Hey so here's my latest chapter! The mirror mystery shall be solved! I hope you guys like it, also I'm no longer gonna put the poll on each chapter but I am still going through the votes. It just takes ages to count them out and add them all so it seemed more reasonable to stop adding it so I could post easier.
Also I did have someone concerned about the fact that Naruita is the most popular ship so far and their ages, I do see your concern, though I will say that no ships will be happening before the time skip in any case.
With that the room began to clear out, and Naruto skipped over to her teammates, ignoring the odd and angry looks she received, giving Gaara a little wave as she brushed past him-his gaze was once again that mix of confusion, fear and anger-understandable, but she didn't even falter-after all he was only one Genin, a strong one undoubtedly, and a Jinchuriki, that might make him a legitimate threat to all Genin and Chunin, but she'd fought against her mom before, she could handle Shukaku just fine she was sure, if it came down to it.
His sand would be a pain in the ass-she'd probably have her clothes be ruined, the last ones were beyond salvation, lots of holes and lots of thin patches from where the sand had worn it all down.
She turned her gaze away from him, focusing on her teammates, and Sasuke shook his head.
"Did you have to torment the team from Oto?"
"But it was so much fun." she hooked her arm in Sasuke's, the boy rolling his eyes but allowing it as Sakura did the same thing to her as they headed out of the room and towards the stairs, which were somewhat clogged up with the amount of Genin leaving.
"Let's linger back a bit." Sakura eyed the crowds, "I'd rather not get caught up in that mess."
"You guys coming to mine?"
"Of course." Sakura grinned, and Sasuke gave a small nod.
"It's where Kakashi-sensei and Rin-san will be waiting for us. They'll want to know we passed."
"I'll have to run home and tell my parents after, but I think I'll stay the night with you guys."
"Sounds like a plan." Naruto nodded, "We can try and figure out more about the next test that way." she slipped her arms free from her teammates, who both shifted slightly so that they were facing each other as the crowds slowly slimmed down.
"Think your mom'll cook for us or do you think we'll go out for a team meal?"
"Dunno-if we go for a team meal I vote for Ichiraku!"
"Oh for-we are not having ramen again." Sasuke glared, "Is that all you ever think about-"
"Ichiraku is the be-"
"Naruto-chan!" Sakura's voice was sharper than normal, and her eyes were suddenly wide with shock, and there was some nervousness there.
"What is it Sakura-chan-"
"Shit." Sasuke's eyes widened too, and he went tense.
Naruto whirled around, not sure what she should expect to see-and her eyes widened in shock at the familiar figure stood behind them, the long dark hair and the gentle smile.
"Haku-san?"
"Naruto-san. I hoped I'd see you here-"
"It was you!" Naruto beamed, "You're the one who-"
"You appeared to be struggling." Haku gave a very small shrug. "I merely chose to help you as repayment for your actions regarding myself and Zabuza-sama."
"How are you here?"
"Zabuza-sama and I returned to Kiri and joined with a group of rebels lead by Terumi Mei. It seems having one of the seven swordsmen was just what the rebellion needed, it raised morale and convinced more people to join in support. Suffice to say the Mizukage was dealt with accordingly and Terumi-sama is now our Mizukage. The war on those with Kekkei Genkai is over and Kiri will grow into a stronger better village."
"I hadn't heard any of this!"
"The success was but a few weeks ago and we've been keeping the information from leaking out as much as possible. Terumi-sama wanted us to display our new strength at the Chunin exams."
"That's amazing Haku-san. You were made a Genin?"
"Officially I was never a shinobi, and it made sense to send me to demonstrate Kiri's strength." he grinned, "She insisted on Zabuza-sama becoming a sensei-my teammates aren't anyone too special but I needed a team to enter."
"Hah. Do you call him Zabuza-sensei now?"
"No, but I assume you call Kakashi-san Kakashi-sensei?"
"Of course."
"So you're not here to cause trouble." Sasuke eyed Haku wearily-clearly he was remembering his near death experience."
"Of course not. If anything Kiri wishes to be friendly with Konoha. Terumi-sama was told that Naruto-san was the reason Zabuza-sama decided to return at all."
"That's awesome-"
"Zabuza-sama's actually supposed to try and get an audience with your Hokage to give him a letter from Terumi-sama."
"It would be awesome if we could be allies." Sakura spoke up, looking somewhat hesitant-but she did manage to give Haku a wide smile.
"I would like that very much. I am sorry Sakura-san, Sasuke-san, for my actions towards you both in Wave-"
"Hn." Sasuke glared, "You nearly killed us-"
"No he didn't." Naruto shook her head, "If he wanted to kill you you'd have been dead. He avoided any fatal areas-"
"What?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "You're saying that you purposely injured us and took us out of the fight without killing us-"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because, I didn't want to kill you." the older boy said honestly, "While at times it is necessary I did not want to kill you or Sakura-san."
"I'm stronger now than I was then." Sasuke stated quickly.
"I'm sure you are." Haku nodded, "Perhaps we shall get a rematch. I look forward to seeing how you've grown. Both of you." Haku glanced between Sakura and Sasuke, "You were both skilled shinobi, I hope you've both improved-"
"Oh, you don't hope I've improved?" Naruto gave a mock pout that made Haku chuckle.
"I believe if I am faced with you again I may as well just stand down then and there." he remarked. "I still have the scars from our last fight-"
"You do?" Naruto perked up, "That sounds cool." after all she didn't exactly have any scars, Kurama had always protected her in that sense even before she'd become his friend.
"It's certainly proof that I needed to grow myself." Haku smiled, "In any case I should go now, the crowds have thinned out somewhat. I hope to see you again soon. All three of you."
"We'll probably see you." Sakura shrugged, "We're in the same exams after all."
"Very true Sakura-san." Haku bowed his head before turning and leaving-at which point Sasuke relaxed.
"I didn't expect to see him here-what were you saying he did?"
"Helped me cheat." Naruto admitted, "Most of what I do is fight, I'm not the type they'd send on information gathering missions."
"That sounds pretty accurate." Sakura admitted, "I can't imagine you sneaking in anywhere, you're the type to burst in yelling and threatening to kick their asses-"
"I mean, if I really really have to I guess I could do subtle but it's really not my strength." Naruto shrugged, "Like I said I'm a fighter. Put me in a room with some guys you want beaten up and I'll do it."
"You just like bashing in heads-"
"What can I say-" Naruto grinned, spreading out her hands as they started to move towards the stairs, which were much less crowded now, "I see enemies my brain just goes 'Oooh, me hit'."
"You just enjoy pissing people off." Sasuke snorted, "The look on that Oto shinobi's face when he kept looking around-"
"Did you see the look on Ibiki-san's face?" Naruto asked with an evil little smirk, "He was so done with my bullshit-"
"Naruto everyone is done with your bullshit five minutes after meeting you."
"Not true, right Sakura-chan?"
"I'm definitely not done with her bullshit." Sakura agreed, "In fact I find her bullshit fun most of the time."
"Y'know I almost miss the days when you were a fangirl." Sasuke groaned, "Now I have two teammates that like teaming up and tormenting me."
"Sakura-chan doesn't do much tormenting."
"I just laugh." Sakura agreed sagely as they made their way down the sets of stairs and out of the building.
It didn't take them long to get home, and as Naruto had predicted Kakashi and Rin were both there, Kakashi sprawled across the first couch reading his precious porn, and Rin was sprawled across the second couch flicking through a book on Medical ninjutsu.
Neither of them looked up from their reading but Kakashi spoke first.
"So my adorable little Genin, did any of you cause any diplomatic incident. I decided to stay here instead of watch with the other Sensei-I know you three I'd have had a heart attack by the end of the first exam."
"Naruto fucked with some Oto shinobi." Sasuke said smoothly, dodging Naruto's attempt to kick his ankle with obvious practise, "But in her defence they were attacking a Konoha shinobi." he paused, "Though I half thought she'd attack him to be honest."
"Oh?" Rin lowered her book, "Reasons?"
"Bad vibes." Naruto shrugged, "Yakushi Kabuto. I dunno why exactly but I don't trust him. Still he's a Konoha shinobi and they were attacking him so-"
"So you stepped in." Rin shrugged, "Did you hurt any of them."
"Not seriously, sent one of them flying across the room and used a paralysis seal on the other."
"They know you like fuinjutsu now then." Kakashi remarked, "Well that'd have come out sooner or later."
"She also threw little balls of paper at the Oto shinobi sat in front of her during the test for most of the time."
"Ibiki-san was not happy." Naruto grinned at the recollection as Kakashi finally lowered his book and raised an eyebrow.
"I imagine he wasn't. Anything else interesting happen?"
"We ran into Haku-san actually." Sakura said quickly, and both Rin and Kakashi sat up instantly.
"What?" Kakashi frowned "That makes no sense-"
"It will once Zabuza-san's given the Hokage a letter from Kiri's new Mizukage." Naruto grinned, "He supported the rebellion, apparently a woman named Terumi Mei is the new Mizukage."
"Now that's interesting." Rin straightened up, frowning, "If Haku's been welcomed back then that means they're no longer going to be purging anyone with Kekkei Genkei."
"It also means Konoha may have new allies in the future." Kakashi hummed, "Guess it's a good thing you managed to get Zabuza-san to realize that he cared so much."
"Haku-san did say that the new Mizukage wants some sort of alliance with Konoha thanks to Kabuza-san vouching for Naruto-chan."
"Look at you." Rin swung her legs off the couch and stood up, moving over to Naruto quickly and ruffling her hair before the blonde could stop her, "Only twelve and already helping with politics-"
"As long as she doesn't provoke Suna or Oto it's all good." Kakashi shook his head, "Picking fights with Oto Genin and harassing Suna's Jinchuriki-"
"Hey I wanna help him-"
"Yes, but you'll still be interfering with their Jinchuriki." Kakashi gave Naruto an amused look, "Don't worry I'm smart enough to know that I can't stop you Naru-chan." he rolled his eyes, "Just try and avoid doing anything that could cause a war."
"I'd be helping him!" Naruto threw her hands up, shaking her head, "Wouldn't it be better for Suna to have a Jinchuriki that isn't liable to completely lose control and go on a rampage at the drop of a hat-"
"I'm sure Gaara-san would appreciate it." Rin shrugged, "It can't be nice, being feared and fearing losing control-"
"I got the feeling that he wasn't really scared." Sasuke spoke up, "He seemed kinda bloodthirsty."
"Yeah, I really am gonna need to deal with him soon." Naruto hummed, "So Kakashi-sensei, where do we gotta go tomorrow."
"Training area forty-four, the Forest of Death."
"Huh." Naruto blinked, "That sounds bad."
"It's one of the most dangerous training grounds in Konoha." Kakashi explained, "It's big too-"
"Right." Naruto nodded slowly, "If they're sending us somewhere like that then it's a survival test."
"I'm not allowed to say anything else." but the twinkle in Kakashi's eye told Naruto that she was right, so she turned to her teammates, "We need to make sure we have survival kits and enough rations for several days."
"Right." Sasuke nodded, "You'll seal them on yourself somewhere?"
"Of course." Naruto nodded, "We should go and pick up some survival stuff-tents and sleeping bags would be useful in case of rain-as much as we could build shelters it would be easier for us to simply find somewhere we can safely put a tent that's somewhat under cover."
"Got it." Sakura nodded, "So lunch and then a shopping trip to pick up some basic supplies?"
"Sounds like a plan. We don't know how long this survival test is supposed to be after all."
"Look at my little Genin, so smart and organized." Kakashi wiped away a fake tear, "I feel so proud, don't you feel proud Rin-chan?"
"I feel very proud Kakashi-kun." Rin let out a fond laugh, a smile playing across her lips, "Just look at them, so grown up. They'll make Chunin for sure. So kids, I can't be bothered to cook today, want to go out for a treat?"
"Ichiraku's!" Naruto cried eagerly, "Please please please please mom! We went to that barbecue place last time-"
"It has to be a team vote." Rin declared, "Kakashi-kun, Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan prepare to place your votes. First will be on if we want Ichiraku's or something different, who votes for something different?"
Sasuke and Kakashi raised their hands at that, and Rin nodded, "Two for something different, now for who wants Ichiraku's?"
She raised her own hand as Sakura and Naruto both raised theirs, and Sasuke gave Sakura a betrayed look.
"I thought you'd be on our side."
"We had barbecue last time." Sakura defended, "And Ichiraku's is nice-as long as it's not all we have."
"The Ichiraku vote wins." Rin declared, "Everyone hustle, we're gonna go get some food."
"Yes!" Naruto leapt into the air happily, pumping her fist and cheering, which made Sakura, Kakashi and Rin laugh loudly, and their laughter increased as she took off out of the door, cheering madly.
