Glad to be back to the normal grind of D Rank Missions and training, Sasuke and Sakura immersed themselves into improving their skills "I think I've finally figured out that which I would like to learn, why because I want to improve as well" Shino commented.
After one such training session that left them breathless, how he was able to remain so unaffected baffled the both of them "Yeah Shino-kun what is it, then we can get you what you need and help you learn it" Sakura grinned up at him from her spot on the ground.
It had only been a couple of days so far, and they still had yet to talk to her parents, Shibi already knew of course, about their decision to date, not that it got in the way of course, but still she didn't like hiding things from her Mom and Dad.
"Only fair cause we helped the Dope for a month and a half" Sasuke shrugged not to put out, he still had a long ways to go on his own goals, though today would finally be the day he asked Shibi to sign that letter of recommendation for him.
Not wanting to put it off any longer "Consider yourselves dismissed for the day" Shibi shook his head amused at the antics of his students/son, maybe he should talk to Sakura's parents himself and arrange a betrothal contract between the children.
That way the elders couldn't interfere with their relationship "Ah wait sensei, could you sign this, I wish to learn under a medic like Sakura" the Uchiha on the team ran up to him, holding out a familiar paper and sporting a very determined expression.
While Sakura and Shino stood waiting, Shibi stared for a couple of seconds making sure the boy wasn't about to regret his strange decision "Very well, I expect to see results by the end of the week" the Aburame Patriarch signed it.
Sasuke looked relieved "Come on then, we should drop that by the hospital, talk to the Head Medic himself" the pinkette on the team smiled bright, waving to Shibi who disappeared in a swirl of kikaichu in the next moment.
Leaving them alone "Barrier jutsu, since you two are the heavy hitters on the team, my taijutsu is weak compared to both of yours, why because I'm better at defense than offense" the brunet heir explained what he wished to learn.
"Easy I think there's some books at the house on barrier seals, we can sit down after we talk to my parents and practice that" Sakura wrapped her arm around Shino's as they walked leisurely down the streets to the hospital.
A moment later they were stood in the lobby and there was that absolutely awful receptionist "Great, any chance you can sneak by and get the Head Medic, cause I don't want to deal with that woman" Sasuke glared.
Certainly not wanting to be accused of forging any signatures again, and things would be worse now that he'd actually awakened his Sharingan, Sakura nodded then zipped off to find the Head Medic leaving them waiting in the lobby.
Besides she had to get her schedule so this was official business to "How long do you suppose it will take, why because that woman is sneering at you" Shino whispered, eyeing the receptionist who was point blank being rude to his teammate.
Just as the receptionist was standing Sakura and the Head Medic returned, the woman promptly sat down pasting on a kind and friendly smile "Okay which one of you is the one that would like to learn under a medic" the Head Medic stopped before them.
Sakura just a couple seconds behind her clutching a sheet of paper to her chest "That would be me Sir, I've already got the necessary control and Sakura did teach me some enough that I can at least sync my chakra up to a fish's chakra network and heal minor wounds" the Uchiha straightened.
Holding out the letter of recommendation stating that he had permission to learn under a medic signed by a Jonin ranked shinobi "Interesting, very well Sasuke-san, the hospital will have you" the Head Medic nodded taking the letter.
While he let out a huge sigh of relief to his amusement "Let's go" the Aburame Heir shook his head holding out his arm for Sakura to take again, it was nice having her so close, especially now that they were together.
"See you tomorrow Ittei-san" the pinkette waved earning a small smile as he turned, before she shot a glare at the receptionist, who was sneering at Sasuke behind her bosses back, then they were headed to the Haruno House.
Thankfully her parents were home and not at their stall "My Shino-kun what a surprise, what's the occasion that brings you over tonight" Mebuki gasped at their unexpected guest, though was very happy to see the boy who had been one of her daughters best friends.
Kizashi however honed in on how close the two preteen's were standing to each other "Dad, Mom, Shino-kun confessed and asked if we could try being in a relationship" Sakura announced truthfully glad to finally get it off her chest.
"And does Shino-kun make you happy Sakura-chan" Kizashi narrowed his dark blue eyes on the boy who had set his sights on his daughter, not happy in the least about the development between them but Mebuki wouldn't let him do anything to sabotage the relationship.
She nodded her head eagerly "I swear on my life to do right by Sakura, why because if I didn't she'd probably beat me into a bloody pulp, so if we could please have your permission, I'd like it so I can plan our first date" Shino straightened looking very serious.
Mebuki and Kizashi blinked not having expected that "You mean you two haven't been out on a date yet" the emerald eyed blonde woman frowned in confusion, what on earth had gone on while she and Kizashi had been gone on their sales trip.
"Nu-uh they decided to wait until you two got back so they could ask for proper permission" Naruto piped in from his spot at the low living room table, immersing himself in fuinjutsu practice, trying to think up some new idea's to incorporate into his skill arsenal.
"All be a boy with manners, very well Shino-kun you can date our Sakura-chan, just be warned you ever hurt her there will be hell to pay" the pink haired male warned, knowing that Shino would never do anything to harm his daughter because he cared for her a great deal.
Both Shino and Sakura shared a small smile with each other before sitting down, while Sasuke scurried off to collect the books needed so he could learn barrier seals "So long as you don't mind I join you for dinner some nights, thank you" the Aburame Heir nodded in relief.
"Are you gonna learn fuinjutsu to Shino" the blue eyed blonde at the table questioned when a few books, chakra ink, blank tags or scrolls and a brush were set before the bug user, Shino gave him a small nod and flipped over the first book.
Naruto shrugged and focused on his own practices "Barrier jutsu actually, Shino figured out that he was better at defense than offense" Sasuke added, reading a book on the chakra scalpel, he would have to practice it eventually and learn how to craft poisons.
"Perhaps we could go out after dinner and practice for a little bit" the ebony haired preteen even suggested, wanting to stop putting things off, the chakra scalpel would wait for no one after all, nor would learning how to craft poisons.
With that the living was enveloped in silence with the occasional flipping of pages or notes being scratched down on spare paper, not that it was very long until Mebuki stood and hurried into the kitchen to cook dinner for the lot of them.
"Dinners ready come eat while the food is hot" Mebuki called when it was done and she finished setting the table, making her own plate first, sitting down at the table while at least three of the males scrambled up from their places.
Like usual though Sakura was the first one in the kitchen "Cheater" Kizashi huffed amused but put out because now he knew what his daughter did to get ahead of them all the time, she merely stuck her tongue out as she sat at the table with her mother.
Plate already made up with an extra placed next to her "For you Shino-kun" Sakura smiled sweetly relieved that her parents had given them permission to date otherwise she didn't know what she would have done.
They most likely would have wait until they were older if her parents had refused but she was glad they were so laid back "Thank you, why because I would have done the same for you if the situation had been reversed" Shino admitted.
Cheeks lightly flushed at the gesture "Blah you guys are so lovey-dovey" Naruto snorted teasing the couple, though he was just a tiny bit disturbed at how easy being in a relationship came to the two of them and the suggestion that had been made two weeks ago popped into his head.
He just didn't know how to bring it up "Now, now Naruto, you know how Sakura is after all, and Shino as well" Sasuke shook his head in amusement the last to make his plate and sit down at the table with the others.
Shino proved to have the same amount of manners that Sakura did as he waited for the older Haruno's to take the first bite before digging in, his eyes widened behind his sunglasses "Figured it out didn't you, where Sakura-chan's talent for cooking came from" the pink haired male guessed.
Seeing the shock on the boys face "Yes indeed I have, why because I've tasted her food and it's nearly as good as this" the Aburame heir explained, flushing in embarrassment to Sakura's amusement as she giggled lightly.
"Well now you know Shino-kun, Mom's the one who's been teaching me all these years after all" the pinkette grinned, being careful to swallow her food first before talking so she didn't get smacked upside the head by her mother.
Naruto bit his lip "Er um Sakura-chan and Sasuke said that Ino's Old man thought it would be a good idea for me to have a therapy session, been thinking on it and I thought it might be a good idea to, so how do you set up a session for one" the blonde blurted out.
"It's easy Naruto-kun, tomorrow we'll go, just you and I to set up an appointment okay" the emerald eyed blonde said, overjoyed that the boy was finally coming round to accepting that he had issues that needed to be talked out.
Relieved no one was making fun of him he delved back into eating his dinner and chatting about this or that with a few of the people that saw him as family "Okay time to train" the ebony haired preteen announced when all the food had been demolished and the dishes had been done up.
Just like that the four genin headed out back to fiddle around with idea's they had to improve and increase their skill arsenal "Hey Sakura-chan what do you think of this, exploding clones, except instead of the standard explosion tag, it's full of weapons" Naruto called.
Twisting his hand to finish off the fused storage/explosion seal that he'd come up with "Very nice Naruto, don't practice it in the backyard though, those two are liable to get mad" Sakura warned and he gulped but nodded in understanding.
"Barrier seals are not easy, why because you have to adjust the formula in a certain way to have them work" Shino sighed when on his fourth attempt he couldn't even make a basic sealing barrier, until Sakura wandered over to him.
Looked at the tags he'd wrote the formula out on, made a couple of adjustments then had him try it again, this time a small barrier went up, not enough to cover a person sure but it was definitely a start and he could only get better with time and lots of practice.
That's what made fuinjutsu so hard he guessed if he didn't get the formula right nothing would work "The chakra scalpel is difficult for a beginner" Sasuke complained when it was time to head in for the night and stop training.
Sakura nodded following Shino to the foyer where they bid each other goodnight with a light kiss, then he was out the door heading home to his clan's compound "Have sweet dreams you three" Mebuki called as the children went up to take their showers or baths.
In return she got the standard goodnight from the three genin "And have a very good night" Kizashi yelled boisterously making Sakura laugh from her room as the five of them settled down in their beds for some shut eye.
By the end of the week, Sasuke could produce a two inch chakra scalpel as his control improved and Shino he could make a big enough barrier to cover one person, while Sakura had thrown herself into studying medicinal plants and the like to take her medical license test at long last.
Shibi was proud of his students and he knew he wasn't making a mistake "Well done I see each of you have improved over the time we've been a team, that's why I nominated you for the Chunin Selection Exams which is in two weeks time" Shibi announced.
Pulling the forms from his pouch and handing them over to his students "Do you really think we're ready sensei" the lone Uchiha asked, staring hard at the form that he would have to sign if he wanted to be a part of the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin.
Not surprised the boy would be slightly reluctant due to all that had happened to them, Shibi nodded "Yes of course I do, you three are strong together, nothing will stand in your way during these exams" the Aburame Patriarch stated in a sure fire tone.
He wouldn't allow for them to second guess themselves or doubt their hard-earned skills that they'd honed tirelessly for years and over the few months they'd been Team Seven "Is it true that we have to enter as a team or else we won't be allowed to participate" the pinkette questioned.
Proving to be just as smart as usual while Sasuke looked horrified especially when their sensei nodded again, dismissing them to consider their options and make a decision on whether or not they wanted to participate in the Chunin Exams like many others were going to do no doubt.
"This mean's we have to continue training and make plenty of preparations if we do sign up for it" the brunet heir pointed out as they sat on the ground, thinking long and hard about what their decision would be regarding the exams.
Utter silence enveloped them for several long agonizing moments "We should do it, my pride as one of the last Uchiha's is on the line, many will probably be disappointed if I'm not in the exams" Sasuke blew out a breath.
"Yeah but we're rookies, many will probably laugh at us and that irks me somehow, we'll just have to really kick it into high gear these next couple of weeks" Sakura huffed there was no point in arguing since it seemed Sasuke had made up his mind.
Then they looked to their last remaining teammate to see what his decision would be "Very well, why because it's all in with us" Shino relented to their stares, not that he would back down from a challenge, he had to prove to the elders that being with Sakura didn't change him.
In fact being with her had made him stronger, they didn't go straight home that evening, instead stayed on their teams training grounds to continue training for a couple of extra hours "That was totally badass Shino" the Uchiha on the team panted, low on chakra and exhausted.
As he ran into a glowing violet colored barrier wall "Agreed maybe you should call it the Three Point Violet Sealing Barrier" the rosette on the team clapped as she came up with a really wicked cool name for the sealing barrier in progress.
Shino wiped sweat from his face breathing hard, very tired and hungry, but pleased at managing that much in a couple of extra hours "Perhaps I will why because the name is apt for it" the Aburame Heir said, collecting the laid out scrolls that had his barriers formula written on them.
He still couldn't cover two people quite yet in it, but they still had two weeks left to train so they would feel ready enough for the Chunin Exams "Figured you three might still be here, those two were getting worried" Naruto body flickered onto their training grounds in the next moment.
Looking unamused at their antics having really calmed down since that first therapy session with Inoichi a couple days ago "Sorry Naruto something came up that we needed to continue training for" Sakura apologized with a grimace.
"Must be talking about the Chunin Exams huh Sakura-chan, yeah Kakashi-sensei said he nominated us for them to when he dismissed us today" the blonde plopped down quick on the uptake for once.
It was amazing how much could change in a single therapy session for a person "Don't worry Dope we were just about to come home" Sasuke admitted looking as if he'd been run ragged by Kakashi again even if that wasn't true.
"Kakashi-sensei didn't get you with his ninja hounds again did he Sasuke-teme" Naruto teased leaping to his feet prepared to run, Sasuke merely gave him a half-assed glare and grunted, flipping him off at the same time.
Making Sakura laugh "Training tomorrow right" Shino guessed when the four of them stood, both of his teammates nodded and they body flickered home, like Naruto had said the older Haruno's had been worried.
So the minute they stepped foot in the house Mebuki was right there, "That is for worrying me to death when you didn't come home straight away or at least inform me of what you two were doing" Mebuki huffed.
Whacking two of the preteens over the head with a slipper, Naruto covered his mouth to keep himself from laughing "Just warn us next time you decide to extend your training sessions alright" Kizashi pointed out also fighting down his laughter.
At their dazed and wary looks "Understood Mom, next time I'll send Shiruki to inform you of any decisions we make that have us staying out any extra time" the pinkette eagerly nodded her head not wanting to get whacked by the bloody slipper ever again.
That sucker had hurt actually "Good at least you two understand" the blonde woman huffed yet again, tossing down the slipper to be with it's partner and Sasuke hastily put them away in the cubby while they took off their own sandals.
"Ouch that looked like it hurt" the blue eyed blonde sniggered having enjoyed the moment for however long it had lasted, Sasuke gave yet another half-assed glare as they moved through the living room to the kitchen where their cold dinners waited.
"Quiet Dope or next time you'll be the one getting whacked with a freaking slipper" the raven haired preteen scowled snagging a plate to warm it up in the microwave then flopped down at the table to eat.
Sakura smothered her laughter with her hand "Let that be a lesson in why you don't seriously peeve off a mother" the pink haired male that was her father laughed boisterously, only to get whacked with the spoon her mother carried around and start sulking.
Until their belated dinner had been eaten and the dishes had been done up, then Sasuke and Sakura headed up to shower or bath and then head to bed because they had to go into the hospital early for training while Naruto sat down with the older Haruno's for a couple hours longer before doing the same.
~The Next Day~
After breakfast the three of them split up "Ugh today is going to be like hell on earth" Sasuke groaned realizing how much training was going to be taking up their days, he was also pretty certain that Shibi was going to abandon them to continue making preparations for the exams.
"Probably Sasuke, but it's our decision to participate remember" Sakura reminded lightly folding her hands neatly behind her back as they walked to the hospital together and enjoying the crisp morning air in all it's freshness.
Immediately upon arriving at their destination the two of them found the hospital wrought with chaos "HARUNO WITH ME NOW" Ittei barked upon spotting one of the talented newbies, without a sound the girl body flickered to his side, leaving Sasuke to find his trainer on his own.
"What's the situation Ittei-sama" the rosette inquired seriously, not about to take that kind of chaos lightly it seemed and he was glad that this was one of the mornings she was there to help out, even if he would be kind of throwing her in the middle of the chaos.
"To be honest we need your chakra control most of the medics can't do what you can, and a team was brought in but we don't have the delicate control to remove the poison from their system to create an antidote" the purple haired man explained.
He knew it wasn't right thrusting her head first into a surgery like that and he did feel a little guilty but most of the medics in the hospital were way to incompetent for that kind of delicacy "Right I'll do what I can Ittei-sama" Sakura saluted looking worried.
No doubt she was scared that even her chakra control wouldn't be enough to save people's lives "Just do your best alright Haruno and think of this as a learning experience" Ittei pointed out, Sakura nodded again and then they were in the emergency room.
Four people laid out on gurneys and medics swarming around them, Sakura took a deep breath and became determined at the sight before her "Are you sure about this Ittei-sama, she's a kid" one medic asked fearfully.
Eyeing the young girl, who rolled up her sleeves and marched over to the first person in need of help, talking to a medic as she went for instructions on what she needed to actually do until a bucket was placed at her side.
"It's easy, fuse your chakra with the contents inside, focus it over their chests and draw the poison out with chakra" the medic informed, she took another deep breath then did as told, proving to be the only one they could really rely on in the next moment.
As the contents followed her hand up out of the bucket and she placed it deftly over the injured person before her, concentrating as sweat beaded on her brow at the amount of pressure placed on her "Yes I'm very sure, Haruno-san is the only one who can do this" the purple haired man said.
Watching in case things went south on them it would probably be to much to ask for all of them to be saved but at least it would be like he said a learning experience for the girl who wished to become a medic like Lady Tsunade.
The next two hours proved to be very eventful as Sakura carefully extracted enough poison out of each shinobi to be taken away and deconstructed to find or make an antidote "Good work Sakura-san" another medic praised.
Moving on to the healing process now that most of the poison had been removed from their systems and no longer interfering with their attempts to save lives, Sakura gave a shaky smile, drained of chakra "Come on looks like you could use something to eat" Ittei chuckled.
Leaving the rest to the other medics at the hospital and leading the girl away from the operation room "Definitely Ittei-sama" Sakura announced, knowing she would need it, especially since she had training with her team to do later.
With that Ittei ushered her to the cafeteria and ordered some dango covered in mitarashi sauce, a bowl of chicken ramen, with lots of vegetables at her request, sweet potato rice and curry and a glass of green tea before he left her to eat.
"The hell happened to you Sakura" twenty minutes later Sasuke plopped down on the opposite bench with a tray of food as she was finishing up her own to replenish some of his chakra without meditating like he wanted.
Sakura blew out a long suffering sigh "Got thrown in at the deep end that's what happened, had to help out with removing poison from a team that was brought in so they could make an antidote" the pinkette explained what the ruckus had been all about when they'd showed up.
Sasuke grimaced "Yikes I'm glad that it wasn't me that got dragged into it, I probably would have screwed up" the raven shuddered not that he was glad that Sakura had been forced into that situation and he hoped the Head Medic felt guilty about it.
"Never know Sasuke, this past week your chakra control has really improved to way above standard, by the time its time for the Chunin Exams, you'll most likely be able to do that on a small scale" Sakura commented.
Praising him in the only way she knew how, his cheeks warmed and flushed lightly "Thanks Sakura, good luck on your studying" Sasuke waved cramming the rest of his sandwich into his mouth and dropping off the tray on his way back to his senpai at the hospital.
And she did the same only she got drilled with question after question while at the same time being made to demonstrate a lot of stuff, bruises, scrapes, burns, sprained ankles, head trauma, eye problems, pulled muscles, broken bones and the like.
Until it was lunch time only then were they released "I'm so, so glad that tomorrow we don't have to come in" the Uchiha held his head feeling utterly exhausted and it was only afternoon, Sakura didn't look any better as they stopped at the ramen stand Ichiraku.
"Just be lucky you don't have to go through the hell of demonstrating and answering medical questions at the same time" the pinkette grumbled clearly in no mood to play nice before Teuchi placed down her order of chicken ramen.
She flashed him a thankful smile and dug in with vigor, Sasuke copying her actions a minute later with his own order, they ordered three more bowls of ramen each after that until they were to full to eat another bite and feeling much better as seventy percent of their chakra came back.
Enough for them to train a couple hours as they paid for their meal and left the ramen stand, heading for their team training grounds "Did you eat before coming, why because you smell like ramen" Shino greeted in his bizarre way.
While they both nodded "Rather difficult morning at the hospital Shino-kun, at the very least I know how to remove poison now just enough to make an antidote anyway" Sakura smiled brightly wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss on the cheek.
"You know I've been wondering what it feels like to be tied up in Mibojin's web" Sasuke piped in when the duo pulled apart clearly ready to start training, even if they were on their own since their sensei was going to abandon them for the next couple of weeks.
Sakura blinked at him in surprise, then bit her thumb and ran through the hand signs to summon the leader of her summons "Can you tie Sasuke up in your webbing, hands and feet only Mibojin-sama please" the rosette requested of her summons.
It took less than a minute for Sasuke's hands and feet to be bound in webbing "Holy crap this stuff is like steel seriously I'm not kidding" the Uchiha grunted straining to break the web with brute strength only to fail.
"Maybe you would have better results if you were to use your chakra scalpel" the Aburame Heir suggested watching on with curiosity, Sasuke thought the idea over before trying it, focusing chakra into his fingertips no longer needing the hand signs.
Then wiggled his hands around enough to hopefully slice through the steel webbing, thankfully it only felt like steel as the chakra scalpel sliced through and he was able to break free of his bindings "Next time I make a stupid suggestion like that hit me" Sasuke grumbled.
Patting down his clothes as he stood on his feet again after several minutes of struggling, Sakura covered her mouth to hide the smile she was sporting "At least you learned something Sasuke, why because now you know that with the chakra scalpel you can break free" Shino pointed out.
And Sasuke realized the truth in that statement, if he hadn't wondered he would have never known so maybe the idea hadn't so stupid after all "Okay you two lets get to training, stamina and evasion first" Sakura clapped.
Getting their training session officially underway, first working on their stamina by running laps while wearing fifteen pound weights on each arm and leg, then evasion training by avoiding all manners of traps that Shino had set up beforehand while still wearing the weights.
By the time that training was done their arms and legs screamed for mercy not to mention they were covered in countless amounts of scratches from where they'd been hit by weapons repeatedly "Totally sucks but taijutsu next" the raven on the team suggested.
Removing the heavy ass weights that Shibi had upgraded them to and healing his light superficial wounds, leaving the deeper scratches to Sakura as she healed the three of them, they settled in a loose circle on the water's surface for their taijutsu spar.
They didn't hold back in the least against each other, there was no such thing as pulling punches or kicks, it was Sasuke and Sakura's way of helping Shino improve his taijutsu so that someday he could pull off an offensive attack that would leave an enemy shocked.
It was a battle for sure and they even lost focus over their chakra a couple of times falling into the cold lake they were sparring atop of until they couldn't go on, instead of scratches they now had bruises "Ow I think you were channeling chakra into your punches" Sasuke huffed.
Gently poking a dark green bruise only to wince "Sorry Sasuke" Sakura flashed him an apologetic frown, raising a glowing green hand, a little brighter now that she was working with her medical ninjutsu on a daily basis again.
"Perhaps we can use this time to work on my barrier formula, why because I want to at least be able to cover two people with it before the exams" Shino announced placing down blank tags and the scrolls that had the formula for his barrier on them.
Having a break sounded great right about then as they immersed themselves in the world of fuinjutsu unaware of the Jonin spying on them, Shibi chuckled under his breath and shook his head in amusement at their antics, pleased they were taking the exams seriously.
Before he vanished in a swirl of kikaichu, having completed his self assigned goal to keep an eye on his students every once in awhile to make sure they weren't getting in any trouble, he cared for them deeply after all.
~Meanwhile~
Back on their training field "How about this Shino-kun, each of us holds onto a scroll, merging our chakra with the formula on the scroll we hold" the pinkette piped in with an idea that might just work, her chakra control was near perfect after all.
Shino nodded seriously "Let's give it a try then, back to back with each other, then we'll lay down the scrolls" the Uchiha instructed, also having a slight interest in barrier seals as they stood back to back with one another.
In sync they placed down the scrolls and opened them "Right Three Point Violet Sealing Barrier Jutsu" the Aburame Heir ran through some hand signs remembering to take his time so he didn't mess up again.
His teammates doing the same for the other scrolls and then in a flash Sasuke and Sakura found themselves on the outside of the barrier as it rose to cover Shino in his entirety "Drat maybe we didn't add enough chakra" Sasuke frowned.
As the barrier was undone and the three of them sat down again "I don't think that's all there is to it actually" Sakura mused, scouring the formula with keen emerald eyes, picking out the tiniest details with the amount of studying on fuinjutsu she'd done for Naruto's sake.
It was all to easy to see the small mistake within the formula and she promptly showed it to Shino "Thank you, why because without you I wouldn't have seen it" Shino relaxed, and went about fixing that little mistake in his barrier formula.
Then they tried it again, managing a deeper violet color with a brown tint to it so it covered at least a person and a half "Before we go on I wonder how strong the barrier is right now" the brunet heir mused curiously.
"Well we can test it if you'd like Shino, hit it with regular punches and kicks, throw weapons at it or just have Sakura punch it with a light chakra enhanced punch" the second Uchiha Heir offered, Shino nodded in acceptance.
Though they left it mostly up to Sakura, who punched and kicked it at first with no results, threw weapons, nothing not even a crack, then channeled chakra into her punch, there and then the three of them were blown backwards as the barrier exploded.
"Ouch, owie, ow, that freaking hurt next time you can punch the barrier and have it explode on you" the pinkette cringed feeling blood dripping from her forehead where she'd clipped it on a rock, she held her breath while healing it so she didn't get woozy or sick at the smell.
Before standing to go find where her teammates had landed, not very far and the both of them seemed alright even if they were sitting on the ground "That was unexpected, why because I hadn't thought it would explode" Shino grimaced.
Rising to his feet "It was totally cool though, but I think next time we want to try out any idea like finding out how strong a barrier is we use a stand-in like a clone or something" Sasuke pointed out as they made their way to the blast sight.
And found the scrolls with the barrier formula written on them relatively unscathed which was actually pretty surprising "Could be useful in a pinch though in case we have a to tough of an opponent" Sakura added.
While both boys on her team looked at her in surprise but nodded so the formula was left that way in case of an emergency, and they moved on to practicing elemental ninjutsu until it was an hour before dinner time.
All three of them were nearly completely exhausted of chakra, with sweat pouring from their every pore and practically starved "Got a situation, some Sand Shinobi is beating up on Konohamaru" and Naruto just had to body flicker onto their training grounds with bad news.
"The hell happened to you guys, you look awful" the blonde seemed to notice, the burns, the scrapes, cuts and bruises, even scorched clothes, and became absolutely horrified as he realized they looked worn down as he wondered, just what the hell had they been doing all afternoon.
But the three of them stood and followed him to where the Hokage's grandson was being harassed "If I were you I'd let that boy go or face serious consequences for trying to harm Hokage-sama's grandson" the pinkette warned once they arrived on the scene.
Finding Konohamaru relatively unharmed but being held up by his shirt with the person holding onto him rearing back his fist to punch him no doubt "Kankuro you heard the girl, let him go now" a teal eyed blonde with a folded fan who was off to the side ordered urgently.
Glancing around fearfully for what they didn't know but it was worrisome on a small degree "Not until the little punk apologizes" the teenager they now knew as Kankuro grit out rearing back his fist again, onyx eyes narrowed.
Konohamaru brought his hands up to protect his face, what happened next astounded him as in less than a second he was stood behind Sakura, the only reason he knew her name was because of Naruto, while his attacker bit the dirt literally.
During the time the genin of his village had arrived Naruto had sneakily unrolled some wire behind his back and channeled chakra into it, directing the wire across the ground to wrap around Kankuro's leg, then with a mighty jerk of the wire he face planted.
How he was brought to safety was Shino's insects that lived inside his body the Kikaichu, at the precise moment Naruto had yanked on the wire attached to his tormentor "Cool that was wicked awesome Naruto-ni" Konohamaru whispered to the blonde in awe.
As he reeled in his wire, Naruto flashed him a grin before focusing his gaze forward as Kankuro leaped to his feet, face thunderous and eyes glaring murder at them "Don't, you were warned, accept the consequences of trying to hit Lord Hokage's grandson" the Uchiha shook his head.
When the older genin went to come after them clearly angry they'd gotten the drop on him "Temari help me kick their asses for what they did to me" the older brunet spat spittle flying from his mouth as he reached for the bandage wrapped thing on his back.
Now they knew the older girls name "Enough Kankuro you're an embarrassment to our village" a gravely voice said from a tree off to the side and all eyes turned to spy a boy attached to a branch upside down, with a large gourd on his back.
"Gaara where have you been" Temari paled quickly at the sight of the new person and Sakura honed in on that, standing closer to Shino in response as the Gaara person as he'd been named appeared before the other Sand Shinobi in a swirl of sand.
Probably very deadly sand and she made herself a promise to never get mixed up in it "I was only joking you shouldn't be so serious" Kankuro backpedaled at the sight of the red head because he certainly didn't want to die that day.
"Listen next time when someone warns you, why because you might find yourself disqualified from a certain even our village is hosting say our Hokage were to be informed you were harassing his grandson" the Aburame Heir pointed out seriously.
As the genin from the Hidden Sand Village turned to hurry off to wherever, Kankuro grit his teeth and nodded curtly before the three of them were out of sight of the four Leaf genin and one academy student.
Before Sakura turned on him "Aren't you supposed to be at the academy" Sakura put a hand on her hip and stared sternly down at the eight year old boy, raising a brow in askance when he began pouting hoping that she would let him off the hook.
Only to find out that she was about as straight-laced as they come when she continued staring at him like that "The academy's been canceled for the next couple of weeks while preparations are made for the exams" the little brunet huffed crossing his arms over his chest and sulking.
Sakura pat him gently on the head at that before ushering him off to home "See you tomorrow why because we still have to train" Shino nodded at his teammates and Naruto, then vanished in a swirl of kikaichu body flickering home just in time for dinner it seemed.
While the others did the same "I noticed your getting pretty good at wire manipulation Dope, cause that was awesome how you made that guy face plant" Sasuke smirked patting Naruto on the back as they walked leisurely home.
He flushed lightly in embarrassment "Have only been practicing for three solid weeks and it was still hard to control it" Naruto admitted sheepishly but the bright smile on his face told Sasuke that he was happy that someone had seen how he'd improved at one of his self assigned goals.
Then they were home and sitting with the older Haruno's around the table for dinner, cleaning up after themselves when they were done and heading off for showers or baths before crawling into their beds for some shut eye.
The next four days were like hell on earth for Team Seven as they trained until their bodies couldn't take anymore abuse "Honestly these kids" Shibi shook his head as he spied their passed out forms on their training grounds.
Covered in a multitude of injuries and a couple broken bones most likely if he wasn't mistaken as they seemed crazy enough right now, this was not what he expected when he nominated them for the Chunin Exams after all.
"Makes me wonder if my son doesn't need some therapy" the Aburame Patriarch sighed watching from his hiding spot in the tree for thirty minutes until the genin brats woke up from their impromptu naps.
But the three of them continued to lay there on the ground staring up at the sky for a little while longer no doubt feeling as if they moved to quickly things wouldn't end well for them, eventually though they did sit up carefully.
Very carefully at that and assess their injuries, before Sakura took a chakra replenishing pill then set to work on healing them, Sasuke helping as best he could with his slowly improving medical ninjutsu until most, more than half their injuries were healed.
He sent some kikaichu to listen in to their conversation when the trio of teammates/friends continued to sit there on the ground "So tomorrows the big day huh for your test are you ready for it Sakura" the Uchiha he was in charge of mentioned.
And Shibi was surprised, he hadn't thought it was that soon, probably for the best if they were going to participate in the Chunin Exams "Yeah I've done all I can, studied until it felt like my head was going to explode, so I'm hoping for the best" the pinkette nodded.
Looking concerned, but he knew that she'd be able to do it, from how much she'd trained and practiced the medical license exams should be a cinch for her "We'll go out to celebrate no matter what score you get, why because we're a team" his son piped in.
Making him chuckle at their camaraderie and feel glad that they were so close to one another, it allowed for smoother teamwork with zero arguments or fights between them, plus a good reputation on missions, D and C rank alike.
Then the three of them stood, bid each other farewell and body flickered, cherry blossoms, crow feathers and insects what a combination as he also headed home meeting his son in the foyer to make him think he'd been waiting.
While Sasuke and Sakura returned to the Haruno house for dinner and the next morning Sakura was off to take her license exam, leaving Sasuke to sit around the house and wonder until she came back which was hours later.
Not that she had an answer for him on how she did as they went off for light training, they didn't want to overdo it like they did yesterday before it was time to go home again, with only a week left before the Chunin Exams were really supposed to start, eat and then head to bed.