Hello all!

I am so sorry for wait.

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I watched the sun rise this morning. I was too nervous to sleep very much. This was it, the last day till the exams. My heart instantly clouded, worried. "So why again aren't you coming back to the village?" I pinched the bridge of my nose. It didn't make much sense to me why they would stay another day and leave in the morning, wasn't that cutting it to close and I knew that Kakashi-sensei liked to cut it more than close. "There is still some stuff I need to work on with Sasuke." I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. "Well alright then. I would like to go back. Make sure I have everything together for tomorrow. If that's okay." He nodded too quickly for my liking and I wondered if they were hiding something from me.

I got my stuff together and packed my nap sack. If I left now I would get back to the village right about noon. I need some new clothes badly. Everything I had bought before I came here was practically ruined. Either cut up from rocks, torched or caked with dirty so bad it was losing shape. "Be safe travelling, okay?" I couldn't help but smile when Kakashi tussled my hair. Whenever it was down he always took the opportunity. I glanced over at Sasuke who had stopped his training to get some water.

"Try not to be late okay?" Looking over at me he said nothing but let a small grunt pass through his lips. Running my fingers through my hair I took one last look around. I took another glance off my favorite rock at the open valley below. I was going to miss this place and if I could I'd have to come back here even if just to sit here and watch the stars.

"Are you going to leave now then?" I tightened the straps to my back pack and nodded, "Probably best." Taking his eye off the view and looked at me, "Relax out there tomorrow. You are strong, a prodigy in your own right. You need to trust your skill and your gut on the battle field." I turned my body toward him, a prodigy? I wouldn't take it that far. "I'll try." Truth was I was having a tough time even thinking about tomorrow. When I did my heart raced and my palms became sweaty. My stomach lurched and knees got week.

"I just worked so hard to get this far and now I'm not sure I'm ready." I admitted to him. Shoving his hands in his pocket he laughed. His eye closing for a moment before opening again. "You are more than ready. I can promise you that." He sounded prideful. "Well if you think so." I stretched my arms to limber up for the run back home. I missed the village more then I realized I would. I missed Sakura and Naruto. I missed my visits with the Hokage and I even missed training with Gai. Something I thought I would never miss.

"Well off with you then." I cracked a smile and nodded. Turning, I eyed Sasuke sitting on rock, canteen still between his hands. He glanced up at me; we had grown up so much since I had met them in the forest all those months ago. He taught me to be strong and fearless and though I would tell him he helped me in ways I could never repay him for. "See you tomorrow." Truth was no matter how many times he was rude to me, or straight up ignored me I held on to those little moments of kindness and understanding. I realized how much his past really shaped who he was and I was scared of the person he was becoming.

"What's wrong?" Im knew he was sincere even though he seemed annoyed he even had to ask. I shook my head and forced a smile. There was so much he had to focus on, that we had to focus on that I knew it was best to keep my thoughts to myself. "Nothing. Take care of yourself." I gave him a two finger salute before jumping off the edge. Still the quickest and best way to get to the bottom.

Once I was out of the rocky terrain the temper dropped a bit. A cool breeze tossed my hair and I could smell the grass again. I stopped for only a moment to enjoy it before I kept going. Full sleep I darted through the trees. I didn't slow down or even stop for water; I kept going, running until the Village gates were in front of me. I let out a sigh of relief. It had taken me two hours but I was glad to be here. "Welcome back Suiren." I nodded at the guard by the gate as I walked through. Everything seemed to be just the way I left it. For some reason part of me was worried about being gone for so long.

I was quick getting home. I let my bag drop to the floor and slipped my shoes off. I went to my room, the same as when I left it. I changed out of my dirty clothes to the only decent pair of capris I had left. I pulled the violent tank top Sakura game me and promised myself there would be no sparing in it. I wouldn't ruin it like everything else.

I flinched when I went to the bathroom. I hadn't seen myself in a mirror in two weeks and I looked different at least different enough that at first glance I actually noticed. I had lost pretty much any baby fat I still had, my face looked slightly thinner. It also looked harder, I had lost any soft naïve featured I held back when I was a hermit in the forest. I looked away from myself and washed my face. I left the house and knew the first place that I wanted to stop was to see Sakura.

When I got there I knocked on the door twice, I was pretty sure it was just going to be her mom again and I was going to have to track the girl down or something. It wasn't hard to find her but just took time. "Suiren?" and yet again I was wrong. Before I could say anything she threw herself to me and I almost lost my footing. I couldn't help but laugh, I missed her. "Hey there." I all I was able to push past my lips. She held on so tight I almost couldn't breathe. Finally she let me go but only to hold me arm's length away and get a good look at me.

I think she got into the habit of checking because me and the hospital were thick as thieves. "I didn't think you would be back before the final exam tomorrow." She leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms over her chest. I laced my fingers together behind my back and rocked back and forth on my toes for a moment, a smile growing on my face, "Well ya see all my clothes got destroyed during training and I -."

"Let me get my shoes!" I chuckled softly when she ran back inside. She was out in a flash grabbing my hand and dragging me off to the market. We stopped and I grabbed a quick sweet snack and It wasn't long till we found the shop I had gotten my clothing at last time. It had become our usual spot. I looked around and grabbed more wrappings and two pairs of shoes. Sakura hastily flipped through the rack before glancing at me and back to the rack again. "You got smaller."

I look down at myself and then back up at her. "Really?" She nodded her head. "You look great." I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Smiling she handed me an assortment of things to try on before shoving me into the dressing room. I sorted through everything based on tops and bottoms. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the few dressed she was able to sneak in. "No." I said firmly tossing a bright lavender qipao similar to the one she wore. I still had the other one I never wore.

She groaned a bit, "Can you just try the damn thing on? I promise it's comfy." I rolled my eyes to myself as I swapped top after top making large pile of no's and some maybes. Lifting up a top I thought was black and I cocked a brow. This had to be a mistake. It was a black fish netted tank top. If I had been a guy I could have totally only wore this, I would probably never sweat again. I shook my head and went to place the tank top in the no's but then something else caught my eyes.

I grabbed a dark violet halter sports bra that I throw on before pulling the fishnet material over my head. I nibbled my lip, I had gotten smaller. "You alright in there?" I jumped a bit forgetting that Sakura was waiting for me. I chuckled, "Yea almost done." I grabbed some more black shorts and some longer biker shorts as well as a sleeveless open vest that came down about mid-thigh. Some more of those sports bras, a two, more tops and of course I stocked up on some more weapons before we left the store.

"What a haul!" She said with a smile. She had gotten a few things for herself as well. Stuff we quickly packed into a scroll and put into our pouches for easy travel. I smiled bright, probably brighter than I had in a while. It was nice just to do whatever we wanted and not have to worry about ninja stuff. Not that I didn't love ninja stuff. I glanced over at her; she seemed to have something on her mind. "What's the matter?" She looked at me hesitating before letting her lips part. It was a moment before anything past through them, "How is – Sasuke?"

I couldn't help but click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. "He is fine. Just as broody as ever." I smirked softly and she tried to force a laugh. "Really he is fine. Training really hard, Kakashi is a slave driver." She seemed to cheer up just a bit. "That's good, you know he didn't even say goodbye." Air caught in my throat. "Don't mind that baka. He is so concerned with this final exam he doesn't have any room for anything else in that pea brain of his." This got a chuckle out of her.

"Oh man my mother is going to kill me." Her face dropped when she took a glance at the sun. She grinned and gave me a tight hug, "I promised her we would make dinner together tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. You're going to do great I promise." She squeezed my shoulder before she ran off and I couldn't help but sigh. I was worried for that girl.

I lingered around the market before I started making my home but not before I passed the ramen shop like I usually did. I missed that place so mu—hold the phone. I had to do a double take, no a triple take when I notice a familiar blonde head of hair and orange jump suit. My heart thumped loud and proud. In three quick strides I wrapped my arms from behind him and pulled him into my chest, "Hey what the heck!?" He struggled for a moment but when he caught a glimpse of my dark locks he jumped up. "Suiren!" His arms snaked their way undermine and he lifted me off the ground effortlessly.

When my feet touched the floor I stumbled back a bit, my face probably glowing with happiness. I hadn't seen this kid in a month. "Don't you ever leave me for that long ever again you hear me?" I closed the space between us, he was getting taller. My hands wrapped around his waist and I gave him another squeeze. His face lit up like a Christmas tree.

We finally sat down and started catching up on little things. Training and his travels. I mostly let him talk about his adventures with the pervy sage. It wasn't long till the women, who knew us as regulars brought the special for Naruto and a bowl of miso for me, my favorite. Naruto, confused looked up at the old man and women, "The finals of the Chunin exams are tomorrow right? A ninja needs their strength, on the house. Both of you." Naruto looked at me and then back at them, grin almost touching his ears. "Wow thanks so much!" He started to dig in instantly.

I looked down at the food and up at them again, "Thank you." I said bowing my head; it was such a kind gesture, for feeding me but mostly for the doing this for Naruto. I knew it meant a lot to him when people were kind and that made my heart smile.

The evening was full of laughs and good food. I bought Naruto another bowl of the special and my usual. Everything was falling back into place and I couldn't be happier. For a moment the nagging feeling in the pit of stomach was gone.

"Are you kidding me? What a jerk." The next time I saw this pervy sage I was going to punch him. Naruto rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "He wasn't all that bad." I shook my head. Naruto worked so hard for the money he had saved and for that guy to take it and spend it on women and getting intoxicated was just wrong. "I still don't think it's right is all." I rolled my eyes softly.

He nudged me and I nudged him back. "So are you ready for tomorrow?" we got closer to my house and I sighed. For a moment I had totally forgot about it. "Yea, I mean as ready as Im ever going to be." He grinned, "Are you kidding me? You're going to do great. I think you can win the whole thing." My cheeks felt warm. "You just say that cause Im your favorite team mate." He shook his head, "No really, Sasuke was the number one rookie coming out of the academy but I think had you been there you would've been better then him." I rolled my eyes again trying to hide my embarrassment. "You think to highly of me Naruto, im stilling learning just like everyone else."

He shrugged his shoulders, "Im just saying is all." I tried to get off the subject as quick as possible, "How about you, are you ready?" His lips pressed into a thin line. I hated when the boy got seriously this. It was just unnatural for him. He nodded his head softly, "Im ready. I have to win tomorrow no matter what." He sound determined and older then when I left him only a month ago. "I know you will. "

We got to my house faster than I thought we would. I looked up letting myself enjoy the last bits of the sun before it started to set. "Hey Suiren?" I looked back down at him; he was rubbing the back of his neck again. He always did when he was nervous about something. "What's the matter Naruto?" He looked up at the sky before looking back down at me. "When we meet during the exams promise you won't take it easy on me?" My lips curved up into a smile, "Obviously, Im going to use my all if I have any hopes of beating you."

"Oh gosh." He mumbled. "You need to get a goodnight sleep oaky?" He nodded his head but I think we both secretly knew it was going to be way too hard to sleep. Nervous, excitement and everything in between. "I'll see you tomorrow kid."

"Good night Suiren." He reached over and gave me a big hug before he left. I slipped thru my front door and headed up to my room. I wasn't tired yet so I unpacked the scroll that held everything I had bought today. I started the tedious task of putting everything where it belonged. I didn't mind, it almost calmed me down, as the hours ticked away I was getting closer to tomorrow and that meant I was getting closer to fight that sand ninja. Closer to having to watch Naruto fight Neji and Sasuke fight Gaara.

I blew a strand of hair from my face. I crouched down when I heard a rustle outside my open balcony door. "Relax kid, im not trying to get the jump on you." I looked at the ninken complete clueless to why he was here. I had only met one of Kakashi-sensei's hounds before, Pakkun I think. "What are you doing here?" Kakashi told me little about summonings and I had read somethings here and there. "Kakashi sent me to keep you company." I couldn't help but smile.

"To make sure you got back in one piece. I told him it was stupid, you're a big girl but you know he is." Pakkun jumped on my bed and sat down, his head falling to the side. I had never really heard anyone talk about Kakashi this way but he was right, sometimes the man was very smothering but in a caring way. What I thought my father would have been like. "I'm thankful for the company."

"Hmph. You would think I was a lap dog instead of a ninja." I chuckled softly trying to hide it behind my hand. "What are you laughing at pup?" I plopped down next to the dog. I let me hand find its way to the top of Pakkun's head. "Hey what are you –." He was quickly silenced when I started too scratched right behind his ear, I was pretty sure his leg started to twitch.

It will be slow till my tennis season is over in the middle of October.

Ill make it up to you promise!