Author's Note:-Peeks out- I'm sorry!!! I started this chapter only a few days after the last however high school once again caught up to me plus I got a new job, and boyfriend. My Social sub sucks (our actual teacher went out on sick leave for an indefinite period of time so we're stuck with a sub who has no idea what she's doing) so we're not going to be finished the curriculum in time for exams. -coughcough-
Anyway I've decided to make this a two-part fic. So there are -roughly- 5 – 10 chapters left of this one.
Also if anyone has any ideas for the title of the second part (as I am blank for ideas) please let me know in a review or PM. Thank you!
Beta's Note: Here's an idea. Worry about titles later. Focus are actually writing those next 5-10 chapters.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Unfortunately.
Beta Disclaimer: You could reasonably say that I own Grammar. (A/N: Yes, yes you are. -bows-)
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Kyuubi/Inner Talking"
'Kyuubi/Inner Thinking'
Revelance of the Future
Chapter 15
Sands of Time
Author: Ginriku
Editor: Dr. Yami
"Gaara..."
When the three young shinobi rounded the corner, they were greeted by a shocking sight.
A Suna-nin, wearing what could only be described as a black body-suit with cat ear-like protusions from the top, along with purple lines of makeup down his cheeks and boxing his eyes, along with a large, wrapped bundle with hair sticking out the top on his back, was holding Konohamaru up by his neck and was standing with one foot on Udon's chest. Moegi was pounding on his leg and screaming for him to let go of the two boys. After a few seconds, he became irritated with the girl's screaming and shoved her back with his free hand, causing her to stumble and fall.
"Hey! Who do you think you are!?" Sakura screamed as she swooped in and scooped up the felled girl. "They were only playing!"
The Sun-genin sneered at them before answering, "These three brats ran into me. I think they ought to be properly punished."
Behind him a Suna-kunoichi, carrying a large fan, with sandy-blonde hair in four pig tails, sighed, making her presence known. "Come on Kankuro, you've caused enough trouble already. Do you want Gaara to find out?"
Naruto raised one eyebrow at the now named Kankuro, and folded his arms, "Well?"
Kankuro seemed to shake in his sandals at the mention of his younger brother. Hesitantly, he let go of Konohamaru, who fell into a heap on the ground gasping for breath, and stepped off of Udon, who scrambled over to Konohamaru and dragged him farther away from the nin.
"F-fine. But this isn't over yet!"It was a feeble attempt to regain his composure.
A slight rustling was heard in the trees, and a dead sounding voice was heard.
"What isn't over yet, Kankuro."
It wasn't a question.
All of the young shinobi and the three academy students looked high into the tree to find a figure standing on a branch that looked like it shouldn't have held his weight, much less the weight of the massive gourd on his back. Blazing red hair and dull jade eyes. Subaku no Gaara.
Instantly the two other sand nin started shivering as he dropped to the ground, stating in a dull monotone "Well?"
However it wasn't his siblings' voices that answered him. "Your 'friend' over here was strangling the Hokage's grandson and antagonizing said grandson's friends."
Gaara's eyes widened imperceptibly as he felt cool metal on his neck, before his sand quickly chased away the assailant.
As the new comer jumped back to avoid being impaled by a spear of sand, the sand shinobi turned slowly around to look straight into glinting onyx eyes.
Temari and Kankuro were in states of shock that someone had been able to get so close to Gaara before his sand reacted, while it had the opposite effect on the present leaf nin.
"Sasuke-kun! About time you showed up!" Sakura's voice was happy but ended in a slightly demanding tone.
Naruto, however, was smiling wickedly. That little display was evidence of how far they had come since last time.
Sasuke lazily twirled a kunai in his hand as he stared at the three sand nin. "Why are you here."
This was said in a superior tone that obviously showed in what not a question, and that he expected an answer.
Gaara however had regained his composure and glared at him coolly.
"We are here for the chunin exams."
The raven-haired boy simply nodded as he turned back to his friends and leaned down and helped the two small boys up and set them on their feet. As the rest of them turned to leave, Naruto had one last thing to say.
"A word of advice; Don't even think about it. Shukaku too."
None of the siblings could move as the leaf nin walked away.
"I don't know if I can do this."
"You'll be fine."
"What if it doesn't work?"
"I'll still love you."
"My mother would have liked you, you know."
"I sure we would have gotten along great."
"What was with those guys?"
"I don't know. I just want them dead."
"Is everything ready?"
"Affirmative."
The morning of the first exam dawned bright and crisp. It would have been a good day… if the tension in the air weren't so stifling. It was as if a blanket of fear had settled over the village. No seemed to dare to raised their voices above barely more then a whisper. It would have been easy to see that the ninja patrols all around the village were humming like a plucked bow- but then, they wouldn't be very good ninja if you could see them.
Meanwhile, we find Team Ten walking towards the exam building.
"Hey Shika-kun!"
Their usually brash blond team member heatedly whispered at her lazy teammate. Of course, the response to this was nothing more than, "Mmm, wah?"
However, that didn't deter her, "What's wrong with the village? It's so quiet, not even the birds are singing..."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes up to the clouds before responding, "Well if you haven't noticed the amount of ninja in full gear has increased dramatically over nigh. With all of the foreign nin here for the exam, people are already nervous. The birds probably aren't singing because of ninja patrols through the trees. Something big is about to go down." He frowned slightly. "Something very big."
Ino just weakly nodded as their third teammate ran up to them, looking almost as spooked as she felt. No doubt he had come to the same conclusion.
"Well, Hina-chan... Today's the day."
Naruto's arms snaked around her waist as he drew her to him and buried his face in her hair. A position he used when they were older, whenever he was feeling stressed.
Lightly she maneuvered her hand behind him to slowly run her fingers through his hair. "It'll be fine, Naru-kun. You've planned too much for this for it to happen any other way."
Sighing he turned her around in his arms so that she was facing him, quickly he leaned in and stole a kiss before replying, "I just wish I was as sure as you are, Hime."
They stood there for a few more moments before breaking away. Naruto had to meet Sakura and Sasuke at the bridge, while Hinata had to be at Kiba's to wait for Shino with him.
Team Seven met at their usual place before heading to the examination building. They all seemed to hum with the same tension that the rest of the village was feeling. Sakura was the last to join them as Sasuke and Naruto stood going over the plan again.
The rosette stopped in front of them, slightly breathless, and wearing a new outfit. "Sorry I'm late guys. My Mom had an... episode of sorts. She didn't want me to come, but it's fine now."
They both nodded and Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Sakura was now outfitted with black cargo shorts, a fitted scarlet tank top, and a strange type of armor made of a black metal covering her chest and the rest of her torso coming to a slight point at the bottom of her navel. She was wearing her armored gloves and had bandages wrapping their way up from her wrist to her elbow.
She blushed slightly seeing his expression, but spoke anyway, "Does it look alright?"
He nodded, a smirk making its way onto his face as Naruto called to them.
"Oi, we should get moving now!"
They hurried to catch up with him.
When Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura finally arrived they found that there was a scene on the second floor. Naruto smirked, knowing what was to happen.
"Guys, prepare to meet Neji, Tenten, and Lee. Brace yourselves."
He chuckled at the looks on their faces at his warning, not pausing he continued over and called to the group surrounding and wrongly marked door.
"Oi! What's with all the ruckus! Can't you idiots tell?!"
He left the question open as Lee was shoved back in all of his green spandexed glory. As he got to his feet, he, Neji, Tenten and the rest of the crowd turned to see who shouted.
Sakura's eyes widened in amazement. 'Wow, Naruto wasn't kidding about his eye brows.'
Sakura then piped up, seeing that all eyes were on them. "Ya, even a complete idiot could tell that this is a genjutsu to trick you. I mean, honestly people, we're only on the second floor."
By the door a disguised Kotetsu and Izumo smirked as the genin in front of them gasped in either surprise or indignation. Neither really cared enough to wonder. Kotetsu called out to the amused team Seven.
"Well now, someone finally noticed. But all you did was see through it!"
Without warning, he spun a roundhouse kick aimed at Sasuke. In retaliation, Sasuke also brought his leg up to block. Not a moment before they came into contact, a green blur appeared between them and caught their legs mid strike. A rough grunt was heard before the girl with the two buns stepped forward and dragged Lee from off of the floor.
"I thought we agreed to not drawing attention to ourselves!" Was angrily whispered to him from the girl.
"I am sorry, Tenten-chan."
Some more words were passed between them as their last team member joined them. A few moments later Lee once again approached them.
He spoke to Sasuke as he spoke but his eyes were on Sakura, "I apologize for my behavior, I should not have interfered."
Sasuke barely nodded before Lee burst into speech. He knelt on the ground in front Sakura with hearts in his eyes.
"My dear cherry blossom! After this horrible exam will you honor me with a date?! Please, I will protect you from these ruffians!"
Sakura sweat dropped before politely rebuffing the hopeful youth.
When Lee finally walked away, Naruto turned to his teammates.
"Sasuke, what do you think?"
His dark eyes roved over the trio before turning back to him and answering, "They're... interesting to say the least. Lee's fast... very fast. I can match it though. Hyuuga is more alert then he's letting on, and the girl-"
"Tenten."
"-Tenten, then. Seems slightly paranoid."
Naruto nodded in agreement, "Ya, watch out for all the sharp, pointy objects she's got. Well then, shall we head up to the room?"
The others ascended and they set out to the stairs at the end to the hall. Kotetsu, Izumo, and Team Gai had already left.
They were just making their way through a large room that had a ceiling that ascended all the way to the roof from the ground floor when Lee stopped them.
The trio paused waiting for the green clad nin to speak.
"You... Uchiha. Fight me. Right here, right now." He quickly slid into a stance, one arm behind his back, knees bend slightly, his free hand in front of him in a 'Come hither' gesture.
Sakura spoke first, as she was prone to doing, "Right now? Are you serious?"
Before Lee could confirm her questions Sasuke vocalized his answer.
"Fine. I'll fight you."
The ebony haired genin then indicated the room beyond the railing, "Down there."
Two minutes later all of the genin were on the floor of the large room, with Sasuke and Lee staring each other down in the middle.
To the side Sakura held up a hand, "Ready? Ok.... Hajime!"
Both of the combatants launched forward to begin their deadly dance with blinding speed. It seemed they were next to evenly matched on speed.
While they were fighting Kyuubi materialized on Naruto's shoulder, in an even smaller form then usual and wrapped himself around his guard's neck.
"You don't seriously think that Sasuke will lose, do you kit?"
Naruto let out a small laugh while crossing his arms, "No. Of course not Kyuu. Although he won't give us away if that is your next question. He will deal with this quickly and efficiently."
The blonde felt the fox nip his ear before speaking, "Ok, but I'm staying here."
He merely grumbled something in reply because at that moment Sasuke had pinned Lee to the ground. He couldn't quite catch what was said but it seemed to be a warning. Beside him Sakura had piped up.
"Good job Sasuke!"
The Uchiha smirked as he helped Lee up from their position on the floor. As they dusted themselves off the pair walked over.
Naruto spoke first to Lee, "You did a good job. Lee as well. Your speed is very impressive." He inclined his head in Sasuke's direction, "We need to get to the examination room now."
Sasuke nodded and headed for the stairs and Sakura followed him. Naruto meanwhile looked back towards the solemn Lee. After catching his eye he gave him a bright encouraging smile and spoke, "Aren't you coming?"
This seemed to perk him up as he smiled and followed our beloved time traveler to the long awaited chunin exam.
When they entered the room Lee immediately went to stand with his teammates on one side of the room as a blonde banshee screamed, "FOREHEAD GIRL!"
About half a second later Ino had latched onto Sakura and began to interrogate her.
"What have you been doing with Sasuke?! What's happened to you?! And what's with your clothes?!"
When she finally stopped shouting Ino was panting hard and gripping Sakura firmly around the shoulders. However, before the rosette could speak Ino had stolen Sasuke's left arm.
Naruto watched in amusement as he felt a small warm hand slip into his right. He looked over his shoulder to see Hinata smiling at him.
"Hello, Hime." he said in a low gentle voice as he softly smiled.
She simply gave him a small smile before going back to her teammates. Being too friendly with each other could draw unwanted attention to the duo.
When the spiky blonde turned back to the situation at hand he saw the two half-friends (half because they were still, well, Ino mainly, fighting over Sasuke.) bickering to each other over something foolish. Sakura had mature greatly in the last few months, but she still had her moments.
A moment later a sliver haired teen with round glasses that nobody wanted to see, swaggered up to the group.
"Oi! Rookies! Are you guys trying to piss everyone off?"
Kyuubi's fur bristled at the sound of his retched voice but other then that he showed no outward signs of recognition. At the same time, everyone of the rookie nine turned to look at the intruder.
Naruto forced himself not to scowl. 'Kabuto...'
Before anyone could retort, Orochimaru's spy started to talk again. "This isn't a field trip you know. What are you? Just out of the Academy?"
It was at this point that Ino, being the airhead that she was interrupted.
"Hey! Just who do you think you are?!"
Kabuto's glasses flashed as his eyes swiveled to her face, "I am Kabuto, but really, look behind me."
Only those who weren't privy to select information turned, the others stared impassively at his visage. Even then he continued talking.
"Those murderous looking guys over there are from Rain. By the looks of it, they want to eat you for breakfast. If I were you, I'd shut up, and shut up fast."
The traitor sighed and grabbed a chair behind him calling back the attention of everyone else. "Still, you guys remind me of my first time."
"First time for what?" Sakura played her part and asked the question to hurry it along. Things were playing out exactly how Naruto told them they would.
Kabuto sighed impatiently. "First time for this exam. This is my seventh time now. It's held twice a year, so this is my fourth year."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed as Ino moved back a half step. They didn't think that it was that hard.
Sasuke spoke up next, "You must know a lot about this exam then." His voice held a cold undertone that sent a slight chill up Kabuto's spine.
None-the-less, he still smirked, "Well, since you guys are so interested, I think I'll help you out a little bit." He took a tall deck of cards out of his pack, "These are nin-info cards." He spread them out slightly in his hands. "I have information on just about every genin in here burned into them with my chakra."
He proceeded with his explanation as Naruto edged over to Sasuke, "I'll get our cards." Sasuke gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"- so does anyone want to try it?"
"I do." The spiky blonde stepped forward.
"Oh really? Tell me something about the-"
"Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Hinata Hyuuga, and Sasuke Uchiha." Naruto cut him off before he could finish speaking, He needed those cards now.
Kabuto's eyes widened slightly, "Well now, aren't you hasty? No matter."
In a moment Kabuto was holding four cards, just as he was about to read them out, a hand with blinding speed snatched them out of the air.
"I'll take those." Naruto's eyes scanned the cards.
There was all of the missions, fighting styles, plus various select information about the prowess of their group. Needless to say, Kabuto would not be getting these back. Kabuto was shocked as Naruto's chakra bled into the cards, wiping them clean.
"What did you do that for?!"
Naruto's eyes flickered to Kabuto's, his irises seeping into a deep, violent purple. "To make sure that information doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Silence was heard throughout the room until an explosion was heard at the front of the desks. Only slightly slower than anyone could blink, there were chunin proctors everywhere, and at the head was Morino Ibiki.
"Alright, shut your worthless traps and listen up!"
All together like that, they were an imposing sight. What made it worse was that an unbelievably thick layer of killing intent blanketed the entire room, frightening for everyone except Hinata and Naruto, who merely played along.
"Now then, I'm Morino Ibiki and I am the proctor for this exam. Fighting will not be tolerated at this point in the exam, much less any attempts to kill other examinees..
"Anyone who dares disobey me will be failed immediately. Do I make myself clear!?"
He waited a moment for his words to sink in before continuing, "Now everyone draw a number, get in your seats, and we will begin the test."
Fifteen minutes later everyone was seated. To Naruto's great surprise, he was not sitting by Hinata, but instead next to him was Ino. Naruto gave her an acknowledging nod before turning to face front.
'Damn, I was really hoping to sit next to Hina-chan again.'
'What can you expect kit. It was a random process to begin with- no amount of interference could've gotten you sitting next to her again.'
'I suppose so, Kyuu.'
The first part of the exam passed without incident, with everyone doing their respective cheating techniques. Naruto had simply used his fore-knowledge to fill out most of the test, although he gave up on the mathematics part, he was utterly useless at it. Sakura however had just did what she had done before and knew all of the answers, there was no need to cheat with her. Sasuke meanwhile subtly activated his sharingan and copied Sakura's hand-movments as she was ever so conveniently sitting two rows down from him and three seats to the left, a perfect view. Hinata used a similar tactic with her byakugan, looking at the answers of the hidden chunnin right behind her, although she found that she didn't really need his help after all. Kyuubi had slinked off unnoticed, muttering about being bored under his breath, and that he was hungry.
There was ten minutes left of the exam when Ibiki stood up again, a subtle change in attitude commanding all eyes to focus on him. Within half a second there was a silence so profound within the room that you could hear the wind beating against the window glass.
Naruto took a deep breath. 'Okay. It's almost time for me to intervene...'
Once he was certain he had their attention, Ibiki spoke. "Listen up! Now is the time for the tenth and final question!"
Ibiki shouted out the instructions, and slowly but surely more, and more people got cold feet. Naruto remembered his first time taking this exam, how freaked out about it he was.
A few more moments passed and a few more people gave up. Cowardice, really. Naruto's upper lip lifted slightly at the thought.
"Numbers 158, 32, and 56! You're out!"
The chunin rang out as one of the un-named genin raised their hand to signal that he had given up. They were from Rain, though they weren't anyone that he could remember.
The blonde let this go on for a little while longer. When he saw Ino shaking beside him, he knew it was time to stop. As defiantly as last time, Naruto stood and slapped the desk in front of him with a loud snap, drawing all eyes to him.
"Alright! That's enough you scarred bastard! Enough with the bull crap! We wanna know what the last question is gonna be already!" He crossed his arms. "I got places to go and people to see, asses to kick, and you don't become a ninja to take up missions filling out exam sheets!! Besides, I would never submit to you."
Deafening silence greeted his words. Then, slowly, everyone watched as the next words dripped for Ibiki's lips, "I will give you one last chance, make the wrong choice and it will be the last decision of your life."
Naruto smirked while adjusting his hitai-ate, "Nah, I think I'll live a little bit longer. Move it along, teme"
In return, Ibiki smirked before casting his gaze around the room once more. Amazed to see the look of confidence on everyone's face, including some of his chunnin's.
He shook his head, chuckling quietly to himself. 'Uzumaki Naruto…he is certainly an interesting one.'
Clearing his throat he leveled his gazed at the genin and spoke, "Well, in that case, you all pass! Congratulations!"
There was a moment of dead silence. Then… "WHAT!?!?"
At once the room was filled with buzzing and screams of outrage and disbelief. Of course the fools would be outraged, they just got played like a game of Go.
And just as soon as the silence fell, it was broken by the sound of shattering glass. A ball of cloth crashed through the window before being violently pinned to the ceiling by two kunai. The kunoichi that landed nimbly at the front of the room shouted, "Hey brats! This is no time for fun and games! I'm the examiner for the second test, Mitarashi Anko! Shut up and listen up!"
At once all eyes were on her.
Naruto smirked as he surveyed his friend. In the war, she had cast aside her mesh for more sturdy armor. It was interesting to see her back in those clothes. Kyuubi made himself known once again by jumping up into Naruto's lap, where the boy rested a light hand on the fox's back.
'Miss me Kyuu?'
The small fox yawned before replying, 'Not really, those rabbits were tasty though.'
The blonde simply rolled his eyes.
"Okay, now everyone up and follow me!"
Naruto's eyes snapped back into focus as everyone started to vacate their seats. Quickly following he hurried to find Sakura and Sasuke, Kyuubi back on his shoulder. He shot Hinata a smile as they all filed out of the room.
Fifteen minutes later, all of the chunin hopefuls were standing around the gates of the Forest of Death. Anko was busy telling the all about the dangers that they would face and what the terms of the exam were. While she was doing this Naruto was having a quiet discussion with Kyuubi.
"What happens if Oro gets out of hand?"
Kyuubi fixed him with a steely red gaze, "We pray for a miracle."
Both Sasuke and Sakura overheard the exchange and gulped.
'Great.'
"Kabuto!"
"Y-yes master!"
The silver haired teen nervously answered his snake like master. He knew that something was wrong.
"How come I was not informed of the brat's new capabilities?" Orochimaru hissed at the teen just outside of their starting gate, the restraint that the boy had shown during the fisrt exam was completely unlike the reports he had seen from when the boy was in the acadamy. Kabuto couldn't stay long as he need to be at his own gate before that start of the exams lest they be disqualified.
"I'm sorry sir, I did not know." He looked down at the ground, shifting from foot to foot, obviously nervous about the set up.
The Sannin's eyes glinted and narrowed.
"Very well, but I will not be so forgiving next time." He turned around, firmly dismissing the nin. "Now get out of my sight."
Kabuto mumbled a quick 'Yes master.' before hurriedly making his way to his own team and gate. Orochimaru was definitely not in a good mood.
He snorted, sneering at his worry. 'So what if the kyuubi brat is a bit stronger then I had counted on? He is no match for me.'
'BEEEEEP! BEEEEEP! BEEEEEP!'
The gates opened and they were off.
The second exam had begun.
Author's Note: I really am sooooo sorry. I can't believe that the whole year got away from me like that! However no matter what this looks like I will most definitely finish this fic. There is no doubt in my mind that I will.
Although right now all I can ask for is your forgiveness... :) Please??
Also a cookie to anyone who can tell me whose talking to whom at the short two liners up there around the middle. In order lol
Beta's Note: -swirl around a glass of Jack Daniels- Remember now, if yall go and form a mob, I'm just the beta. I edit the stories, make 'em nice and purtiful for all yall readers. –point at Ginriku- She's the one who actually writes the stuff.
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