Hello and welcome back. It's finally time for the event that I have been looking forward to getting to. The Chuunin Exam is going to begin in this chapter. Now, I have been told by quite a few people that they have enjoyed the differences I have introduced into this story and so, in an attempt to keep that going, I also changed up, just a bit, how the exam shapes up and what occurs. Now, I have been wondering whether or not this would go well or wouldn't (I've been sitting on this chapter for the past couple of days) so I am kinda going to need your input on this chapter. Hopefully you will enjoy it, because I just couldn't get this idea out of my head. So for those of you who were looking forward to a difference in the Chuunin Exam, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 14 - The Gathering: The Chuunin Exam begins!

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In the tower of the Hokage, Arashi, as well as some assistants, were gathering folders filled to the brim with information on the participants in the exam that would be starting today. It was a monumentous occasion too. This year, over 50 genin teams were participating. It would be a long and taxing procedure but one that needed to be done.

One thing that Arashi prided himself in was that he was unpredictable, and that was a trait that was not well-known. People thought of him as a leader, a serious man, a strong individual, etc., etc. But what they didn't know was that he was unpredictable and surprised the people around him often. But he didn't care, not a bit. He loved the look of surprise, and he was going to get a lot of it today.

While Sarutobi had established an accepted practice of testing smarts, tracking, and physical ability, Arashi believed in a different approach. If a ninja could not adapt to a situation and perform the responsibilities required of them in a time of crisis, then they didn't belong in the next level and possibly killing people because they made a mistake.

Finishing up with the final gathering of folders, Arashi gave a quick glance at Kakashi, and they both gave a knowing nod to each other before leaving the office and Arashi locking the door behind him.

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Naruto was just finishing up his final preparations. He had on his regular black t-shirt with his dark orange windbreaker pants and he had just finished putting on the dark orange windbreaker jacket on over the shirt. Leaving his hair alone, he adjusted his kunai and shuriken holsters and looked at himself in the mirror.

He had long since discarded his bracer, the fracture in his arm being diagnosed as healed completely, and without it, he had felt whole again. It helped him out, psychologically, to see that Hinata was diagnosed the same way shortly after him. He, Hinata, and Sasuke were back and things were moving along very, very well.

Yamato had suggested to them as the exam approached that it would probably be best if they learned how to work together a lot better. It wasn't that he doubted them, he always said, but that it wouldn't hurt to try and make their connection and teamwork a lot more polished. Their days began including one to two hours of strategizing for certain situations, as well as studying some material that their sensei had gotten for them. He also suggested that it wouldn't hurt for them to try to find a way to communicate better without being noticed. Sasuke suggested studying morse code, and so they did. Soon, Team Seven was working like a well-oiled machine, and they were in rare form.

It was a few days before now that Naruto decided to go to the library and check out something. That something was the history of the chuunin exam and what might be expected. He found a great volume of information, from what they want to see out of a chuunin-hopeful, all the way to what to expect. Paying more attention to the parts that included Konoha's Chuunin Exam's history, he found that in the days of the Third Hokage, the exam consisted of three parts. A written test, a survival and investigatory test, and a skills test. The 'Skills' test was actually a series of one-on-one fights between the remaining participants until their was only one.

But no other details were given and there were no records of what had occured in the Chuunin Exam's history in Konoha while under the Yondaime's rule. 'Damnit, father, you just had to go ahead and crush my hopes, didn't you' Naruto had said to himself in mock annoyance. Truthfully, Naruto wouldn't have it any other way. While being prepared would enhance his team's chances of soaring through the exam, he would rather be surprised.

So now, on the day of the exam, Naruto was focusing on the task at hand and preparing himself, mentally, for what might come. Seeing that he had a few minutes to spare, he went to the kitchen and fixed himself a cup of instant ramen to eat, which he did quite quickly, and grabbed his bag before he left out the front door.

He made his way to Training Area 13, which was their training grounds and the designated meeting spot, to wait for his teammates. As he was arriving at the meeting spot, he was not surprised to see Hinata there already. She tended to always be on time. Naruto didn't know whether to associate that tendency with her lack of desire to go overboard in making herself 'presentable' in other teenage girls' terms, or that it was just the way she was. It could be a combination of both. She wore the same thing she always did: cream-colored, bulky jacket with baggy dark pants and her sandals.

Now what did surprise him was that Hinata was not alone. Uchiha Sasuke, who seldomly arrives before he did, was already present in his dark blue shirt and white khaki shorts. Now Sasuke wasn't a tardy person, but it was just that Naruto always seemed to be there before Sasuke was. Hearing horror stories from his father about the tardiness of one of his students, Kakashi, gave Naruto a more open mind on tardiness. But, as stated before, Sasuke wasn't a perpetually late everyday. He was just coincidentally the last person to arrive.

Once he was noticed by his two team mates, they exchanged 'good mornings' and other small talk, very hesitant to mention their appointment for the day. But it couldn't be avoided and when it was brought up, it sent home the truth of the day.

"We might want to make our way to the meeting area. It's almost that time." spoke the calm Uchiha. Hinata and Naruto mumbled in agreement and then made their way. The walk there was quiet but necessary. Each one needed to sort out the thoughts racing through their mind, and try to relax the anxiety racing through their nerves.

Once they reached the building, they stepped inside, and followed the posted signs to the first area. The first area ended up being a few people with a lot of papers in front of them and a line of people before them. As each person went up to the table the people with the papers were sitting at, these people sorted through the many stacks and marked off names of individuals and handed out a sheet of paper to them.

Once their team made it's way to the front, they were asked to provide the information the people, who became quickly known as proctors, asked for, including cell name, personal identity, proof of identification, and their permit. Once Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Hyuuga Hinata of Cell Seven of Konohagakure was recorded, as well as their permit - signed and sealed by the Hokage, they were told to follow the signs to the 'Gathering Area' to await their number to be called.

Following the signs, they made their way to area...and were stunned by the number of people in there.

"What the hell?" asked Naruto, in sheer disbelief at the number of people there. "This is insane!" That was when he looked down at his number and saw 103, and then he saw that Sasuke and Hinata had 104 and 105 respectively. Doing the math as quickly as he could, he realized they were the 35th registered team at the exam. "Why does there have to be so many people taking this exam?"

"Because we all feel like it, so shut up brat" came the response from a teenage boy dressed entirely in black with a large, wrapped package on his back. "Geez, they let rookies take it too. Man, this is lame." grumbled the same boy.

"Don't worry about it Kankuro, these brats will just be fodder. They'll be filtered out before the second leg even happens." This came from a teenage girl with wild, long blonde hair and carrying a large, folded fan.

"Understand this, if you underestimate us, you'll be the one becoming fodder, got that?" came Naruto's awaited response. It lived up to what those who knew him, came to expect. One such person was Nara Shikamaru.

"Man, this early and you are already making trouble, damn. Can't keep your mouth closed huh?" came his bored statement. "Talk any louder and you'll make more than them your enemies."

Naruto then looked at all the people who were in the room and saw a lot of oddball-looking characters, but they all seemed to mean business. Taking them lightly would prove to be unbeneficial to one's health. Some, who apparently overheard his little declaration, were either glaring at him, sneering at him, chuckling to themselves, or mumbling to their teammates. To be blunt, this made him more upset. These people all seemed to think they were so much better than him and his team, just because they (Team Seven) were considered rookies.

"Listen brat, just shut up. Being quiet will make your presence here more acceptable." came the venemous voice from Kankuro.

"Really, I don't find much wrong with his energy." This made Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Kankuro, Shikamaru, and the blonde-haired girl to look in the voice's direction to see none other than Kidremé. "In fact, I think it's refreshing in a room full of tight-asses." He said this while sending a glare at Kankuro specifically. Naruto would've laughed if he still wasn't uncomfortable around the boy. But he decided to accept him since his teammate, Elru, seemed okay.

Kankuro returned the glare but that was until a familiar shiver went through his spine as he felt himself being glared at by the one person that honestly scared him to no end. His little brother, Gaara.

"Kankuro, stop being troublesome. Choosing to continue is only going to provoke confrontation at this point and our sensei would be highly disappointed with that. Besides, they are..." and he trailed off as he gazed at them all, including Ino and Chouji, who had joined Shikamaru with team seven, "insignificant." Naruto would've exploded right there if it weren't for someone else interfering right then.

"Labeling people so quickly will lead to weakness. Never judge a book by it's cover, for the inside might hold something greater" came the calm, cool voice of Elru, Kid's teammate. She stepped inbetween both groups, acting like a barrier. She was met with a sneer from Kankuro, a curious/confused gaze from the blonde, and an impassive stare from the red-headed boy. She looked the same she did that day when Naruto and his friends first met her, including the wrapping over the eyes. Naruto guessed it was this that had the three on the other side of her incredulous.

Gaara closed his eyes, as if thinking of something, before opening them back, the green in them seemingly holding infinite ill-will. The dark bags underneath his eyes helped with the image. He was more unnerving than the group from Shadow. He turned back to his teammates, but turned back around, looking at all gathered across from him. "You are all insignificant. Do not get in my way." And with that, he turned back around and walked away, followed by his teammates.

After settling back into a calm, everyone got through with the quick formalities and awaited instruction on what would occur. Eventually, the room was silenced as six intimidating figures stepped through, who were then joined by the Hokage. Everyone seemed to treat him with the most respect since as soon as he entered the room, it became deathly quiet. The Yondaime looked around the room, taking into account how many there were and getting himself ready for a long day.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Chuunin Selection Exam. Since you have all been waiting for a while, I will cut straight to the chase. The number you were given before you came to this room, that is your appointment number. We will start by calling the number on that sheet of paper and will go along with that process until everyone in this room has been with us for an interview." Some light whispering could be heard at the word 'interview.' "Yes, I understand that that is a little unorthodox, but so is the life you lead. If you cannot adjust to odd circumstances then you do not belong at the next level. Once inside, you will be interviewed under scrutiny of these people with me. Allow me to introduce them to you."

He then started from the farthest person on his left and made his to the farthest person on his right. "They are Mitarashi Anko, Hyuuga Hizashi, Hatake Kakashi, Morino Ibiki, Yuuhi Kurenai, and Uchiha Itachi. No favoritism shall be shown whatsoever, so you can save the complaints. You will be graded for your performance during the interview. Whether or not you and your team will move on to the next leg of the exam will depend on your final grade. We will all vote on whether you have the qualities to move on."

Now everyone started to chatter more audibly. This, apparently, got on the nerves of the woman known as Anko, as she snapped at everyone. "Listen up, everyone. This won't be some walk in the park. Each one of us passes a vote on each person in the team. If the team gets under 15, you fail. Got it? Good. Now we'll begin. Number One, let's go." And so the process began. This would not be a walk in the park, as they said, for if the thought of not impressing them wasn't enough, then the wait time was a killer.

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(A/N: From this point, I'm going to have the P.O.V. be from inside the room and I will choose random times for someone to be noticed. Not everyone that is known will be focused on but I will choose some.)

Arashi was quite pleased with the way everything seemed to be turning out so far. From once they commenced the first exam, he had seen a total of eleven teams worth of genin enter, but only two had passed. The reason for the difficulty when all that was being conducted was an interview was simple. The chair that the genin were supposed to sit in as they were questioned was the focal point of a genjutsu array. The design was influenced by some of the better genjutsu experts around.

The way the array worked was that as soon as the genin took the seat, they would feel a heaviness around them, as if a weight was being placed on their minds. Then Arashi would open with the question: "Why did you want to be a ninja?" After a response, he would then ask: "Why do you feel qualified to be a chuunin?" Depending on their response, would depend on the questions to follow. As the questions were asked, images were intended to be sent to the mind that helped the genin gain a visual/mental grasp of situations that might occur once they are a chuunin out in the field. Images of struggle, strife, death, danger, violence, stress, and desperation would attack and haunt the already burdened mind and try to rip through the resolve of the genin. But the genjutsu was chuunin level. If the genin could not break through a chuunin level genjutsu or they could not hold their will against a chuunin level technique, then they did not need to be out there risking lives.

It wasn't until the thirteenth team was approached that things got interesting. For the first person from this set of three that was called in was Hyuuga Neji. 'Alright, Hizashi, let's see how impartial you can be.' "Hello, Hyuuga Neji. If you would, please take the seat before you." Arashi watched as he did so and seemed to be unphased. "Well let's begin. Neji, why did you want to become a ninja?"

He saw Neji begin to look a little uncomfortable but he calmed back down shortly afterwards. "I became a ninja..." He then looked at his father carefully before he continued. "I became a ninja to try and escape the home whenever the earliest chance was provided. I also sought to become stronger and a way to use my skills outside the family for my own benefit." Arashi took careful note of how Hizashi flinched at the words of his son.

"Hmm...very well. Then would you mind telling me why you are taking this exam at this time?" Once again, he saw Neji's face flinch suddenly, but as before, it did not last very long.

"I, as did my team, felt that it was time."

Next it was time for someone else to speak up and ask questions, but what was surprising was that Hizashi opted to ask the next question. "Tell us, why is it that you want to be chuunin? What is your purpose behind that decision?"

Neji closed his eyes in concentration, as he seemed to be searching for the words. Upon opening his eyes, there was a fierce look of determination in them. "I wish to become chuunin...so that I may step out of the shadows of my family. Becoming chuunin means taking on a more dedicated role and you are treated with more respect. My purpose is simple: become chuunin, then ascend to the next level as quickly as possible."

"So you are a ninja for the rank?" Again, the question was asked by Hizashi, who seemed to be pressing his son for a desired response.

"No, I am a ninja because it was my decision. When you are caged and are given the chance to escape by some means, do you not take the opportunity? That is why I am a ninja, to be free...and to prove, that just because I am a member of the Cadet Branch of the Hyuuga, that I, too, can be strong. I will ascend in power and become the strongest Hyuuga in our clan." Though the reasoning was on a more personal level, it couldn't be denied that he spoke with much more passion than you were accustomed to when around the young boy. There was defiance in his voice, and a fire that could not be extinguished. It was clear and very apparent. No one would stand in his way.

"Very well, Hyuuga Neji, you may exit. Please call in your teammate, Rock Lee." Neji got up and exited out the door, giving Arashi and the others the chance to quickly pass their judgment. By the time Lee and Tenten were finished, the grading began. Tenten: 6-1, Rock Lee: 6-1, and Hyuuga Neji: 6-1. They passed.

Arashi found it quite amusing how different each team seemed to be from one another. And the difference between those who would pass and those who didn't have what it took was very clear. Each team's interview lasted anywhere from 6-12 minutes, and a large number of teams were dropping like flies. A team that had proven to be quite curious was the team from Sunagakure. The red-headed boy, Gaara, was especially different. He never seemed to be phased by the genjutsu, not even once. There was only a cold, calculating visage the entire interview and his conviction was brutally honest. His reason for being a ninja: there was nothing else he could possibly be. His reason for taking the exam to become chuunin: there was nothing else for him to gain remaining a genin. That team passed with an amazing score. Kankuro: 6-1, Temari: 7-0, Gaara: 7-0. It was the highest so far and there had already been over twenty teams.

Kurenai's team passed with flying colors. Haruno Sakura's ability to notice genjutsu was put to the test and won out. Sakura: 7-0, Shino: 7-0, Kiba: 4-3. Asuma's team, however, struggled slightly. Skikamaru: 5-2, Ino: 5-2, Chouji: 5-2. It was a bit disturbing that there were quite a few teams from Konoha passing but with barely passable marks. Something needed to be done to improve the performance from the genin of Konoha and Arashi would be sure to implement a harder discipline into the training of genin after this was all over.

One of the more interesting teams ended up being his friend's team. Kidremé, Ezekiel, and Elru all had a story behind them, one that would move even the coldest of hearts. Arashi's heart went out to them, and he was happy that they finally had someone who would take care of them like he knew his friend would. Elru's interview was very amusing, just because of the fact that when Anko asked the blunt question of if the girl was blind, she desribed in surprising detail what they were all wearing, even the color, as well as the color of the eyes and the color of the hair. "Don't judge a book by it's cover so quickly" she had said afterwards. "Just because my eyes are covered does not mean that I do not see." It was without any hesitation that they gave her the score, 7-0.

Kidremé, after explaining his situation, it was a foregone conclusion what would happen with him. He would pass, it would just depend what the score was. The reason the group was so quick to pass him was for the fact that he professed what his fighting style consisted of and it literally blew away what was the norm for any shinobi. While a ninja's career was dependent on physical ability, he did not possess much of a physique. The boy was diagnosed with a condition that should have kept him out of a career as a shinobi, it in fact only pushed him harder. And his fighting style, was just remarkable. It was without regret that they gave him his score: 7-0.

Next came Ezekiel, who held himself in such an air that you would not expect from one so young. He was only 14 and yet he seemed to radiate an aura that would make anyone proud. It was a confidence that couldn't be engraved into someone unless they believed in themselves completely. And as Arashi expected from the confidence of the boy, the genjutsu didn't seem to affect him at all. As Ezekiel revealed the reason he wanted to be a ninja, it became painfully aware to Arashi that these three were not just picked randomly by his friend, it was as if they were studied and chosen. All three had talent, but not the means to bring it out and Vander was there to offer that driving force that would assist them to excel. And just like with Kidremé, all seven were awed by the description of Ezekiel's fighting style. All three genin from this new school were outrageously unique but ever so complimentary. Where you might find a weakness in one, the other two covered that weakness. By the end of Ezekiel's interview, Arashi had the first for that day: 7-0, the first perfect score for a team.

A few teams later, it was time for Number 103. When the person was called for, in came Uzumaki Naruto. Arashi grinned a little as he felt the gazes of the other six interrogators on him. "Welcome, Naruto, would you have a seat right there, please?" He motioned to the chair and Naruto firmly sat in it. Arashi noted the extremely determined look on his son's face and knew that this was probably futile. But it had to be done. "Very well, now let us begin. Tell us, Naruto, why did you want to be a ninja?"

He watched as Naruto thought to himself, his face scrunching up from his thought process. "Well, I guess it would have to be the example set forth by you, the Yondaime Hokage of Konoha." Everyone raised their eyebrows at him for that statement. "The Hokage looks out for his people like he would his own family. I wanted to do the same thing. Those I hold precious, I will do anything for. I want to become strong and ascend the ranks - possibly to your level, Hokage-sama."

While most parents would find it insulting to be regarded in such a way by their own son, it actually helped to show a few things. One, that Naruto wasn't looking for special treatment. Referring to Arashi as the Yondaime Hokage was sending the message that Naruto saw Arashi as the Hokage, not his father, on this day. Two, it would help that since there were witnesses to this treatment, that no one would be able to argue the authenticity of the judgment of Arashi in regards to his son's score. Naruto was no longer his son at this moment, but a chuunin-hopeful, and Naruto was helping him realize that. 'Naruto, you are quite clever. Even now, you think past the predicament you are in to the cause-and-effect possibilities in the wake. Truly, you have progressed far beyond my previous expectations.'

"Very well then. So, would you tell us why you want to be a chuunin?" Everyone assumed thoughtful poses, ready for his answer.

"It's the next step in my goal. To be a leader, you have to take steps right? Well, this is my next step." Arashi had accepted the answer, and as he looked around, he saw that everyone else had too.

"Very well, then one last question. Tell us why you feel you are capable of being a chuunin." He watched as Naruto started to think of something and then, it was like a bulb went off in his mind. He assumed a smile that spoke incredible levels of mischief in the works.

"Well, the old saying is 'Actions speak louder than words' right?" If Arashi knew better then the smirk he saw on Naruto's face was spelling trouble. Very quickly he saw his son perform six handseals in rapid fire succession which led to the new predicament. They all watched as Naruto finished the handseals with his hands clasped together but with the index fingers of both hands pointing. He brought the fingers up to his throat and inhaled a deep breath. In one moment there was silence, in the next was a dreadful wail that could only be described as apocalyptic.

Arashi barely noticed before he had to close his eyes for fear they would surge out of their sockets that the noise was coming from Naruto. A few moments later, Naruto stopped, much to the pleasure of everyone else.

"Oh dear god, that hurts so bad" commented Kurenai, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Damn kid, that hurt the back of my brain" came Anko's response, as she rubbed her temples.

"I'm still seeing stars" commented Arashi, rubbing his eyes. "What the hell was that, Naruto."

"That was a technique I learned recently. Of course, I had to test it in sound-proof areas that way I wouldn't disturb anybody else, but I find it quite useful."

"How could such a loud attack be beneficial when stealth is everything, huh kid?" questioned Ibiki.

"If I'm correct then Uzumaki Naruto knows the Kage Bunshin, right?" asked Itachi. When Naruto nodded, Itachi's assumptions appeared to be accurate. But, Kakashi beat him to the explanation.

"Then Naruto could simply make one clone and instruct it to go off to an area away from his team. Then, it could use the technique, alerting any potential enemies to the bunshin's location, while Naruto and his teammates could make a hasty exit." Everyone seemed to register then the usefulness of the technique. And Arashi recognized Naruto's intentions. It was a smack in his face, point blank range too. He had already mastered a chuunin level technique, and probably a number of others. And the fact that Naruto didn't hurry to explain the purpose for the technique was also a display of his prowess. 'Naruto didn't explain the technique, because he felt he didn't need to. Why is it, Naruto, that you keep surprising me?'

"Hmm, very well then Naruto. You may leave. Oh and tell Uchiha Sasuke to enter please?" When Naruto nodded and left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief before consulting each other on how they should grade him. That was when Sasuke entered.

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(A/N: To all Sasuke fans, I did not just skip over him. I will recount the time he spent in there when reflected back upon. But for now, the P.O.V. will swing to outside the room)

Naruto, after telling Sasuke to go in, sat down and sighed in relief. The way they all looked at him, it sorta turned his stomach. It was such a pleasure to change their tunes on how they viewed him. He put as much chakra as he could in the short amount of time he gave himself to pull off the technique to make it most memorable to them. Their ears, Naruto guessed, would still be ringing by morning tomorrow.

"So, Mr. Uzumaki, how did you fare?" came the question from Kidremé.

"I think I did okay but I'm not sure. Whatever happened in there, it didn't feel real. It all felt...weird...like a dream."

"Yeah I know what you are talking about." he replied. "So, after Uchiha who just went in, will you guys be done?"

"No, Hinata-chan still has to go in." He then looked at her but saw that she was fidgeting rather badly. "Hinata" he called to her, gaining her attention, "you're going to do alright, alright?"

A moment later, Sasuke came out with that indifferent look on his face but his eyes spoke for him. He seemed to be rattled. And though Naruto tried not to show it in the room with his father and those proctors, he was rattled too. Whatever caused that feeling of uneasiness once you sat down, it was strong and took a little while to get over it. And the things he saw weren't too pleasant. But he forced himself to push through. He could only hope that he did well and that Sasuke did well. Now it was Hinata's turn, and Naruto was, for a lack of a better term, nervous. The cause for his nervousness, many things, but one was that he hoped she could overcome the feeling that he knew she would feel.

"Hinata, you're next." Sasuke then looked at Naruto quickly and then back to her. "Good luck." And for a rare moment, Sasuke smiled at her.

Naruto, naturally, followed suit, though it seemed weird to him that Sasuke had, once again, beaten him to something today. "Yeah, Hinata-chan. Good luck, but I'm confident you won't need it. Just remember," he said to her, holding onto her shoulder for emphasis as she gazed into his eyes, "it's what you feel, not what somebody else feels, that makes you who you are. You are strong, if you believe you are strong. Now go in there and kick some ass, girl." He then patted her roughly, but comfortingly, on the back and in the direction of the door.

She turned back to them before she hesitantly pulled the door open, smiled one last time, and walked in, closing the door behind them.

"Do you think she will be okay, Naruto?" asked Sasuke.

"I don't think we have anything to worry. At this point, she knows that she can't afford to not be strong. She'll be fine." came the reply from Naruto, as he grinned in confidence.

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(Back inside the room)

Hinata looked at the seven seated behind the table and smiled at Hizashi, Arashi, and Kurenai. When she was motioned to take the seat before them, she did so, but suddenly felt a strange feeling encompass her. It was like the air became colder and heavier, and her mind felt burdened, and this was definitely not something she was expecting.

"Welcome, Hyuuga Hinata. Let's begin with some quest-" but Arashi was cut off by the purple-haired kunoichi, Anko.

"Wait a minute, Hyuuga Hinata?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. When Hinata nodded her head, Anko started giggling to herself. "Oh this is rich. So this is the second Hyuuga chuunin-hopeful, but you are from the main branch, and the head of the clan's elder child, isn't that right?" Once again, Hinata could only nod, not trusting her voice. "What the hell are you doing being a ninja, huh? Shouldn't you be with your dad learning how to run the clan or something?"

"W-W-Well, father said that becoming a sh-shinobi of the v-village would help me." She mentally cursed that her stutter was back in full force, but she didn't seem able to stop herself. She was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"Do you even know what the risks are of being a kunoichi? The things you might have to do? The things that might be done to you? You're not a male, so most sick enemies won't just kill you, they'll hurt you and have 'fun' before they finish you off. Are you even sure you know what you got yourself into, kid?"

At this, Hinata's mind was assaulted by grotesque images of things that she knew would haunt and plague her mind. Becoming increasingly uncomfortable, she was now feeling something new in the face of these mental images. Terror.

Of course, Arashi thought it was a bit harsh what Anko was doing to her, but they hadn't treated any of the other kunoichi differently. They saw the same things and were asked the same questions. But Hinata, he felt, was more innocent than they were, and these questions and images might break her. Having been around the girl enough since she grew up with his son, Arashi knew how fragile the girl's frame of mind was, and this could totally shatter her resolve to be a ninja of the Leaf.

"Answer me, girl. Do you even know what you risk by being a kunoichi of this village and what risks you run? Your teammates won't always be there to bail you out if something rough comes along and you might be vulnerable. This career is a miserable experience and I'm pretty confident that you don't have the will to take it." Anko didn't like brutally assaulting the psyche of someone the way she was, but Hinata was like a beacon in the night, glaring 'Lack of Confidence Standing Here!'

And as Hinata was continuously assaulted by these images, the words from Elru and Naruto rang through her mind. 'It's what you know in yourself that makes you who you are.' 'You are strong, if you believe you are strong.' It was with those words ringing through her mind that she forced out the images and saw her family, her team, and then herself in a mirror. 'Thank you for your support, your strength.' she thought to herself.

It was with great surprise to all present that her eyes suddenly held no more fear or doubt. Instead, there was a strong, fierce, determined look in her eyes. "Perhaps you are right, Anko-san. Maybe I didn't quite know what might await me in this life I have chosen. But it was my decision to make. And as...as the heir to the Hyuuga clan, I will remain focused on my goals and that is to be a strong, capable leader for my people, whenever I might receive the opportunity."

"So why do you want to be a chuunin then?" asked Anko.

"With the rank of chuunin...comes new responsibility. If I cannot handle the responsibility of a chuunin in our village then I cannot handle the responsibility of leading my family."

"So you wish to test yourself with the chuunin rank, though you are not certain you can handle the responsibility?" That question was asked, surprisingly, by Hizashi. He was one of the elected proctors for this portion because of his unique ability to read a person's actions and judge accordingly. So now that he had decided to ask a question, it made them wonder if he was doing it only because it was Hinata.

"No. I would never use a rank to try and test myself. If I didn't feel I was ready, then I wouldn't be here." The response was blunt but precise. And she had definitely impressed them all. This newfound determination, wherever it came from, was certainly a powerful motivator and there was no way they were going to get any negative reactions out of her.

"Very well, you may leave." As Hinata left, Anko got up and escorted her out of the room but as soon as they were out of earshot of the others, Anko quickly apologized and called the next number and then went back inside to consult with the others on the score of Team Seven. Right as the next person entered, the votes had been tallied. Naruto: 7-0, Sasuke: 6-1, and Hinata 5-2. They had passed.

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Naruto looked up when he heard Anko's voice call for number 106 and so he looked for Hinata. That's when he heard a very audible sigh, as well as a thump and saw the girl now seated next to him against the wall. "Um...well, how'd you do?"

"Please don't ask, Naruto." was the quick, quiet reply. He assumed that whatever happened in there might have been pretty rough so he just dropped it.

As the hours passed, the numbers of individuals continued to be called until suddenly, there were no more numbers left to call. That being done, the door to that room opened and the seven people walked out. No longer was the tough and intimidating visage there and in it's place was a calm and, even happy, demeanor. Quickly, four of the people - Kakashi, Anko, Kurenai, and Hizashi - handed out envelopes to each team. Inside these envelopes was the score of the team, and therefore, the knowledge of whether or not they passed or failed. Of the 59 teams that participated in the first part of the exam, that number had been cut down to 24.

A couple of teams from Kiri had passed, as had a few from Iwa and Kumo, a couple from Kusa and Ame, a surprising group from a new village called Oto, a few from Taki, the one group from Suna, the new group from Vander's new school, and a number of teams from Konoha. As those who didn't pass left the room as requested, the seven proctors looked around at the remaining teams and started wondering how these teams would fare against the second part of the exam, the survival mission.

"Congratulations to all those who passed. You have proven yourselves worthy of the next portion, but unfortunately, it will not be any easier. In fact, it will be much harder and more difficult. But as it is late, now, we request that you all leave and return to this building tomorrow morning, 9 am sharp. Do not be late. Dismissed." And then all seven disappeared in puffs of smoke.

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In the darkest time of the evening, a shadowy figure snuck through the trees on the outskirts of Konoha. This person was searching for something...or someone. After a few more moments, it stopped on a tree branch, leaned against the tree, and waited for something. That something came in the form of footsteps.

"Well, well. It seems that maybe we can trust you" said the person on the tree, peering through the night at the figure who was at the designated meeting point. "You can understand why we were...apprehensive...about your cooperation."

"I assure you, I mean no ill will to you and your master." This person bowed his head respectfully.

"Hmmm...that remains to be proven. Do you have the information we require?" Through the little moonlight offered on this evening, one could barely make out the flicker of light reflecting off a metallic device on this person's face.

"Hai, I have it. You underestimate my resources if you thought I could not get such paltry gossip. I question the value in this information even." It was when the person in the trees moved to be in clear view of this person that he realized he might have crossed the line.

"Do not forget your place. You may be considered important in your village, but out here, you are but an afterthought." This person then moved their hand up to their face and readjusted their glasses, giving the other person a look that promised untold unpleasantries if the behavior continued.

"I apologize for my 'insubordinance.' I was out of line" the other person said through gritted teeth. Apparently, this person disliked having to take orders. "The information requested is right here" he said, pulling his hand out from underneath his hooded cloak. In his hand was a folded sheet of paper. The one wearing the glasses leapt down and took the paper, unfolding it and scanning over it's contents.

"Well, 'that's' where, hmm? My master has told me many tales of that place." The glasses-wearing man chuckled in arrogant amusement. "So this is the location of the second portion of that exam, correct?"

"My sources never lie. So tell me, why was this important for you?"

"A test."

"A test?"

"Yes, a test. A test will be conducted." The one with glasses was becoming annoyed by the questions of this client. Why was it that his master had to choose the most annoying and irritating of people to side with?

"And what is this test's purpose?"

"To identify the flaws and successes of an experiment. Now, I must make my way back to my master. He will become very sore with me if I am any later, and it is not helping that you keep asking these meaningless questions. Good evening. Sayonara." And with that, the man wearing the glasses disappeared. The man who was left standing there in his wake, alone, readjusted his cloak and made his way back into the village to get some sleep.

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The next morning brought a feeling of ill omen. The dark clouds hanging in the sky seemed to represent something but the meaning was beyond most people's grasps. These people were all gathering at the testing location from the previous day, eager and anxious and nervous.

Again, Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke had met at their training area to go to the testing location together, and as they waited for instructions from the next proctor, they felt the stares and glares of other shinobi on them. Quite frankly, in Naruto's opinion, it was annoying that they were being viewed differently. What had he done? What had they done? Nothing, that's what. They did what they came to do. They came into the exam's first portion and passed.

"Tch, looks like we got a homer here." When Naruto looked in the direction of the voice, he was met with an odd image. The person who belonged to the voice was clothed in bluish-gray camouflage pants and shirt, with a large fur pelt (or something along those lines) on his body, and his entire face, save for one eye, was bandaged completely.

"What was that," asked Naruto.

"I said, it looks like we have a homer. You guys. If we weren't in Konoha, you rookies wouldn't have passed. They just couldn't afford to not pass a large number of Konoha nins." Though you could only see his one eye, you were almost certain that he was smirking in sadistic pleasure, having fun at putting down somebody else. This person was then accompanied by a boy with the same clothing, but shorter sleeves on his shirt, and had big, long hair, and a girl with long black hair and wearing the same clothing as well.

One could almost feel the impending explosion from Naruto and the mummy, until the main doors burst open to reveal the purple-haired jounin from yesterday, Anko. "Alright, boys and girls, LISTEN UP!!! From this point on, you now belong to me. If you don't like it? Then leave. Come on, you brats. Let's go." Her tone held no room for argument and every single ninja present could tell that. So they followed, without a second thought.

It wasn't until they were out of the building and walking through pathways of trees and bushes that Temari from Suna spoke to Anko. "Hey there, where are we going?"

Anko turned her head to look at Temari while she kept on walking to the destination. She then closed her eyes as she smiled sweetly, a genuine smile, as if assuring them everything was going to be okay. That smile is what set everyone there at ease.

"Why, we're going to Training Area 44. The Forest Of Death."

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And voila. The first portion is done. I'm sorry if you were expecting more out of me but the first portion was a test of psyche. If you want a mental image of what occurred in that room, then for all Full-Metal Alchemist fans out there, refer to the episode of the State Alchemist exams. As for the mental images that assaulted all interrogated individuals, it was the result of the genjutsu array. Haunting images of injuries, desperate situations, kidnapping, torture, even going so far as to send images of rape to most of the kunoichi, and the genjutsu also helped to attack the weakness in one's mindit was a test of will and psyche, more than a test of the intelligence of the mind.

So now comes the second portion of the exam. The Forest of Death. But one has to ask the question. What is going to take place in that grim location? What surprises await them? Only one way to find out, wait and read the next chapter.

Now, for a preview of the next chapter: As the exam continues and each team searches for their way to pass and get through the Forest of Death, the past catches up with Naruto and Hinata, as over a decade of hatred and loathing and bitterness helps to give new meaning to term 'Survival' exam. And as this struggle ensues, history repeats itself and turns the Forest of Death, into the road to hell.