Chapter Fourteen
The first thing he saw was blood, as morbid as that was: Sakura's blood, smeared on the ground and her dress and her face. A head wound, he realized quickly. She hasn't lost too much, thankfully. There was a small vertical slash across her forehead, the forehead that had pained her for years. She was standing, albeit shakily, and pressing a bandage to her forehead.
Naruto was shaking as well, but his tremors came from rage, not blood loss. "Who the hell do you think you are?" He screamed.
Sasuke finally registered the three ninja. They were standing only a few meters from Sakura and Naruto, grouped closely together, and Sasuke knew immediately that they were a team. Each had a headband with a familiar emblem engraved in the center. They're Cloud nin, Sasuke realized with a start.
One of the three, a boy of maybe thirteen or fourteen, stood slightly in front of the other boy and a girl. He was only a few inches taller than Sasuke, but he was muscular; very muscular. His pitch black hair was closely cropped to his head, and in his dark fist he was holding a kunai stained with a thick and unmistakable dark red liquid.
Sasuke ground his teeth tightly as he realized that it was Sakura's blood on the kunai.
"I told you once," the boy said, voice mocking and commanding. "Get out of our way."
Sasuke bristled. Who the hell do you think you are? Sasuke echoed Naruto in his mind. He didn't speak, however; he had a much more effective plan in mind. Hastily he formed the hand seals for a fire jutsu.
"Susamajii!" The girl screamed. "Watch out!" The boy dove to the side. The phoenix flower jutsu erupted, scorching the area he had been.
"What the crap?" Susamajii jumped up, scowling. Sasuke defiantly stepped beside Sakura, who had plastered a bandage over her cut and was now standing strong.
Sasuke surveyed the team quickly. The other boy appeared to be about fifteen; tall, lanky, skinny, was a mop of messy brown hair and dusky skin that made even Naruto's tan seem pale in comparison. He had a sense of equanimity that rivaled Itachi. The last one, a raven haired girl with piercing green eyes, was shorter than Sakura, but Sasuke could tell she was several years older.
They're older. He smirked cockily. But not better. "You should really watch your back," he taunted Susamajii. "Any Academy brat could have killed you."
The boy's face reddened, and he started moving towards Sasuke imposingly. "So, are you as weak as the rest of your village?"
Naruto protested loudly, and Sasuke could practically feel Sakura tensing beside him.
"'Majii," the girl asked. "Are we doing this?" She was pulling her wakizashi out of its holster as if she already had the answer. She stepped towards Sakura.
The third boy was staring down Naruto, obviously unimpressed by his bravado. He formed a simple hand seal, and a long whip of chakra infused water and lightning appeared in his hand.
Kekkai genkai, Sasuke observed with the same candor that a civilian viewed a horrific accident. This should be interesting.
Susamajii didn't respond to his teammate's question. Without warning he ran at Sasuke, his upraised fist glowing. Chakra…he's charged it with chakra!
Sasuke instinctively ducked, and the hand hit empty air. He slammed his fist into the boy's stomach and twisted out of his reach.
Susamajii's scowl deepened into a rancorous sneer, and he wasted no time before charging headlong at his opponent. He swung wildly at Sasuke, his movements rapid but inexact. Sasuke resorted to defense measures. At the rate he's going, he'll be exhausted within a few minutes. I'll take him then.
An errant kick nearly hit Sasuke's face. He backed up hastily and uncoordinatedly, and Susamajii sneered. "I'm going to mess up that pretty face of yours, okama."
Sasuke growled and recklessly threw himself at the other boy. Susamajii easily evaded his first two punches. Susamajii jumped, and Sasuke saw him aim his foot for his head.
Perfect! Sasuke reached to grab the other boy's leg, hoping for a match ending strike. His right hand closed around Susamajii's shin-
And a wave of electricity coursed through his arm, destroying his audaciousness. Reflexively he released the leg and sprung back.
I can't move it! Damn, I can't move it! His right arm was completely paralyzed; he couldn't even clench his fist.
Susamajii cackled, "Special taijutsu art of mine. Painful, isn't it?"
Sasuke's head jerked up, and his scowl darkened as he took in his enemy's sadistic joy. There was nothing he wanted more than to wipe that smile off Susamajii's face. Cocky bastard!
Susamajii charged at him again, and Sasuke forced himself to think clearly. Cursorily checking on his teammates, he instantly determined that they would be of no help; Sakura was barely holding her own against the dark haired girl with the short sword, and while Naruto and his many clones were managing their opponent better, he was in no position to help Sasuke.
I'm doing this on my own. His dead weight of an arm wouldn't let him perform a ninjutsu or genjutsu, so he had no choice but to resort to , he activated his sharingan, ducking to the side right before another one of Susamajii's charged punches hit him.
The chakra's only flowing to his fists and feet right now…he must have to actively direct it! Or he can't charge the rest of his body; either way, I have a shot! Sasuke smiled. He had his answer. I just need to hit his core. If I can avoid getting hit again – Sasuke wasn't entirely sure what would happen if Susamajii hit his limp arm twice, but he had a feeling it wouldn't be pleasant.
Susamajii yelled as he whirled around, attempting a hook kick. Sasuke took a risk and aimed a roundhouse kick at Susamajii's head seconds before the older boy hit him, hoping against hope it would connect with touching Susamajii's appendages.
His foot hit hard flesh, and he knocked the elder boy's head backwards. Sasuke twisted and slammed his knee into Susamajii's groin.
The boy screamed noiselessly as he doubled over in pain, dropping to his knees. Sasuke sneered. Who's laughing now?
"Susamajii!" The girl screeched. Sasuke jerked away from Susamajii to aid Sakura, who was currently fighting the older girl. Trying to fight, at any rate; she seemed to be on the losing end.
A sharp stinging pain in Sasuke's arm distracted him. Yes! The feeling's coming back! His arm was extremely stiff, but he could bend his fingers well enough.
"Sakura!" Sasuke yelled. Without further instruction, Sakura hit the ground. "Fireball jutsu!"
The flames flew over Sakura's flattened body. The girl yelped and jumped backwards, desperately trying to evade the flames that lit the alleyway. The edge of her plain navy blue tunic caught on fire, and she frantically slapped it, trying to douse the flames.
Sakura didn't give her a chance to recover. She dove back into combat, kicking her opponent with more strength than Sasuke thought she was capable of accessing.
The dark haired girl fell to the ground, face bleeding profusely.
"Satori!" The third member of the team, who had been deeply engrossed in a battle with several dozen Narutos, was deeply distressed. He destroyed three Naruto clones and ran at Sakura and Sasuke, his chakra infused water and lightning whip coiled back and ready to strike.
Sasuke stood his ground. Sensation had finally come back to his entire arm, and he was ready to fight the final boy.
In his haste, he made a deadly mistake; he ignored his other enemy. He felt Susamajii's chakra far too late; the boy had gotten too close, and with fully charged hands he lunged for Sasuke's throat. Turning abruptly to meet him, Sasuke unwittingly gave his enemy the perfect opportunity.
Suddenly Susamajii jerked backwards, falling almost comically to the ground. He slammed into the dirt, and his assailant jumped back to avoid getting hit.
Good job, Sakura. Sasuke was more than a little impressed. "I can handle him!" Sakura said, dodging to avoid another hit. "Take care of Kotaro!"
I could barely handle him! You really think you have a chance? Sasuke jumped to avoid a lash from Kotaro's whip. Well, we don't have a choice. "Don't let him hit you!" Sasuke warned loudly.
The whip cut into the ground centimeters from his body. Its reach was at least three meters, and Kotaro was fast with it. He's not giving me time for a jutsu! I'll have to try something else.
A mob of screeching Narutos rushed recklessly at Kotaro, who responded by slashing as many as he could reach with the whip. A deliciously sadistic idea hit Sasuke. Sorry, Sakura; I'm going to have to steal your trick. He decided she'd forgive his blatant plagiarism, considering the circumstance.
Kotaro screamed as a huge meteor flamed through the sky. The Narutos ran away and Kotaro threw himself to the side as the "meteor" plunged into the ground.
Recovering quickly, the Narutos piled on Kotaro, trying to hold him down. Before Sasuke could aid him the girl, Satori, attacked him, slicing into his leg with her wakizashi.
Damn! Sasuke cursed silently as he limped backwards to avoid another hit. There was bloodlust in the girl's eyes; she was fiercely intent on destroying him.
Sasuke pulled back towards the rest of their team. The fight seemed almost orchestrated; for once, the three of them were actually working together, and working together well. Something had clicked, and whether they were coming together because they had been training more often or because necessity demanded it, they were coming together.
Susamajii managed to clip Sakura's hand, rendering it completely numb. In retribution, Sasuke flung two kunai at the boy's face; they left identical, ugly cuts across his face. One of Naruto's clones slammed its fist into Susamajii's chest, and a loud snapping noise confirmed a broken rib.
The fight grew more intense. Sasuke's head grew foggy; he was running on automatic, body summoning chakra from previously untapped reserves and using it almost without his order or knowledge.
The three of them had unconsciously drawn closer together, and now they were fighting back to back. The stale, metallic smell of blood hung in the air, as well as the heavy scent of sweaty teenage bodies. The six of them were being pushed to their collective and individual breaking points, and Sasuke wasn't sure if there would even be a winner. However this goes down, we're all going to get hurt. We win if we inflict more pain on them than we get from them.
Kotaro's whip flew out again, and Sasuke jumped to avoid it. Behind him, Sakura yelped as the whip cut into the back of her leg. Sasuke winced sympathetically, mentally scolding himself for his carelessness.
We're too close together. We need to spread apart again! Feelings of claustrophobia assaulted him. "Naruto!" Sasuke called.
"Yeah, teme?"
"We have to separate!" Sasuke hated revealing it to the other team, but he had no choice; nebulousness was too risky in their situation.
"Right!" A soft smacking sound of hand hit hand, and then a wave of Narutos surrounded the genin team and ran out in a wave, literately shoving their opponents back.
The three of them sprang apart, facing their respective opponents. Sasuke was once again across from Kotaro. Sakura was near the girl, and Naruto was poised to attack Susamajii.
The ground underneath rumbled. It was not a "friendly" rumble, or a soft rumble, one that tickled the feet; it was a building-wobbling entirely unnerving rumble that knocked four of the six young ninja to their knees. Through pure stubbornness alone Sasuke and Susamajii remained standing.
A tall ninja, another Cloud nin judging by his headband, stood only a few meters from the group. When the hell did he get here? Sasuke fumed silently. He had to have arrived recently. He would have intervened. Wouldn't he?
The ninja said nothing, choosing instead to quietly observe the now frozen battle scene. His dark skin was starkly contrasted by his off white baggy pants and long sleeved shirt. He appeared slightly older than the majority of chunin and jonin that Sasuke knew, perhaps in his early thirties; there were deep groves in his face and lines around his eyes, crevices that had been created by time, not stress or worry, though Sasuke was certain that the man had experienced plenty of both. A pair of thick pale pink scars marred his forehead.
"Well, what have we here?" The question was issued from the opposite end of the street turned battleground. Kakashi stood casually next to Sakura, face unperturbed and orange book conspicuously absent. "Is there a problem?"
The ninja did not answer Kakashi. He locked eyes with Susamajii, questioning him without speaking.
Are they going to fight with us? Sasuke felt a little thrill of excitement at the thought. Yes, this Cloud village sensei was capable of rattling the ground. Hatake could so kick his butt. It's not even a contest. There really wasn't any doubt in his mind.
"As entertaining as this has been," Kakashi interpreted the silence cheerfully, "I'm going to have to prematurely halt the fun." He placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, and Sasuke realized just how pale his female teammate looked. "Unless you four have any objections?"
The sensei took one last glance at his team before shaking his head gravely. "No," he agreed, "we must leave as well."
Team 7's three opponents turned to their sensei. With a somnolent candor Kakashi stepped closer to his team, as though he was silently daring the Cloud ninja to oppose his mandate.
Slowly his three students pulled towards him, the girl pointedly ignoring all of them and the two boys pointedly glaring at all of them. Naruto scowled appropriately, and Sasuke refused to move or speak until the four ninja had disappeared down another street.
"You should have let us finish them," Sasuke said angrily once the team was out of earshot. "We could have defeated them." He sank to the ground; his legs were feeling weak, the adrenaline that had supporting his attacks wearing off.
"Your victory didn't seem that imminent when I arrived," Kakashi remarked dryly. "Sit down, Sakura; I want to take a look at your leg."
"But you saw, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto whined. "We were beating them!"
"Shut up, Naruto," Sakura said wearily. "They're gone already anyway. It's over." She collapsed to the ground and let Kakashi examine her wound, too tired to protest any treatment. "What were they doing here, Kakashi-sensei?"
Yes, why were they here? While Kumo and Konoha were technically at peace, the faux cease fire had not erased years of mutual animosity. Sasuke could not imagine a team of Cloud nin voluntarily coming to Konoha unless they were present on some sort of diplomatic meeting, and Sasuke knew that was not the case. Itachi or Shisui would have mentioned it; it's too big for the Police Force not to be involved. Besides, they weren't wearing chunin flat jackets; I think they were still genin. No one sends a team of genin on a diplomatic mission.
"They're here for the chunin exams," Kakashi answered his student as he bound the wound on her leg.
That was surprising. I didn't realize they were so soon. Naruto started babbling, pestering Kakashi with idiotic questions about the chunin exams, questions with answers that Naruto should have known already. Preoccupied, Sasuke shut his teammate out.
So that's why they were here. Hope they get knocked out early; Kumogakure's too damn self-important as it is. Sasuke doubted that the entire team would make chunin; the last two chunin exams had churned out less than four chunin each. Some said it was because of the peace, that ninja were no longer as powerful because they had no cause to be. Others said that the judges had grown far stricter in recent years, valuing different attributes. Sasuke tended to agree with the latter argument; even though the villages were supposedly at peace, there was far too much friction for any village to let their guard down.
Sakura stretched her injured leg as she spoke. "How many of our genin are competing in the chunin exams, Kakashi-sensei?"
"A few." Sakura groaned at his non-reply. "More than usual."
"Why?" Naruto and Sasuke asked together. Sasuke scowled at the unintended unity. It's bad enough when it happens with Sakura, much less Naruto.
"Why, Sasuke, I'm surprised you didn't know." Sasuke rolled his eyes. He was too curious to let Kakashi's jabs, well-conceived as they were, to dig too deeply. "They're letting some of the rookies compete this year."
"Really?" Sakura gasped.
"Yes. As long as the team has competed eight official missions they are eligible for nomination."
The three of them exchanged nervous glances. We've completed nine, including that D-rank we finished yesterday. Does that mean, Sasuke couldn't even finish the thought at first; is he really going to let us try? They waited, cautiously observing their silent, mutual agreement to act like mature ninja and wait for Kakashi to reveal if he was allowing them to take the chunin exams.
Kakashi looked at them calmly, standing complacently as though he had not just communicated an earth-shattering fact. "Come on. You have a D-rank waiting, and from what I hear Masamichi can be very easily agitated."
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto began to protest, but a stern look from Kakashi effectively silenced him.
So he didn't nominate us. It was hardly surprising; most ninja teams waited at least a half year, if not longer, before first attempting the chunin exams. They had not been genin that long; it was advisable to wait for the next series of exams.
Sasuke knew that, but he couldn't help but feel slightly irritated. That team was heading for the chunin exams, and we could have beaten them. I know we could have. If they can compete, so can we.
Nevertheless, he followed his sensei and teammates to Masamichi's house, feeling like an obedient sheep.
Sasuke sighed as he leaned against the bridge. At least we're meeting near the river this time. A change of scenery did not alleviate his boredom or annoyance, but at least the river was well shaded and cooler than their usual meeting place. Thank Kami for small favors. It was funny how insufferable Kakashi's late arrivals had become in such a short period of time.
Sakura ran her fingers through her loose hair. "I wish Kakashi-sensei would just tell us when he would actually arrive instead of making us come out here early and wait for him. Then I would actually have some time to fix my hair."
Sasuke shook his head disapprovingly. Do you not own a mirror? Your hair's a wreck by the end of the day anyway; it's useless to work with it. Reason isn't that far beyond you.
"And I would have had time to brush my teeth and change my underwear!" Naruto chimed in unhelpfully.
"Ew! You didn't have to tell us that. Way too much information, Naruto!"
Geez, can't they just give it a rest for once. It had been rather appalling, but what did Sakura expect? 'Sasuke groaned softly. What did I do to deserve this?
Kakashi appeared on the edge of the bridge, far too cheerful for a man who had been torturing his students. "Hey, guys."
"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura scolded him together. Sasuke refrained from joining in, although he felt the urge to.
Kakashi smiled under his mask. Do you get off on their reactions? "Sorry about that. I was lost on the road of life." Sakura rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Anyhow, I know this is rather sudden, but I'm recommending all three of you for the chunin exams. Here are your application forms," he added, holding out three small packets of papers.
"Application forms?" Sakura said.
"You're repeating me, Sakura. Listen, this is completely voluntary; it's up to each of you. If you don't want to go, you can wait till next year. If any of you do wish to participate, then fill out the form and be in room 301 at the academy 5 days from now."
Naruto cheered loudly, clearly appeased. He clambered up quickly to receive his application. Sakura nervously bit her lip. Sasuke smiled broadly and confidently. You're not that bad, Hatake. Even if you are evil. Together the two rose, stood behind their teammate, and took their applications.
"You recommended all of us?" Sakura asked, holding the application so tightly it was in danger of tearing.
"Yes, but as I said, this is an individual decision." Kakashi watched his female student carefully. "Feel free to back out if you want to."
Sakura didn't say anything.
Where the hell is she? She's never so late. Sasuke threw a kunai at the tree, his impatience causing him to miss. I don't even have to be here.
Sasuke had wanted to, though, despite the inconvenience. Sakura was actually eager to learn new techniques and to practice; it was almost enjoyable to indulge her. When she was separated from Naruto and Kakashi and forced to train hard, she was not nearly so annoying. While Sasuke would never admit it, helping her wasn't so much of inconvenience anymore.
There was a practical implication as well, of course. Sasuke knew that the second stage of the chunin exams included a team challenge, and Sakura needed to be prepared to aid their team.
But this reason, as clear as it may have been to some, was not on the forefront of Sasuke's mind. He hadn't even considered it until his mother had asked him about the training sessions. It had been an easy excuse, and it was part of the reason why he wanted to work with her, but it certainly wasn't all of it.
"Sorry I'm late!" Sakura ran into the clearing, out of breath and panting slightly. "Mom needed help, and I couldn't back out that quickly."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
"Are you ready?"
"I've been ready for the past half hour," Sasuke replied coldly.
"Sorry, Sasuke-kun."
That wasn't her first apology of the night, and it was not her last. She was completely distracted; her head wasn't in her fighting. Her head wasn't anywhere near her fighting. Sasuke started hitting her a little harder than normal as they sparred, hoping to shock her out of her reverie and back into what they were doing, but every time she slipped away again.
He stopped them much sooner than normal. "What is wrong with you?" Sasuke interrogated her.
She flopped to the ground, refusing to meet his stern glare. "I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun."
"I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to try."
"I am trying!" Her protest sounded half-hearted, as though she herself barely meant. She repeated herself, increasing her volume. "I am!"
"No, you're not." He threw down the kunai he had been holding. "If you had fought like that when we faced those cloud nin you'd be dead," his voice was dark and authoritative, "and you would have deserved your death."
Sakura whimpered like she was hurt by his words, but she said nothing.
"Fine," Sasuke ground out. He'd wasted enough time. He picked up the weapon he'd dropped and stormed off.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura called softly. "Sasuke," she said again, louder. "Please?"
He debated whether he should stop or not. After a second of contemplation, he gave her another chance. Lips sealed, he paused, his back still facing.
"Sasuke-kun, maybe you're right."Of course I'm right, especially when it comes to your stupid ideas. Wisely, Sasuke did not voice his opinion. "Maybe I shouldn't take the chunin exams."
Yes, I'm right – wait, I never said that! Where the hell did that come from? "What are you talking about?" He sounded sterner, angrier than he had even a few minutes before.
"I don't know…I don't think I can –"
"You're not taking the exams?" He was genuinely shocked. It was ludicrous, truly ludicrous.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough."
Sasuke turned around abruptly and rapidly advanced. Sakura took a hesitant step or two backwards, but Sasuke pinned her before she could escape. Firmly he held her by her arms, forcing her to see him. "Don't be so stupid." She was close; so very, very close. "You're not weak because you can't be strong, Sakura. You're weak because you don't try."
Sakura was having trouble speaking; her face was mere centimeters away from Sasuke, and Sasuke could feel her breath on his cheek and see the slight tremors that ran through her body. She was so nervous, and Sasuke wondered how she could feel so nervous when it all felt so natural. The scene hung motionless and stagnant, neither one of them bothering to break it.
Finally she forced out a coherent reply. "You think I can do it?"
"Hn," Sasuke answered with a smirk, earning him a smile from Sakura. His noncommittal answer was enough.
"Thank you!" Sakura squealed, and before Sasuke could stop her she hugged him tightly.
Never in a hundred years would Sasuke have imagined that scenario. Her warm arms wrapped around him tightly, slightly sweaty hair rubbing his cheek, their breathing for a moment becoming one. His eyes widened, and for the barest of moments he touched her arms in an almost – hug.
He indulged the contact – for a moment. He stepped back harshly and opened his mouth to rebuke her.
She beat him. "I know, I know," she said quickly. "It didn't mean anything because I did it not you and you were probably about to knock me out or something and I'm annoying and rude, and if I ever mention this I'm dead. Sorry, Sasuke-kun."
She didn't look very sorry. Sasuke wasn't sure if he wanted her to look very sorry. "Hn," he managed.
"Will you still help me?" She was so dang hopeful.
Didn't say I wouldn't. "If you shut up and start working."
The day before the chunin exams was like the four days preceding it; unequivocally boring. True to her word, Sakura had not mentioned the hug to anyone, and she had not tried it again. The three members of Team 7 had turned in their applications, and there was nothing to do beside train and perform D-rank missions.
Perhaps that was why the rain ninja caught him off guard. He had been in an itinerant mood, and the perfect weather and late hour had only increased his wanderlust. He'd decided to take the long route home, avoiding the main of the Konoha.
He was only a few streets away from his home when he was attacked. Two kunai flew at his back at breakneck speed.
Sasuke dodged them, barely evading them. He cursed himself silently for being so distracted, even in a relatively safe place. Retrieving his kunai, he searched for his attacker. "Who are you?"
The ninja stepped forward. He was robed in a rather unimpressive looking gray jumpsuit and charcoal gray cape, and a Rain headband was displayed prominently on his straw hat.
Kami, not another one! Why the hell are they all targeting me and my team? Somehow, though, Sasuke had a sense that he had nothing to do with the genin teams that had arrived for the chunin exams. Who is he, then?
The Rain ninja refused to answer him. Adjusting the brim of his hat, he began forming hand seals. "Water Style: Violent Water Wave!" Rivulets of water shot from his hands and rammed into Sasuke.
Why does it always have to be water? Sasuke grumbled as he braced himself for the hit. The water soaked his clothes and winded him, but he wasn't too preoccupied to notice the Rain ninja's advance. Activating his sharingan, he pulled out a kunai and blocked the ninja's attack.
Unperturbed, the ninja pressed the attack. Sasuke was drawn deeper and deeper into close range combat. The ninja was skilled, but he seemed careful as well; he was matching Sasuke, but not surpassing him.
The Rain ninja forced his kunai forward, hoping to catch Sasuke with the risky thrust. Stupid little cuss. Sasuke easily side stepped the hit and disarmed the man cleanly. The man flew backwards in his haste to escape Sasuke.
"Stay out of my village," he ordered coldly. After the events of the week, he had a burgeoning hatred for ninja of other villages.
A puff of smoke; and then the ninja was gone. Shocked, Sasuke paused for a moment. He…listened?
Sasuke recovered quickly and ran to the spot where the rain ninja had been standing. He searched the surrounding area for the Rain ninja, half expecting him to suddenly reappear and attack again.
He had no luck. The Rain ninja was gone, and after a few more minutes of futile searching, Sasuke gave up and returned home.
Today is the day. Sasuke had woken up to that thought, and it was the focus of his mind as he ate and left the house. The odd battle of the night before was nearly inconsequential in light of the upcoming exams.
Sasuke decided to abridge his journey by cutting through Sakura's street. Team 7 had acceded to meet before leaving for the Academy, and Sakura's mother's store was closer to Sasuke's home than Naruto's was. While Sasuke was not overjoyed at the idea of having to track through Konoha with just Sakura, it was either her or Naruto, and Sasuke preferred Sakura's prattling to Naruto's. She's easier to tune out.
Sasuke had never been to Sakura's home before. He knew where she lived, of course, but he had never had a reason to visit. As far as stores went, it was rather typical; small, two-story brick building with the top story serving as an apartment. Well kept, broad, wide, clean, shiny windows in the front. The milieu around it was hectic, but something about the store seemed calm, almost amicable.
A woman with long blond hair stepped outside the shop for a minute. Sasuke surreptitiously scrutinized her as she spoke with a man who had been walking down the street. Green eyes. She has green eyes like Sakura. His eyes widened. No way…that's her mother?
The woman looked young; she didn't appear to have escaped her twenties yet. That cannot be her mother. Sasuke had imagined that Sakura's mother was old; not old old, with gray hair and wrinkles, but young old, like his mother. Mid thirties at least, perhaps older; a retired shinobi who now ran a store with her also retired husband, who was a medic. He had not foreseen a young, very attractive and obviously single woman. No, it can't be her. It can't be.
Yet if she wasn't Sakura's mother, she was an amazing facsimile. When she smiled asininely at the man she was speaking, Sasuke saw Sakura's smile. When she tilted her head back, nodding as the man explained something, Sasuke saw Sakura flirting. Maybe it's her sister. I doubt her mother would flirt so openly. Hell, she's married, isn't she? But…she looks like her.
Sasuke scoffed. It'd make sense. Like mother like daughter. Kami, I'm glad mine's not like that.
"Sasuke?" Sasuke whipped his head around to face Sakura. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly. He wanted to smack himself; his reply sounded far too guilty.
Sakura looked across the street to the spot where Sasuke had been staring the moment before. "Oh, you haven't met my mother, have you?"
She is her mother. "No." He paused, searching for the right words. "She's –"
"Young?" Sakura finished. Sasuke nodded almost imperceptibly. "I know. She was only seventeen when she had me."
Sasuke looked back across the street. The man had left, and Sakura's mother was watching them. The insipid, blank stare was gone, and her intense glare was almost intimidating. Sakura waved, and her mother waved back, smiling a little, but her smile was not open and cheerful. It was guarded and untrusting, the opposite of her daughter's and the opposite of the smile she had been dishing out a few moments before. Her lips narrowed, and she met his stare evenly with a glare that would have put Hiro to shame.
Sakura started cheerfully walking down the road, leading the way to Naruto's apartment. Sasuke, however, couldn't help but see Sakura's mother. He couldn't help but feel incredibly confused. He felt he was owed an explanation for her mother. She babbles on about everything else; the least she could do was explain her mother.
"Doesn't it bother your father?" The question slipped out before he could stop it, and for the second time in less than two minutes Sasuke was incredibly frustrated with himself.
Sakura was looking oddly at him. "My father's dead. He died a while ago. I," she paused, licking her lips. "I thought I told you that."
"No," Sasuke answered brusquely to cover the fact that he actually felt guilty about prying. He knew what it was like to lose a father.
"Oh." They were both quiet for a minute, only the sound of feet hitting the paved road between them. "He wouldn't care anyway. It's just a way of soliciting, you know? She hasn't even had a boyfriend since he died-"
"Sakura, shut up." I didn't ask for a description of your mother's love life.
"Oh, right. Sorry, Sasuke-kun. I didn't mean to talk that much. It's just that I didn't want you think anything bad about her. I mean, she's not perfect, but-"
"Sakura."
"Shutting up," Sakura said quickly.
"Hn." Sasuke intoned. "Annoying."
The Academy looked the same; of course, as long as it had seemed, it really had not been that long since Sasuke had seen it. The swing out front was still there, its underside still colorfully decorated with odd graffiti. The tree it hung from still had the carvings of hearts and names and taunts in it, and it was still grooved in many places from errant kunai. When Sasuke was younger, it had been a badge of honor to dent the tree while practicing without Iruka noticing. Naturally, Sasuke had been quite good at that particular task.
The Academy itself looked the same as well, not that Sasuke was surprised; the village did try to keep up appearances, after all. A crowd of genin, ninja that Sasuke had seen throughout his village frequently, massed around the entrance in a manner reminiscent of Graduation Day, minus the overbearing parents.
The only thing that was visually different from the day Sasuke had graduated was the mood. That last day everyone had been excited, many literately jumping with joy and enthusiasm and pride. Even Sasuke, stoic as he was, had been at least anticipatory.
This crowd was anticipatory as well, but Sasuke could feel the anxiety. The crowd was rife with it. Many of the genin had failed once or twice already; some had failed more than that. Those who were new, who were stepping out to test the waters, had heard many stories about the chunin exams. Everyone seemed acutely aware of the dangers that lay ahead, and that acuity intensified their jitters.
His team wasn't exempt from the nervousness. Naruto seemed even more jittery and hyper than usual, and Sasuke knew his over the top bravado was hiding something. Sakura was swallowing audibly, and she hung closer than usual to his side, as though his very aura could protect her.
They hadn't talked much after picking Naruto up. Even Naruto, the official stentorian of the group, had been relatively subdued. Sasuke had discovered the truth of the Rain nin. Both Naruto and Sakura had faced "challenges"; Naruto had battled another Rain nin, and Sakura said that she had had to decipher a genjutsu. She was rather vague about the details, but apparently it had something to do with him, and Sasuke had decided not to press her and potentially reveal something embarrassing. From the buzz of the other rookie genin teams, the attacks had been some sort of test sponsored by the one of the teachers.
Probably Iruka's idea, Sasuke thought as the team approached the conglomeration of genin near the entrance to the Academy. I swear, he's worse than a mother hen.
Sasuke caught a glimpse of the Cloud nin they had faced earlier as he shoved his way through the crowd. He met Susamajii's gaze evenly, exuding as much overconfidence and strength as he possibly could. He made certain to keep himself between the Cloud nin and Naruto and Sakura; he felt some primal urge to keep his team safe until they reached the first stage of the exams.
The three stuck together as they entered the Academy and headed for Room 301, pushing through the thick masses to reach their destination. Sasuke could only see the sign hanging above the doorway, announcing the room number.
Wait, something's not right here. There was a genjutsu of sorts – Sasuke could feel it -
"Augh!" The loud grunt cut off Sasuke's train of thought. A boy clad in a horrific green spandex jumpsuit skidded backwards towards a young girl with dark brown hair forced into two large buns.
"You're taking the chunin exams and you can't even get past us?" Sasuke slipped between two boys to get a better view of the speaker, an unremarkable Leaf nin who seemed only a few years older than Sasuke. A few bandages were on his face, but they were small, and Sasuke decided they were for ornamental rather than medicinal purposes. His two swords were strapped securely to his back. He's not making any moves towards them…I don't think he's here for a fight.
"Why don't you just give up now before you get hurt?" A boy beside him taunted the fallen shinobi. He wasn't any older (or taller, for that matter) than his friend, but even without the added accruements of swords he was just as imposing.
"Yeah, I think I hear your mommy calling you," the other one added.
"Please let us through!" The girl begged. Sasuke sighed. Don't be so stupid. They're calling you weak; you can't whine and expect them to listen. "We're supposed to go in there!" Rashly, she moved forward.
The first shinobi slammed his fist into her fast. The echo of the hit bounced around the room, and mummers spread among the ninja. Daunted, the girl stepped backwards.
"Damn, that was harsh," a boy near Sasuke whispered.
"Did you say harsh?" The boy with the swords asked. He laughed bitterly. "Don't kid yourself. We're being nice by comparison. The exams are going to make this look like a picnic."
"Some of you won't survive the exams," his friend continued. "Some of you will be wrecked for life. Some of you might go crazy. For chunin it's always life or death."
Sasuke managed to break through the thick crowd. Now he was only a few meters away from the arrogant shinobi.
"You think it's a joke? Chunin are qualified to lead mission. The lives of your squad members are in your hands, so you better be tough enough to take the heat."
Sasuke had heard it before; all of it, and more times than he could remember. He knew what he was getting into; the rest of them did as well, and if they didn't by know then they didn't deserve to know. Who made you gatekeeper?
"Delicate little girls," the loudmouth continued, "don't belong here. We're just thinning out the herd. You won't pass anyway, so why don't you just go home and play with your dolls?"
For the first time in his life, Sasuke wished Etsuko was there. For all her gossiping tendencies and ultimate personification of a stereotype girl, she hated hearing people demeaning her gender, especially a pair of half-wit chunin who obviously had nothing better to do than nag genin.
But, as she wasn't here, and no one else appeared ready to shove the jerks out of the way, Sasuke took the lead.
"Real nice speech," he started, stepping up to meet them with Sakura and Naruto behind him. "Now step aside and let us through." He kept moving. "And while you're at it, reverse the genjutsu. We can see through your illusion anyway. Right, Sakura?"
"Huh?" Sakura stumbled. "Oh, right, of course. This is only the second floor. They're using a false surroundings genjutsu."
Sasuke nodded appreciatively and turned towards the girl. "They're not worth the effort."
The loudmouth ninja took offense. "You think you're pretty smart, don't you, punk!" Clenching his hands he charged at Sasuke.
"I don't think," Sasuke retorted as he met the boy. "I know." He kicked, aiming for the boy's face.
Instants before they collided the spandex clad ninja jumped between them and caught them both by their respective feet.
What the- just a few second ago this guy was getting beaten up. Now he's fast enough to stop me? Around them the genjutsu dispersed, revealing the actual surroundings. The spandex boy dropped Sasuke's foot, and Sasuke pulled back slightly. Without another word, the two punks left.
The spandex ninja whirled around to face Sakura. "My name is Rock Lee. You are Sakura, right?" The boy in the green spandex asked Sakura earnestly, his eyes indescribably bright and expectant.
"Uh," Sakura answered, stepping back a little. "Right?" She sounds like she doesn't even know her own name.
"Please be my girlfriend! I vow to protect you with my life!"
Sakura's jaw dropped. Didn't see that one coming, Sasuke thought, trying not to snicker. "No!" Sakura declared immediately, shaking her head vehemently. "I-, you, just – No!"
Crestfallen, Rock Lee sulked near the wall. Sakura looked absolutely bewildered, fairly annoyed, and very shocked at Lee's sudden request. Now you know how I feel when you're badgering me incessantly. Sasuke had to admit, though, that Sakura had not straightforwardly asked him out for a while. And, thank Kami, she's never worn a green spandex jumpsuit. Sasuke was especially grateful for that.
Another genin walked forward. He was pale, with milky eyes and long dark brown hair and, from his stern glare and supercilious posture, an attitude to rival Sasuke's. Well, well, a Hyuuga. I didn't know one was testing this year. The Uchihas and the Hyuugas had had a rather unfriendly feud for years; neither time nor village unity had ever diminished it. If he's here for a fight, I'm ready, Sasuke thought, although truthfully he did not relish the idea of yet another skirmish.
The Hyuuga stopped beside the Lee's teammate, the pink haired girl. "Lee, as I remember it was you who suggested that we keep our true capabilities hidden until the actual exams begin," he admonished his teammate.
"I am sorry," the boy apologized. "But it is just that, you see…"
The Hyuuga cut him off, turning his full attention to Sasuke. Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his chin up slightly, ready to meet any verbal challenge. Hyuuga Neji – that's his name. Hn, unsurprising approach. Sasuke nearly smirked as he glanced at the boy's two teammates. His team's nearly as dysfunctional as mine.
"You, you're one of the first year rookies, right?" The boy's tone was cold and analytical. "What's your name?"
Sasuke fumed internally. Neji knew Sasuke's name as well as Sasuke knew Neji's. The Hyuuga's arrogance, while expected, was irritating. "You know, it's generally considered polite to give your own name before asking someone else's."
The brown haired girl giggled. Sasuke began to wonder if the only things pre-genin kunoichi were taught was how to giggle annoyingly and how to chase after boys. Hn, they probably are born knowing how to chase boys. The classes just help their 'skills'.
Neji ignored Sasuke's statement and simply followed up with another question. "Just how old are you, anyways?"
Fifty seven. How old are you? Sasuke snorted. Are you sure you're even male? You look like a little girl with that long, flowing hair. Sasuke suppressed his thoughts. He had had enough fights for now.
Sakura spoke up before either boy could. "We should probably be going." Sasuke murmured his assent, following his female teammate as she dragged Naruto down the hall with them.
A/N: Sorry that it took me a while to update; I put up a new one-shot (if you're in the mood, check it out ;) Okay, so you're probably all on OC overload right now. Don't worry; I'm not introducing anyone else! This is the limit! I just figured having a team of cloud nin made sense; they're Konoha's traditional enemies, and there were several Kumogakure teams at the chunin exams. (Besides, I couldn't write a good Sand Sibs fight scene.)
OH, and I know that last chapter had (INSERT BREAK) instead of actual breaks (cringes at the ugliness). I did edit it, so now it's pretty! :0) lol OH, and once again, thank you all so much for the reviews/favorite stories/ story alerts! You're awesomeness :)