaviour with you," Shino says with venom hidden under the carefully maintained image of composure. I can hear the swarm of Kikaichu ready to attack and see some of them flying at the edge of his sleeves. "Or that either of us would allow you to make such a comment towards our friend."

"Maybe you should let her speak for herself bug freak," Kankuro spits and I barely hold back a growl at the insult directed at Shino.

Grabbing hold of Shino's hand with my own chakra coated one before he can raise it at Kankuro, though it really does nothing to stop Shino from attacking him since it is nearly impossible to restrain an Aburame without harming their insects I try and clam him down with a whisper, "calm down Shino I know he deserves it but you said yourself that there has been enough blood shed."

Shino immediately stands down at the psychical contact not wanting his insect to lash out at me thinking that I am a threat. Though I can tell he still wants to kill Kankuro who he is having a glaring contest with and the level of killing intent is astounding.

Hinata however appears with arms bearing bags of food giving me a way to get Shino away from Kankuro and helps me out further by using her soft voice to remind Shino of why we are here in the first place, "We should probably return with the food before the others come looking for us, Shino."

Shino however gives no indication of wanting to move in any way that doesn't end with Kankuro in pain.

Grabbing hold of Shino's head with my free hand I force him to look me in the eye, "Cut it out already, bug boy."

Hinata links arms with me and starts leading me and Shino, whose hand I am still holding to ensure that he doesn't use his Kikaichu to attack Kankuro, away from the scene and towards the Konoha section.

For a while a heavy silence hangs between the three of us before I finally break it, "Seriously what the hell Shino, I would expect that kind of thing from Kiba and maybe Naruto and Sasuke nut never you, kinda."

"I was not about to let that Suna nin talk to you in such a manner, Kokoro," Shino says still buzzing angrily but at low pitch. "However I one must question your actions back there."

I go to protest but Shino continues before I can open my mouth.

"You could have been harmed by my insects," he says completely catching me off guard since I thought he was going to reprimanded me on my lenient attitude towards Kankuro.

Looking down at my chakra cloaked hand holding his I realise why Shino would be more worried about that, "They know my chakra signature and know that I was trying to calm you down. I made sure to coat my hand so that they were sure who I was and that I didn't mean any harm. Just like I did back in Aokigahara."

"It was still dangerous," Shino counters. "Why, because I had instructed some of them to eat your chakra if they sensed a threat back in the forest."

"Which is why I tried to temper my signature to match yours more closely and didn't do so at all when I put my chakra into those papers," I whisper angrily, leaning in so that my words are less likely to be over heard. "Or did you forget that I mimic the signatures around me naturally. Or perhaps you didn't realise that I am familiar enough with your signature to heighten my signature's resonance with it."

"Wait you're actually capable of doing that," Shino whispers back intrigued by the new information our argument forgotten for the moment.

"Yes but only with those whose chakra signatures I know extremely well," I reply. "So far I have only ever tried it with you and Sasuke. I have been resonating with Kiba since we're babies perhaps longer and I started resonating with Akamaru and Aōko shortly after they became our nin kin."

"I know that natural chakra intuition is rare and can let a person match their own chakra with other," Shino says. "But I have never heard of a case where a person was able to control the levels with which they synced with another person. From what I know it was supposed to be impossible."

"A lot of the things I do or can do are supposed to be impossible," I reply with a smile.

"True, people should just stop trying to analyse you based on prior models," Shino says adjusting his glasses. "Why, because you never ever fit them."

"But if they did then I would probably end up fitting one just to continue the pattern," I joke.

"That prediction is most likely accurate," Shino admits his anger fully replaced by amusement.

"But wouldn't that mean that the predictions is actually inaccurate," I muse. "Did we just discover a paradox or something?"

"I don't think anyone will ever be able to fully understand you, Kokoro." Shino states though I can tell that it is with fondness. I am pretty sure that he is smiling under that collar of his.

"I was wondering why it was taking you so long after Hinata already showed up, I though Kokoro had gotten into a fight" Ino says as her and her team approach us. "Now I am wondering if I should have just left you two love birds alone."

"I already almost slit the throat of that other lead kunoichi," I say ignoring her comment about me and Shino knowing that saying anything would be playing right into her hand. "Shino also tried to kill Kankuro and I was making sure he wouldn't try and kill anyone else who might have ended up ticking off him when we got back."

"Wait Shino got into a fight," Chouji remarks in surprise.

"I had a valid reason," Shino stresses. "Why? Because the Suna nin in question was making vulgar insulations about Kokoro and degrading suggestion."

"Are you serious," Shikamaru says obviously displeased and Chouji seems even more aggravated by the information.

"So you went ahead and defended your crushes honor," Ino gushes. "Got to say that I didn't have you pegged as being so chivalrous Shino. That is actually quite romantic."

"Seriously Ino, quite going on about that kind of crap it's annoying," Shikamaru says.

"Your laziness is just as irritating you jerk," Ino shouts back. "Not to mention the fact that you completely lack any sort of skills in the romance department and couldn't get a girl to date you if you paid her."

"At least I don't hang off the arm of someone who is clearly not interested," Shikamaru spits back.

"Sasuke-kun does like me he's just too shy to admit it," Ino exclaims. "You of course wouldn't be able to tell since you're an idiot when it comes to human relationships."

"No you're just too dense to see that he doesn't like you at all," Shikamaru shouts back.

"Come on guys will you cut this out already," Chouji says trying to intervene.

"Stay out of it," Both Ino and Shikamaru shout causing Chouji to back up from the two.

"Chouji's right that's enough both of you," A commanding cigarette scented voice dictates as Asuma and Kurenai both enter the seen. "All three of you come with me were going to sort this all out."

"Troublesome," Shikamaru mutters but follows Asuma to wherever he is taking them anyways.

"I was wondering how long it would take for an argument to break out between those two," I remark once they are out of sight.

"Head back to the rest of your group, Shino." Kurenai says. "I need to speak with Kokoro."

Shino reluctantly nods and leaves obviously lost on why his sensei would like to talk to me alone though I am pretty sure I know why she wants to talk to me. The fact that Kurenai motions for me to follow her inside one of the vacant bunkers just confirms it once the privacy measures kick into place.

"Care to explain why Kakashi came to me saying that you have been improperly practising seduction tactics." Kurenai orders her red eyes narrowed.

"I have been using seduction techniques against the older of the male members of the team from Suna composed of the Kazekage's children," I admit knowing that she is probably already aware of it. "Two of the encounters that I have had with him have been unplanned."

"Two," Kurenai remarks raising an eyebrow. "I only heard of one of them. How serious was this other encounter."

Blushing at the insinuation behind her words I decide to make something clear, "My brother has told you that member so my clan mate for life right."

"I am well aware of it and wouldn't expect a girl your age to use those tactics at all," Kurenai states. "What I meant by my question was whether or not you took precautions to ensure your own safety."

I blush deeper knowing that I definitely didn't have any safety precautions, "I will admit that encounter was really unplanned and I left the room without taking any of weapons with me and didn't have A ōko with me either."

"Kokoro that is extremely serious and you know very well what could have happened," Kurenai scolds. "Tell me all the details of the encounter."

Swallowing I tactfully arrange the details in a way that down plays how much I screwed up, "First of all you can clarify with the Chunin who was on patrol that night that I identified as Shiranui Genma by his scent that I was not in any danger since he arrived at the scene very soon after the encounter started."

"Go on," Kurenai says acknowledging the new information with a nod.

"I noticed that he had severely dangerous insect bites that had gone untreated since he didn't know the threat the bite posed and gave him a common cream used to treat it that is available commercially. This was to stress the fact that his village are our political allies and ensure that Konoha didn't get a negative reputation for leaving the Kazekage's children with such a severe but easily treatable wound." I say knowing that I am going to have to mention the more shameful slip ups.

Kurenai nods indicating for me to continue and I can tell that she knows that I am starting to become uneasy.

"I will admit that I did not realise that I forgot my jacket and as you can see I have been wearing bandages in place of my normal top since it was rendered unwearable after an encounter in the forest. The Suna nin did attempt to kiss me but that is when Shinarui-san approached giving me an easy out. I was also tagged by one of Shino's insects at the time so the others would have been alerted of my distress and Kiba would have noticed as well even if I was not tagged."

Kurenai sighs, "You're lucky to have those two watching your back or the situation would have been extremely dangerous especially considering the fact that your clan mate for life. How bold has this Suna nin become in regards to you."

"Very," I admit. "Hinata, Shino and I encountered him not long before you and Asuma-sensei showed up. The Suna nin made a sexual comment and proposition towards me. Shino nearly killed him for it and Hinata and I were barely able to get him to stand down and disengage from the situation."

Kurenai raises an eyebrow at the fact that Shino had gotten into a fight, "I take it that Shino doesn't like this Suna nin very much."

"It seems like none of the boys do," I reply seeing that she is trying to lighten the mood. "Kiba, Shino and Kakashi-sensei have either threatened to kill him. Sasuke and Naruto probably would too if given the chance. Shikamaru and Chouji were also displeased when Shino told them about his remarks to me. Ino however just saw it as more fuel for her delusion which is what sparked her argument with Shikamaru."

"Delusion," Kurenai ask.

"Ino has had this idea that Shino and I have something between us that is more than friendship and the notion seems to have spread," I reply. "Hinata also seems to have joined in on it too and I am pretty sure that Iruka-sensei is also convinced of it as well."

"Considering the way you two act at times it isn't surprising that people would get that impression," Kurenai says and I realise that all of team 8 excluding my brother and Akamaru are against me.

Then again Ichikaru and his daughter are both convinced that there is something between me and Sasuke. Zabuza and Tsunami are convinced that there is something between me and Haku too. I just wish that people would stop speculation about my love life but I know that it isn't going to happen anytime soon or they get an answer.

~o~


I am pretty sure that this is the longest chapter of KnM ever and it took me multiple days of doing almost nothing else but writing for me to finish it. But so much stuff happened, relationships were established and developed. Hinata and Ino became clear shippers on deck for Shino and Kokoro while we learn that other characters are shipping Kokoro with other people. And no one at all likes poor Kankuro.

Though trying to write all these characters interacting with each other became complete chaos and made the chapter a lot longer than I thought it would. Though thank you all for all the wonderful reviews I have been getting you are all awesome.

Next time on KnM: One on one Battles; somethings remain the same and others change.