"Ai, are you going to participate?" asked Hinata as she cooked breakfast.

"I think it'd be rude if I didn't! I mean, Lord Hokage went through all that trouble just to let me participate… I can't let him or Kurenai-sensei down…how about you, Hinata?" you asked as she plated some crepes.

"I…I think I will…I want to become stronger, and more confident in my abilities…"

She tossed some strawberries and cream in your crepe, thinking. After handing over your crepe, she sat down to work on hers. You eyed the beautiful, fluffy little treat with bliss and dug in.

"These are so delicious!" you squealed happily, hugging the blushing Hinata beside you. She replied in her tiny voice, "Thank you…"

You and Hinata were practically inseparable. She often spent the night at your house after training together, like last night. Today was the day you were to turn in your Chunin exam forms. As you pulled on your shoes, you asked, "Well, are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be…"

You went to the academy to turn in your forms. Kiba and Shino met you soon after.

"It looks like Kiba decided to participate." said Hinata as Akamaru jumped into your arms. Kiba and Shino rounded the corner.

"Ha! I told you she was here." mocked Kiba.

"So, are we all participating, then?" you asked.

"Of course." said Shino.

"Yeah! We couldn't pass up the chance to show everyone how awesome our team is! Right Akamaru?"

"Awf!"

You turned in your forms and went into the waiting room. It was full of menacing ninja from all over. You and Hinata cowered together behind Shino.

"Let's just lay low for now. Don't wanna make any unnecessary enemies." said Kiba. As your team made their way to the front of the room, you heard a familiar voice.

"Kitty Cat!"

Naruto was jumping up and down amidst the sea of headbands, waving his arms wildly.

'Are you…friends with Naruto?" asked Hinata.

"Yeah! I ran into him when he was on a mission with his team. That's why I'm here!" you exclaimed as your team made their way over to him.

"Hey loser! What are you doing here?" asked Kiba.

"What's it to ya, dogbreath?"

"Boys, please be nice…" you whimpered between them, raising her hands to keep them separated.

"Why couldn't you be on my team? You'd be a lot more fun to have around than Sasuke over there." whined Naruto. Sasuke glared at him as Sakura and a blonde fought over Sasuke. You walked over and punched his shoulder.

"C'mon, who's more fun than Sasuke?" you giggled. He punched you back, chuckling a little.

"Who the hell are you?" barked the blonde, pulling you roughly by your collar. Your nose an inch from hers, you wondered if you'd get in trouble for bashing her with your forehead.

"Let her go, you little Ino-pig! She's just a friend of ours!"

Ino looked at Sakura, then back at you, then grumbled, "Fine, whatever," pushing you backwards. You watched her as she walked away.

"Sorry about that. We should have stopped her, but…well, you see how she get's when she's angry. It's such a drag." drawled a thin boy with his hair tied back. A chubby boy in a scarf followed behind him.

"Oh, no, it's okay! No harm done!" you reassured them.

"I haven't seen you before, have I?" asked chubby.

"No, I'm new! My name's Ai. Nice to meet you!"

"I'm Shikamaru, and this is Choji."

"Hi. Um…is Ino on your team?"

"Yeah…hey, what're they doin' over there?" Shikamaru pointed behind you. A white haired young man in glasses was showing cards to your teammates, along with Naruto's team and Ino. You hid over by Hinata.

"What are they doing?" you asked her. She pointed towards the man. "That guy has info cards on all the ninja here…"

"Oh…are you nervous?" you asked her. She nodded her head.

"A little."

Suddenly, Oto ninja came in out of no where and attacked that white haired boy! As he lost his lunch, you asked Hinata, "Will he be okay?"

"I hope so…"

"Come on. Let's get these exams over with…"

A while later you found yourself in a classroom, taking a written test. If you were caught cheating, you lost 2 points. Each of the ten questions were worth one. If anyone on your team received a zero, your whole team failed. Since you were a guest, you were on your own.

i'Well, I've been able to answer five of the questions…I think I'll be okay. I'll just scribble down some bull for the other questions and wait for the tenth question to be revealed.'/i

When time came for the tenth question, your exam proctor, Ibiki, began to tell you that there were some special rules for the tenth question.

"Heh...nice timing! Was your doll playing beneficial?" he called out as one of the students re-entered the room through the door next to you. Vaguely, you remembered he had left to use the wash room.

i'He must have cheated...'/i

"Just sit down. I'll now explain...these are the rules the rules of desperation. First, for the tenth question, you must decide whether you will take it or not."

i'Oh...? What an odd rule...'/i

"Choose? What happens if we choose not to?" yelled a girl in short pigtails. Then man stared her down. "If you choose not to, your points will be reduced to zero...you fail! Along with your teammates."

You grasped your hat and pulled it down, trying to muffle the shouts of overly excited ninja.

"And now...the other rule." growled the scarred man quietly. "If you choose to take it, and answer incorrectly, that person will lose the right to take the Chunin selection exam again."

Kiba roared, "What kind of stupid rule is that? There are guys here who have taken the exam before!"

Your gaze was drawn to him, as he had echoed your thoughts. Ibiki laughed, a low rumble that resembled an angry bear.

"You guys were unlucky. This year it's my rules. But I am giving you a way out. Those that aren't confident can choose not to take it and try again next year. Now let's begin the tenth question. Those that do not wish to take it, raise your hand. Once your number is confirmed, leave."

Immediately, you shot a look at Hinata. She was trembling, but she hadn't moved. Several ninja began to file out of the room, groaning and apologizing, shuffling past you as they left. You noticed Sakura start to raise her hand, but suddenly, Naruto's shaky hand was in the air.

i'Poor Naruto...'/i you thought, your heart sinking. Before you realized it, Naruto had slammed his palm upon the table before him. "Don't underestimate me! I will not run! I'll take it! Even if I'm a Genin forever...! I'll will myself to becoming Hokage anyways, so I don't care! I am not afraid!" he cried so proudly. Feeling your heart burst with a fiery passion, you rose from your seat.

"I'll take it, too! I may be a nobody, but I have faith in my teammates! Together, we're going to ace this exam!" you exclaimed. Kiba an Akamaru howled, Shino nodded to you, and Hinata flashed a heart warming smile.

"Believe it!" called Naruto across the room, giving you a thumbs up. Returning to your seat, Ibiki's eyes narrowed upon yours before returning to Naruto. `"I'll ask you again. Your life is riding on this decision. This is your last chance to quit."

"I follow my unbending words. That's my ninja way..." stated Naruto. The room went silent, full of electric anticipation. A smile curled the corners of Ibiki's worn lips. "Good decisions. Now to everyone still remaining...I congratulate you on passing the first test!"

You could almost hear all 78 jaws drop around you. Sakura asked, "Wait...what do you mean? We already pass? What about the tenth question?"

After explaining that there was no tenth question, and that the whole test was simply an information gathering exercise, he sent you off with another proctor, named Anko. She explained the second exam, then sent you into the Forest of Death. Your team completed their set of scrolls fairly quickly, and took off towards the tower at the heart of the woods.

"Stop!" you and Kiba both yelled.

"You smell it too, Ai?"

"Yeah…"

"Hinata, check it out." commanded Kiba.

"Byakugan!"

You took off your hat, freeing your ears, and Shino put his ear to the tree branch everyone was standing upon.

"They're about…" Shino started. You continued with, "100 meters…"

"Ahead of us." he finished.

"I see them! There's a clearing ahead, with two teams about to face off!" explained Hinata.

"Well, let's go take a look!"

"K-kiba, I don't think that's a good idea…"

"Yeah, Hinata's right. We have our scrolls." you told him, clutching Hinata's hand.

"Yeah, but the more scrolls we have, the fewer teams there are that can pass…" started Kiba, but he paused when he saw the looks on everyone's faces, "…okay, let's just check it out. If it looks dangerous, we'll head on towards the tower."

The rest of you nodded, and you replied, "Okay, let's go."