Woooooo, this chapter was a pain to write without going too in depth with the Chunin Exam lol it looks like I was forced to.

I really hate it when I go too far.

So, heads up, before I get a lot of reviews and questions: This is very much an extreme AU. Some characters are aged down, some are changed about and most importantly, some will play a pivotal role in the coming arcs. If you haven't seen Bee's Rappudan, one of the Infinite Tsukuyomi filler episodes, I recommend it. It makes me smile and laugh on so many different levels, which by the way, is partially what made me want to write this story in the first place. With that out of the way, I just want you to know, I am pulling every great thing I've written on this site and smashing it into this fanfiction to make the ultimate chimera fic of all the badass and insane things I've ever come up with for Naruto fanfiction, so be aware. It's only going to get crazy from here.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


Chapter 4: Oh no! Emotions!

"I'm beginning to think something else is at play here, Sakura."

"Y-You think?" Sakura turned to the blonde. "Think they're bi?"

"I mean, if Sasuke didn't have any reaction to Haku kissing Naruto, then maybe we were wrong about them being gay. At the very least together." Ino hummed as she rested her elbows against the shelf. "This is getting complicated. Like, honestly, who would have thought; Naruto and Sasuke would become so close to one another that they face two missing ninjas on their own and to think they both had a hand in convincing the two of them two change their ways. I didn't think Sasuke knew any words other than Hn, shut up and you're annoying."

"Neither did I!" Sakura shook her head. "I can't wrap my head around it. This whole time, he was this eloquent and this verbose. I thought Naruto would be the only one running his mouth, but when Sasuke joined in… it threw everyone for a loop. It would be completely in character for Naruto! I-I mean, seriously-he blew up at the grandson of our client too! Even called him a dipshit!"

Ino paled, sighing into her hand. "There's no way."

"Yes way." Sakura shook her head. "Anyway, after Naruto left, Sasuke got up and didn't say a word and followed after him, almost immediately. Kakashi-sensei was laid out from chakra exhaustion so I was left alone, terrible vibes all around and I needed air. I go outside, hear them training and lo and behold, I find them sitting in a tree."

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G?" Ino asked apprehensively.

"Why… why did you feel the need to do that?"

Ino shrugged with a nervous chuckle. "Uh, I saw an opportunity and took it."

"God if Naruto wasn't Naruto, I know the two of you would have a great time together being idiots."

Ino shrugged again, leaning against bags of fertilizer, "I guess. Blondes do have more fun."

"T-That's not the point!" Sakura sighed into her hand again. "Something is up with them. Ever since Wave ended and we've been back to doing menial D-ranks with the occasional C-rank, we may have gotten closer and started actively training together… they are still lost in their own world, Ino. I mean… Sasuke literally cooks Naruto dinner every night and they have cheat days together at Ichiraku Ramen."

"If I didn't have any prior context, I'd say… you know what even with context, it still sounds like a date." Ino laughed. "Oh god, help me."

A yawn ripped and the munching of chips drew their attention away from each other and to the lazy bum dozing off in his seat and the fat body with a bag of chips clutched in his greasy hands. Ino and Sakura glared at the lazy boy who yawned once again.

"Honestly, I don't know why you two are making such a big deal about it." Shikamaru said, resting his head on his knuckles. "I mean, if Naruto and Sasuke do like each other, you should be congratulating them instead of trying to figure out their motives. All of us have different preferences. I want an average woman and an average marriage in the future. Choji wants someone who can cook, their looks and gender, I'm pretty sure, don't really matter. I will admit, whatever Naruto did to convince Sasuke to find him attractive must have been incredible. Either way, it really doesn't concern either of you or me."

"I…" Ino raised a finger but immediately retracted it. There was something about Shikamaru's change of demeanor that was off putting. It was as if there was something he knew that she didn't. As much as she wanted to pry, despite how lazy the Nara was, he was good at keeping his secrets, short of mind transfer. "Huh. That was actually really insightful, Shika. You made a good point, but the point is… me and literally every girl in the Academy fawned over him and I can't just let that fly. I need to know. Closure. My mind is firing off so much and I really don't want to get my dad involved."

"Yamanaka." Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Listen. There might be some things that none of us are supposed to know and better yet, shouldn't. There's a reason they keep to themselves and from what I've unwillingly heard, they don't like to really converse with anyone but themselves unless they have to. From what I've been told, they keep to themselves because they understand each other, hardly the kind of reason to assume they're gay. There are plenty shinobi and kunoichi who are close to one another without wanting to bone."

"What are you trying to say?" Sakura asked the boy, a blush growing on her cheeks from his choice of words.

"Oh, I don't know. If they really are people that you consider comrade and daresay friend, why don't you just ask them?"

"It's like asking if you're gay!" Ino screeched.

"I'm not."

Sakura's face went red. "T-That's not the point! I-I can't just ask if they're gay! T-That's a breach in privacy!"

"And watching them train and continue to make baseless assumptions isn't?" Shikamaru raised a brow.

The pinkette floundered. "Touché."

Choji burped and sipped at his soda can. A little laugh escaping his lips. "There's an easy solution to this. Me and Shika have known Naruto since before the Academy. He's more than happy to talk about his feelings if you just asked. As long as he's in a good mood at least. I don't know, try to ask. You might find what you're looking for."

Ino ran a hand across her face. As if the world was coming apart, even Choji put in his two cents. "Oh, not you too, Choji. What has happened to this team? Why am I the one who's losing her mind?"

"I mean, I get it. This is a crazy situation."

"You're in denial."

Shikamaru suddenly fell off his seat and crashed to the floor, covered in fertilizer. A dizzy look in his eyes, he looked at the blonde cracking her knuckles. Ino's face was red hot, ready to start screaming at the Nara. "I-In denial with what?!"

"Beats me." Shikamaru shrugged. "Women are too troublesome to understand anyway. Give it a try. If you two are too afraid to ask, then let us do it. Like Choji said, we've been friends with Naruto since we were kids."

"Technically, we're still kids, Shikamaru." Choji said through munching chips.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Choji." Ino glared.

The boy in question blushed and shrunk under her fury. "R-Right, sorry, mom."

"You little…"

"Shika, will you talk to them?" Sakura asked. "It's… it's really not that important in the grand scheme of things but god does it make me really question things."

"Mah, mah, say no more, Sakura." Shikamaru shrugged with a smirk. "What are friends for? Just… whatever happens, know that you wanted to know."


Naruto and Sasuke stood alone in the training grounds.

"You know, I was actually excited to train with Kakashi-sensei today."

"Me too. A shame the Hokage keeps calling him away when we need him most." Satsuki frowned. Her seal had dropped an hour before, leaving her in all of her true glory. "Speaking of which, we need to find the Hokage and talk to him about this seal."

"What about it?"

"In Wave, it broke and failed twice." Satsuki frowned. "If something were to happen during the test, imagine the kind of unnecessary bullshit that would cause. Sakura doesn't know yet and really… I don't think I'm ready for anyone to know."

"How many people know?" Naruto asked.

"The Hokage, Kakashi, you…" Satsuki hummed, closing her eyes for a split second, "and Shikamaru."

Naruto's eyes bulged from his head. "S-Shikamaru? How?"

"He just figured it out." Satsuki frowned. "Nara's are smart, but damn did he catch me off guard that day. It was after a spar that he decided not to be a part of and when I asked him about it, he dropped the bomb on me. I don't know how, I don't know when, but he had apparently known, or at least suspected since we were eight. Since then, I kinda just talk to him and he talks to me every once in a blue moon. It's nice, but still unnerving that he saw through me so easily."

"So… he's known the truth for five years?"

"You know how to do basic arithmetic, good job."

"I'm learning, I'm learning." Naruto raised his hands in defense. "But like… how? This entire time, everyone thought you were a guy. On top of that, I've never seen you two share any conversation outside of hn and troublesome."

"I've been wondering about that too for a while now, but we're no longer at the Academy. It's not like I can just waltz into their training grounds and ask him a question in front of everyone else." Satsuki glared. "Also, it's not like there's much to say to the lazy bum in the Academy. You really think he'd be for conversation when he's too busy trying to nap? We talked every once in a while, outside the Academy on our free days."

Naruto frowned, a tight feeling in his chest began to squeeze the air from his lungs. "S-So what'd you two talk about?"

"Uh, whatever came to mind." Satsuki shrugged. "For some reason, his dad convinced him to play Shogi with me. Anyway… Shikamaru and I have been friends in the same sense that we were these last few months before Wave. He's smart but man does he know how to pry and get answers. You'd think he were a Yamanaka."

"Just nowhere near as loud." Naruto laughed.

"If he were anything like Ino, I think I'd kill him."

Naruto and Satsuki shared a chuckle. The Uzumaki hummed, turning to the girl. As if a lightbulb had turned on in his head. "What if I was taught the seal?"

"What?"

"I-I mean, what if something happens when we're taking the test? From what you've had me read, there are some parts of the Chunin Exams that are more practical than written tests." Naruto said. "Like, imagine, we're in the middle of a combat test, we're running off somewhere and suddenly, your seal starts to break. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have someone that can maintain it?"

Satsuki blinked. Turning back to the blond she looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Huh. T-That's actually not a bad idea. Look at you, being clever. Never thought I'd see the day. I mean, yeah that could work."

"Say, Satsuki." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "This is kinda out of nowhere, and I hope I'm not overstepping any bounds myself, but I was wondering if you could tell me about Itachi."

The girl snapped; eyes wide at the question. "W-Why?"

"The way you've talked about him… you don't hate him, do you?"

Satsuki hesitated. Narrowing her eyes, brows furrowing, she gulped. "What brought this on?"

"Call me curious."

"I…" she paused. "You know how I said that I'm into archery, right? Well, let me tell you about the time I joined him on a hunt for a wild boar."

Naruto blinked. The instant she started talking, the words muted in an instant. An empty dark void seeped into one ear and trickled out the other. A different, but welcoming sensation wafted over him, watching the Uchiha ramble on about something or another. Talking. She was talking. It wasn't like they were going over training and dietary plans, she was just talking about something. It had nothing to do with their skills, nor the seal that she relied on so much.

For a moment, the high-pitched voice of Satsuki rang in his ears. She was talking about her brother. A memory that suddenly came forth. As she spoke, he watched her face change and shift between emotions. Annoyance. Pride. Anger. Joy. She went on about one of the days they spent together, where she learned how to use a bow against a raging boar. One of her proudest moments, from how she talked about it. Hands up, as she rambled on, they matched her words, showing every moment she did that day.

It was hard to explain, the more she talked, the more he saw beyond the kunoichi, he saw her. Onyx eyes curled into smiles, wind blowing through her long, mid-back length raven hair, shadows contouring to her thin jaw and thick lips—she was incredibly proportionate. He didn't know how to word it right, but he couldn't stop himself.

"You know…" Naruto said absentmindedly. "You're actually… really beautiful."

Satsuki stopped. Her eyes widening by the second. "W-What?"

Naruto blinked. "Huh? What?"

"I…" She blinked back. Gulping, the air had turned into something else. "T-Thank you?"

"Huh?" The blond raised a brow. "Sure, yeah. What happened after you shot the arrow? Did you get it in one go?"

Satsuki continued on her story, giving him a sideways glance. As her emotions returned full force, she couldn't get what Naruto said out of her head. It was so simple and yet, so profoundly out of nowhere. If she wasn't in the middle of a good story, she might have flinched from the whiplash. Bombs keep dropping between them and she was afraid that it was starting to get too personal. Maybe it was her fault for even starting in Wave, maybe it was her fault for even going this far for the blond idiot, but she knew she'd be lying to herself if she said she didn't feel something special about him.

I'm not ready for any kind of relationship like that. I'm not even sure if I'm ready for a friendship. She continued on, catching Naruto's glances and responding to his questions and comments. He stood there, listening intently as if every word that came out of her mouth was magical. Does he… does he feel that way about me? Do I feel that way about him? No, no. We're just friends. At least I'm able to admit that much.

As she finished the story, Naruto's face lit up, as if he were glowing. A flicker in his eyes made her heart jump in her chest. The smirk he always wore made her own lips curl in response. As if temping, she took in a sharp, shaking breath, unable to look away. He was talking, his words flittering in one ear and out the other. He was giving his own input, wildly incorrect, but still, it made her stomach twist with butterflies. Is this what it feels like to feel close to someone? After all this time? All we needed was time and some stupid circumstances? I wonder… does he… does he even feel the same things?

She remembered his words. She remembered how he reacted, but trapped within the ice dome, trapped between herself and Haku, he chose to be her shield. He chose to run in the line of fire, for her. Deal or not; bargain or not; partners or not; he had no reason to put his life on the line like that, yet he did. The girl blinked, listening to his muted words, the laugh and chuckle that followed, to the timid, thoughtful look as he scratched his whiskered cheeks. This was the same fool who unleashed blood red chakra to defend her, the same fool who took Senbon across his body just to defend her.

Under normal circumstances, she might have been offended by his actions. However, were it anyone else, she probably would have been. There was something different that day, the way he moved, the urgency in his voice, the desperation in his breaths; hew as afraid. He was terrified. Despite that, he dove head first into fire, for her. He protected her, but it was more than that. Satsuki didn't know if she was overthinking the whole situation, but something about him just clicked in her head.

Naruto watched her as the words left his lips few and far in between. She hadn't responded but she kept a dopey smile on her face as she stared off into nothingness. He didn't know if he had said something, but he wasn't about to break her out of her trance. As he said before, now, emphasized further, she really was beautiful. Her smile despite how little it was, made his heart twist and clench, his stomach flutter and bend. They were standing close to one another, the proximity taking a different meaning now that he noticed it.

They were friends.

Back in Wave, before Haku and Zabuza changed their ways, they were trapped. From all sides, in every direction, with almost no way to escape, Satsuki reacted in ways he didn't think were possible. He was bleeding and losing consciousness and that blood red chakra was messing with his mind. He couldn't focus, he couldn't think, but Satsuki was there.

Like the tree walking exercise, she was there to catch him. She was always there. When his attention was pressed against Haku clones, she was at his back, protecting him with her own body, using everything she had at her disposal to ensure he didn't fall. Naruto gulped, staring at the girl in front of him. He had thought when he first broke into her apartment, that was the most vulnerable he had ever seen her, but this, this smile, this soft face, this happy girl in front of him had never looked so serene, so peaceful. She was… vulnerable.

It had been a month since Wave and this was the first day they've had time to really hang out and do something other than mindless training. Sakura was gone to probably gossip with Ino and Kakashi-sensei had once again, been called up by the Hokage. Alone, in this training ground beneath the mid-summer sun, they had grown even closer. Even he could admit it despite his somewhat tactless mind. She had chosen to be here with him, she had chosen to stay by his side and that was enough to make his smile spread.

He loved Shikamaru and Choji but they had their own lives. They had their own friends and he wasn't going to be selfish enough to try and take up their time. Satsuki, however, their bond went deeper than that. Their bond was indescribable to the Uzumaki. From the first time he saw her in her true form, to the moment their knuckles first touched—as if a switch had been flipped, something clicked in his head.

He didn't want to be away from her.

She didn't want him to leave.

He didn't want to see her fall.

She wanted to be there to catch him.

Their thoughts whirling. It had been four months since they first truly met. Yet, despite all the knuckle bumps, all the blood, sweat and tears they had shed, it was odd. As they looked at one another, finding it harder and harder to find the right words to say, it was the firs time that they really examined one another. She told herself, focusing her gaze on him. The idiot will get himself killed if someone doesn't keep up with him. Naruto softened, eyes matching her own.

The asshole is gonna get herself killed if there isn't someone there to pull her back.

It doesn't matter if it's too fast.

It doesn't matter if we barely know each other.

She needs a friend.

He needs someone to keep him on the right path.

I want to be that person.

I want to be that person.

"Naruto." She said suddenly. Her smile never leaving her face. "Something interesting just occurred to me. Why don't we find one of the other sensei for help since Kakashi is too busy today?"

"What for?"

"Ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu." Satsuki said. "It can't hurt to learn some other techniques while our own teacher is away. What do you say?"

"That doesn't sound too bad!" Naruto smiled. "Let's do it! Who do we go to first?"

"Asuma is a Sarutobi and that means really good with ninjutsu. We could probably learn our elemental affinities."

"Right, you have fire, since you're an Uchiha. I've been wondering what mine would be." Naruto hummed.

"No time like the present." She shrugged.

However, as they prepared to move, grass shuffled. Satsuki immediately poured chakra into the seal. Her face shifted, hair shortened and her clothes filled out. Sasuke blinked and shook his head, the smile and the joy vanishing from his face in the instant the transformation had finished. They turned to the street, staring at the pair of silhouettes walking toward them.

"Oi, Naruto, Satsuki!" Shikamaru's voice came. The two of them blinked. Speak of the devil.

The two of them sighed in relief, but Satsuki kept her transformation up. "Shikamaru! What did I say about using my name?"

The boy shrugged. "It's your name. I'm going to use it. Why're you even hiding, the three of us know what you really look like."

Sasuke glared. "For someone so lazy, you know how to ask too many questions."

"This is why you're troublesome." Shikamaru sighed. "No matter the gender, you're still a pain in the ass."

Naruto raised a brow at the two. Sasuke crossed his arms and sighed. "Anyway, where is your sensei? We need to talk to him about something."

"Huh, your sensei is gone too?"

"Oh." Sasuke flinched with shock. "I wonder where he could be. Is he with the Hokage?"

"Yeah, he said that there was some kind of meeting he needed to go to. Said it wouldn't be long, but it's been a few hours already."

"Well, since our sensei are nowhere to be found, want some ramen?"

"It's not cheat day yet." Satsuki glared. Besides, I wanted to cook something new for lunch!

"B-But Sasuke," Naruto turned to him. "Please?"

Shikamaru looked at the two for a moment. Something churning in that ever-aware mind of his. Crossing his arms, if there was something he knew about women, was that if they ever got their mind set on something, they'd do everything in their power to make it happen. A diet was foolish for people of their status, what they really needed was proper portioning, not diets. Hm. I remember Satsuki telling me about that one day. "Why don't you cook for us all, Satsuki? Nothing beats a homecooked meal, right?"

The girl gave Shikamaru an inquisitive look through Sasuke. What… what is this fool doing? "Hm, yeah. I was actually going to go hunting for duck. Roasted duck with bok choy and garlic fried rice, sounds absolutely delicious."

Before Naruto or Shikamaru could back out, Choji's stomach roared. All heads turned to the boy as he tried to hide his blushing face. Sasuke smirked, a chuckle leaving his mouth. "Look at that, Naruto, Choji likes the idea. And since you brought it up, you're staying to eat." Sasuke may have let Satsuki slip through the seal. Shikamaru paled and shrunk under his glare but nodded anyway, muttering the same word as he always did.

Naruto couldn't stop smiling. However, there was something off in his chest. Something that just wouldn't leave him alone. It hurt watching Shikamaru and Satsuki talk. It was as if there was a whole different world that he had been oblivious to.


"What's up old man." Naruto smiled, his hands rising to the back of his head. However, before he could, Satsuki smashed her fist into his skull sending him to the floor.

"Show the Hokage some respect, dipshit."

"Mah, mah, Satsuki!" Naruto cringed, clutching his head for dear life.

Heheh! The two of them turned to the old man sitting in his chair, giggling up a storm. Choking on his pipe, he set it aside, wiping a tear from his eye. "The two of you are reminding me of my students so much. It's a bit of nostalgia for this old man."

"Hokage-sama." Satsuki bowed to the man.

"Dear child, you don't have to do that when it's just us in this room." Hiruzen smiled. "Come, take a seat, what can I do for you two. I was surprised to hear that Kakashi-kun has nominated your team for the Chunin Exams. I guess congratulations are in order."

"Of course!" Naruto jammed his thumb into his hitai-ate. "Watch out, old man, I'm about to come and take that hat from you."

"HA!" Hiruzen chuckled. "All in due time, Naruto-kun."

"Hokage-sama." Satsuki said. "Naruto and I have been training together for a long time, since we've become genin. For some reason, my seal is weakening and it's getting harder and harder to maintain the transformation. You know I'm not ready yet."

"Maybe it's for the best?" Hiruzen asked. "Maybe that is your body telling you that you can't hide who you are anymore."

"Regardless, it's still my choice. I can't… I am not ready." Satsuki frowned. "We've done research into what the Chunin Exams might entail and there's a practical mission involved in one of the levels. I don't want my seal breaking mid-test, so can you teach me and Naruto how to do the seal."

Hiruzen expected many things from this conversation the moment the two of them walked through his door. Especially when her seal was deactivated before the door even closed. This, however, was not what he expected. A pair of genin, talented and persistent, a dangerous pair. For a moment, it reminded him of Minato and Kushina, a wistful glance given to the blond man's picture on the wall. He blinked and sighed in his seat, lifting his pipe to his lips.

"You know old man, that pipe's gonna kill you one day."

"I've been smoking since before you were a sperm cell, Naruto-kun. I think I'll be fine." Hiruzen chuckled. "This is a strange request, Satsuki-chan. But one that I can definitely approve. However, there is a man that I think would be better suited for such a task. At the moment he is a bit busy out in the field. If it truly is failing, you will need a seal master to work on it and sadly, fuinjutsu is something I never managed to learn."

Naruto and Satsuki frowned.

"But I can teach you the basic infrastructure of the seal." Hiruzen stood. With a flash of his hand seals, the door locked and the walls were covered in glowing seals. Calligraphy spread up and down, merging and colliding until it looked like graffiti scrawled across the Hokage's office. "Now, Satsuki-chan, can you show us the seal?"

Moving in her chair, she moved her hair, lifting it and letting the rest flutter over her left shoulder. The Hokage made a quick motion, bringing Naruto's attention. There were footsteps and before she knew it, eyes placed at the back of her neck. The seal was warm, humming with chakra, but it was waning by the second. Even as she pushed chakra into the lines of ink, it wasn't enough to activate its properties.

"Whoa." Naruto whispered. Lifting his shirt, he channeled chakra, revealing the black seal stretching across his belly. "I-It's…"

"Yes, Naruto-kun. This is fuinjutsu, the art of seals." The Hokage hummed. "The seal you have is called the Shiki Fuin. It is one of the most powerful techniques, if not the most. The one Satsuki-chan has is a far cry from the Shiki Fuin however, and is relatively simple to those with intermediate knowledge of fuinjutsu."

The old man hummed, looking at the calligraphy. Most of the strokes were correct, at least from what he could see. But, there was one, the same one that despite redrawing the calligraphy, was still causing the failures within the seal. She shouldn't be forced out of the seal, even without applied chakra, and yet, she still was. Hiruzen took out a brush and some ink. Naruto watched carefully as the old man dabbed the hairs through the black liquid. Careful and practiced, Hiruzen stroked the brush across Satsuki's skin, covering the broken seal with a new calligraphy.

She groaned as her chakra was suddenly siphoned toward the seal. It hummed and glowed a golden light before vanishing like an exhale. Satsuki hummed, nodding her head at the old man. Her features did not change. Giving Naruto a nod, she channeled her chakra, forcing it through the seal. Almost immediately, her face filled out, her jawline widened slightly and her hair shortened back into the duck-butt that Sasuke wore so proudly.

"Satsuki-chan, Naruto-kun, take this scroll and give it to the librarian of the Jutsu Library downstairs. She will understand and give you an entry-level scroll on sealing." Hiruzen hummed. "It would seem that the time has come to allow the both of you to learn more about yourselves."

"What are you talking about?" Naruto raised a brow.

"Your parents, Naruto-kun. And for you, Satsuki-chan, if your skills are of any merit from what I've been led to believe… your time to find your brother is coming." He said. "And some truths that concern you. Both of you, do your absolute best during the Exams. I want to be able to tell you everything now, but I cannot do it unless I know for certain that you two can handle it. Do you promise?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Satsuki bowed. "I won't let you down."

"You could never, Satsuki-chan." Hiruzen patted her head. Looking to Naruto, however, the blond boy was silent, eyes planted to the floor. The mention of his parents for sure must have gotten him in that slump. The frown, the tears building in his eyes and the downward crease of his whiskered cheeks told him everything he needed to know. "There is something I could tell you, Naruto-kun. Your mother, and your mother, Satsuki-chan, were close friends. The best of friends even. Your fathers were close friends as well."

Naruto and Satsuki flinched, looking at the man with hope and surprise. Satsuki shook her head. "R-Really? My father never had friends."

"When Naruto-kun's parents died, it was the final straw for your father, Satsuki-chan. There was once a time where he smiled as bright as the sun. He chose to have no more friends; he couldn't handle the pain any longer." Hiruzen said solemnly. "Now get going. I have high hopes for the two of you. Good luck."


Genin. So many Genin.

Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura tensed at the sheer number of shinobi. There had to be well over two hundred of them gathered in the tight confines of the room. There were Konoha genin that he had never seen before and there were several teams of sand shinobi, judging by their hitai-ate. There were others, wearing pale blue and grey clothing with hitai-ate of the hidden mist.

"Mist?" Naruto asked.

"You don't think…" Sakura turned to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Is she here?" Sasuke asked no one in particular.

As if the gods heard his question, out from a gaggle of genin, a girl with curled hair and lipstick burst into the scene. She was short, compared to her teammates. But, the blush growing on Naruto's face and the glitter in Sakura's eyes told Sasuke everything he needed to know. "Naruto-kun. Sakura-san. Sasuke-san. A pleasure to see you three after so long."

"Haku!" Naruto suddenly cheered running to the girl. They quickly embraced one another, the blond boy lifting her up and spinning her around. Sasuke glared, unable to contain his anger. She tried killing us both, moron! Just because we all came to agreements doesn't change that fact!

"I missed you, Naruto-kun." Haku smiled, pressing her forehead to his. The boy in question followed suit, smirking and laughing like a giddy child in a candy shop. "So much has happened since we parted ways in Wave."

Ino leaned in, nudging Sasuke and Sakura. "So… that's the Ice Mistress you were talking about?"

"Yeah, So what? She's whatever." Sasuke huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"That… that wasn't what I asked." Ino raised a brow at Sasuke's outburst. Shikamaru and Choji shared a knowing glance. "What's with the aggression?"

Satsuki, for all her poise and self-control, paled at Ino's remark. Snapping out of her surprise, she made her usual grunt and walked away to find a bench to sit. She tried her hardest to maintain her stoic expression, but the longer Naruto and Haku laughed and talked to one another as if they were the best of friends simply aggravated her further. For no reason in particular either.

Look at her. Satsuki hissed through her Sasuke guise. Flaunting her face and her stupid perfume all over the place. I don't get it. What's so great about her anyway?

Haku introduced Naruto and Sakura to her teammates, a boy with glasses and another boy with greenish hair and large polearm strapped to his back. As Naruto gawked at the swords they carried, and the strength he could somehow sense, he flipped about, gasping like a child. Her glare would not dissipate. In her blind rage, Shikamaru took a seat beside her, his head leaned into his clasped hands.

"What's gotten into you, Satsuki?"

"I already told you, my name is Sasuke." She glared at him.

"Yeah, yeah." Shikamaru hummed. "You still didn't answer mine or Ino's question. What's the deal with you?"

"What makes you think there's something wrong with me?"

"I hear things." Shikamaru gave her a dead glance. "All of it unwillingly, but I hear it anyway. Some things happened in Wave that not even Naruto wants to talk about, unless it's that kiss she gave him."

"Of course, the idiot would talk about the kiss." Sasuke growled.

Shikamaru huffed. "I'm smart as hell, a curse all Nara have, unfortunately. Say what you will, deny what you will, but it looks like you're jealous."

"Jealous?" Satsuki scoffed at the notion. "Hardly."

"Uh-huh." Shikamaru drawled. "I don't know if you're trying to convince me or yourself."

"Is this… is this payback for me beating you at Shogi?" Satsuki slapped her hands into her knees, hissing at the Nara. "Is that why you're bothering me with you baseless theories?"

"One, you got lucky. Two, it's hardly baseless."

"I want to punch you. I hope you know that."

"Wait in line, princess."

"Don't call me that."

"Whatever." Shikamaru sighed. Standing up, he patted his legs. As he walked away, he turned to Sasuke with a smirk that spelled chaos. "Either way, instead of being a prick, maybe go up there and stop your man from making out with another woman."

Satsuki, once more, for all her poise and self-control, nearly snapped. You know what, brother… I think I'm starting to understand what hate is.

I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Fuck you, Shikamaru.


Seconds. Minutes. Hours.

Alone in the darkness of the winding Forest of Death, they had found themselves deep in the belly of the beast. Sakura had collapsed, puking on a tree branch. Satsuki couldn't control her body either. So enraptured with fear, she fell back unable to even throw herself in front of Sakura. Despite all their training, despite everything they had done to better themselves for this test, something wrong was happening. Something terribly wrong.

This person, whoever they were, were definitely not genin and definitely not from any village. They were too powerful, too quick and somehow survived every powerful technique she had in her arsenal. Sakura had stopped gagging, so that was something good. Satsuki mustered what little courage she had left and grabbed Sakura.

"Sasuke!" She cried out. "W-What do we do?!"

"I don't know, but we have to get away from that bastard, now!"

Dropping Sakura, the girl quickly caught on and jumped through the trees after the Uchiha. They zipped and dashed, dodging and weaving between branches and trees. However, no matter where they went, no matter how much chakra they infused with their legs, they could only go so far. Whoever this person was, they were persistent and damn they were fast.

Sharingan active, Satsuki, as Sasuke, did the unthinkable and pushed Sakura. Her footing lost, she fell off her tree branch, eyes wide and heart shattering with every second she descended. Throwing a kunai out, some ninja wire was attached. As the blade stuck itself into a tree, she swung about until she was able to reposition. Eyebrows furrowed, she focused, watching as their pursuer completely ignored her presence, and chased after Sasuke with blinding efficiency.

"T-This can't be happening." She gasped weakly. "I know… I know I'm not the strongest but Sasuke is my teammate! Naruto… where are you?!"

As Sasuke cursed under his breath, the boy slid back, hands speeding through hand signs. "Katon: Gōkakyū no jutsu!"

Her chest expanded and quickly tightened, spewing forth a massive fireball. It hurtled across the forest, smashing against the genin close on her behind. Before she could react, from the smoke and flame, a giant snake rushed out toward her, its scales blackened with ash and soot. Sasuke gulped, raising his kunai, eyes as wide as plates.

Before the snake could close the distance, a fist smashed into its nose, sending the snake hurtling into a tree, throwing its rider into the deep woods. A blur of orange and red chakra, Satsuki watched as Naruto beat the creature into the tree trunk with reckless abandon and unbelievable strength. He was bellowing with fury, roaring with rage.

"Leave her alone!"

Crimson chakra gathered in his fist. Satsuki blinked, raising her arms in defense. Winds rose, picking up and gathering to Naruto's clenched hand, compressing around his knuckles. As the red chakra began to engulf his body, he brought down his knuckles, shattering through snake scales and flesh, until it couldn't take any more damage and popped into a wall of smoke.

Before he could descend, he shot back, using the tree as a springboard and landed in front of Satsuki with the grace of an experienced ninja. She couldn't speak. His arms had already wrapped around her, holding her tight in his embrace.

"I'm so sorry!" Naruto panted into her shoulder. "I… that… thing did something to my seal. I don't know what it was, but I was able to break though it after reading the scroll we got from the library. Satsuki…"

"Goddamn it, Naruto!" She shouted back, her own arms finally moving at her command. She buried her face into his neck, panting and almost panicking. "W-Where the fuck were you?!"

"I'm sorry. We won't get separated again. I promise. Where's Sakura?"

"I figured whoever that was, was after me. And it turns out I was right." Satsuki shook her head. "I saw her use ninja wire and get the fuck out of dodge. I don't know where she is but at least I know she's safe. She doesn't even have a scroll."

"Okay, first order of business, we find her and reposition." Naruto said.

"I don't know where you sent that freak, but I have a feeling that they'll be after us again."

"Let's hope that won't be for a while."

"Knowing our bullshit luck…"

"Hey."

The two of them snapped, jumping and screaming, their kunai raised and ninjutsu primed. Turning back, the two of them were met with a cold breeze and watery air. Three mist ninja stood behind them, holding Sakura in their arms. Releasing her, the pinkette shot forward. Wiping the sweat from their brows, they fell on the branch as Sakura tackled them to floor.

"I… I thought…" Sakura whimpered, as the tears trickled down her cheeks. "I…"

"We're here, Sakura-chan." Naruto whispered back, still panting and weak.

"Some freak isn't going to kill me. Not here." Sasuke responded with the same tone. Breathless, he leaned into her touch as did Naruto. "I'm sorry for pushing you away."

"Next time, warn me."

"Haku…" Naruto smiled. "How the hell did you find us?"

"Yagura sensed you guys." Haku pointed at the green haired boy. He gave them a simple nod. "Something was off and we heard all the explosions. That was quite the show, Sasuke-san. I didn't think you knew that many powerful ninjutsu."

Satsuki, despite how tired she was, chuckled in defeat. "Honestly… neither did I. So, what now?"

"We have extra scrolls if you want some?" Haku said. "Whoever that was, I think we should get moving, ASAP."

"R-Right behind you." Naruto nodded. "Come on guys, we're burning daylight. I want to be out of this damn forest as quickly as possible."

"Whoever that was is on their way!" Yagura said, twirling his polearm. "It… it's a massive chakra signature. There's no way that's a genin. We have to let the test proctors know. Your father will lose his mind if you were hurt, Haku-sama."

"Zabuza?"

"Yes, my father is the husband of the new Mizukage." Haku said. She turned her attention to Sasuke as they all burst forward toward the center of the Forest of Death. "That's not important right now. What's their deal and why do they want you so badly, Sasuke?"

"Beats me." Sasuke said. "We're just as confused as you are. We were ready to head out and before we knew it, this psychopath comes out and starts attacking us."

"You." Sakura corrected. "They started attacking you. The only reason Naruto and I got hurt was because we were in the way. I'm sorry but it's the truth. Either way, we're not letting that freak get their hands on you. I don't care if I am still weak… you're my teammate and my friend. I can't let them hurt you. This isn't about the scrolls of heaven and earth anymore; this person wants you dead."

"Sakura-chan is right, Sasuke." Naruto gave him a nod. "If they want you dead, they'll have to go through us as long as we can still stand."

Satsuki stared at them. She didn't know what to say. As if a weight had been lifted off her back, a newfound respect and admiration was directed at Sakura. In their direst moment, she knew how to grow a spine and her confidence, despite her crippling fear, was inspiring. Satsuki never thought she'd see the day.

"Good thing we're here too." Haku said. "Chojuro and Yagura are incredible fighters. When we get to the end of this arena, I'm going to have a word with my mother and father. The test has been infiltrated by someone parading as a genin and has targeted a Konoha shinobi. Even though we have no reason to help, I don't think my mom and dad are really gonna mind."

"Tighten formation!" Yagura suddenly shouted. "Sasuke-san get between us now!"

Without warning, Naruto suddenly grabbed the Uchiha and threw him to Haku. Sakura followed suit and Naruto planted himself against a tree branch. Jumping to his side, Haku threw up a mirror of ice. Sasuke could only watch as another snake, just as large as the first one, shattered Haku's mirror with ease, sending her and Naruto in different directions. As the snake closed the distance, Yagura shot forward, slamming his polearm into the snake's nostrils.

To Satsuki's surprise, coral sprang to life around its face and every point of impact that Yagura made. The snake hissed and screeched, falling back toward another tree. Chojuro went in next, lifting his giant bandaged sword and swung for the snake's unprotected underbelly. Chakra extended outward, almost bathing the weapon in flames, sliced through the snake, beheading it before it popped into smoke.

"No… it's not enough." Sasuke sped through hands signs. "It's not enough! The rider! Take down the rider!"

"Katon: Ryuka no jutsu!" Fire roared outward, springing in every direction. Smashing against trees and branches, a silhouette danced and weaved, dodging every attack she sent their way. Sakura followed suit, throwing kunai and shuriken, further surprising the Uchiha. Her shurikenjutsu was not bad, and was actually quite accurate. The shadow in the smoke and flame had to stop to change directions and deflect.

A tree suddenly snapped.

The two of them looked down to the forest floor. A giant log suddenly flew up into the sky, smashing against the silhouette, flattening it in a shower of splinters and forest dust. Before they could say anything, a boulder, another log, another boulder, giant objects from the forest floor flew into the air and crashed where the silhouette was last seen. Wind pulsing once more, Satsuki watched as Naruto flipped through the air and landed on the branch, panting and eyes blood red with rage.

Neither Satsuki or Sakura said a word. Planted with surprise as the Uzumaki roared and growled, almost frothing at the mouth. His fingernails were extended, his chakra exuded with crimson color. "Leave them alone."

"N-Naruto?" Sakura asked timidly.

"Leave them alone!"

Springing forward, Naruto charged at the pile of debris. Explosions, earth shaking punches, Satsuki paled by the second as she watched him punch through stone with his bare hands. Still reeling from it all, Haku suddenly appeared, bellowing commands to her teammates. "Chojuro, grab Sasuke and Sakura, get to the center of the forest. Take the scrolls with you. I'll join you three in a bit. Yagura, you and I are going to help Naruto, right now!"

"Yes, Haku-sama!" Yagura nodded. "Do I have permission to use him?"

"Yes. But wait until they are out of range. Use only one tail at the max."

"As you command."

Satsuki caught the last bit. Her eyes widening once again. He's a Jinchuriki like Naruto. I see.

As they disappeared, Yagura took a deep breath. Red chakra bubbling around his body, he and Haku jumped down to the forest floor. Rolling about the shrubs and debris, they readied themselves. Naruto was hissing, growling and twitching like a wild animal. His body now completely submerged in red chakra. Yagura stood beside him, surprising Naruto for a second.

"You too?" he asked.

"Three."

"N-Nine." Naruto stuttered.

"That person is still alive." Yagura frowned. "Whatever you did, it wasn't enough."

"I'm starting to think nothing is going to be enough." Naruto hissed. "I'm getting real tired of hitting this guy with everything I have to give and still have no effect on him."

"Haha!" A creepy laugh emanated through the smoke. "My, Naruto-kun… you really are something else. Tell me, how does it feel knowing that no matter what you do, I will still get my hands on your dear Sasuke?"

"H-How the hell do you know my name, bastard?!"

"You can try, but we won't let you." Haku said with a glare.

"I don't think I know who you are." The silhouette said with a bored tone.

"I am Momochi Haku, daughter of the Fifth Mizukage, Momochi Mei." The ice mistress declared. "Try me."

"I… wasn't aware of a Fifth Mizukage."

"Clearly you're out of the loop." Yagura bellowed. "Step out of the shadows coward."

"If you want me, you can come get me!"

All heads snapped up toward the forest canopy. A trio descended from the branch, landing gracefully on the forest floor below. Haku, Naruto and Yagura fought the urge to face palm right then and there. Sakura was angry, Chojuro was blushing with embarrassment and Sasuke, for some godforsaken reason, was leading their little trio as if he could take on the world.

What. The. Fuck. Satsuki. What are you doing?!

"Naruto." She said, drawing his attention to her. Satsuki took a deep breath, focusing her onyx gaze on him and him alone. "I told you… we're fighting together."

"Really?" Naruto's face dropped. "Now?! You're going to do that talk now? Your life is in danger and you're just willing to waltz right back?!"

"I am a ku—shinobi of Konoha. Even if my life is in danger, I'm not running from a fight."

"Sakura-chan, knock some sense into him!"

"Honestly, I'm with him." She said, crossing her arms. "I am a kunoichi. I am a ninja. I'm not going to hide and run away when my comrades are in danger."

"Are…" the voice in the shadows said. "Are you serious right now? As adorable as this is, this is hardly the time and place for this conversation."

"Hey!" Naruto snapped, pointing at the shadows. "Shut the fuck up. This doesn't concern you."

"Alright, if you want to have your conversation, I'll just do what I came here for. Thank you, Sasuke-kun, I admire your confidence, even if it was for stupid reasons. Your pair of Jinchuriki and your Mist friends were certainly not part of the plan, but needless to say, it was in the end, for nothing. I am done playing with you brats."

As the person stepped from the shade of the tree, they froze in place. As if trapped in their own body, they trembled and shook, trying to fight back. To Naruto and Haku's surprise, black shadows, darker than any night, came together, wrapping around the person. His heart began to race, Naruto snapped his head back to Sasuke and Sakura, both of whom were smiling. It all finally clicked together, when the battle cry was heard.

Nikudan Sensha!


Please, like hell I wasn't going to add team Ten. Ino is like my number one favorite kunoichi and Shikamaru is like one of my favorite characters of all time. Ain't no fucking way I wasn't going to include them lmao

So, like I said; I really didn't want to write this much of the Chunin Exam, but god did I let my imagination get the better of me. What can I say, once the gears are turning, they turn and turn and turn and only through sheer will can I stop. I mean, obviously I didn't but hey, sue me. So, the first major fight is about to happen next chapter and we get to see the fruits of everyone's supposed training. Listen, I know I skimmed over a lot of details, but I'm pretty sure it's implied somewhere lol.

And don't come at me about Orochimaru, motherfucker is going against two jinchuriki, the ino-shika-cho trio, who by the way, are fucking awesome (even though they're still genin here, it can still work), two kekkei genkai and uh... Sakura. It's gonna be a good fight. Though it might take me a few days to really get everything together, because holy fuck I still don't know if I want Satsuki to get the cursed seal. There are literally two different paths that I can think of and different branching arcs from each decision. It'll take a lot of deliberation, but hopefully, I'll be able to make the decision soon. Like honestly, I have a whole Satsuki Retrieval arc already thought up, while at the same time, I have a whole different story for what will happen if she doesn't get the curse mark. Both are really good plotlines too.

Another thing I wanted to talk about; I still don't know what kind of tone I really want for this fanfiction. Most of my stories are incredibly action oriented with long points of dialogue. Whenever I write Naruto and Satsuki, I just get giddy and start raving about their emotions, but at the same time, I'm not too sure how to segue into fight scenes that well anymore without having to resort to a break in scene. I'll have to really read through my old shit to get the balance between explosions and fluff because let's be honest; Naruto and Satsuki have great fluff.

Last thing; someone asked if I was giving them weapons? Yes. I am. Naruto will definitely get staffs like the truth seeking orbs when he went SPSM during the war. That aesthetic was just so fucking cold, it's my go to when writing Naruto fanfictions. As for powers, they're going to be fucking broken by the end of the fanficiton. Like absolutely fucking broken. To get a good glimpse of what I have in mind, watch the Shippuden ending #21 and the OVA fight between Naruto and Sasuke. Their fucking power ups before clashing are just so fucking cool, I've been wanting to incorporate that into a fanfiction somewhere and now, we're finally here. Hope you're as excited as I am.

Anyway, review, follow and fav

Ja ne!

gottahavekyuubi