"Sensei. Can I dye my hair?" Sakura asked from the doorway to Kakashi's apartment. Naruto and Sasuke were standing behind her, Naruto trying to cover his head and Sasuke with a smirk. Not exactly the most inconspicuous ninja but they did well enough. Kakashi hadn't answered the door for the past ten minutes and it was starting to bother them. "Could he have left already?" Sakura asked finally, turning to face her teammates.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted.

Naruto shrugged.

Sakura sighed. "Should we pick his lock?"

Naruto shook his head. "He installed some traps after the last break in. It would probably be better to just head down to the training ground."

Sakura growled but relented. "What kind of sensei doesn't show up on time, honestly, it's like he's trying to inspire tardiness," Sakura muttered to herself as she left, activating a henge mid step. Naruto and Sasuke followed her lead, until they looked like normal civilians leaving the apartment building.

Naruto felt more comfortable in the henge than in his own skin. Before the hair dye, he had been able to put a stark differentiation between his faking and who he really was, but now even his real self was fake. Even though it had only been a few weeks it was taking a lot more time to feel comfortable in his own skin than he expected.

After dying his hair he'd needed to reapply to the academy to get a different picture for his shinobi ID card and while he'd been there, some annoying brat had tried attacking the lord Hokage and one of his subordinates. It had been very bothersome and what should have been a ten minute task turned into a one hour chore. Naruto had sat patiently throughout the disturbance without betraying even a hint of annoyance, although it irked him so. That wasn't even the first of his problems with the new look and if Sasuke smirking at him every time he looked at him wasn't enough, Sakura had taken Naruto's sudden choice to dye his hair as an opening to speak to him about all matters of fashion. She was even considering dying her own hair and forcing Sasuke to do the same.

Arriving back at the training ground Naruto dropped his henge and was pleased to see that Sakura wasn't as out of breath as she would be normally. It looked like her cardio work was paying off. Ever since she'd started training, her arms and legs had been adorned with bandages, that Sakura had informed him, were actually much heavier than they looked. She had only worn them during training in the beginning but after their mission in Wave she had taken to wearing them all day, only taking them off when washing and sleeping. Even though her training was going well she seemed out of sorts, and at least to Naruto she appeared to be down in the dumps. For the moment though she was putting on a good façade and Naruto wasn't about to insult her acting abilities by asking her what was wrong. When it got so bad that Sasuke asked her what was wrong would be the time for action to be taken and by then he wouldn't have to do anything anyway.

They looked around the training ground and noted that their instructor wasn't present, which was slightly worrying, either because it meant that he had gone to the mission office ahead of them which was never a good sign, or he had been called away on an emergency. Noting that their sensei wasn't there Sasuke suggested a spar and Sakura took the opportunity immediately, removing her weights to test her speed. The result was embarrassing and hard to watch. Sakura was indeed faster and stronger than before but at the same time she was off balance, every movement easily missed its mark and when she tried to dodge Sasuke she ended up accidentally ramming into Naruto when jumping back. She looked frustrated and it was understandable, even in her taijutsu Sakura used to be the most textbook perfect ninja in their class, now she looked like a clumsy newbie flailing around. After ten minutes Sasuke called an end to the match, most likely just as frustrated as Sakura about her predicament. Her eyes flicked over to where her weights were piled up next to her lunch pack and understanding passed over her face. With a sigh she moved over to her weights and started putting them back on while Sasuke approached Naruto.

"Wanna spar?" Naruto asked, expecting the question before it left Sasuke's lips.

Sasuke nodded.

"Do you mind if I use a new seal that Kakashi's been teaching me?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke didn't look so comfortable with the idea but he nodded a moment later, taking a few steps away and readying his stance. Naruto pulled his bag onto his back and faced Sasuke, raising his arms. Their eyes met and the match started. Naruto dove to the side immediately as Sasuke blew a fireball his way. The fireball missed but another one was already heading his way. He used the kawarimi, substituting himself with a log which was then devoured in the flame. He was out of sight of Sasuke for a time and he flared his chakra. Across the clearing he could hear himself scream and he grinned as he abandoned his cover, rushing Sasuke from behind. Sasuke didn't notice his approach until he was nearly upon him. He only narrowly managed to bring up his kunai behind his head to fend off Naruto's. Too late to dodge however and Naruto grabbed his wrist, dragging his arm down quickly to end the fight.

As Sasuke put away his kunai he glared at Naruto confusedly. "How did you get over there?" he asked finally, his curiosity too much to bear.

Naruto headed in the opposite direction returning from the foliage a moment later with a kunai that had a seal wrapped around it. "It's my new seal. I threw it there when you were trying to burn me. That jutsu really impairs your vision Sasuke. Anyways it didn't work the way I wanted it to, but maybe we'll see," Naruto finished muttering to himself about delayed seal release and air vibrations.

Sasuke shrugged, most likely realizing that he wasn't going to get any information out of Naruto while he was in that state. He would ask him later. "Do you want to go again?" he offered.

Naruto shook his head and pointed.

Kakashi as it turned out had arrived while they had been fighting and he was having a heated conversation with Sakura, or rather Sakura was shouting at Kakashi while he remained stoic and calm.

". . .not ready sensei. Maybe Sasuke and Naruto but I can't," she insisted desperately.

Naruto eyed Sasuke strangely who shrugged in reply.

Ignoring Sakura, Kakashi turned to them and regaled them with the news. "I've nominated you three for the chunin exams," he said proudly. He was met with mixed reactions.

"But you haven't taught us anything yet?" was Naruto's.

"It's about time," was Sasuke's

They looked at each other and scowled, both turning to Sakura who looked very unsure of herself in that moment. "I. . .I don't know what to think," she said, her shoulders drooping after she finished. "Can we have some time to talk it over?" she asked Kakashi. "This is a decision that requires some thought."

Kakashi nodded. "If it helps your other year mates are entering the exams as well. Even the InoShikaCho team with their dead last teammate. I think you three will be more than capable."

Naruto scrutinized him carefully. "You're just doing this to get out of teaching me sealing."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "The world doesn't revolve around you Naruto, do you know that?"

Naruto growled but faced Sakura.

"One more thing," Kakashi added, handing them each a small piece of paper. "If you so choose to attend show up at the academy room three-oh-one tomorrow before four pm and you'll be entered. If one of you decides not to show up your team will automatically be disqualified. No training today. Have fun." With that he disappeared in a swirl of leaves that was too fast for the eye to track.

Sakura bit her lip and faced her teammates. She looked at Sasuke inquisitively, because for all her bravado she was still in love with Sasuke and everyone knew it.

"I think we should do it. Once we're chunin we can do higher level missions and become stronger," Sasuke said in response to her questioning look.

Naruto was shaking his head. "Do you know that people die in the exams. There's not much point getting ourselves killed just so that we can get a new jacket. Besides we've done one C rank. One. That's less than almost everyone in our year. We'll be wiped out in minutes. I won't support this," Naruto said, folding his arms.

Sakura looked in between both her teammates and shifted the weighted bandages on her arm. "I think Naruto is right," she said sadly. "You're definitely good enough to do the exams Sasuke, but I'm too weak."

Naruto gaped at Sakura. She was agreeing with him on something over Sasuke's opinion? That was rare, although that probably had more to do with Sasuke being clever than any feelings she had for Sasuke. This must have been what was bothering Sakura. Naruto couldn't blame her after that morning's showing. Maybe she was weaker than himself and Sasuke however that had never bothered him because what she lacked in brawn and power she more than made up for in brains.

"How are you going to be the Hokage if you can't even become a chunin?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto cringed, he could see that Sasuke's words had hurt Sakura. That was a low blow. Sasuke wasn't usually so mean. Naruto supposed he really wanted this. "Don't listen to him Sakura. You don't need to be a chunin to be Hokage. I think this whole thing is just one big bad idea that. . ." he was cut off by Sakura who was shaking her head determinedly.

Her expression had changed to that which she wore on missions. The hard and cold Sakura. The scary Sakura. "He's right Naruto. I can't let my fear control me just because I don't know what's going to happen. The Hokage has to make decisions even is she doesn't know the outcome."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "As the team leader commands then."

Sakura shook her head. "No. In this case if even one of us doesn't want to then we won't. If tomorrow comes and you still don't want to then we won't do it. This is too important for me to force you."

Sasuke grunted an agreement.

"Just think about it," Sakura added.

Naruto frowned but didn't say anything. He would think about it, if only because he owed his team that much.

"Meet here tomorrow morning?" she asked. Sasuke nodded and after some hesitation Naruto did as well. They all headed their separate ways, Sasuke going to train, Sakura probably going to strategize or study and Naruto would have normally gone home to do sealing work, but today was different, he needed to walk and clear his head.

In retrospect that may have been a bad idea or a scarily good idea.

He should've seen them from down the street, he should've seen them when they were just a few paces away, he should've seen them when he felt himself walking into one of them. For some reason he only saw them after falling down on his butt post his collision with an annoyed looking ninja with purple face paint and an interesting dress style. He hadn't seen them however having been too deep in thought.

"Sorry," Naruto managed after the surprise had passed, jumping to his feet and bowing. "Lost in thought, didn't see where I was going."

The boy he had bumped into looked like he wanted to punch Naruto but a look from the girl next to him, Naruto assumed it was his teammate, made the boy stand down. "Watch where you're going in the future," the boy said, and Naruto bowed again.

Standing straight Naruto scrutinized the strangers, realizing that he didn't recognize them in the slightest. "Are you here for the exams?" he asked as the pieces clicked into place. "Don't you need a three man team for that?"

A grimace passed over the faces of both ninja. "Our brother is here as well," the girl said uncomfortably. "We're looking for him actually. He looks a little like you. Have you seen him?"

Naruto frowned. He hadn't seen anyone that morning besides for Sasuke and Sakura. He shook his head and tried to look apologetic. "You're the first strangers I'm seeing today."

"You'll be seeing a lot more soon," the girl promised. "Are you taking the exam?"

Naruto's expression sagged. "I don't think so. My sensei nominated me but I don't think I'm ready."

The boy laughed. "Hah, typical Leaf genin. You're all weak," he said.

The girl eyed him uneasily. "Don't make trouble Kankuro," she warned.

The warning fell on empty ears however as the boy named Kankuro faced Naruto with a smirk. "Do you think you can take me kid?"

Naruto backed away a step. "Probably not. After all you're taking the chunin exam."

Kankuro laughed again. "See Temari. I told you. They're all weak."

Naruto was immediately happy that Sasuke wasn't in the general vicinity as he would have ripped the boy's throat out if given the opportunity. Naruto wasn't a fan of conflict however and smiled uneasily. "That's me. Weak. You're very perceptive. Which village brought out such a fine ninja as yourself?" he asked, barely holding back the sarcasm in his voice.

Kankuro didn't seem to notice. "We're from the Hidden Sand of course," he said pointing to his headband.

Naruto nodded. "Of course. Such fine ninja could only come from the Hidden Sand. Konoha doesn't even compare."

"You're embarrassing us Kankuro," a voice said from behind Naruto, sending a chill through his body.

Temari and Kankuro faced the voice, their expressions immediately becoming fearful. "Gaara, I wasn't," Kankuro started, but silenced a second later at a look from the newcomer. The newcomer was about to say something else but stopped after opening his mouth, his face creasing into a frown.

"Why is he looking at me like that?" the newcomer named Gaara said instead.

Temari and Kankuro looked at Naruto confusedly then their frowns deepened. At first it looked like Naruto was afraid but after a moment it was clear that he was far from it. Naruto was looking at Gaara with an expression of utmost glee.

"Are you an Uzumaki?" Naruto asked slowly, not even daring to get his hopes up.

The newcomer named Gaara disappeared from where he was standing and reappeared right in front of Naruto, glaring at him menacingly. Naruto didn't seem to notice.

"What's an Uzumaki?" the boy finally asked.

"One of my clan. I thought they had been wiped out but you must be an Uzumaki. We have so much to talk about," Naruto said in awe.

Gaara turned to Temari sending the glare her way instead. She cleared her throat and explained, "Gaara's the Kazekage's son. He's our brother," she explained.

Naruto's face fell immediately. "Oh. Ok then." He looked like he would wallow in depression for a while but he brightened a second later. "Are you adopted?" he asked.

Gaara looked at him strangely and Temari looked scandalized. "No, he wasn't," Temari said self-assuredly.

"Then why does he have red hair and look nothing like you?" Naruto asked, still having failed to notice the murderous glare he was receiving. Temari opened her mouth to attempt another refute but was cut off. "Do you have way too much chakra than you know what to do with?"

Gaara's glare didn't change but he looked curious and nodded.

Do you have a really good sense of smell?"

"I smell blood everywhere."

Naruto looked like he wanted to scream from excitement. "We're definitely related. Do you want to help me rebuild my clan?" Naruto finally noticed the death stare he was receiving and held up his hands in defense. "I didn't mean like that. I'm not into that type of thing. Actually I'm not really into anything. I guess I know enough to say that Sakura and Ino are pretty and I guess Hinata is also really cute. But I just don't feel anything for them. Y'know?"

Gaara stared for a moment more. ". . .What?"

"Yeah you're right. I'm too young to be worrying about these things. Anyways it was great meeting you Gaara. . .Uzumaki," he said with a wink. "Temari, Kankuro," he nodded to the other two. "Good luck for the exam." Then he was walking away with a spring in his step. The three Sand ninja watched him go with varying levels of confusion on their faces.

(+_+)

Naruto was ecstatic after having met Gaara. Sure there was the possibility that he was just some random redhead, but what were the odds. After all the number of redhead shinobi was so miniscule that the Uzumaki may as well have been the only redheads. Of course Naruto wasn't a redhead, but he assumed it was from his mother who had probably been a villager of the Hidden Leaf. If there was any consolation about his hair dye it was that he could comfortably claim to be an Uzumaki without getting strange looks, he didn't know why he hadn't thought about this sooner.

Meeting Gaara had been a wonderful distraction, but a distraction nonetheless and his mind quickly brought his real problems crashing down around his shoulders. What was he going to do? The truth was that he was prepared to take part in the exam even though it most likely allowed people to die, the problem wasn't everyone else dying in this case, it was his own skin that he was worried about. In truth Naruto was frightened. Sasuke was able to charge into the lion's den because he had something much more important than his own life, Sakura as well was able to put aside her emotions for the mission which he had to admit was terrifying sometimes when she did it, but Naruto's goal was to not die and prevent others from doing so. Joining the chunin exams would effectively be going against his goal entirely.

On their C rank Naruto had come up with a sneaky convoluted plan all to avoid killing or being killed, he had never seen himself as being in any danger even right in the thick of things when a large portion of his skin had been burned off. The chunin exams were different though, they were designed to surprise, to test a ninja's ability in the face of their greatest fears, which meant that Naruto would be going in afraid. What would be worse is that because he would be afraid all the time he would be distracted an make mistakes, potentially ensuring his team's death. He hadn't been kidding when he said that Kankuro looked strong as well as his two other siblings. It seemed that Gaara had somehow mastered the use of sand for movement in combat and Naruto wasn't anywhere close to knowing his elemental affinity. What was the point of entering them into the exams anyways after only a few months of being a genin? It was almost like Kakashi was expecting something.

He sighed, shaking his head as he walked home. Sasuke was going to be furious but Sakura would at least understand. Reaching for the front door he frowned. There was something off but he couldn't tell what. His hand brushed the wood of the door then there was an explosion and he felt his body rocket back into the more abandoned house across the way. He crashed through a window and then a wall, landing on the grass and coughing his guts out as he stared up at the stars. No not stars, it was still the day. He just saw lights. He needed to focus, someone was attacking him, his house was boobytrapped, did that mean they had already gotten to Sasuke?

He blinked as his vision cleared and he was able to make out a figure standing on the roof above him, a kunai held threateningly. The figure seemed to be waiting for something. There was something familiar about the figure but Naruto couldn't put his finger on it. Was this his attacker or savior?

"Naruto," the figure called and Naruto quickly realized the voice was Sasuke's. He let out a relieved groan and let his shoulders slump to the floor. He was safe.

"If you're not with me then you're against me," Sasuke said, his voice wavering slightly. "I'm going to kill him and anyone that gets in my way."

Naruto raised his head. His vision had now cleared and he was able to see Sasuke properly, he was able to see the anger on his face. "Is this about the exams?" Naruto asked, sounding less confused than he actually was. "I can't. I'm sorry."

"Why not?" Sasuke roared.

"I don't want to die," Naruto shouted back, pushing himself slowly to his feet and wincing.

Sasuke lowered his head closing his eyes for a moment and snarled. "Then you'll die here," he said and opened his eyes.

Naruto's eyes met Sasuke's own and his face paled. Then Sasuke charged.

Naruto was barely able to raise his kunai in time and still it wasn't enough as the force behind Sasuke's attack pushed Naruto's kunai against his arm, splitting the skin. Naruto used the force of the attack to throw himself backwards where he eyed his arm in surprise. The cut was shallow but it was streaming blood down and over his hand to coat his kunai. Sasuke came at him again and Naruto threw a shuriken to force him to back away. It was a mistake to rely on that though as Sasuke caught the shuriken out of the air and with a spin he sent it flying back at Naruto's face. Naruto dodged but the shuriken still managed to cut the strap of his goggles, sending them to the floor.

Naruto took another look at Sasuke, made a split decision and bolted. There was something wrong here, Sasuke had never been fast enough to catch Naruto's shuriken. Had Sasuke actually been going easy on him all this time? But no, the conclusion was obvious if a little depressing, Naruto was terrified and it was making him slower. Glancing over his shoulder as he ran, Naruto could see Sasuke bearing on him, the rage on his face palpable.

"Are you just going to keep running away from your problems?" Sasuke shouted. "Face me."

Naruto knew that was a bad idea, he couldn't fight Sasuke like this, not while he was scared. He would find some help, he would find Sakura and Kakashi, a jonin somewhere, somebody who could help him. He just needed to get away. The Uchiha compound was mostly isolated however and over the years the forests around it had grown wild. The closest form of civilization was still another minute away. He made to turn onto one of the main roads and barely dodged Sasuke's shuriken, cutting off his mode of exit. Instead Naruto tried to turn the other way but Sasuke's fist was already there landing itself on Naruto's face and sending him stumbling.

Naruto turned, there being no point in running away anymore and threw his kunai at Sasuke shutting his eyes as he attempted to flare his chakra. A clinking sound made him hesitate and he opened his eyes just in time to see that Sasuke had knocked his kunai out of the air with his own. Abandoning that tactic Naruto reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll. With its activation, a full month's worth of weapons came flowing out, not necessarily in the most coordinated manner but still fast enough to force Sasuke to dodge and block, giving Naruto a precious few seconds to jump into the surrounding forest and conceal himself with a henge. Placing tags down randomly as he went, he fought to keep his breathing low. He was still bleeding but that couldn't be helped, he would just have to hope that Sasuke's nose wasn't as good as his own.

Sure enough Sasuke stepped into the underbrush looking confused. Naruto flared his chakra and his voice emanated from the other side of Sasuke, coming out in a garbled scream, that was quickly cut short. Sasuke stiffened but he didn't move. He had apparently learned his lesson from their last battle already. Instead he turned to face the opposite direction of the sound and his eyes met Naruto's. With a grim smile he threw three shuriken. Naruto wasn't fast enough to dodge, instead using a kawarimi in the last second as three shuriken thunked into a log. It was only a temporary reprieve as he was now facing Sasuke with nothing in between them. Naruto's eyes darted around wildly, trying to find something that would help him out of this. If he'd still had his goggles he would have been able to take Sasuke by using his flash tags, but he'd been relying on them too much and now that he didn't have them he was useless.

"Ready to die?" Sasuke asked coldly.

"Why?" Naruto asked barely catching his breath.

"Because you're holding me back," Sasuke answered.

They faced each other as they had done so many times before, neither of them daring to breathe any more than necessary for fear of breaking the standoff. Then they both charged each other, kunai held out forward and both of them moving faster than their eyes could follow.

Naruto felt the kunai pierce his gut and Sasuke twisting the kunai after it was already inside, making him cry out in pain. This was the end it seemed, Sasuke had won and killed him.

Sasuke looked at him with a wide smirk then hacked up a wad of blood onto Naruto's shoulder. The strangeness of the motion had Naruto looking down at his own hand where he realized to his horror that he had also succeeded in impaling Sasuke.

Sasuke let out a long shuddering breath and collapsed to his knees, pulling Naruto down with him as the kunai in his gut twisted again, bringing forth tears of pain on his face.

Naruto didn't understand. Why hadn't Sasuke dodged? He could have, he was definitely fast enough to, so why hadn't he? Naruto could've survived the wound, but Sasuke didn't heal like him, he wouldn't recover, he would die.

"Why?" Naruto moaned into Sasuke's shoulder while he tried to ignore his ragged breathing. "Why did you let me kill you?"

"You're pathetic," Sasuke said finally before the life left him and he slumped against Naruto's body.

Naruto could feel his life draining away as well. Perhaps there wasn't going to be recovery after all. In any case was there really a point? "I'm happy that you were my friend," he said after some time to Sasuke's prone body. "I'm happy that I got to help and I'm sorry that it didn't work out."

With that he fell silent, listening to the dripping of his blood onto the forest floor as his vision slowly faded.

(-_-)

"Naruto? Naruto. Are you there? When are you going to wake up?" A voice asked, pulling Naruto back into the light.

Naruto blinked at the figures of his teammates sitting around him as he recognized the all too familiar surroundings. "I'm alive?" he wondered to himself. "You're alive?" he asked Sasuke.

"There was never any danger of you dying," Kakashi said from his other side. Sakura nodded her concurrence from the head of the bed.

Naruto groaned. "Was this some sort of elaborate prank?" he asked confusedly. "A training exercise? You all knew?" Silent glares followed as each member of his team looked at each other awkwardly.

Sakura frowned. "Maybe I should explain." She looked to Kakashi who nodded his assent. "Straight after sensei told us about the nominations Sasuke and I went to talk to sensei about you. Sasuke saw how afraid you looked when sensei brought up the exam and knew you would refuse. But you're ready, we know you're ready, sensei knows you're ready and there wouldn't have been a way to convince you otherwise. So Sasuke and I had an idea to make you face your fears and it worked great. We just got sensei to put you under the hell viewing genjutsu and you did the rest."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "That was all an illusion? Why am I in hospital then?"

Sakura bit her lip and looked away. "That was you. You were struggling so much that you hurt yourself. It was terrifying to watch. I'm so sorry," Sakura said finally, bowing her head.

Naruto frowned again. "So Sasuke and I never. . ." he trailed off at Kakashi's shaking head.

"We don't even know what happened in the genjutsu, sensei refuses to tell us," Sasuke said. "What did you see?"

Naruto shook his head. "It doesn't matter right, I got over it."

"So are you going to do the exam?" Sakura asked finally.

Naruto eyed them wearily and nodded his head. "Yeah, I'll do it. But not for myself. Team seven sticks together through the easy times and the hard times. But I'll warn you that I don't intend on becoming a chunin and if I see a way to flunk the exam without hurting either of your chances I'm going to take it."

Sasuke smirked. "We'll see."

Sasuke and Sakura eventually left, leaving Naruto alone with Kakashi who seemed bored and not even slightly paying attention.

"They meant well," Kakashi said finally when the silence became too stifling.

Naruto nodded somberly. "That's why I forgive them."

"You didn't overcome your fear," Kakashi said. It wasn't a question.

"I'm still going to take the exam though."

"Why?"

"Because I'm more afraid of what will happen if I don't take it," Naruto said, looking away. "How does that genjutsu work anyway? How did you know what I would be afraid of?"

Kakashi deadpanned. "I didn't. The hell viewing jutsu inspires that part of your brain that makes you afraid, to act out. It's why it's both the easiest and hardest genjutsu to get out of. For someone that is afraid it is almost impossible to escape and at the same time for someone that has faced their fears and come out victorious it's almost too easy to escape."

Naruto nodded. "I see," he said.

"If there's nothing else," Kakashi said, rising to leave.

"One more thing sensei. Should I be afraid of the chunin exams? Is it as bad as they say?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "A ninja should always be afraid. It's that fear that drives them to be better."

Naruto frowned. "That doesn't answer the question."

"Doesn't it?" Kakashi asked, his voice a breeze out the window as he disappeared, leaving Naruto alone to contemplate far more than he wanted.