White strands of hair fell to the ground. The boy sat stiff in his seat as another boy cut off his long hair with a sharp blade. The boy in the chair was missing his glasses. There was dried blood caked around his lips, reminding him of what had happened earlier. His mouth hurt. The foreign chakra was still making its way in his system. He fought it of course, and it had weakened, but for now that was all he could do. He needed food, water and sunlight.

It had been weeks since Kabuto had been captured. In those weeks he had lost any concept of day and night, friend or foe. Kabuto actually missed Orochimaru. He missed being called by his own name. Kabuto forced his hands to grab the arm rests as more of his hair fell down. The boy didn't stop until Kabuto's hair was cut close to his scalp and his eyes filled with tears.

He was forced to stand. A wind came from somewhere and blew over his naked body. He shivered and tried to rub some warmth in his arms. His bones were showing. The air smelled of mud and iron, not a whiff of grass or anything from outside. The boy handed him a stained rag to wipe his face with and then beckoned Kabuto to follow him. Fighting the urge to cover himself, Kabuto did. He wanted to speak but he couldn't. Not anymore. His tongue was heavy.

More people appeared, all dressed. They spared him a passing glance as they continued on their silent mission. Some were wearing civilian clothes. Some were children and others were elderly. It was Konoha but smaller and underground. And silent. The boy led him to a larger space between two high walls. It was about ten steps wide and went on both sides for more than the eye could see. Light fell from above them and Kabuto spun around to find the source. Without his glasses, all he saw was a white blob, far above his head.

On the opposite side of the hole that they entered through where rows of small doors were made in the wall that rose high above them. Kabuto got one on the ground floor and squeezed inside. The cell was barely big enough for him to sit in. The ground was soggy and wet. It was cold. Kabuto wrapped his arms around himself and waited as tears started to run down his cheeks.

The Hokage Tower, early in the morning~

"Man, I don't know how Kakashi does it." Jiraiya slumped in his seat, running a hand through his white hair. "That kid is exhausting."

Hiruzen smiled and brought his pipe up. "It went well then?"

"You bet! I taught that kid all the good tricks and got rid of that seal." his student replied, hitting his chest in undeserved pride.

"The one Orochimaru put on, I hope?"

"Yep." Jiraiya chewed his lip and leaned on the desk. "Naruto is lucky I got here before the exams. That thing could've really messed with him and his performance."

Hiruzen nodded slowly. The early morning sun peaked over the horizon and entered his office. Shadows of shinobi running and jumping over the roofs flitted over the light. Konoha's streets were bustling despite the hour. The final round of Chuunin exams was today. It was also the day with the highest security since the war. Hiruzen sighed.

"What do you think will happen today?"

Jiraiya looked up and shrugged "Too many things. I wish Tsunade was here to enjoy the show."

Hiruzen smiled "Indeed. The whole team back together."

"You know," Jiraiya started, "I used to wish for that all the time. Now it just feels like a silly dream to have."

"It's not silly." Hiruzen looked over his village. "It's just a dream too good to be true."

It was quiet for a while. The sun rose higher and the sounds from the streets became louder. ANBU rushed over the roofs and blended in with the crowds. Tension gnawed at Jiraiya. In order to mask it, he groaned loudly and looked up at the ceiling "Man, today is going to be long."

The Hokage nodded, face grim "Indeed. Today is going to mark either the beginning or the end of an war."

"It's always a war." Jiraiya complained, though his tone was weary. "It can never be a conversation. Just a couple of leaders together, sipping sake and eating sushi. It has to be fighting."

Hiruzen turned to his student and smiled "Perhaps if you were one of those leaders-"

"No," Jiraiya held his hands up "I'm no leader material. Besides, if I became Hokage I wouldn't have time to write anymore."

"Perhaps that's for the better." Hiruzen crinkled his nose. To this day he wondered how and why his student had begun to write such novels. Jiraiya grinned at him and stood up.

"Well, it's time for me to go." he gestured vaguely in the directions of the market "Need to get ready and all that."

The Third rolled his eyes and waved "Don't harass anyone."

His student was out of the door before he turned around again.

Battle Arena, morning~

To call Naruto excited was an understatement. To call him absolutely insane, vibrating and close to exploding would still not be enough to describe his state that morning. He was bouncing around and babbling on about everything and nothing in no particular order. Sakura had abandoned him and made her way to the tribune with Ryuya and Shinji, claiming that if she stayed a second longer, she would kill both Naruto and herself.

In an effort to keep the boy close, Asuma held the back of Naruto's neck since Kakashi was late per usual. Everyone had expected that, but the problem was that Sasuke too was nowhere to be seen. Mentioning this would probably aggravate Naruto's frayed nerves even more so the teachers just suffered in silence. Asuma lit another cigarette and tightened his grip on Naruto.

Even Shikamaru looked sharper than usual. He was supposed to be up against a very creepy kid from Sound village named Dosu. Asuma wasn't sure if retreating was the better option but Shikamaru was smarter than him so he just had to rely on the kid. If anyhthing he felt more anxious for the other kids of Konoha. Naruto had to fight Neji, Shino was against Kankuro, Sasuke against Gaara and Chi was against Tenten. It was as if fate was mocking them.

From reliable sources Asuma had heard about Might Guy teaching Tenten about the Eight Gates. She'd probably need it despite having witnessed what happened with her teammate Rock Lee. The kid had blown everyone and most of the roof away by opening five of the Gates and almost defeating Gaara. The latter actually showed some emotion and ironically it was that emotion that defeated Lee. He was stopped from killing Lee just in time by Guy. Unfortunately the toll on Lee's body was too high and he was still in the infirmary, unsure if he'd ever walk again. Asuma could only hope for a miracle. Tenten could very well end up like Lee, but losing against Chi wasn't that much better.

They entered the arena and the Genin left to the separate area where they would have to wait until it was time for their fight. Asume saw Chi appear from the corner of his eye and nudged Kurenai. The Genin was pale but her stance was relaxed. Ibiki was right behind her looking like he hadn't slept for weeks. Ryuya and Shinji offered quiet waves at their teammate but there was an invisible wall between them. Kurenai bit her lip and turned away.

The arena was filled with civilians and shinobi alike. Excited chattering came from all sides. It forced a smile on the teachers' faces despite the stress that threatened to floor them. It was the big day. The students had prepared for this and the fights were bound to be of epic proportions. The teachers were prepared for another epic fight, but with greater consequences than spending another year as Genin. If the teachers lost their fight, most Genin wouldn't live for another day.

Asuma reached in his pocket and felt the cool steel of his weapons. It did little to calm his nerves but at least he knew they were there. Sweat ran down his back and he wiped it with his sleeve. He wore an extra layer of mesh armor underneath his standard shirt as protection but in the burning sun it became a punishment. Kurenai leaned against him and though she was warm too, he didn't have the heart to push her away.

"Are you ready?" she murmured.

Asuma swallowed, feeling like his throat was made of sandpaper, "Of course." Nope.

"We have to protect them." Kurenai said, looking over at her student in the waiting area.

Asuma sought Shikamaru's figure and found him napping against a pillar. A laugh bubbled up in his chest, "Yeah," he chuckled, "it would be a waste otherwise."

Hiruzen stood up and started to speak. The arena fell silent. The only ones who still moved around were Naruto who was pacing the waiting area and the ANBU. There was a speech of course. A speech that betrayed none of the tension the Third Hokage felt. Now that he was prepared, it was hard to think he might have overlooked it. Besides him, on the other chair was not the leader of the Sand. It was someone much closer to him. His other student was probably near the hot springs while the third one was wherever money and alcohol went.

Before long, the speech was over and the first battle began. It turned out to be a long one and the ending left no one satisfied but with a nice tan instead.

"You know," Tsume said, frowning at her friend, "you really shouldn't be so happy. Your son lost, you know?"

Shikaku burst into another round of laughter. Inoichi grimaced "Technically, he gave up. I'm not sure if that's better though."

Shikaku wiped a tear away "I'm so proud of him, the little brat."

Tsume rolled her eyes and leaned back, absently scratching her companion's head. "Your clan is hopeless."

"Oh?" Inoichi sat up "It's Uzumaki's turn."

"Against Neji Hyuuga, right?" Tsume frowned worriedly. Her friends nodded, grim looks in their eyes. She sat back, chewing her lip as the names were called out.

"Alright!" Naruto shouted and jumped off the tribune, landing in the center of the battlefield with a loud thud. "I'll give you a real battle!"

His opponent, Neji, walked down the stairs calmly and made his way to the center. His eyes were blank but his lips were curled in disgust. "Shut up already. This fight won't last long anyway."

Naruto grinned "Heh, you're right. I'll have you down in five minutes."

Neji sneered "I doubt that. I'll be surprised if you even remained standing for one!"

"Contenders ready?" Genma asked, rolling his eyes. "Winner is the last one standing. You are allowed to forfeit at any time. Please don't actively try to murder each other."

On the tribune Asuma raised his eyebrows "Since when is that not encouraged?"

Kurenai sighed and twisted a strand of her hair between her fingers "Since these two arrived."

Neji only looked bored as Genma finished and left the battlefield to stand near the Hokage on the balcony. Naruto lowered himself and took some steps back. A man in the audience booed. Naruto ignored him and took a deep breath. This was going to be his fight.

Chi watched from the tribunes, standing in the shadows behind the other contenders. Every now and then Tenten would glance at her and look away before Chi could return the gaze. She couldn't see the battlefield but by the sounds of the audience and the many Naruto's flying around, she guessed it was going quite unexpectedly.

Don't die, Naruto.

Chi exhaled slowly and looked up at the blue sky. There was a buzzing in her head, just behind her ears. Sometimes at night, she could distinguish a word or two. She scratched her neck and loosened her haori. It's so hot.

Her eyes flitted over the arena, pausing only at the balcony where the Kage's were seated. The whole of Konoha was crawling with ANBU and special Jonin. Both Ryuya and Shinji were given secret instructions from their coaches and Chi knew that they were wearing protective vests under their outfits. In preparation, Ryuya had spend the whole week leading to the final round in the hospital for treatments. She needed them mostly for her arms. Chi saw them once when she was delivering messages from Ibiki. Her arms were still horribly disfigured and probably caused more pain than she let on, but Ryuya still smiled. Chi send some more chakra to her.

Neither one of her teammates had offered to train with her. They couldn't help her a lot, but it still gnawed at Chi. They had been together for a while now and seen each other almost every day. They once spend a whole afternoon chatting about who the most handsome Jonin was. Chi made fun of them and complained about them but her heart was light. Was that really so long ago?

There was an uproar in the arena. Chi perked up and stepped in the sunlight. Everyone in the audience was leaning forward, eyes wide and jaws slack.

"You stand here, wallowing in your self-pity and take it out on Hinata. She's innocent! She even tried to help you for some reason!" Naruto's voice rang out over the arena. "If you want your clan to change, then do something!"

Naruto hit his chest "Or I will! Once I become Hokage, I'll change the rules! Believe it!"

Neji scoffed "Please. A fool like you could never even become Chuunin, never mind Hokage!"

"I will!" Naruto yelled and formed another sign, closing his eyes. There was heat in his stomach. Thick and overflowing. It was his. Or at least his to use. Swallowing his fear, he delved into the cold hallways in his mind.

Oi stupid fox! Give me your chakra!

It rushed out of him, accompanied by a deep and roaring laugh. The ground burst underneath his feet. The trees burned away. Naruto opened his eyes and grinned.

You'll never look down on me again.

The arena was on fire. Chakra filled the tribune, sending every Hyuuga in a fit. Neji gritted his teeth and squinted. The sheer force of Naruto's chakra send him flying and he only just managed to land on his feet near the wall. His mind was reeling. He braced himself and jumped back to a spot where the chakra didn't make his teeth feel like falling out.

Killer Intent flooded the arena, sending civilians choking and shinobi reaching for their weapons. In the waiting area, the trainees looked back at Chi who stumbled back to the shadows, clutching her neck. She was looking paler by the minute, clutching the stone pillar as support. Her eyes were a burnt orange color. Sweat ran down her brow. Silently, she begged Naruto to stop. The chakra burned her from the inside out.

She gasped and hid behind the pillar, yanking her haori open and discarding it on the floor. Her braces, scratched and cracked, started to buzz in alarm. The voices of the audience blurred together in an orchestra of white noise. They screamed and shouted, happy or angry, she couldn't tell. Colors burst in front of her eyes. Someone grabbed her arm.

"Chi!" Shikamaru's strained voice penetrated the haze. "Stop it!"

His pained face became visible. Chi froze and then fell to the ground. She could feel her blood in his body. Her chakra was mixing with his own. She called it back and bit her tongue at the sharp pain that flared in her chest. Shikamaru's grip lessened and he drew a sharp breath.

"What's going on?" he hissed. Sweat dripped down his brow. "What are you doing?"

Chi shook his hand off and scrambled back up, less steady than she would've liked to. "Nothing, just not feeling so good. It's fine." she said, though her voice trembled. Her body felt as if someone had been dancing on top of her with heels.

"No," Shikamaru said, anger in his dark eyes, "I mean with us!"

Chi let his words sink in and looked around. Sure enough, Shino was hunched in a corner and Ibiki stood in the other one. She gulped when she met his glare. Shikamaru huffed and walked away, shaking his head. He'd get an explanation later, once Ibiki had softened Chi a bit. Chi bit her lips as her teacher came over. He grabbed her arm and she hissed in pain when he pulled her inside the hallways that connected the floors of the arena.

Standing between the thick walls meant relief from the heat. Chi leaned against the cool stone and sighed. Ibiki waited until she opened her eyes again and stood on without support. Chi let herself calm down enough until she felt capable of formulating a good answer. Ibiki was still looking at her. She waved weakly.

"I kind of lost control."

"Of what?" he asked, voice controlled.

Chi cleared her throat, looking at his knees. "It's.. Naruto's chakra. It influences mine sometimes."

Ibiki felt just about every internal alarm go off in his mind. He clenched his hands behind his back, "How so?"

Chi shrugged, digging her fingers in the stone wall, "It's extremely strong and since we already have a bloodbond... It kind of mixes with my own chakra and I can't really handle it."

"Does it happen often?" Ibiki hoped he didn't sound too strained.

Chi bit her lip. "No," she said finally, "this the first time it's been so bad."

Ibiki nodded slowly and stepped aside. "Go back and don't tell anyone what you told me."

Chi slipped passed him without another word. Ibiki looked around, saw a tuft of red hair in the corner and decided to take the long route back to his seat. We were never this difficult as kids, right?

In the arena~

"I can't believe it." Kurenai grumbled "You'd think he'd be on time at least for the Chuunin Exams!"

Asuma wished he good give a good answer. He leaned back and sighed, massaging his wrist. He was starting to feel sore from the tension.

"About damn time!" Naruto suddenly yelled and peered at the sky. Sure enough, two dots appeared against the sky. The two sped towards the ground and landed. The arena went wild.

"In full gear, huh?" Asuma murmured, biting on his cigarette.

Kakashi spared a brief glance at the tribunes and patted Sasuke's head. "Good luck." he said quietly and left without a second to spare, missing a rare Lip Twitch #2 from Sasuke.

"Exams got you riled up, huh?" Asuma glanced at his friend. Kakashi only offered a tight nod. His sole eye was trained on the battlefield. His short sword was strapped to his thigh, tight enough to feel the belt dig into his flesh. He sensed Naruto on the tribunes and confirmed that it was indeed the Nine Tail's chakra that was surging through the boy.

Motherfu-

"He did good, your kid." Asuma said, "Managed to trick a Hyuuga! Clocked him in the face, it was so beautiful." Asuma leaned closer, grinning like a Cheshire Cat, "Gave a whole speech too. Gotta say, he might actually become Hokage. It'll be like the Fourth's wife ruling us, rest her soul."

Kakashi went rigid, but Asuma only scratched his beard and blew out some rings of smoke. Luckily for him, the fight started. Kakashi whipped out his precious novel and started to read it with half an eye. Kurenai's attempts to take it away were apprehended by Asuma who assured her that these books were his emotional support mechanisms (they were not).

The battle began. All went cool and with the right amount of threatening words and spectacular use of jutsu's from Sasuke's part and creepy, impenetrable sand shields from Gaara. It was great to watch, right until Gaara had a meltdown. Even that, if Kakashi was extremely honest and drunk enough, was entertaining to watch. He shared that opinion with Anko and no one else.

This isn't good. Sasuke would be lying if he said that he wasn't worried. Gaara was beginning to look like a monster. Not even with his Sharingan, was he able to tell what was happening. He stepped back some more and reached for another kunai. His hand still throbbed from using the Chidori and a little voice told him that this was a battle that required a tactical retreat. Gaara clutched his head and let out another guttural groan. Sand moved all around them, making it seem as if the arena had come to life. Not good at all.

There was a panicked shout that was quickly echoed all around. Civilians screamed and tried to flee as foreign nin appeared in their midst. It took a few seconds for the Konoha shinobi to realize that the battle they had all been prepared for, had started.

On the tribunes Naruto knew exactly what was happening to Gaara. He had dreamed about this moment for many nights. The fear of losing control of the monster inside him was enough to keep him up for days. He could feel the hot chakra of the fox react to its kin. There was no other way. He made up his mind. Without giving himself a chance to think it through, he jumped down.

"I'm on it!" Naruto shouted and dove through the hole, chasing after Gaara. The teachers on the tribune gaped. Iruka turned various shades of white. Kakashi was torn between hauling him back and defending the civilians.

"Sensei!"

His head snapped up. Sakura leaned over the balustrade and held out her hand to him "We need your help here! There are too many civilians!"

Kakashi was next to her in an instant, just in time to stop a kunai on its way to Sakura's neck. His one eye flashed with rage as he saw the Sound shinobi who threw it. It took said shinobi about half a second to realize who exactly was glaring at him and then another half second to realize he was killed with his own kunai. Kakashi tossed him aside and looked back at Sakura

"Go to your classmates and stick together. Cast Genjutsu's if you can, try not to engage the enemy directly."

Sakura gulped and nodded, wisely choosing to Flicker away to where she last saw Shikamaru. Kakashi bit his tongue and steeled himself for another fight. He could hear Asuma on his right and decided to help out. He spared a last glance at the Hokage's balcony and saw at least a dozen ANBU approaching it.

That should be fine.

Asuma looked up when Kakashi landed behind him, single handedly disposing of a short Chuunin. "That didn't go as expected."

Kakashi agreed, "Not for either side, I guess."

"Where are your kids?" Asuma slit a guy's throat with his blades.

Kakashi threw another shinobi down the arena and quickly scanned the battle, "One went after Gaara, one is fighting up there and the other is... There!"

Sasuke had joined his classmates and set fire to a large part of the arena, feat that was not so appreciated by the security guards and civilians. Kakashi made a clone and send it over to diffuse the situation. Asuma grinned and ducked when Kurenai's opponent jumped over his head and landed three floors below on his head. Kurenai scoffed, red eyes blazing, and turned away again.

"No time for chit chat!" she warned them over her shoulder as she sped away again. The two Jonin looked at each other and split up, charging at the masses. The scent of blood hung in the air. It was enough to send Kakashi back in his memories of the war. He wondered what Chi was doing right now, surrounded with so much food.

Chi was, in fact, fighting a very stubborn shinobi from the Sand village. He lunged for her head again and she grabbed his wrist, pulling him over her head. He landed hard on the ground and she finished him with a solid stomp of her heel to his temple. The ground trembled and part of the wall collapsed. ANBU were shouting now, all rushing to the same spot. On the balcony, another figure had appeared. The Kazekage was gone, instead Orochimaru was in his place, wearing the white robes.

The Hokage! Chi's head snapped up to the tribune. Walls were rising out from the ground, surrounding the Third and Orochimaru. Another wave of nausea hit her and she stumbled to hold herself up against the wall. She had to go there. It was the duty of her clan to protect the Hokage regardless of the cost.

C'mon...

Chi took another step and spit on the ground. The fighting shinobi around her were nothing more than blurry shapes.

I'm the only one who can safe him...

With her bloodline, she could keep the Hokage alive. She bit her tongue and mustered up enough chakra to use the Body Flicker jutsu. For one, nauseating second she was unable to see anything. Then, she landed in a forest. All around her, massive trees and plants rose up from the stone floor. She gasped for air and hit a pillar, slumping to the ground.

I've got to fight...