*Chapter 2*
Akari looked to the front of the room along with the rest of the candidates. Everyone's attention now on the cloud of smoke, revealing a large group of Ninja. A tall man in a dark coat standing before them, a bandanna on his head and two scars trailing down his rough face.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." He smirked at them.
No one knew how to respond. Everyone just staring at the man with nervous expressions. Then he was pointing an accusing finger at Naruto's large group. The lot of them still standing at the back of the room by the door. All of them frozen at the appearance of their proctor.
"You, from the Hidden Sound Village! No doing as you please before the exam. You want to be failed at the get go?!" He shouted.
Akari glanced over at the accused, taking in the odd man's appearance. He was dressed in gray, nearly his whole head covered in bandages. Only his left ear and eye left visible beneath it all. On his back was a fur cloth of some sort, though she had no idea what it was meant to be. His two teammates flanked him either side. A woman and a man.
"Sorry. It's our first time taking the exams. We flipped out, despite ourselves." He answered.
His voice was low, menacing almost with a slightly mocking tone. His friends just stood their, smirking and not looking the least bit apologetic. Ibiki just eyed them with a calculating smile. Then he was addressing the whole room.
"I'll take this opportunity to make something clear. There will be no battles, competitions, or anything along those lines, without a proctors permission. And even if permission is given, actions that can lead to death will not be permitted. Any pig that screws with me will be disqualified immediately. Got it?"
Ibiki's expression was one of someone who would not tolerate disobedience. His firm glare scanning room, almost daring someone to challenge him. Akari and those at her table exchanged a wary glance. All of them keeping still, already realizing this was not a man they should cross.
"Now then, we will start the first test of the Chunin Exams. Turn in your applications, take one of these designated numbers and sit in the seat matching said number. After that we will hand out the paper for the written test."
Akari and her siblings were already in the process of pulling out their applications. Neji and his group already holding their in their hands. One of the ninjas standing with Ibiki held out a stack of sheets, smiling as he did so.
"A PAPER TEST?!"
Akari stifled a laugh at Naruto's sudden outburst. Glancing over at the distressed boy. He was still crouched on the ground beside the injured man. But now he had a shocked look on his face, eyes wide at the announcement of the first test. He must still not be very good at taking written exams, she thought to herself.
Then the whole room was moving, everyone standing to do as Ibiki said. Akari followed her siblings down the line until she was exchanging her application for a number. She glanced at it before searching the aisles for her assigned seats. Akari figured the whole point was to be seated away from her team so she wasn't surprised when Mizuko and Riko went in seperate directions.
She glanced around, eyes falling on Neji as he took his seat. Lee and Tenten a few seats away from him. Her old friends were also spread out, everyone sitting away from their team. She spotted Naruto who had been seated closer to the front. Sakura just a few rows behind him. As for Sasuke…
Akari slid into the seat beside him, flashing the Uchiha a smile. He just blinked at her, his mouth set in its usual frown. She didn't take any offense by it, just shrugging as she faced the front of the room. Then she waited for the others to settle and the test to begin.
As she did so, Akari caught sight of the girl sitting on Naruto's right. Her lips quirking up in a smile at the sight of the the raven-haired girl. Hinata hasn't changed much in the past six years, she thought to herself. The Hyuga still kept her hair short, cropped just above her ears. Her bangs straight across her brows and framing the sides of her lovely face. Her large eyes still a pretty lavender, proof she belonged to a powerful bloodline.
Akari placed her elbow on the desk, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. Her attention now fully on Naruto and the shy girl beside him. He didn't look to have even noticed Hinata was there. The girl certainly hadn't made an effort to talk to him yet. Still as timid as ever, Akari thought. Not much she could do about that, though.
She continued to stare at them thoughtfully, lower lip caught between her teeth. Then, out of habit, she pulled her kunai from its holster. Twirling it between her fingers, the red ribbon tied on its handle swirling along with the movement. It was the same one she had thrown all those years ago. Riko having given it to her to keep. Now, it had become a sort of thinking technique for her. The repetitive motion of the weapon in her hand helping her to focus. Akari was deep in thought now as she twirled it. Wondering about Hinata and what it would take for the girl to make herself hears.
But then Akari could feel a pair of eyes on her, pulling her from her musings. She tilted her head curiously at the feeling, searching for the culprit. Akari tensed when she realized it was coming from right beside her. Sasuke was watching her from the corner of his eye. Forcing herself to relax, she put away the kunai thinking that's what had gotten his attention. Only to grow confused when he didn't look away.
She wondered what he was thinking, what he saw when he looked at her. She knew she had changed some since the last time he saw her. The only thing even remotely same being her dark black hair. She still wore it short, sharply cut along her jawline and choppy bangs brushing against her brows. She supposed her face wasn't all that different. But she had lost her baby fat a long time ago, her frame thinner and muscled toned from years of training. Her facial features sharper and more defined.
Akari's olive skin was well cared for, kept smooth and blemish free even while on the road. She was still a girl after all and did occasionally worry about things like that. Her lips were full, not too thin but nothing to gloat about either. She had a small enough nose, she supposed. Nothing that she could be made fun of over. Her eyes were pretty much the same almond shape, still pitch black in color. So, their were definitely some similarities to her childhood self, but not many.
For one thing, she had a new outfit. One she had been wearing she became a Genin. It was an off the shoulder dress, short in length, barely brushing mid thigh. The sleeves long and flaring past her fingertips. She had chosen it black in color, lined with a maroon trim. Underneath she wore a maroon halter top, her metal Konoha place sewn into the collar. White bandages were wrapped around her waist, cinching the dress in place. As for her legs, she had on maroon thigh highs. More bandages on her right thigh where she secured her weapons holster. On her feet, a pair of black ninja sandals. She had wanted something that gave her room to move, yet cute at the same time.
Akari supposed she wasn't ugly, though she never thought much into it. Or she tried not to anyways but being a teenage girl came with certain doubts. At times, she couldn't help but worry about her looks. Mizuko once told her she'd grown into a beautiful young girl and that she had no reason to think otherwise. Akari didn't know whether or not to believe her though, since her sister could be lying just to be nice. It was times like these that she would think of Sakura and wonder if she might have judged to quickly. She could certainly understand the girls obsession with her hair now that she was older.
As she thought these things, she noticed that Sasuke had stopped watching her. His gaze fixed back on the board. Akari was curious now as to what he had been thinking. If he still saw her as the childhood friend he once had. If he still remembered the 5 year old girl he had once played with. Another part of her wanted to know what he thought of her now. If he had noticed all the physical changes Akari has gone through. If he saw a whole new person when he looked at her. If, like Mizuko, he now thought of her as beautiful.
Akari startled. Blinking at her sudden train of thought. She suddenly felt warm with embarrassment, not knowing what had gotten over her. Why would she care what Sasuke thought of her? She certainly never had before. Akari fidgeted a little in her seat, knowing that a flush had made its way onto her cheeks. Sasuke noticed for he shot her a questioning look. Akari tried to play off her discomfort. Pretending to stretch as she gave him a smile. She was pretty sure it came off as more of a grimace though, the boy just looking more confused. So, Akari did the next best thing. She faced forward and refused to look at him again.
"There are several important rules to this first test." Ibiki tapped his chalk on the board.
Everyone came to attention, Akari trying to ignore the other ninja sitting along the rooms walls. All of them holding a clipboard in hand, eyeing the candidates with mysterious smiles.
"First rule. You are given 10 points starting off."
Akari tore her eyes away from the ninjas in gray, focusing back on the front of the room. Ibiki already writing on the board.
"The test has ten questions. Each is worth a point. The test is a point deduction system. You lose a point for every question you get wrong."
Ibiki finished writing, turning to them with a hand on his hips. Akari kept her eyes on the board, thinking over the first rule. So if she gets one wrong, she will have nine points. So on and so forth. That wasn't too hard to understand, she nodded to herself. Beside her, Sasuke rested his chin on steepled fingers. Looking as calm as always, not the least bit worried.
"Second rule. Pass or failure depends on the total points of each three person team."
Everyone made a noise of surprise at his words. Akari couldn't help but glance over at Riko who sat a two rows over. He had a brow raised, not having expected this, but he didn't look all too worried. Mizuko, sitting two rows in front of her, didn't even flinch. Well, it's not like this changed anything for them. Neither of them doubted each others ability to pass.
"W-wait a minute!"
Akari glanced over at Sakura, the girl looking very concerned with the news. There seemed to be a red welt on her forehead, probably from hitting her head on the desk with frustration.
"What do you mean total points of the team?!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Shut up! There's a perfectly good reason for this. Shut up and listen." Ibiki told her.
Sakura still looked a bit confused but she did as she was told. Sitting their silently, properly chastised for her sudden outburst.
"Moving on to the next rule. I'm sure you've noticed the sentinels sitting along the wall. If any of them catch you cheated, or something similar to that, will have two points deducted for each act."
Many became wide eyed at this. A lot of them probably already planning on doing just that.
"Meaning, some of you will be dismissed during the test before it can even be graded."
The tension grew in the room, the test suddenly becoming more difficult than it originally seemed. Akari herself hadn't planned on cheating, but if she felt the need she wouldn't have thought twice about it. But now it seemed that the option had been taken from her. Meaning she could only hope the questions wouldn't be painfully difficult.
"Those of you caught committing an awkward attempt at cheating will ruin your chances. If you are to become Chunin, know that a Shinobi should act exemplary."
Akari looked over at the sentinels, meeting the sharp gaze of one of the ninjas. The woman gave her a confident wink, a predatory grin on her lips. Akari felt a wave of apprehension. Her own confidence beginning to slowly chip away.
"If one person on the team get zero points, everyone on the team will fail." Ibiki continued.
Akari nearly jumped in her seat at the sudden noise Sasuke makes beside her. The boys calm demeanor instantly changing to one of annoyance. She wasn't sure what had caused this reaction until she noticed his icy glare. Akari followed it to find that it was fixed on the back of Naruto's head. When she looked over at Sakura, the girl had an expression very similar to Sasuke's. Her attention fully on a tense Naruto. It took Akari a second to understand why, going over Ibiki's words in her head. Oh. Right. Suddenly, Team 7's chances didn't look too promising.
"Also, the last question will be given 45 minutes after the test starts. You have one hour to complete it. Begin!"
Akari glanced down at the page in front of her. The first question was some sort of code text. The second had to do with the trajectory of a kunai being thrown. An integrated problem based on predictions of uncertain conditions. It required a high level analysis, very advanced and mentally taxing. They didn't really expect everyone to solve this, did they? Akari glanced around the room, finding quite a few nervous and frustrated faces. She didn't think even half of these people could get these questions right. It was as if the proctor was giving them no other option but to cheat.
Akari looked over at her sister, Mizuko already scribbling away on her sheet. Riko was just starting at his, chewing on the end of his pencil. She supposed she could at least make an attempt. Though these questions were hard, they weren't beyond her ability. Akari wasn't confident enough to think she'd get a perfect score but she could at least try and pass.
Akari picked up her pencil, feeling the Sentinels prying eyes on her back. The ninjas in gray silently scanning the room for any sign of cheating. Keeping her head low she, read through the questions. Her confidence slowly dwindling as she realized she understood less than half of them. She chewed on her lower lip as she answered only four out of the ten. Then she sat there, staring blankly at the remained six. With no idea as to what they pertained to or how she would even begin to answer them.
Akari realized then that she had not other option but to cheat. Her eyes flickered over to the wall, at the Sentinels with their clipboards. A few of them already scribbling away, deducting points from a a few unfortunate candidates. Grimacing, she looked back to the board. Reading over the rules written there. As she stared, a thought suddenly came to her. Her grimace changing to a bitter smile.
Awkward cheating. That's how Ibiki had worded it. These questions were difficult for a reason, Akari realized. They were meant to be that way. Knowing the candidates would have no other choice than to cheat off each other. The real test was to gather information without getting caught. Like an Exemplary Shinobi. Well played, Akari smirked. It had certainly taken her awhile to figure it out.
She glanced around the room without making it obvious. Sure enough, some of the candidates had already figured it out. Many using their skills to copy from others around them. Then she caught sight of a shaking Naruto. Frowning when she saw how badly the boy seemed to be struggling. But then she was blinking in surprise, seeing a shy Hinata inch her paper slightly closer to the blonde. Naruto was leaning over, Akari silently cheering him on. Until a kunai flew between them, embedding itself into the desk behind the two. Everyone startled, looking over at the trembling candidate. No one noticing the terrified look on Naruto's face.
"W-what was that for, sir?!" The candidate stood in shock.
It had been a sentinel who threw the kunai. He had long spiky black hair. Their was strip of bandage across the bridge of his nose and a marking on his chin. Akari thought she might have seen him around once or twice.
"You've made five mistakes. You fail." The Sentinel exclaimed.
The candidates paled at the accusation.
"You and your two buddies can leave the classroom now."
Everyone was silent as the three men left the room. No one wanting to risk drawing attention to themselves. That's when the numbers started being called.
"Number 23 fails!"
"43 and 27 fail!"
One candidate was dragged out kicking and screaming. Another slammed a hand on his desk in outrage, demanding proof that he had cheated. He was immediately slammed against the wall by a sentinel.
"Listen closely. We may be Chunin, but we're still elites chosen for this exam. We don't overlook anything."
The sentinel stepped back, letting the man slide dejectedly to the floor. After he was escorted out along with his team, everyone focused on their sheets again. Even Akari as she read over the questions once more, wondering if she could take a shot at them without resorting to cheating. She didn't think she could, so she sighed in resignation and looked around again.
Beside her, Sasuke's eyes were now a rich red. She blinked at him for a moment, still taken off guard by the sight of his Sharingan. She was quick to look away though, not having the time to spare. Akari stole a glance at Neji, the boy's Byakugan already activated. Sakura looked to be doing just fine all on her own, always the bookworm.
"Number 59 fails!"
"33 and 9, fail!"
Thirteen groups gone. One right after the other.
"Number 41."
"35 and 62."
The number were quickly dwindling. The room getting less crowded by the second. Akari picked up her pencil and looked up at the clock. Only twenty minutes left. That's when she caught Mizukos eye. Her older sister was starting back at her over her shoulder. With a flicker of her eyes, she motioned towards Akaris paper. Then Mizuko was turning back around, setting her pencil down to show she was finished.
Akari glanced down at her desk, noticing something that wasn't there before. A small puddle of water, think and barely noticeable. A knowing smile spread across her face at the sight of it. Where her reflection should have been there was Riko grinning up at her. Her brother gave her a cheeky wink then his image was gone. Replaced by his finished and neatly fill out worksheet. Whoever he had copied from must not have noticed that their desk was mysteriously wet. Silently, Akari began to fill in the answers. Once she was done the puddle dried up and was gone. Just as she set her pencil down, Ibiki called everyone to attention. Glancing at the clock again, she saw that there were 15 minutes left.
"Alright! Here is the tenth question!" The proctor exclaimed.
Everyone stared up at him, the whole room tense. All of them wondering why he had waited to reveal it. Akari's nerves on edge again, not liking the suspense.
"I'm going to add some rules to the last question."
Just as he said this, Akari heard the door opening behind her. Vaguely remembering that someone had asked to go to the bathroom earlier. She looked over her shoulder to find it was the guy from before. The one dressed in black with the markings on his face.
"Aren't you lucky." Ibiki smirked at his arrival.
The proctor he had with him, an odd man white pupiless eyes, closed the door behind them. Other turned to look at them curiously, all eyes on them now.
"Looks like playing with dolls wasn't a waste, after all?" The proctor commented.
Akari furrowed her brow in confusion at his words. Not sure what he meant by them. But the guy in black must have known for his expression changed instantly. Showing a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
"Anyway, sit down." Ibiki told him.
There was a brief pause as the boy walked down the middle aisle. Everyone waiting for him to take a seat. Ibiki was quick to keep talking once he had.
"Let me explain. These are the hopeless rules!"
Akari didn't like the sound of that. She doubted anyone in the room did. She was suddenly wondering just who Ibiki was. He did not look nor act like a regular ninja, making her wonder if there was more to this man. If there was a special reason he was chosen to give this test.
"First, you guys will have to choose whether or not you will take this tenth question."
That definitely got everyone's attention. Akari looked over at the twins with unease, her siblings looking just as worried. Why wouldn't they take the final question? What happens if they don't?
"What happens if you choose not to take it?"
It was a girl from the hidden sand who asked the question out loud. Akari glanced back at her, taking in her blonde hair styled in four bushy tails on her head. She was very pretty, her eyes a dark turquoise.
"If you choose not to take the exam, your score will be zero. In other words you fail." Ibiki gave them a sinister smile.
Everyone immediately grew more confused. Many of them speaking out, saying they'd obviously choose to take it.
"One more rule. If you choose to take it and fail to get the right answer then you will have to relinquish your right to take the Chunin Exam forever!" Ibiki exclaimed.
Akari gaped at the man, then down at her sheet of paper. At the nine questions already neatly filled out. Realizing how pointless it was to worry about them. Her whole grade relied solely on this tenth question.
"What kind of ridiculous rule is that! Besides, plenty of people here have take the exam more than once!"
Kiba had stood from his chair, pointing a finger at Ibiki with frustration. Ibiki merely chuckled, low and sinister. Again, Akari wondered of the man's identity. There was something dark about him, she just wasn't sure what it was.
"You're just unlucky. I make the rule this year. But I did give you the option to go back." The proctor said.
Kiba made a sound of disbelief, eyes wide as he stared at Ibiki. No one else moved. Everyone unable to do anything but listen to their assigned proctor.
"For those not confident, you can choose not to take it. You can then take the test again next year, or the year after that."
Akari realized then how bad their odds were. Either they don't take it and are forced to wait another year. Or, they take it and fail. Never to take the exam again and staying a genin all their life.
"Then, let's begin. Those who will not be taking the tenth question, raise your hand."
There was a brief moment of silence as everyone thought this over. Akari herself could only stare at her sheet, suddenly feeling very dubious. She wasn't sure what the question would be, or whether or not she could even answer it.
"I'm quitting. I'm not going to take it."
It was man who had been sitting next to Naruto. He stood there, looking very regretful of his choice. Still, he did not sit back down. Even as a sentinel called the numbers of this team, officially failing them. Many followed his lead after that, hands rising in the air as they chose to walk away. Akari watched them all go, wondering if they were right to leave.
She found that she didn't know what to do. There were to many what ifs. She clenched her hands in front of her. How was she to make such a hard decision with not enough information. Akari knew that she didn't want to be stuck a genin all her life. But could she wait another year to try again, forcing her siblings to wait alongside her? Akari towards the twins. They were already watching her. Waiting for her to make the choice. There expressions showed that they were willing. The question was, was she?
A loud smack reverberated throughout the room. Akari blinked, looking over at Naruto in surprise.
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME! I won't run! I'll take it! Even if I get stuck being a Genin forever, I'll become Hokage no matter what it takes! I'm not scared!"
The remaining candidates could only stare at him, gaping as his sudden outburst. Sasuke had his eyes closed beside Akari, looking somewhat relieved though a bit exasperated with his teammate. Sakura had a small smile on her face, almost fond. Akari could only stare at Naruto. His daring words reminding her of the type of person he was. Not having changed even after all these years.
"I'll ask again. This choice could alter your life. If you want to quit, now is your chance." Ibiki tried again.
"I'm not going to take back my word. That is my Ninja way." Naruto smirked.
Akari suddenly felt a grin of her own growing on her face. Her siblings caught her expression, turning back around. Knowing her decision had been made. Ibiki continued to stare everyone down, looking for the next quitter. Though Akari could already tell there wouldn't be one. Naruto's word having erased the fear out of everyone. The remaining candidates looking more confident than before.
"I like your determination! Then, for those of you still here, you've all passed the first exam"
No one moved. Everyone staring at the man in complete and utter disbelief. Akari kept opening and closing her mouth. Wanting to say something but not able to form the words. There was no way she heard him correctly, right?
"You're saying we passed? What about the tenth question?!" Sakura exclaimed.
"There was no such thing to begin with. I guess you can say that the choice you just made counts as the final question." Ibiki grinned.
The smile on his face was so big, it looked slightly odd on the man. It through Akari off a little, seeing it on his usual stoic face.
"Hey! Then what was the point of the nine questions?!" The Hidden Sand girl spoke next.
"The objective of those questions were already accomplished. To test your individual ability to gather information.
Sasuke let out a small hum beside her, Akari glancing over at the sound. He didn't look the least bit surprised at this. Like she had thought, he had figured it out as well.
"Ability to gather information?" The girl repeated.
"First, by grading the exam on a group basis I added the pressure of dragging down your teammates." Ibiki answered.
Akari caught Naruto with his arms crossed, nodding his head along as if he understood. Sakura gave him a glare, knowing he was just putting on an act. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. Though, at Sasuke's odd look, she coughed and tried to play it off. Failing, much like Naruto was doing.
"However, the questions on these tests weren't things you Genin could've solved. Bringing a lot of you to the same conclusion. In order to score points, I'll have to cheat. This exam was created in a way that left you no other option than to cheat."
Akari found herself nodding, glad to have figured it out. Still, she hadn't really done anything. It was Riko who had given them the means to get the info they needed.
"I had two Chunin sit among you who knew all the answers. So you'd have someone to cheat from."
"It was so obvious! There's something wrong with you if you didn't notice. Right, Hinata?" Naruto exclaimed.
Akari laughed again, shaking her head at the boy as he turned to Hinata. The Hyuga just looking at him with a shy smile. Beside her, Sasuke was looking just about done with him. His expression one of disbelief.
"He...didn't realize it." Sasuke muttered.
"Guess not. Yet, he still passed." Akari chuckled.
"I sometimes wonder if he gets by on pure dumb luck." The Uchiha sighed.
"Some would classify luck as a form of natural talent." She gave him a smile.
Sasuke turned to her, resting his cheek on his hand. Eyeing for a second. Then he was shaking his head, a small smile on his lips.
"Are you one of those people?" He wondered.
Akari shrugged.
"Whatever works, right?" She said.
"I guess." Sasuke chuckled lightly.
Then he was looking back at Ibiki who was still talking at the head of the room. Akari doing the same, though a faint smile played on her lips. Maybe she could rekindle her friendship with the Uchiha, she thought to herself. Maybe it wasn't too late.
"However, those who foolishly got caught were disqualified. That's because..."
Ibiki untied his bandanna, pulling it off his head. The smile fell off her lips, eyes widening at what she was seeing. Many around her having the same reaction.
"Information, depending on the time and situation, it will be more valuable than life. And in a mission or on a battlefield, you will always have to risk your life to fight for it!"
The man's scalp was hideously scarred. The whole surface of it covered in roughly healed wounds, disfiguring Ibiki's head completely. Akari couldn't look away, in complete shock. How could one withstand injuries like that and still come out sane.
"Horrible burn marks, nail punctures, and scratches. Those are signs of physical torture." Sasuke muttered beside her.
Akari could only nod, already having come to that conclusion. This man has been through hell and yet here was standing before them. She watched as he put his bandanna back on, the images of his scalp still playing in her mind.
"When information is gathered, and the enemy finds out about it, that information is no longer guaranteed to be correct. Just remember this. To be given the wrong information can bring a catastrophic blow to your friends and town. That is why, out of necessity, we have you guys cheat. As a away to test your ability to collect info. We filtered out those who were clearly lacking in those skills."
Akari couldn't imagine what Ibiki has witnessed in all his years. What he's been through, the days spent in agony due to those wounds. She knew being a ninja came with risks, had been through a few rough missions herself, but this is the first time she's seen proof of it on someones body. A scar here and there, sure. But no like this.
To think someone tortured him just for information made her uneasy. This was proof of the lengths someone would go to for their village. Willingly hurting someone in such an awful way for mere scraps of intelligence. She didn't think she could ever do that, the idea of watching someone scream as she inflicted wounds on them making her queasy.
"But the last question makes no sense." The hidden sand girl muttered.
Akari had to pull her thoughts away from the man's scars. Forcing herself to focus on the conversation again.
"However, the tenth question was the main issue of this exam." Ibiki told them.
"What do you mean by that?" Sakura asked
"I'll explain. The question was whether to take it or not. Needless to say, it was a painful decision to make. It really was an unfair questions with bad odds on both sides."
Ibiki paced along the front of the room. Everyone listening with rapt attention. They should be cheering, celebrating that they had passed. Instead, they couldn't help but be skeptical of all this.
"Then, how about these two options?" Ibiki asked them.
"Let's say you did become Chunin, the mission is to steal a secret document. You have little to no information. On top of that, there may be an enemy trap. Now, this mission, will you take it or not take it?"
Akari stared at him, paying careful attention to the man's words. Playing the scenario in her mind.
"Because you want your life spared, because your partners will be put in danger, can you get away from dangerous missions? The answer is, no." Ibiki continued.
She understood this, seeing now the reason behind the final question. There was no walking away from a mission. Once you're a ninja, you always follow through whether the outcome may not be what one hoped. There were always going to be risks, whether they like it or not.
"There are going to be missions you can not avoid. No matter how risky or dangerous it may be. Showing your courage to your teammates in a tight spot and the ability to get through the hardships. That is the quality needed in a Chunin troop leader."
Akari glanced around the room, taking in all the people who had passed. She was relieved to find that all her friends were among them.
"In a pinch, there are those who can not risk their own fate, and those who waver and give up their chances. Because they think they will have another chance. I believe that such fools who don't have strong determination have no right to become Chunin."
Akari thought of those who had walked out, remembering how she thought to follow them. She felt a rush of shame, regretting in having doubted herself. The only reason she had stayed in her seat being Naruto's words. Akari glanced over at the blonde, unable to feel anything but gratitude. Knowing she had been seconds away from making the biggest mistake of her life.
"For those of you who chose to take on the question, you can say that you successfully answered it. You shall be able to take on the adversity that may lie in your way. You've passed through the gates! The first exam for the Chunin Exam has been completed. I wish you well."
Ibiki finished, giving them all a proud smile.
"ALRIGHT! Wish us well! I did it! I did it! Yeah!"
Akari grinned at Naruto's enthusiasm, watching as he stood from his seat. Waving his fist in the air out of excitement. Until the window was suddenly shattered, something breaking into the room. Her eyes widened and her hand instantly fell to her holster. Only relaxing when she saw that the Chunins in the room hadn't budged. Though feeling confused, she relaxed in her seat.
For now there was a giant banner at the front to the room. Ibiki nowhere in sight, having been covered by the thing. In his place, now stood a woman. She wore a mesh bodysuit and dark orange mini-skirt Along with a tan overcoat. Her hair pulled back in fanned ponytail and eyes a light brown.
"You guys! This isn't the time to be celebrating! I'm the proctor for the second exam! Anko Mitarashi!" She exclaimed.
Akari and Sasuke shared a look. This woman was a bit...odd.
"Let's move on to the next stage! Next! Follow me!" She shouted, fist in the air.
No one moved. Everyone eyeing the woman as she just stood there waiting for their reaction. Then Ibiki was peeking out from behind the banner. His face stoic again, smile gone.
"Read the atmosphere." He told her.
The woman blushed, putting her arm down. Then Ibiki was stepping out to stand beside her. Their new proctor was scanning the room now, looking a bit surprised.
"78?" She muttered.
Then she was turning to Ibiki with a stern look.
"Ibiki! You let 26 teams slide by? I guess the first exam this time around was too easy." She accused.
"It seems like this time, there are a lot of excellent candidates." Ibiki defended them.
"Huh! Well, alright. I'll drop more than half of them in the second exam." Anko stated confidently.
Akari eyed her more carefully now, noting the crazed look in her eye. Did they just meet a proctor more terrifying than Ibiki?
"I'm getting excited. I'll give you the details tomorrow. We'll be changing locations. So get the information from your Jonin. That's it. You're dismissed." She ordered.
Everyone stood then, beginning to file out of the room. Akari stepped out into the aisle, stopping to wait for her siblings. Sasuke came out after her, stopping as well. They stood there together as their teammates came to meet them.
"Should I plan on seeing you at the Final?" Sasuke asked.
His voice so low, she barely heard him. They weren't looking at each other, just standing shoulder to shoulder. Eyes on their respective teammates who were making their way through the crowd. Akari almost didn't hear him over the buzzing of conversation around them.
"Don't ever doubt it." She replied, just as quietly.
Akari almost missed the small smile on his lips at her words. But she saw it, feeling a bit accomplished at having put it there. Then the rest of Team 7 reached them. Both Sakura and Naruto looking very excited.
"Sasuke! We did it!" Sakura rushed to him.
Akari stepped to the side, the girl coming between them to grab Sasuke by the arm. She ignored the odd twinge of annoyance she felt at the sight. Not quite sure where it came from. Instead, she flashed Naruto a smile. The blonde looking very proud.
"I knew I'd pass. Wasn't worried, even for a second!" He told her.
"Oh? So that wasn't you trembling earlier?" She teased.
Naruto laughed nervously, glancing around the room to see if anyone heard. Then he was playfully glaring at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. He rose to hand to her ear, leaning in to whisper.
"You saw nothing. Tell know one!" Naruto insisted.
Akari laughed, nodding when he mimicked zipping his lips. He grinned back, letting her go. Then he was giving her two thumbs up, congratulating her on her own passing grade. She bowed playfully in thanks, acting very smug.
"We're leaving, loser."
The two looked over to a scowling Sasuke, Sakura still at his side. Most of the room had cleared out, only a few other teams left behind. The twins had reached them already as well, leaning against the desks as they waited.
"Coming. See ya, Akari!" Naruto waved.
She waved back, still grinning as he rushed over to his team. She watched them go, the three chatting among themselves as they walked away. Well, mostly Sakura and Naruto. Sasuke wasn't talking like usual. Though he did glance back at Akari briefly, giving her a quick nod before they disappeared through the door.
"He's really something, that Naruto." Mizuko commented.
Akari followed her sister as she starting making her way out. Riko coming up alongside her, yawning and looking to be struggling to stay awake. They left the room then, taking their time as they strolled through the hall.
"He certainly stood out today." Her brother said.
They were leaving the building now, finding that a few teams still lingered outside. One of the them was the group from the Hidden sand. The redhead with the gourd eyed Akari briefly but must not have found her interesting for he immediately looked away. The other was Hinata's squad, the Hyuga noticing her and giving her a timid wave. Akari returned the gesture, smiling as Hinata followed after her team.
"Yeah, he tends to do that. So, home?" She asked them.
"Home. I'm starving!" Riko agreed.
So, Akari said goodbye to the first Chunin Exam. Following after her siblings as they made their way through the streets of Konoha. Eager to get home, and take a much needed stress relieving nap. She'd worry about what came next in the morning.