Monday, September 16, 2013.
Sorry I didn't update yesterday! I used that time to finish InuYasha: Final Act, which I finally did. Took me long enough to finish the series... what, a year and a half? More? I just need to watch the Specials/OVAs and movies and I'm totally done!
But now I'm behind on Under the Dome... 3 weeks, people.
And at least now I can focus on trying to finish FMA, its movie, and every OVA for both FMA and FMAB... God, will I ever get to it? I bet I'll just start watching Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun or Attack on Titan before I finish... sheesh.
Anyway, here's the chapter!
Fun Fact/News: Besides the above, I'm gonna start Tae Kwon Do. Twice a week, during the weekdays. And I'm doing this College Mentorship/Leadership club thing that'll be every Saturday at school... less time to write, but I'll try to update regularly.
Dedication: You all, because I love you.
Disclaimer: If I have to disclaim it, it's not mine. Obviously. That's how it works.
AotW: I don't really have one. One I'm decent at is badminton and I like it well enough. I kinda like volleyball, after trying out for it. Maybe swimming, but I hate doing it when people are around (which is ridiculous). So all I do is float around in a pool or (rarely) dive. And the actual practice lanes are almost always being used, or when they're not and I finally have the guts to use them, someone got to it before I did. So I haven't practiced legitimate, actual swimming in a long time.
Rec.(s): This has gotta be quick since I already have like, 6k words including the A/N. So, anything by James Patterson, my favorite author. But he mostly writes adult novels, like mysteries and stuff. But he has a teen novel series, and some other teen books.
Guest Reviews:
Chloe: Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
So. In this chappy, more characters are introduced, a few couples teased, and a really long, almost 5k, chapter. (almost 5k=chapter. ~6k=chap + A/N.)
PLEASE CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR DO-OVER.
Criteria: presents between couples. Please do more couples than just SasuSaku.
Chapter 20: Of Meetings and New Encounters
First day of Exams; day the Written Exam
Sakura POV
"This isn't the third floor." Sasuke said. He turned to me, smirking. "Isn't that right, Sakura?"
I smiled. "Exactly. This is a genjutsu. This is the second floor."(1)
The other genin expressed shock all around me. "What?!"
Almost immediately after, a chorus of "kai!"'s flooded the corridor we were in, and the genjutsu expelled.
"I need to brush up on my genjutsu…" I heard Naruto mutter.
"Yes, you do indeed." Sai said.
"Shut up!"
No, Sai is not taking the Chunin Exams. He's already around ANBU level. Most definitely so with the training he had in the future.(2) He's with us because he is acting as "Danzo's eyes."
He will accompany us to the Written Exams room, and proctor it.
In the Forest of Death, he will fly around (on his painted bird, of course) and look out for any unexpected happenings in the Forest as well as collecting dead bodies. He is not allowed to help anyone get a scroll, but if things look absolutely bleak for a participant, he may help them fight and keep them from getting killed if they accept his help.
I don't know what he may do in the Preliminaries. Last time, the Preliminaries only existed because there were too many people going into the Finals. It's not a normal thing; it was just for the occasion. So whatever he's doing there hasn't been planned yet.
But in the Finals, however, he is to act as a sort of referee – basically, if someone is getting outside help, to call it out, or if one about to kill the other, stop the fight.
These were the terms that the organizers of the Chunin Exams, (as well as the Exam committees from other villages) and the Hokage had Danzo agree to if Sai was allowed to oversee the exams. Nobody truly trusts Danzo, and for good reason.
The words, "What beauty…", brought me out of my thoughts, and I turned toward the origin of the voice.
In front of us, there were three people approaching. That's Lee-kun's team!
And the bowl-haired boy himself was the one who spoke.
"Ah, the beautiful vibrancy of your peridot eyes blow me away!" He exclaimed, after seeing my eyes clearly when I turned to him.
He kneeled in front of me and took my right hand. "Please, give me your name, Enchanting Fairy!"
"Enchanting Fairy?" Naruto and Sai muttered in unison behind me, but for completely different reasons. Naruto did it in a "what the heck?" kind of way, and Sai did it while pondering the nickname.
"What the hell?" I heard Sasuke mutter very quietly.
I nudged him in the stomach with the elbow of my free arm, but didn't turn to him, instead facing the boy that held my hand.
"Haruno Sakura. And you are?" I asked nicely.
I wasn't nearly as freaked out as the first time this happened. That reaction was mean of me, no matter how much one may try to justify it with being weirded out. Now, I kind of find it flattering. Who wouldn't? A guy is totally fawning all over you. Come on.
But that doesn't mean it's not a little weird. That's an understatement.
Nor does it mean I'll lead him on. I'll try to let him down nicely like I did Naruto. I can't let them love me again only to be heartbroken later like last time.
"Cherry blossom of the springtime," Lee translated, [my name, that is](3) in a dreamy sigh. "My name is Rock Lee, beautiful blossom!"
Lee stood up, and kissed my hand. I blushed, unable to stop myself. Well, this is way better than last time.
"Would you give me the honor of being your boyfriend, Haruno Sakura?"
"What?!" Naruto shrieked behind me. I could feel Sasuke's shock and glare towards Lee from where he was.
Behind Lee, Tenten's face expressed shock and exasperation. Her eye was twitching. Neji was shaking his head, also exasperated.
"Uh…" I started, suddenly forgetting what I was going to say. Shit! I forgot!
"I will protect you with the best of my ability! And though I do not mean to 'toot my own horn', as they say, I am one of the strongest and most youthful genin here!" I know for a fact, that without even needing to look at him, Sasuke stopped his glaring at Lee and started analyzing him, wanting to fight him. Although wondering what the "youthful" part was about. Power-whore.
Inner!
It's true.
"I am also one of the best taijutsu users in Konoha, trained by the best – the great Might Gai-sensei!" He continued. But for a moment, Lee forgot me and his eyes sparkled with the admiration of his sensei.
"I know that name…" Sasuke muttered softly. So Sasuke-kun's heard of Gai-sensei, huh?
"Will you accept me, Sakura-san?" Lee said, popping out of his daze.
"Well, you can drop the '–san' –" I started.
"Sakura-chan?" Lee interrupted.
"But, uh, I'll have to refuse your offer. Sorry Lee-kun." I said, apologetic. "But we can be friends if that's alright with you?"
Lee let go of my hands and clutched his heart. "Oh, how my heart aches with the rejection!"
But he turned back toward me with a smile on his face. "But I would love to accept your youthful friendship, Sakura-chan. It would be an honor." He bowed.
"But only friends!" Naruto emphasized on the "only", and gave me a hug from behind. His arms were around my shoulders and his chin on my right shoulder. "Back off, Lee! She's mine!" He blew a him a raspberry.
I rolled my eyes.Why does he insist on acting as if he likes me when we all know he doesn't?
He's an affectionate guy, and uses that as an excuse, maybe? But this time was definitely to piss off Lee.
I guess that could be it. Who knows? This is Naruto we're talking about.
"I will fi- wait, Naruto-kun? Is that you?" Lee asked with wide eyes, only finally noticing my teammates behind me.
"That's the name, don't wear it out." Naruto replied.
"You've grown some, Naruto." Tenten said, taking this as a chance to join in and come closer to us, Neji close behind her.
"You know them, Dobe?" Sasuke inquired.
"Yeah, I do, Teme. At least, everybody but Mood and Gloom over there." Naruto explained, referring to Neji.
"How?" Sai asked, taking note of the nickname. I held back a sigh. Oh, Sai-kun.
"We were all friends in the orphanage. We met each other there." Tenten answered.
"I haven't seen you since you graduated, Naruto-kun! What a privilege it is to be teammates with such beautiful and youthful young lady!" I don't need to tell you who that was.
"Yeah, right back at 'ya, Bushy Brows." He turned to Neji. "So who're you?"
"It's polite to give your own name before inquiring someone else's."(4) But he wasn't looking at Naruto – he was busy having a who-has-the-most-intimidating-"I'm-better-than-you -are"-glare contest with Sasuke.
Naruto noticed and scowled, then pouted when I pushed him off of me. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto! And I'm gonna be Hokage, -ttebayo!"(5)
"Hyuuga Neji, strongest rookie."
Naruto frowned and whistled. "Someone's got an ego, doesn't he?"
Lee sighed. "Unfortunately, though, it's true. He is ranked the strongest of the rookies here in Konoha."
"Unfortunately?" Neji questioned, but no one responded.
"Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke announced, changing the subject back to introducing ourselves.
"Tenten." Tenten said, holding her hand out to mine to shake. "Just Tenten."
"Sai." Sai said, also coming forward to greet the newcomers. "Also just, Sai."
He turned to Tenten. "I will call you Panda. Because of your hair."
She tilted her head in confusion. "What?" I mentally congratulated Tenten for succeeding in acting as if she's never met Sai before.
I sighed. "Sai-kun has a thing for making nicknames for new people he meets. Please try not to get offended by whatever he may say – for the most part, he usually means well."
"Girly-Boy."(5) I heard Sai's voice say.
"Excuse me?" Neji exclaimed in anger. "What did you call me?"
"Or not." I said, referring to my earlier statement. But I think we were all more focused on Neji and Sai.
"I called you-"
Tenten interrupted by laughing. "I like it!" She said, trying to calm down. "Be sure to call him that from now on!"
Neji gave her a glare. "Tenten-"
But Tenten completely ignored him, instead engaging in a conversation with Naruto once her laughing fit was over. Did something happen between them? I know she's in love with him, but last I knew they were almost always on good terms!
Maybe they're having a fight…
Maybe…
"Hmm…" Sai said, looking at the two of them as well.
Then he turned to Lee, and repeated himself. "Hmm…"
He shook his head after a moment of thinking. "I have nothing." He said, referring to a nickname. "Maybe I can come up with something later."
I rolled my eyes.
"Sai-san?" Lee asked.
"Yes?"
"Are you participating in the exams as well? Are you part of the team? That would make four of you. Is that allowed?"
Sai shook his head.
"Sai-kun is part of our team officially, but he's not participating in the exams." I answered.
"Why not?" Tenten asked.
"He's part of ROOT, and already passed the Chunin Exams years ago.(6) He's just here for observations."
Neji's eyes quickly flicked to Sai, and his eagerness to fight, so alike Sasuke's whenever he feels the same way, was so obvious it was almost palpable.
"No, I will not fight you." Sai said to Neji, also noticing his pugnacious stare. You know you're being obvious when Sai notices things.
"Are all of you prodigies power-hungry?" Sai asked, talking about Sasuke as well.
"Yes." Naruto answered, only to receive a whack from his so-called best friend and reply indignantly, "It's true, though!"
Then, I heard another voice. "Forehead?" The voice was from behind me.
I turned to see Ino's team walking toward us.
"Hey, Pig."
"Are you guys coming to the Hall or not?" Shikamaru asked.
"Hall?" Sasuke questioned.
"The Chunin Exams Hall." Chouji answered.
Ino sighed from where she was holding Sai's hand, after exchanging greetings with him. "Come on, this way."
All 7 (my team + Lee's) of us followed Ino's team to the hall, only to gasp at the number and diversity of the other genin here.
"So." Ino said, after we found our own spot against a wall in the hall. "Who're these guys?" she asked, referring to Team Gai.
"Rock Lee!"
"Tenten. Just Tenten."
"Hyuuga Neji."
Shikamaru rose his brow at "Hyuuga". "So you're that prodigy kid everyone's talking about."
Neji nodded, seemingly expecting further ego-boosting comments. He was thoroughly disappointed with Shikamaru's sigh. Egomaniac, much?
"Whatever." Was all that Neji received.
"I'm Yamanaka Ino. The one eating chips next to me is Akimichi Chouji – he's a real sweetheart. Nara Shikamaru is the other one – he's that 'academic genius' guy you may have heard about. He really is that smart, but he's so damn lazy it drives me insane!" Ino introduced. "We're Ino-Shika-Chou, generation 16! Of the Yamanaka-Nara-Akimichi family alliances!(7) Nice to meet you all!"
Ino shook hands with Tenten then, quickly chatting her up.
"N-Naruto-kun?" A soft voice came from behind us.
Naruto turned, only to brighten up and tackle the owner of the voice with a fierce hug.
"Hey, Hinata-chan! How've you been? I haven't seen you since we had ramen last week!"
What?! Since when have they been hanging out, and why hasn't he told me?!
Yeah! If I knew there was potential romantic development going on, I would've done something to speed it up already!
"Hinata-chan!" Tenten glomped the now red girl the moment Naruto let go of her.
"T-Tenten-c-chan?"
"You two know each other, Hinata?" Chouji asked.
Hinata nodded. "I'm the cousin of her teammate. I know all of them."
"So you and Neji are cousins." Shikamaru stated, easily figuring out who her cousin was. And who else could it be but Neji-san, anyway? Lee-kun?
Hinata nodded.
"Eh?!" Naruto exclaimed in surprise. "How?"
"What do you mean 'how'?" I asked.
"Well, Hinata's so sweet and cute, but he's so cold and a jerk, like the Teme, but colder because we all know that deep down inside, Sasuke's just a little sweethear-"
"Stop talking bullshit." Sasuke interrupted, hitting him heard.
"Well, for cousins you two don't seem to be very friendly." Kiba commented, seeing Neji's dark aura and deep and cold glare toward his cousin.
"Hinata-sama." He said in greeting, before bowing. The venom and ice in his voice almost made me want to shiver. Tenten gave him a fierce glare. Hmm… Could it be that's why they're fighting? The way Neji treats Hinata?
"N-n-Neji-nii-san." Hinata replied. The air was so tense you could cut it with a kunai.
That makes sense… he treated her like shit in the last timeline, and now it seems even worse! I'm surprised he hasn't said anything more! But then again, looking at the glare Tenten's giving him, the only attention she's given him that we've seen, it's no wonder he's kept his mouth shut.
Tenten must have gotten tired of his attitude. That's probably it.
Yeah.
"U-um, everyone, th-these are m-my t-teammates, Inuzuka Kiba and his partner Akamaru." Kiba gave a two-finger salute in hello, and Akamaru barked from the top of his owner's head when his name was called. "A-and Aburame Sh-Shino." Shino nodded in greeting.
Soon after Team Gai officially introduced themselves to Team Kurenai and vice versa, another group of teens came up to us.
"Yo, Tenten!" A girl's voice called.
Tenten turned, and instantly brightened up, running up to the owner of the voice.
The blonde that spoke returned the hug given to her by Tenten, and when they parted, they completed the greeting that guys usually tend to do with each other. You know, the weird high-five thing with the fist bumps… Sometimes I forget how tomboyish they can be.
"Temari! You're here!" Tenten exclaimed.
"Obviously." Temari scoffed, but she grinned regardless.
"Hey, Matsuri!" Tenten greeted, giving the other brunette beside Temari a hug as well.
Tenten turned to the rest of us. "Guys, this is Temari, her brothers, and Matsuri, from Suna. I met Temari and Matsuri during a mission there." So that's her cover story.
"You have friends?" Kankuro questioned, giving his sister a disbelieving look.
She glared at him. "Yes, I do. And what, Sari and Ittetsu suddenly don't count anymore?"(8)
"No."
"I wonder how they'll feel about that…" Matsuri commented, letting her voice trail off.
The boy only shrugged.
Temari rolled her eyes and came up to us, holding a hand out to be shaken. "I'm Temari, like Tenten said. These are my brothers Kankuro –the one with the makeup– and Gaara, the redhead. This is our friend Matsuri." The rest of her group came up as well as we introduced ourselves and Kankuro protested at his face paint being called makeup.
However, Gaara didn't say anything nor shake hands with anyone.
And I also noticed, that for whatever reason, Temari and Shikamaru's eyes kept being drawn to each other, even when they weren't teasing each other. Correction - when Temari wasn't teasing him. Already? You guys just met. Damn, Tema. You work fast.
Actually, I knew why Temari had her problem. Her and Shikamaru's continuously denied romantic tension.
But Shikamaru's reason eluded me. He shouldn't know her.
But my question was soon answered when a small pink blush appeared on his face, but quickly disappeared before Temari could see it. I grinned, and shared a look and a giggle with Ino, who also noticed. He likes her! Wow, that was fast.
"Excuse me, Matsuri-san," Sai started.
She cocked her head. "Yes, Sai-san?"
"You're not participating in the Exams, are you? You don't have a headband." Everyone turned to her, to confirm if it was true. It was.
Matsuri shook her head. "I'm a spectator, basically. But not like you are, Sai. I'm not allowed to enter the exam rooms or wherever they are actually being held. But I can watch the other parts. That's all I'm here for, really." Sai had already explained why he was present but not participating.
"Why?" Shikamaru asked.
"Gaara wanted her here." Kankuro answered.
Shikamaru rose a brow, expressing our doubts that just because he wanted her here, that she was when she shouldn't be.
Temari shrugged. "We have a bit of political pull here, and Gaara can… persuade others to do as he pleases."
"How?" Naruto asked.
"Ways." Kankuro said tersely.
"What kind of political pull do you have?" Sasuke questioned.
"The kind that isn't any of your business." Sasuke scowled.
"No offense to you, Matsuri-san, but Gaara-san, why'd you want Matsuri-san here so much?" Chouji asked innocently.
"She expressed desire to see it." It was the first time we had heard his voice, and I saw shivers travel through some of the other rookies' bodies.
But like Neji, Sasuke, and Shikamaru, I was doubtful that that was all. Gaara, the way he is now, wouldn't do something like that for Matsuri. He's too… dark and twisted to show such favoritism and affection.
"And?" Shikamaru prompted.
"And I wanted her around. I made it happen." That was all there was to say for Gaara, and by his expression, everyone knew that the subject was dropped.
I gave Matsuri a look that expressed my confusion. Why'd Gaara want her here so bad?
She mouthed, "I'll tell you later", to me.
I nodded.
For a couple more moments, our teams mingled with each other before Team Gai and the Sand Siblings + Matsuri went to wait in a different part of the hall. "See you later, Ten-chan!" Naruto called as they walked away. "Good luck!"
"Good luck to you guys as well, Naruto-kun." She called back.
When Naruto turned back around to the rest of us, he bumped into a familiar figure with white hair, dropping his glasses and the cards he was holding.
"Oh, man, sorry, dude!" Naruto bent down to help him pick up the cards.
When the figure looked up with his glasses back on, recognition dawning on me. Kabuto!
"It's alright." Kabuto told Naruto, as they collected what he dropped. "It was only an accident."
"But I'm still sor- uh, hey. What are these?" Naruto took a look at the cards.
"They're information cards." Kabuto explained. He turned to the rest of our team. "Would you all like to look at them?"
Sasuke, noticing the faces on the cards, bent down to look at them. Sai and I followed their lead, sharing a look that said, "Let's keep an eye on him", referring to Kabuto.
"Isn't that Neji?" Naruto said, pointing to a card.
"I-it is." Hinata said, her team and Ino's surround us to see as well.
To make viewing easier, Kabuto stood up, placing most of his cards on his pockets, but held some out for us to see. We circled him
"Yeah, Hyuuga Neji. He's rumored to be the strongest rookie here and a favor to win." Kabuto spoke. "He's an expert in the Hyuuga family's Jyuuken fighting style." He looked to Hinata. "Am I correct?"
She nodded.
"Who are some other strong guys?" Sasuke asked, eager to fight them. I frowned. That's all he wanted in the last timeline, too… and I know that's just the way he is, but I'm still worried… It shows how dark that "seed", as Kakashi-sensei calls it, as cheesy as it sounds, still is and is becoming inside him.
He hasn't shown his usual eagerness for power for a while, but it's no wonder we're afraid it'll evolve into a further obsession. It'll be harder to keep the future from happening all over again.
"Well, there's his teammate, Rock Lee." Kabuto said, pulling out the fellow genin's card.
"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "So Lee wasn't just trying to impress Sakura-chan when he was telling her he was strong?"
Kabuto, though confused (because he wasn't present when that had happened), shook his head. "Though, in a way, handicapped, he is one of the more famous participants."
"Handicapped?" Kiba questioned.
"Sort of. At least, through the eyes of the Shinobi world." Kabuto said. "Lee is incapable of using both ninjutsu and genjutsu." Gasps or sounds of shock left everyone's mouth, as did mine. (I have to play along, you know.)
Sai was the only one who was not shocked, because he already knew. Which wasn't too odd because we all know ROOT has files of many shinobi, some of which Sai has seen. Like Team Kakashi's. So him knowing that already wasn't very suspicious.
"That's right! I remember something like that!" Naruto said, and I wouldn't be surprised if a light bulb actually showed up above his head. "He couldn't use it, so he was bullied a lot back in the orphanage!"
"But how can't he?" Shikamaru said. "Everyone has chakra flowing through their body, so he should be able to channel it to use ninjutsu."
"I don't know why exactly, and it's odd because he can use and mold chakra just fine. But not in those two areas." Kabuto said. "I hear it has something to do with defects in his chakra veins and vessels, but for whatever reason, the most he was able to do in either was so minuscule and physically draining for him, he's considered just unable to do it or just can't in the first place. I wouldn't know for sure. But they're basically the same thing. It's confusing. So instead, he trained extensively in taijutsu.
"And under the best in Konoha, and one of the best in the world, no less – his team's sensei, Might Gai." Kabuto continued. "Neither of them may look like much, but Gai is the legendary Hatake Kakashi's rival." My team's eyes widened. "Really?"
Kabuto nodded, pulling out a card. "Or so is claimed. This is what he looks like."
After a moment of silence, Chouji spoke up. "Hey, Naruto."
"Yeah?"
"Did Lee have those eyebrows as a kid? And the hair?"
"Yeah, though his hair wasn't quite that bowl-y. He had a braid, too, but that sheen around his head was still there."
"And you're positive he's an orphan."
"100%."
"With no other family."
"Pretty sure. If he did, I doubt he even knows about them."
"So how is this possible?" Kiba exclaimed in shock.
"Looks like someone's got a doppelgänger." Shikamaru sighed, as we all looked at the man who might as well had been Lee's father.
"Or a mini-me." Kiba said under his breath.
"I assure you, that as far as anyone knows, Might Gai has no children. And that Rock Lee is indeed an orphan without any known family." Kabuto said, putting the card away.
"There is one more favorite to win the Exams." Kabuto commented, changing the subject and pulling out another card. "Aside from yourself, Sasuke-san."
Sasuke's eyebrow rose.
"This is Gaara of the Sand. You met him earlier, right?" Kabuto asked. We nodded.
"He was scary." Ino shivered. Good acting, Ino. But then again, she's probably not. He was scary.
Kabuto nodded in agreement. "Gaara and his siblings are actually the children of the Kazekage."
"What?" Kiba said. "I never would have guessed! So they're all actually related, too? They don't look very much alike."
"Yeah. They may look different, but I did some research, and it's just that they look more like their parents than they do each other. Temari like their mother, Kankuro their father –which may be why he wears that paint– and Gaara a combination of both, though I'm not quite sure where such red hair came from. The Kazekage has reddish hair but…"
Kabuto shook his head. "Anyway, Temari's the oldest at almost 17, Kankuro's 16 as of earlier this year, and Gaara is 13. He will be 14 next January."(9)
Everyone was surprised at how young Gaara actually was.
"But don't underestimate him." Kabuto's face darkened. "Gaara became an infamous, ruthless killer at only 6 years old."
The air instantly turned frigid around us.
"Gaara was born a Jinchuuriki," Kabuto continued. Naruto shared a look with the rest of our team. "He's one, too?"
"And his father had been trying to kill him for years, but it didn't work, so he just ended up harnessing Gaara as a human weapon. It seemed Gaara was a fairly normal, albeit lonely child, and not even able to see his own siblings that often. But at 6, rumor has it that he snapped and killed his own uncle." We gasped. "Since then, Gaara only got stronger and stronger against the assassins that were sent both by his father and from many all over the world, wanting his power or just wanting him dead.
"Did you see his gourd?" Kabuto questioned. We nodded. "It holds sand, and Gaara can control it. Apparently, it has to do with the Bijuu he holds – the one-tailed tanuki demon, Shukaku. With that sand, Gaara kills, hardly needing to lift a finger.
"The most common technique he uses is crushing his opponents to death in his sand. He has a layer of sand on his body, and he can create a shield that is said to be impenetrable. There are also rumors that no one has seen Gaara's blood because few got close enough or lasted long enough against him. Those who did couldn't pierce neither his shield nor his sand armor. People have tried to use his very possible lack of physical prowess but Gaara's ability to kill isn't deterred by not being very strong or very fast. He's never lost." A shadow passed over Kabuto's face.
"Unlike some others here, Gaara shows no mercy to anyone, and has almost killed his own siblings and that girl beside him multiple times. He has no emotional attachments to anyone, it seems, and no qualms to killing at all. Watch out. Whatever you do, he's the one person you don't want to pick a fight with. He will kill you. Painfully, and mercilessly." He looked pointedly at Sasuke, and as did I. I hope Sasuke heeds that warning.
A voice cut through the thick silence that had fallen over us. "Way to scare them, Kabuto." A voice said, the owner hitting the man (he's really 24(10)) upside the head.
"Ow!" We turned to the one who had done it.
A redhead stood there. "Though he's telling the truth, I wouldn't be eager to trust advice from a guy who failed the Exams seven times."
"Six times, Karin!" Kabuto corrected. "This is my seventh try!"
"You've failed so many times yet you're still trying?" Shino, surprisingly, questioned.
Kabuto blushed from shame, but he nodded. "Can't give up, right?" I saw Shikamaru narrow his eyes. He knows there's something fishy with Kabuto, and why he keeps trying after failing so many times. Good.
"Hello, Haruno-san." Karin greeted, though her flat expression did not change.
I gave her a smile. "You can just call me Sakura, Karin."
"You know her?" Sasuke asked.
I nodded. "Remember the mission we had in Grass last month?"
He nodded. "I met her there. She was the one that I said helped me find my way around the village."
Luckily for me, it was true. We had a mission there last month, and Karin and I planned a meeting through our scrolls.
Sasuke nodded again, remembering when I got lost in the village and came back to our hotel saying someone had helped me find my way.
"So how do you know Kabuto then?" Shikamaru asked Karin, looking at her Grass headband.
Karin looked at Kabuto. "I… have run into him once or twice. That's all."
"I'm hurt, Karin!" Kabuto feigned pain in his chest. "I thought we were friends!"
"We were never friends and never will be as far as I'm concerned."
"How cold of you!"
I have no doubt that Karin is telling nothing but the truth. She hates Kabuto.
Obviously.
Karin turned to us. "Good luck on the Exams."
And she left. Just like that.
Kabuto said his goodbyes and left as well.
"Well. That was interesting." Ino said.
We all nodded.
But very quickly, as should be expected in a group with people like Naruto and Ino, chatter started up again.
I just leaned against the wall and observed, though. I was interrupted by Sasuke's walking towards me and nudging my elbow.
I looked up at him, questioning.
"Do you see them?" Sasuke whispered, leaning against the wall and looking out at the room, instead of me. He wanted to seem casual.
"Who?" I asked.
He motioned his head to a direction, so lightly I almost didn't catch it.
"Those three in the headbands with the music note on them." I looked toward where he motioned, and recognized the three that he spoke of. Dosu's team…
They were looking at us with venom in their eyes.
When Zaku met eyes with Sasuke, he slid his finger across his neck. "You're dead."
Sasuke scowled and clicked his tonue..
"Let's keep an eye on them." I whispered.
Sasuke nodded almost unperceptively. "Aa."
"I have a bad feeling about them." And I did, afraid for what may happen between us and them in the Forest of Death.
"So do I."
We settled into a tense silence, wary of the near, unknown future.
Soon, Ibiki entered the hall, announcing the beginning of the first part of the Exams – the Written Exams.
"Let's do this thing!" Naruto cheered.
Sasuke and I nodded in agreement, eager.
"Good luck." Sai said walking past us to a different entrance, since he was proctoring this part.
"Thank you, Sai-kun." I said.
"Wait!" Ino exclaimed, stopping Sai.
She ran up to him and gave him a quick hug. "Good luck to you too, Sai-kun." She winked.
Sai nodded. "Thank you, Beautiful." And he left.
I gave Ino a look. "Really?" it said.
She only shrugged, as if to say, "What's a girl to do?"
I rolled my eyes, following everyone into the room of the Written Exams.
I took a breath.
Well, here we go!
(1): That was it, right? I wrote most of this off memory. I didn't have time to watch the episode and the episode summary on Narutopedia didn't mention that. That is, if I was looking at the write episode.
(2): Remember my explanation about him being around Chunin level? All in-depth it sounded? I realized it was ridiculous, really. ROOT graduates are just as strong as REGULAR ANBU MEMBERS. That's basically what they are - ANBU. And as we all know, ANBU is a whole other level on the strength scale. Above Jounin, below Sanin or Kage. So what I have now makes more sense. Sorry for the confusion.
(3): Haru-no-Sakura. Spring-[of]-Sakura. That's the literal translation of every word in that order, but the translated order is incorrect. Her name is "Cherry blossom of the spring". Real creative, Kishimoto. But whatever. Sakura wouldn't be Sakura without her name. And if you don't get the word arrangement, think of this, maybe it'll help: "Shikon no Tama"=literally "Jewel of Shikon"="Shikon Jewel", because that's how we speak. And yes, I mean the Shikon Jewel from InuYasha.
(4): I think I got that word-for-word. That's what Neji said, right? Exactly? Off-memory, people. Damn, my anime (and book) memory is sharp. If only it was this sharp normally...
(5): I always think of Nagihiko whenever I think of that nickname. That nickname, made by Ikuto, will always be associated with Nagi. (From Shugo Chara)
(6): According to his character page, he was 10. Kakashi was 6, btw.
(7): I don't know if it's officially called a family alliance, but honestly - what else can you call it? And for some reason, I always remember that they're Gen. 16 and stuff. I don't know why.
(8): They're not important in the story or anything, but in here, they're friends with the other Sand Peeps, though still scared of Gaara and stuff. Sari is Matsuri's other best friend (aside from Temari of course) and Ittetsu (obviously) is a bit closer to Kankuro. Sari and Ittetsu are a (very) minor pairing but currently aren't together yet because they're obstinate and oblivious teenagers.
(9): Gaara's b-day IS in January, and since I use dates and years in stuff in my story, age is important. I didn't like Gaara being the oldest (out of the Rookie 9 though he's not part of it, he's part of the age group)- I've always thought of him as being the youngest. The 2nd youngest is Hinata, because her birthday's in late December. Try not to get too into this if it confuses you - just know Gaara isn't 14 like most of the others yet.
(10): He's 23 in Part I but 24 because everything's a year later, remember?
No, don't get too excited - Shikamaru's not in love with Temari already. It's too soon. He's just developing a crush, that's all. You can't tell me that finding someone really attractive and blushing the first time you meet them isn't normal.
QotW: Any currently ongoing manga that you're obsessed with? I know I've got one or two.
With love and apologies from the delay,
Cherry.
