Shizuka's Pov.

The third test was coming and our orders were clear. Part of each division should be in the arena while the others were on guard should any unforeseen difficulties arise.

Ame and I were assigned to the arena because our cooperation worked best.

The whole thing happened, of course, only because Orochimaru had intervened in the second exam.

I had not seen Sasuke in the past three weeks. The redhead from Sunagakure had not turned up either.

I asked Danzo for some extra training lessons with Sai. The Shimura happily agreed and watched me meticulously. He seemed pleased with my development because he always had a grin on his face when the training was over.

The benefit of the extra training was that I could tell Kakashi, who came by once, that I did not have time to attend Sasuke's training.

»Shizuka, is everything alright with you?« Ame asked in the evening before the exam.

»Of course,« I replied curtly.

That's the third time he asked me the same question today. He looked at me urgently.

»Ame, I'm fine. I'm fit and ready for tomorrow,« I assured him before I left.

It was already quite late.

We had talked about some difficulties that could happen and discussed what we would do in which situation.

Slowly I walked through Konoha and looked around again. I had decided to go to Orochimaru after completing the exams, so I kept my distance to my team.

Cancel all contacts and disappear secretly. That was the plan.

I went home and checked again if I had packed everything.

Itachi knew about my plan, even if he didn't agree with it. He thought it was too early and I would act hastily. But I did not want to wait any longer.

After I had convinced myself that my gear and clothes were completely stowed, I went into the kitchen and plundered the fridge. I had to clean it up tomorrow and throw away the leftovers. Should I ever come back, I had no desire to find the fridge in the same stage as it was when I moved in.

After making myself a snack, I sat outside on the engawa and let my legs dangle while I kept putting one of the aranciri in my mouth.

I was curious to see if Orochimaru would be there tomorrow and cause trouble. As I estimated and knew him, sure.

I sighed before getting up and going to the kitchen. After the dishes were done, I got ready for the night and went to bed.

I got up before dawn and got the house in order.

Before I left, I put my backpack in the entrance area and put on my ANBU-mask one last time.

Ame and I wanted to meet in front of the arena and do a little lap around the grounds to see if everything was safe.

»Good morning,« he greeted me friendly.

»Morning,« I retorted calmly.

»Let's go in opposite directions and meet us on the other side of the arena,« he suggested.

I nodded and made my way. After I finished my half, I went to our meeting place. Ame was already waiting.

»Nothing to see,« I reported.

»I didn't saw anything either. Let's have a look inside.«

I nodded and we started scouring every corner of the arena for any traps.

We had just finished and had given the OK, as already poured the first people in the arena.

Ame and I placed in various places in the stands and would stay connected via headset.

The ranks of the grandstand filled up and there were only a few places left.

I had already discovered some of my former classmates. In the lower rows, I could see Sakura, Choji and Ino. In addition, Kiba and Hinata were also on site.

In the arena stood Shikamaru, Shino and Gaara. The other two Suna-Nin's were from his team. I didn't know the Hyūga boy personally, but I had watched him in the written exam.

Naruto and Sasuke were still missing. Since Kakashi was not here yet, I did not have to worry. They would surely come later.

It wasn't long before Naruto stumbled into the arena and after Genma was sure that Sasuke wouldn't show up for the time being, he let the test begin.

The first fight were Naruto and the Hyūga.

»Is everything alright?« I heard Ame's voice in my ear.

My eyes swept through the crowd with activated Sharingan.

»Nothing. But I'm a bit unsure about the number of ANBU's, which are a bit more than I expected,« I said.

»Maybe the Hokage has ordered some more,« Ame speculated.

»Maybe,« I mumbled, staying alert.

I completely ignored the fights and concentrated on seeing something out of the ordinary. There was nothing to see.

Meanwhile, Sasuke had appeared and started his fight against Gaara.

I still wondered why so many Anbu were here. There were six planned, but I counted twelve. Plus the two ANBU who hid near the Hokage.

I decided to investigate and told Ame I wanted to check something.

I had just jumped onto the roof of the box where the Kazekage and the Hokage were sitting, when a commotion broke out. I turned around and saw that the crowd of onlookers were trapped in a Genjutsu and sitting unconscious on the seats.

»Stay with Hokage-sama,« said the voice in my ear.

I jumped to the edge of the roof and looked headlong into the box where the Kazekage threatened the old man with a kunai.

»Hello Shizuka.«

I looked at the blue-robed Kage. The man's eyes changed and I looked into yellow irises.

»I almost thought you'd show up here, Orochimaru,« I replied.

A quiet laugh came from him and he jumped, along with the Hokage, on the roof on which I was.

»What do you want to do now?« he asked amused.

I unsheathed my tantou.

Four Shinobi appeared in the four corners of the roof. On their headbands was the sign of the Hidden Sound Village.

»Get away from there,« I heard Ame next to me before he jumped to the next roof, dragging me behind him.

At that moment, a barrier was raised, enclosing Orochimaru and the Hokage.

It was good that I didn't have to fight Orochimaru. Less well, the Hokage now had to compete alone with the snake.

»What do we do now?« I asked, looking at the tall man next to me.

»Wait. We can not do any more.«

Aranciri - fried stuffed rice balls