Konnichi wa!

KYAH! –dodges sharp objects- OKAY! OKAY! I KNOW I KNOW!

-sigh- Yeah – I know I haven't updated in forever – what can I say? My muses didn't want to poke my forehead and I was too lazy to update. -.-

I'm sorry. :(

But, to make it up, I've updated nearly all of my stories. I won't be updating as often as I did – school's almost over and it's being a bitch with all the projects and the papers and – UGH!

So… yeah. I'm not dead. Yet. My fate is in your dear hands, my lovely reviewers.

Oh crap. I'm gonna die. –starts writing will-

But, here's the next chapter. You had no idea how hard I had to squeeze my brain in order to get so many updates out. Yeah – sorry! –bows-

I hope you like it!

Promises Not Made Are Promises Never Kept

Chapter Three – Hidden Strength

"So, you are the nine rookies, huh?" The nine looked over to see a fellow Leaf Genin walk over to them, gray hair and glasses catching the light. "Fresh out of the academy, right?"

"That's right," Shikamaru replied. "What's it to you?"

The newcomer shrugged nonchalantly.

"The name's Kabuto. Kabuto Yakushi. I've been coming to these Chunin exams for over three years now."

This caught the group's attention in the back, and Sasuke set his hand on the tiger's head to still her.

"Hush, Dagina-chan," Sasuke breathed to her. "Hush."

"She's uneasy," Inaré stated, her hand on her own animal's head. "Look – even Kaoru grew restless when that Genin spoke."

"He's of the Leaf Village," Sasuke chose his words carefully – other candidates were listening in, after all – eyeing the new Genin suspiciously. "But three years? Going on a fourth? He can't be THAT bad of a ninja."

Inaré looked at Haku.

"Haku, out of the three of us, YOU are the best at gauging a ninja's power. What do you think?"

The other boy blinked at her and then peered through the crowd at Kabuto.

"He's hiding something," he replied simply. Sasuke and Inaré exchanged glances before falling silent, turning their heads to watch the rookies and the other named Kabuto.

"Wow! Three years?" Sakura exclaimed. "Then you must be a pro at the Chunin exams!"

Kabuto laughed bitterly.

"Yeah – I'm a pro at knowing that everyone here is touchy, so you'd best not get in their way. Rookies like you – you're the ones that tend to get crushed the fastest. BUT," he cut off Naruto, who was just about to retort. "Since you're new and all, I think I'll help you out some." He raised a hand to his face, showing the nine an orange and black card. "These are what I like to call my Chakra Data Cards. I put information I have learned about the Chunin exams AND the candidates on these cards. Over the past three years, I've gathered over two hundred cards." He held up one, showing it to the others.

Naruto blinked.

"Your eyesight must be bad, Kabuto," he commented. "That card is blank."

Kabuto gave Naruto a look the blonde knew all too well – one that called him all kinds of idiot.

You can't look at me like that you BASTARD –!

Only one person can and he's fucking DEAD –!

Naruto's eyed darkened slightly, but he willed the sadness away as Kabuto began speaking again.

"Of course it's blank – I have a lot of valuable data in these cards. I can't let just ANYONE read them." He smirked. "These are infused with my Chakra. Only I can reveal their secrets. Observe."

He took one card from the deck and kneeled down on the floor, setting the card blank side up and placing his middle finger on the surface. A little flick of his wrist, and the card began to spin, glowing green. A small 'poof' and a miniature cloud of smoke revealed a map of the five Great Countries.

Sai glanced at the group in the back long enough to lock eyes with Sasuke, and daggers were shot in the other's direction.

Sasuke raised a disgusted oh-you-did-NOT-just-do-that eyebrow Sai's way and then rolled his eyes, shaking his head in a disbelieving fashion.

Tsk – I can't BELIEVE you just did that. Typical.

That only pissed off Sai all the more, and Sasuke knew this perfectly well as he tilted his head back and surveyed Sai mockingly, winking and sticking out his tongue playfully.

See? You can't touch me. He seemed to say. Sai huffed, and then took a step forward, so that he was in front of Kabuto.

"Kabuto… was it?" He asked. The other looked up at him.

"That's right," the other replied. Sai gazed down at him.

"You said you have information on the candidates…?" At Kabuto's nod, he continued. "Which ones?"

Kabuto smirked.

"Nearly everyone. I can find anyone you want. Give me a description – what they look like, what they can do, what village they're in – anything at all, and I'll let you see what I have on them."

"There IS one…" Sai glanced up once more and caught Sasuke's eye again. The other's eyes were filled with mocking superiority.

Go ahead – I DARE you. His smirk seemed to breathe. Sai's eyes narrowed and he looked back to Kabuto.

"Sasuke Terranova, of the Village Hidden in the Mist," he said. Kabuto gave a small pout.

"Awe – you even know his name! That makes it easy!" Within a moment's time, he held up one card. "Here it is."

"Show it to me," Sai ordered. Kabuto was half-tempted to not show him the card until he said 'please', but something told him Sai wasn't in the mood to joke around, so without another word, he set his middle finger on the card and the poof of smoke resulted.

"Here it is."

The smoke cleared, and everyone gasped.

A picture of Sasuke had appeared on the card, along with name of the village he was from and its location. Two boxes below that held pictures of his teammates with names underneath them, and a box that was supposed to hold a picture of his Jounin teacher was blank. Below that was a diagram that showed his strengths and weaknesses, and to the right of that below the large picture was the number of missions he had and for what rank.

"Let's see here…" Kabuto paused – even he could never get over this fact. "Every single ninja ability capable of being learned, his skill is off the charts. Ninjutsu, genjustu, taijutsu, Chakra control, amout of jutsus learned – he excels at all of them. He's the most powerful of his team, but the others are only worse than him by barely a fractional amount. Wow – I'd HATE to go against him."

Sai's eyes had widened, and before he could, his eyes had flashed to Sasuke, who held a smug, arrogant look on his face.

Still think you have a chance? His eyes asked Sai.

"Wow. And get this!" Everyone's eyes were drawn back to Kabuto. "He's had no D OR C ranked missions! Instead, he's had thirteen B-ranked missions and five A-ranks!"

Everyone nearly fell over.

"There's no way!" Sakura exclaimed. "A Genin can't have that kind of power! That's not possible!"

"It IS possible, actually." The group looked around to see Sasuke's team had left their seats and had appeared in front of them. Inaré had been the one who spoke. "The proof is right here in front of you – you dare doubt our word?"

"It's not very polite to give away a person's information without their consent," Sasuke coolly told Kabuto, who stiffened underneath the gaze. "But I must give you some leeway – at least your information is correct."

Kabuto breathed easier.

Inaré smiled brightly.

"We were even asked to do an S-ranked mission, but we couldn't accept it because the Chunin exams would clash with the dates of the mission!" She revealed brightly.

Sasuke's eyes went to Sai. He grinned satanically.

"So tell me, Sai," the way he hissed out the name made Sai wince. "You still wanna try to pick a fight with me?"

Sai didn't answer – he was cut off by another from the back.

"Che – please!"

The three looked over their shoulder to see a Sound ninja – Zaku – standing up.

"You honestly expect us to believe that Genin were allowed to do A and B-ranked missions? That's complete bullshit! The Village Hidden in the Mist must be pretty lame that they have to let GENIN do their higher level missions! Either that or their A-ranked missions are our D-ranked!"

Sasuke's gaze turned icy. He surveyed Zaku with daggers in his eyes.

"Really? Has your pathetic brain ever stopped to include the fact that maybe OUR village is just a more powerful village than the mysterious SOUND village? And that YOUR A-ranked missions are OUR D-ranked missions?" He asked, eyes flashing dangerously. Dagina growled at his feet, crouching close to the ground. Zaku's eyes narrowed.

"THAT'S IT!" He leaped forward towards Sasuke. "GET READY TO DIE!"

NO one expected the fight to be over so quickly.

Sasuke caught the fist aimed his way and pulled Zaku to him, raising a knee to slam it into Zaku's stomach.

Releasing Zaku's wrist, he stretched his arm forward past Zaku's shoulder as the other folded in half around his knee, and his fist clenched. Powerfully, he pulled his elbow backwards and rammed the sharpest bone in his body deep into the back of Zaku's neck.

Slipping away from the other like water, Sasuke allowed Zaku to land heavily onto the floor, not a black hair out of place. He didn't even look fazed by the sudden assault, and the other two hadn't lifted a finger to assist him.

Naruto's eyes were wide.

Incredible! He thought. I didn't even see him MOVE! One moment the guy was charging and the next he was on the floor! That's amazing!

That guy isn't normal! Sakura thought. I've never SEEN a Genin that strong! Sasuke couldn't even come CLOSE to matching HIS strength OR speed!

Something's up with that kid. Shikamaru thought numbly. What type of Genin HAS that type of power?

That's really scary! Ino thought, trembling. Wow – we're nothing compared to him! Remind me to never get on his bad side!

Even Choji had stopped his constant munching on junk food.

That's really impressive…

Oh my! Hinata thought. He's so strong! Even stronger than Naruto-kun and Neji-nii-san!

That's some power. Shino thought idly. I wonder if he gained it all by himself.

Insane! Kiba thought as Akamaru cowered underneath his hood. I wouldn't be surprised if that guy is DEAD!

Wow. Tenten thought, sitting on a table in the crowd with Lee and Neji at her sides. He could even beat Neji. Was he even TRYING?

So… Neji thought, idly imaging a fight between him and Sasuke. The Village Hidden in the Mist has some good ninja after all. Interesting.

Impressive! Lee thought, passion burning in his eyes as he clenched a fist. This will be a most interesting challenge!

Tsk – who does this kid think he is? Temari thought sharply, sneering. All talk, I'll bet. That Sound ninja is just a chump.

He's a complete and total brat. Kankuro concluded. He's so braggy – it really grates on my nerves!

Gaara's eyes narrowed. Sasuke… Terranova…

His blood began to pulse.

Sai was at a loss for words.

Oh God, WHAT have I gotten myself into…?

Kabuto gulped.

So THAT was the power my master sensed…

Could he be…?

The one with the hidden strength?

End Chapter Three – Hidden Strength

Ow. My brain hurts. –rubs brain-

And for those of you who live in the United States – have you seen the third Pirates of the Carribean movie?

Hot DAMN that movie rocks! I LUV JOHNNY DEPP! –heart- He plays Captain Jack Sparrow so WELL:D

But yeah – I'm really sorry for not updating in forever! Hopefully this many updates will make up for it, yeah:D

And I have a new story out! I'm killing myself slowly but surely! XD

It's called, Creation of Bloodlust – please go read!

And I have an account at I would really appreciate if you guys read the two stories I've posted! They're the starting chapters of two books that I've written! My Penname is Raining-Flames-and-Roses and the stories are called Dungeon Master's Beast and From Here to Hell, I Stand Tall

You can find the links on my profile, if I'm not mistaken.

Review?

Ja ne!

DDB