Chapter 51:
"You're lying!" Sasuke snapped, the sneer that suddenly curled his lip turning his expression ugly.
"I'm not" The blindfolded redhead shrugged. "Now, I'd rather not fight you, so-"
Sasuke didn't give him a chance to finish, throwing the kunai in his hand down with all the force he could muster straight towards the unconscious Suna kunoichi.
It would have cut the bridge of her nose, maybe her cheek just under her eye as well. Close enough to scare- and scar. But he did not, despite his bravado, actually want to kill her.
The point was made moot however, as with a lurching at his feet, sand exploded around her, rising up from the ground like a million serpents, batting the blade aside before wrapping her from neck to feet and dragging her to Gaara's side before any of them could do more than blink in surprise.
"You must have misunderstood." Gaara, spoke, voice like gravel and now deadly serious… "I said I did not want to fight you. That does not imply an inability, or fear of doing so."
He straightened, hands coming to his side as he clenched his fists.
"You lost… I suggest you accept it before I make you accept it."
Sasuke felt his lip curl again.
The red head was angry… but outside of that, Sasuke could feel no real fear in him… no real worry.
This wasn't empty bravado...Gaara was supremely confident that if they fought… he would win.
Naruto's old warning tickled the back of his mind. Telling them all to stay away from this Suna team…
Before anything else could be said or done, or any further plans could be acted on- five chuunin suddenly appeared through the field.
"This phase of the exam is over!" One of them shouted. "Teams, line up for our decisions."
"Wait! You're serious!?" Kiba balked. "He actually smuggled their client out of here!? THAT'S NOT FAIR!" The Inuzuka howled, teeth bared as he all but snarled at the nearest proctor. "THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS THING WAS TO-"
Hinata made a hand gesture, mouth opening to let out an exhale that approximated sound. It spoke volumes of the Hyuuga's control over her teammates that Kiba shut his mouth instantly. His fury was there, and readily apparent, but he was able to keep his mouth shut with an almost literal snap of her fingers.
To be perfectly honest, Sasuke was not really much better than Kiba, despite his composure. His fists were shaking, trembling with a furious rage that was building moment by moment at the redhead Sabaku and these proctors who were allowing this to happen.
"That's cheating" He heard Akane hiss out a whisper to Sakura even as the Taki teammates beside them were all beginning to argue with the proctor closest to them.
It took a while, especially with getting the Suna Kunoichi back to consciousness -he hadn't pulled his punch and he was glad of it, hell, he should have hit her harder- but eventually all the team members of all the teams, including the Kumo nin Shino and Hinata had taken out, were brought together to stand in front of the hut, the defense teams and the attack teams almost shooting lightning bolts at each other through their eyes, even as Gaara looked like the cat that ate the canary.
The proctors talked amongst themselves for a time, apparently comparing their notes and coming to an agreement before one of the men stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Teams. Note that you require a final, bare minimum score of fifteen out of twenty points to pass this phase of the exam. Successful defense, or elimination of the client would net the defenders and attackers, respectively, nine points.
"Holy crap!" Sasuke heard Sakura hiss.
"That's more than half the score!" Akane slapped him across the thigh as she said this, biting at her lip; as angry as any of them were to miss out on that many points.
The others around them were sharing similar sentiments as Sasuke tried to ignore the series of high fives and celebrations taking place between the defense teams.
"The defending teams have successfully defended their client. Ergo, all defending team-members will start with a default score of nine." The proctor paused, flipping through pages on his clipboard, his colleagues watching and waiting a few paces behind him.
"Team six of Konohagakure, please step forward."
Hinata, Kiba and Shino each looked at each other and then to the members of team seven before they stepped forward, with Shino offering a bow. "Yes sir?"
"Hyuuga Hinata." The man said, beckoning her closer.
She stepped towards him and the man cleared his throat. "Your initial role in the exam was one of passivity. You did not assist overmuch in the first portion of the examination, nor did you use your bloodline to catch the enemies movements. A deduction of two points. However, after the initial phase was done, you helped plan and carry out the attack phase of your strategy. For that, you were granted Four points. Assigning people specific roles and designating targets you felt would be best countered by certain members of your team based on your observations. Seven points were granted. Furthermore, in the execution of your plan, you identified the opportune moment to attack and where to attack from, eliminating one of the enemy team members outright without a fight. Six points. Your physical capabilities are largely still in question due to the lack of combat you engaged in. We do believe that your tactical acuity merits your passing this portion of the exam. Congratulations."
The Hyuuga girl visibly sagged with relief, a sigh escaping her before she bowed respectfully at the waist.
"Shino Aburame."
Hinata stepped back, Shino stepped forward.
"For assisting in the swift and effective identification of poisoned as well as edible rations that were left by the examiners, we have awarded two points. For utilizing your insects to harass and effectively spy on the enemy movements from a safe distance we have awarded three points, for attempting to utilize your insects to transfer poisoned rations onto edible ones to further cripple the team, we are awarding two points. Your patience and skill in positioning your insects and not utilizing their chakra consuming nature until the opportune moment we are aware requires significant control over your hive. Four points." The proctor's face took on a slightly more sombre look… and Sasuke could tell what his next words were going to be before he ever said them.
"However, whilst you did effectively support your teammates you did not show enough combat skills to award you further points, and were too comfortable to stay within the parameters of a plan set for you by others for us to judge individual thinking for further merit. Whilst it is my personal belief that you have the discipline and skill to merit you passing the exam, the final score is clear. Twelve points.
Shino's face never changed, his expression, half hidden behind his cowl didn't even seem to do much more than twitch as he bowed his head and a little at the waist; hand and fist coming together. "I understand… thank you sir."
The proctor nodded, looking genuinely apologetic.
"Inuzuka Kiba."
The last member of team six gulped almost audibly, visibly sweating as he took a step forward like a man walking death row.
"For swift and effective identification of poisonous and edible rations, three points were awarded, For effectively determining the perimeter of the area the enemy teams had scouted via scent markings, three points were awarded. For harassing the enemy teams at night, as instructed, two points have been awarded. Your Taijutsu was seen and measured to be slightly above average for a genin in your age group. Five points. Your total is Twelve points."
Kiba was a lot less composed than Shino, cursing under his breath with a sharp fuck before he turned and marched away from the man.
Shino and Hinata offered another bow before stepping back.
"Team two, Sunagakure, please step forward."
The three siblings marched in front of the Kumo nin practically radiating smug satisfaction. Even the Kunoichi who's jaw was already starting to bruise.
'I was right.' Sasuke thought bitterly. I should have hit her much harder.'
"For the sake of expediency." The proctor stated. "All three of you passed this examination. However, Sabaku no Kankuro, you would have failed without the nine points awarded to you by successfully defending the client."
The puppeteer winced. "What?!"
The proctor nodded. "While your trap making skills were admirable, you failed to adapt once the layout of your defenses had been compromised. While manually triggering your traps to throw off your enemy was a valid tactic, it was however, an exceedingly short term one that could have just as easily harmed your teammates as much as your opponents. Furthermore, your Taijutsu was rudimentary at best."
"She hit me like a rampaging bu-"
"Brother." Gaara drawled. "Quiet now."
The Suna nin shut his mouth, though he still grumbled under his breath.
"Your lack of adaptability to the compromised traps, your below average Taijutsu and your lack of environmental awareness to notice Hyuuga Hinata as she approached behind deducted enough points so that you would have been left with a score of thirteen without the nine point advantage. Take note of these and improve."
With the clear dismissal, Kankuro offered a half hearted bow that he very clearly didn't mean before the Suna team returned to their place.
The proctor called the Taki team next. Two of them passed, if only just. Sasuke had the sneaking suspicion that, being the only Taki team in the exams, they'd decided to give an extra point or two to one of them.
The Kumo team on the defense side was next. One of them failed, even with the nine point advantage.
When he asked why, the Proctor's reply was deadpan as he described exactly what he was doing when the attack began and why Hinata and Shino had neutralized him so quickly.
"You were asleep."
(X)(X)(X)
When Naruto woke up that morning, he felt, for the first time in a long while as though he could breathe again.
His team would be back today.
Noon was the time limit for the examination.
He wasn't sure why it had taken them this long. Haku's team had shown up after just one day. So had others, All the Konoha teams however seemed to be held up.
It would have worried him more… But just the knowledge that today was the last day, hell, the last few hours he would have to wait was enough to put his mind at ease, at least a little bit.
Even so… he still found himself… impatient. For the first hour of his morning, before doing anything else, he spread out his senses, the nature chakra that still ran through his body in tiny amounts allowing him to sense every life in the village for a moment before he tuned it out, filtering the information lest his mind and senses be overwhelmed by white noise.
He could feel out all of his friends… all those familiar signatures that were so important to him.
Tsunade, Sarutobi, Gai, Kurenai, A, Kirabee, Haku and on and on the list went. If he focused enough he-
His eyes snapped open, mouth opening in clear surprise before he scrambled off his bed, got dressed and hauled out of his hotel room.
As he blitzed through the high rise village buildings, he all but bull rushed past people, dodging and weaving through the crowds to more than a few surprised and angry shouts tossed at his back.
He arrived at a ramen stand.
Breathlessly, Naruto stepped into the restaurant, peeling back the tarps that hung over the entrance.
"I was wondering when you'd notice my arrival Naruto."
Itachi's voice brought a wide megawatt bright smile to his face.
She offered him a look over her shoulder, a small, barely there smile that showed him just how happy she was to see him considering her infamously stoic nature.
"I- When did you- What are you doing here!?" He finally managed, bounding up to an empty stool next to her and climbing onto it.
"We'll talk about that later." She said, returning to her ramen, shrimp he noted. "How are the exams going?"
She was avoiding the question… she never avoided the question.
That meant the answer was somewhere between really bad and horrifying.
Even with that thought in mind however… he trusted her. She would tell him when she wanted to. So he answered her. "Not sure. They're on a three day phase. They'll be back in…" He looked at a nearby wall clock. "An hour… maybe less?"
"Hmm." She finished off the broth, taking the last shrimp and noodles off the bowl before leaving a bill to pay and standing. "Come on then. It wouldn't do for them to return and not find anyone waiting, would it?"
Naruto frowned just a bit. "Why don't you wanna tell me why you're here?."
"I do." She rebutted as she picked up her coat. "Just not immediately. There will be time for it shortly. That and I'd rather not have to repeat myself twice.
He blinked, wondering what exactly she meant but deciding to simply do as she said for now. She always had a good reason for doing what she did.
Leading her through the mezzanine buildings of Kumo, he pointed to all the places he'd eaten at so far, and to a few of the Kumo villagers he'd 'met' in his relatively short time here.
She listened, or pretended to at least.
As they began to approach the place where the chuunin exam waiting area was, Naruto tossed her a look, craning his neck to look at her placid profile.
"I was worried about you." He admitted quietly.
She was listening… stopping her walk as she turned to look at him. She didn't smile, but he did see her eyes soften a bit. "I know. You shouldn't… I asked you not to."
"And you'll have to ask it every time." He answered, his smile turning a bit melancholic. "I missed you too. It was… weird… especially the first week. Being in the apartment without seeing you."
This time, she did smile a bit. "It was also strange not having ramen made at noon sharp without fail."
"And yet here you are cheating on my delicious ramen with some Kumo vendor." He narrowed his eyes in mock anger. "I see how it is."
He couldn't keep a straight face, soon enough his bottled up laugher hissed out through his teeth before he was chortling in the middle of the hallway.
He settled down and look back up at her. "Well… no matter how bad the news is… I'm glad you're back An-chan."
"You told me you were going to try and stop calling me that."
"I'll start next time." He swore with a cheeky smile.
She shook her head.
Soon enough, they were in the waiting area where a handful of other Jounin were already milling about..
He spotted Gai with Kurenai before they saw him.
"Gai! Kurenai!"
The two Jounin turned at the sound of his voice blinking in relative surprise at the sight of Itachi beside him.
"Naruto-san." Kurenai began before looking at Itachi. "You are… Fugaku's eldest daughter, Sasuke-san's sister. I'm sorry I-"
"Uchiha Itachi." She answered in a neutral tone. "Pleasure."
"I did not know your father would be joining us so soon Itachi-san." Gai said, arms crossed; though it didn't seem that he meant anything by his words or stance.
"He's not." She answered. "I'm here on my own prerogative. Both for my brother and to carry a message to Sarutobi-sama."
"I see." Gai nodded before smiling. "Well, you're more than welcome to join us as we wait. The teams will not be much longer I'm sure."
"I heard that you're… quite the accomplished Genjutsu user." Kurenai stated, trying to strike up a conversation.
"I've…" Again, Itachi allowed herself a rare smile and Naruto had to wonder if she wasn't actively ensnaring the two in a Genjutsu or a few dozen of them just to amuse herself while she waited. "been known to dabble in it."
Naruto snorted behind her.
Understatement of the damn century right there.
As the two Kunoichi began to speak, sharing tips and observations of what was most effective Gai and Naruto sat and waited. It was odd for the two most boisterous men of Konoha to be so quiet while the resident 'Ice queen' and the infamously taciturn Uchiha were the ones striking up conversation but… worry apparently did strange things to people.
Or it was just the chuunin exams. Strange things happened in them apparently.
Soon enough though, Naruto felt the first of the arrivals moments before he saw them. If he had to guess, he'd say the Kumogakure proctors were using some kind of seal array for mass Shunshin techniques between points. Only way to explain over a dozen signatures suddenly just appearing within his envelope roughly thirty feet away.
When the doors were finally opened, they all caught sight of Gai's team.
The two teenagers on stretchers made Naruto's heart drop into a pit
"Lee Tenten!" Gai stood up, looking ready to punch his way through anyone that tried to stop him before the medics carrying the two began to march over, not looking as though they were in any real rush.
"It's alright sir." One kunoichi said. "Both have been stabilized."
"What happened!?" Gai was rarely angry. In all his years Naruto could remember seeing it only a handful of times, even at the worst of the war. But when he got to that point, heaven help anything in his way.
He looked really close to crossing that line now actually.
"Our Iwa teammates-" Neji snarled, marching up to them, stepping past the other proctors and genin. "Tried to stab us in the back."
"Iwa teammates!?" Gai questioned, aghast.
Neji's lip was pulled back in a sneer as Tenten and Lee were carried away. "The proctors disqualified them at least, and all of us passed. I will explain but first, I would like to…" He gestured to himself, and the numerous scratches and tattered state of his clothes. "- have an hour. May I?"
Gai didn't look pleased but he looked to the proctor. "You're certain they're alright?"
"Both are suffering more from exhaustion than any real wounds except for your student Lee's leg, which he sprained. We actually sedated him because he wouldn't sit still long enough for us to put a splint on his leg properly."
Naruto almost laughed. Yeah. That sounded like Lee.
Just then, another bunch of signatures slipped into his field, and he felt his relief nearly swallow him as he instantly sensed his team, along with Kurenai's team. Both were alright. Their signatures showing no real abnormalities.
Gai frowned, then sighed. "Alright. Go Neji. Find me as soon as you're done, I expect a full report of what happened before dinner today."
The Hyuuga nodded "Yes si-"
"There they are!" Naruto's shout interrupted him, though he really didn't mean to.
His voice made everyone turn to look, even the teams that didn't belong to Konoha. As soon as Sasuke caught sight of him, and more importantly, the person next to him- his dark eyes nearly came out of their sockets.
Itachi raised her hand and waved with her fingers, looking incredibly smug.
Naruto noticed Gaara, Temari and Kankuro, each making their way out as well… Gaara was smiling, laughing with his siblings as he apparently teased Kankuro.
Another difference to take note of then… A good one he hoped.
Kurenai stepped forward, apparently just as eager to see her team that was just behind team seven and Naruto had to physically resist the urge to run up to the three of them.
With dignity well in hand he waited for Sasuke, Sakura and Akane to come to him.
He couldn't help but notice Akane and Sakura's sombre expressions.
"What are you doing here!?" Were the words that Sasuke immediately blurted out, even as he marched right up to his sister and offered her a hug.
Itachi ruffled his hair. "Here to see you of course. How did this portion of the exam go?"
Sasuke pulled away from her, looking up, his lips were pursed as his face scrunched up in frustration. "I… well…"
"I failed."
The words came out of Akane's mouth, her eyes were downcast to the floor, and the poor girl looked as though she was just barely keeping her tears in check.
"Sasuke and I passed…" Sakura said, hands on Akane's shoulders as she pulled the girl close. "The proctor's said she didn't…"
