~Three Months Later~
Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had progressed by leaps and bounds due to the hellish obstacle course Kakashi had made for them, so they were extremely suspicious when one morning he didn't make them go through it.
In fact even gave them the morning off by not showing up at all, only sending a clone to inform them to meet him on a specific bridge at noon "Okay, weird, I wonder what happened" Sakura frowned idly twirling her height and size appropriate tri-bladed scythe in hand.
Since she'd started bringing it to training sessions in the past couple of months "No idea but I suppose we'll find out at noon, for now though want to get in a couple hours of training" Sasuke suggested, not wanting to be lazy.
"Yeah I could even make twenty clones and let you massacre them Sakura-chan" Naruto offered knowing that Sakura wouldn't turn the offer down to practice with her scary weapon because she trained with it every chance she got.
Like now for instance "In return here's some clones of me for you to spar against if you want" the rosette said making about ten shadow clones of herself for the boys on her team though two of them were now thirteen, meaning herself and Sasuke while Naruto was still twelve.
With that she focused on the Naruto clones that surrounded her on all sides "As scary as ever" the blonde knucklehead shuddered when Sakura gripped her scythe in both hands and sliced it through the air taking out two clones with minimal effort.
Sasuke was disinclined to disagree with him "Just imagine what she'll be like in a few years time, yeah more terrifying I bet" the Uchiha grimaced, deciding it was time to start their own spar against clones.
Two hours later found Naruto and Sasuke flopped onto the ground bleeding from multiple contusions, multiple burns and littered with bruises while Sakura grinned down at them "Want me to heal you two" Sakura asked.
Hands glowing green "Maybe you could even patch up our clothes to Sakura-chan cause your clones are brutal" Naruto pouted, seeing the rips in his jumpsuit jacket, it happened to be his favorite one to, the only bright orange that he was allowed nowadays.
"Perhaps a trip to the house is in store before we go meet Kakashi on that bridge" Sasuke commented, knowing they wouldn't smell very good if they went in their current sweaty, bloody state and people would just have another reason to avoid the three of them.
Thankfully Sakura was in agreement with him as she finished healing them or what she could heal anyway which wasn't much, and then after using a cloaking jutsu they snuck back to their house to shower and change clothes.
Afterwards Team Seven summoned themselves into the apartment they barely visited anymore, and hurried to the bridge they were to meet their sensei on, halfway the team became aware of the fact that they were being followed.
It was Naruto who spotted them "Come on out Konohamaru we already know your there so you might as well show yourself" the blonde Uzumaki called out to the little boy who was hiding in a box disguised as a square rock which was way obvious now that he was thinking about it.
"Aww you always catch me Naruto-ni-chan" Konohamaru whined as he flipped the box off himself and his two friends, Naruto sighed and shot Sasuke and Sakura an apologetic smile because he knew they weren't to keen about little kids.
Considering their dealings with Inari back in the Land of Waves and none of them really wanted to remember that Jashin awful mission "Well of course I caught you, I wouldn't be a proper ninja after all if I couldn't sense someone following me" Naruto declared.
Eyeing the position of the sun "Look it was nice seeing you little buddy, but if we don't get going we'll be late for a meeting with our sensei" Naruto said, knowing he didn't really have the time to mess around at the moment.
Konohamaru pouted even further at the news "That's not fair, we wanted to play ninja with you, surely you can skip out on the meeting right, it can't be that important or is that billboard brow over there your girlfriend who doesn't let you do anything fun anymore" Konohamaru whined.
Inadvertently setting off Sakura who cracked her knuckles "Please tell me I did not just hear you insult me when I haven't done a thing to you" Sakura glared, grateful when Sasuke wrapped a restraining arm around her waist, preventing her from doing something stupid, like hitting him.
Though her eyes did narrow in warning when the obnoxious brat opened his mouth to spew more insults and "Seriously your asking to get hit if you don't stop" Sasuke snapped, seeing the rising anger in Sakura.
She was getting harder to hold onto even "Why should I, she just an ugly pink haired large foreheaded freak" Konohamaru accused, disliking Sakura simply on principle because he thought she was the one preventing Naruto from coming to play with him, Moegi and Udon nowadays.
"Okay that's it, I've had about enough of your mouth" Sakura tore herself free of Sasuke and landed a solid whack on Konohamaru's head, holding back massively so she didn't hurt him to much but enough to get it through his head that insulting people was stupid.
The other two little kids stood off to the side watching on with wide eyes "Perhaps that will teach you some manners kid, Naruto say goodbye to your little friends" Sasuke informed, seeing that they'd wasted to much time.
Naruto nodded and waved to the academy students, unfortunately Konohamaru still hadn't learned because as they were walking away he opened his stupid little mouth again "Did you see that ugly hag hit me" Konohamaru cried to his friends.
Sakura turned slowly on her heels and Konohamaru realized his mistake to late when she charged him, Naruto and Sasuke fruitlessly trying to stop her as they gave chase, Konohamaru running for hills essentially and rounding a corner ahead of them.
Just before Team Seven themselves turned the corner they heard a thud followed by "That hurt you little punk, maybe I should teach you some manners about ramming into people you don't know" an unknown voice to tell grumbled.
"Hey let go that hurts" Konohamaru flailed as he was lifted by the front of his shirt by the foreign shinobi he'd accidentally run into, then he saw Naruto with his teammates turn into the alley "Naruto-ni-chan help me" he called frantically.
Alerting the one holding him up to their presence "What if you've got something to say then say it, if not then beat it because I'm about to teach this little punk some manners about bumping into people and not apologizing" the foreign nin growled.
The blonde however shook his head "Apologize Konohamaru, to him and to Sakura-chan, because I won't have you or anyone else treating my sister like that understand" Naruto scolded in the most disappointed tone he could manage.
Hoping to impress upon the boy that actions had consequences "But its her fault why should I have to say sorry when I wouldn't have even run into him if she hadn't been chasing me" Konohamaru yelled back.
"And whose fault was it that she was chasing you in the first place hmm….exactly yours for insulting her" Sasuke tsked, reminding the brat of the reason Sakura had been chasing him, before glancing at the sun to see how much more time they had left.
Not much and he refused to be late so he hoped that Konohamaru wised up within the next couple of minutes, there was a long moment of silence before "I'm sorry…I'm sorry mister, I'm sorry Sakura-nee-chan" Konohamaru cried.
Genuine in his apology "Okay let him go now" Sakura demanded, and with little choice the foreign shinobi released Konohamaru who went so far as to hug her before scurrying off with his two friends on his heels.
With that Team Seven turned to make their way to the bridge "Just a minute you called her your sister but neither of you bare features to indicate your siblings" a redhead asked from a tree to their right, none of them having sensed him at all.
"Because I'm adopted, his parents took me in a long time ago a month before he was born" the pinkette admitted, about to start cussing like a sailor if they were interrupted by one more person on their way to their meeting place.
In response the redhead appeared before her in a swirl of sand, pupil-less green met eerie emerald, the boy took one look at her, sensed the malevolent chakra that was a part of her and scrambled backwards to his siblings surprise.
Taking the opening presented to them Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura waved then disappeared from view five seconds later, barely making it to the bridge on time "That was completely insane" Sakura scowled.
Naruto ducked his head in response "Sorry about all that Sakura-chan, I don't think he'll ever insult you again however" Naruto apologized, rubbing the back of his head, feeling mighty awkward about the situation of earlier.
"For now lets just put it out of our minds, Kakashi's sure to be here soon, seeing as there are only ten minutes left before the stated meeting time, so until then lets just relax and forget about what just happened" Sasuke soothed, pulling his teammates down so they could sit and wait comfortably.
During all this Kakashi was currently in a meeting with the Hokage and his fellow Jonin instructors "As you all know the Chunin Selection Exams are right around the corner and Konohagakure is hosting them this time" Hiruzen began.
Interlacing his fingers together as he stared at his shinobi in charge of teaching genin "The reason I have called you all here now at this time, is because I need your nominations on whether or not you'll be entering your students into the exam" the Hokage continued.
Just waiting as the four Jonin eyed each other before Gai stepped forward "I, Gai Might, wish to nominate Team Nine consisting of Tenten, Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee, for the Chunin Selection Exams" Gai raised his hand, entering his students this time since he'd exempted them last time.
Next was the lone kunoichi of the group of sensei "I, Kurenai Yuhi, wish to nominate Team Eight, consisting of Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga and Shino Aburame, for the Chunin Selection Exams" Kurenai stepped forward, nominating her students as well, even though they were just rookies.
It was clear Iruka wanted to argue about this but the Hokage shot him a sharp warning glance "Then I, Asuma Sarutobi, also wish to nominate my students Team Ten, consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi into the Chunin Exams" Asuma declared.
Obviously not one to be outdone by the other Jonin sensei, and last to make his nominations was Kakashi "I, Kakashi Hatake, would like to nominate Team Seven consisting of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha into the Chunin Selection Exams" Kakashi announced.
Commencing a staring contest with Hiruzen "Very well, each of you take three of these registration forms, and inform your students that the Chunin Exams begin in one weeks time" Hiruzen nodded after a moment.
Pleased that the meeting had gone smoothly, or not as Iruka slammed his hands down on the desk "How could you, I understand Gai, but the rest of them, their just rookies less than six months out of the academy, so how could you think their ready for the Chunin Exams" Iruka shouted.
Kakashi swiveled his gaze onto Iruka "Are you questioning us, me, about a decision regarding our students…that's right ours, not yours anymore Iruka and I'd like to think we know exactly what they can handle" Kakashi reminded once again.
This being the second time the academy sensei had tried to argue with him over a decision he'd made "Be at ease Kakashi-kun, Iruka's only saying all that out of concern right Iruka-kun" the Hokage soothed.
Staring imploringly at Iruka who frowned before grudgingly nodding, he was primarily concerned, but he also didn't think it was right to enter fresh out of the academy graduates into the Chunin Selection Exams, exempting Team Nine anyway since they had the necessary experience.
"If you must, give them a test Iruka, so that you can see that their ready for yourself, until then I have students to inform about being active participants in the Exams" Asuma snorted, not surprised that Kakashi had practically snapped at the younger man.
Considering how bright the genin of Team Seven were "Fine I will and when all of them fail it, I reserve the right to tell you I told you so" Iruka scowled, unhappy that his former students were being forced into the bloody Chunin Exams.
Kurenai shook her head "Best of luck to you then" Kurenai waved, following after Asuma to do the same as he was no doubt about to do, leaving Kakashi who didn't even have the courtesy to use the door, merely body flickered.
Where he appeared in a poof of smoke before his students whom were all meditating "Yo…sorry I'm late, the meeting took longer than I expected it to" the Copy Ninja saluted in greeting once he was noticed by his genin.
"Lets hear it then, why were you late by an hour, we're starving here Kakashi-sensei" Naruto whined up at him, stomach growling unhappily at him for not eating anything since breakfast, especially after that two hour training session.
Kakashi winced "There is a very important exam coming up soon, in a week to be exact, perhaps you've heard of it…..well I decided to nominate you three for it, here's your Chunin Exam registration forms that you need to sign" Kakashi announced.
Seeing Sakura's eyes widening in realization before basically dropping the bomb on them that they were entered into the exams "So…." Sasuke trailed off, unsure of what his teammates wanted to do.
Of course Kakashi should have known his kunoichi had researched the exam before hand "Its like this you two, either we all show up or we aren't allowed entrance because only teams of three are able to participate" Sakura warned.
Naruto swallowed thickly in response "You sure….so if one of us doesn't show up we won't be able to take part in the Chunin Exams…great I hate ultimatums" the blonde sighed, running his hands through his hair out of frustration.
"Surely we can think about this right Kakashi…there's no need to decide today or tomorrow even" the raven shot his sensei a pleading look, practically begging him to let them have a choice of whether or not they wanted to try their hand at the exam.
Thankfully Kakashi was the understanding sort "Correct, you have a week, take your time, to be absolutely sure of your decision which ever you decide" the Copy Ninja nodded, not to surprised that his genin were wary about something that could be potentially dangerous.
In fact he'd actually suspected they might outright turn the offer down not sit and contemplate about it "Good, are we dismissed then Kakashi-sensei" the pinkette asked, positioning herself between Naruto and Sasuke.
Kakashi nodded so off they went leaving him behind to get a late lunch from the Tea Shop, meanwhile the Sand Siblings had returned to their hotel and Temari was informing her sensei of the very strange thing that had happened earlier.
"You mean Gaara actually backed away from her, a girl with pink hair who didn't look threatening to you at all" Baki questioned in the most incredulous tone ever because the idea of Gaara being afraid of someone was utterly ridiculous and entirely laughable.
Temari wasn't laughing though "I'm not joking Baki….tell him Gaara" Temari rounded on her psychopathic little brother, Gaara who'd been doing a great impression of someone who was asleep opened his eyes.
Before focusing on Baki "She smelled different, of death but she was living, and there seemed to be some sort of malevolent chakra inside of her…Mother told me to leave her alone or it would be I who would die" Gaara rumbled in his gravely tone of voice.
Baki winced at the description "How can someone smell of death but still be alive, that's bloody weird don't you think" Kankuro interjected himself into the conversation, having also come into contact with the girl.
Unfortunately there was little they could do at the moment until he could do some research, perhaps the girl was the Jinchuuriki of the Hidden Leaf Village, it would explain the malevolent chakra, not the other half however to his frustration.
Later on after seeking out his contact, Baki wanted to scream because Kabuto had given him the bare bones of information about the girl, who was not the tailed beast container, which completely blew his theory away.
Clear on the other side of the village was the kunoichi in question as she entered her ritual room to do the evening prayer "At the end of this day Lord Jashin, I thank you for each gift you bestowed upon me, for teaching me the ancient ways" Sakura began sitting in the middle of the upside down triangle made of her blood.
Taking the ceremonial dagger and slicing her wrists, biting her lip as she did so "For experiences, both good and bad that have made me stronger, for the people you have taught me through, for the pleasures in which I have partaken" she continued.
Blood pooling on the floor as her wrists continued to bleed "As I sleep, I ask that I may enter your dark realm, so that I may be by your unholy presence, guide me Jashin, unto yourself and may I be forever grasped within your mighty arms" Sakura finished.
Her lord and father was quite pleased 'Well done daughter, go to your rest now' Jashin urged, Sakura sent him an inward smile as her wrists healed leaving behind unblemished skin, before changing out of her blood-soaked clothing only to crawl into her bed afterwards.
As she slept she learned, Jashin taught her in the garden only accessible by three people "It is time for you to awaken child" Jashin told her hours later, smiling a truly cruel smile as Sakura disappeared from his garden.
The morning prayer was quickly recited then Sakura dressed in her now normal attire, mesh underclothes with red trimmings, a qipao shirt in dark green that bared her stomach and a mid-thigh skirt that had slits up either side showing off her mesh undershorts.
To top it all off she threw on her as of yet favorite trench coat in dark red, finished dressing Sakura dashed from her room to the kitchen only to find breakfast already cooked "Morning" Sakura greeted taking a seat at the table and filling her plate with food.
"Hn" Sasuke grunted, not up to having a conversation just yet so bloody early in the morning apparently, something Naruto and Sakura could completely understand because they got that way sometimes to.
Not as often as Sasuke did though "Yeah morning Sakura-chan" Naruto yawned, he obviously hadn't slept well, due to thinking about the Chunin Exams possibly, Sakura grimaced then dug into her cooling breakfast to distract herself because she didn't want to think about it either yet.
Then for the first time since they'd all moved in together Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura split up leaving the others on their team to their own devices or that's what she thought until an hour later when Sasuke appeared out of nowhere.
Quietly pacing along at her side as she meandered around the village "Can I help you Sasuke" Sakura quirked a fuscia brow at her teammate twenty minutes later when he hadn't said a single freaking word in that time frame.
Sasuke smirked in response, irritating her "The Chunin Exams aren't for the faint of heart Sakura, you'd be better of just quitting right now as a ninja as a matter of fact you big ugly forehead" Sasuke declared.
Hurt was the predominant feeling she felt at Sasuke's callous words but Sakura was smarter than the average genin "You're an idiot, I don't know who you are but Sasuke would never say that to me" Sakura informed.
"What how did you realize that I wasn't Sasuke, he's arrogant, cocky and is completely unable to get along with you" the formerly henged man spluttered, he'd been so sure that Sasuke was the same as before.
But apparently he was wrong "Correction we use to not be able to get along, now we do because we're teammates so the next time you decide to impersonate someone I suggest you do research on your target…oh by the way this is for calling me by that insulting name" Sakura declared.
Spinning on her heel and slamming her fist right into the unknown man's face, the force of her punch sent him flying head first into a tree where he dispelled with a popping sound, signaling he was a clone all along.
Dusting her hands Sakura sought out her teammates "Sakura-chan something weird just happened, I was walking along and someone tried to kidnap Moegi-chan, I managed to rescue her of course but it was really weird" Naruto ran up to her ranting madly about the injustice of it all.
Sakura frowned, even more so when Sasuke joined the group with the biggest scowl on his face that they'd ever seen "Someone just tried to impersonate you Sakura, just thought I'd let you know" Sasuke sneered, not at her but over his shoulder.
Like he thought the person who'd been impersonating Sakura had followed him "Okay that is weird…because I had someone come up to me trying to impersonate you, unfortunately for him he didn't do proper research so I caught on pretty quickly" the pinkette admitted.
Naruto stopped ranting in response "Why would someone try to impersonate either one of you" the blonde asked, massively confused and wondering what the hell was going on, realization dawned on them all in the next moment.
"To test us of course and see if we're ready for what's coming up here in six days time" the raven snapped his fingers, it was the only viable explanation really and his teammates had to agree with him over the whole entire thing.
~Hokage Tower~
Iruka was not happy "Well Iruka how did the genin do on the tests you gave them" Hiruzen prodded the younger man who was sporting a sour expression on his face, clearly the genin had done what he thought should have been impossible.
As he glared "All twelve genin passed my test, you were right, I'm sorry for doubting you, regarding any decision you make for your students" Iruka sighed, swallowing his pride and apologizing for his outburst the other day.
"Just remember that for the next time Iruka, as their sensei we know best" Kakashi said, heading out the door of the Hokage's Office to check up on his genin to see how they were doing after Iruka's little test and was amused when he found them meandering about the village.
Until late into the evening when they made the decision to head back home, via the apartment of course, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were definitely coming along on that front, seeing as they only had one other visitor show up sometimes and later on after dinner the trio went to bed.