Chapter – 23

It had been a week since Team 7 came back from the Land of the Waves mission. As usual, Sakura trained and did small missions with her team. Sakura woke up and saw that today was the day, they will be told about the Chuunin Exams. She felt excited but as well as scared. I know it will be good practice but Orochimaru might come again. I'll have to do something about that. Well, no use thinking about it now. Better get ready. She showered and wore her shinobi gear. Red shirt which had a full sleeve on left arm and no sleeve at right arm, black shorts and attached her kunai holder on her thigh. Then she sped up towards the red bridge where they were summoned by Kakashi.

When Sakura reached there, she saw Sasuke already waiting.

"Hey Sasuke. When did you come?"

"About 10 minutes ago." He said shrugging.

Sakura nodded and stood beside him. Her thoughts again went to Orochimaru. What would I do if he tries to give Sasuke the curse mark again? I mean, he was pretty obsessed with the power of the Sharingan. And since he couldn't win against Itachi-san, his only option left is Sasuke.

She was drowned in her thoughts and she didn't notice Sasuke looking at her worriedly. What is she thinking? What is making her so…troubled? Then Sasuke vigorously shook his head. No. don't think about her. Why should I care why she is upset. With that though finalized, he went back to his stoic expression but he kept glancing at her once in a while. Damn it! Why is ignoring her so hard?! And then finally, a large orange glob came running and hugged Sakura which snapped her out of her thoughts. Sasuke was pissed again. Why are they so close anyway?

"Good morning, Sakura-chan!"

"Good morning, Naruto. Sensei isn't here yet."

"That damn pervert! Always reading that stupid book! I swear one day I'll-"

Suddenly Kakashi appeared with a poof of smoke.

"One day what, Naruto?" He asked with a smile.

"No-nothing."

Kakashi just shook his head and came forward to stand in front of them.

"So Kakashi-sensei, what's our mission for today? Please have a good one!" pleaded Naruto

Kakashi sweatdropped. He sure is energetic.

"Actually, there is no mission. I came to give you some important news."

"well, what is it?" asked Sasuke impatiently.

"Okay, listen up. Next week, the Chuunin exams are going to be held here in Konoha. Genin from all the countries will come to compete and get the title of chuunin if they prove themselves worthy enough. I was thinking that maybe you guys should try it out. What do you say?"

Naruto looked at him with stars shimmering in his eyes and kept shaking his hand chanting 'thank you sense'. Sasuke looked excited and Sakura…well she wasn't so thrilled but she had to do it. I can't hold them back like last time.

"So you wanna appear in the exams this time?"

"Yes." They all said. Kakashi was happy and he gave them their forms.

"Fill these out, and then give them back to me. Well that's all. See you later!"

And with that he went off in a poof.

"This is so cool! I get to fight with amazing ninjas! I can't wait!" said Naruto jumping up and down while looking at his form. Sasuke was also smirking in excitement. It's a great chance to boost skills. He took a side glance and saw that Sakura was staring off in a distance and not paying attention. What is going on with her?

"Hey! Lets go to Ichiraku and celebrate! What do you say teme, Sakura-chan?"

After hearing her name, Sakura looked at Naruto.

"Ah… sorry Naruto. I have some work to do. You guys can go. Bye."

And after that, she left in a hurry.

"Is Sakura-chan okay? She never declines."

That's what I'm also thinking. Something is bothering her. NO. I don't care. Whatever.

"Who knows? Anyway, I'm going to go and train." And with that he took off.

"Aw man! Well doesn't matter. I'll go alone!"

Sakura was quietly walking in the street while keeping her head down. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Sasuke looking at her from the roof top. Should I talk to her? Well there is no point, she'll just say she's fine and I'll look like an idiot. But he kept following her. She reached her house and went in. Well, now that that's done, I should go train for Chuunin exams.

It had been 2 days and Sasuke was now actually worried. Sakura hadn't left her room since the day they learned about Chuunin Exams. He saw her through her window and she would always be sitting on the floor with her eyes closed. It was really frustrating, seeing her look so dull. She was always happy and gentle. Finally, Sasuke decided that he would talk to her the next day. But to his surprise she suddenly got up, opened her window and went off somewhere. He followed her. She stopped at the library and went in. Well atleast she's out of her room. I should go. And with that, he took one last glance at her and went off.

Meanwhile Sakura had been trying to increase her chakra reserves so she would be able to fight without using her seal. It would bring a lot of trouble if somebody saw her markings. After meditating continuously for 2 days, she went to the library and started reading up on chakra reserves and then finally, with great dread, she took out a book about curse marks. She kept looking and looking but she found nothing to get rid of it. She groaned in frustration and left. The whole week went by and Sakura never came to meet anybody. She stayed in her room and meditated or read. Finally it was the day of the exam.

Sasuke and Naruto were already at the Academy. Sakura took slow steps and finally reached there. She saw Naruto and Sasuke and decided to act normally.

"hey guys. Am I late?"

"Not at all Sakura-chan! I missed you so much! Where were you the whole week?"

At this question, Sasuke's ears also perked up.

"Ah… nothing I was busy with some stuff at home." She said and then faked a smile.

Sasuke saw that she was faking it. He was angry but most of all he was worried. Suddenly they were all pulled out of their thoughts when they were given the message to come in. they had to go to the 3rd floor. But Naruto and Sasuke saw a big commotion on the 2nd floor. They saw that two guys were not letting them inside. They all forgot that this was the second floor. Except for Sakura.

"Damn it! Let us in! We will be late!" screamed one guy.

Sakura saw the commotion and finally decided to speak up.

"Why are you guys wasting your time? They put up a Genjutsu. This is the second floor not the third."

When she said that. Everybody noticed it and started going to the third floor. Suddenly, a green glob ran towards Sakura and held her hand tightly.

"Oh my youthful flower! You are the most beautiful person I have met? Will you be my girlfriend?"

Sakura had a weird smile on her face. So its just like last time.

Meanwhile Naruto was fuming at the guy and Sasuke was just pissed of. He swiftly went and took Sakura's hand away from him. Sakura blushed a little but didn't say anything.

"Who the hell are you? Don't talk to my teammate like that."

"Apologies. My name is Rock Lee! You are Uchiha Sasuke, right?"

"Yeah. Now get lost."

He pulled Sakura with him and Naruto just kept running after them. Sakura noticed that Sasuke was holding her hand quite tightly. She blushed again but cleared her mind.

"Um…Sasuke? You can let go now."

That's when Sasuke noticed that he was still holding her hand. He quickly let go of her hand like he got a shock and turned around so she couldn't see the blush on his face.

"Lets go. We'll be late."

So they started walking. They came acros a giant hall which was in the way to the exam room. Nobody was there. As they were nearing to the pillar which opened the room, Lee came down swiftly.

"Uchiha Sasuke, I would like to have a duel"

Sasuke raise a brow at him.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I like to fight strong opponents and you are worthy of that title."

Then suddenly Lee turned towards Sakura, and started blushing.

"Oh my youthful flower! If I win will you go on a date with me?"

Again, Sakura sweat dropped

Sasuke had his jaw wide open when he heard Lee's demand. What the hell is wrong with this guy? Sakura? On a date? With him!? No. That cant be possible. Sasuke was pissed beyond control.

And then suddenly Lee started throwing flying kisses at Sakura. Sakura shrieked and hid behind the pillar.

Sasuke just wanted to punch the living daylights out of this guy. How dare he!

"You better be ready for a beatdown." Said Sasuke smirking.

"You don't need to fight , Bushy brow. I am stronger than him!"

" No. I want to fight Sasuke."

Naruto looked dejected and sat on the floor pouting. Sakura slowly came out of the pillar and stood beside Sasuke.

"Come on." Said Sasuke.

And so the fight began. Sasuke saw how fast this guy was so he decided to activate hos sharingan and he could see him moving around. He kept countering Lee's attacks and gave him a few punches as well. Then Lee suddenly came below him and kicked Sasuke upwards by kicking his chin. Sasuke flew up but Lee came up above him. He was about to deliver the blow when someone summoned themselves in the room.

"Lee! You cannot use that technique unless you have to protect someone important to you!"

"Gai-sensei!"

Lee suddenly came down and went to Gai

Meanwhile, Sasuke was still in mid air. Sakura saw him falling and ran to become his cushion. He fell on her. Sasuke slowly got up and realized that he was towering over Sakura and suddenly he scrambled on his feet and sat beside her.

"Are you okay, Sasuke? He sure is strong. "

Sasuke saw looking at Lee with a gentle smile and that just made him more angry. How the hell could I lose to that wimp!

"Lets go, you guys. Its almost time." Said Sakura.