"There was a point in my life when I knew I loved her, then there was a point when I was sure she loved me back. But in the end she chose a boy who had gone to a pedophile instead of me. After that…well, after that I had her. That was better then cotton candy any day."

5 years ago

I loved walking the streets of Konoha, especially in the morning. It was quiet and so…surreal. Nothing like the usual hustle and bustle of the Village Hidden In The Leaves. Once in a while I would be greeted by a menacing glare and an attempted punch in the face, but I was a ninja. The villagers stopped trying to really hurt me, physically, after the mission to the Wave Village.

"Sakura-chan!"

I smiled brightly, watching as the head of bubble gum pink hair twisted and Sakura smiled. She wasn't happy to see me, I saw that.

"Hey Naruto. What are you doing out this early?"

I cringed; she was tired. Sasuke's comment had hit her hard. The boy she loved had told her she was weak. There were times I hated the Uchiha more then the fox inside me. We walked around a little until it was time to reach the bridge. Sasuke was there, as usual.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun!"

I loved Sakura, I really did, but how she said his name made me think of nails on a chalkboard. It was so high pitched and not anything like her real voice.

"Hn."

The great and powerful Uchiha in his natural habitat; listen and watch as he tries to communicate.

"Dobe, what are you staring at?"

Ah, he can speak. What a wonderful discovery we have made. Next time on the Life Styles of the Rich and Strange we will observe Shino.

"Stop staring at Sasuke-kun, Naruto!" BAM

Ow, I can't believe she'd punch me for just staring at the duck head. I wonder what she'd do if I punched him. Insert evil grin here.

"Yo. I got stuck saving an old grampa from the trees of doom."

We didn't even bother yelling "YOU'RE LATE", his excuse was way to…weird this time.

"Listen up, the Chunnin exams are coming up and as far as I know, you three are all ready."

I tuned him out, I knew that Sakura would fill me in later, she was sweet like that. I switched my eyes to Kakashi; his one eye was on Sasuke as he talked about training. Stupid sensei, it was obvious he favored the prodigy over Sakura and me.

"Alright, Sasuke, you come with me to spar, and Sakura you fight with Naruto, teach him how to create better chakra control."

With that he was gone in a pouf of smoke, I glared at the stop where he stood. My chakra control was fairly decent, what I needed was more techniques! Kami damn the pervert.

The first exam, wow, can't believe we made it here. Especially with that stupid door.

Flashback

The door was fake! I could tell, you know how? We walked up only TWO flights of stairs. Idiots. Common sense, people. Sasuke was looking at the sign with a smug look in his eyes, really, his eyes were screaming "I AM SMUG, BOW DOWN TO MY POWERFUL SMUG EYES" Yes.

"Come on Sakura, don't tell me you fell for this, even the dead last could've seen this."

Well at least I get some credit… I think that was credit.

"Yeah, of course, this is the second floor."

The sign swirled and the number 2 appeared. We walked off, letting our awesomeness sink in.

End

I looked around and saw…Kabuto? Yeah, Kabuto showing off his cards. They were looking at one of the Sand ins. Gaara I think.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

My head spun around at the voice, Ino had requested to see my stats. Why? She barely talks to me. I looked over Sakura's shoulder as my stars were read. It wasn't disappointing, that I was happy for. It didn't say dead last or pathetic or weak. It just said I was powerful enough and had a few forbidden jutsus under my belt. How does that card know I read more then one jutsu from the forbidden scroll? Ah well.

"Forbidden Jutsu's, nice Naruto. How'd you manage to fool the cards?"

Sakura asked, she was serious! She thought I couldn't do any forbidden jutsu's. Maybe I am pathetic if I couldn't even get my own team mate to believe in me.

"Forehead girl, it isn't very nice to insult your team. Might cause trouble."

Ino spoke up, I didn't know if she was defending me or insulting me, but either way I was grateful.

Hinata slid her test over to me, whispering that she didn't want me to fail. I smiled and she blushed. Strange girl.

"No, Hinata-chan, I don't want you to get kicked out because I couldn't handle a little test."

I winked for good measure; she smiled shakily and took her test back. I glanced up and Ibiki, his eyes were glancing around the room. Going back and forth. People were getting kicked out left and right, some with fights, some without. It was interesting.

"Alright, time for the tenth question. If you choose to answer this question and get it wrong then you're exempt from ever trying out for the Chunnin exams. If you leave then your whole team leaves. Pick." (1)

Hands went up in front of me, behind me, left of me, right of me and even diagonally from me. I raised my hand too, but not to leave, I knew Sakura was going to raise her hand; I didn't want her to take the blame for me.

"If you think I'm going to leave because of a stupid question then you've got another thing coming. I'm going to pass this test. BELIEVE IT!"

Ibiki's eyes were on me and he smiled.

"You all…PASS!"

Huh? What do you mean we pass? That was the tenth question? Again, HUH?

"If you were sent on a mission to get a scroll from…" (2)

I listened, his point was… scary? No, more realistic. That could and probably would happen to us. When we would have to choose, I shivered. Being a ninja seemed a bleak thing for a few seconds.

Suddenly the window cracked a woman in fishnets and a really tight top burst in.

"Anko!"

Lamps here (or Ida) dont you love Naru-chan? i sure do, all that bottled up angst, so much fun P hehe

(1) I dont feel like writing out the whole little "speech" of his. if you want, go ahead and look it. idc

(2) The same thing, too much words that mean NOTHING, Elishia has most of the speeches i think. her chapy was first, so go ahead and see it ova there.

Hope ya all liked it, its gonna get betta!

REVIEW

Warmest regards,

Lamps