Chapter 15: Enter Rock Lee

Kira as promised met up with Sakura, she felt her arm being yanked through the front door of the house and up to Sakura's room. Sakura looked over her new friend thinking of something that could make her prettier.

"Well lets see, first lets take your hair out." Sakura took band off the bottom of her hair, shifting her fingers through the strands of hair. Waves of curls cascaded down her back till it just reached the end near her butt.

"I've never seen you with your hair down." Sakura muttered looking it over, Kira shrugged her shoulders. Sakura then brushed some of her bangs in front of her eyes, messing with it till it just hovered over her eye.

"I haven't been able to trim it lately. It's just easier to have it in a braid." Kira explained smiling to herself feeling, the fingers weave through her hair easily. Spraying some sitcky stuff in a can on her hair making it feel stiff.

"Not bad, hmm, wanna add some make up?" she asked glancing over at her small pile of eyeshadows, lip gloss, and mascara. "Nah…" Kira waved her off standing, looking at herself in the mirror. She hasn't had her hair down in so long that it was just strange.

"Come on, we said we were going to impress this boy right?" Sakura urged she really wanted to do make up on another girl. She remembered how much fun she and Ino used to have before the rivalry started.

"But I..."

"Relax, just trust me okay?" Sakura grinned grabbing her eye liner and telling her what to do. She would fidget every now and then but in the end she looked somewhat pretty. Sakura gave her a natural look that complimented her pale skin, the dark eyeliner helped make her eyes pop. She had a faint blush coating her cheeks. But she looked somewhat pretty all the same.

"Mind if I hold onto that rubber band? Just in case it gets hot?" Kira asked already wanting to put her hair back up. She felt so silly, like this would make Gaara think she was prettier. Sakura stood beside Kira putting a bit of sparkly lip gloss over her lips. Rubbing them together.

"And put this on. It'll make your lips look superlicious." She applied it to Kira's lips telling her what to do. "There!"

Kira snickered with Sakura. "There, come on lets go meet up with the guys." Kira called linking her arm with Sakura's. Sakura didn't do much and Kira swore there wasn't anything different about her. Just putting your hair down and adding some makeup didn't make you a different person.

"Hey Sakura!" Naruto yelled waving at the girls. Naruto squinted confused before realization hit him. "Kira?"

"Sup Naru," She called laughing at his gawking. "What? I look that bad?" Naruto shook his head.

"No, you just look different. Really weird actually." Naruto looked her over confused about this sudden change of appearance.

Sasuke's eyes were wide staring at her. 'Holy crap.' Kira glanced at Sasuke confused. 'Wow, she looks great.' Kira blushed softly hearing his thoughts. Sasuke thought she looked good? That's so weird. Sasuke couldn't help gawk, she looked so beautiful. Sure before she was already stunning but she looked so pretty. He felt the urge to hide her from the world. Keep her all to himself. The other people...they didn't deserve to see her beauty.

"You guys ready to go?" Kira asked nudging Sakura toward the doors. 'Her hair looks so soft, I just want to run my fingers through it. Good lord look at all those curls.' Sasuke groaned biting his bottom lip.

Kira scrunched her eyebrows together confused. What? What the hell was Sasuke thinking? That was so strange. Maybe the rumors were true? Maybe Sasuke had a thing for long hair like everyone said.

The four of them walked through the doors seeing a rather large crowd. "Whoa! Aw, man!" someone had said in the crowd.

"Besides that, Chunin are team commanders. They lead their units. The responsibilities for failed missions and dead Shinobi rest firmly on their shoulders. And you little punks have the nerve to apply?" A kid guarding the door covered in bandages snorted. "We're saving a step by weeding out the obvious losers beforehand."

"Oh, yay another pretentious asshole." Kira called annoyed, letting go of Sakura.

"That sounds good in theory, but you'd better let me through and drop the force field illusion you've created, while you're at it." Sasuke ordered, smirking.

"I have business on the third floor." Sasuke made sure they knew important.

"Whats he talking about?"

"Who knows?"

"So you figured it out, eh?" The other male blocking the door asked.

"It was easy. Right, Sakura? You were probably the first to notice it." Sasuke praised Sakura, a soft blush formed across her face as he started to compliment her. "You're the most analytical and best in our cell at understanding the art of illusion."

A small smile creeped its way onto her face, 'Sasuke must have seen how upset I was, he really does care!'

"Of course I noticed it. Obviously, we're still on the second floor." Sakura was now determined to show her worth on the team.

"Of course!" Naruto smirked, even he wasn't that stupid to believe they were on the third floor.

The illusion dropped showing off it was room 201 and not 301. "Hey, not bad. But just seeing through it isn't enough!" The kid yelled darting forward ready to attack. An illusion was set over the two males guarding the doors. It was part of the test! Trying to stop anyone who would try to enter.

Sasuke not scared of the challenge at hand went in for the 'kids' weak point. The two were on a collision course when a boy in a green jumpsuit stopped them. Funny actually it looked like a smaller version of Guy. Kakashi's sort of friend.

'He's so fast! He perceived the attack patters on both sides and planted himself at the nexus of both their kicks…is that even possible?' Sakura thought very shocked. The mini version of Guy stood holding both attackers legs. 'He's a completely different person from the boy who was getting a beating up just a minute ago.'

Mini Guy let out a sigh letting go of both male. The adult fell to the ground staring up at the boy surprised. Sasuke never took his eyes off the boy in front of him.

"Hey. That's now what we agreed. You're the one who insisted we should avoid drawing attention to ourselves." The raven haired male with lilac eyes scolded glaring at his teammate.

"B-but…" the kid looked over at Sakura blushing heavily. 'I wanted to impress the pretty girl over there.' The mini Guy never took his eyes off Sakura. A really cute precious smile appeared on his lips.

"Here we go again." The girl sighed shaking her head annoyed.

Sasuke glared at the male coming toward his Kira. He better not talk to her. "Hi. My name is Rock Lee. You're Sakura, aren't you?" Kira giggled beside Naruto enjoying the show. "Would you like to go out with me? I'll protect you with my life!"

"No way, you are way out of hand." Sakura said annoyed.

"Awwww," Lee pouted falling over upset.

"Aw come on Sakura, how many guys have ever said they'd protect you with their life? It's pretty romantic if you ask me." Kira giggled to herself. This would be so much fun.

"Kira!" Naruto and Sakura yelled glaring at the gray haired girl who looked away acting innocent.

"Hey you!" The pale boy called towards Sasuke. "Whats your name?" Kira stared at the lilac eyes confused. He looked so familiar she just couldn't place her finger on it.

"It's common courtesy to give your own name first." Sasuke retorted acting tough.

"You're a rookie, aren't you? How old?" The boy asked again smirking to himself.

"I don't have to tell you a thing." Sasuke called before walking away to his team. His hand reached out grasping onto Kira's and the four walked off. Sakura and Kira glance at one another. Kira giving the 'I don't know why he did that' look and Sakura giving the 'why'd he take your hand.' Look.

The group didn't make it too far, they ended up being distracted by Lee. "Hey, you with the scowl, wait up!" Lee called standing on the higher balcony.

Sakura stared at Lee like he was crazy. Naruto confused, Kira gave the boy a small smile, and Sasuke just annoyed. "What is it?"

"You and me, here and now. Want to fight?" Kira smacked her head pulling away from Sasuke's hold. This wouldn't be good. She could feel his chakra levels were through the roof. He was incredibly quick and if she was right that he trains under Might Guy then he is very powerful too.

"You want to fight me, here and now?" Sasuke asked confused.

"Yes!"

Lee jumped off the balcony landing in the typical superhero pose. Only thing is it's hard on the knees sometimes.

"My name is Rock Lee. Among sticklers, etiquette requires one to introduce oneself before asking the name of another." Lee informed glaring hatefully at Sasuke.

"Uchiha Sasuke. Huh so you knew who I was all along." Sasuke didn't seem all surprised at all that Lee knew who he was.

"I'm calling you out!" Lee stood in fighting position. "I want to test the effectiveness of my techniques against the last surviving member of your legendary clan." Lee glared at the boy trying to look intimidating.

"Besides…" Lee's face flushed 'I will show Sakura I am worthy of being her boyfriend!' Lee thought to himself glancing in her direction. Even though he was glaring at Sasuke, it didn't stop Lee from sending Sakura a wink.

"No way! Those eyelashes creep me out!" Sakura screamed disgusted. Her body trembling with her disgust over Lee. "Not to mention the Geeky do plus the caterpillar unibrow!" Sakura gagged annoyed.

Lee smiled smooching his hand and blowing the kiss directly at her "You're an angel." Lee sighed happily.

Kira squealed clapping her hands over her mouth excited. "AHH!" Sakura screamed falling to the floor to avoid the kiss that was sent her way.

"Come on Sakura, can you blame the guy?" Kira asked leaning against the wall giggling to herself. Sakura grumbled saying something along the lines that 'Its not my fault I'm beautiful.'

"Yeah, yeah, Yeah." Kira waved her off smiling at the boy in green spandex.

"You keep your weird kisses to yourself, creep! I could have died dodging that!" Sakura screamed glaring hatefully at the boy.

"Aw don't be like that…" Lee whined softly like a puppy. Like someone kicked a puppy.

Kira felt bad for the guy he just wanted to show off his skills to test them out. "So you're challenging me, even knowing my lineage? In other words you're a fool." Sakura agreed with Sasuke. "So, dog brow, do you really want to learn what it means to be an Uchiha?"

"Absolutely." Kira groaned rubbing her temples a headache already forming. 'I can hardly wait! I'm going toe to toe with the cream of the rookie crop, first time out! Now you'll get the proof you require Master Guy!'

"Hold it." Naruto called.

"Not you too!" Kira cried annoyed. They didn't have much time we had to put in our application soon.

"Don't worry about it, let me handle dog brow. He'll be toast. Just give me five minutes." Naruto said determined to show off how strong he was. He was already pissed that everyone wanted to know Sasuke and not him.

"I have no interest in fighting you. Only Uchiha." Lee called not caring at all that he just broke the twig Naruto was using to hold himself back.

"Story of my freaking life! 'Sasuke, this!' and 'Sasuke, that!' Till I could just puke!" Naruto charged after Lee ready to destroy the male in front of him.

It only took lightning quick reflexes for Lee to avoid Naruto's attack. Naruto having missed his chance to strike, charged again. "Gale force technique!" and Naruto was thrown across the other side of the room, tumbling six more times till he hit a wall.

"Mark my words, none of you will beat me. I am the greatest fighter among all the junior ninja in Konoha village." Lee warned.

"This could be fun. I accept your challenge."

"No, you don't." Kira growled glaring at her teammate.

"Of course, I do." Sasuke retorted rolling his onyx eyes at her. He may love her but he needed to prove something right now.

"No, you don't. Uchiha if your going to fight save it for the exam. Do you really want to get your ass handed to you from that guy?" She growled her red eyes stinging.

"You doubt me that much?"

"I don't doubt. I know. We have to turn in our forms in half an hour. I'm not going to be late because you want to prove how strong you are." She snapped annoyed, Sasuke could be so stupid sometimes with that 'I'm better than you' complex.

"This will only take five minutes." Sasuke yelled charging at Lee. Lee stood still waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

'Here goes! I'm sorry Master Guy… I may have to break the big rule! I might need that move.' Lee thought nervously. As soon as Sasuke came into close combat range Lee attacked spinning out of the way yelling "Konoha Hurricane!"

Lee had incredible speed you could barely see him. Sasuke had no fight only to block but even that wasn't enough to stop the attack. Sasuke was sent flying toward the ground a few feet away.

Sakura and Kira's eyes widen seeing Sasuke stand back up but this time The Sharingan activated. "When did he get those?" Kira muttered to Sakura confused.

"I don't know…" Sakura whispered shocked. Though it was obvious that she thought that since Sasuke had the Sharingan eyes he would be able to win this fight. Though Kira knew this wasn't true. Lee was giving off strong waves of power. Sasuke would lose if he wasn't careful.

Sasuke charged at Lee again ready to destroy the boy. But Lee was too quick. Lee kicked Sasuke high in the air almost breaking his jaw from the force. "Exactly. They're neither Martial arts nor Illusion." Sasuke started to fall. Naruto even took notice that Lee was directly under Sasuke.

"Sasuke!"

"Kagebuyo shadow of the dancing leaf." You could see the fear on Sasuke's face as clear as day. "That's right. No jutsu. No trickery. My moves are strictly physical."

'Shit. Kira was right I shouldn't have…'

"If your sharingan eye can see to the heart of every ninja art well enough to duplicate it, as it is said to, then you know what I say is true. I'm sure your sharingan is invaluable against arts like ninjutsu and genjutsu, with their formalized rules, sign casting, and chakras but physical Taijutsu arts in their pure form are very different story."

"But how?!" Sasuke cried pain in his voice.

"Even if you can perfectly perceive and understand my movements, you lack the speed and strength to counter them. You haven't had the physical training necessary to keep up with me. It doesn't matter what your eye can see if your body's too weak to act!"

See normally since Sakura, Kira, and Naruto weren't in the fight they'd see a body fall to the ground after this much talking but it seemed they were frozen in that spot.

"There are two kinds of strength. The kind you're born with and the kind you only get from back breaking work. Your sharingan is natural, born genius. I hear it runs in your family. What I have, I got through blood, sweat, and tears. In other words, your subtle arts and my physical prowess make us a complete mismatch. Let me prove it to you."

Something shot in the air startling everyone in the room. "Halt!" Blinking a few times everyone could see a turtle…A talking turtle. "That's enough, lee." And apparently it knew Lee.

Lee kicked Sasuke aside and they both fell to the ground. Sakura dove forward softening Sasuke's fall. "Sasuke! Are you all right?" She cried looking him over. Sasuke was trembling where he sat.

"You…you saw?" Lee asked disappointed in himself.

"You know the rules, Lee. That move is strictly forbidden!" The turtle scolded angrily.

"P-Please forgive me, I was only…" Kira noticed the bandages spread across the floor. "I wouldn't have used the reversal move, I never meant…"

"That thing over there, that's a turtle right?" Naruto asked pointing at the turtle confused.

"OBVIOUSLY!"

"So whats the deal here? Can turtles become Ninja?"

"Don't ask stupid questions." Sakua grumbled annoyed.

"Well it isn't a stupid question. I think anyone would be confused if they saw a talking turtle scolding a student." Sasuke stayed planted on his knees his body still shaking. Kira frowned placing her hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner. Sasuke's hand shot up clinging onto her hand, she felt his body shivering, shaking, the cold sweat clinging to him.

"You idiot." She muttered softly, giving his wrist a squeeze so he knew she was there for him.

"You fool! Do you think I care about your feeble excuses? Consider the repercussions of a shinobi warrior any shinobi baldly explaining all his secrets!"

"Yes sir!"

"I hope you are properly prepared?" The turtle asked having a disappointed look on his face.

"Y-yes sir."

"Well then, he's all yours Master Guy!" wait so the turtle wasn't his teacher? Weird. Just weird.

"Ah, the exuberance of youth. All of you are full of it." Master Guy called appearing out of nowhere acting very strange about it.

"HE'S GOT THE BIGGEST EYEBROWS YET! THEY'RE ALMOST ALIVE!" Sakura and Naruto yelled. "And that same dorky do,"

"They're uber brows! I've never seen anything like 'em!" Naruto called shocked.

"H-Hey! Don't try to make fun of Master Guy!" Lee yelled very defensively.

"Oh, shut up! I don't even know what to make of all the freaks who keep popping in here!" Naruto screamed right back. More than annoyed.

"What-"

"Lee!" Guy called gaining Lee's attention.

"Oh! Uh, yes sir…"

Might Guy slammed his fist into Lee's face sending him to the floor. Screaming that he was an idiot. Surprising everyone in the room.

"You, you"

"Master…?" Lee was surprised to be hit, heartbroken even. They both were crying big fat ugly tears. "Master I…I…"

"That's enough, Lee. Not one more word." Guy pulled Lee into a strong embrace, where the two cried and hugged it out. Strange moment for everyone in the room actually. Sasuke stood looking more than pissed. 'I can't believe I got beaten by some touchy-feely crybaby.'

"I understand. It's because you're young!" Guy commented clutching the boy even tighter than before.

"Doesn't it give you a warm fuzzy feeling?" Naruto asked Sakura snickering.

"Don't be an idiot! They're up to something!" Sakura screamed annoyed.

"It's all right, Lee! Mistakes and youth go hand in hand." Guy commented sounding like a parent's about to give a new lecture.

"You are too kind, Master!" Lee blubbered sniffling still to stop his tears.

"But I can't let your attempt to break the big rule go unpunished. Your penalty will be to sweat after the Chunin selection exams."

"I understand."

"Five hundred laps around the Practice arena!" Guy screamed very pumped up with energy. All the energy he was giving off made Kira want to take a nap. Kira understood her brother more than before now.

"Yes sir!"

"What a dip…" Sakura muttered a sweat drop formed at the back of her head.

"What the deal with that turtle thing, anyway?" Naruto muttered still confused.

"I don't know, Maybe he thinks it makes him look cool?" Kira muttered back. Sasuke linked their fingers together holding her hand tighter now. Kira glanced at him confused but let it slide. She missed the faint blush staining his cheeks.

Might Guy stared at us now.

"Whoa…"

"Uh oh, he's looking at us." Sakura cried terrified.

"By the way, how is Master Kakashi? I'm asking you!" Guy asked staring at the four kids.

"You know Master Kakashi?" Sasuke asked confused. Kira sighed letting some of her gray hair fall in her eyes.

"Guy and Kakashi go way back. They're kind of rival friends whatever. He likes to challenge Kakashi to all sorts of challenges." Guy leaned down getting really close into Kira's face. Kira backed up some hating when Guy did this.

Guy laughed leaning back you'd think he was about to fall on the floor his laugh was so strong.

"The score stands at fifty to forty-nine. I'm stronger than he is." Guy pointed at himself smirking to himself. Kira rolled her eyes annoyed, not this again. 'In your dreams,' she thought rolling her eyes again.

"As you can see, Master Guy is totally amazing!" Lee yelled looking totally amazed.

"I know Lee started this fight, but take pity on his old teacher. For the sake of my own self-respect, forgive him. Gotta save face…It's just so handsome!" Guy cried again new tears falling, Guy quickly sobered up.

'Who IS this guy? He claims to be better than Kakashi, and I don't think hes bluffing.' Sasuke thought, his grip growing increasingly tighter. He looked almost petrified as he stared at the ground.

"Sasuke…" She muttered softly gaining his attention. "You okay?" He was relieved the other two weren't paying attention. His heart started to speed in his chest, she cared about him.

"Yeah…" he muttered softly, he couldn't help smiling at her. She was wonderful. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her.

"You and Lee should head up to the classroom now." Guy announced checking the time on the wall. "Best of luck, Lee! Later!" was all he said as he jumped away.

"Yes, sir!" Lee saluted while tying his wrappings back up. On his hand you could see the latest stitching. Lee really did put his all into it, even though he might destroy his hands and body in the process.

"By the way Sasuke, I was blowing smoke before. I'm really here to prove my own strength in combat." Lee yanked the wrapping tightly, keeping it tied taut. "And I don't think you're the strongest Konoha genin. The strongest junior ninja is a member of my own team and I intend to take him down. That's why I'm entering. And by the way you're on my list, too." Lee hopped back up onto the second level landing calling out to Sasuke as he did so. "Off to apply for the exam. Be ready for it, okay?"

"Sasuke…" Sakura whispered worriedly. Kira tried to move away so that Sakura could check him over but Sasuke wouldn't let go of her.

"What was that crap?" Naruto asked confused. His head still ached from when he was knocked out. "Maybe your hot-snot, famous Uchiha clan isn't that great after all, huh?"

Kira snickered while Sakura screamed at Naruto for saying something like that. "Shut up." Sasuke growled pulling Kira closer to him, watching her stumble but a laugh still on her lips. "Next time, he's dead meat." Sasuke growled.

"Despite the total butt kicking you got this time, right?" Naruto asked not believing him at all. "You should have listened to Kira. She told you, you'd lose."

"Shut up, Naruto!" Sakura screamed.

"You saw his hands, right?" Naruto asked glaring at the ground.

"Since Lee trains under Guy it means that he does intense training day after day." Kira called gaining the groups attention.

"Even more than you got." Naruto mocked looking bored now with Sasuke's inner dilemma.

"You're toast, pal!" Sasuke growled glaring at Naruto, sweat dripping down his face with ease. Kira let out a growl glaring at Sasuke. It only took him a moment for Sasuke to act cocky again. "Things are started to get interesting. This Chunin selection exam is bringing things to a boil!"

"Well yeah!" Naruto laughed.

"Yep!"

"You're not wrong. Now can I have my hand back?" She asked staring at him expectantly. Sasuke gave her a blank look. His eyes traveling down to their hands joined together. He wanted to hold her closer to him. Breath in her wonderful scent. Feel the warmth radiating off her body. But she wanted him to let her go.

Slowly he released her hand. A frown replaced his smirk losing the contact with her, he watched her flex her fingers around, her other hand reached over rubbing where he held. He must have hurt her.

"Naruto? Sakura? Kira? Lets go!" Sasuke called as the four of them walked off to room 301.

"Glad you made it after all, Sakura." Kakashi called "This way you all qualify to apply for the chunin selection exam."

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked confused. He said that the test was voluntary.

"The way the test is set up, it can only be taken by three to four-person groups."

Wait what?

"But you said it was up to each of us to decide whether or not to apply. Were you lying?"

"I said what I had to, to keep your partners from pressuring you into coming along. Even if you had no interest in applying, one word from Sasuke and you'd have come along and gone through the motions, though your heart wouldn't have been in it."

"So what would have happened if Naruto, Sasuke, and I showed up without Sakura?" Kira asked confused.

"I'd have washed you three out right here. None of you would have gotten past this point without the others. But you're all here because you want to be. And I'm very, very proud of you." Kakashi praised. "Now get in there!"

Kira, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke smirked ready to take this test.

"Wait a second." Kakashi walked up to Kira. Looked her over pulled something out of his pocket. He reached behind her head and quickly pulled her hair into a low pony tail. "You'll thank me later." Kakashi laughed when Kira started to swat his hands away.

"Thanks Kashi!"

"Look out everybody, 'cause here we come!" Naruto called as the group of four ran into room 301.