A/N: So there was SUPPOSED to be a whole bunch of updates inbetween last update and friday.. but my teachers were abnormally cruel with my homework load. Ranging from two hours minimum to four and a half hours. Needless to say, little story my high school has an annual school camping trip for one specific grade it's from this tuesday till friday. So there will be no updates. I'll try to make up for that on the weekend I get back. Thanks tons for your patience *squeals like a pig because I LOVE rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing and I get to do all three*. Anyway. Enjoooy ;D


Song: Not Good Enough For Truth or Cliche by Escape the fate. It's all about Shinobu's self-doubt and how she feels that she's bringing down the team "Sitting in this room playing russian roulette" She believes she's guaranteed to fail eventually but she's just now noticing the others she's dragging with her. "Finger to the trigger of my dear juliette" She doesn't want to hurt them. "Looking out this window, see her back drop sillouette." But she's not seeing things clearly. "This blood on my hands is something I cannot forget." Self explanatory.


Shinobu POV

Shinobu could hear Kiba gulp beside her, she wouldn't tell for the sake of his pride; but if she were to be honest with herself.. she was nervous too. Sure she was putting on her confident face.. but that was only because Kiba was lacking in his job currently, Hinata never would and Shino was simly to much of an introvert for the most part.

She wanted to enter before the group blocked up on the second floor realized their error and started swarming, but something was stopping her. It felt like there was an invisible chain, hooked into her heart, dragging her back. Like the door was a negative magnet and while her team was made up of positive magnets, she herself was negative as well. It was catching her off guard. Why did she have this feeling of dread and utter doom just from the thought of entering a simple room? What could be so bad, other than failing, that could come from this?Taking one last breath she grinned.. she would do this.. and she would prove herself.

"Ready to kick some butt?" She grinned, punching an invisible enemy from the surrounding air. Kiba blinked a couple of times before grinning, seeming to have fallen out of his stupor.

"Hell ya!" He shouted, mocking her previous actions before dragging team eight through the doors into a room crowded of people. All looking fairly dangerous, radiating an aura dripping with anger and malice.

"U-uhm.. m-maybe we s-should be q-quieter.." Hinata mumbled more to herself but her team heard her none the less.

"Ya.. probably better to uh.. not draw attention." Shinobu finished, looking around and grinning slightly as she notice four familiar faces. Ino, Neji, Choji and Shikamaru. She couldn't tell who the rest of Neji's team was but it didn't matter. It was probably a great deal safer to stick with them. Quickly waving to her team the group moved over, quickly mingling with the other leaf genin.

Shinobu went to wave at Neji only to receive a glare mixed with a look of pure confusion. He was looking from her to Hinata as if he was trying to figure someone out. Was he surprised they were here for the exam? Hinata had mentioned that he became a genin a year prior to him.. but she meant it when she said she was strong.. he wouldn't be all that surprised. Right?

"Who are you..?" He finally asked after severl minutes of sizing her up. She froze for a second before a silently laughter quickly took over her body. He was supposed to be a genius? Yet he couldn't recognize her as a boy in a genjutsu? Kiba obviously noticed and was hiding his own laughter.

"A-ano.." Hinata mumbled, embarrassed for her cousin.

"What's so funny?" He asked with a glare.

"My name is Shinobu.. I'm Hinata's teammate." Shinobu wheezed, holding her sides. It wasn't all that funny in reality but the pressure of everything had got to her.

"Wait.. so y-" He started to rant before mentally facepalming, realizing why the girl was laughing. He couldn't understand why she felt the need to hide under a mask but felt fairly stupid none the less.

"S-sorry.. I just thought you'd recognize me." Shinobu wiped an imaginary tear from her eye before straightening out. "Want to introduce me to your teammates?" She asked.

"I'm Lee! It's so youthful of you to show such a display of joy!" The boy wearing a bright green jumpsuit, which was not flattering him in the least, exclaimed. A girl behind him groaned to herself before moving to introduce herself.

"Hi, my name is Tenten.. uh.. ignore the dork.." She laughed sheepishly, a light blush on her cheeks which didn't go unnoticed by Neji.

"Nice to meet you then. My name is Shinobu." Shinobu smiled politely, bowing out of habit from being in the Hyuuga mansion. She was about to say something to Kiba when Hitami mewled at her ankles. They hadn't been together all that long, but she was starting to learn small signals from her new ninken. Akamaru was definitely helping since Kiba could understand him and Akamaru could understand Hitami.

Shinobu watched in awed horror as Naruto, once again, made a fool out of himself and put himself and his team into a dangerous situation. She couldn't help but facepalm. He was such a dunce sometimes, a cute dunce, but a dunce.

"Shinobu!" He shouted, finally taking note of her.

"Hi, Naru. It's been a while." She frowned, taking in the truth of the sentence. It's been close to a month because of their missions, training and being at the Hyuuga compound.. that's longer than she's been away from him in years. She wasn't so sure she liked this part of being a ninja.

"Ya.." He took on a similar frown.

"But at least we're going to be together after this right? And Hinata-chan is staying over too!" He grinned, oblivious to the look of hatred and distest he received from Neji.

"Since when are you staying over there? Didn't Hiashi-sama refuse?" Neji questioned.

"He changed his mind because he believes she's safe with me, which she is." Shinobu grinned while Naruto just looked dumb founded, not quite understanding how there was a safety issue here.

"Hn.." Neji muttered but said nothing more. Shinobu sighed to herself before bending over to pick up Hitami, putting her in her sweater like Kiba did with Akamaru. She had bought a baggy black sweater just for the small dog, who seemed to like it. Just as she was zipping up her sweater she felt an arm around hers and a loud bickering in her ear. Sakura and Ino going off while Sasuke looked equally uncomfortable in the arms of Sakura. Shinobu couldn't help but let a small smirk slip which was returned. She felt like grinning at the smirk.. but knew better. It was better to pry Ino's arms off her and get out of there.

Her mind reeling, it was the first semi-friendly interaction she's had with her brother. She was so focused on that one little smirk she barely caught any of the following events. Not the all too familiar boy coming to talk to her brother. Not the cards with endless info on them. Not the short fight with the sound village. Not the looks she received of confusion and interest from the four. She only clued in when a man started scolding them. She stayed silent watching as the number of eyes on them slowly drifted away and the man, Ibiki, explained the written exam.

Part of her panicked, sure she was smart and had done a lot of studying in the library.. but she wasn't nearly prepared enough for this. She was no Sakura. As she listened to the rules the gears in her mind shifted.. he said not to cheat. Yet, to her, it didn't sound like "don't cheat". It was like pulling pranks with Naruto, when the Anbu told them not to do it again. They weren't really saying "Don't do it again", they were saying "Don't get caught." Or atleast, that's what Naruto taught her. She wondered if he would realize as quickly as she did. It wasn't the time for that though. She had to focus on her own team.

Hinata has her byakugan.. she's set. Shino has his bugs.. and Kiba has Akamaru.. I could use Hitami if we could communicate better.. but we're not that good yet. Shinobu sighed, Hitami whimpering in agreement. She felt stuck. None of her jutsu were made for this. Even Naruto, he could make a clone and disguise it as one of the chunin examiners. Any of these ninja had something in their arsenal except for her.

When she was seated she found herself in a row with two typical looking ninja, then, at the end of the row, there was a boy with red hair. Nothing particularily unusual but his aura was almost scaring her. Yet, something about it was comforting at the same time, it felt familiar. She couldn't place it if she tried though. Now that she was paying attention the boy had something resembling a large peanut strapped to his back with a cork in the top. He also had the kanji "ai" on his forehead. She wondered why they were there or what they could mean.

"You may flip over your papers now." Ibiki ordered rather than allowed. Everyone flipped the papers simultaneously, leaving a sound of paper wings swooshing through out the room. Some pens immediately hit paper and started clicking against their desks while others stopped, obviously thinking of ways to cheat without getting caught. Shinobu herself was one of the people who was already writing. There were nine extremely hard questions and as she made her way through more she had no doubt that they were supposed to cheat. These were chunin level or higher. If she were to guess, she'd say that there were probably chunin disguised as genin also placed through out the room so that there was somewhere to smooch the answers from. She could get some of them on her own, but she knew she'd need help as each question got harder.

The pressure and temperature in the room seemed to rise as time went on and more teams were eliminated. In her row alone there were just the two of them left out of the original eight who sat in the two desks. It was just the red haired boy besides herself and he seemed to have no trouble finishing. In fact, it looked as if he was daydreaming, his test already flipped over.

She looked around the room, being careful not to move her head to much to see if she could see her teammates. Hinata seemed to be whispering silently to Naruto, but was done while Akamaru and Kiba were working together to finish up. It was only Shino she couldn't find but that question soon answered itself when she felt the tickling sensation of bugs crawling up her leg and onto her desk.

They quickly formed the words "Copy the bugs" before scattering. She had to thank the heavens. Shino had finished and thought of a way to help her. Part of her felt bad though.. she was the only one who didn't do much. As if reading her mind the bugs flittered again forming the sentence "I don't have question 3, 6 or 7". She smiled to herself. He was probably trying to make her feel better.. but it worked. He could take those answers, it worked two ways.

She watched as the bugs moved in an intricate dance forming words and sentences just long enough for a glimpse before scattering. Shinobu could feel her hand cramping as she tried to keep up but sighed in relief when Ibiki told everyone to put their pencils down. She had just finished in time.

"Now.. the tenth question." He stalled, trying to build up suspense she guessed. It worked, though she didn't have any particularly bad oral habbits she currently felt like knawing her finger nails off. What if she failed the question? What would her team think? Sasuke? Naruto? Kurenai? The Hokage? Iruka? She sighed, kneeding her knuckles into her temple.

"Now.. before we get to it. I'd like to go over the rules for this question. These are.. the rules of desparation." He started, everyone sitting in shock. Had he not mentioned earlier that there were no rules? "First for this tenth question.. you must decide whether or not you're going to take it." He explained slowly.

"Choose? What if we choose not to!" A girl with four blond pigtails exclaimed from the back of the room.

"If you choose not to your points will be reduced to zero. You'll fail! Along with your two teammates!" He said, his words looming over everyone. Shinobu felt like pointing out she had three teammates.. but it wasn't the time.

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" Another boy shouted from somewhere behind her.

"Then of course we'll choose to take the question!" A girl shouted from the front of the class.

"And now.. the other rule." Ibiki spoke as if he didn't hear them. More? Why can't he just tell us already.. this is making me nervous! "If you choose to take it and answer incorrectly.. that person will lose the right to take the chunin selection exam again!" He finished and an echo of gasps could be heard through out the room. So if I choose to take it.. I could stay being a genin forever.. never prove myself.. never get the chance to protect my loved ones.. but.. if I leave now.. I might be ruining this chance for my teammates.. but.. it's just a rank right? I could still be stronger.. still prove myself.. still gain rank.. just not title.

"What kind of stupid rule is that? There are guys here who have taken the exam before!" Kiba shouted, Akamaru barking from on top of his head. Shinobu couldn't help but smile a bit, his anger boosting her confidence a bit.

"You guys were unlucky.. this year.. it's my rules. But I'm giving you a way out." Ibiki grinned.

"Huh..?" an unintelligable question came from somewhere in the room.

"Those that aren't confident can choose not to take it... and try again next year." He looked as if this was amusing... like this was all some big joke. Look underneath the underneath..

"There's no way you're serious.." Shinobu finally stated outloud, looking Ibiki straight in the face. She didn't feel the need for talking to him, but rather she was taking the chance to let her teammates know that she was in this. "My old teacher told us that it was important to look underneath the underneath.. it's something most jonin teachers tell us now too. This is probably just a farce.. besides.. we're shinobi.. if we're not prepared to take risks.. we should be gardners or shop owners." Shinobu finished, now playing with her fingers, an odd habit she had picked up off of Hinata.

"Hm.. well that's for you to decide. Those that do not wish to take this question, raise your hand. Once your number is confirmed, you and your team may leave." Ibiki stated.

Shinobu watch in awe as more people disappeared from around them, muttering apologies. There had to have been five teams who left before she saw his hand raise. She watched in horror. Naruto..? Giving up? That wasn't like him.. no way. He wouldn't..

"Don't under-estimate me!" He shouted and she grinned, of course he wouldn't. "I will not run! I'll take it! Even if I'm a genin forever..! I'm gonna be the Hokage anyway, so I don't care!" His voice echoed, people watching in awe. Naruto could be Hokage.. or some sort of public speaker, his stubborness inspires other people. His words made hers feel pathetic. As he spoke she felt every seed of doubt disappear from her mind.

"I'm not afraid!" He finished as he sat down in a huf.

"I'll tell ask you again. Your life is riding on this decision. This is your last chance to quit." Ibiki spoke, as if trying to scare more of us into leaving.

"I follow my unbending words. That's my ninja way." Naruto grinned, determination burning in his eyes as he looked down at Ibiki. Un-surprisingly, not a single person left after that. Thanks to Naruto. So Ibiki continued on, everyone on the edge of their seats.

"You all pass!" He grinned. It was as if he changed personalities as he explained to the many confused about how the two choices was the tenth question.

"I had a feeling this test was like that." Naruto nodded to himself, trying to appear smart. Shinobu couldn't help but smile, not only at him but at Hinata who was giggling beside him.

Shinobu watched as Ibiki finished his inspirational speech, just barely avoiding puking as he revealed his torture wounds. She was distracted half way through by a shadow lurking in the window.

The woman broke through the glass, her loud introduction shocking everyone except for a specific four sitting in the room. Shinobu shook her head.. she should have known better.

Anko.


A/N: I think my reviewer count is going up. We've hit 85 and I'm honestly shocked. My goal for this story was originally fifty and I'm really happy. Maybe I should set my expectations higher? Thank you all. FUN FACT: Seeking Solace has 3 times more hits than Mirror and a little under twice (it did! The numbers changed when I updated!) as many reviews. They're the same length. Seeking Solace = 12, 121. / 89 Mirror = 3, 187. / 60 ;D but ya.. finding your response is slowly becoming a hide and seek game but look below I swear if you reviewed it's there :D lool. Btw.. sorry for the cliffy :(


Zabimaru46: Wow that's high praise O.o Thank you soo much :D I'm glad you enjoy reading :D Thanks for the review.


DutchyPuppy: Lol, I haven't seen that movie yet but I want to XD haha, laziness.. I have that too XD ewww potato.. only awesome when throwing green bouncy inflateable balls at them XD thanks for the review, random as ever XD


B: Aww, sorry you feel that way :P I'm not trying to make him annoying lol. Hopefully he'll be less annoying as time goes on :) thanks for reviewing :)


little firework: Yay :D I will :) er.. did? lol :) Thanks for the review.


Mi-chan1991: HUZZAH! Zzzzzz... so pooped. lol :D haha, thank you :D I know exactly who will call her that XD ..o.o Shinobu.. and death.. if she turned out like Sasuke it could work.. but.. I don't think I'd want her to be like him XD herm ;D Shi-san.. Nobu-chan. MWAHAHAHA XD Thanks for the review :D P.S it is the kanji for death :D


magykalheart: A.. new.. reviewer? SQUEEEE! *glompz and hands chu cookie* I'm glad you liked the story and don't die but enjoy the laught XDD I made you cry? I feel oddly accomplished and bad at the same time O.o thank you so much for the review :)


Alli ate Sora-Sorry Roxas: Haha, I like it XD Maybe you will? Who knows XD People like different stuff. A wonderful number indeed *laughing butt off* .. literally O.o my arse just ran away.. LMFAO.. INSANE MENTAL IMAGE XD Naruto laughing his butt off, it laughing and him running after it. Running past Hinata, butt jumps into hinata's arms. She faints XD LOL.


XxInuzukaxX: YAY! :D You're up to date XD I'm glad you liked it so much. It's okey :D I'm thankful for the reviews you did give XD I don't like Mika either.. she's just cruel sometimes.. alot of the time.. most of the time.. LOL. The sync training was fun to write about :D Mwahahaha, Chunin exams :D Part one is above ;D Thanks for the review and yay! reviews XD Enjoy your rest :D


Narufanaticgirl: You read it aaaaalll O.O like in one go? O.o *bows to self* jokes jokes :d - attempting to lick nose ;D wow.. I feel random anyway I'm so overjoyed you like it so much! Hope you liked this chapter too :D


ThePhoenixOfTears: *15 minutes after updating* checks.. hurm.. *2 hours after updating* Okey dokey.. *Next day* Where is pheonix? *a couple hours after that* Omg.. is she ok? Did she die? Where is she? O.o I refuse to update until I know she is ok! *see's update* Haha Miyuki.. there ya go.. over reacting again ^^; *phew* LOOL. I'm so used to your reviews I totally freaked out :P I get what you mean though, school messes up speeds and stuff. I planned on updating on the 13th with two chapters but I had 3 hours or so of homework. GRRRR. Teachers; collaborating to eliminate my already non-existant social life. XD It's ok, I'm happy just hearing your thoughts XD

Yaaay :D Let me know what you think of the songs in your next review? I definitely agree with the thing about Hiashi (though I read Shinobi as Shinobu for a moment there lol) I'm actually looking forward to writing about rock bottom just because I sense a tad of mush there but I'm honestly debating between the shoulder belonging to Neji, Shino, Kiba, Naruto, Choji and Shika to be honest. With Naruto and Neji tied in the lead Shika and Choji tied in second and Kiba and Shino tied for third :P I may eventually do a poll with that XD like a couples poll, WAAAAAAAY in the future. You're right though, they're not getting much screen time right now, I hope that fixes in the near future. Unfortunately it shows how hard it is to visit and be close with people once you're a ninja, it's a hard life. Sasuke doesn't really count right now :/ lol. I'm expecting a meltdown.. I can't really imagine anything else (or less). Really? I always find haikus easy because it doesn't have to rhyme (not that I can't rhyme) but it's all about the syllables. 5,7,5

I do love haikus.

An opening of the heart,

Syllables perform.

They don't sound poet-y to me though :PGrr. she's the one Oc I can't bring myself to like XD oooh SONG *v*. Yup :D Pure epic awesomeness. I love Neji's character XD haha. I can listen to any song I like for hours XD Then again I lived through over an hour of nyan cat and 26 minutes of rebecca black's friday xD I know that, you know that, other readers know that.. but she doesn't realize. I hope she will eventually XD It's based off of several of my friends, that sense of complete belittle-ment. I went through a time where I was all self hate and now I'm like "weird is awesome", "I'm not fat or skinny, I'm a teddy bear of huggableness" LOOL. It took him a while but Shinobu was hiding it like everything else. =/ I CAN'T WAIT for Hina and Naruto XD MWAHAHAHAHA. I hope I don't disappoint with the chunin exams, not all will be canon so I'm a tad nervous. OMG I LOVE EVANESCENCE. It's an awesome song btw :D It's great for one of the chapters I lost the original song for. XD Haha, but some things are ;D you for the review. P.S sorry my review lied about the mirror update i forgot to change it but I will update it as soon as I can. It's a crack chapter because of writer's block but I'm trying my best XD