AN:

DarkRavie: speedy as usual, insert smirk

Afira: I don't mind corrections, but spelling errors would do better in a PM with maybe a review to let me know you sent them to me, plot things, if it's a constructive comment on what you don't like, go ahead and put it in review, if it's just plain complaining, I'd rather not here it. As for Oorachimaru, it's a long 'o', and I can't put a bar over the 'o' thus the double 'o', as for Neiji, it's like Seiji or Sage in the English version of RW, both cases either spelling is a common irrelevance, it's like calling someone for not spelling Gokou right, which is valid because it's on his hat in one episode- but pointless… That said, thank you for your time anyway because I know you mean well.

End AN

Matsuri wasn't sure what to expect when she met with her to-be team for the Chuunin Exams. She knew Gaara had some deep felt respect for Naruto since their encounter in his first Chuunin exam. She also knew Temari and Kankuro had both said that Naruto and Sakura tended to be loud and obnoxious; and Kakashi- where to start, the infamous Copy-nin Kakashi. She sat on the edge of a rooftop next to Naruto and Sakura. Kakashi sat on the huge cooling unit for the building.

"Okay, most of us know each other, but for Matsuri's sake here, I think a round of introductions are in order. Sakura, why don't you start?"

Sakura rose to her feet. "Well, I'm Sakura of course- but rather than use this time to introduce myself I'd like to clear something between Naruto and me. I don't like the secrets you kept from us all this time about Itachi- I'm not so foolish as to think it might have made a difference in Sasuke's behavior, but you should have at least given us the chance as teammates."

"Well, um, okay, Naruto."

Naruto looked towards Sakura, then down, then awkwardly away, "Anyway, I'm Naruto, I like Ramen, Especially from the Ramen Shop Iruka and I often go to together, my ambition is to make everyone acknowledge my strength so I can become Hokage." Naruto took in a breath as if debating whether to say any more, "I'm also really sorry Sakura, we all were worried that Sasuke might be traumatized by the whole event, but decisions were made with limited time, and less understanding. If I had it to do over, I'd probably still do the same thing, only because of all the other lives we may be able to save, but I swore to you I'd bring Sasuke back, and I still have every intention of keeping that promise. My ninja way has never, and will never change."

Naruto sat sheepishly down, and Matsuri was certain there were several long stories behind what she'd just seen. "Naruto, are you sure that's all you want to say right now?"

Naruto looked over at Kakashi, "Yes, I'm sure. The rest will wait for a better time and place."

Matsuri looked suspiciously over at Naruto, then back at Kakashi. Who stood up this time, "I'm Kakashi, former ANBU, my ambitions are my own, and my preferences are better left unsaid."

Sakura frowned in disgust immediately realizing what he meant-

'freakin perv-nin and his Ero-books,' inner Sakura raged on for a moment before Kakashi motions for Matsuri to speak.

Matsuri stands, running a hand through her hair as she takes a moment to think, "Well, I'm Matsuri, I don't really like weapons, but I know they're necessary to protect what's precious to you. I like-" she paused and sighed, "Well, I don't really have any ambitions except for one, to see Gaara-sensei truly happy. So I guess that means I owe Naruto quite a bit for helping Gaara take the first steps." She turns to Naruto and bows, then sits down.

"I'm glad to see Gaara has people who truly care about him now," Naruto smiled as he looked to Matsuri.

Kakashi smiled as he stood up again, "Well, with that out of the way, tomorrow I'd like to see how you three fair as a team, skip breakfast, and meet me in the forest."

Naruto and Sakura sweatdropped and frowned, 'Not again.'

The next morning Matsuri was the first to arrive, as both Naruto and Sakura were accustomed to Kakashi's lateness. When the two of them arrived, they quickly filled in their experience from when they took this test before officially becoming Genin.

"So wait- he's ALWAYS late?"

"Something in his history, I- ah- talked to Jiraya about it; he used to be a strict by the book-type- until his first mission in command went six ways to hell."

Sakura looked at Naruto with confusion, "Why would Jiraya tell you something like that?"

Naruto bit his lip, "We talked about a lot of things over those two and a half years, including a few ways of taking down Sasuke if it came down to it."

Sakura turned away. About this time Kakashi finally had the nerve to show up…

Kakashi looked from Naruto to Sakura, then to Matsuri, "This was a bad time wasn't it?"

Matsuri quirked an eyebrow, then nodded slowly. Kakashi set two lunches by three stumps with ropes. She was about to wonder what the ropes were for- but she pieced together from what the two of them told her- "Wait- are you really going to tie the one of us who doesn't get the bell to the post?"

Kakashi ignored her question as he then pulled the bells from his pocket and tied them to his belt. He took a few steps back from the group of them, then reached into his jacket- the corners of Icha Icha Paradise pokeing out- but then he looked from Naruto to Sakura again and thought better of it, "Nope, I better take this serious this time… Go."

AN: Don't KILL ME- it's a short chappie!