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Hey guys! Wow, a big thanks to runwithskizzers, sasuke's wife, and Kidd for reviewing! I loved the reviews guys! And thanks to those who put this story on their alert lists, their favorites lists, who just read in general, and who put this story into that SasuSaku C2!

Music: For this chapter…hm…maybe Sean Paul's (featuring Keisha Cole) "Give It Up to Me".

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B r o k e n T y p o g r a p h y

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Chapter 2 - Feeling

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They didn't mention that night again. Things had become slightly awkward between them. Thankfully, she was not as annoying as she had been before.

Step.

Did that have that much of an effect on her?

Step.

"So…Sasuke-kun…"

Step.

She was speaking to him.

"What?"

"…are you scared?"

Stop.

He turned to face her.

"What?"

She stopped too, turning towards him.

"Scared…about the exams."

Oh. That.

Smirk.

"Of course not."

He could see her falter.

"B-but…you could die…"

Funny. She didn't mention about her chance of death.

He shrugged.

"I won't. I'm good."

He saw her smile slightly.

"…I'm glad."

It was a faint whisper.

He wasn't supposed to hear it. But blame him for having good hearing, then.

"Let's go."

They continued walking.

Step.

"…Naruto'll be there, right?"

"Hn."

"Okay…"

They fell into silence.

Step.

"Sasuke-kun…"

He sighed.

"What?"

"…I'm scared."

Stop.

He looked at her.

She had her head down, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

"Scared? Of what?"

"…the exams."

Pause.

"Why?"

He saw her look up at him.

"What if…I don't pass?"

Snort.

"Then take it again."

She was looking away.

"But…what if…I don't have a…chance?"

Silence.

He stared at her.

"…why wouldn't you?"

"…I don't know. What if…"

She trailed off.

He frowned.

"You won't die."

He watched as she looked up, surprised.

"…why?"

Step.

He began walking.

"…I won't let you."

Silence.

He could feel her smile.

"Because if you did, I wouldn't pass."

Step.

He could hear her walking behind him.

"…arigatou, Sasuke-kun."

"Hn."

They approached the Academy for the first part of the Chuunin Exams.

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The winds blow slowly

Erasing all feeling

She looks at me

Smiling like an angel

But I can't feel

Coldness

Enveloping me

Her tears washing over my face

As I sink

Down

Deep

Into the darkness…

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"Heeeeeeeeeeey!"

Sigh.

It was that dobe.

"Sakura-chaaaaaaaaaan! Sasuke-teme!"

Baka.

"'bout time you guys got here!"

"Yeah, Naruto…"

"Hn."

They entered the building.

"I'm so excited!"

The dobe was so annoying.

"You're so annoying."

"Hey! Shut up, teme!"

"Dobe."

"Bastard!"

"Dead-last."

"Stuck up snob!"

"Baka."

"Grr…stuck up snob!"

"You already said that…blonde, loud-mouthed idiot."

"Why you-!"

"Come on, stop it you guys."

She had interrupted their spat.

As usual.

"Aww, Sakura-chan…"

"Hn."

They were in the room.

"Oh look…we're assigned seats…"

He watched as she walked forwards.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun, here's your seat!"

"Hn."

He sat down.

He saw her search a few rows in front, and saw her sit down.

"Where's my seat!"

The dobe.

"Oh, here it is! Aw, right in the front?"

How annoying.

Creak.

The first examiner had come in.

Step.

He looked…strange. Harsh.

Step.

Like a weathered military commander.

Step.

One that knew his job.

Step.

"Welcome to the Chuunin Exams. I am…Morino Ibiki."

He watched the teacher intently.

"Your first examiner. The first part of the exams will be to answer a set of questions. If you're caught cheating three times, your team automatically fails. Any questions?"

Silence.

"Good. Begin."

He looked at the first question.

What the…?

The second question.

…!

The third question.

…?

The fourth question.

The ninth question.

Smirk.

So…he had to cheat. Cheat without being caught. Fine by him. He could just copy that guy's hand movements.

He activated his Sharingan.

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Time trickles by as I enter the netherworld

Stripped of all belongings and love

Her face imprinted in my mind

No doubt

She'll follow me

As she always does

To run into my embrace

Alas, she comes

Blood trickling down her severed head

Hanging on by an inch

She smiles

That death grin.

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Tick.

Tock.

"Time's up.

Smirk.

He was done a long time ago.

"Now. The tenth question is slightly different."

That caught his attention.

"Different?"

He saw her looking at the examiner, waiting for answer.

"Yes. You see…if you get the tenth question wrong, not only does your team fail, you will never be able to take the Chuunin Exams again, and you will stay forever a genin."

His brow furrowed.

There was a gasp.

Pause.

"However, you may choose to quit. Your team will fail, but you will be able to take the Chuunin Exams next time."

Silence.

"Those who wish to quit, raise their hands."

Silence.

He saw someone slowly raise their hand.

"I-I'm sorry guys."

How pitiful. The other person was sobbing.

"I-I can't take it!"

Disgusting.

They were led out of the room.

Pause.

Another hand shot up.

And another.

And another.

Another.

So, they were all quitting?

Very pitiful.

They had no makings of a true ninja.

He looked over at her and saw her frowning.

Silence.

"Any more?"

Silence.

Then…

He saw the dobe's hand slowly reach up.

His eyes widened.

He heard her gasp.

That dobe…

That dobe's hand slammed down on the table.

"I won't give up! I'll get that question for sure!"

Smirk.

Not bad.

He could feel her smile.

"Alright. Then…"

Pause.

There was tension in the room.

Pause.

"…you've all passed."

Silence.

"…what?"

She had spoken.

"We…passed?"

Another person.

"W…why? How?"

More people were talking.

"Because…"

Everyone fell silent.

"As many of you have already noticed, the purpose of this exam was to test your skill at gathering information without the enemy knowing it. The tenth question was designed to test your will for taking dangerous chances. There will be times when a ninja must take life-threatening chances to steal a scroll or something else in order to complete a mission. A true ninja, unlike the other cowards that quit, will take a chance."

Silence.

"Oh."

"Hn."

He sighed.

Well, it was boring, but not bad.

Pause.

Crash.

His head snapped up.

The window had broken.

A purple blur had shot in.

Suddenly, a banner was stretched across the room in front of Ibiki. A woman with purple hair was standing in front of it.

What the…?

"Hey everyone! I'm your next examiner, Mitarashi Anko! You'll be following me to the second exam!"

He saw Anko pause.

"You're early."

He watched at Ibiki stepped out behind the banner. Anko sweat dropped.

"Oh. Um…well, meet me at 44th training area tomorrow morning!"

Silence.

That was strange.

Everyone began to file out.

He got up.

Step.

He heard her behind him.

"Sasuke-kun…"

Step.

"What?"

"What…what did you think of that?"

Step.

Pause.

"…it was trivial."

Step.

"Oh."

Step.

"Ne ne, Sakura-chan, you knew all the answers, right?"

"Huh? Oh, Naruto…yeah."

Step.

"Hn."

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While the breezes caress my skin

She stands there

Under an apple tree

In the darkness of the netherworld

Her smile more beautiful than Heaven itself

And as frightening as Hell

I watch her

Longing

To touch her

But she stands there

Her eyes looking at me

Her head hanging

Her soul drifting away towards

The Gates

Of the Netherworld.

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They walked along in the dark.

She had persuaded him to come.

He wondered why he had accepted.

"So…Sasuke-kun…"

He looked at her.

"Tomorrow's the second part of the Chuunin Exams…"

They walked on.

"Aa."

"…in the 44th training area…"

"Aa."

"You…k-know what it's also known as, right Sasuke-kun?"

Stop.

He turned to her.

"The Forest of Death."

He saw her breath hitch.

"…h-hai…"

He turned away from her.

"You're scared of it?"

Silence.

"H-hai…"

Pause.

"Why would you be scared?"

Silence.

He felt her move slightly.

"B-because…it's…dangerous…."

Shift.

"…I told you that you're not going to die."

He saw her start, looking surprised.

"H-huh?"

He frowned.

"I said that I wouldn't let you die."

She blinked.

Smile.

"Y-yeah…I was just being…stupid, that's all…"

"I won't die either. So stop worrying."

He looked up at the dark sky.

The words sounded harsh.

But he knew that she appreciated them.

Because they were from him.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Turn.

"What?"

"Do you really want to become a chuunin?"

Pause.

"…why do you ask?"

He felt her move closer to him.

"You…well…you don't seem like you do. You seem like you're taking the exam for another reason."

Stop.

He turned sharply towards her.

She was looking at him nervously, her eyes serious.

Pause.

"…it doesn't matter."

He saw her take a deep breath.

"It…it does to me!"

Silence.

"…you're right. I don't care about becoming a chuunin."

Gasp.

He saw her eyes widen.

"E-eh…? But…why?"

Silence.

"There are many good genin taking the exam. I'll have the chance to fight them."

Silence.

"…I-I see…"

He looked at her.

She looked like she wanted to ask more, but didn't say anything.

Fine with him.

He turned away.

Step.

"Is that all?"

He heard her hesitate.

Pause.

"H-hai."

Step.

"Then let's go."

Silence.

"Mm. Aa."

Step.

They walked through the darkness of the night.

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Flying

That feeling

Of dark grimness

Embracing me

Her smile

That pure

Angelic smile

Turned dark

To colorless lips

And dark blood

Trickling out of her mouth

Of flying high in the sky

To reach her

Forever

Beyond my touch.

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It was morning.

The morning of the second part of the Chuunin Exam.

The Forest of Death.

"Ne ne, Sakura-chan, aren't you excited?"

Step.

"Why would I be, Naruto no baka?"

Step.

"S-Sakura-chaaaaaaaan!"

Step.

"Oh, shut up you baka."

Step.

"Why're you so touchy this morning, Sakura-chan?"

Step.

"None of your business, Naruto."

Step.

"Well, what about Sasuke-teme?"

Step.

"Hn."

Step.

"That all you can say, huh, bastard!"

Pause.

"Dobe."

Step.

"Don't call me dobe, teme!"

Step.

"Geez, we're gonna go take the second part of the Chuunin Exam, and you just have to pick a fight with Sasuke-kun?"

Step.

"But…but Sakura-chan!"

Step.

"Hmph."

Step.

"Aw…"

Step.

"Hn."

Stop.

They were here. Training area 44.

"Saaaaaaaaaasuke-kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!"

He turned around. It was that Ino girl.

Giggle.

"Ne Sasuke-kun, h-"

"Go away Ino-pig!"

He felt her anger radiating from behind him.

"Never! Why don't you shut up, forehead-girl!"

He felt something twinge in him. Like annoyance.

"Me! Why don't you go boil your head off, Ino-pig! Sasuke-kun doesn't like you!"

"Oh yeah, so he likes you!"

Silence.

"I never said that."

Her voice was soft.

He saw Ino falter slightly.

Silence.

He turned around.

Pause.

She was looking at the ground, her bangs hiding her face.

Silence.

He felt a little bit annoyed at Ino.

He turned to the blond girl.

"Go away."

Gasp.

"W-what?"

Hn.

"I said, go away. You're annoying."

He heard her gasp.

Ino looked shocked.

"…Sasuke-kun…?"

"You heard me."

He turned to Sakura.

"Let's go."

She was staring at him in shock.

He heard Ino speak behind him.

"You like forehead-girl?"

Silence.

He didn't speak.

Step.

He grabbed her arm and started walking.

Step.

Disregarding that surprised dobe to the side.

Step.

"…S-Sasuke-kun?"

Step.

"Sensei's over there. We should hurry."

Step.

"A-ano…hai…"

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Coldness engulfs the heavens

As she flys down to me

Her angelic wings spread in empathy

Of my position in misery

Her eyes haunt my dreams of her

Appearing before my face

Like a messenger sent

From the devil

With mocking white wings

Smiles

Feelings

That make me cry with despair.

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They were in the Forest of Death.

Step.

"Sasuke-kun, where do you think everyone is?"

He glanced at her.

"Making preparations."

Step.

"Oh…"

"Hey, Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme, I really need to pee…"

Stop.

"NARUTO NO BAKA, DON'T DO IT RIGHT HERE!"

He watched as she punched him.

"OWWWW, SAKURA-CHAN!"

He smirked as she fumed.

"That Naruto, trying to pee right here! In front of me! How disgusting!"

"Hn. Agreed."

Pause.

He saw her smile at him.

"Won't this be hard though? We don't know which group has an Earth Scroll…"

"Aa."

"I wonder if we'll have to fight some people we know…"

"Probably."

Step.

He turned around and saw the dobe coming towards them.

"Ah, that felt nice! I wrote my whole name!"

Pause.

"NARUTO NO BAKA, THAT'S SO DISGUSTING!"

His eyes narrowed.

Punch.

"Ow! Teme, what'd you do that for!"

Pause.

"Sasuke-kun, I know it was disgusting, but isn't that going a little too far?"

Silence.

"Your henge skills are even worse than Naruto's."

Silence.

He saw the dobe impersonator stare.

"W-what? What are you talking about, teme?"

"Aa, Sasuke-kun, what's wrong with Naruto?"

Pause.

"Where did that cut on your left cheek go?"

Silence.

"And Naruto has his shuriken holster on his left leg."

Silence.

"…N-Naruto…?"

Smirk.

"You're quite good, Uchiha."

He saw the "dobe" turn into a rain ninja.

"So…I wonder which one of you has the scroll?"

Silence.

"I guess I'll just have to take you both out!"

He watched as the rain ninja leapt towards her.

He heard her gasp.

Pause.

He was suddenly in front of the ninja and pushing the enemy back. He didn't know why he was feeling so…protective.

Gasp.

"S-Sasuke-kun…"

Pause.

He smirked.

"Don't be so confident."

He jumped into the air and met the rain nin head on, thrusting his kunai up towards his opponent. The rain nin's eyes widened and he managed to escape with only a minor cut.

Thump.

"T-that's was close…damn it, I didn't bring backup…"

He landed and saw the rain nin leap away.

"I'll be back!"

Silence.

The rain ninja was gone.

He could feel her trembling behind him.

He turned around.

Pause.

She was looking a little scared.

Silence.

"Don't be scared."

Stop.

She looked at him.

"He's gone."

Silence.

"I know."

He looked at her.

She gazed at him.

"Are you alright?"

Pause.

"Hai."

Silence.

"Don't ever be scared."

Thump.

He could hear her heart.

"…"

Silence.

"I'll protect you."

Shock.

He watched as her eyes widened slightly.

"I won't let you die."

Silence.

…arigatou, Sasuke-kun."

Her voice didn't sound so annoying anymore. He wondered why.

Thump.

He could hear his own heart.

What was that feeling inside of him?

Thump

He didn't understand.

Thump.

All he knew…

Thump.

Was that…

Thump.

He would protect her. No matter what.

Thump.

Wasn't she supposed to be annoying?

Pause.

"Sasuke-kun?"

He snapped out of his confused thoughts and looked at her.

"Aa. Let's-"

He was cut off by a certain someone.

"Heeeeeeeeeey! Sasuke-teme! Sakura-chaaaan!"

It was that dobe.

"I'm baaaack! Guess what! I ran into a rain nin, and I beat him up! Isn't that awesome!"

Smile.

"Hai, Naruto."

"Hn."

"Eh? Did something happen?"

Silence.

"No."

"Oh, okay, Sakura-chan."

Pause.

"Let's go."

They walked off, deeper into the forest, facing dangers that they would not know about until too late.

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Her eyes shining like diamonds in the night

Darkness envelops her, embracing her with its lover's touch

I stand in the cold, reaching out to her

Her hands so near, yet so far away

I cry out in pain as the black folds her into its velvety depths

I'm alone

Her smile

Her whispers

Her voice

Gone

In the howling wind.

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Shift.

He got up slowly, brushing his clothes off.

Step.

He heard someone behind him.

"Who is it!"

He spun around, glaring at the person.

"…S-Sasuke-kun?"

His eyes narrowed at the sight of her.

"What's the password?"

Silence.

He saw her hesitate, then a firm expression of resolve covered her face.

"The ninja song Ninki? It is a good chance when a large number of enemies are making a scene."

He relaxed.

Step.

"Good."

Step.

"Sasuke-kun…do you know where Naruto is?"

Silence.

"No."

Step.

He spun around.

The dobe stood there, sighing.

"Phew, what was that! I was blown away!"

He looked at the dobe.

"What's the password?"

The dobe blinked.

"Oh! The ninja song Ninki? It is a good chance when a large number of enemies are making a scene!"

His eyes narrowed.

Thump.

His kunai was dodged by the 'dobe' and thudded into a tree.

"W-what? Sasuke-teme, what are you doing!"

Silence.

"A-aa, Sasuke-kun, didn't he say the password correctly?"

Silence.

"The real Naruto would never remember the password."

He head her gasp.

Pause.

"Very good, Uchiha."

The 'dobe' transformed back into another ninja.

A grass nin.

"Why did you create a password if you knew that he would never remember it?"

Pause.

Smirk.

"That password was created for anyone who was listening in on us."

Pause.

"Very clever. I'm impressed."

Silence.

"Well then…let's fight, and we shall see…"

He tensed.

The grass nin took out her scroll.

"If you win…"

The nin began pushing the scroll into her mouth.

"Or I win…"

The grass nin swallowed it.

Thump.

He could hear her heart beating.

Thump.

His own heart was thudding frantically.

What was this ninja?

"Look into my eyes…"

He didn't want to comply.

He knew she didn't either.

But they couldn't help themselves.

The urge was irresistible.

Must…not…

Thump.

Thump

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Silence.

They looked.

And what greeted them was something beyond the most horrifying thing they could think of.

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Silence echoes through the realms of darkness

Bouncing off the suppressed shields

Binding her in

Preventing her from living

Stopping me from going to her

I reach out

With my hand

She stretches hers

To no avail

We're inches apart

Yet miles away

My lips form the words

She echoes them

I love her

She loves me

And we'll be together forever

If the realm of darkness can be broken.

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That was chapter two! Whew, took a while to write/type. It seems so long because of all the breaks, but when I look at the word count, it's actually very…short. Well, not very, but pretty short. I'm not going to aim for 5000-word chapters for this fic cause the length is so hard. I just have this point that feels good for an ending.

The lyrics in this chapter are from a song of mine called Death Smile.

Anyways, please review if you can (I love reviews because I know that people are reading and commenting on what they think of this chapter/fic). Arigatou for reading (and reviewing if you did), and ja ne!