Nyoko Namikaze Point of View

The past few days, Sakura and I have been meeting up to train. Meeting bright and early till lunch, when she'd go meet up with her team to do some missions. She was hopeless as a fighter, at least when it comes to actual fighting. She was a quick learner sure, she could quickly copy some basic moves, but when it came to her actually using them in a fight, she just couldn't. She wasn't like most of us where fighting was basically natural, we didn't need to think much to react in a battle. But Sakura was thinking almost too much in our little matches.

However, she did have quick reflexes, she's been able to doge some, if not most of my attacks. Then again I wasn't giving it my all, I didn't want to hurt her much. Just improve her in battle, maybe it's wrong of me to hold back, but if she couldn't take me on right now, how could she even think about taking me on when I'm using everything?

Her terriblness in fighting was only one flaw. The only good things she's done while we've been training was to teach me. Not that I'll ever admit it, but Sakura was useful, as a teacher. I've noticed I've improved a bit, sadly I'm not yet able to access the nine tails, but at least I have more control over myself.

Now we were in the training grounds, with an hour or so before we'd be done training. I had just knocked her back into a bush, causing her to fall into it.

She looked up at me, breathing heavily. She didn't stay down she pushed herself back up, getting out of the bush. If there was one thing good about Sakura's fighting is her determination. It was good to see it. That and the fact she hasn't asked me about Sasuke or even brought him up. Which made this training a whole lot easier.

She then bolted towards me drawing out kunai she bolted towards me. She focused her chakra to her feet, going faster. It wasn't that fast, at least for me, I easily turned out of the way getting behind her. Pulling out a few shuriken, throwing them in her direction. She however flipped upwards easily getting out of the way, that's when she tossed her kunai at me, causing me to jump backwards as she landed.

It was obvious what she was going to do. Having me jump backwards, she wanted me to give her just enough room so she could kick me, while I was in the air. She wanted me to be preoccupied with landing so she could land her foot against my side.

Of course I didn't let her get the chance. Rahter then let her kick me, I grabbed her foot as I landed and pushed her backwards. Causing her to tumble on to her butt once again.

She let out a shreik she was obviously annoyed with failing at this. It must've been weird for her, from being the brainiack back in the academy, being the third best student, to now being worse than Naruto.

"I just can't do it!" She cried out in annoyance, laying down on the ground. An arm over her face. Was she really crying? Gez, how am I meant to deal with this crybaby?

"You'll get it." I responded, trying to be reassuring. This was so weird, Ino had to deal with this right?

She sat up her hands on her face, but I could see the drops of water flowing through the cracks between her fingers, "No, I can't. I'm not like you, or Sasuke. I'm not even like Ino or Naruto!"

I walked closer to her so I was a foot away looking down at her, "That's pretty obvious. You have pink hair. Instead of trying to be like us fight like yourself." I ordered.

"I don't even know how I would fight if I could." She whimpered.

This was annoying. I dropped to my butt, so I was sitting in front of her, "You'll figure it out. You have excellent control over your chakra, and as such you can use jutsu to maximum efficiency. Also with you're quick at reading people, I assume with some practice you'll be able to predict what an opponent will do in a battle, before they do it. Instead of trying to be like Naruto or Sasuke, work smarter not harder." It was obvious she wouldn't be able to do what Naruto or Sasuke did, where their wills, determination and stubbornness could help them win in a fight. Sakura however wasn't like them. She was smart this was an obvious characteristic of hers, she studied a lot while in the academy, learning the names and basics of most fighting styles.

"Work smarter not harder." I repeated the phrase, "if you can prep before someone attacks you won't need to do to much to win."

She finally put her hands down, the tears had stopped. Thank, God. I don't think I could've dealt with more of the water works. I looked past her head however seeing someone large watching us. The dark figure walked into the light showing a man with a bandanna with his forehead protector on it. He had on glasses with thin wires around the glossy white glass. He had on grey suit that had various pockets and lapels. Similar to the large man that gave me the ANBU tattoo. He was just staring at me.

Getting up from where I was I looked at Sakura, "Lets call it a day, we'll meet up tomorrow and work some more, alright?" Not waiting for an answer I walked past her, the man had started bolting in one direction. I did the same thing. Easily, catching up. We were at the academy.

"Ibiki's waiting now move it. Third floor, room 301." He then walked into one of the buildings, without letting me get a word in.

Ibiki? Is he talking about the guy with the black tench coat?

Once inside on the third floor, I could see the large man with the black coat and face scars. In the room were more guys with the grey suit, and two other guys that didn't fit in. The shorter of the two had black spiked hair while the other guy had on a black shirt that had the kanji for 'endeavor' on the back of it.

The large man, I knew now to be Ibiki nodded, "Now that everyone's here, in two days the first part of the exams will take place, everyone in this room right now, knows their mission. Proctors, you'll be on the sides of the room noting who you catch cheating. If anyone is caught cheating five times, let everyone know. As they will be disqualified. Work out where you'll be sitting and how much each of you will be seeing."

Once the ten or so tall guys walked away, to talk Ibiki then spoke once more "Hayase, Nyoko and Ōkei" I looked up at the man, whom listed my name along with the two guys, "You three will be treated as a team throughout the exam. Your mission will be to allow others to try and chat. You three will be the only ones with the answers. Don't make it to easy." he retorted. "As well as, you three will be going through the next part of the exam as a team."

He then looked at Hayase, the boy with black spiked hair, that went everywhere, and looked to Ōkei, who had on the black shirt, and to me. "I will be watching the three of you throughout the first part of the exam. You'll be given a tenth question along with the rest of the Genin. You won't be given an answer, how you react to the question will determine if you three will make it to the next part of the exam. The rules I give the rest will apply to you three. Understood?" He retorted.

I knew there was a missing question! What was it? I felt excited to know it.

He then looked to the two boys, "Ōkei and Hayase, if you both make it through the first two tests you'll become Chūnin and be reunited with your former teammate." Ibiki then pulled out two long sheets of paper, handing each of them one, "Take these and tomorrow blend in with everyone else. You may both leave."

With that the two did just that leaving me and this man. What did he mean? They'd be reunited with their former teammate. Did they take the exam before?

"They did." Ibiki answered, the question that never left my lips, "From what I've heard they both didn't make it past this part of the exam. Of course they didn't have me as the proctor at the time. If they had, I wouldn't let them try again."

I blinked at the information, it was just given to me freely, I didn't need to ask any verbal questions.

"Keep in mind, Nyoko. If you fail, they'll fail and they won't be able to become chūnin. Nor will you. If I have anything to do with it." He threatened, making sure I heard him. "You'll never know if you're worthy of an ANBU ninja." he hissed the last two words to me.

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes, "Lucky me I suppose." I glared at the ground, I was an ANBU. Just so the old man could hide whom I was, while still being able to use me as a tool.

"It's nothing to worry about if you're grades from the academy are legitimate." He went on, "Then again that's the academy. Those exams are nothing like the chūnin exams. At least nothing like the written portion under my control." Man he was talking for awhile. I could be at home. Sleeping, eating or training right now. "Prove yourself during the exams, you'll get noticed by other ninja. You're going to be against ninja of other nations afterall. What better time to show off your abilities, then now?"

"I guess." Was this a pep talk? Could he just dismiss me already!

He then pulled out another long sheet of paper, "Fill this out and bring it to this room, the day of the exams and be ready for the exams." Taking the paper I walked out of the room. Not only did I have to worry about myself, Naruto and his team, but I needed to worry about two more people. Where if I fail, they'll fail. If they fail, I fail.

In the words of Shikamaru, What a fucking drag.

Sakura Haruno Point of View

I don't think I've improved much if at all. Fighting Nyoko once again, the exams were today. While I was training with the purple eyed ninja, I couldn't focus. The imagery of Sasuke being hurt was distracting me. I know it was a genjutsu and all, but it happened before. In the Land of Waves, Sasuke got hurt badly. The genjutsu was just another image of him being hurt. I couldn't help but to be hurt by it.

Nyoko's foot landed against my gut sending me back to where I was earlier. Into a tree Nyoko had me punching earlier this morning. Her workout was so freaking hard, I know it's my fault, having spent most of my youth in a book, in Ino's shadow or trying to make Sasuke notice me, but still!

"Sakura, the exams are coming up." Nyoko scolded me once more. She was stressed obviously, I assume she's taking part in the exams as well, that mixed with her training with - no training me. I couldn't blame her for being stressed. If I wasn't a pathetic excuse for a ninja she could be preparing herself for the exams. Instead she's training me.

I sighed getting up, "Yea they are." I looked to the side, I couldn't look her in the eye, "Let's call it a day, I have to go clean my room anyways."

It wasn't true, I just wanted to go home. Sulk, sleep and not be here, training hopelessly wasting her time.

She let out a sound, a mixture of a sigh and a groan. The next thing I knew she was standing right in front of me. I could see her really pale toes. She ended up plopping down in front of me. Sitting with her legs under her body, her knee caps being what I see. Gez, don't tell me she's going to give me a pep talk.

"Grow up Sakura." Her tone was harsh. I didn't expect it. I looked up at her seeing her purple eyes were cold, like really bad frostbite. It made the hairs on my arms stand up.

I returned her stare with a glare, "Grow up? What the hell does that mean?"

"What do you think?" she growled, "Grow up. No excuses. There will come a day when someone's life will be in your hands."

This just irked me, I yelled at her, "I know that! I've seen Sasuke basically die in front of me!" I noticed her blink, caught off guard by what I've said, I didn't stop tho, I couldn't stop yelling or stop my eyes from watering. "I know I'm not the best ninja - hell I'm not even a decent one! I didn't know how different it would be, being an academy student, to become a a ninja! I knew ninja died, but I never thought it'd be so hard, even if he didn't stay dead - If he were actually dead." I could feel the tears dripping, I put my hands to my face wiping my eyes of the tears, trying to stop myself.

"We're done for the day." Her voice was quiet, but tense. She was holding something back. "Good luck surviving the exams." I heard her get up.

What? I looked up at her her back was to me, I lunged at her grabbing her wrist, "No!" I cried, begging her. "I need to train, I need to protect myself and Sasuke." Please!

She didn't even look back at me as she responded, "Work on making traps. Perhaps being two steps ahead of an attack will help you." She ripped her arm from my wrist taking a few steps forward adding, "Sasuke, isn't the only one on your team you know. You better get better to cover Naruto's ass as well." She then turned her head slightly, the wind picking up, making her dance around, showing the side of her face. Her eye was shining like a purple ember glowing almost.

"If either of them get hurt because of you, you won't have to worry about being a ninja anymore." Her tone was threatening. I couldn't even gulp, I knew she was intimidating - just as a ninja - but I didn't think she'd be this scary.

She was then gone once I blinked my eyes. I need to get better. Getting up on my feet, fixing my hair and cleaning my face of my tears I got back to training.

Nyoko Namikaze Point of View

I was so angry. She said saw him die.

Is that what Naruto meant by a close call when he was telling me about their mission to the Mist village? That Sasuke had been hurt so badly he appeared dead to Sakura? Sakura is useless, she's not an idiot, she'd know if someone was alive or not.

I wasn't focusing on where I was going, or even how fast I was going. I was too angry. Sasuke never told me he almost died. Or was dead - whatever! Why wouldn't he tell me? We were friends! Naruto didn't have the nerve to tell me either. Why didn't they tell me? Why did I have to hear it from the crybaby!

Eventually, I came to a stop. Finding myself not to far from the village gates. They were a yard from me. I want to run out the gates, where would I go? I had no clue. I just wanted to go, there would be no chance of running into Sasuke or anyone and lash out at them.

Why was I even this worked up? Sasuke looked fine when he returned. He was normal, his usual self. Why wouldn't he at least tell me though?

No, he wouldn't tell me. He's not the type to admit to being beaten up. It'd ruin him to admit to no being on his brothers level.

Where was he anyways? I doubt Itachi was dead, he was an astounding ninja when I met him. I bet he just got better as a fighter. Was he with that man in the mask? The man that told me about me, I don't even know who he was. It was obvious he was up to par with Itachi. Maybe, better. The masked man had mastered Tsukuyomi, did Itachi? Where was that man? Were they still together?

Was I even up to par, with Itachi when he was my age? I physically, puffed out my chest, in frustration. If I were to use the damned beast sealed within me then I bet I would easily beat him. Otherwise, it would be a hard fight. He was a prodigy of the Uchiha clan. I was really fast, that was all to me, at this moment.

"Nyoko, what are you doing out here?" I was snapped out of my thoughts. To see the familiar face of Iruka.

I knew what he was asking. Why I was here, basically looking at the main exit of the village. Likely looking lost in thought maybe looking frustrated as I were lost in thought. I gave him a shrug for an answer. Not entirely sure how to answer him. Did I even know why?

"You shouldn't you be heading towards the academy for the exams, you're taking part in them, right?" He questioned, sounding genuine.

I gave him another shrug. I really had enough time. The first phase was simply just a written exam, I knew the answers to. All but the last question.

Irukas face changed, I assume not pleased with my lack or a response, "Nyoko, what's wrong?"

I simply gave him a smile, "nothing, you're right I have to go I'm late. Later." With the last word leaving my lips I then bolted to where I needed to be.