A couple days later the survival round drew to a close as all the remaining contestants in the exam arrived at the tower and there were many 7 teams from Leaf, one Kusa team, one Suna team, the Oto team and the genin from Kumogakure.
Which totaled 33 participants, Sakura was glad the second round was over after resting the last two days but she knew that things were only to get harder from then on "With this many people left, we're probably going to have a preliminary round" Sakura guessed.
Having done her research on the exam "Can you not right now Sakura, I don't even want to know how you came up with that idea" Sasuke groaned, ready to get out of this bloody freaking tower and forest for that matter.
Sakura bit back a giggle only to have her attention draw forward as Anko called for them to listen, then the Hokage shuffled forward from the shadows to give them a congratulatory speech "Some of us literally just got here and now you want us to fight more" a Kusa genin complained.
Obviously not happy at the mention of a preliminary round "Then maybe you should have gotten here sooner where you could have rested" Temari commented while inspecting her nails not caring one way or another really.
But she didn't want to hear anyone whining within her vicinity, Hiruzen cleared his throat "Hayate-kun if you would take over please and explain the rules of the preliminary round" Hiruzen requested.
Taking a step back and the special Jonin who was in command of Team Eleven jumped down before the thirty three contestants to do as the Hokage asked him, only one genin dropped out of the preliminary round.
While the rest went up to the stands before the electronic board started up "Good luck Sasuke" Naruto clapped his teammate on the shoulder when his name showed up first along with Yoroi Akado, a fellow Leaf Genin.
Karin sighed and a chuckle filled her ears from behind them "Fugaku-sensei I didn't think you'd come watch the matches" Karin greeted, not even having to turn around to know who it was that stood behind her.
Fugaku smirked "I normally wouldn't but Itachi decided to help with paperwork, after this match though Sakura I'm going to take you to meet someone, he's an expert" Fugaku admitted, then turned his attention on the pinkette.
She nodded silently in understanding before leaning over the railing to watch Sasuke's match, five minutes in she caught Karin frowning out of the corner of her eye "Everything okay Karin" Haku asked having seen the frown himself.
The redhead pursed her lips "Pretty sure Yoroi just stole some of Sasuke's chakra, I felt some of his chakra get absorbed by Yoroi" Karin explained earning some looks from the surrounding Jonin who hadn't felt anything.
"Don't know why your all doubting her, I don't cause I know Karin is one of the best sensors you Leaf guys could ever have" Karui scoffed seeing the disbelief being shot at Karin and she didn't like that one little bit.
So stepped in and defended her friend "Oooh that looked like it hurt" Nawaki winced when Sasuke got thrown through the air by his opponent, he was back on his feet a second later, charging Yoroi.
In the end the match came down to pure physical attacks and Sasuke's taijutsu proved to be superior winning him the first match "Woohoo I knew you could do it Sasuke-kun your the best, way better than that Sakura forehead and Ino pig" Ami cheered obnoxiously.
Pupil-less cerulean orbs burned with fury at the purple haired girl, Sasuke ignored Ami however merely rejoined his team and sensei on the balcony as the board started up again when the names that popped up were Shino vs Zaku, Fugaku laid his hand on Sakura's shoulder.
Quietly indicating that it was time "You okay Sakura" Ino asked when the rosette was led past her and so as not to worry her probably Sakura smiled widely in reassurance a moment later the two were gone from sight.
Heading deeper to parts of the tower Sakura hadn't been allowed to "At least you aren't late Master Jiraiya" Fugaku stated when they arrived at their destination to find the expert he'd told Sakura about waiting for them.
"Like I'd be late to a meeting with someone who managed to take control of one of Orochimaru's curse marks Fugaku you should know better" Jiraiya, another of the Legendary Sannin, the last one Sakura hadn't met yet scoffed.
Coming forward as he did so to peer down at the girl "Good to know in case of future situations" Fugaku snorted, lifting his brow when Jiraiya continued staring at Sakura who stared straight back with guts of steel.
Jiraiya realizing he wasn't going to get anywhere just looking at the kid "Right so...where is this curse mark I don't see it on your shoulder or anywhere else" Jiraiya asked, wanting to get a look at the seal on the girl.
A sigh followed by her unwinding the wraps around her stomach once it was uncovered Jiraiya reached out his hand "Wa..Wait pffftt hahahaahahahaha" Sakura promptly burst out laughing not able to warn the man that her stomach was extremely ticklish.
When he wiggled his fingers against her flesh probing the mark with his chakra, activating the seal in the process, his brows vanished into his hairline high on his forehead at the unusual pattern "Have you always been this sensitive here Kid" Jiraiya questioned.
"Mhm, hehehehe" Sakura giggled unaware of the highly amused look on her sensei's face because he was almost certain that this was the first time he'd ever heard the girl laugh like this anyway she was usually very guarded.
After a few more minutes of checking out the seal Jiraiya pulled back, the marks receded a second later "So what do you think Jiraiya does it need the curse sealing or not" Fugaku inquired not wanting to miss any more of the fights.
Or for Sakura to be accidentally disqualified, "No, nothing of Orochimaru is left in it, basically it's only purpose now is to enhance her physical attacks, it might change her appearance a bit but otherwise it's harmless to her" Jiraiya explained.
Sakura relaxed glad to have a professional opinion on the matter "Thanks Jiraiya-sama" Sakura smiled brightly up at the Toad Sage before wrapping her stomach again so that it wasn't on display anymore.
"Please return ahead of me if you would Sakura" Fugaku requested suddenly, wanting to get his student out of the way for the coming confrontation "You also have my permission to apology to Karin and Haku on my behalf if I miss their matches" Fugaku declared.
Ushering the now thirteen year old off, Sakura bowed then pranced away with a skip in her step "Alright Orochimaru you may as well come out" Jiraiya called, having also sensed what the Uchiha Patriarch had sensed.
The Snake Sannin stood before them a moment later "Quite the interesting child isn't she Fugaku, Jiraiya, I never expected for her to survive the curse mark process, let alone find a way to control it all on her own I look forward to the coming years" Orochimaru chuckled.
Highly flammable oil spewed from Jiraiya's mouth followed by a giant fireball "If you think I'll let you put your hands on Sakura think again Orochimaru" Fugaku announced, unsurprised that Orochimaru had evaded the attack.
"Protective of her are you…or is it that you plan to use her yourself Fugaku, marry her off to one of your sons in that case I won't even need to do anything the girl will come to me on her own" Orochimaru smirked.
Seeing the Uchiha Patriarch pause briefly "You don't know Sakura, she'd never allow anyone to manipulate her life and my sons as proud of them that I am, Itachi has already made his choice and she would never see my youngest as anything other than a comrade" Fugaku informed.
Not wanting to be accused of such idiocy "We shall see" Orochimaru laughed, fading from sight despite their best efforts, Fugaku closed his eyes deactivating his sharingan, Jiraiya clapped the Clan head on the shoulder.
And nodded his head in the direction of the balcony "Go be with your students Fugaku, I'll search for him" Jiraiya said, Fugaku nodded silently opening his eyes to reveal his usual onyx and returned in time.
To see Karin's name displayed on the board "Kick his ass Karin-chan" Sakura grinned, seeing that her sister's opponent was one of the three only Kusagakure genin who'd made it to the tower, not only that due to his earlier complaining.
They also knew that he nor his teammates would be able to put up much of a fight "That was my intention" Karin snickered back as she jumped the railing and landed neatly on her feet while the genin from her former village walked down the stairs.
Where they met in the middle before her previous sensei "Just in case you wanted to know you missed four matches the wins were as follows Shino Aburame, Ino Yamanaka, Kankuro Sabaku, and Temari Sabaku" Haku relayed to his sensei.
Once he noticed that the man was stood behind them again "Yeah and Shino was absolutely brutal on his opponent that Zaku guy, plugged up the holes in his hands with his bugs and he blew his arms out from backed up chakra" Naruto shuddered.
Even Sasuke couldn't help but grimace when remembering "Be grateful it was neither of you facing Shino and his kikaichu" Kakashi chuckled earning dual glares from two of his students while Nawaki paid close attention to Karin's match.
Right off the bat Karin had drawn Fusawashi from its sheath and blocked all of the kunai Shigeri had thrown at her then held her sword out and channeled chakra into it, locked eyes with her opponent and lunged.
Shigeri didn't have much time to dodge thus Karin managed to draw blood "Forget how Shino was brutal, Karin's ruthless" Shikamaru choked out watching the redhead spin around Shigeri landing the barest of blows upon him.
Light bleeding scratches "Damn you, you think you can run from Kusagakure forever do you Karin" Shigeri growled annoyed that the girl the Kusakage wanted so badly was dancing circles around him with minimal effort.
Despite all his training, Karin said nothing, merely looked down her nose at him, pissing him off further so he decided to bring out the big guns so to speak and with it managed to catch Karin off guard as he jerked her sword out of her hands.
Fury ignited deep within crimson depths "So you took my sword do you want me to clap for you unfortunately it won't do you any good using it against me since it's purpose is finished for now" Karin intoned mockingly.
Still acting superior which infuriated Shigeri, Karin smirked when he charged her, Fusawashi pointed at her "I'll take you down if its the last thing I do" Shigeri shouted, thrusting the sword in his hands erratically at Karin.
Who dodged each swipe, watching and waiting until Shigeri began to slow, his limbs trembled from exertion and he collapsed in a heap on the floor "To bad you didn't notice the poison on my blade look likes I win" Karin shrugged.
Retrieving Fusawashi and sheathing him in the sheath tied at her waist "Murderer" Shigeri glared trying to climb back onto his feet but his body wouldn't listen, it was growing numb and he couldn't feel anything.
Karin shook her head in disappointment "Judge not when you know not, my poison will not kill you merely incapacitate you for a time" the redhead snorted in disgust, glancing at Hayate who confirmed that Shigeri was incapable of continuing the fight.
Thus making her the winner in a poof of purple smoke she reappeared on the balcony, Fugaku nodded his acceptance silently praising her for doing a job well done and progressing to the final stage of the Chunin Exams.
Next to fight was Shikamaru vs Kin Tsuchi another of those Oto genin who'd tried to attack them in the forest, "Come on lets see a real fight already" one of the remaining Kusa genin booed when all Shikamaru did was dodge.
While Kin threw senbon, some had bells and wire attached that she continually rang inflicting a hearing based genjutsu on Shikamaru until he caught her in his shadow and bent back prompting her to knock herself out on the wall behind her.
It was kind of a ridiculous end to a fight but whatever got him through that was his prerogative "Looks like your up Haku" Sakura said when the board landed on his name vs Dosu, the one she almost killed in the forest.
Haku gave her a flat smile then vanished down into the arena in a whirl of wind, Dosu joined him a couple minutes later since he'd chosen to walk down the stairs, a quick glance over told Haku that he'd replaced the gadget on his arm that Sakura had crushed to.
Dosu was clearly not happy that he had to face him either given that when Hayate gave the signal to begin the match he simply rushed in, arm with the odd gadget thrust forward "Resonating Sound Drill" Dosu yelled.
Unaware of the throwing needle that hit his leg as Haku leaped backwards faster than Dosu expected "I'm sorry but I have no intention of losing to you" Haku apologized, keeping his distance because he didn't know what Dosu's jutsu did exactly.
For a few minutes it was a charge and dodge kind of battle before Haku decided enough was enough and weaved one handed hand seals to the watching crowds surprise as he finished in record time "Hyoton: Crystal Ice Mirrors" Haku called out.
Manipulating his kekkeigenkai around Dosu, trapping him in a dome and two minutes later the fight was over as Dosu couldn't hold out against the barrage of senbon "Winner Haku" Hayate declared when they could all see again.
"A…All of y..you on Team Th..Thirteen mon..monsters" Dosu mumbled as he was carted away on a stretcher by medics, Haku pressed his lips into a thin smile simply returned to the balcony to stand with his team and sensei.
Ignoring the glare he was receiving from Neji Hyuga all the while as a thirty minute break was decided on "Here Sasuke I meant to do this earlier" Karin held out glowing green hands to the second Uchiha heir.
The Jonin in charge of Team Eight spluttered in surprise "What were you thinking Fugaku-sama teaching a genin the mystical palm that's to advanced for them at this point in time" Kurenai frowned disapprovingly.
But Karin tended to Sasuke regardless "You think I taught Karin….no she and Sakura both knew it long before they came to Konohagakure and what we consider advanced here is not considered that way in Kumogakure" Fugaku shook his head.
Tempted to roll his eyes at the woman's naivety "Plus Sakura and Karin have been learning how to be medics since they were eight….actually longer than that for Sakura, who started learning when she was five" Omoi chimed in.
Waving at the pinkette who tilted her head at him in acknowledgement then waved back, soon their thirty minute break was over and up next was Hinata vs Fuki, due to being a Hyuga and Fuki low on chakra Hinata naturally won her fight with little effort.
Followed by Choji and the last member of Team Eleven Nina, who insulted and made fun of Choji and finally made the ultimate mistake of calling him fat, the Akimichi Heir literally bowled the girl over when he enlarged his body and used on of his clan jutsu's on her, the human boulder.
Sakura leaned her head back against the wall from where she'd remained sat even when the matches had started up again and let out a sigh "Getting kind of antsy for your turn huh Sakura-chan" Kakashi questioned.
Peering down at her in amusement, Sakura scowled that he'd figured her out so easily "I don't blame you considering how much moving around you do day in and day out usually this is probably agony right" Asuma chuckled.
Just glad that she could act like a normal kid sometimes when she sulked and crossed her arms over her chest that he was picking on her to "Oh well good luck Naruto" Nawaki pat the blonde on the back when his name flashed on the electronic board.
Alongside Kiba's "Yeah thanks Nawaki I'll do my best out there" Naruto grinned heading down into the arena after his opponent, Sakura cheered him on quietly from her spot on the floor because she didn't want to distract Naruto.
Until he managed to trick Kiba and win his fight, Omoi vs Minori was next and Omoi won, followed by Nawaki and the lone Kusa kunoichi who'd made it to the tower with her team of course Nawaki beat his opponent Heiya.
Making it thirteen participants in the final round so far "That was a good fight Nawaki" Sasuke said when his teammate made it back up into the stand with them though that wasn't the end of the matches by far.
Seeing as there were still about six contestants who hadn't fought yet, one of which was Sakura who was beginning to look bored out of her skull at this point "Seems like its my turn about time" Karui grumbled.
When her name flashed on the board vs the last Kusa genin Sogen not that it took her very long to defeat him and she high-fived Omoi once back on the balcony "Congrats Karui" Omoi congratulated.
Before watching the board again as it landed on two more names Neji Hyuga vs Rock Lee, and their sensei was torn on who to root for and as the match got underway it was clear it was going to be a rough one.
Neji cut Lee down brutally both with his words and clan related jutsu "See a loser will always be a loser no matter how strong you get" Neji sneered down at his teammate when Lee lay on the ground immobilized by his gentle fist.
He didn't even watch as Lee was put on a stretcher and carried away and Sakura realized it was her turn at long last against Gaara Sabaku on her way down Kiba grabbed her wrist "Be smart around that guy Haruno or he'll kill you if your not careful" Kiba warned.
Sakura furrowed her brow but nodded as he released her and she dropped down into the arena not wasting her time with the stairs, neither did her opponent who appeared in front of her in a swirl of sand "Let the final match between Sakura Haruno and Gaara Sabaku begin" Hayate announced.
Bringing his arm down and jumping back to get clear of the two combatants in the ring neither contestant moved merely met gazes with one another, assessing each other, Sakura sensed movement on her left.
And leaped away in the nick of time to avoid getting caught in sand "Interesting choice in weapon Gaara" Sakura smiled lightly unafraid of the bloodlust she saw in his eyes, though he didn't respond which meant that distracting him with chit-chat was off the table.
For he merely came after her with his sand again above in the stand Fugaku smirked to himself "Clever girl, she's keeping her distance and analyzing him to see if there's any holes in his defense" Fugaku noted out loud.
"Gaara's sand gives him absolute defense, she won't beat him, your better off as her sensei just telling her to quit now and give up" Baki the Sand Siblings sensei told the Uchiha Patriarch not wanting to see the girl become a bloody splotch on the floor.
Even if she was managing to dodge his sand it wouldn't last she'll get tired eventually "Just watch, Sakura's not the type you write off, she will win" Fugaku smirked, knowing that Sakura was only getting started.
Down below Sakura figured it was time to start coming up with a plan so sped through some hand signs "Shadow Clone Jutsu" Sakura called out, sending some clones in her place for the next couple of minutes.
Though each of them were destroyed she learned valuable information 'On to the next idea then' Sakura shrugged drawing Shūryō-suru and charging him with water based chakra in order to test a theory she had.
She took a deep breath, focused chakra into her feet then lunged, twisting agilely out of the sands path so she could get in close, not that she could remain still for very long as she slashed out with her sword quickly.
Before vanishing in a flurry of cherry blossoms only to reappear elsewhere to do the same 'Just like I thought' Sakura grinned inwardly to herself when part of the sand fell apart due to the water based chakra she was charging her sword with.
Gaara didn't seem to realize yet which was advantageous for her as she withdrew from close quarters combat and sheathed her sword, met his gaze and stood still "WHAT ARE YOU DOING SAKURA MOVE" Naruto yelled.
Horrified as that sand surrounded Sakura, he needn't have worried as Sakura had already started weaving hand signs "Suiton: Water Wall" her voice rang out from within the sand that had begun crushing down on her.
The sand immediately got clumpy and fell apart unusable now to its wielder and she emerged unscathed, Naruto slid to the ground in relief "I know your weakness now Gaara, you can either forfeit here or I'll really get serious against you" Sakura informed.
Giving the boy two options, when he sent more sand after her, she shook her head sadly "Fine be that way" Sakura sighed, settling into a stance and focused chakra into her hands when the sand got close she clenched her fist and punched it.
Rendering it to mush upon impact "You finished" Sakura quirked a brow as the sand withdrew five minutes later, Gaara glared murderously at her and started forming his own hand signs this time sending a huge wave of sand after her.
Sakura blinked but repeated the water wall jutsu and got an idea while she was safe "Suiton: Water Clone Jutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu" Sakura weaved the hand signs quickly and sent out a shadow clone first.
Followed by a water clone as she prepared a big jutsu one that she hadn't been able to use until now by now her safety net had come down revealing her to Gaara again who didn't look happy that she'd evaded his jutsu.
"Why don't you go and die now" Gaara rumbled in a gravely tone of voice, Sakura smiled and beckoned for him to come get her if he wanted her to die, with a growl he sent his sand at the girl again unaware he'd just fallen for her trap.
She rapidly flew through a set of hand signs "Raiton: Flash Pillar" Sakura hollered out finishing in record time a blinding flash of light distracted Gaara and he covered his eyes as she body flickered out of his attacks path.
Before rushing in already forming new hand signs "GAARA WAKE UP IT'S A GENJUTSU" Temari yelled banging her fist on the railing at her baby brother as his opponent reached him completing her hand seals.
"Suiton: Water Prison Jutsu" Sakura called in a rush of water a sphere surrounded Gaara who snapped out of the illusion a second to late "Anything else you want to try" Sakura asked, checking on her chakra.
Less than half left but it was enough to contain Gaara for a few minutes, when he smirked she knew the fight wasn't over quite yet, his gaze flickered over her shoulder and Sakura felt the previously hidden clone.
Inwardly she apologized to Haku and made an earth clone with one handed seals just as she felt her head get jerked back by the braid followed by a ground shuddering impact and Gaara's sand clone fell apart.
"Proctor I forfeit the match to Sakura Haruno" Gaara relented grudgingly unable to wield his sand or his jutsu's anymore thanks to this girl and her bloody affinity to water natured chakra, Hayate called it then.
"Sakura Haruno wins her match as Gaara Sabaku has forfeited with that the preliminary round is over" Hayate decreed and the water prison holding Gaara captive dropped uselessly to the ground, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.
Before becoming aware of something, her hair was somehow in her face and when she inspected it found it short by three inches "Sorry I had no choice he had a pretty good grip on it, cutting it was the only way I could get you free on short notice" the Sakura earth clone apologized.
All things considering it wasn't awful she supposed as she made her way towards her teammates after dismissing the clone, to find out when the final round was going to happen "Don't worry I'll help you fix it later Sakura" Ino promised.
Lamenting at the loss of some of Sakura's beautiful hair "Thanks Ino-chan" Sakura smiled softly, listening close to Hayate as he explained the final round would happen a month from then and that they were going to draw numbers to decide on who would fight who.
It went a little like this Haku vs Neji, Shino vs Kankuro, Shikamaru vs Temari, Karui vs Omoi, Ino vs Hinata, Nawaki vs Karin, Naruto vs Choji and finally Sakura vs Sasuke "That's it you may all leave now take this month to rest and gain new skills" Hayate clapped.
Dismissing the final round contestants from the tower "Great fight back there Sakura-san" Samui praised as she rounded up her students and was one of the first Jonin to body flicker back to the village followed by Fugaku with his students.
Who he promised to speak with the next down about how their training for the month would go but for now he let them go home so that they could rest given the ordeals that they'd been through a lot lately.
Along the way back to his clans compound he was joined "Boss got your message Fugaku he was positively livid so he sent me" Darui paced alongside the Uchiha Patriarch it was something the man had counted on actually.
"Good, though I wasn't sure who Lord Raikage would send, I was going to ask you or the other one depending on who showed up to train Sakura during this month that they have to train and improve or learn new skills" Fugaku nodded.
Pleased that he could count on the Raikage to take quick actions when those girls were involved "Lucky you I'm here the whole month, though I might ask permission to take the Kid outside the village, possibly to Iron again" Darui admitted.
Knowing that Mifune would need to know what had happened to his great grandniece recently "I'll speak to the Hokage about getting the permission that just leaves Karin and Haku" Fugaku said now trying to figure out who to ask to train his remaining students.
It was a thought for later in the comfort of his home as Darui left him at the gates of his clans compound "Welcome back dear" Mikoto greeted him with a kiss on the cheek "So how did the preliminary rounds go, did all of them make it through to the final round" she asked.
Placing a mug of his favorite tea down in front of him "Yes, all of Team Thirteen and Team Seven, Sasuke made me proud today" Fugaku informed, taking note that his youngest hadn't returned to the house yet.
Which gave him some time to speak to Mikoto without Sasuke overhearing "Oh good I'll have to cook him his favorite tonight for dinner, right on to the next question do you know who your going to ask to train them" Mikoto clapped.
Overjoyed to learn that her second son had made it to the final round, his teammates to "The Raikage sent one of his right hands, Darui, in response to the letter I sent him, he'll be training Sakura, I don't know for Karin or Haku yet" Fugaku explained.
Mikoto sat and adopted a contemplative expression "What about Itachi-chan or Shisui-chan, you did say Karin-chan was learning how to wield fire nature chakra one of them could continue her training probably Shisui-chan, who's her opponent and Sakura-chan's" Mikoto inquired.
"Sakura will be fighting Sasuke and Karin's opponent is Nawaki, Haku has been pitted against Hiashi's nephew, I doubt he'll need much training but the idea does have merit, that's it, Karin will train with Shisui first, while Haku improves under Itachi then I'll have them switch" Fugaku decided.
Thankfully his wife was in agreement and the conversation ended in the nick of time as Sasuke returned home, meanwhile on the other side of the village in the civilian section Sakura was sitting in front of Ino who'd shown up to help trim her hair to be neat once more.
"Such a waste really" Ino frowned, inwardly enjoying getting her hands on Sakura's hair for the first time since the girl had returned home though it was only a temporary return and in a couple years she'd be going back to Kumogakure.
Not that she minded it anymore considering they had an ironclad treaty with Hidden Cloud now "Yeah I know, that's the first time it's been cut in years but what can I do, though it was just three inches it was a necessary sacrifice" Sakura shrugged.
Unhappy herself but there was also no use in crying over things she couldn't change "Still you should have seen that Gaara guy's sensei, he looked like he'd swallowed a lemon" Karui snickered from the armchair.
"It was hilarious because he'd previously said that you had no chance of winning against Gaara, yet you won" Omoi chimed in, cluing Sakura in on the reason why Karui was finding what she'd seen so funny.
Sakura let out a few giggles herself in response before holding still for Ino who moved on to trimming the front part of her hair so that it was all even "Alright I'm done what do you think Sakura" Ino declared ten minutes later.
Holding up a mirror for Sakura to see her hair "It's great Ino thanks I owe you another favor I suppose" Sakura relaxed, seeing that her hair was still long but not almost to her waist anymore and she was okay with that.
Ino shook her head "Just one favor and I'm collecting in on it now, tell me what happened that caused your sensei to take you off somewhere for thirty minutes and miss my awesome match against Ami" Ino demanded.
Taking note of how not only did Sakura tense so did Haku and Karin, prompting Karui and Omoi to sit up straight and furrow their brows in concern "We were attacked in the forest Ino-san, I'm not sure if we should tell you" Haku admitted.
Pupil-less cerulean orbs bore into his doe irises in response clearly not accepting that as an answer "Might as well, it's not like we were told we couldn't after all but we ask that you not spread it around okay Ino" Karin sighed.
Both Karui and Omoi nodded in agreement alongside Ino "Orochimaru the Snake Sannin bit me and left this curse mark on me, I did something that allowed me to purge any influence he would have over me through it so the seal is harmless" Sakura explained.
Revealing her stomach where the flower-esque mark was placed, Ino was suitably horrified by the admission as were Karui and Omoi so it took some convincing on Sakura's part that the seal couldn't hurt her because she'd received an expert opinion on the matter.
Eventually Ino left and that night Haku cooked dinner for the houses occupants, afterwards no one bothered to really clean up because they were to tired so immediately retired to their rooms to get some sleep after the last five days they'd had.