Hope you like this chapter. Hey, has anyone noticed that in the first two episodes of Shino Aburame's appearance on the show he was voiced by one guy, but after that he was voiced by a different person? Just thought that that was kinda interesting.

Also, I know the dialogue from the actual show/manga (I use both) can seem a bit daunting (Like Ibiki's monologue in this chapter), believe me, it was daunting to copy and I'm sure a good deal of you just skip it, but I've been trying to cut down and abridge it. But some stuff is necessary for plot advancement. : P

"Sakura! Hey, you're late." Naruto called

"Uh right. Sorry guys." Sakura said quietly. "Good morning, Sasuke."

"Yeah."

Kirika gave Sakura a watchful nod. "You look jumpy. Nervous?"

"A bit." She admitted.

"You'll be fine." Kirika looked up at the academy. "Remember what we trained at."

Sakura nodded.

Kirika's eyes danced playful. "Make it out in one piece and I'll teach you something better."

"Hey, have a little faith. You've been acting like passing is just not dying." Sakura challenged her with a grin. "If I become a chunin, you can tell me how you got that title. In full detail."

Kirika quirked an eyebrow, she hadn't expected that. A grin spread over her own face. "Fair enough."

Sasuke huffed.

"Alright!" Naruto shouted "Let's go!"

"That should cover it for today." Kakashi checked over his list. "Get home, and start getting ready for the chunin exams. I've cleared the week so you'll all have plenty of time to train." He waved goodbye to the genin.

Naruto gripped his hands behind his head. "Hey Kira, wanna grab some ramen?"

"Mmm... tonight. Sakura and I are doing something."

"Eh!? We are?" Sakura scratched her head.

Kirika nodded. "Come on then. You wanted to train together, didn't you?"

"Ah! Yeah, sure! Right now?"

"So what brought this on?" Sakura murmured, breaking the silence.

Kirika sat down, and motioned for Sakura to do the same. Sakura looked around, but sat. They hadn't talked all the way to the training field.

"I thought we were gonna train."

"We will." Kirika nodded. "I can't have you dragging your feet through the chunin exams. But I'm curious, you never seemed interested in training before. Much less with me. Now I can't seem to get you off my back. Why?"

"Ah... Well," Sakura glanced to the side. "I just want to be stronger?"

"And?"

"And I don't want to drag me feet through the chunin exams."

Kirika quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? Why stop now?"

Sakura threw her hands up, "Why do you have to be such a jerk?" She glared."You at least joke with Sasuke and Naruto. When it's me you just... ignore me."

"Give me a reason not to ignore you... or do you have a death wish?"

Sakura balked; because while she glared with frustration, Kirika returned it with scorn.

"Come on, Kirika, I'm trying to get along here. I-!" Sakura clenched her eyes. "I just want-!"Sakura paused and opened her eyes. "Since we met I-! I thought you were just some mean girl. But... when you fought those guys in the Land of Mist, that was the real deal. I've never seen anyone fight like you did. And you were so calm and collected, it's like it didn't faze you, even when you were hurt. We're genin, and, you know, none of the girls did as well as the boys in class. But then there's you. So I was thinking... maybe I could become strong like you are." She cautiously met Kirika's eyes. "I know that I'm the weak link. I don't want to stand around while you, Naruto, and Sasuke do anything. I don't want to be a burden. Help me out."

Kirika sighed. She'll quit after a day. "Well, whatever the case, if I can't get rid of you, I might as well make you useful."

"R-really?" Sakura perked up. "Man, you're mood changes at the drop of a hat." A determined look quickly overtook her face. "Okay, listen. I want to be strong. I want your help but that doesn't mean you can walk all over me. Okay? No repeats of when we met."

A grin spread on Kirika's face. "You're going to have to have to go through much harder than that if you want to get anywhere." Kirika set her bag next to her. "You're chakra control isn't bad, but you don't have a wide range of justu. You don't come from a clan with bloodline traits, do you?"

"No."

"We'll work on more chakra control, but you're so unaccustomed to preforming special ninjutsu I doubt we'll get far with anything."

"So what am I supposed to do for the chunin exams?"

"There are ways around it," She took a roll from her bag and set it between them. "I learned everything I know from my father. He always put a emphasis on jutsu as the key to shinobi... it is, sure. But I've always thought a good strategy or scare tactics can get the job done just as well."

"Can that really work?"

"Strong jutsu are useful, but slipping poison into an enemy's water supply will get the job done with less risk, psychological warfare can make an opposing force cave in on itself, and a disguise and sweet words can tell you more about a man than his chakra control. It's the work of a spy."

"Do you think I could do that."

"If you can stop casing boys long enough."

Sakura huffed and Kirika smiled.

T"his is sabotage and subterfuge 101." Then she took out a stack of thin books and passes them to Sakura. "Geographies. Know what your environment has to offer, and you always have tools. Your geography is pivotal to your mission, if you don't make it your ally, it might as well be your enemy. This one is a geography book on the Land of Wind, that one's its history. Those Sand ninja have marked you as an enemy. Know your enemy. Know their history, know their culture, and you know their mindset."

"I understand. I'll have them memorised by tomorrow." Sakura promised

"Will you now?"

"Absolutely."

Kirika chuckled. "I'll give you points for determination." She opened the roll; tongs, droppers, sealed vials holding liquids, chemicals, or plants. "First, if you can, try to avoid combat."

"W-what? Isn't that the point of being a ninja?"

"Being a ninja is just a means to an end. Like anything else. Sakura, you're as weak and frail as they come."

"Hey!"

"It's the truth." Kirika leant in. "Want to prove me wrong?"

"Eh!" Sakura recoiled. "N-no. So what am I supposed to do?"

"Why attack an enemy squad when you can poison their food in the night? Strategies. Lay traps. Gather information. You'll usually have comrades, you're best suited to tell them were to go. If it's just you, talk. Try to figure out what your opponent wants. If you know what a person wants, you know who they are."

"Oh..." Sakura put her finger to her chin. "Okay. I'll try that."

"Good." Kirika clapped her hands together. "Now, that's established. I don't want you fretting over a skills you won't possibly learn in a week. I want you to be smart. You're not strong, or experienced, but you're intelligent." Kirika stood. "I'm going to teach you how to harvest herbs. Then we'll chase rabbits."

"Eh- rabbits?" Sakura cocked her head. "I thought you were gonna teach me sabotage and subterfuge. Doesn't that mean poisons?"

A grin spread on Kirika's face. Sakura wanted to learn poisons. I can't wait to see her face when she sees something die for it.

"It means deception. You need to learn to be resourceful. If I let you near that stuff now you'll just poison yourself, and I'll be the one who gets in trouble."

"Kirika! I'm here!"

"Oh?" Kirika looked up from her scroll. "Didn't think you'd come." She stood. "It's rude to keep girls waiting, don't you know? Try not pick up Kakashi's bad habits."

Sakura murmured an apology. "Here." She passed Kirika the books she had lent her the other day.

Kirika quirked an eyebrow.

"I read them all. I memorised everything I could."

"They're yours. Keep them."

"Oh! Thank you!"

"Let's get to work. We'll test your knowledge."

Sakura panted. "How much longer do I need to keep this up?"

"As long as it takes you. Just catch the rabbit."

Sakura watched sadly as the rabbit scurried from the field into the bushes.

"Don't give up." Kirika patted her shoulder. "You're getting more agile, at least."

"What would you do here?"

Sakura bit her finger. "I think... I'd do... fifty grams of magnesium and see how they react..."

"Would you now?"

A flicker of doubt went over her eyes. "Yes...? Yes. And... ah... poultice for the fever. And then this mixture if vomiting occurs." Sakura stole a look at Kirika, and her stomach felt tight. That's wrong!

Kirika didn't bothering to remark on Sakura's answer. She set another diagram out. She tapped it. "This one. What is it? How do you fix it?"

"Ah..." Sakura examined it for a for moments. "If I put pressure on the leg, how would he react?"

"Sharp pain."

"It's a sprain or a fracture. I'd fix a splinter."

Kirika laid her leg out between them. She pointed to a roll of bandages. "Then do it."

"Now?" Sakura looked around. "Do you have a split."

"No. I'm inured. Improvise."

Sakura's eyes darted. She improvised.

"Imagine that..." Kirika rubbed her chin, she unwound the bandages on her leg. "You have a knack for this."

Sakura swerved on the soil, chakra flowed through her feet, but the rabbit was quicker. She turned on a dime, smacking headfirst into a tree.

She grunted in frustration. Damn Blind spot!

Kirika's shadow clone disappeared into smoke.

"Hmm. Nice work." Kirika conceded. She stepped out into the open. "Maybe you won't die so quickly."

Sakura wiped her brow. "Thanks." She breathed.

"Mind you, I wasn't trying to spot your trap." She pointed to a patch of grass. "Your camouflage for the triggers could use work."

Sakura let herself fall into a crouch. "I'll work on it."

The slightest grin played on Kirika's face. "I do have to give it to you for fixing the entire tree trunk into your trap."

"Not so fragile, eh?" Sakura breathed out a laugh. "Think I'll make it through the exams now?"

"Without me? Doubt it."

"Ugh!" Sakura flopped back, she covered her eyes with her palms. "What do I have to do!?"

"A lot more than this."

"I've been training for weeks!"

"Weeks? That's generous, with all the days you took off."

"Hhm," Sakura let out a breath. "Sometimes I think I'm just a joke to you."

Kirika chuckled.

Sakura shot her a glare.

She shrugged. "You are. What do you expect me to think when you're best tracking practices are following Sasuke."

"What's the point of all this?" Sakura mumbled, disheartened. "Am I that pathetic?"

Kirika stole a furrowed glance at the other. "What are you talking about, you'll be able to track him for miles now." Her voice became a little gentler. "And your not pathetic, you're new."

Sakura looked up, they stared blankly for a moment, and it was Sakura who started the round of laughter. It escalated until both girls were cackling hysterically. She whipped her eyes and took control of her giggles. "Jeez, Kirika!"

Kirika found herself giggling, too. She shrugged lightheartedly. "You're too sensitive. Be a bit more confident in yourself."

Sakura's snorted. "You talk me down whenever your get the chance, then you tell me to be confident?"

"You're going to have problems if you let me of all people get to you... I guess it's your nature." With a sigh, Kirika confessed, "You have talent, it's in your intelligence. Stop yourself to the wrong standards."

They were silent in the afterglow of laughter for a while.

"Hey... Are you... warming up to me?"

"You're my teammate. I don't have a choice."

Sakura smiled, pressed a hand over her face and laughed. "You are so crazy."

Kirika conceded her another small smile.

"Wha-what's this?" Naruto shuddered.

"Gee... I guess we're not alone." Sakura said

Along with squad seven were dozens of other ninja, all there for the same reason...

"SASUKE! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Ino's shrill, unpleasant voice screeched. She ran through the crowd and hugged Sasuke. "Boy! You have no idea how much I was hopping you'd show up here! I've missed those good looks of yours!"

"Hey you porker! Back off! He's mine!" Sakura yelled

"Miss forehead, they let you in? Still got those big frown lines on you're billboard, I see." Ino teased

"Leave my forehead out of this!" Sakura screamed. Ino stuck her tongue out at Sakura.

"Shut up." Kirika glared. "You're voices are like nails on a chalk board."

"What did you say, Kirika!?" Ino turned to her. "Just who do you... think... uh..." Ino was at a loss when she met Kirika's eyes. She'd never seen such a vicious, calculating gaze. And certainly never directed at her.

"That's what I thought." Kirika stepped in next to Sakura. She spoke in her ear and didn't bother to whisper. "I will not be seen in a place like this with a shrieking tart. You're an embarrassment to me. You will make yourself useful or shut up and stay out of the way."

Sakura swallowed.

"Oh. It's you guys." Shikamaru and choji followed Ino in suit. "I knew this was gonna be a drag, but I didn't know it was gonna be this lame."

"So all three stooges are here." Naruto mocked.

"Hey you know what you little pipsqueak-! Ah, forget it, you're a waist of time." Shikamaru said

"Well, well, what do you know? The whole gangs back together again." Kiba, Shino and Hinata had arrived too.

Kirika's eyes flickered around the group. She stepped back from Sakura. "Since when were we a gang? We're not friends."

"Oh... hi Naruto..." Hinata greeted him shyly. Naruto looked at her and she quickly averted her eyes. Naruto gave her a wierd look and shrugged her off.

Kirika looked at Hinata. She thought of the data she gathered on the byakugan... she could always use more...

"You guys too, huh?" Shikamaru moaned. "Man everyone's here for this stupid thing."

"Yeah, hear we all are. The ten rookies. This is gonna be fun!" Kiba laughed "That is, for those of us who can make the cut."

"Hey! You guys! You may want to try to keep it down." A voice called out.

Kirika's eyes shone with delight.

"I mean, no offense, but you're the ten rookies, right? Fresh out of the academy?" Kabuto Yakushi approached them. "I wouldn't go making a spectacle of yourselves. Just cool it. This isn't a class field trip." His eyes met Kirika's for a moment.

Kirika might have thought seeing him was unexpected, but Kabuto was everywhere.

"Well who asked you!? Who are you!?" Ino did not talk. She screeched. Always.

"I'm Kabuto Yakushi. But really, look around you. You've made quite an impression. See those guys, " He motioned. "they're from the Rain Village; very touchy. They all are. This exam makes everyone tense. And you don't want to rub them the wrong way right now." Kabuto chuckled "You can't help it. How could you know how things work? You're just Rookies." He glanced at Kirika. "...Well, most of you anyway."

"Kabuto. Is that you're name?" Sakura said

"Yeah."

"This isn't the first time you've taken the exam?" Sakura asked

"No it's... my seventh. Well, they're held twice a year, so this will be my forth year."

"Wow, a veteran. You must really be an expert by now." Sakura seemed impressed.

"Yeah. Sort of." he laughed

"Cool! You can give us all the inside tips!" Naruto said excitedly.

"Some expert. He's never passed." Shikamaru shot

Kabuto scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Well, seventh times the charm. That's what they say, eh?"

"So all the rumors about the exam being tough are true, huh? Oh man, I knew it, this is gonna be a drag." Shikamaru groaned

"Hold on, don't give up hope yet. Maybe I can help you kids out a little." Kabuto reached into his bag and pulled out a deck of cards. "With my ninja info cards."

"What the heck are those?" Sakura asked

"It's hard to explain, but these cards have been encoded with everything I've learned over the past four years." Kabuto put his cards on the floor. "I have over 200 of them, so you see, I haven't been completely wasting my time."

"Information is indeed valuable. But what good does it do you when unexploited?" Kirika's eyes were critical, but not unamused.

"Not impressed? You wound me. I assure you, they're quite valuble. Here. I'll give you one free, and see if you're still sceptical." He tossed Kirika a card, which she caught between two fingers.

Kirika slipped it into her pocket, pleased. "Will do."

Kabuto set the deck on the ground and flipped the first card over onto the ground, separate from the others. "They don't appear to hold anything. In fact, they appear bland. Don't want just anyone seeing this stuff." He spun the card with his fingers.

"What are you doing?" Sakura asked.

"You see I'm using my chakra to reveal there secrets. Like this for example." The card's face displayed a picture of a map of the five great nation.

"Awesome! A map! But of what?" Sakura asked

"It's a geographical distribution of all the candidates who have come to take the exam: what village they come from and how many from each village. Why do you think they all come at same time to take the exam together? It's to foster friendship between nations. International brotherhood and all that." Kabuto explained "And it's true enough as far as it goes."

"Do those cards have any info on the other candidates? Individually?" Sasuke asked

"They might. Have someone special in mind?"

"I might."

"Well, I can't promise my information is complete or perfect, but I've got something on just about everyone. Including you guys, of course. So who is it? Give me anything on the one you want: a description, where there from, whatever. Anything at all."

"He's Gaara of the desert, and Rock Lee of the leaf village, while you're at it." Sasuke said

"Man, that's no fun, you even know there names. That makes it easy." Kabuto shuffled his cards and drew the two. "Here they are."

Kirika wasn't listening to the conversation, but she studied Kabuto and wondered with excitement what was written on the card. Now was not an appropriate time to check. He watched her from the corner of his eye, all the while holding his conversation. It had been three years since she'd seen him, Kirika liked Kabuto, not quite as a friend, perhaps, but he was a trusted ally. Her eyes searched the room. The sand ninja from the other day were there, as was the squad of sound Ninja. Naruto's outburst drew her attention.

He pointed at the crowd on other ninja. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki! And I'm gonna beat every one of you! Believe it!"

Kirika couldn't help the amused smile on her lips.

Naruto grinned and hooked his fingers behind his head. "Yeah! I feel a lot better now- Ahk!"

"Naruto you idiot!" Sakura took him in a chokehold. She looked at the crowd and spoke nervously. "Oh! Hi everyone! he-heh don't mind him, sometimes he says these spacey things, he doesn't really mean them. He's got this, um, condition! he really should be on medication!"

Three ninja shot through the crowd. The sound ninja. One of them swung at Kabuto, but missed.

Kabuto's glasses shattered, he fell to his knees and coughed up blood.

A sound wave attack.

"Alright you baby faced degenerates! Pipe down and listen up!" Ibiki popped into the room in a cloud of smoke, behind him were several chunin. "It's time to begin I'm Ibiki Morino; your proctor. And from this point on; your worst enemy. First! You! Candidates from the village hidden in the sound; knock it off! who told you you could fight!? You wanna fail before we've even begun!?"

"Sorry. It's our first time, guess we're a little jumpy... Sir." The one wrapped in bandages; Dosu, Kirika remembered, said.

"I'll say this once so listen up!" Ibiki said "There will be no combat between candidates without the permission of your proctor! Under any circumstances. And even then, the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited! Anyone who even thinks about messing with me will be disqualified immediately! got it!?"

"No fatal force? That's no fun." One of the other sound ninja, Zaku, said.

"Now if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first phase of the exam. Everyone hand in your paperwork. In return you'll each be given a number. These numbers will determine where you sit. We'll begin the written test after you're all seated."

"The what?" Naruto said. "Did he say... written? NOOOO! NOT A WRITTEN TEST! NO WAY!"

Kirika was seated near the far corner at the back of the room, right next to the sentinels. She could see the others. Sasuke was on the other side of the room, two rows ahead of her, Sakura was a seat across from her, just a few more rows down and Naruto was towards the middle of the classroom in front of all of them.

"Okay everyone, eyes front! There are a few rules you need to be aware of. And I won't answer any questions." Ibiki instructed "Rule one: The test is conducted on a point reduction system, you all begin the test with a perfect score of ten points, one point will be deducted for every answer you get wrong. Rule two: teams will pass or fail based on the total score of all if it's members. Rule three: The sentinels around the room are there to watch you for any signs of cheating, and for every incident they spot, they will subtract two points from the culprits score. Be warned, there eyes are extremely sharp, and if they catch you five times, you'll be dismissed before the test is even scored. Anyone foolish enough to be caught by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered shinobi then show us what acceptation shinobi you can be. One more thing, if someone were to fail the test, then there entire team will be fails with them. The final question won't be given out until the final fifteen minutes of the test period. You'll have one hour total... BEGIN!"

Kirika looked down at her paper.

Number one: deciphering a code. Child's play. The most re-occurring symbol is E, followed by T, and so forth.

Number two, Line B in the diagram indicates the trajectory of a shurikin being thrown at enemy C by ninja A seated atop a tree seven meters tall, describe and formulate the trajectory required if C was positioned at points D, E and F, also predict the longest range of the shurikin and explain how you arrived at your answer. Easy. Kirika looked around. She could cheat... but solving them was easier.

Kankuro, who had been in the washroom came into the room. "Huh?" He said, confused.

"Ah, made it just in time." Ibiki said. "Hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlightening. Well? Take your seat." Kankuro sat down. "These rules are unique to question ten, listen carefully. And try not to let them frighten you... rule one: each of you is free to chose not to be given the question. It's your decisions."

"Wow! So what's the catch!? What happens if we decide not to do it!?" Temari called.

"If you chose not to answer the tenth question, then regardless to the other nine, you'll get a zero. That means you fail, and of course your teammates fail as well." Ibiki was smirking. Murmurs went around the room. "Not so fast! You didn't let me finish. If you do accept the question but answer it incorrectly, then you will not only fail: you will be barred from taking the chunin exam ever again!"

Naruto put his hand in the air and slammed it back down on his desk. "Don't underestimate me! I don't quit and I don't run! You guys can act tough but you won't scare me away! I don't care if I am stuck as a genin for the rest of my life! I'LL STILL BE HOKAGE SOMEDAY!"

Kirika rested her head in her arms... boring.

"Well then I admire your determination, if nothing else. As for the rest of you there's only one thing left for me to do. And that's to tell you... that you've all passed!"

"Hold on! What just happened! What do mean we passed! Where's the tenth question!" Sakura asked

Ibiki gridded widely "There never was one! Not a written one at least. Actually your decisions to stay was the answer for the tenth question!"

"Wait a second! So the other nine questions were all pointless! Is that what you're saying!?" Temari asked furiously.

"No, no, not at all." Ibiki said "Quite the opposite, the first nine questions had an overriding purpose: to inconspicuously gather strategic information under the most adverse circumstances."

"Oh, well that clears up everything." Temari said sarcastically.

"Let me explain, you see my objective was not only to test you as individuals but as a team. And how well you functioned as a part of a team, that's why the test was scored on a team basis. Of course it would have done you little good unless you had someone to cheat from, that's why I had two chunin who already knew the answers sit in with the rest of you." The two chunin stood up."Those who were caught at it failed, better not to cheat, than to cheat clumsily." He took off his headband/hat. His head was covered with scars. "Information, it can be the most valuable weapon in battle, how well you can gather it will determine weather your missions a failure or 'll be times when you have to risk your life to get it. Of course you must be aware of your information, intelligences gathered from an enemy isn't always accurate, always bear this in mind. Disinformation can be worse then no information at all, it can lead to the death of comrades or the loss of a village, that's why I put you in a position where you had to gather accurate inelegance, cheat in order to survive. And that's why those who weren't good enough at it were weeded out, leaving the rest of you.
As I said before, the goal was not only to test you as individuals but as a squad. the final question gave you two choices, both difficult. Those who chose the safer of two paths, those who's determination falters in the face of adversity, those who would put there comrades lives in jeopardy by worrying about there own, those who would save there own necks at the price of sacred honor will never be able to call themselves chunin. At least not as long as I'm here. As for the rest of you, you've answered the tenth question correctly, you have earned the right to pass on to the next step. I declare the first test of he chunin exams over, there's nothing left to do but to wish you all good luck." Ibiki said

"ALRIGHT YEAH! WE DID IT! THAT'S ONE DOWN! YEAH!" Naruto cheered.

A huge ball smashed through the window, kunai pinned a banner to the wall and floor reading 'Here comes the second proctor: Anko Mitarashi.'

"I-is this part of the test?" Naruto asked.

Kirika sat up. This should be good!

"Heads up boys and girls! I'll be you're next proctor! Anko Mitarashi! Ready for the second test!? GOOD! FOLLOW ME!"

"...You're early... again." Ibiki said.

Anko gave him an look of annoyance before glancing at her audience. "Uh... how many are there? Ibiki. You let all these guys pass? You're test was too easy, you must be getting soft."

"Or it could be a stronger crop of candidates this year."

"They sure don't look it." Anko smirked. "Trust me, before I'm done with them, more then half will be eliminated... Alright! You maggots have had it easy long enough! I'll let you're squad leaders know where you are to meet me first thing tomorrow! Dismissed."

"May I take your order?"

Kirika put up a hand. "I'm still waiting for someone, thank you."

The waitress began to walk away.

Kirika changed her mind and called after her. "Actually, I'd like rice. And more tea." She'd had two cups.

"Coming right up."

Kirika sighed and rested her head in her intertwined fingers. She kicked her leg back and forth and lazily watched the other patrons in the restaurant, eyes flickering. When she was certain no one was watching she drew the card Kabuto had given her between two fingers, covering it between the table and her body. Chakra flowed from her fingers and words appeared. She scanned the words quickly.

Attack on Konoha will commence
on the day of the tournament of
the chunin exam. The Sand are
our allies. They pose no threat;
the Kazekage has been disposed
of. Signal for the attack will
initiate on the first match of
Sasuke Uchiha, regardless of the
time. You will ensure he reaches
the finals but you will be eliminated
 from the exams before then. Once
the signal is raised report to the
coordinates below. A team of Sound
shinobi will await your arrival.
Summon the eight headed snake. You
will receive more details in Area 44.

Kirika quickly read the coordinate numbers. About half a kilometre due east of the easternmost watch tower. She held the card under the table. It caught alight with purple flames, quickly reduced to ashes in her fingers, which she rubbed clean with her napkin. She looked up, smiled at the familiar face and waved. Speak of the devil.

Sasuke glared but came over. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm meeting my mother. She and Anko are meeting me after work."

"Anko? The proctor?"

"She's a family friend." Kirika waved at the empty seat across from her. "Sit."

He remained standing. "I'd hate to interrupt your family affair." His words dripped with sarcasm.

"You're so funny." Under the table a snake ejected from her sleeve, grabbed onto his clothing and pulled him forwards face first into the table. Kirika rolled her eyes, full to the brim with laughter. "Jackass."

He righted himself in his seat. "Bitch."

"Naruto comes with us sometimes, but he wanted to prepare for tomorrow."

The waitress came back with Kirika's tea and rice.

"One for him too, please." She waved to Sasuke with her chopsticks.

"No. I don't want anything." He said

The waitress looked back at Kirika. "One for him too." She nodded. The waitress left.

"Screw you." Sasuke glared

Kirika set her chopsticks down and took her cup. "How was the first exam for you?"

Sasuke let out a sigh and rested his head on a propped up arm. "Fine."

"Espionage is a tricky thing. What did you do?"

"I used my sharingan to copy someone's pen motions."

Kirika nodded "Clever."

"What did you do?"

"I solved them. Easier, you know how it is."

He clenched his fist. "...How?"

"By thinking. Dummy."

"Eh!? I didn't understand a single problem."

Kirika sipped her tea. "You weren't meant to. you're supposed to cheat."

"So how did you do it?"

"Is it really so impressive? Sakura did that too. She breezed right through it."

Sasuke shook his head. "You've been training with Sakura a lot lately. Why bother her? She's a weak little girl."

"Oh... she's my pet project while I wait for a weak little boy."

He shot her the harshest glare yet.

The waitress returned with Sasuke's rice and tea.

"Oh good. I can eat now." She picked up her rice. "So, I wonder," She took a bite of rice. "Why do you want to becoming a chunin."

"To become stronger."

"A bit generic, don't you think?"

"I don't care what rank I am. That doesn't matter to me. There's someone I need to become strong enough to kill."

"That brother of yours? Yes, we had this discussion once before... Well... hate's a good a thing as any to keep you going."

Sasuke's eyes were hard. "You met him... tell me."

Kirika took another bite of rice.

"Tell me!"

She waved downwards with her chopsticks. "Sit down. You're making a scene."

He stood still for a moment the sunk down back into his seat.

"I doubt it could help you anyways. It was... hmm, I was... I think seven... eight?" She pursed her lips. "In the Land of Grass. I was with my father, but I went off alone. It must have been just a few months after Itachi fled the leaf village. It's pretty dated."

Sasuke frowned. "Tell me anyway."

"He just said hello. That's all. He was quite charming. Much kinder than you'd expect a mass murderer to be."

"That's all?"

"That's all." She nodded. "Though, I think I mentioned this... the words he said..."

Sasuke looked up.

"Continue to haunt me."

"And what exactly did he say?"

Kirika drew her pocket watch out in her palm. She looked at her reflection in the surface. "That's something I will never tell you." She withdrew the watch.

Sasuke reached out his hand towards her, but pulled back, laying it instead on the table and said nothing.

Kirika rested her slanted head on her palm and looked with a watchful expression at Sasuke. "You'll make that deal with me. Maybe not now, but eventually. So consider me an ally. I'll make you stronger."

Sasuke looked at her with an expression that was half irritated, half expectant.

"Kirika!" Hideko and Anko made there way towards them and sat down. "There you are. Sorry I took so long, work's piling up with the exams."

Anko laughed and rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, I've got all these reports to file now; documents, wavers, health records, rosters... geez! I'm not cut out for the bureaucrat life!"

Kirika laughed "It's fine, we ordered rice."

Anko nudged Kirika, she wore a cheeky grin and whispered. "This your boyfriend?"

"Heh. He wishes. Teammate."

Sasuke glared in irritation.

Hideko smiled. "Hello Sasuke. Are you Naruto's replacement for the evening?"

"No. I'm just leaving." He stood up.

Kirika grabbed his arm and pulled him back down and smiled a snake's smile. "Stay."

He glared back at her, and even harder when Anko gave Kirika an 'OK' sign and whisper "Nice."

"She's not my girlfriend." He said firmly.

Hideko laughed lightheartedly. "They're teasing you. Please, we never get to see Kirika's friends."

Sasuke continued to glare, he was tempted to tell her that he was not Kirika's friend. Those two were annoying, but he couldn't refuse Hideko. After all, she'd left him meals every day since he moved in next door to her, right after his clan was slaughtered. She'd offered her condolences and tried to dote at first, but quickly shifted their relationship to don't-ask-don't-tell. She left him food and didn't ask question. The woman knew how to give support from a distance, and for that he was grateful. Even if she was the mother of a lunatic...