hello!! thank you all for your patience! i know i was suppose to have this up seventeen days ago, but the Olympics happened...and i was caught up in so many events. plust not to mention, soccer practice has started, and back to school, and overtime at work. then i took a whole chunk out of this chapter only to have to write it again. so here is the next installment. hope it's up to everyone's standards.
can i tell you something crazy, i right now in several notebooks portions of:
2 shino x sakura stories
3 kiba x sakura stories
2 neji x sakura stories
and 4 shikamaru x sakura stories.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN The Process.
"No, I'm not going." Sakura answered Kiba. She plopped on the couch pouting after entering her apartment.
"Babe, c'mon it's my grandfather's seventieth birthday celebration and he wants you there." Kiba jumped over the couch to sit beside her. Shino and Shikamaru followed the pair into the Haruno living room. "At least give me a better reason than 'just because.'
"It's just, I can't say." Sakura's face turned a lovely shade of pink. She started to bite her lip nervously.
"Man, it's cause she doesn't want your family to know you've had sex." Shikamaru said turning on the tv. "She knows they'll be able to smell it on you two."
"Shikamaru, who asked you!" Sakura tossed a couch pillow at his head. Her face was entirely red now.
"How do you know we are having sex?"
"He's more possessive and touchy feely, if that were possible." Shino interjected. He waved his hand to Shikamaru to leave it on the science channel.
If it were possible for Sakura to become more embarrassed it happened. She covered her face in her hands.
"Little one is that it? Is that the only reason?" Kiba rubbed her back. She looked adorable, peeking through the fingers on her hand. "Babe, think about it, my mom, sister, and Yae san already know. It's not like it isn't expected of me."
"What?" Sakura looked at him. Her mouth open in shock.
"I'm an Inuzuka it's part of our nature. Plus, I'm dating the hottest girl in the junior class, so hell yeah." Kiba tried to reassure her.
Her eyebrows furrowed, "Just the junior class?"
"Little one let's be realistic, Bisa, the senior is smokin hot." Kiba teased. The other two boys nodded their heads in agreement.
"Oh really, then maybe you should take her to your grandfather's party," she said curtly. "And after that you can start sleeping with her!"
"Well," Kiba began before a guilty look crossed his face. His hand went to the back of his head, rubbing his neck.
"You've already slept with her!" Sakura jumped from the couch. She began hitting him with one of the other couch pillows.
"Sakura, ow, calm down, I was teasing, ow You are way better looking than she is." Kiba tried to smooth things over. He grabbed her and pulled her back onto the couch.
"So you didn't sleep with her?" Sakura asked. Although she already knew the answer to that question.
"So you'll come with me? These two will be there, because for some reason my grandfather likes them too." Kiba rubbed her cheek and pulled her onto his lap. He nuzzled her neck. "Don't be embarrassed. We're Inuzukas purity isn't as big of a deal to us as it would be to the Hyuugas."
"Fine, but I'm not making dinner for you jerks tonight." Sakura relented.
"Fine, Nara get in the kitchen, bitch." Kiba tossed another pillow at the sleeping boy.
The group of friends sat outside waiting for the first bell to ring. Kiba leaned against the trunk of a tree, with his girlfriend reclining on his chest. Laying on her legs as a pillow was a very lazy Nara, Shikamaru. Shino learned against the tree also. Naruto had his head in Hinata's lap. While Neji and Tenten were sitting side by side. Chouji was also laying down staring at the sky. Ino walked up to them with a smile.
"Okay people, this is how prom is going down," the blond princess spoke. The prom was in a week, and the school was abuzz with excitement.
"Who put you in charge of prom?" Shikamaru asked quirking an eyebrow. The senior let out an exhausted sigh.
"Do you want to do it Nara?" Ino challenged. She stomped her foot on the ground.
"No, there shouldn't be anything to do. It's just a dance." Shikamaru replied. "We get dressed, go to the prom, take lame ass pictures, go to our rooms, then maybe you guys will get some action like me, then sleep. No planning needed."
"That sounds like a plan to me." Naruto added. The other guys agreeing.
"That's were you're wrong, pineapple head." Ino interjected. "And that will keep you from getting anything."
The six guys moaned.
"What is this plan then Ino?" Neji finally asked. He like the others, found it was sometimes just best to go along with Ino.
"Smart Neji," the blond smirked. "And we all thought Shikamaru was the genius."
The eye rolls did not stop her from continuing. "First we meet for dinner at Romano's, I've already booked the reservation."
"Dinner!" the guy shouted.
"Yes, dinner. Did you expect to go the whole night without eating?" Tenten looked at them.
"I've got ramen at home!" Naruto exclaimed. As Shikamaru and Kiba mentioned pizza.
Sakura could only think of sauce spilling on her all white dress.
"We aren't going in prom clothing. Girls in sun dresses, and guys in khakis with collared shirts. NO JEANS or SNEAKERS!" Ino finished looking at her clipboard.
"What the hell?" Kiba shouted. He hated dressing up.
"I mean really Ino, this is becoming to be a pain in the ass." Shikamaru said.
Ino ignored both guys, and pushed forward. "Like I said, girls in nice dresses and guys in nice khakis and shirts."
She looked at Kiba and Naruto when making the last statement. She knew them well enough to know they would show up in t-shirts just to spite her.
"We aren't going to prom like that are we?" Sakura asked. Her handing rubbing Kiba's thigh.
"Oh no Sakura, after we eat, we can go to the hotel and change for the prom. In separate rooms from the guys of course. Then it's picture time." Ino answered. "The hotel has the most beautiful gardens."
"Our parents can meet us there and take pics if they want to." Tenten added. "This way we don't have to worry about traveling in our prom dresses."
"Yeah, we'll look fresh. Most people will go from dinner to the prom, but we'll have a chance to touch up." Ino finished.
"Sounds good to me." Sakura decided. She could feel the growl forming in Kiba's chest. She looked back at him and gave a small smile.
"Me too," the Hyuuga heiress spoke for herself and Naruto. The fox demon had fallen asleep, as Hinata stroked his hair.
"You just need to let your dates know," Ino said to Shino and Shikamaru.
"This is going to be so fuckin troublesome. What if my date doesn't want to?" Shikamaru asked.
"I've already made reservations at the restaurant and the hotel." Ino started to shout. Even though she was Chouji's girl, she still scared him. "She's your date Shikamaru, and you're a genius, figure it out!"
"Whatever," the shadow wielder relented. He knew once Sakura and Hinata agreed he was not getting out of it anyway.
After a training session with Kakashi, Sakura was sitting on the steps of the school waiting for her brother. She could never figure out how she managed to always get changed before either of the boys, but here she sat going over her physics notes.
"Hey, good work today." Zaku said sitting beside her on the step. The uncomfortableness between the pair was less and less as their teamwork had increased.
"Thanks. So are you ready for prom?" Sakura asked. She closed the notebook and placed it into her book bag.
"I guess, I'm taking Leah," he answered with a small scowl on his face. She knew that she was the one he wanted to be on his arm that night, but he would not press the subject.
"She's pretty, and nice too. Don't ruin it." Sakura pointed a wiggling finger at him.
"Despite the rumors, I can be a gentleman Sakura," he chuckled.
"She could be good for you, I mean," she rolled her eyes. "Don't forget her flower or to take her out someplace nice."
"It's just a date. It's not like I want to marry her or anything." Zaku replied. "I'm waiting, and that's all I have to say about that."
"Anyway, how did you do on Ibiki sensei's last quiz," the girl changed the subject. As Naruto joined his team, they were discussing a math problem. The threesome began to head toward the train stop.
Ayame was disappointed when Sakura had to tell her that Shikamaru's mom was making him take a Nara as a date, but she understood. Sakura knew her dad would freak if he found out that she and Kiba had their own room. Hinata said the same about her dad. The two had to fib a little, telling their parents there were only two rooms reserved, one for the guys and one for the girls.
Naruto said he would cover for her. Sakura wasn't worried about money. Kiba had instructed her that she wasn't to worry about anything. That was one thing Sakura was grateful for. She knew her parents were well off and so were the families of her friends. The day of the prom arrived and Tsunade wanted to treat Sakura to a spa day.
Tsunade leaned over to her daugther as they were getting massages, "Why is he here again?"
"Just don't ask," Sakura answered. The pair looked at Shikamaru, who was busy chatting up the girl rubbing his back.
"So where to next," Shikamaru asked. He didn't want to move from his spot on the massage table.
"Waxing, bikini line," the pink haired girl grinned. "Wanna give it a try, I'm sure there'll be plenty of girls that would appreciate that. Plus your eyebrows could do with a touch up."
"No thanks, I'll stay here." Shikamaru winked at Sakura as the masseuse started to rub his back again. Sakura shook her head at the shadow wielder.
The blond rubbing his back asked, "Your girlfriend?"
"No, best friend." Shikamaru smiled.
Jiraiya and Tsunade walked through the lobby of the elegant hotel. The friends had gone to an early dinner and were busy upstairs getting ready. Tsunade did not believe the girls were going to share a room for one minute. She wasn't a fool, but she made sure she didn't leak the secret to any other parent, especially the man walking beside her. Although his innocence amused her.
"The gardens here are beautiful." Tsunade spoke to him. She was enjoying her husband's company. He had been away for the past week. Frankly speaking she was tired of living in two separate apartments, still sneaking around as if they were only acquaintances. The last meeting with their former sensei, the three had agreed, after the finish of the school year, the announcement would be made and the couple could live 'happily ever after.'
The parents of the other kids were sitting in the gardens, waiting for the kids to show.
"Jiraiya san, Haruno san, you are just in time." Chouji's dad commented. "The boys are on their way down."
"That's great." Jiraiya went and shook hands with the gentlemen. Tsunade went over to the other women.
Inoichi was complaining about how his wife and daughter would be his financial ruin. Shikaku and Shibi laughing at the poor man's story.
"Haruno san, I don't believe you have met Shino's mother." Tsume began the introductions.
Yoshino Nara was beginning to play matchmaker inside her head. "Haruno san, I noticed you walked in with Jiraiya san. Tell me, are you currently seeing anyone?"
"Yoshino, don't start." Tsume interrupted. "Haruno san does not need to be fixed up."
"It's just Jiraiya san, needs someone." Yoshino answered.
The boys entered the garden area diverting the attention from Tsunade to them. Neji stood out in a white tuxedo jacket, with a black tie, vest, and pants. Naruto and the others were in black tuxedos, with ties and vests that coordinated with their dates. The hotel's butler had gone to assist the guys getting ready.
"Oh my goodness, you boys look fantastic." Yoshino gushed. "So handsome."
"Kiba your hair," his mother attempted to tame it. Hana rolled her eyes at her mother's instinct to groom him.
"Ma just leave it. It's ok," he said jerking his head out of the way. He could sense the range of emotion from her, and he knew she was trying hard to fight back the tears.
Shibi proudly smiled at his son, as his wife took pictures of them. Hiashi was busying himself with Neji. Chouji's mom dabbed the tears from her eyes looking at her son.
"Naruto, you are very dashing." Tsunade touched his shoulder. She whispered to him, "Much like your father at his age."
He smiled brightly, his blue eyes shining clearly. Pictures were being snapped, and the parents were so occupied with the boys, they did not notice the girls walking into the garden area.
There was a collective gasp from the parents and boys. The six girls were primped and looked breath taking. Ino was still upset that not only did Shikamaru's date, but Shino's and Tenten were both wearing black. Tenten had to remind her again that it was her idea to keep the dresses a secret from each other. Hinata wore a soft green dress that looked elegant on her as did all her clothes. Sakura smiled at being the stand out in her white gown.
"Go boys, give them their corsages." Inoichi instructed.
Many pictures later, the couples began to move their way toward the entrance of the hotel, to go to the ballroom.
"Sakura," Jiraiya began. "What time will you be home tonight?"
"Uh huh?" She asked. Her eyes darted over to her mother. "I don't have a curfew, plus I'm sharing a room with the girls tonight."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea," Jiraiya ran his hand across the back of his neck. He eyed Kiba carefully. "I mean you should be home, not out all night."
"Naruto gets to do it." Sakura said.
"But he's a boy, and you are a young lady," Jiraiya looked at Tsunade for some support. The blond turned her head.
"That's not fair!" Sakura tried to keep her voice down. Her eyes flashing anger.
"Naruto's older, sweetheart," he tried to calm her.
"He's older by a minute, and even so I'm more responsible than he could ever dream to be." Sakura snapped. "I'm the one taking advance classes, I'm the one making straight A's, I'm the one doing shifts at the hospital, plus I'm the one doing more chores around both apartments, AND I train just as hard as he does!"
"I just don't want anything to happen to you." Jiraiya looked at her with concern.
"You let me go off for a week with a pervert as a chaperon, what could happen tonight?"
"She'll be fine, let her go." Tsunade finally interjected. "Sakura have fun and remember what I've told you."
"What sixty nine isn't just the number before seventy?" Sakura laughed.
"Sakura!" Tsunade said with a smile on her face. She knew Sakura was playing, but Jiraiya nearly choked. "Go now."
Sakura and Kiba began to walk away. The Uzumakis watched them.
"I don't want her to have sex," he finally said to his wife. "She'll be eligible for more adult type missions when she becomes a kunoichi."
Jiraiya was referring to the village's rules concerning women who were still virgins not having to go on seduction missions.
"I think that ship has long sailed." Tsunade told him. She lead him through the gardens until they came to a small stream. "Remember what it was like when we were young, but Kiba loves her. If we try to make them stop, they'll just sneak around. Sakura and Kiba both know how keep themselves from getting pregnant, so we just have to accept it."
Jiraiya sighed, knowing she was right. He looked into the water remembering what it was like when he first became Tsunade's boyfriend. The feeling of first real love filled his heart. That same love was in Kiba's eyes, not just the lust the boy carried around before he met her.
The pair sat on a small bench. The setting reminded him of where he first proposed to the medic nin.
"Tsunade," he spoke. Looking at his bride, Jiraiya wanted to hold her there forever.
"Yes," She was inspecting a set of pink flowers.
He turned her face to him. "Let's get married."
"We are already married, silly man," she reminded him.
"No I want to renew our vows. We are together again, finally. We have a new home being constructed, and we should renew our vows." Jiraiya proposed again.
"We can invite our friends here, Naruto and Sakura can be our witnesses. I want to be in the open again. This is killing me." Jiraiya looked at her. "I love you Tsunade, please be my bride again."
Jiraiya asked dropping to one knee.
"Of course, Jiraiya. I love you too." Tsunade wrapped her arms around his neck. "Let's go practice for the honeymoon."
"Oh yeah, baby," with a poof from the toad sage, the pair disappeared in a passionate kiss.
The friends made their way toward the ballroom.
"Babe, wait a minute." Kiba pulled Sakura back.
"What is it? Is my hair messed up?" Sakura's hand went to touch her hair. She and her mother agreed that there would be many girls with their hair up, and she should wear hers down. Sakura's face was framed by large barrel curls, with baby's breath placed throughout it.
"No, you look perfect." Kiba smiled. The junior pulled her over to a small patio and motioned for her to sit beside him. "I'm so lucky that you don't need any make up, just natural beauty."
Sakura found it funny that Kiba could still make her blush. "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
"No, I have something to give you." Kiba reached into his pocket. "We were arguing on White Day, so I didn't have the chance to give you a gift."
A small velvet box came out of his pocket, and he handed it to her. There was a child like innocence in his face. Sakura opened the box revealing a necklace. The charm on the necklace was a circle with diamond chips inside it.
"Kiba, this is beautiful," she lifted the necklace up. "Thank you."
"No, you're beautiful, and deserve more." Kiba helped her put the necklace on and kissed her cheek. The pair nuzzled each other. "Do we really have to go in there?"
"Yes, I'm on the prom committee. I have to be there." Sakura said into his ear.
"We can be a little late, ne?" The hands of the Inuzuka heir began to stroke her shoulders, and his tongue started to tease her ear.
"Kiba, you are being very naughty," she was trying not to give in, but Kiba was intoxicating. The pair tried their best not to go at it like bunnies. There were several factors that worked against them. One was the hormones that pushed through their teenage bodies. So maybe there weren't several factors, just that one, but it was very loud.
"Then come with me and be naughty with me," the brown hair boy tried to convince her. His hand slipping around her dress and started to fidget with the zipper.
"Hey you two let's go. The sooner we can get this over, the sooner I can, well I don't really need to finish that." Shikamaru called from the doorway.
"Coming Shika. Let's go, Kiba love." Sakura's smile teased him. Kiba let out a growl and stood.
"If I'm not getting any right now, neither are you." Shikamaru patted Kiba on the shoulder as he passed by.
Sakura and Kiba had a great time with their friends. He didn't mind her sharing a dance or two with Zaku. He didn't like it, but he didn't mind it either. He understood the strange bond between teammates.
That was a familiar feeling he had for Hinata and Shino. It couldn't be described, but it was different. It reinforced his brotherhood with Shino to a ridiculously high level. Hinata was special to him now more than when she was just his friend. He hated to think of an enemy or anyone that tried to hurt that girl. Between him, Shino, Naruto, and Neji, the unlucky or stupid attacker wouldn't have a body left to bury.
Oddly he knew it was the same for Sakura, Zaku, and Naruto. He, Shino, Shikamaru, and her teammates would destroy anyone so much as laying a finger on her. That's what kept him from wanting to tear Zaku apart as he danced with the pink haired girl. It was an unspoken rule that Zaku would protect her no matter what, but Kiba also felt the challenge from Zaku. He'd never hurt Sakura like he did Ino, but he wanted to win Sakura. He wanted to have Sakura leave Kiba on her own, and come to him. This would have worried another guy, but not Kiba. His nose told him Sakura's true feelings for him and Zaku. He knew she was completely in love with him, and that feeling made him smile, because he was head over heels in love with her.
The fact that he didn't bitch when Sakura danced with Zaku didn't mean he was going to let her be held too close to him when the fast pace song they were dancing to switch to a slow romantic one. Kiba went to stake his claim, pulling her into his arms and from then after the entire evening he could not keep from touching her. Holding hands, rubbing her shoulders, touching their foreheads. The loud groan from the dog trainer came when she had to go to make the announcements for the prom princess and prince, which went to Ino and Chouji. No big surprise there. Ino looked like the crown was created just to go on her head. Kotetsu and Shia were named king and queen. Izumo shouted out he wanted a recount.
The night slowed down, and Shikamaru true to his word, got lucky. So did the rest of his friends. With the prom over Sakura knew the next focus would be the genin exam. She showered as Kiba continued to sleep. The schedule for the next week already playing in her mind. An extra hour of training, plus the extra homework, another hour or two at the hospital. The prom committee duties were finished and graduation was pretty much set.
The student body elections were next week, but didn't require any actual work on her part. Neither her mother or Kakashi niisan would relent. Her taijutsu would definitely need more work, but Tsunade didn't have time to train her. That meant finding someone else to help her train, since Kakashi was focusing on Zaku. Which Sakura felt was fair because it was truly his exam.
The other problem Sakura was having was her sleep patterns. They had become irregular, again. She wondered if it was because of the hectic schedule she was keeping or if something more. The pain in her side was no longer there after Kakashi worked on the seal in Suna. Stepping out of the shower she wiped the mirror to see herself.
"Good morning," Kiba said from the doorway. He walked over wrapping his arms around the naked girl. "You left me all alone in that big bed."
He began kissing her neck.
"Sorry," she answered leaning into his kisses.
"Nope, you have to be punished," he picked her up and carried her back to the bed. He kissed her lips, then jumped off the bed with the speed only an Inuzuka could have.
"What are you doing," she called as he went into the bedroom.
"Sorry gotta pee. I can't ravish you with this in the back of my mind," he answered from the bathroom. As quick as he left, he returned and made sure she was punished properly.
The student body election was being held the next week. The physical training exam for the shinobi students was also scheduled. Kakashi was clearly irritated Genma being part of the Hokage's team there to perform the tests. Sakura knew it had something to do with her mother's assistant, and liked teasing him just a little.
When Genma asked for a strength test, Sakura looked at Kakashi cautiously. He nodded for her to give her true strength. Genma winced in pain as the pink haired student squeezed his hand almost crushing it. Sakura felt guilty, and she was positive Kakashi was smirking under the mask.
"It's ok Sakura chan, I can just go by the hospital and have my favorite medic look at it." Genma reassured her. He shot a cocky look at Kakashi.
Kakashi frowned, but as always thinking on his feet, "It shouldn't be a problem for Sakura chan to look at it. She is a medic nin in training, and I'm sure it's just a simple break."
Sakura stood between the pissing contest, looking from man to man. She finally moved to heal the jounin.
"Thank you Sakura chan, it feels better." Genma rubbed the hand that was just healed.
Gai was disappointed that his team did not finish as well as Kakashi's. The students were excited knowing they would see the normally green clad sensei in a chicken suit.
After the student body election results were announced, Shikamaru groaned for two days. Sakura felt that her senior year was going to be a constant struggle for her to get Shikamaru to follow through on his presidential duties. The three students were pulled from the shinobi class by Kakashi and ushered into a classroom.
Team Kakashi looked at the applications he presented them. The medical waiver alone was five pages long. The copy nin pulled himself onto his desk sitting with his legs dangling.
"By turning in this application each of you agree to the rules and regulations of the exam." Kakashi spoke to them. "You are also agreeing to the final decision of the Examination Selection committee."
"Committee?" Sakura asked. She sat at the first desk in front of him. Naruto and Zaku sat on both sides of her.
"Yes Sakura chan, the exam is presided over by different proctors, but the final decision lies in the hands of the exam selection committee. It consists of the Hokage, the Elders, the head of the Ninja program, and one of the clan heads, if none of their clan members are participating." Kakashi began to explain. "This year Jiraiya obisan will not be able to participate due to Naruto kun, Hiashi san can not because of Neji kun, and there are also Nara and Yamanaka's testing, so their clan heads are not able either. Next year will have to be two from the Uchiha clan, and an elite jouin since there will be a member of each clan testing, as well as Naruto kun."
Sakura nodded at the information. She wondered who would be the two heads watching them.
"The actual exam is in four parts." Kakashi looked over each of them. "A written exam, a practical application, a team mission, and individual matches."
"Each of you are more than prepared. The written exam is well, a test obviously on what you have been taught in shinobi class."
Naruto groaned at the thought.
"I told you to pay attention in class." Sakura scolded.
"The practical exam is completely random." Kakashi ignored the arguing twins. "You each will draw an envelope from the sensei with an assignment. There are separate envelopes for boys and girls. It could be anything. Protecting a person, a tea ceremony, a jutsu. There are thousands of possibilities. This is a portion of the exam that is to be kept from your teammates."
"Uh, sensei why are there are separate envelopes?" Sakura asked. Something in her stomach told her she really didn't want to know the answer.
"There are some tasks male shinobi are not required to perform." Kakashi simply told her. Inwardly Sakura groaned. For some reason she felt that her luck would put her in just such a situation.
"The third part of the exam is the team mission," he continued. "A three day, two night mission in the forest without a jounin sensei. The purpose of the mission changes each year, but it's usually retrieving an object or such. It has a time limit. If the team hasn't completed it within the allotted time, you will not be able to participate in the fourth portion of the exam."
"The individual matches?" Zaku asked. The entire village would be in the stadium for those, much like the chuunin exams. The genin exams though held more family pride since all the competitors were from the Leaf Village. All of the clans showed support of those members, trying to pass the exam to move on to represent the clan as shinobi of the village. The colors or symbols would be plastered on t-shirts, kimonos, jackets, or even temporary tattoos. This year would not be that bad since only a Nara, Yamanaka, and Hyuuga were testing. He could only imagine what the crowd would look like next year, when all but the Uchiha heir would be testing. Only the heirs were guaranteed a spot as genin, regular clan members had to go through the testing and approval by the committee like any other student.
Granted the test was merely a preliminary for the heirs, but it would be more pressure for them than a normal student. They were expected to be something greater than any normal student testing for a genin spot. The family pride was on the line. Zaku thought Naruto actually had more pressure than anyone. His father was head of the whole shinobi program, as well as his cousin, Kakashi's, high ranking position as a ninja. Not only did he have to take this exam as a junior, but as a senior as well. He felt that Sakura was in the same situation. If she didn't do well this year, it would be even harder for her the next year.
Zaku decided his team would not let their sensei down, or each other. He was beginning to get psyched about the upcoming event.
"Yes, Zaku the individual matches." Kakashi answered. The older ninja shifted on his desk. "The teams completing the third tasks fight individually hand to hand. This is your time to shine in front of family, friends, and the entire village. It is the only time the selection committee will all be there to observe you. That's not saying they won't have access to your performances on the three other parts, but this is the only one that is readily available for them to see."
Kakashi looked at his team. This was the first team he had ever allowed to even apply for the exam. He was positive they could complete each of these tasks easily.
"I expect you to make the fourth task, understood?" Kakashi said firmly. It wasn't a question, so much as it was an order.
The three nodded. The amount of work ahead of them began to weigh heavy in the air.
"We are so gonna kick some ass on this exam!" Naruto boasted. "When do we start?"
"The applications have to be turned in on Friday, we have a meeting for it. From then on it's a waiting game. There is no set time or order to the exam. Just be prepared. Once we turn in the application, you are required to be armed, and ready, understood?" Kakashi asked. "I would also suggest that you have a mission bag ready at home at all times."
"Hai, Kakashi sensei," they replied.
A junior or senior in the shinobi program was allowed to carry one kunai as a weapon. Students testing for the genin exam were required to carry a weapons pack and also a holster strapped to their leg containing weapons.
"This means we have a lot of work to do. Sakura, you and Zaku need to work on your chakra reserves, and Naruto you need to work on some control. These exams are designed to test you both mentally and physically." Kakashi continued. "This is not just for Zaku, the performance you two show while helping your teammate will weigh heavily in your own exam next year. So these means, anything that isn't related to this exam or your school work, is on hold until after the exam. That includes girlfriends and boyfriends."
The Uzumaki twins sighed, but nodded.
"I'll give you tonight and tomorrow to get your other stuff together. You're dismissed." Kakashi waved them off. The team stood and walked out of the classroom.
"I'm off, I guess I should go by my part time job and let them know I won't be around." Zaku stated. He rubbed the back of his head. "We are going to be the best. This exam will be cake for us."
"Hell yeah," the fox boy agreed. He flipped open his phone to call Hinata.
"I hope so." Sakura mused. She was also digging for her phone in her bag. She waved at Zaku as he left in the opposite direction.
"Sakura chan, I'm going over to dad's house, and from there to Hinata's. I'll see you tomorrow ok?" Naruto said to her as they exited the building.
"You're staying at Hinata's?"
"No, but it's easier to go back to dad's from there," he answered. They walked toward the train stop.
"Fine," she answered as they boarded the train. The pair went separate ways when the train slowed.
Once she got home, she finally reached Kiba. After relaying Kakashi's words to him, he tried to make her feel better.
"Babe, it's ok, we have this summer and next year," Kiba was just a little sad, but what could be done? He knew their senior year they would be in the same predicament. "I can always help you with your taijutsu."
"Kiba us rolling around on my bed does not count as training," she laughed into the phone.
"Could be, if we practice a few submissions," he continued to clean and sharpen his kunai.
"Oh so you're ready to submit to me?" Sakura asked as she looked in the fridge. Since Kiba, Naruto, Shino, Shikamaru, and Kakashi were spending more time at her house, her mother was buying better snacks.
'No, don't you dare eat those cookies!' her Inner Self screamed. 'I have to run about two miles to get rid of those!'
'Hello, didn't you hear Kakashi niisan, he's going to work our asses off over the next month, we can afford it.' Sakura replied.
'Oh well in that case, get that ice cream too.' Inner Sakura commanded.
"Hell no babe, I'm the alpha. I submit to no one," he laughed. "But I do want to see you."
"Fine, you get tonight and tomorrow only." Sakura pulled out a bowl.
"Then we're cuttin classes tomorrow, no arguments. I'm on my way with some food." Kiba closed his phone before she could protest. "Akamaru, wanna go see Sakura?"
The white dog yipped a very eager yes and jumped down from the bed. This time Kiba had no problem talking Sakura into spending the next day with him.
The Friday came to turn in their applications. Team Gai and Team Kakashi sat in a cramped meeting room with the other students waiting for the exam committee to arrive. Naruto was complaining under his breath along with Zaku, and Sakura was reading. The committee finally filed into the room. Sakura watched the Hokage, village elders, Akimichi Chouza, and Uchiha Fugaku. Behind them were five other senseis. Four Sakura knew, but the last she had never met. They stood behind the examination committee. As the Hokage stood silence took over the room.
"Good Afternoon everyone." the Third began. "It is so nice to have so many applicants. I am happy to welcome each of you today. Seeing so many young people willing to serve our village, makes me proud. That is the nature of our job, to serve and protect. The path ahead for each of you is not easy. Part of the road to success is how well you handle set backs and obstacles. That is what these tests are designed for. To challenge each of you. I would like to wish each of you luck."
The hokage sat down, as the elder whispered something in his ear. Jiraiya had also entered the room following the senseis and stood to speak.
"I would like to take this time to introduce the committee that will select the twelve new genin to serve our village," the toad sage began. He introduced the people sitting to his left, and then turned his attention to the senseis behind them.
"Presiding over the written portion of the exam many of you may be familiar with him, Morino Ibiki. Gekkou Hayate is the proctor for the practical portion of your exam. Mitarashi Anko is in charge of the third part of the test. And finally Shiranui Genma will see over the individual matches." Jiraiya paused looking over the crowd. "You are all here because your senseis have confidence in you. Please do your best to bring honor to them."
Kurenai stepped forward and instructed them to line up and begin turning in their applications. The students were then sent with Hayate to draw their envelopes containing the assignment for their practical. Sakura took a deep breath and drew her pink envelope handing it to the special jounin. The man coughed for a few moments, and he wrote down the information on Sakura's file that was contained inside the envelope.
"You are dismissed, Haruno chan," he spoke to her. The two boys were waiting outside for Sakura. Kakashi came out moments later to take them to the training fields.
For the next three weeks Sakura's world consisted of nothing but training. The students testing were excused from ninja arts class in order to work with their teams. After fourth period Sakura left her friends to join her team. By the fourth week of this Sakura was irritable, tired, and stressed.
She had argued with Kakashi about working out in the gym. He wanted her to build strength, while she argued she still wanted to have the shape of a woman, not a short man. Sakura had never questioned his training methods before, so he decided to speak with the one person he thought could have an idea of what was going on in her head.
The copy nin called Kiba into his classroom while he was on his way to his first period class.
"Kiba, you know that Sakura has been training for the last three weeks. Something is bothering her though." Kakashi began. "You wouldn't know why all of a sudden she has become worried about how her body looks."
"Aren't all girls her age worried about being too fat?" Kiba asked. He chuckled a bit. Ino was always on a diet, and Hinata ate like a bird. The one thing he was grateful for was that Sakura actually had an appetite, and wasn't scared to show it.
"Well more so than usual. She's never questioned my training methods before, and recently she's complained that she doesn't want to look like a man." Kakashi stated. "For her it is strange."
"We went to my grandfather's birthday celebration awhile ago. Sakura was left with some of the women, and the girls our age were talking about how horrible kunoichi bodies look." Kiba stated. "Sakura's too polite to start anything at a party like that, so she just sat there and took it. When I came up and heard them, I told them all to fuck off. She was kinda weird about it the rest of the night."
"Obviously none of them have ever talked to a male shinobi. Kunoichi bodies are all curves and sex appeal." His eyes began to glaze over. A bird singing outside of the window pulled him from his thoughts.
"Now is not the time for her to have problems with her body image. Fix it." Kakashi ordered.
"What?" Kiba sounded confused.
"Do whatever you need to do tonight, to fix it in her mind. Whatever it takes" Kakashi said. "She needs to know she's beautiful the way she is."
Kiba's mind was racing. Was Kakashi telling him to sleep wit Sakura? What the hell?
"But she has training tonight." Kiba reminded him.
"One night off won't kill her. Her mother should be at the hospital. I'll make sure Naruto is busy." Kakashi offered. He didn't like to think of his young cousin having sex, but her performance in the upcoming exam was more important. Especially since he saw the practical assignment she had.
"I think I can handle it." Kiba grinned. He turned to leave for his class.
The next afternoon, Sakura had no problem with any exercise Kakashi asked of her.
That Saturday, Sakura sat in the middle of her bedroom floor looking over clothes to get rid of. The pile to donate was not as large as Tsunade wanted.
"Sakura when was the last time you wore this?" Tsunade asked. She picked up a top with butterflies on it.
"I can't get rid of that!" Sakura grabbed it. "That's the top I was wearing when Gaara asked me out!"
"Honestly Sakura, when will you wear it again?" Tsunade took it back and tossed it in the donate pile.
"Mom, I'm going through your closet next." Sakura pouted.
"That's ok, but just be warned that's where I keep my porn." Tsunade smirked. Sakura's mouth fell open.
A poof came from the outside and an ANBU member appeared before them. Tsunade nearly jumped out habit from her kunoichi days.
"Haruno Sakura, you are to report to the Hokage tower immediately." He waited for a nod from Sakura and with another poof he was gone.
"Looks like you have to go." Tsunade smiled at her. "I would change as quick as possible."
Sakura was in a pair of short shorts and a tank top. Sakura nodded changing into a pair black tights and a pink kunoichi outfit, with a white circle on the bottom of it, and putting on her weapons pack, leg holster, and shinobi sandals. She hopped to the window and looked back, "Stay away from my closet."
With a hop she was gone and hopping from roof to roof, until she reached the hokage tower. She entered the office for mission assignments, and bowed to the three shinobi sitting at the table. She took a spot on the floor waiting for her instructions.
Hayate coughed while he pulled her file from the stack.
"Haruno Sakura, you have a solo C ranked mission to perform tonight." Hayate began. The jounin coughed a few more times before he could continue. Kurenai watched Sakura closely. The expression on the sensei's face was one of hope. The Hokage also gave a small smile to the young woman.
Hayate was able to continue, "You are to retrieve a scroll taken from a messenger from the Land of Suna. The thief is still here in Konoha. He is attempting to blend in with the villagers."
The brown hair shinobi looked at her to make sure she was listening. "The thief was able to be capture on camera."
He offered Sakura a blurred photo of what looked like Izumo. 'So that was his assignment, to steal the scroll.' Sakura thought to herself.
"The scroll is to be in your hands by midnight. The mission is to be discreet, but you are to use any means necessary to accomplish it." Hayate instructed. "Once the scroll is in your hand, your contact will meet you."
"Hai sensei," she answered.
"The last place he was seen was the restaurant district. You are dismissed." Hayate motioned for her to leave.
'Fuck, we couldn't get an easier assignment?' Inner Sakura grumbled. 'This is going to be so freakin troublesome.'
'That's it I need to watch the amount of time I share with Shikamaru,' she answered herself. 'And where have you been lately?'
'You've been happy. You don't need me.' Inner Sakura said as if it were the simplest concept to understand.
Sakura bowed once more and left the room. She once again took to the roof tops. 'Where would he go?' Sakura thought.
At the Haruno household Sakura's phone vibrated away. Tsunade answered it after seeing Kiba's nickname on the screen. She informed him Sakura had been called away. He understood the meaning behind her cryptic message.
"She should be home later tonight. Naruto after all is on the couch sleep. Try her tomorrow morning Kiba." Tsunade offered. "Tonight might be a good boys night out."
"I'm sick of the boys. I wanted some time with my girl," Kiba's voice trailed off.
"Sorry kiddo, try tomorrow." The two said goodbye and closed the phones.
Sakura finally tracked Izumo to a club that a lot of the high school and university students hung at. Sakura had been there a few times. It was a dry club, so no alcohol was served. The DJ was really good, so it was a great place to dance. Walking in with him, were Kotetsu, Inuzuka Toku, Nara Tobio, and damn it, Kiba. The assignment just got harder, if Kiba or Toku picked up her scent.
A quick set of hand signals, and the pink hair was replaced with red. The rest of her body also changed with the jutsu. Her legs grew longer, and breasts were slightly larger. The jeans dropped to low cut jeans, showing off the top of her ass, and a snug white halter top clung to her chest. As an added touch, there was a tattoo placed right above her cleavage and one in the small of her back.
The kunoichi in training entered the club and scanned the room. Izumo and Tobio were at the bar, while the others were sitting at a table near the pool tables. She walked in, and managed to get close enough to them, to let out a little genjutsu involving a scent of lotus. The now red head stopped where Izumo was perched on a bar stool. Her hand moved toward his face, and rubbed his cheek.
"I'm so sorry," she faked embarrassment. "You had a smudge there. I work with four years olds all day, force of habit."
She gave him a soft smile, and somehow managed a blush on her cheeks.
"It's okay, not like I didn't enjoy you touching me." Izumo smiled at her in return. He then took her hand in his, "I'm Izumo, are you here all alone?"
"I'm Ai, and no, I'm meeting a blind date." Sakura scanned the crowd once again. Tobio took the hint and grabbed the few sodas heading back to the table.
"And how do you know I'm not your blind date?" Izumo smirked, motioning for her to sit in the seat that Tobio once occupied. Izumo also continued to stroke her hand. Sakura was keeping an eye on the table were her boyfriend was sitting.
"Unless your name is Kia, and you suddenly became a very flat chested girl, I doubt it." She giggled. "She's also suppose to be wearing a pink shirt."
A smile crossed Izumo's face, as he tossed his hair back out of his eyes. "A girl, as in you're into girls too or exclusively?"
"Yes, I'm bi, but lately I've considered just going full lesbian." Sakura looked at him and smiled coyly. "Guys have a tendency to be all talk and no satisfaction."
He motioned for the server to get her a drink, "That's not true for all of us."
"Says another guy. I've yet to find one that can make my toes curl like they brag." Sakura tossed her hair back. Izumo's eyes followed her and and it made it's way down her side. His eyes fixed on the tattoo on the inside of her breasts. She turned in the bar stool to reach her soft drink, and Izumo had a look at just how low those jeans were.
He licked his lips thinking of the girl in front of him.
"Now that should never happen," he told her.
"I know right, but girls have attributes that guys could never have. Like their smell, and their skin is so soft." Sakura suggested. She watched as he could smell the scent her genjutsu was flooding him mind with.
The music changed, and she danced just a little on her stool. "So true," he rubbed her arm, from her elbow to her shoulder.
'Oh fuck, if Kiba doesn't work out can we have him!' Inner Sakura shouted.
'Shut it, I'm working here.' Sakura snapped back.
'Oh please you know you like this.' Inner Sakura smiled confidently.
"She's late," Sakura said to Izumo. "I was suppose to meet her at 10:30."
"I suppose she is." Izumo was completely entranced by her.
"I'm sorry for keeping you from your friends." Sakura whispered in his ear. She had to lean in closer, the music had just become louder. Her breasts rubbing against his arm.
"It's fine, I see them everyday. But you seem to like this song, and since your date it late why don't we hit the floor for a song or two." Izumo offered.
"I don't know, what if she shows up?" Sakura looked around again.
"She's a horrible date, keeping you waiting." Izumo smiled. "C'mon and tell me all about how boys are so disappointing, and I'll tell you how I can fix that."
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Sakura glanced over at the guy's table to see Kiba waving off some girl talking to him.
'Who the fuck is that!' Inner Sakura screamed. A flash of anger and jealousy passed through Sakura. Kiba's head perked up and scanned the crowd, almost looking for her. Quickly she moved in front of Izumo and out of Kiba's line of vision. The reggaeton beat pulled them close together.
The pair danced for a few songs, and Sakura ground her hips against him. She could feel his interest peek as their bodies moved together. The senior turned her body around, so that her butt was nestled into his crotch. His arms wrapped around her stroking her stomach.
He leaned into her, and whispered, "I don't think your date is going to show, why don't you let me help you resolve your problems with guys."
His breath was dancing on her neck. Sakura didn't want to admit to herself how sexy he truly was.
"You'll just disappoint me, like all the others." She turned around, so they were face to face. "And it would be a waste of my time."
"Trust me, I've never left a woman unsatisfied." Izumo pulled her close and began to circle her neck with this tongue.
'FUCK, FUCK, FUCK,' screamed the inner voice in her head. 'He's no Kiba with that tongue, but damn is he good!'
'Focus, or the transformation jutsu is going to wear off,' she told herself.
"C'mon on Ai. Just give me ten minutes. You won't be disappointed." Izumo's hand caressed her backside.
"Fine, we can swing by my parent's apartment," she walked away from him. Izumo texted the word 'gone' to Kotetsu as the left the club.
Sakura scanned the streets for a place with an open window. Finding one, she walked with him up the fire escape and snuck into the low lit room. "I don't want to wake my parents."
He nodded in agreement.
Kiba felt weird. Part of him said Sakura had been there that evening, but he had not seen a trace of his pink haired girlfriend. Her scent was in the air though.
He had gotten rid of the three girls that were flirting with him. Just at that moment, Hayate appeared in front of them.
"Hagane Kotetsu, your teammate has been murdered." Hayate spoke.
Each of the young men at the table stood and left behind Kotetsu. They followed Hayate to an apartment building and up the three flights of stairs.
In a bedroom of an apartment, stood Kurenai, Kakashi, Itachi, and an unknown young woman.
Izumo was on the floor, blood spilling from his neck.
"What the fuck," Kotetsu screamed and ran toward him.
Kiba and Toku's eyes stayed on the red head.
"Hold on Kotetsu kun," Itachi spoke. He looked at Sakura and she removed the illusion of Izumo's dead body. He now appeared in front of them with his arms and legs bound.
"Itachi sensei, what's going on?" Kotetsu looked at his jounin master.
Hayate began to speak. "Izumo kun's assignment was to steal a scroll and deliver it at midnight without anyone knowing or recovering the scroll."
He coughed a few times, and Itachi continued. "Izumo kun stole the scroll as instructed, successfully completing his portion of the practical. Another student's practical consisted of stealing the scroll back, and she was successful at her part."
Izumo looked up, as Hayate was removing the ties, "At least let me see who it was."
Hayate nodded and with a poof the substitution jutsu was dispelled and Sakura stood before them.
Toku and Kiba looked at each other knowing and confirmed what their noses suspected.
"Sakura," Izumo shouted. He was slightly embarrassed about being bested by a junior, but also for some of the things he whispered in her ear. Sakura was pretty, but he felt nothing more than friendship toward her. He hoped this wouldn't make things awkward between them. Plus he licked her neck! He really hoped, she wouldn't hold a grudge. A look of surprise crossed the other boys' faces.
"Princess!" Kotetsu said.
"Yes, Sakura." Kurenai added. A proud smile on her face for the kunoichi in training. "She used the oldest trick a kunoichi has and every shinobi's weakness, a chance for a quickie."
"You men have to learn to think with your heads, and not with your dicks." Kakashi crudely stated. He too looked at his student with a surge of pride. "Pardon my bluntness ladies. Sakura easily manipulated him because he wasn't thinking with his head."
"The reason we stress so much about not feeling any emotions is because that is what will get you in these situations." Itachi continued. "After a month or two away from your wives or girlfriends, some shinobi take up a 'any port in a storm' attitude. That's deadly."
"Remember this guys, this lesson is invaluable. Other villages have kunoichi trained for this just like we do. Think with your heads. You're dismissed." Hayate spoke, coughing as he finished.
The teens began to walk away. Izumo came over and hugged Sakura. After determining their friendship was still ok, he left to catch up with Kotetsu and Tobio. Kiba couldn't help but overhear the conversation between the jounin.
"Yes, she will do well undercover." Hayate mentioned.
"With a few more techniques and some started missions, she could be one of our best kunoichi spies." Kurenai added.
Kiba felt mixed emotions over this. Pride at how well his girlfriend did after training so much, but apprehension about what those type of missions entailed.
"Kiba san, don't worry. She'll be fine." Toku had picked up on Kiba's scent and the end of the sensei's conversations. "Look at her, she's worried."
Kiba turned to watch Sakura with Izumo and Kotetsu. There was a sense of worry about her.
"Little one, what's wrong?" Kiba asked as the seniors walked away. "You did great, all the senseis are saying so."
"Nothing," she looked off.
"Liar, tell me." Kiba took her hand in his. They began to walk down the stairs.
"It's this whole 'any port in a storm' philosophy," her face wrinkled in a worried expression.
"That's all babe?" Kiba asked. He laughed, squeezing her hand. "I'm an Inuzuka, loyalty is in our blood don't worry about that."
"Sakura he's right." Toku interrupted from behind them. "There hasn't been an Inuzuka couple split up because of cheating."
"What?" Sakura looked at the two like they were full of shit. They reached the bottom of the stairs and walked outside. The night had turned cool, and Sakura shivered.
"It's true. They may split because they can't get along, but cheating, never. Once we mate, we are emotionally bound to that person." Kiba spoke again. He put his arm around her shoulder.
"The bond can be severed by the elders, if the couple no longer desires to be together, but while the bond stays in place, we can't cheat." Toku added.
"That's just it," she started. "You said when you had marked your mate, which means married. So you could still cheat on a girlfriend."
"I could just mark you now, and then you wouldn't have to worry." Kiba smirked.
Little did Sakura know, that behind that smirk was a serious suggestion. Toku knew and looked Kiba in the eyes, "Kiba san?" He said softly with a questioning look in his eyes.
"Stop joking around," she laughed. Sakura shrugged off his arm. "I'm serious."
"What makes you think I'm not." Kiba said pulling her back beside him. He turned her body to face his. Toku quickly walked ahead. "I don't cheat. You are my girl, and I love you. Remember that. I'd break up with you before I did that. You deserve to be respected and cheating is not what I do."
Kiba was normally loud, joking, and playful, but when the need aroused he became serious and almost scary. Apparently he felt the need was there. He looked into her eyes, and Sakura could feel the heat from his body. The alpha male of his personality was taking over, and Sakura had to submit to it, looking away.
"Do you trust me little one?" Kiba asked. His voice was stern and commanding, but full of love at the same time.
"Yes Kiba, I do," she answered softly.
"I don't want to hear about it again," he said with a finality that ended the discussion.
He placed a kiss on her forehead and smiled at her, "How could I ever dream of hurting you."
She blushed at this statement. It was weird for her. Kiba was very open with his attitude toward her. He was possessive, but at the same time trusted her. Sakura felt like she belonged to him as much as she belonged with him.
"Now, I'm starving, and I'm sure you are too. Let's go eat." Kiba suggested. "Hey Toku, you asshole wait up."
Kiba grabbed her hand and they took off in a light sprint to catch up with the others.
so there you have it. kiba is loyal to the end.
hope you liked it.
terri.