Chapter 24: Long Time No See
"Let us in!" Konohamaru exclaimed.
But the fourteen year old female looking ninja just pushed him and he stumbled back. She scoffed, "You're just a bunch of weaklings, don't waste your time thinking you can enter the Chuunin exams."
Thirteen year old novice ninja Moegi helped her teammate up, "Are you okay, Konohamaru-kun?" Udon was also by her side.
They were in front of a room with the sign that said '301' on the second floor. Ring any bells?
But then three new arrivals came up the stairs from the first floor and walked towards them. They passed through the crowd and were about to turn the corner, that was, until Konohamaru exclaimed, "Hey! Where are you three going?!" They turned around and faced the ninja who were gathered in front of the door.
One of them was dark haired blonde with spiked up hair and green eyes. His upper body was covered in bandages, with a red vest over it, similar to Shikamaru's, dark red ninja shorts and blue ninja sandals.
The other was a purple haired boy with his hair flattened down, like Gaara's, he also had purple eyes. He wore a fishnet shirt, and a black jacket over it, and behind that jacket was a symbol of an eye. He wore white shorts and blue ninja sandals.
And the one in the middle was a brunette, with hair put into high pigtails, with yellow eyes. She wore blue tight vest that was zipped up, a dark blue skirt that was only up to the middle of her thighs, and she had bandages under her skirt and around her arms, and also wore blue ninja sandals.
But what shocked them all was their forehead protectors. The males had it around their forehead but the female had it on her waist. But the symbol was that of a sun.
The blonde male rolled his eyes, "The room is 301 meaning on the third floor."
The purple haired one faced the girl in front of the door, "Nice disguise, Hinata-neechan."
The brunette's eyes widened, but then she ran towards her and gave her a hug. Because of that there was a puff of smoke and Hinata's disguise went away.
"Hinata-neechan! I missed you so much!!" she exclaimed.
Hinata pushed her away, and kept her at an arm's length, "A-Ali-chan? You look so... grown up!"
Ali nodded, "I know! I finally found out what I look like as a 12 year old!" but then she pursed her lips together, "Ne, Hinata-neechan, I'm not so sure if long hair suits you."
Hinata just sighed at the comment, "Yes, well anyway, what are you three doing here?"
"We're joining the Chuunin exams," Suoki said, "Mainly to represent Asahigakure."
"What do you mean?"
Nobu grinned, "The fate of the village is on our shoulders!"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Tsunade glanced at the clan leaders, some Jounin, and the two substitute proctors (minus one).
"I have called you all here to give you important news. There is a new shinobi village out there."
"And how does it concern us?" one asked.
"Because, this village isn't entirely new. It was the first village, but it disappeared due... to a certain turn of events. But now, it is back, and it is still the strongest village. Their Kage has gained council with the other village leaders, including myself, and discussed its status. It took a few years, but we were able to make the village more modern.
"New weapons were made there. Economic systems were established, as they were in the other villages, and many other improvements so they can finally catch up with the other villages. But, even though they are a great village, some Kages (mainly the Mizukage) didn't think it would be fair that the village would just come back again and become a major shinobi village just like that.
"So things were settled, and they sent one team of their genin to enter the Chuunin exams. They had to send their best team to be able to graduate as Chuunin during this exam, if they succeed on their first try then the village will automatically join the major ninja villages and will be led by the Isshinkage. But if they fail, like other villages, they will somehow have to gain the respect, trust, and admiration of all the other villages."
"They have already entered Konoha?" Hiashi asked.
Tsunade nodded and faced the crystal, that was left by Sarutobi, and smirked, "They are already... interacting with other genin."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
The three entered the doors and were met with many other ninja. Hinata had to meet up with Kiba and Shino concerning Chuunin exam matters.
Nobu was the first to step forward, then she faced the two, "Some are twice our age."
Ali shot him a questioning look.
"I mean, the way we look age."
She nodded. Suoki just rolled his eyes.
They were about to go on one of the many benches, until someone appeared in front of them. It was a female leaf ninja, "You three rookies?"
Nobu nodded, "Yes. Why?"
She sighed, "What was your sensei thinking?"
"What do you mean?"
"This time, only for this certain Chuunin exam, the tests will be twice as hard. Many came here to prove that they don't need to pass the simple ones, but this one, the one that is more difficult then the others."
The three knew why it was harder then the others.
"Thanks for the info, what's your name?" Nobu asked.
"Watanabe Ami. But really now, what are a bunch of rookies doing here?" the purple haired teen said.
Ali glared at her, their names are quite alike, ne? "What about you? I have many ninja friends your age that are already Chuunin. One is even a Kazekage!"
Ami just smirked, "How did someone like you become friends with Kazekage-sama?"
Suoki and Nobu practically slapped their foreheads. She was giving away too much information.
Flashback
"This should not be allowed!" the Mizukage exclaimed.
Chakra presents were felt near the door.
Melane rubbed her temples.
Tsunade sighed.
And Gaara faced the door.
The other kages were too busy to notice the very well hidden chakras.
But then the two kages eyes brightened up. Melane couldn't do anything, since she had to be there. But the other two...
Gaara quickly stood up before Tsunade could, "I sense some other chakra signatures. I will take care of it, you can keep discussing," then he left the room.
The two females just sighed, Lucky.
The redhead exited the room, and went towards the wall.
...
He sighed, "I know you are there."
Then the paper on the wall was removed and showed three ninja sitting on each other's shoulders. The blonde one at the bottom was a person to pity.
They were around ten looking at the time.
Ali laughed sheepishly, they got off each other's shoulders and were standing on front of the sand shinobi, "Hehe, hey there... um..." she glanced at his forehead protector, "... Uh... Mizukage...?"
Suoki sighed and Nobu rolled his eyes. "Its the Kazekage, baka," the blonde said.
Ali glared at him, "Well, sorry. My fault his forehead protector has nothing to do with Sand?"
The two sweat dropped. Sometimes, their female teammate was just too much.
The brunette looked up at him, "Ne, you should be thanking us."
"And why?"
"Because we helped you out of the meeting room. Even Suoki-kun could tell, being the emo kid he is, that even Tsunade-baachan was ready to blow."
Suoki just glared at his female teammate.
As always, she was immune.
"So, you're Kazekage-sama... Gaara...?" Nobu asked unsure.
The red head nodded, "Hai. What are your names?"
"I'm Hitoli Nobu."
"The name's Hitora Ali!"
"Tamashi Suoki."
Gaara couldn't help but wonder... they were quite similar to introducing themselves with Team 7. He glanced at them, even the looks gave away on who they were.
Ali grinned, "Just so you know! I plan on being the youngest Kage, beating you! Count on it!"
Or maybe, when it came Naruto, it was the girl instead.
"... Good luck with that."
Nobu just sighed, "Do you have to tell everyone we meet that you plan on being the next Kage?"
"Of course! Sakura-neechan said something about her teammate always saying it, and she's 100 percent sure he will be the next Hokage! So why don't I join him?" she faced Gaara, "Nii-chan? Why did you want to become Kazekage?" She was like Naruto, considering even ninja leaders family.
Gaara just shrugged, "It was because I planned on becoming like my friend."
"Ohhhh."
Suoki snickered, "His reason seems a lot more better than yours."
Ali glared at him, "Coming from a jerk like you I shouldn't feel that offended."
"They why are you?"
"Ugh!"
Nobu whispered into Gaara's ear, "I swear they'll get married one day."
And for some very strange reason a friendship formed among them. With Ali constantly asking about Kage topics, Nobu asking about the sisters, and Suoki liked playing around with his sand, even though it did smell weird...
End Flashback
"It doesn't concern you," Nobu quickly said.
Ami just smirked, "Just a big lie told by little kids."
Ali scowled, "Little?! Of course compared to you we're small! I mean you look like such a pig!"
Ami glared at her, "Tch. Coming from someone who won't even stand with a fight with a squirrel, brat!"
The four teammates of the girls backed away.
Ami hated being called fat.
And Ali hated being called a kid.
Even though she was kinda fat.
And she was kinda immature.
...
... Yeah.
Ami got her kunai out, "You wanna pick a fight with me?!"
Ali put her hands together ready to do a jutsu, "I'll be glad to!"
"Ahem."
All genin faced the person that was in the front of the room.
Hinata sighed, "Fighting shall only be held when told to during certain exams, other than that, any other violent gestures will admit immediate disqualification."
The purple haired girl put her kunai away but without a few curse words. How is it that my own academy classmate will be my proctor for the Chuunin exams?! she thought.
Hinata, as if though reading her mind, faced the other genin again, "For this exam I will be the substitute proctor. Since Ibiki-san, Anko-san and Gemna-san are not currently around. I will be the proctor for the first exams. So, now I will assign you the seating arrangements for the written exam."
Ali's eyes widened, Written?!
Nobu gulped, We're dead if Ali-chan can't get this one.
Suoki sighed, To think we could already fail in the first test.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
They arrived in the bustling town of Geroti.
The eyes of the two young males widened.
It was so... advanced and... bountiful.
Kakashi looked at his scroll, "It seems that we won't be staying at a hotel, but instead someone will let us stay at a certain large household."
He glanced at Sakura.
She just raised an eyebrow.
He went back to the scroll, Wonder why she doesn't know, "We should be on out top behaviour when we stay there," he glanced at Naruto during that part, "And treat the people who live there with gratitude and thanks," he looked at Sasuke during that statement.
"The day after tomorrow we will report in the newly made ninja academy. We will teach two classes. One if for the adults, so ninja can already be ready by the time we leave, and the other is filled with children. So, we just have to wait for the man who owns the house."
"Who?" Naruto asked.
"Haruno Reij."
Sakura's eyes widened, "He-"
"Sakura-chan!" 'Saki' was a term that was only used when Laiya and Reij were still together.
"Otoosan!" They gave each other a hug, Sakura making sure she doesn't hug too hard. But after she shot him a questioning look, "Large household?"
Reij grinned, "I suppose you can say I developed quite a better business."
"But is it enough for all four of us?"
"Of course! Now, as perhaps you have noticed," he said facing the three males, "I am Haruno Reij. And I believe you three are Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Hai."
The silver haired man grinned, "Well, if you'll just follow me. My home is only a few streets from here."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"I wonder..." Tenten thought aloud.
Lee faced her, "What do you mean, Tenten?"
She quickly shook her head, "Nothing Lee." They were in front of the gates of the Hidden Rock Village, it wasn't exactly an ally of Konoha, but it wasn't a foe anymore. But the thing Tenten was wondering, was if... her so called 'rival' still remembers her. She put a hand on her chin, What was his name again?
"It would be better if we would enter now," Neji said.
Gai grinned, "Yosh! Let us enter!" Then Lee and Gai ran inside.
Neji and Tenten just walked behind them, then Tenten spoke up, "So, I wonder if they know where the Tsuchikaga tower is." He just shrugged.
Tenten sighed. Even after all those years, it seems that their relationship hasn't changed at all. She managed to become a sister to Lee and a daughter to Gai, but was still only a friend... maybe even only a teammate with Neji. And it was sad really. He was the farthest compared to everyone among the Konoha 12. Team Kakashi were a family, so was Team Kurenai and Ino-Shika-Cho. But in Gai... Neji was still distant. They gained their trust and respect; yes. But friendship... that was another story.
"So, um, Neji... you and Nartuo?" she asked.
...
"I mean you know, with Nartuo and Hinata already close to going out with each other. You really can't keep hoping Naruto would stay dense forever. You gonna act like the whole overprotective cousin or just let it... play out."
"Hn." Even Sasuke would have a response to that!
She faced him again, "Just so you know, if you have any probelms or something to share, you can always come to me and Lee."
"Lee and I."
"Thank you for the grammar lesson oh almighty wise one!" Tenten exclaimed, "But don't go to Gai-sensei, unless the... sharing is for older people of course."
Neji couldn't help but smile, "I appreciate it."
Her eyes slightly widened but then she returned it. But then the hair on the back of her neck shot up... Someone was watching them... Neji's face tense, also sensing someone. Lee and Gai, on the other hand, were already too far off.
Neji got out a kunai. Tenten just kept on walking, "Don't worry, Neji. The kid is harmless."
Then, the chakra signature disappeared.
...
"What just happened?" Neji asked.
Tenten shrugged, "He probably saw and tried to make sure it was me, when he did he probably just left."
"He?" Neji asked with a bit of jealousy in his voice.
Her eyes slightly widened, but then she inwardly smirked, "No one to be jealous of Neji-kun."
He glared at her.
She just smirked, "Can't take a joke? Come on, Lee and Gai might be at the tower already... if they already found it." He nodded then they ran off.
But Tenten looked behind her then quickly looked back up front...
Though she could have sworn she saw the guy with a smirk in his face.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
"Kazekage-sama! Kankuro-san! Temari-san! Long time no see!" Ino exclaimed greeting the three.
Gaara nodded in acknowledgement. Kankuro gave a short response. And Temari also smiled brightly, "Its also good to see you three, too! Especially you, Ino-san!"
The two smiled at each other.
Chouji and Kankuro were unaffected by their display of affection.
But one, the lazy bum to be more precise, was able to see the competition on the two blondes' eyes.
Shikamaru groaned, What am I? A trophy or something?
Gaara just sighed at the girls' behaviour, but then said, "I believe you are here for information regarding the scroll, correct?"
Chouji nodded, "Yup."
Kankuro just grinned, "Yeah well, this has some serious matters that I shouldn't get involved in, come on Temari. Lets leave them." Temari was about to protest but then nodded, like she would be that obvious.
The Kazekage led them to the tower and they assembled in his office, "Was Hokage-sama able to tell you about the scroll?"
They shook their heads.
He sighed and got out a book that looked decades -even centuries- old.
"The scroll contains forbidden jutsus that deal with the elemental goddesses."
Ino's face remained impassive, but inside was a different matter, What the hell?! What is Tsuande-sama trying to pull?!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
I NEED AT LEAST 3 REVIEWS BEFORE THE NEXT CHAPTER
On my profile there are a list of stories I plan on wrting after I finish a long fic. Please vote, your opnion matters.
I know it wasn't that eventful, but bear with me, please! For the next chapters, it will be quite slow. I don't want to rush things, it'll make the story seem less... nice.
And please bear with the lack of Hinata in this chapter. I need to give some spotlight to Team Asahi for a full scene, you know?
Please review!