First off, I want to say that I've decided to put up another chapter to this story earlier than I planned. A reason is that it's somewhat of a set up chapter for what's to come and I thought I would just have this chapter come out sooner than expected and have the one that follows shortly after. Now, for the disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 36:
Anticipation

"Come on, what's the hold up?" That was one of the many questions that were shouted by the audience. Most of them were eager anticipating for the match that people came to see. The match that was so anticipated that it was pushed back to give it more of a chance to happen. That match was between the last Uchiha in Konoha versus the youngest son the Kazekage. There was nothing in the way of it not happening expected for one thing. "Where is Uchiha?"

Despite being given extra time Sasuke still hadn't arrived to the arena. The further delaying wasn't doing anything to stop the aggravation that the people there were feeling. That included Naruto who was in the fighting area along with Shikamaru and the proctor. "What's keeping that bastard up?" While he tried to act like he was pissed off, it was obvious that he was concern for his absent teammate.

When it seemed like Sasuke was going to be disqualified a swirl of leafs appeared. In the center of it were two people. One was Kakashi and the other was the missing competitor of the exam, Sasuke Uchiha who seemed pretty much the same with the exception that from his shoulder to his hand were wrapped in bandages. After they recognize who it was the audience began to cheer.

"Sorry we're late." said Kakashi in a half serious manner. "Hopefully our late arrival didn't create that much of a trouble."

"You should consider yourself fortunate." reassured the proctor. "Sasuke was about to be disqualified but you managed to arrive just in time." A sigh of relief was heard from copycat jonin.

"It's about time that you showed up." voiced Naruto. "For a second I thought you chickened out." He tried not to show it but the spiky haired blond was glad that his teammate/rival made it on time.

"As if." retorted Sasuke in his usual attitude. "It looks as though you won your match. Am I right?" He would follow his words by doing a little smirk.

Matching his smirk with one of his own, Naruto went ahead and responded. "Was there any doubt?" The brief conversation between the two would end as they both turned their attention to Gaara who was staring at them with unconcern eyes. "Don't take that guy lightly, Sasuke. Remember what he did to Lee." All the Uchiha gave that he actually heard him was by giving a short nod. "You better win. This might be the only chance for you to have a match against me in such a way."

This time there was more of a reaction as Sasuke became more serious but a barely noticeable smirk was surfacing. "Don't worry. After I'm done with him we'll have that decisive match." Recognizing the danger of the situation Naruto wanted to give Sasuke more of a warning but wouldn't be able to do.

"Come on, Naruto." insisted Shikamaru. "They can't start the match while we're here." Grudgingly the blond followed his friend as the two of them started to make their exit. But that didn't stop him from giving Sasuke one more look from the corner of his eye as he left the area.

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"Man, Sakura, you're so lucky." conveyed Ino while they waited for the next match to start. "You're team is really amazing."

"What are you talking about?" wondered Sakura. She had no clue what her recent reconcile friend was getting at as she was glad to see that her not so secret crush, Sasuke had finally showed up. "I can't tell what happen to it." She was referring to the curse mark that was placed on Sasuke's neck and her not being able to see it from where she was sitting.

"I mean of course Sasuke is an excellent shinobi. He's one of the main reasons why most everyone has come here." Ino was correct as there were Lords and many other powerful people from various lands that were in attendance and the main reason being because of the match that was about to happen. "Also, who would've thought that Naruto Uzumaki would actually beat Neji Hyuga?"

Unknown to the two girls, the recently healed but still recovering Rock Lee had arrived with his instructor, Gai and happen to hear what was said. He couldn't help but become a little depress as he realized that the two mentioned were becoming highly praised by everyone who was watching. Despite himself, Lee couldn't help but feel depressed. "It seems as though I'll have to train even harder if I want to match their fiery passion."

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"I can't believe that you just gave up like that." After leaving the fighting area both Naruto and Shikamaru were heading back to the waiting area so they would have a good view of the upcoming fight. "I mean, you had the match won and you just ended like that is really anticlimactic."

"Oh, give it a break." Shikamaru casually shot back. "I explained my reasons for forfeiting so deal with it." That only made the blond mumbled some something that probably wouldn't be suitable for children. "Do you think that he has a chance of winning?" There was no need to explain what he meant by that question.

"Not sure." Naruto answered truthfully. "Sasuke was strong before the exams even started and he surely has gotten stronger. Maybe if he goes all out he might just get out of it alive." The rest of their conversation would be put on hold as they suddenly heard what sounded like screams in an upcoming hallway. Going over the two of them saw something that made their stomachs a bit uneasy.

Scattered throughout the hallway was blood and was resembled human bodies. In the center of all that bloody slaughter was Gaara who didn't even seem the least bit faze about it. Not even batting an eye the redhead started to walk down the hallway and didn't take notice of the stunned looks of Naruto and Shikamaru. He got a few steps past them before stopping. "After Uchiha you're next, Naruto Uzumaki." That said, Gaara continued walking down the stairs. Only after he was gone did the two Konoha genin start to calm down.

"Man, that killer intent was so strong." expressed Shikamaru who was the first to recover enough to speak. "For someone being able to kill like that without hesitation is really saying something about that boy's stability." He didn't even have to look over to know that Naruto was thinking along those same lines. "Not even sure that Sasuke could go up against him."

All of a sudden Naruto got up and started to head down the stairs. "Come on. We got to find Kakashi. Have to tell him to stop this match." Not waiting for any response he continued to search for the jonin in question. Right behind him was Shikamaru who was having some trouble in keeping up with the worried blond.

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"Hey, how's it going?" Just as the upcoming match was about to begin, Kakashi went to join where Sakura and the others were in the audience. "Hopefully none of you were troubled by the late arrival." When he said that, Ino glance over to Sakura who had been worried about the absence of her other teammate the whole time.

"Kakashi, what happen to the mark that was on Sasuke's neck? Is it…" Sakura couldn't get out the rest of what she wanted to say as images of the curse mark reacting flashed in her head as well as the ominous words that Orochimaru had said.

"Don't worry Sakura. It's been taken cared of." Kakashi calmly replied. "By the way, what happened during Naruto's match? Did he happen to win?"

"Yes he did." Sakura answered; glad to have something that'll make her forget about the concern that she still had for her black haired teammate and crush. "You should've seen it Kakashi. How he won it was amazing. I don't know how I could explain."

Kakashi didn't ask any further. He figured that he could get a more detailed report from one of the other chunin or jonin that were there. Maybe it would help to explain to clarify the suspicions that he had for his spiky haired student. It was then that he took notice of the ANBU that were stationed throughout the arena. "This small amount of ANBU posted here? What could the Hokage be thinking? Apparently the threat that Orochimaru poses is being taken seriously."

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"Is the two of you ready? Then let the final match of the first round of the Chunin Exam between Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara begin." No sooner did those words leave the proctor's mouth, the sand in Gaara's gourd sprang out and was eager to fight like its user.

When that happened Sasuke quickly created distance between him and the redhead. However, no attack came as his opponent started to clutch his head. "Please don't be angry." Gaara started to mutter. "Just wait and you'll get to taste of delicious blood. I promise you…mother." As if responding to his words, the sand became livelier. Almost as though it could hardly wait to get what was promised. "Now, come."

After getting over the initial confusion, Sasuke seemed ready. "You want me, here I come." Deciding to take things on the safe side he threw a set of shuriken but they were easily blocked when the sand got in the way and grabbed. Quickly recognizing that wasn't going to work Sasuke decided to go with the direct approach and go close combat.

For his part, Gaara didn't seem the less bit concern. He actually seemed to be somewhat disappointed at his opponent's strategy. With the sand in front of him he felt that he was safe of any possible attack. However, when Sasuke was within striking distance he suddenly became faster and got on the other side of him.

"He's moving like he did." Gaara's eyes weren't playing tricks as Sasuke was moving like Lee did during their match. The surprise from that unexpected move allowed Sasuke to get a clean hit to the side of Gaara's face. No damage was actually done to him as his sand armor took the impact. As for the Uchiha, he remained confident as before he motioned for Gaara to come at him.

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For those watching they were both amazed at what they were seeing as they didn't expect see Sasuke do such a thing. Probably one of the more confuse was Maito Gai as he looked to Kakashi, wondering what he could be possibly thinking.

"Is this really what Kakashi has been training Sasuke for the past month? But he saw the match that he and Lee had so he knows that taijutsu won't work. So why would he then?" When Kakashi notice the attention that he was getting he simply gave one of his usual smiles which made Gai rant about how hip his rival was.

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Back with the fighting, it was pretty much the same thing as it was since the start. That being Sasuke using what he learned to repeatedly hit Gaara. For the redheaded shinobi, he still had his sand armor protecting him but only barely as it was close to completely breaking apart.

"What's the matter? Is this all you got?" Sasuke asked, sounding somewhat disappointed. Apparently he was hoping for more of a challenge. "If so then I might as well put an end to this." Going even faster than what already had been shown he literally started to run circles around a confused and possible concern Gaara.

For a moment it was believed that the end was near. That would change however as suddenly the sand that was gathered around Gaara shot out in all directions. The unexpected move would cause Sasuke to change his plans as he had to create distance between them. Now having needed space the host of the one-tailed demon had the sand surround him to where it was resembled a sphere.

Being tentative, Sasuke threw a pair of kunai at the sphere but they just bounced off like they were nothing. When it seemed as though using weapons would do any good he decided to try to use his actually fist. Somewhat foolishly Sasuke rushed in but had to quickly alter his strategy as spikes of harden sand emerged from the sphere. Fortunately the young Uchiha was able to avoid getting impaled by the spikes and get a punch in but still got cut up from grazing the spikes.

Wanting to catch his breath, Sasuke started to back away but had to dodge again as those sand spikes extended and tried to pierce him. It got to the point that he actually used chakra to climb up the side of the large wall of the arena. "I guess Kakashi wasn't lying when he said that this guy's sand was a problem to deal with. I guess I'll have to use it after all."

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"Finally found you Kakashi." After searching throughout the entire arena, Naruto and an exhausted Shikamaru finally found the person that they were looking for. "You got to put an end to this match." The request that came from Naruto came as a surprise to those who heard as it wasn't something that they expected to hear. "If this continues there's a good chance that Sasuke will-"

"That's enough Naruto." interrupted Kakashi with a touch of seriousness in his voice. "You don't need to worry about Sasuke. He'll do just fine." The confidence that the copycat jonin had didn't really help to ease the concern that the unknown demon host. "There's a reason why for the past month I've focused Sasuke's training on taijutsu and you're about to see why."

When it became clear that there was no way of changing his decision, Naruto and everyone else looked to where Sasuke was and see if Kakashi's confidence was validated. From what could be seen the Uchiha was starting to do a series of hand signs and started focusing on something that seemed to center around his left hand. While most of those there didn't understand what he was trying to do, Maito Gai instantly recognized what the genin was trying to do.

"Oh my, you didn't Kakashi." Turning around he just received the same confident expression on the face of the jonin in question. "Don't tell me that you actually taught him that jutsu."

"What jutsu?" Sakura wondered. She didn't like the slight tension that was going on between the two more experienced shinobi. "What jutsu are you talking about?"

"Chidori." That was the only thing that Gai would say.

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Still clinging to the wall, Sasuke was continuing to focus his chakra into his left hand. It would get to the point that his chakra could actually be seen. The nature of it would alter to the point that it seemingly became electricity. Apparently getting want he wanted Sasuke started to run down the wall and continued to do so when he reached the ground.

As the Uchiha charged in the sound of birds chirping was heard. Not standing back, Gaara decided to retaliate. While still inside of the sphere of sand another set of spikes came out and tried to attack. However, no matter how much he tried none of them hit the mark. The reason why that was the case was because unlike last time, Sasuke was using his Sharingan and that predict where the next attack with the spikes was going to come from.

Having made up the distance he thrust his lightening chakra powered hand into the sphere and didn't stop until he was elbow deep in it. There was no telling what happen but when the sound of Gaara screaming was heard a strange feeling was felt. Sasuke would try to free his arm and only after a few hard tugs was he able to get it out. The feeling that was being felt seemed to only increase and was added with murderous intent and it was focus on Sasuke.

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Even though they were a good distance away, most of the audience could sense the intent. None of them could understand what it was precisely with the exception of one perhaps. That person being Naruto Uzumaki and the reason for that was because it was similar to how it felt when he confronted Kyuubi in his subconscious.

"Shit. The one-tailed demon of his is starting to come out. There's no telling what'll happen if that demon started to go crazy in such a place." His concern wouldn't go away as a large sand claw came out of the sphere and knocked Sasuke to the ground.

Naruto was thinking about transforming into Fox and try to stop him. "Forget keeping my secret. If nothing is done everyone in this arena could be slaughtered. I'll deal with the consequences later." Just as he was going to follow those words up, something started to fall from the sky. "Feathers? What the hell is going on?"

Along with the confusion, Naruto started to feel tired for some reason. Before he could say or do anything about it he gave in and fell to sleep. He wouldn't be the only one as most of the people in the arena started to go to sleep as well. It was only those who were able to dispel the genjutsu who were able to keep from falling asleep.

After the genjutsu was employed, shinobi from both Oto and Suna emerged from throughout the arena and it was clear that they were ready to attack at any moment. If things weren't bad enough, some kind of explosion happened in the location that both the Hokage and Kazekage were sitting. Before any of Konoha's ANBU could get there, some kind of barrier came over that area. Apparently whatever Orochimaru had planned it had begun.

You may already have noticed but this chapter was more or less similar to what happened in the actual series. I of course put my few bit and pieces together and hoped that it helped to keep the chapter being basically a copy of what actually happen. Trust me, the next chapter will be more original and hopefully liked. That's not to say that I don't want this chapter to be liked as well.

As for when that next chapter is out, it should likely to be out by around this time next week. No later than next weekend. So, until then, see ya.