Hello everyone. I am sorry but I have been moving and have not had the time to work on anything. I also have not had internet access so that has slowed me down even more. Anyways, here is the start of the Chunin Exams.
Chapter 11: Start
I sat in Ichiru's ramen shop and relaxed for a little while. Today was the day that the sand siblings would appear in my life once again. Hinata was sitting beside me as calm as she has been in this life since she has a boost of confidence once more. We had completed one C-ranked mission since the seduction and assassination mission. It went very well and was completed in a little over two days. Kurenai-sensei had told us that she was entering us in for the Chunin Exams soon after we returned from our mission. For the last two weeks we have been training hard and since the Chunin Exams start in two days.
I could feel the tension in the air from the coming of barely friendly ninja in to our village for the exams. Many of the civilians had stuck to civilian only districts and shops so that they would not get hurt for making mistakes and supposedly offending visiting ninja. Hinata and I have kept to the streets to scope out the coming competition. I already knew that the sand siblings would be here for sure but I did not have much data on the other ninja coming to the exams.
I heard the sounds of ninja shoes on ground outside of Ichiru's and turned my head to inspect the ninja outside. All of the ninja in the village travel over the roofs to get anywhere or travel around this main road to make sure that every genin gets a chance to scope out the competition traveling this road. I looked outside and saw three older ninja dressed in the clothes and forehead protector of rain. I bumped Hinata and motioned for her to look out of the shop.
"These guys are from rain and from the forms I can see in their clothing they are hiding some major amounts of senbons. We will have to be careful of poisoning with these three," I told her as I kept my eyes on them as they slowly walked by.
"On the good side they have small levels of chakura and they do not seem to be built for strong attacks. They seem to focus on long distance attacks," Hinata replied in a whisper.
I nodded my head in agreement to her comment before turning back to my dinner. Soon I would hear the yells of Naruto in challenge of Kankuro once again. Less than an hour later, I heard what I was waiting for.
"Konohamaru are you alright," yelled Naruto from a few streets over.
I looked over at Hinata and she stared back at me. We both nodded before jumping out Ichiru's shop and jumped onto the roof of the building across from us. The yells of people in the street followed us as we leaped over the roof tops towards where we heard the yell originated from. I could hear Kankuro's reply of Naruto to leave it be or there would be damage happen to him. I jumped into the tree where Sasuke once stood during this very fight. Hinata landed beside me and we both stared down at the people bellow us. I could sense that Gaara is hanging bellow us.
"Kankuro," growled Temari warningly.
"You should put the boy down now," I commanded from my spot.
"Release the boy," commanded Gaara who was hanging from Hinata's and my branch at the same time.
Everyone looked up at us and gaped. I smiled and allowed myself to slide down my branch so that I am hanging upside down. Kankuro gulped loudly and Temari gasped. I continued smiling at Gaara and held my hand out for him to shake. I held it out for a few moments hoping that he would shake it but he did not. I sighed slightly and just shook my head.
"I knew that the Jinchuuriki of Shukaku could be a little unsocial and therefore not know much of human contact but that does not mean they should be rude," I said before flipping to avoiding a bit of sand sent at me.
"What do you know of the tailed demons, girl," demanded Shukaku who had taken over Gaara's body.
I tilted my head up to where the sun hit my eyes just right to show the coloring of my eyes to him. Shukaku retreated and allowed Gaara control once more. Gaara looked at me strangely and tilted his head sideways like a curious cat. I could tell he had question about how I knew about him being a Jinchuuriki and how I could calm him down so much.
"I am the only person left in this world of such knowledge. If you wish to sleep, you will find me here in these training grounds working on a few things with my teammates," I told him starting to walk away.
Hinata jumped down to land beside me. We both turned to walk away in unison which came from our years of practice together. A hand touched my shoulder causing me to turn and look at the person who grabbed me. I saw that it was Kankuro who had anger written all over his face.
"It would do you well to calm yourself Kankuro. I can very much break that hand of yours," I said before pulling him closer and whispering, "Do not think that I cannot tell that this is a puppet it has to stiff of movements to be a young human. I am not stupid and you had better be careful. If I hear of one wrong movement, I break this little puppet into small irreparable pieces."
I pulled back and glared daggers at him. Kankuro pulled back further surprised and grumbled something about me being an evil wench with too much pride and comfort. I just glared at him harder and turned to walk away once more. Once we reached the edge of the clearing, I paused for a moment and turned back to face Temari.
"Thank for not interfering on our mission a few weeks back," I said gratefully before turning to Naruto.
"What do you mean," Temari demanded as she swiftly turned from facing her siblings.
"If you want to train with us for a while Naruto and Konohamaru come on. Hinata and I have much to get done by the end of the day," I said ignoring her but taking out the fan I used in the mission a few weeks ago.
Hinata took out hers and we both started twisting them in taunting ways that we did in the mission. We walked on not looking back and occasionally passed them back and forth as we traveled to the forest where Hinata and I usually trained alone. I could sense that the three sand ninja were following us closely but trying to be undetected. They were curious and wanted to know if we were who they thought we were. Naruto and Konohamaru were a few steps behind us just wanting the attention of having practice with two well-known genin ninja females.
Stories had spread about the two of us. Many people said we were skilled beyond our level and were very good. Many believed we would work our way up the ninja ladder just as quickly as the last Sakura and Itachi. I knew this could happen but I wanted to take things a little slower. If I can stay in the lower ranks that means I can protect Sasuke and Naruto.
I had requested to be on another team for a reason. Had I been on the same squad as them I would have slipped and let them know that I am much older than I appear at least in mind anyways and that I will protect them with my life. If either of them knew of this they would have a hurt pride and hate me for the rest of their lives.
Hinata and I looked out over our usual training ground thinking of what would be the best way to start our usual routine while including the other two. I turned to Hinata and smile widely as a perfect way to do it appeared in my mind. Hinata saw the look in my eye and chuckled. Over the past few years Hinata and I have set up and obstacle with traps which change because Hiashi changed them for us on occasion to make sure we never get used to the field. We always kept on our toes to make sure me made it through without a scratch on us which happens occasionally. A smile had crept up on my face. I wanted to see how could Naruto could be when getting through here. He has been a little better at seeing through the traps in this lifetime.
"Hey Naruto and Konohamaru why don't you guys try out our obstacle course," I suggested with the smile still on my face.
"Of course Sakura-chan. Come on Konohamaru this should be a piece of cake," Naruto said in an excited voice.
Oh lord he still was the knuckle head he was back in my first life. Hinata looked over at me with laughter in her eyes. If he thought they were going to get through this without a struggle he is wrong. Hiashi had come over last night and did some work on the traps so this should be fun.
"Um, boss, I think we should proceed with caution. These ladies are some of the best and they wouldn't train in a normal obstacle and get as good as they are," Konohamaru smartly stated and he was right.
"It does not matter. We should not be shown up by two girls," Naruto commented.
I gazed at Hinata in askance if we should release a challenge to them. She smirked at me and nodded in agreement. This should be fun to watch their faces as they see the traps set up. I can already spot three of them near the start. With all this practice of seeing traps I had gotten used to recognizing traps and all the signs of one being there. Naruto stared at me as I walked over to stand by him. I can see the confusion in his eyes.
"How about making this a challenge? Whichever team gets to the other side first gets a free dinner from the other of their choice," I said with a smirk on my face.
Naruto returned the smirk with a smile before goading me with, "Are you sure you are not an Uchiha with that smirk of yours?"
"Your ten seconds of a head start begins… now," I yelled.
Naruto and Konohamaru start out running. Naruto runs into the first trap and gets blown away by a touch bomb he lands on a trip wire setting of a set of kunai's off which he barely avoided. I look over and see that Konohamaru is fairing much better than Naruto in that he only set off a set of kunai which hit him in his arm. He would soon find out that the wound to his arm would lower his chances and speed in this obstacle course.
When the ten seconds ends, I nodded to Hinata and she leaps away from the start point. I follow a step behind her and she led us through the traps. Occasionally we would run into copies of Hiashi trying to disturb us. I would attack them and kill them quickly making sure to avoid being hurt. We reached the mud pit and Hinata begin to run across the mud suddenly a set of senbon come our way with no warning. I turn in that direction to find another Hiashi standing there ready to do battle I looked to Hinata and can tell that there is something off about this one.
We both turned to face off against this one, ignoring the sound of paper bombs going off behind us as Naruto and Konohamaru kept running into more traps. I always hated it when Hiashi decided to make some of his clones a little stronger than the others but he only wanted us to become stronger and more of a well-oiled team. Hinata and I came at the clone from opposites sides and he dodged us. Hinata and I changed directions the moment he dodged making sure to keep up with him and his speed. It took Hinata and me about ten minutes to take this clone out. This was the longest and hardest clone Hiashi had added to the obstacle course.
I turned around and scanned the obstacle course. Naruto and Konohamaru were no longer on the field. Did they get blown off of it? I heard cheering coming from the end of the obstacle course and checked the end. There stood Konohamaru and Naruto. My mouth burst open in laughter. Both of them were covered in cuts and soot from the bombs. They even had a few senbons poking out from them.
"That was…." Konohamaru said before being interrupted by Naruto.
"CRAZY," Naruto shouted.
"I was going to say very interesting. NO wonder you two are part of the best lower level ninja. I have never seen that kind of team work and I have watched many teams mock fight," Konohamaru commented with a smile.
"You can come and use it whenever you want. Hiashi comes and mixes it up for us about once a week. Warning though some of his clones are very strong like the one we just faced it was abnormally strong but considering we are entering the Chunin Exams the day after tomorrow," I replied with a smile in return. "Now how about Hinata and I take you out for that meal, we agreed to treat you too."
Naruto cheered as usually the mention of free food has him excited. He led the way as we walked to Ichiru's Ramen Shop. I felt it when the Sand Siblings were stopped by someone but I could not tell who it was because their chakra was suppressed. I ignored it and walked on knowing that if they wanted answers they would meet me later tonight.
…
I watched quietly from the shadows as Sakura and Hinata both worked through the obstacle course. I watch over her just as I said I would after she fell asleep after killing the elders. I have been watching her when I could get away from my work for some time which was getting less and less often as the Chunin Exams approached. I hated not being able to see her more often. I knew my Sakura-sensei was part of that body and I wanted to talk to her but I knew I should not unless it was an emergency and I needed her advice.
I knew that the Suna ninja followed them and it seemed that Sakura and the others did not seem to know that they were followed by some people. Once Sakura and the others left, I jumped down in front of the Suna ninja and stopped them.
"Stop following Sakura and her group," I commanded in a gruff voice.
"Who are you to command us," demanded the boy with face paint on.
"I am a proctor for the Chunin Exams and therefore have the right to order you around genin," I replied in an emotionless tone.
The boy growled lowly at me but stopped when his blond headed teammate put her hand on his shoulder silently commanding him to be quiet and leave it be. I could tell she was the oldest and strangely the boy listened to her. I wonder if there is some connection other teammates between this squad they seem a little too familiar with each other to just be teammates.
"If I find out about any code breaking while you are here in Kahona, I will personally make sure you are failed and sent back to your village," I threatened.
"Fine but before we leave, who are you," demanded a cold tone.
"I am Uchiha Itachi and you are," I asked in return.
"Sabaku Gaara," he replied as he turned to leave.
"Fine just make sure to follow all the codes," I reminded them as they left in the opposite direction from which Sakura went.
I turned sad as I realized I had no more time available to spend watching Sakura-chan. I flash stepped back to the Hokage Building for a meeting and prepared for a meeting.
Alright guys that is all for now. I hoped you all liked it. Some people were asking me about why I did not put Sakura on the same team as Sasuke and Naruto so that is why I put in that part. Some people wanted also know about why Sakura's team was sent on a seduction mission. Well Sakura and her team are well known for their capabilities and the mission was really a simple assassination mission. The news they had was that he was not guarded by ninja or guards and therefore would be an easy target. It of course turned out he had ninja guards but then things moved along like they did. The seduction part was just to make the assassination part easier. Well there is my explanation. Until next time bye.