I'm sorry if this chapter is suckie to you, I wasn't sure on how to bridge the ending of the 1st phase to the 2nd one~
The next chapter will be better I promise! (Only because it's the beginning of the 2nd part or the chunin exams! I'm excited!) *Major Dork Here*
:-:-:
Fuyu 06.
"Alright!" Ibiki exclaimed, easily gaining the attention of all the remaining Genin. "An hour has passed, which means it's finally time for the 10th question." he explained, scanning over the worried expressions before him.
Alight! The 10th question. Naruto thought to himself, literally sitting of the edge of his seat.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, ask it already! Ritsu demanded, chewing on his bottom lip nervously.
Fuyu sat up straight involuntarily in her chair as the words "It's finally time for the 10th question." finally rang in her tan ears. This is it.
Sasuke smirked to himself. Let's get this over with.
"But before I ask the 10th question, let me explain something to you." Ibiki began, taking in a shallow breath. "If you get this 10th question incorrect, you will not be able to advance to the second stage, nor will you be able to retake the chunin exams next year. So I give you this choice:" he paused "Leave now and avoid getting this question incorrect and have the chance to retry next year."
This whole part of the exam depends on this question? Fuyu asked herself, her honey brown eyes widening slightly. Could it really be that hard?
I said that I was going to put everything on the line for this question, no need going back on that now! Ritsu thought to himself, taking in a deep breath.
Alright, the last question. Hopefully it isn't as hard as he's portraying it to be. Sakura thought to herself, involuntarily looking over at the backside of a trembling Naruto. Don't you dare raise you hand to leave Naruto.
So it's come to this, hasn't it? Naruto asked himself, clenching his right hand tight. I most likely won't be able to answer this question correctly...He added, beginning to raise his hand slowly accompanied with many other genin.
Sasuke's gaze shot over to Naruto's tan hand slowly floating up. No! What are you doing idiot! He thought to himself, clenching his own right hand.
Soma smirked to himself. Looks like you won't be getting this far this year.
Please don't Naruto. Fuyu begged mentally. You have so many promises to fulfill, don't let this one question stop you.
"Are you giving up?" Ibiki asked, directing his question to Naruto.
Naruto's hand dropped back to his side as he stood up abruptly. In one swift moment, his hand collided roughly on the desk below him. "I don't care if I remain a genin forever! I will become Hokage either way, and nothing, not even a stupid question, will stop me!" he barked confidently.
Sakura sighed deeply in relief.
I should've known you would've done something like that. Sasuke thought to himself, smirking lightly, gently unclenching his hand.
A small smile graced Fuyu's lips. I know you wouldn't go back on your word, Naruto.
Ibiki smirked loudly. "Then that will be all who gives up? This will be your only opportunity to leave the exam unscathed." he explained, scanning across the classroom. "Alright...then all of you pass!" he announced.
A nearly deadly silence came over the room.
"What? What was the 10th question?" Ritsu asked, standing up from his seat. "What do you mean we pass? You didn't ask the 10th question, did you?"
"I did." Ibiki responded smugly. "It wasn't so much a question though. I was testing to see if you were strong enough to continue, even knowing that there was a large possibility that you would fail completely. There will be many situations in your career as shinobi where you will have to make decisions that may or may not cost your life." He explained clearly.
"Ha! I knew that. See, that's why I didn't leave." Naruto claimed, fixing his headband.
With a fond smile, Ibiki once again examined the possible chunin that sat before him. "You will all now continue to the 2nd part of this exam. It will be-"
Just as the last sound left his lips, a large ball of cloth flew through the window, exploding in a large puff a smoke into a curtain.
"Shut up and pay attention maggots!" a voice commanded from the smoke. "I'm Anko Mitarashi. And I will be the conductor of the 2nd part of the Chunin Exam." she introduced, finally getting the opportunity to look at the amount of Genin before her. "Ibiki!" she called "There's over 70 people in here. You've truly gotten soft."
"I can't help if we have a good batch of candidates this year." he replied.
She sighed deeply. "It's fine. I'll get rid of half of them by the time I'm done." she replied mischievously, looking back at the Genin. "All of you! Report to your Jonin commander for the location of the 2nd exam! Be there by 8:30, or you'll automatically be disqualified!" she explained before weaving a single sign. "Oh, and be prepared to die." she added, before disappearing completely.
All the Genin looked over at their teams worriedly.
Be prepared to die? Fuyu repeated to herself. Hopefully...that wasn't meant to be taken seriously. She reassured herself, knowing that the complete opposite was true.
"Well. You heard her." Ibiki began, walking under the curtain. "Good luck to each of you. You will all definitely need it."
"All of you are dismissed!" a chunin announced, standing up from his seat.
Slowly, Genin by Genin filed out and congregated with their teams.
"Fuyu! Soma!" Ritsu called, approaching his team frantically. "We did it! We've made it through the first part of the exam!"
Fuyu smiled brightly. "How did you do on the test by the way, Ritsu?"
"Well, about that." he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head nervously "I sort of didn't answer a single question. But it's alright! Just as long as we made it through."
Soma sighed loudly while Fuyu looked upon her teammate with amused eyes.
"We can't forget that we have 2 other parts to get through, Ritsu." Soma reminded, walking through the white double doors they arrived through.
"I'm sure we'll do fine on those two parts also, Soma." Fuyu confessed quietly. Although, what Anko said isn't exactly helping me in the slightest.
"I agree with Fuyu!" Ritsu agreed, rushing through the doors of the Academy. "We've already started off strongly, there shouldn't be a reason why something should go wrong now."
"You didn't answer a single question on the exam Ritsu." Soma explained.
"And! We still advanced, didn't we?" Ritsu responded, pouting slightly.
Slowly trailing behind her two teammates, Fuyu took in a deep breath of the cool winter air that surrounded the village. I still wished I had their confidence. She thought to herself, smiling sadly. But what if we don't make it through the 2nd part-
Fuyu's thoughts were cut short by a gentle snowflake floating from down from the sky. Her keen eyes constantly locked onto various snowflakes as they began coming down in droves, covering the ground below her while carefully sticking to her light brown hair.
Holding out her bare hand, she happily welcomed the cool chills she received from several snowflakes gathering in her palm. If only my life could be as simple as this. She thought to herself, blowing away the snowflakes. But if it was, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting. She added, rushing to catch back up with her teammates.
:-:-:
Team 13 slowly closed in on the large Oak Tree that they deemed as their personal meeting place.
Snow slowly covered over the landscape and stuck to the few leafs that managed to survive autumn.
"Well, how'd it go?" Nagare asked, noticing his students approach him slowly. "Was it what you expected?"
"Not even close." Ritsu responded immediately. "I think it was a big joke! The 10th question, wasn't even a question!" he complained.
Nagare chuckled deeply. "I'm sorry Ritsu. But at least you made it to the 2nd part, right?"
"Exactly! That 2nd part doesn't stand a chance."
Nagare smiled fondly as his hyper student before looking over at his two reserved ones. "What did you two think of it?"
"Nerve wracking." Fuyu admitted timidly. "I think it was the fact that we had several chunin by our side, watching our every move."
Nagare laughed heartfully. "Yeah. I was thinking you'd say something about that Fuyu. Sadly, that will be something you're going to have to get used to for future missions and assignments."
"But why would we have Chunin watching what we do on missions?" Fuyu asked curiously.
"It's because they wanted to see our ability in gathering information." Soma answered. "You didn't figure that out?"
Fuyu shook her head slowly. "I didn't think that was the point. Ibiki-senpai did emphasize the rule of not cheating."
"Even thought you didn't catch onto that, and didn't practice your information gathering skills Fuyu, at least now you know that you have solid self-control. That in itself is a better quality to have over all." Nagare commended sincerely.
Fuyu smiled brightly. "Thank you, Nagare Sensei." she replied bowing slightly.
Ritsu cleared his throat. "Do you think we could get something to eat instead of standing in this snow?" Ritsu suggested, shivering mildly.
"I think it feels fine." Fuyu confessed, looking up at the sky.
"That's because you're used to the cold Fuyu." Ritsu responded sadly.
"Alright, alright. I've already planned to meet Kakashi's team at the ramen shop. Is that good enough Ritsu?" Nagare asked kindly.
"You bet!" he responded, perking up immediately. "What are we waiting for! Let's go!" he commanded, absentmindedly taking hold of Fuyu's wrist and dragging her in the direction of the market district.
That kid. Nagare mused to himself, smiling lightly before looking over his right shoulder at his quiet student.
"Something bothering you, Soma?" he question. Or someone.
Soma's gaze shifted to his sensei's forest green eyes, locking onto them before he cracked a small smile. "Just thinking about what tomorrow'll be like. Nothing to be concerned about." he replied, heading in the same direction his two teammates disappeared to.
Nagare stood silent, as he slowly watched his student disappear from sight. Why is all of this happening now, now of all times. He sighed to himself, pushing his feet forward.
Why do I have such a bad feeling about all of this?
:-:-:
Finally sheltered from the cold, the group of 6 genin and their Sensei huddled around a small table, almost silently waiting for their food with exception of the periodic whisper.
"Food." Naruto and Ritsu drooled as they watched the two chefs whip up their orders.
Fuyu's eyes curiously darted from each thing, carefully studying the details of the small ramen shop. Her nose winkled once the scent of chicken flavored broth and bell peppers hit her sensitive nose. I wonder how far we'll actually get. She wondered to herself, quickly glancing at her two teammates.
I wonder if I'm the only one worrying about this. She added, pouting to herself. There's no way they can be that confident, right-?
"Fuyu." Nagare called, gaining her attention.
"Yes, Sensei?" she responded, her curious honey brown eyes watching him as he rose from his seat swiftly.
"I have something I need to tell you." He replied, motioning to the door. "But I don't want to tell you in front of this nosy bunch."
She smiled lightly before nodding her head, following her sensei out the entrance to the modest ramen shop.
Fuyu took in a deep breath once the refreshing cold breeze hit her face. Why can't the weather be like this year round?
Nagare lead her a little ways away from the ramen shop, far enough to still be seen but not heard. The previous light snowfall almost completely covered the ground below them, crunching softly with each step they took.
"Do you have any idea what's going on between Soma and Sasuke?" Nagare whispered bluntly, bending slightly into her ear.
"Not exactly." Fuyu responded quietly, digging into her mind for any hints of what might've caused such a disturbance. "Why? Is something going to happen-?"
"Have you tried talking to either one of them?" he questioned further, looking into her brown eyes.
Fuyu grew silent as her mind went into a frenzy to why he would be so interested in it all the sudden. "I've tried telling them both to stop, but..." she paused "but Soma kept at it."
"In that case" Nagare began "I need you to try to get to Sasuke. Whatever is going on between them is not going to bare any good benefits. I'm sorry if this alarms you, but just try to keep those two at bay as much as you can-"
"Why have they been acting like this?" she asked curiously "Ever since the mission to Kirigakure, nothing has been the same. It feels like the tension between them is increasing everyday, but there's no way to stop it."
Nagare took in a deep breath. "I believe that you'll find a way Fuyu." he responded, allowing his eyes to drift shut slowly. Although, it's up to those two to follow it. "Listen, all I need you to do is try. Everything else is in their hands. Understand?"
Fuyu's eyes carefully studied her Sensei's expression. What his eyes were saying. How his jaws were slightly clenched. How his lips were being pursed shut. How many small winkles have been forming since they returned from the mission.
Despite her curiosity itching frantically, she went against asking about it any further. "I'll try my best, Sensei." she finally responded, forcing a reassuring smile onto her lips.
Nagare's face softened greatly at his student's smile. "I know you will Fuyu." he responded, placing a gentle hand onto her head. "Let's go eat now?" he asked, looking down at her.
Fuyu nodded her head firmly up at her sensei before looking back ahead of her, glimpsing a view of her teammates already eating their food. Glimpsing the glances that Soma and Sasuke exchanged with each other in a matter of seconds. What is going on between you two?
:-:-:
"Naruto, Kakashi Sensei and I are going to go practice a little more kunai throwing. Any of you four wanna come?" Ritsu offered, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"Can't, I'd rather get some sleep for tomorrow." Sakura responded happily. "I do need my beauty rest."
Sasuke scoffed.
"In that case, would you mind if I escorted you home, my fair lady?" Nagare offered, holding out his arm.
"Of course not." Sakura giggled, hooking her arm into his.
"Good luck tomorrow you 5." Nagare bidded before walking away with Sakura at his side.
"What about you guys?" Ritsu asked, looking back at his remaining teammates.
"I'd love to Ritsu, Naruto." Fuyu began kindly "But I'm sure my parents are already worried about me."
"What about-"
"C'mon Ritsu. Let's go before it gets darker!" Naruto called from beside Kakashi sensei.
"Suit yourself." Ritsu mumbled, running over to his sergeant Sensei and Teammate.
"I'm guessing we're all heading the same way." Soma voiced, glancing at Fuyu and Sasuke. "This should be fun." he added tauntingly.
Sasuke's stoic onyx eyes glared right into Soma's dark brown eyes. "What's that supposed to mean-"
"You shouldn't have to be asking Sasuke."
"No, explain it to me Soma."
"Heh, I don't see the reason why I should-"
"Stop." Fuyu begged quietly, playing with a small bundle of snow that cooled her fingertips. "I don't know what happened between you two, and I don't care. Whatever it is shouldn't be affecting either of you this greatly. I know you two are greater than this, stop acting like children and just sort things out."
Soma chuckled softly, causing Fuyu's gaze to shift from the bundle of snow over to his brown eyes.
"If only you knew what we have between us, Fuyu."
"Then explain it to me!" Fuyu responded, looking at both Soma and Sasuke. "Please."
Soma looked over at Sasuke. "Explain it to her, Sasuke."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Soma, almost immediately catching onto what his was referring to. "Tell me, does she know that her Birthday is the anniversary of your clans massacre? Or do you continue to hide it from her?" Sasuke maintained his cool expression, despite his mind going into a slight frenzy.
"Well?" Soma pestered.
"I don't understand how anything of this became any of your concern, Soma."
"I made it my concern when she became my teammate."
Fuyu watched silently as both Soma and Sasuke sent retorts back and forth to each other. Her tan fists slowly tensed more and more with each passing second, just wanting this quarrel between them to end.
"Fine, then I'll tell her." Soma resorted before looking over at Fuyu. "I'm sure you don't know this yet but-"
"Please, shut up." Fuyu requested quietly, looking down at her feet. "I don't care to know what is going on between you two. All I want is for you two to fix it." she added, looking up at him. "I can't believe that both of you can act this childish." she scolded before turning away.
"I don't want to see anymore of this any longer. Tomorrow, please have all of this settled between you two." she commanded, slowly disappearing from sight.
The two Genin watched in a silent awe as she slowly turned around a corner.
Was she actually angry? Soma asked himself, trying to pull up a memory of her being upset.
Sasuke clenched his fists slightly, staring down at the snow white ground. "You bring that up again with her around Soma" he growled "You will not enjoy the results."
"Then tell her yourself. Before the end of the Chunin Exams. Or else I'll tell her when she's most weakest, just so her hatred can be stronger." he responded smugly before heading off in a different direction. "Good luck on the exam tomorrow."
Through enraged eyes, Sasuke watched as Soma slowly disappeared from his keen sight before releasing all the tension he held in his fists. If only you knew how much it would hurt her than make her upset, Soma. He thought to himself before regaining his stoic expression, and heading to his lone apartment.
Thank you so much for reading! Every read that my story gets means a lot to me. :)
Please leave a review/comment about what you think about this chapter, and what I can/should work on. I'd really appreciate it!
-EZ