During the week they had before the final round Cee approached Sakura after Haku had come to him out of concern for the rosette "So I heard that your chest was still hurting, I'd like to give you a proper examination if you don't mind to see what's causing this pain" Cee requested.
Hoping that she trusted him enough "Your the only one besides Shishou that I know is proficient enough at medical ninjutsu so okay cause I'd really like it to stop" Sakura nodded, letting the blonde lead her to the hospital for a post second round medical exam.
Fifteen minutes later she was settled comfortably on an examination table, Cee looming over her as she lay back for him "Alright lets see if I can't find the reason for this unusual pain" Cee said, lowering his hands to gently rest on her chest.
They already glowed a deep blue as he inspected Sakura on a internal level, searching out the reasons she still seemed to be in some pain after he healed her, not that it took him very long "Did you find something Cee-san" Sakura asked.
When his brows scrunched together "That man Minoichi really was aiming to kill you wasn't he Sakura-san" Cee frowned, repairing the damage that he'd left unhealed without realizing it, a small piece of chipped bone, but the major blood artery had been his primary concern in the forest on turtle island.
"I believe so, though he didn't say much mostly cursed and I still don't have any idea why he targeted us, me" Sakura confessed, a look of confusion on her face that had him smiling down at her reassuringly.
Before he finished and let her down off the table "Consider this a freebie, in fact we should probably do this for all the exam takers that are left" Cee informed when she rifled through her pouch, stopping by the front desk in the lobby to pay for her examination.
While coming up with an idea that should most likely be implemented for the other contestants to ensure that they were in good health "Okay and thanks Cee-san" Sakura waved, deciding not to argue before rushing off in order to find Haku.
Meanwhile he turned and headed for the Raikage's Office "Cee what is it" Ay grunted, sensing the mans chakra while being unable to see over the stack of paperwork on his desk from the Chunin Exams.
Now that he had permission to speak he opened his mouth "Raikage-sama I'd like permission to gather all the genin who have made it to the final round and give them a post second round check up to ensure their all in maximum health for the third exam" Cee requested.
Ay shifted his paperwork a bit so that he could see his subordinate "Did you check up on that brat, is that where this request is coming from" Ay questioned, seeing the merit in such an idea, it would prove that he was doing his best to care for the genin from other villages.
Cee nodded "Her pain was caused due to a small negligence on my part, when she was stabbed, a bone was chipped and I missed that, thus I want to make sure the others weren't experiencing any after-effects from the forest" Cee explained.
Patient as Ay pondered the idea "Go ahead with it, if need be I'll foot the bill for all those free check ups" Ay waved his hand, giving his right hand the go ahead for his idea and not long after the other genin were rounded up and led to the hospital.
This also included Haku leaving Sakura to wander the streets of Kumogakure alone for a bit until she was found by Yagura of all people "The pain is gone I see" the Fourth Mizukage commented when he'd just been pacing silently along at her side for a few minutes.
Observing her quietly "Mhm thanks to Cee-san, I had missed it because the problem was so small and I'm still inexperienced" Sakura nodded lightly, inwardly promising to herself that she'd start practicing even more in order to get better at her medical ninjutsu.
Yagura let one corner of his mouth quirk up into a half smile "You don't let anything keep you down for long do you" Yagura said, keeping even with the girl as she went around exploring, knowing better now than to let her out of his sight where she could get in more trouble.
"Huh oh no not really Yondaime-sama, if I did it would just make them worry and that's the absolute last thing I want to do" Sakura admitted, missing the eye-twitch as she used his formal title yet again.
Something he generally liked but he wasn't the Mizukage anymore "Sakura-san, though I haven't said it yet, you can call me by name and not title" Yagura informed, knowing that it would probably take awhile before she was able to do so without reverting back.
Chartreuse orbs widened in surprise "Well if your sure then okay Yagura-san" Sakura asked, he nodded and then she said his name in the most awkward sounding tone ever and from behind them Zabuza laughed his amusement.
Earning dual glares from the pinkette and his former leader "Be at peace brat, Yagura, I wasn't laughing to make fun you, anyway can you tell me what's going on why are all those brats at the hospital" Zabuza assured.
And just his luck that Sakura knew "After Cee-san gave me a check up he went to Raikage-sama and asked if he could give the other last round participants a health check up to ensure their ready for the next round" Sakura answered.
Zabuza nodded in understanding "Guess that makes sense, we don't want anyone else collapsing like you did brat" Zabuza smirked, ruffling the girls hair before body flickering so Sakura couldn't retaliate against him for treating her like a kid.
Sakura scowled after him for a moment then shook her head while sighing "I'm sure your about ready to finish this exam and head home aren't you" Yagura stated, taking a guess at what was bothering the girl.
"Even though I know Shishou said she'd have someone keep an eye on them, I'm still worried about my parents, especially my unborn sister, so basically yes" Sakura affirmed, preparing to turn and keep exploring.
When Haku returned to her side and that's when Yagura decided to also do a disappearing act leaving the betrothed couple alone "We're you the one to suggest that to Cee-san" Haku asked as they linked hands with one another.
Immediately she shook her head "Nope that was all Cee-san, Haku-kun but I'm glad the pain is gone now I can focus on just relaxing for the rest of this week and then hopefully get through next week and emerge as a Chunin" Sakura grinned.
Haku smiled fondly down at her "Just promise me Sakura that if we somehow end up against each other you'll take me seriously and not hold back, I will do the same" Haku requested, not wanting her to take it easy on him if they had to fight.
"Of course, I expect the same out of those guys and Karin-chan, otherwise we'll never be able to prove we're Chunin material" Sakura assured, squeezing his hand lightly as they went around Kumo taking in the sights they hadn't gotten to see last time since they'd been so busy mostly.
Sakura, even went so far as to buy some supplies so that she'd be prepared for the third round of the Chunin Exams before simply enjoying her time with Haku without worrying about anything else for the time being.
Before they knew it, it was time for the final round "Alright you lot, here's is some last minute details about the round, instead of a team event like originally planned, you will be split up and each genin will have to guard an outpost and capture another in order to pass" Ay explained.
"To ensure that no one knows where the others are, you will be knocked out again by a Jonin personally assigned to you by yours truly and that's about it good luck brats" the Raikage finished, gesturing for his Jonin to do as they'd been ordered.
This time Sakura was ready when Cee approached her "Prepared, good" Cee asked and the pinkette nodded for him, gently he reached out and pinched the nerve in her neck, glad that he didn't have to keep her unconscious for days this time.
With that she was out and he carefully lifted her up into his arms before body flickering to the outpost assigned to Sakura, then he healed the back of her neck and waited until she woke up "Remember you have a week, good luck Sakura-san" Cee reminded.
Vanishing in a plume of smoke leaving Sakura alone to complete the exams, with a deep breath Sakura pulled out the first of the supplies she'd bought during the break, blank tags "First I'll focus my efforts on guarding this place" she hummed to herself.
Drawing some seals on the tags, the first of which she sealed her genjutsu inside and placed it on the inside of the door, then rigged it to activate should someone attempt to enter the outpost which would knock them out for her to deal with.
Meanwhile all the way back in the Leaf Village, deep underground Minoichi had returned and was reporting in to Danzo "I've done as you asked, prevented them from advancing to the final round and even killed one of the brats, the kunoichi with pink hair" Minoichi reported.
Not expecting the violent outburst "You incompetent fool I didn't hire you to kill them, I hired you to prevent them from becoming Chunin, for if they do then that girl will forever be out of my reach but now everything is ruined because of your idiocy" Danzo raged at the rogue-nin.
Understanding that he'd fucked up somehow Minoichi grit his teeth and clenched his hands into fists as he was escorted out by Danzo's ROOT agents without receiving the pay the man had promised him for his services.
A day later on his way back to Kumogakure, trying to figure out something that would help him get out of this situation, Sakura was finished with her preparations "Now time to go capture another outpost" Sakura grinned.
Rubbing her hands together excitedly as she exited her assigned outpost and made a hand sign, hiding the building, it was a necessary tactic, let the enemy think the illusion was the only thing that protected her outpost as she marched off on the hunt.
Cleverly avoiding other genin as they searched for a second outpost to capture in order to become Chunin, unaware that a familiar genin had stumbled upon her current outpost "Yeah that's Sakura's doing alright" Sasuke grimaced.
Seeing through the genjutsu with his sharingan, while being able to see all the other traps that had been set to thwart anyone from attempting to capture the building and not really wanting to mess with his teammate Sasuke turned to find a different outpost to capture.
Because Sakura usually went overboard and he really didn't want to be disqualified from this round because he knew that he would never be able to dismantle all of her traps without getting caught in one.
And just that one would ultimately spell his doom, not long after he left to find another outpost some foolish Iwagakure genin stumbled upon the seemingly defenseless outpost after being able to feel the genjutsu and undo it with a simple hand sign.
Thinking whoever had cast the genjutsu had been to dumb to realize that many of the genin could see through silly illusions such as that and put a hand on the door, only to quickly pull his hand away as he found the door frozen, it had been so cold it had burned on his skin.
Indicating that the illusion wasn't the only trap "What" the Iwa genin glared, wondering how the hell this was even possible as he thought over his options before attempting to blast the door open with an exploding tag.
But it turns out the whole building was like a frozen wasteland inside as it proved to be guarded against even exploding tags "God damn it" the Iwa genin cursed, wracking his brain for ideas because he really wanted to become a Chunin.
As he was walking around he tripped over something and fell into a pit that had been dug and when he managed to crawl his way out he was positively livid as he tried to force his way into the outpost with brute strength.
Only to curse when he managed to crack the door open, and got a kunai to the face that scratched his cheek making him jump back over another trip wire that caused the door to slam shut as the assigned genin had rigged it to do.
Eventually after four more attempts the Iwa genin left, shoulders drooped in defeat as he headed back to his own assigned outpost, deciding to try again tomorrow, unaware the person who was in charge of the outpost he was attempting to capture had found his assigned outpost while he was gone.
"Honestly" Sakura shook her head in disappointment at the lack of anything 'Did he even try to protect his outpost from being captured, in fact it's a wonder he even made it this far' Sakura frowned, knowing better than to be deceived by somethings looks.
So with that in mind she approached cautiously, hyper aware of everything going on around her as she carefully put a hand on the door to the outpost and pushed it open "This guy is an idiot" Sakura sighed to herself.
When she'd fully entered the building, "Well his loss is my gain" Sakura hummed, preparing some traps to await the return of the genin in charge of the outpost by placing a tag on the door with her special genjutsu in it.
Before hiding all trace of herself, an hour later the door opened and she made a hand sign catching the Iwa genin in her frozen oasis illusion, jumped from her hiding spot and deftly tied the foreign genin up just as he snapped out of her genjutsu.
"Sorry but this outpost is mine now, I can't have you wandering around just yet so I'm going to leave you tied up for now until I have this place protected then I'll turn you loose outside" Sakura apologized.
Ignoring the glare she was getting from the Iwagakure genin as she went about preparing more traps now that she'd successfully captured the outpost needed that would practically ensure she would become a Chunin.
And a day later on their third day since the start of the final round Sakura booted the Iwa genin out of the outpost "That's not fair" he whined, pissed off that someone had found his outpost while he was gone trying to capture his second outpost.
"Life isn't fair period, stop whining like a child and grow up this is the shinobi world and we don't cater to children" Sakura scoffed at his immaturity and incapability of handling the fact that his outpost had been captured.
At her lecturing the fifteen year old gaped at her in horror and attempted to rush back into the outpost to recapture it only to be punched flat on his ass "Yeah don't think so" Sakura snorted, finishing up with securing the outpost so no one but her could get back in for the remaining four days of the round.
Then headed back to her first outpost to check the traps and reset them if need be, and the final four days were spent going back and forth between her outposts and preventing any idiots that were left trying to claim or reclaim outposts from doing so.
Until finally the Kumogakure Chunin Exams were over "Sakura-chan we did" Naruto rushed the pinkette as soon as he saw her, having barely managed to capture a second outpost in time before the round ended.
"Hi Naruto, Sasuke, and yes we did, we're finally Chunin" Sakura grinned at the blonde as he crushed her into a hug, Sasuke practically on Naruto's heels, having also managed to capture his second outpost.
Though he did have one thing to say "By the way I ran across what I believe was your outpost on the second day and I'm glad your not our enemy Sakura because from what I saw of the inside all those traps were terrifying" Sasuke shuddered.
Prompting the rosette to giggle "Seriously Uchiha did you even attempt to capture her outpost or did you just turn and run because you didn't want to face any traps she may have set up" Kiba, another genin who'd managed to pass the final round taunted.
Not wholly surprised when Sasuke nodded, Sakura was positively scary if he was being honest with himself so he could understand "A question if you don't mind, how long did it take you to capture another outpost" Shino inquired.
"The first day I spent making sure mine was protected, the second day but I didn't have the second one fully secured until the third so about midway through the round I pretty much had it all sorted" Sakura admitted.
Having found it rather easy "Seriously that's totally uncool, it took me up to literally the last hour to get a second outpost" Suigetsu whined, joining the group as they walked through the forest led by Kumo Jonin back to Kumogakure.
Since the Jonin had come to collect them so they could be congratulated on passing and receive their new headbands and Chunin Vests "Stuff it Suigetsu" Karin groaned, attempting to heal her headache but Suigetsu's whining was simply making it worse.
Thankfully Sakura was able to reign her teammate it by looking at Suigetsu in a certain way that had his mouth slamming shut "Well that was interesting" Ino blinked, never having seen someone go quiet as fast as Suigetsu just had.
"You can thank Sakura for that, she's quite good at reigning him in when he gets to be a little to much for others to handle" Haku chimed in, linking hands with Sakura as he seemed to appear out of literally no where.
Startling many, not Sakura though she merely smiled up at her loved one "Are you done chatting amongst yourselves" Cee arched a pale brow at the genin who were about to become Chunin as they reached the village gates.
Immediately the lot of them straightened to his amusement as the gates were opened and he led them straight through Hidden Cloud to where the Raikage was waiting "Cee, I presume these are the brats who passed" Ay questioned.
"Yes Raikage-sama but I'll list the names of the ones who passed, from Leaf we have Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi, these two had special permission to participate as a duo team instead of the standard three man squad" Cee read off.
Gesturing for the duo to approach "With the passing of the Chunin Exams I present to you, a Chunin Vest to signify your promotion and a new headband" Ay bequeathed the items to Ino and Choji before clapping erupted from the crowd.
Their parents along with their sensei and Shikamaru were there praising them for doing well "Next we have a couple of genin from Cloud, Omoi and Karui" Cee said, another duo team and they stepped forward to receive their unique Kumogakure Chunin Vest and Hitai-ate.
Again clapping was heard from most of the Hidden Cloud Village "Again from Leaf we have Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata Hyuga" Cee listed, attempting to ignore the tension that arose from saying the girls name.
His leader kept a neutral expression on his face as the genin approached him "You have passed well done I bequeath these to you" Ay stated, handing over the Leaf Chunin Vests and headbands to Team Eight.
More clapping came from the crowd mostly from Leaf Shinobi before it was another teams turn "Right, from Leaf again we have Karin Uzumaki, Suigetsu Hozuki and Haku Yuki" Cee announced, saying those three for last.
And they knew it obviously from their exasperated/amused expressions as Team Fourteen approached Ay "May I present your Vests and new headbands well done on passing brats" the Raikage informed.
Slightly fonder of these brats than most as they joined the crowd after the clapping was finished from the group they'd come with "Then finally also from Leaf we have Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Yuki" Cee declared.
Cheering erupted from the crowd "Hey Sakura-chan isn't that your Mom and Dad" Naruto whispered to his pink haired teammate as he spotted a familiar person among the crowd standing next to Tsunade.
Prompting a frown from Sakura as they walked up to Ay "Congrats on passing brats, here your Chunin Vests and new Hitai-ate, everyone's expecting a lot out of you got it so don't go quitting" Ay growled at the newly promoted Team Seven.
Sakura bowed her head in response making Sasuke and Naruto do the same before making a beeline straight to her parents "Oh dear I know that look" Mebuki giggled, rubbing her stomach as she was fast approaching her due date probably within the month she'd be giving birth.
"Relax Sakura-chan we didn't walk, we were escorted in a carriage by Tsunade-sama" Kizashi assured when his oldest child appeared before them, no doubt about to scold her mother for putting herself and Kaede in danger by traversing the lands.
Though at the news Sakura did calm down some "Still though stop making me worry Mom, I won't have anything happening to you or Kaede-chan" Sakura sighed, before turning as she was tapped on the shoulder.
And came face to face with her sensei who had this sad look in his coal iris "Seems my cute little students are all grown up and Chunin now huh, even if things were rough for us in the beginning I'm glad that you were my students and I'm very proud of you three" Kakashi said.
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura shared smiles with one another and then Sakura launched herself into his arms "We were glad to have you as our sensei to Kakashi-sensei but don't forget there is still a lot you can teach us so despite our dynamics changing we're still your students" Sakura informed.
Obviously not allowing the Copy Ninja to disappear from their lives any time soon "Yeah that's right you know" Naruto chimed in then spotted his Father and headed towards the man who greeted him with a sunshiny smile just for him.
"Sasuke-chan over here" Shisui waved obnoxiously at Sasuke who looked a little down in the dumps for some reason, of course how could he not feel that way with nearly everyone who'd passed being congratulated by their parents.
While his were still dead "Honestly Shisui do you have to be like that all the damn time, people are staring now" Sasuke glared at his annoying cousin to Kagami's amusement, forgetting all about being depressed just seconds ago.
Not long after the crowds finally dispersed as the visiting Leaf Shinobi headed for a hotel "Expect our training sessions from now on to be a lot harder now Sakura" Tsunade warned not intending on sticking around and with her, Mebuki and Kizashi went as well to return home ahead of schedule.
Many others went as well Juzo, Mangetsu, Shisui, Kagami, Tobirama and Yagura, leaving Zabuza and Kakashi to escort their students/teammates back to Leaf the following down "I am glad this is over and now we can focus our efforts on missions and training" Sasuke grumbled.
When it was just them, plus Haku, in the cafeteria of the hotel, the others to exhausted so they'd gone to bed early "Don't forget Sasuke, that the missions we'll go on now will that much harder, it won't be simple D or C rank missions now, we'll also get B rank missions" Sakura reminded.
And with their luck something was always bound to happen to them "Fear not I'm sure we'll be thrown together on missions or Hokage-sama will have us do solo missions" Haku added, not sure which was worse really.
"Can we not talk about this right now please" Naruto huffed, trying to forget the fact that they were Chunin already as he realized that things would be much harder on them from then on and fifteen minutes later they went to bed as well.
Unfortunately things were about to go from good to bad as they woke up the following morning ate breakfast, informed their favorite Cloud Shinobi that they were leaving and headed forth from the gates.
Where Minoichi the one who'd tried to kill Sakura was near and had seen the pinkette was not dead like he expected and so in order to redeem himself to Danzo and get that pay the man promised after he'd hired him to stop Team Seven from becoming Chunin act rashly.
Neither Kakashi or Zabuza had expected to be attacked so soon after leaving Kumo behind so when a gray blur shot down in front of them, snatched Sakura, a shrill scream escaping from her mouth before it was cut off as she was hit on the back of the neck neither man moved until it was to late.
And the man was long gone no trace of his chakra to be found anywhere "The hell was that" Naruto looked around not having recognized the man who had attempted to kill his teammate back in the forest on turtle island.
"That Naruto was that bastard Minoichi the one who attacked us and almost killed Sakura" Sasuke snarled having seen the man's face before he was gone, Kakashi cursed when Haku tried to run off after the two in order to rescue Sakura and quickly grabbed the teens shoulder.
Shaking his head all the while "We can't Haku, we need to inform Lady Tsunade first, until then Sakura will be fine when she wakes up, Minoichi will regret taking her as his hostage" Kakashi reminded, hating that he couldn't go off and save his student either.
But he was sure Sakura would be fine "Lets move then cause I don't plan on leaving her on her own for to long" Zabuza growled, also itching to run after the brat and retrieve her from the fool who'd just abducted her.
So with great reluctance they focused their efforts on hurrying back to Leaf which took them two days meanwhile Minoichi had kept Sakura unconscious the entire time as he entered Iwagakure territory.
And while Kakashi was explaining the situation to Tsunade, Minoichi was having an encounter with Hidden Stone Shinobi, and upon realizing he stood no chance left Sakura and ran "What do we do with her Kitsuchi" one of the Iwa Jonin asked.
Pointing to the unconscious Leaf nin the rogue had just left behind, Kitsuchi the Tsuchikage's son frowned "We take her with us" Kitsuchi decided, lifting the pinkette and taking her with him back to Iwagakure where it would be another day before Sakura woke.