I'm so sorry its later then I planned it. I've had a few problems with my internet the past couple days so I couldn't upload it D:
There's been a slight 3 or 4 month time skip like I said, I didn't have the attention span to write about the whole Land of Waves arcs so I'm on to the Chuunin exams. Woo. I would want to skip this as well but its too important and the plot later wouldn't make sense.
Chapter 4 is here (: thank you to Kakashis-girl90, Sarah & LilyGirl101 for reviewing! xx
Hope this longer one makes up for my neglect. :) Dark Riku emerges abit ;D
I sprinted towards the alley beside the Yamanaka Flower shop. I really hoped Kito hadn't seen me. Ever since our little chat at my house I'd been avoiding him.
It's probably been about three months since we last spoke. But what was I meant to say? Sorry I'm going to break your heart, I only see you as a brother. Hope we can still be friends?
I literally stuck myself to the dark walls as he passed by. He looked so depressed, like his eye's were dead. I wanted to just reach out to him and comfort him, but it would only cause him more pain. Sighing, I jumped up onto the roof and headed home to grab my gear. Today was the first part of the Chuunin exam and Team 7 were unsurprisingly entered.
After the incident with Zabuza and Haku in the land of waves, I guess Kakashi thought they were ready for it. I just hoped he was right, people can die in these tests and their team skills weren't exactly polished.
With a quick change into my ANBU uniform I made my way to the examination building. I was observing this year so I had to arrive before the first test began. Although when I got there I wasn't greeted in the way I hoped.
"Enough!" I yelled, splitting Sasuke and Kotetsu up. Stupid boys, already in a fight this early on? Picking the chuunin in disguise by the back of his shirt I walked over to Izumo, dropping him hard on the floor.
"Baka's, stop messing with the genin and act your age! Release!" I removed the genjutsu and they released their disguises turning back into their normal 24 year old selves. The laughed nervously trying to avoid eye contact with me. I sighed and stared at them annoyed and frustrated.
"Gomen Riku-chan. We were only having a bit of fun." Izumo said bowing slightly. I shook my head and turned to face the genin.
"ALL OF YOU HEAD TO THE REAL EXAM ROOM NOW." I yelled, earning a few cringes from the younger participants. Oh, how they remind me of scared sheep. As they scattered I once again turned my attention to the gentlemen behind me.
"Why guys? Seriously. It hasn't even started yet and I'm already getting a migraine." They grinned at each other before Kotetsu elbowed Izumo in the side.
"Um.. well t-to make it up to you, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner some time?" Izumo asked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
'ARGH not another one. I can't stand hurting them. First Kito and now Izumo. Swear I love my life -.-'
"That's a lovely offer Iz but you know I don't really date..." I answered quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"Well we wouldn't call it a date then. Just a couple friends meeting for dinner?" I looked to his eyes, a move I soon regretted. They were the puppy eyes I couldn't say no to. Damn his beautiful brown eyes.
"Fine! But using those eye's of yours is such a cheap shot." I sighed in defeat, it would've been too much hassel to wriggle myself out of this situation.
"YES!...ahem I mean cool that's great. How about friday?"
"Um.. sure. It's during the second exam but my shift is in the day so I guess that's fine. Anyways I best get going, see you guys later." I walked past them in the direction of the correct examination room. Hopefully most of the genin found it in the end, and if they didn't well that's too bad.
'I don't have the time to chase up the idiots who can't find a simple room.'
"Are you sure their really ready for this?"
"Riku, I appreciate the worry but if I didn't think they could handle it you know I wouldn't of submitted them. Trust me." I shook my head and chuckled slightly at the white haired jounin standing opposite me. I knew he was right but regardless I would be worried.
They had become like my own little family over the time I'd known them. Well Sasuke is family already but I had become close to them all in a different way. Naruto was the happy go lucky kid who I wished Sasuke to be like, so I treated him like a real brother. I would happily give up time to train him, I knew he was destined for great things, it was in his blood.
After about a month of hating her I warmed up to Sakura, she was still a bit too...pink? for my liking but it was nice to be around a girl for once. Even if she was younger then me, being surrounded by testosterone all the damm time is not good for my health. I would offer her tips and pointers when she asked but I refused to train her. Nothing personal but unlike the guys, she was still very fragile although she would never admit it. She wouldn't be able to handle my teaching methods, or the things I taught. One day she'll find her speciality but I doubt it will be in the ANBU.
Sasuke..well...no comment there.
And Kakashi...oh boy. We were quite close before but things changed.. Spending more and more time together, not that we didn't before, but there was a noticeable increase. I didn't know whether it was fate or god having fun but we ended up a bit too close for comfort on more then one occasion.
'Ahh a nice hot shower after training there's nothing like it' I finished up and stepped out wrapping a towel around myself. With a relieving sigh I walked towards the door to my bedroom, only to open it with a lovely surprise. Opening the door to the face of Hatake Kakashi. We stood there for about 10 minutes, both faces bright red. Slowly his eyes went downwards, but before he could even keep the image in his head.
"WHAT THE FUCK KAKASHI! GET THE HELL OUT PERVERT!" I screamed running backwards into the bath slamming the door in his face.
I know he didn't mean to see me in just a towl, only coming by to tell me what time training was tomorrow, but even I was .embarrased!
"I do trust you Kakashi..most of the time. But I-"
"You think you would feel terrible if something happen to them?" He said softly.
"Yeah. And...well its starting to burn again Kakashi. I'm really scared." My hand instinctively went to my neck, where that demons mark was. " I'm so scared for them." I replied in barely a whisper, my voice started to crack.
His expression turned hard, but his eye's softened. He walked slowly towards me pulling me gently into a hug.
"He won't get to you again Riku...I promised you that and I will keep that promise. " His breath was hot against my ear, but it was strangely comforting. I knew my cheeks had turned a light pink. I relaxed in his arms for a moment before realising where we were. We slowly pulled from each other and smiled. See? These moments keep happening more often it's starting to freak me out a little bit.
"Here come the team." He said as Team 7 came strolling down the corridor towards them. They looked a bit worn out already, oh dear. I knew then that this was going to end terribly.
Trust the rookie nine to get in a fight with people older and probably stronger then them. Just before the fight really broke out, the examiners and myself appeared at the entrance. I was placed infront of Ibiki to scare some of the more cocky participants. In full ANBU gear, including the sword and mask they weren't really gonna pick a fight with me.
"IN YOUR SEATS NOW." My voice was strong as it flew across the room, but they got the message retreating to their seats quickly. I heard ol' scar face behind me cough but who was he to judge? He'd be having all the fun later. I strolled slowly to the front followed by Ibiki. I took my seat on the front of the desk, folding my arms across my chest. I didn't appreciate the stares from some of the older Genin.
'Perverts... I could snap you all like a twig.'
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Ibiki began. "I am the examiner of the first part of the Chunnin Exam. Morino Ibiki. This lovely creature sat on my desk is Uchiha Riku." He turned slightly to place me in the view of all the genin. "She is the ANBU guard leading the observation over the exam this year. Be careful watch you say or do, neither of us will take shit from you brats." I laughed slightly to myself and nodded. I removed my mask and placed it on the table. They probably thought I was going to give them a smile but all the saw was red. I like to strike a little fear into people now and then, a trait I blame on my genetics. So a flash of the fully developed sharingan should do the trick on the weaker members of the heard.
" You are not allowed to fight each other during the exam unless given permission by the examiners, and I wouldn't make excuses to justify any wrong doing. I can smell liars from a mile away. They will be dealt with under my supervison and I don't play nice." I said with a twisted smirk. Some eyes widened, some looked away or there were few who couldn't tear their eyes away due to fear. I didn't mind which as long as they didn't take me lightly.
"Pigs who go against our rules will be eliminated immediately understood?" He continued. Most gave a slight nod or a small murmer of a reply before falling silent once more.
"This exam seems soft and easy." The cocky sound ninja Zaku said. Before he could finish I was standing with my sword pinned against his neck, drips of blood running down his neck. I was being soft with my movement, by this sword was designed to kill therefore it was very sharp.
"So our exam is soft and easy then Zaku-kun?" I sweetly whispered in his ear. I could feel his body tense with a familiar emotion. Fear. Pure and real. I threw him forward onto his desk with less force then I would want to use, but I couldn't break him into pieces...yet.
"Anyone else think its Soft and Easy?" I asked aloud. No reply from anyone. "No? Didn't think so. Please continue Ibiki." I declared poofing back onto the desk.
"Anyway, we will now begin the first part of the Chuunin Exam." He said passing by the tense atmosphere in the room. The papers were handed out by the other examiners then Ibiki began to explain the simple rules for the test.
"The first test has a few important rules. I will not accept any questions so listen carefully." His eyes darkened and his face hardened. "First rule is you are all given 10 points to start. The written exam consists of 10 questions, and each is worth one point. This is a deduction based test, if you get one problem wrong then you will have one point deducted."
I was getting bored already, I have to sit here and stare at a bunch of mostly ugly people while twiddling my thumbs. How thrilling. Scar face looked to me slightly, noticing my boredom I guess I have to announce the next rule.
"Second Rule. Which is my favorite FYI. The pass-fail decision will be determined by your team's total number of points. If one of you fail, you all fail." I say staring into the eye's of Sakura, I knew she'd have a problem with it considering Naruto is renowned for his inability to complete written tests. I decided to continue on the rules seeing as Ibiki hadn't started talking again.
"Third rule, if an examiner determines you to be cheating or something similar to that effect during the test you will be deducted 2 points each time you are caught. In other words there will be people who are forced to leave, even without their papers being graded." I said rising to my feet and unfolding my arms.
"One little note, if anyone on your team gets a zero." I said calmly placing my hand on my hips. "Your whole team will fail no exceptions." Their faces dropped and as much as I wanted to laugh at them I had to act some what professional. Ibiki walked to my side and looked to the group.
"The last question will be given 45 minutes after the test begins. You have one hour for the exam." He said, we both looked up to the clock waiting for the minute to round up.
.Tick.
"BEGIN." Our voices boomed. They all began staring down at their papers like their lives depended on it. It was very amusing for me to see a range of teens to late 20's taking part. Mainly considering I passed this exam at age 7, almost exactly a year after graduating the academy.
After about 45 minutes, some of the Genin started to understand the test for what it really was. I looked around to see cheating in most places, but I wasn't to call them out on it. They were completing the test correctly, using their methods and abilities to cheat undetected. Although with the way my mind works it was easy to pinpoint the cheaters.
I started to become worried about team 7 however, they still looked completely confused. Sakura was trying to work her way through the paper the old fashion way, which would probably work for her considering she has some intelligence. Naruto was screwed, to put it simply but I had a gut feeling he would still pass.
Sasuke looked up to me with a hilarious amount of confusion. I took pity on him and gave him a clue. Activating my sharingan once more, I looked to him and gave a wink. Suddenly his face changed. He figured it out, finally. He'll never admit I helped him though, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Others had become sloppier with their methods and were beginning to run out of chances.
Before you know it 13 teams are disqualified. I sighed and shook my head.
'Theres normally more then that, man how disappointing.'
I started to walk around the room past the examiners occasionally giving them a nod. I stopped by Izumo who was place watching Naruto's row. I crouched beside him and looked at his board.
Uzumaki Naruto - 2 counts of cheating off Hyuuga Hinata.
Now that wasn't right, for one i'd glanced over at Naruto's paper and it was still blank, and two he isn't the type to rely on others for help. I figured i'd help him out a bit.
"Izumo?" I whispered close to him, he looked up startled. Guess he didn't notice i'd come over.
"What?" He replied quietly, giving me a small smile.
"Could you do me a little favour?" He nodded and grinned a little. "Maybe you could erase those counts of naruto for me? I'd really appreciate it." I asked leaning in slightly to his ear, he shivered at the feel of my breath. It was a cheap shot, but Naruto needed all the help he could get. He slowly nodded with a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. I gave him a little wink and walked back to the front, leaning once again on the desk.
'You so owe me Naruto.'I mentally noted not to mention it to him though, he'd get angry if he passed and knew that i'd help.
Time just seemed to slow down after that, it was almost excruciating. When they weeded out the weaklings at the 10th question I started to pull myself back into focus. After a small rant from Mr Hyperactive Ninja himself, Ibiki revealed anyone who stayed passed. Ahh the expressions on their faces were priceless, I wish I had my camera handy. I couldn't help myself then, I did burst out laughing. It was quite an unusual sight, to see an ANBU who would normally be emotionless and calm, in hysterics.
My laughter must of been some sort of cue, as Anko came bursting threw declaring herself as the next examiner. Forest of Death. Ahh the memories...
Well I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter!
Next one will feature, Riku's first shift at the Forest Of Death and her get together with Izumo. Which will end in a hilarious way ;D
Also some one becomes a tad jealous of the pair, but who is it?
thanks for reading ^_^ xxx