Yamato had paced all night, today was the day of the chunnin exams. Oh, god! It wasn't fair! He shouted in his head, the rest of the teams got like months to get ready for this, but because Zaki was missing for so long, they only had 1 week to prepare. Only one week, and he didn't know how to practice for the chunnin exams, it was tough! And Kaida and Keiji and oh god oh god oh god! Why couldn't he be cool? Like Kakashi, Kakashi seemed like the epitome of cool but Yamato was lame and now his teams going to go to exams and then they might fail and that would reflect on him as a teacher and everybody will be like oh wow that wasn't a surprise Yamato can't teach worth crap and!

COOL IT! He had to stop his rambling from going on, it wasn't good confidence builder. Kaida, Keiji and Zaki were on there own. He couldn't help them, at all, he would just have to you know…trust them. Yamato was worried, he couldn't do anything! He felt so helpless.

What to do?!

Go to the bar Duhhhh, that's what you do. But it was only 9Am! A little voice told him, you shouldn't go to the bar at 9 in the morning, at least wait until noon! But the exams start in 30 minuets, the little voice then conceded, screw it go get drunk!

See Yamato had a plan, kind of.

-- - -- ------- -

Adara walked to the Chunnin exams with Keiji. "Sooo…"

"So……" Keiji replied.

"We might have to verse each others in the exam…" Adara stated she didn't know what to do; she could never hurt Keiji in a fight.

Keiji stopped, and looked at her, oh his eyes looked especially deep today, and beautiful and, snap out of it Adara. You are not a fan girl, repeat, NOT A FAN GIRL! "Truce? My team will help your team if your team helps my team? Were both from the same country." Keiji put it nicely. "IT can't hurt at all, at worst we will avoid each others team entirely."

"But what if they force us to fight; I mean you're my best friend Keiji, I…" Love you that's what Adara wanted to say, but she didn't. Because that would be lame and clingy and it would scare Keiji away, Adara had to bite her lip.

Keiji looked at her bite her lip and wondered if she knew how cute she looked when she did that? Keiji would never hurt Adara, he couldn't even if she was drawing a kunai and attacking him, Keiji would never hurt Adara. He would rather climb the highest mountain in Konoha wearing only a Speedo and having barb wire as his harness. Keiji cared for Adara, she was his best friend. People shouldn't hurt their best friends. "We'll deal with that when it occurs, if it occurs."

Adara gave a nervous giggle, "Your right, I mean there are going to be hundreds of people there; there are a very little chance we will actually fight each other."

"Totally what time is it?" Keiji asked.

"9.05"

"Your brother's part of the exams right, he helps set them up right?"

"Yeah,"

"Did he give you any you know pointers." Keiji asked. Adara sighed, Shikimaru was no help like usual, she begged, she threatened she yelled she screamed. Guy didn't give her one lousy pointer he was the worst brother in the world!

"No! believe me I tried to get something out of him, all he did was say that once you get in there you have to act like everything is hostile. Like I didn't know that all ready, urgh he is soo!" Keiji put his hand on Adara's shoulder; she didn't need to be this worked up. She needed to go in there with a cool head.

"Your meeting your team there right?" Keiji asked.

"Yes, Neji all ready believes that Hinabi will become a Chunnin, he is afraid that Lee and I will hold her back." Adara spat.

Keiji looked grave, "Did he say that to you?"

"Not in those exact words, I don't know I'm just, it's a lot of pressure, Shikimaru only had to go to the Chunnin exams once and I don't know. He didn't even try he gave up his fight in the last exam! And he still got Chunnin, and even if I win all my fights I still won't make Chunnin. It's not fair, Shikimaru does absolutely nothing and people are still like 'Shikimaru so smart' 'Shikimaru we are going to give another promotion' 'Shikimaru' I'll work my ass of and all I'll get is, 'Your ok Adara, Your still need a lot of work." I don't' know it…sorry I'm ranting Keiji"

"You think to negatively of yourself, you got plenty of things Shikimaru doesn't," Adara glowered at him. "Like a work ethic." Keiji decided to shut up this wasn't going anywhere.

"Come on lets get going, we don't want to be late." Adara seethed.

-- - - - ---- - -

Kaida bounced to the Chunnin exams, Yo in her arms. She had her mother put pig tails in her head and she wore her pink overalls, she had the legs cut of at the knee's though. Her shirt had strips of candy colors and her socks matched. She looked adorable and innocent and all together cheek pinching cute. Kaida felt like if she wore this long enough she might actually become those things, the thought kind of made her stomach churn.

It was 9:15 when she reached the main building; this was going to be a long day. She looked at the sign. Chunnin exams room 213 should be on the second floor. As she walked in noted that the first floor signs all were in the one hundreds. Something wasn't right; maybe it was the way the lights flickered or the way the signs seemed to be changing. Her neck hairs prickled, everything told her that this whole place had a Genjutsu on it.

Yamato hadn't taught them a lot about genjutsu's, but Kaida had been studying them on the side. She shuddered remembering what it was like in that mans stare. Genjutsu's where powerful and tricky, technically they were easy to get out of. In theory anyway but being trapped in your own fears is not a situation anyone wants to go through. And all her senses and reading told her that this was a genjutsu's. Probably the room numbers, was this the first test? If so Kaida was glad that they got the genjutsu part over with.

Kaida took a deep breath, and gathered her chakra to her eyes, it was only a theory but theory says if you gather enough chakra to your eyes you could see through genjutsu but its risky, it's so you can constantly fight users. It's difficult and usually Kaida couldn't do it, but she had been practicing since she got back from the last mission. Kaida was never going to be caught in something like that again. Opening her eyes Kaida saw the room numbers, instead of the 114 it was room 56 that means room 213 was on the third floor. Kaida walked up to the second floor she had to find Keiji, He was with a bunch of other competitors, about 20 all together waiting in front of the restroom, how to get Keiji's attention without telling everyone else that it was a track. Kaida had an idea!

"KEIJI!" She squealed. Some people looked over, most didn't. Keiji looked at her confused.

"Kaida?" He asked, Kaida noticed Adara next to Keiji; her team was waiting with her, if she caught on to what Kaida was trying to say, oh well.

"Keiji! I got to go to the bathroom!" She whined, it was like an annoying high pitched whisper.

"Ok, go I'm not stopping you." Keiji replied he was looking at her like she was crazy.

"I think we SHOULD ALL go to the bathroom before hand just in case," Kaida looked desperately at Adara If she would get what she was saying. The auburn haired girl narrowed her eyes at Kaida, she new her well enough to know that the eight year old girl never acted like this. Realization dawned on the older girls face. "I think we should all go to the bathroom, it's a good idea." Adara gave Keiji a look and Keiji finally got it.

"Oh Ok, lets go!" Keiji said a little loudly, more people looked over. Adara and her two team mates, Kaida didn't know there name they all walked up one flight of stare. There was no genjutsu on this floor.

"What were we waiting in line for?" The other girl on Adara's team asked.

"The bathroom" Kaida replied sweetly. The girl was beautiful in a cold hawk like manner. Her hair was an unassuming brown, but it was her tanned skin and her moon like eyes that made her beauty haunting and unforgettable.

The girl raised an eyebrow, "I see," She eyed Kaida with a new respect.

When they walked into the room it was a lot bigger then all of them expected, there was about 30 people in there. A bouncy blond with big hair and a bigger bust bounced over to Adara and the other girl. "Oh my god, you guys I was so worried about you! Its 9:18 and you weren't here yet, and I was like 'they must have been run over or smushed in an accident because Hinabi would want all of them to be there at least 30 minuets early.' But it's ok you guys are here. LEE! OMG I haven't seen you since graduation!" The bubbly blond then went over and gave Adara's male team mate a hug, he stiffened and blushed. Kaida wondered if her bubbly ruse was like her ruse or if she just naturally talked that fast. The blond haired girl then set her eyes on Keiji. "Oh…You've grown Keiji." Her voice lowered down a couple of levels as she looked at Kaida's team mate.

"Hi Kristi," Keiji smiled blushing a little at the blonds attention. The blond then locked her eyes on Kaida.

"Awww, this must be Kaida, she is sooo adorable!" The blond leaned over and pinched Kaida's cheeks. The blond reached out her hand, "Hi my names Kristi I graduated with Keiji from the academy, and you must be one smart girl to be at the chunnin exams all ready."

Kaida smiled "Just lucky, Yo's my good luck charm!" Kaida held up Yo in her arms.

"Hey Yo, how are you doing today?" Kristi asked the bear.

"He says he's doing ok, but he's kind of nervous for the exam." Kristi winked at her.

"He's gonna do fine." The blond comforted her. She then looked over at the others. "I'm going to talk to the big kids now ok?" Her voice sounded like Kaida was the stupidest person ever, Kaida just smiled at Kristi and silently wished for her untimely demise.

-- -- - ---- - - - ---

Keiji didn't understand why Kaida was acting like the little girl. It made her look defenseless and dumb. He looked at the clock it was 9:24 Zaki was no where to be seen. He couldn't go see if she was stuck in the genjutsu because they didn't want to attract attention to the fact that those people were getting duped. More people started streaming in, none of them were Zaki. Keiji looked over at Kaida, both of them were worried. Zaki had never done well with time limits. Adara gave him a warning glance to stop fidgeting. Kristi's team, Adara's team and his team all made a pact to try to help each other when ever possible.

It was weird; Parker was being nice to him. The torment of his life all through the academy was being mature and social towards him. Like he forgot that he used to publicly abuse his incepted in front of class. Parker was handsome with jet black skin and bleached blond hair and blue eyes. It was an odd combination he pulled of well. Keiji could see out of the corner of his eye Adara eyeing Parker up with a small smile on her face. Did she like Parker that way…Keiji hoped not?

Adara looked at Parker and smiled. From what Kristi had told her about Parker, he hadn't improved much since the academy, and Keiji the boy he used to pick on like there was no tomorrow. Had just excelled at everything he did sense there, goes to show that a friendly environment can help a person learn. Parker was going to be crushed by someone he used to think was inferior to him and it made her smile.

Micah was Kristi's other partner; Kristi never really talked about him much. He was unassuming with chin length strawberry blond hair and big coke rimmed glasses. When he walked he slouched a little and he was a stuttered. But he had always been really sweet. It was plane to everyone except Kristi was the reason he was so nervous around her was because he liked her a lot. Gosh even Keiji knew and he was as dumb as a rock when it comes to romantic signals. Not that that was a bad thing she found it quit cute. She looked at the clock 9:25 where was Zaki.

-- -- - -- -

Max was up and out of bed shaking Zaki violently awake when was that thing she had to get ready for? Was it 10:30, so he was getting her up so she could have a good breakfast before hand. He didn't understand these people who wanted to start things before noon, it wasn't human it wasn't right. But you know Shinobi were really weird.

"Wha…What time is it?" Zaki mumbled as she stumbled out of bed.

"Well I decided to wake you up an hour before hand so its 9:20" Max smiled at her. He was so considerate.

"Max…" Her voice became very grave.

"When do you think it starts?" She asked.

Max frowned "didn't you say 10:30 last night?" He asked, her face became extremely white. She started towards the door.

"I have 6 minuets to get down there!"

"At least put some pants on!" Max yelled after her, she was wearing an old t-shirt what was 5 times to big for her and some of max's boxer's shorts. She rushed and took his Pink bunny slippers with out asking and her ninja pack.

"I'm going be back I don't know when! Bye bye." She ran out the door taking her skateboard from the stand.

Zaki had to pump chakra into her feet to go faster, this was ridiculous. How the hell did Max get 10:30 out of 9:30?! She saw the building in sight, thank god. What time was it, check sun prolly about 9:27. Zaki wasn't looking and she slammed into somebody.

A big burley man fell down in front of her. Spilling a bunch of papers in front of him. Zaki wanted to stop to help him but hell, she had places to be, she was 5 feet from him, then Keiji's voice popped into her head, 'being a ninja is about helping and caring for even the most annoying of people' Dam him, Zaki turned around and started gathering the papers together frantically.

"Sorry sir, I'm kind of going to be late for those stupid chunnin exams and oh god I only have 2 more minuets! Um sorry I would love to help more but I got to go, I'm so sorry if I ever see you again I'll, urgh I'm sorry I have to leave!" Zaki ranted rushing and flinging the papers into the mans face.

Zaki barely stopped to look at the map, oh ok, 3rd floor 313, good. Running to the steps faster then she had even thought possible, she would not be the one to let Keiji and Kaida down! Not again anyway! About 15 people stood in front of the bathroom, must be here for something else. Zaki ran past them and hurtled up the steps 3 at a time skate board in hand.

--- - --- -- - - - - -

It was 9:29 no sign of Zaki, Keiji was sweating literally. 20 more seconds before the man was going to shut the door. A chunnin sat up and started to the door, where the hell was Zaki! His hand reached the door but before he could shut it a skate board got in its way. "I'm here, I'm here!" A reashuringly familure voice said. Zaki stepped in and panted heavily.

"Sorry miss you're late," The man said trying to push her out of the room.

"No I'm not!" Zaki pointed to the clock, the second hand was 3 seconds to turn into 9:30. The man sighed and let her in. Keiji raised an Eyebrow, Her waist length grey hair wasn't combed and looked windswept. She was in a big black t-shirt that had a name of an obscure band on it. And she was wearing silk boxers that had teddy bears and hearts all over it. Her Ninja pack was falling of her leg because it wasn't used to sticking to silk. On her feet was pink bunny slippers Zaki looked like crap, but it didn't matter, she was here and on time.

"Ok time to take your seats." The chunnin exams. He gave them all assigned seats, "Now just sit here and wait till the proctor comes." Keiji took his seat which was too small for him and made him feel ridiculous,

"He's not here yet?!" Zaki said increduasly, "You mean I rushed over here for nothing!" She was about to go on a swearing tirade until she saw Keiji.

A burly man with scars in his face and a trench coat came in. "Hello, My names Morino Ibiki, I'm going to be your first exam proctor." He started, but was interrupted by a little hand sticking up and waving frantically. "Yes?!" He asked his voice on edge. No wonder he looked like he had just been run over, all his papers were strained un evenly around the desk. IT was Kaida she was at the very back of the class.

Keiji looked back and had to hold back a laugh; Kaida was in a chair that was way too big for her and her head was the only thing that reached above the desk her chin had to strain to rest on the desk. "Could I get a new chair please? Or at least you know cushions please?" She said in her most innocent voice. The proctor's eyes twitched a little. Keiji stood up.

"Here Kaida take my seat, its way to small for me," Keiji offered not even thinking about the implications. He stepped back towards Keiji.

"STOP RIGHT THERE YOUNG MAN!" Ibiki shouted, Keiji stopped mid step and tried to look back but didn't succeed. His up foot ended up on Zaki's skate board which he didn't expect to be there, it rolled dangerously far away from him, Keiji not wanting to look like he was doing the splits rolled it closer to him. Not a good idea with the momentum the skateboard went flying backward and Keiji ended up tripping on himself and crashing into a set of tables, breaking the table. He heard a growl from the start of the room. The proctor's face was red and he was holding his nose, Zaki's skate board had flown through the air and smacked the first exam proctor right in the face. Keiji wondered if this day could get any worse.

--- -- - -- - -- --

Adara watched the scene in front of her in slight shock and utter horror. Keiji had broken the table in front of Kristi, Lee and some girl from the sand country. The proctor was holding his nose because it was broken and it was bleeding on to the papers on his desk. Which were cluttered everywhere cause the proctor came in with an unusual tizzy. The proctor was holding up the skate board. "Who's is this?" He demanded to know, Adara looked over to Zaki, who was crouched down in fear but held her hand up anyway.

"Mine sir." She stammered. A dawn of recognition crossed his face. And his eye twitched.

"Who are your team mates?" He asked, Kaida raised her hand in the back and Keiji still on the floor raised his hands. "ALL OF YOU STAND UP!" He barked they did. Zaki got up in such a hurry she nearly fell back ward but didn't' cause she used Hinabi's braid to pull herself up.

"Hey!" The Hyuuga shouted.

"Sorry!" Zaki said, giving a nervous smile.

"ALL THREE OF YOU IN THE FRONT OF THE ROOM…NOW!" Morino roared. They all scooted up there. Keiji holding his ankle, Kaida holding Yo in her arms, Zaki scooted up there and took the skate board from the furious proctor.

The three looked quite hysterical, Zaki dressed like she just got out of bed, Kaida looked like she belonged in a play ground somewhere, and Keiji still had chunks of table in his hair. They all smiled weekly.

--- -- ----- --

Kaida couldn't believe that they would be kicked out before it even started! So it wasn't her fault her chair was too big, ok yes it was because while she was waiting for Zaki she had scratched a code both Keiji and her new into the chair, so they could communicate. She peeked at the list and got there seating arrangement just right, the skateboard thing not her fault though, she was guiltless.

The proctors voice was shaking, "You-ou three, are the epitome of what you are not supposed to be when you are a shinobi. You!" He pointed to Keiji who winced, "Are clumsy and idiotic who doesn't look at his surroundings. And you!" He pointed at Zaki who just crossed her arms "You look like a disgrace like you don't care what's happening, where's your head band. You also need to know you just can't leave things around where people can step on them." His voice was slowly rising, Kaida was shaking, but not with fear with anger, this man was no shinobi who was he to yell at her team mates! Nobody so he had a broken nose! It wasn't that big of deal. But before his fat finger could point to her a beautiful voice from the back of the room came up.

"Hey Ibiki, leave the kids alone." Kaida looked over, it was Kiba. Akamaru was at his side and barked in agreement. "You have no power to push them out of exams because of this. We get a new table and we start late." He defended.

Kaida looked at him, the sun show through the windows and surrounded him with light. Kaida gulped. "Now Ibiki, let the big guy go in the big chair and the small one sit in the small chair, it makes sense. I all ready sent people for a new table." The beautiful man said strolling up the aisle, Kaida made her eyes look big and innocent. Kiba looked at her and she could tell right away her could see through her ruse, and somehow that made her happy. That he didn't think she was a dumb little kid. Kiba was now up near them, and he put his hand on Ibiki which made the older man angrier. "Maybe you should step outside for a few minuets to get your composure together, I can take over from here."

"I've been doing this for 12 years now, Inuzaki I can handle this." Ibiki hissed, Kiba lifted his hand from Ibiki's shoulder.

"What ever suit you dude." He said giving up, but even though he was technically giving up he made his posture look non challant and cool.

"Everyone back to their seats, you two!" Ibiki said pointing at Keiji and Kaida, "Switch seats. Let's get this started!"

Hey everyone, I hope you like the chapter the beginning of a new arc is in the air

:D Yeah!!!!

RnR even flames are permitted.