Hey guys. I hope this didn't take too long to update. I sort of sped through this, not my favorite chapter but I felt it was necessary so... I really am sorry if it's not your favorite either. I edited a little bit but if anyone sees any mistakes in the characters, grammars, etc. please tell me and I'll fix it. Thanks!

BOUND & FREE & INBETWEEN

ThE wRiTtEn TeSt

"This is sudden but… I've nominated you guys for the Chunin Selection Exam. Here are your applications."

That's the slap to the face Kakashi handed them once visions of a not-so-innocent Sakura and a traumatized Avenger finally evaporated. Grasping his kewl (a.k.a. cool) like the 'hip-Copy Cat Nin' he was, he told them the reason he scheduled the meeting in the first place. Of course, the alternative option was to bring up that as punishment for being later than his tardiness, they would be forced to watch the Chunin Exams like every other civilian from the stands this year and subtly rub it in their face that he had planned to nominate them but… Since Kakashi was a nice sensei, he would kill the Avenger's new reason to murder all of Konoha.

The Jonin watched his students carefully under his lazy gaze with feigned aloofness. All three of them must have found a speck of dust in the air and found it incredibly interesting for they stared wide-eyed in front of them, unfocused. Kakashi counted in his head, it was just a matter of time before one of them explodes. Ten thousand yen on the blonde.

Just when Kakashi reached the count of eight, what their sensei said finally sunk into their spongy brains followed by a fell swoop of anxiety. It crept along their skin and crawled through their veins. This was not the reaction Kakashi was expecting. Naruto jumping him and shouting thanks loud enough for Lightning Country to hear, Sasuke scowling as he killed his brother over and over in his mind, and Sakura looking like a puppy who just got kicked by the little boy that gave her a biscuit and spewed 'I love you's'… that was the reaction Kakashi was expecting, to some degree that applied only in his own world of over exaggeration.

In the span of the time it took to say 'Icha Icha', Naruto regained color in his skin and grinned wider than, dare he say it, Maito Gai, only without the blinding holy light that made vampires melt. Kakashi blinked, noting the stiffness in Naruto's posture despite the display of happiness. He could see Sasuke's jaw clenched tight and Sakura's knees were quivering the slightest while she concentrated very hard on the air in front of her. Occasionally, she would glance an inch to the left but never once in Sasuke's direction.

Kakashi took notice of all these nearly unnoticeable signs of unease as he handed them their nomination applications. He vaguely heard Naruto shout out how 'awesome' this was before he snatched the papers from his hand and gave the other two to Sakura. His pink-haired student was brought back to earth (or hell, which ever she preferred) by the offer and took the papers mechanically, sliding the last application toward Sasuke with consideration.

Uchiha Sasuke battled the queasy feeling in his gut and pinched the edge of his nomination and brought it up to his eye level. He scanned every single letter, a worthless attempt to distract himself else the breakfast in his stomach do a 'rewind scene'.

"Hey, hey! Kakashi-sensei, I need a pen!"

Kakashi regarded Naruto with a bored expression and shrugged. "Sorry. Don't have any." He burst away in a puff of black smoke, a request to private meeting with the Hokage set as his goal.

Naruto's laughter and smiles died abruptly, replaced by a uncharacteristic frown. His sapphire eyes lost their temporary lusted and became hollow, placed determinedly on the application in his hand.

"Whatever you're thinking, Sasuke, stop right now. Sakura, both of you, we are taking the Chunin Exams."

"Naruto, he haven't had any time to prepare! It's too soon!" Sakura protested, her fingers wrapped tightly around Sasuke's, who held hers just as tight.

A snarl mutated Naruto lips and his abnormally long, sharp canines revealed themselves, threatening his teammates reservation. "We don't have a choice and you both know that! Don't act this can be helped! Because if either one of you even thinks about backing out of this I'll-" His declaration was cut short as Naruto found himself. His fists unclenched, his application crinkled under the abuse, and his face dropped the fury it once wore. He gave a small, remorseful, short chuckle.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… suggested… whatever- you know what I mean.."

"We have the rest of day to train," Sasuke's voice soothed them after his long silence. He spoke softly yet was stern. It was apparent he had finally accepted, if only of some part, that there was no where to run, to escape, or to change what the future held for him, for all of them. "You're forgetting that the first Exam is the written portion. Naruto can replace Sakura and I with his shadow clones while we cram in a last minute spar. Somewhere secluded. Once the clones head out with the crowd to the second Exam…" he hesitated here. "Once the clones head out with the crowd, we'll use Kawarimi and take on the Forest of Death."

"That's a good idea, Sasuke." Naruto smiled and placed his arm around the Uchiha's shoulders and taking Sakura's hand chastely. "And don't worry. You're not going to be alone in this, not this time."

"We fight till the end, always together, till death do us part."

Sasuke couldn't fight the shy smile that teased his lips at Sakura's words and her small, soft lips gracing his cheek. She gave him one those smiles, the ones that are reserved for only him and him alone, and her jade eyes sparkled with hope. If she could hope for the best, so could he-

"Now let's go kick some ass!"

Sakura growled in outrage and her fist reacquainted itself with Naruto's skull. "Naruto! You mood killer!"

"Hey- ow, ow! What do you mean? I saved the mood! Sakuraaa!"

"Sasuke-kun! You're late!" Said Uchiha was tackled by a crazed blonde fan girl from behind, thin arms dressed in white arm guards wrapped around his neck, and despite the memory of his absolute frustration every time this had happened to him, Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. Yamanaka Ino, a kunoichi he had steadily come to respect was now once again his devoted fan girl.

"I've been waiting for you!" Ino winked at him coyly.

"Ino!"

"Oh, Sakura. Big ugly forehead as always…"

Much to Ino's surprise, Sakura didn't take the bait and laughed as if the insult was an affectionate pet name. "That's not what Sasuke-kun says." Ino watched in horror as her pink-haired rival slipped her hand into the Uchiha's grasp and stepped into his personal space. She winked at Ino and Ino slowly stepped off of Sasuke, dumb-struck.

"Since when have you two started dating?" Shikamaru, lazy genius, inquired though he didn't hide the fact that he could truly care less. He only asked for the sake of seeing Ino gape like a fish. It was a rare vacation for his ears when his blonde banshee of a teammate was stumped into silence.

"Well, well, all nine of this year's rookie are taking the Exam. I wonder how far we will get… Eh, Sasuke? When'd you and Sakura get it on?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Inuzuka Kiba, second heir to the Inuzuka clan. They used to be evenly matched in the Academy and had always competed with each other. Back then, Kiba was the closest thing to a friend, albeit rather a punk.

"Kiba, that is none of your business," Sakura stuck her tongue out childishly and the white puppy on top of Kiba's head yipped amusedly. Sakura smiled at Hinata, acknowledging the shy girl's presence.

"Hello, Hinata. Hey, Shino."

Shino merely nodded in greeting, a suitable response matching his mysterious appearance.

"H-Hello, Sakura-chan." The Hyuga Heiress' pupil-less pearl eyes glanced at Naruto shyly. "H-H-Hello, Naruto-kun. I'm g-glad you're here."

Naruto grinned at her, compressing his guilt. He was very aware of the girl's crush on him and it always hurt him to see her and know that he would never return her feelings. In all honesty, he really, really wanted to love her like the way she wanted him to. Hinata was an amazing person, she deserved the best and he felt guilty because she thought he was the best for her when she deserved so much better.

"Hey, Hinata." Naruto destroyed the reflex of adding -chan to Hinata's name. He couldn't lead her on, he couldn't be that cruel to someone so precious and delicate.

Suddenly, all sentimental feelings and delight were destroyed as a very familiar and very hatred-inducing voice violated Squad Seven's ears. "You guys should be more quiet. Screaming like school girls… Rookies fresh out of the academy, right? This isn't a picnic."

Ino was brought out of her stupor and glared at the newcomer. Of course, she was insulted, but her negative feeling was a speck of sand in a monumental hourglass compared to the three fellow Genin standing next to her. She was very fortunate for those Genin were concentrating very hard to compress their killing intent.

"Who do you think you are?" Ino demanded, hands on her wide, seductive hips.

"I'm Kabuto." White hair pulled in a short ponytail, round glasses placed delicately on the bridge of his nose, and a Konoha headband… Squad Seven preferred him headless (Sasuke and Naruto), dickless (Sakura), and without a pulse (Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto). "But instead of that, look behind you."

The Rookie Nine did so, Squad Seven mostly to avoid the temptation of killing a 'Konoha shinobi', and were met with the many death-wishing stares of the other foreign competing Genin, a Rain squad spewing more killing intent than most. Nope, they didn't look friendly at all.

"Those guys behind you are from the Hidden Rain, they have short tempers. Everyone is nervous about the Exam, quiet down before you cause a scene. Then again, I can't really blame you: you're clueless rookies. You remind me of how I used to be."

Doubtful, asshole. Naruto lowered his head and glared up at Kabuto, who feigned to be oblivious.

"So you've taken the Exam before?" Shikamaru prodded.

Kabuto smiled bashfully. "Yeah… This is my fourth year and the Exam's held twice a year."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and said, "Then you must know a lot about this Exam." It was a statement and a subtle demand for information. As much as Sasuke loathed Kabuto, he was dedicated to the saying 'Keep your friends close but your enemies closer'. If Sasuke's team displayed their animosity then Kabuto would be forced to try a different approach to get his information than the one Squad Seven was already aware of. They couldn't risk any surprises they could prevent.

"Hehe… yes, I do. I guess I don't mind sharing some info with you cute rookies."

Sasuke didn't miss the 'casual' glance at his and Sakura's joined hands and suppressed a snarl.

Yes, asshole. I actually have a life not solely committed on murder. I hope it bother's you.

Kabuto's gloved hand was lost for a brief second in the opening of his weapons pouch before pulling out a colorful deck of cards. He showed them to the at tentative rookies. "Nin-Info cards…"

The other six of the Rookie Nine stepped forward in evident curiosity. "Nin-Info cards?"

"They are basically cards with competitors' information burned on to them with chakra." Kabuto kneeled and set the deck on the floor, the others forming a circle around him eagerly. "Because they're chakra infused they can only be viewed with chakra and the information appears on the surface."

"Sounds handy," marked Shikamaru.

Kabuto smiled, "Very. Every Exam participant has data collected on them, of course, not all are perfect. Anyone any of you are worried about?"

Sakura tilted her head toward the shy Hyuga twiddling with her fingers. "Hinata, do you mind?"

Hinata nearly fainted at the horrific thought of someone seeing her terrible skills. Her lips parted and closed as she stumbled over a response that would never take flight and her whole body lost what was left of her color. It was apparent she minded very much.

"I'd like to see Hyuga Hinata's stats." Sakura said anyway.

Kabuto nodded, not hiding is displeasure toward Sakura or her choice, and with a quickly sweep of his arm a single card was displayed to them between two of his fingers. Sakura observed the stats with a critical gaze and widened her eyes dramatically as the white-haired teen read it off. She did not request Hinata's name to be cruel to the poor girl. Quite the opposite.

"Ok, Hyuga Hinata. Mission history: twelve D-Rank missions completed. Her sensei is Yuhi Kurenai. Chakra control: Perfect. Chakra reserves: 17 percent larger than the average Genin. Taijutsu: Impressive like the Hyuga should be and has an affinity for Genjutsu. You don't see many Hyuga specialize in that field nowadays."

The spotlight was on the trembling Hinata, who looked like she wanted to die but her faint-reflex was malfunctioning in her time of need. Sakura grinned widely. "Wow! Hinata, that's amazing!"

"W-W-What?" Hinata couldn't believe her ears. She was… amazing?

"You're amazing," Sakura repeated for good measure. "No wonder you're the Hyuga Heiress. Perfect chakra control? Not even Sasuke-kun has control like that!"

Sasuke understood the jab and offered a small half-smile to the gob smacked Hyuga. He was the best in their class, their generation, and Rookie of the Year. To point out one of his 'nonexistent' faults and accuse someone else of besting him would make anyone's ego swell like a balloon. Hinata had the lowest self-esteem Sasuke had ever known. She was a dead balloon and could use a little air. His pride was willing to deal damage for that cause.

"What's even more amazing is that you have perfect control and large reserves! That's a mighty package you got there, Hinata-chan. Not many are that gifted."

"G-Gifted?" The paleness had been abandoned and now her face was imitating an abnormally large cherry. "R-Really?"

Sakura furrowed her brow in confusion. Sasuke and Naruto had to admit, she was a good actress. "What do you mean 'really'?"

"Yeah! Come on, Hinata. Don't sell yourself short," Kiba added in, convinced of Hinata's ability mostly due to Sakura's show of over exaggerated wonder.

"Wow, Hinata, you could probably take on most of the Genin here!"

"Yes, you are talented Hinata."

"Dang…!"

Hinata finally broke out into a wide grin, her face beaming with energy and happiness under the shower of praise and rewarding smiles. She had dreamed of this: the moment people and friends looked upon her not with pity or disappointment but with admiration and pride. Her white eyes danced from each of her fellow Rookies' face, the reality of their genuity dawning on her like the sun's gentle warm rays on her shoulders.

She was slightly startled on her Cloud-Nine when Uchiha Sasuke leaned in towards her, acknowledging her, that half-smile on his face. Hinata expected him to be upset at her, to say the card must be lying but the smile didn't leave him as he said, "You've got talent, Hinata. You're just too afraid to utilize it to your fullest potential. You may not like violence all that much but you shouldn't be afraid to throw a punch when you need to. Don't forget that card Hinata, don't forget yourself. No matter what someone tells you, don't ever believe you're anything weak."

Hinata stopped breathing, hanging off every word coming out of the Uchiha's mouth like they were her lifeline.

"Strength does not come from the powerful, it comes from that desire to be strong and that desire to better yourself, to become a better person. It's not power that backs up a punch, or a palm in your case, it's that strength, that desire. Win or lose, you're still strong. Don't forget that, Hinata."

It was the longest series of words anyone has ever heard Uchiha Sasuke speak. He must have stolen their's because the other Rookies couldn't seem to find their voice. Hinata's eyes were glazing over with happy tears, Kabuto was eerily indifferent, and Squad Seven gawked proudly at their raven-haired comrade.

"While that is impressive," Kabuto cut through the rainbows-and-sunshine atmosphere with a lie through his teeth. If only there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and they could wish Kabuto's heart would spontaneously combust. "You're forgetting that all nine of you were selected for this Exam because you are all the best of your generation. What does that tell you? Leaf, Sand, Rain, Water Fall, Sound… each and every Genin from the various hidden villages selected just like you guys. Because they're the best of the best. Konoha's 'Little Leaves' may have potential and talent…" he pushed up his glasses for special effect, "but so do they. The top elite Genin."

Kabuto's speech had the intentional impact of crushing the hope and confidence of Konoha's nine rookies… or it would have….

Naruto scoffed loudly, drawing the attention of his fellow Genin and friends. "Pft. So what? They'll be a challenge. All that means is when we beat them it proves we're that much stronger. Believe it! We're gonna pass this Exam with flying colors!" He pounded his fist high in the air. "Do hear that?!"

Eyes of every color glared hatred at the blonde that dared call them out. All stood threateningly and the rookies finally realized that their confidence was insulting a large number of enemies. However, not one of them moved to attach and the rookies of the Leaf village took comfort in any possible rules that disqualified teams who started a brawl.

Then again, one team didn't care and in a flash a three kunai soared from the hands of a boy in the air, aimed at the mocking blonde. All expected the loudmouth to be happily impaled. They were all disappointed when the attack was deflected by the plate-armor on Kabuto's gloves and scattered harmless across the floor.

The boy landed back and camouflaged within the crowd just as a grey blur zoomed out. An older male shot out and suddenly materialized in Kabuto's face. A arm flung toward Kabuto with the full intent of knocking it off his shoulders and Kabuto stumbled back at the last second, the attack sailing past him harmlessly.

Crack.

Glass shattered to the ground in small shards and fragments, the lens of Kabuto's glasses. Perhaps he didn't dodge like they thought he did. The punch must have nicked his glasses…

Kabuto suddenly keeled over and vomited.

"Kabuto-san!"

"Write this down on your cards," the boy who through the kunai stepped out of the crowd with a girl both wearing smug smirks as they joined their teammate. Their outfits were similar and all of them had headbands with a single musical note. "'The three Sound shinobi: Definite future Chunin'."

Tensions rose high in the crowded class room. Everybody's fingers were twitching toward their weapons and knees were bent, ready to launch themselves into an attack-

"Quiet down you worthless sacks of meat!!"

Large, thick clouds of smoke burst in the front of the class room and as the wisps departed, a group of grey-uniformed Chunin stood tall and ominous. They appeared threatening, dangerous but nothing compared to the man ahead of them. Dressed in a black leather trench coat over a similar grey uniform and black bandana around his head, Morino Ibiki stood fierce and deadly among them. There was an air about this man that demanded respect and fear. The ugly scars lining his face and the evil smirk he adorned, it was no wonder that when he pointed a leather gloved finger in the direction of the crowd they all cringed away.

His finger was pointed over their heads to the back of the room. "Sound brats, stop doing as please before the Exam or you'll be disqualified with toe up your sorry ass."

The older of the Sound squad, the one whose face was wrapped in bandages save for one large leering eye and a sharp pack of fur on his back, inclined his head. "I apologize. This is our first time and we got a bit carried away."

Naruto snarled at him, "Then maybe you can't handle the Exams if you can't handle your own urges."

The other Sound boy sneered, "You little fu-"

"Shut your damn mouths!" Ibiki's order snapped every single mouth closed on command. Naruto stepped back respectfully and averted his attention away from the Sound squad.

"My name is Morino Ibiki and let's get one thing straight, maggots. There will be no fighting without the permission of the Examiner. Even it permission is granted, killing your opponent will not be tolerated. Those pigs that disobey me will be failed immediately. Do I make myself clear?" He didn't need a verbal answer to know that is message was understood perfectly clear. Crystal clear, in fact.

"Good. We will now start the first test in the Chunin Exam. Instead of your current seating arrangements…," the Examiner held up a numbered tab, "You will pick one of these tabs and sit in the seat assigned to you. We will then hand out the tests."

Naruto was randomly sat to the left of Hinata, who smiled encouragingly at her crush. He returned the smile and gave a thumbs-up. Sasuke and Sakura sat by nobodies, people not worth remembering.

"Do not turn your tests over. Listen closely to what I'm about to say. There are many important rules to this first test. I'll write them on the board while I explain. No questions allowed so you better be paying attention. First Rule: You start off holding the perfect score of ten points to equal the ten questions on the test. Each question answered incorrectly will subtract one point from your score. Second Rule: Since this is a team event, the passing is determined by your teams combined total score. Third Rule: Those caught cheating by the testing officers will have two points detected for every offense."

One of the testing officers laughed and tuned, "We'll have our eyes on you…" Many of the Genin were beyond nervous, their original plans to cheat shoved down the drain and shredded by the garbage disposal.

"Realize that the maggots caught cheating will be humiliating themselves. As shinobi trying to achieve the level of Chunin, be proud shinobi. Now the final rule: the individuals who lose all their points during the this portion of the Exam will be failed along with their two teammates."

Ibiki could hear their heartbeats speed up in dread and he smiled murderously. "The first test of the Exam will last one hour. Begin!"

Immediately, tests were flipped over and pencils quivered in the Genin's grasp. Squad Seven took their time, turning their tests over casually and at the exact same time. They didn't need to worry. They knew they could sit and wait for the tenth question and not have to answer any others, but that wouldn't be like them. Squad Seven was going to fill out every single answer space correctly and brilliantly. The three Leaf Genin had a plan.

Just like the last time Squad Seven took this Exam, Sasuke activated his Sharingan and copied the pencil movements of the competitor in front of him, remembering very well that he was a Chunin in disguise. Sakura knew the answers to every question, having studied like a maniac in the academy, and wrote down her answers straight out of the textbooks. The first nine questions finished, Sakura put her fingers in the ram seal and concentrated her chakra on her blonde teammate.

Naruto felt a gentle wave of energy enter into his system and did not fight it. He recognized it as Sakura's and allowed her to place him in her Genjutsu. With a casual blink, the Genjutsu fell into place and his once blank test paper was full of neat legible written answers. Smiling to himself and Sakura's cleverness, Naruto took up his pencil and began to write over the illusion. Once he finished copying Sakura's answers, he blinked and the Genjutsu lifted, then he laid his head down to rest on his folded arms. Hinata next to him was astonished.

Sakura released the seal and giggled, earning an amused stare from the test officer nearby. She winked at him and he shook his head. He had seen her jutsu but it didn't matter. It was one offense and the last. Sakura proudly noticed that he didn't mark the offense down on his clipboard; she had impressed him. This round was definitely going good. Putting her chin in her palms, Sakura wondered when she would be dispelled. After all, she was only a clone.

So, Ino… Sakura could imagine her absolute frustration. Because she was only a clone, Ino could not take over her spirit- it wasn't in this body. All this body was, was chakra. So, Ino would have to find a different host. Sakura nearly clapped her hands in giddiness. All three of Squad Seven were clones taking this test while the real things trained in a vacant field.

"Ok," Ibiki announced. "We will now start the tenth question."

The Genin leaned on the edge of their seat in anticipation.

"But first, I'd like to go over the added rules for this question."

And the Genin nearly fell over.

"For the tenth question you must decide whether to take it or not. Choose not to, your points will be reduced to zero… You fail! Along with your teammates. However… if you choose to take the tenth question and answer incorrectly, that individual will lose the right to ever take the Chunin Selection Exam again and remain a Genin forever."

Kiba was one of many who exploded his protests. "What kind of lame rule is that?! There are people here who have taken the Exam before!"

A deep, sadistic chuckle sent spiraling icy chills down their spines. "You guys aren't so lucky 'cause this year it's my rules. But since you're a rather unfortunate bunch, I'll give you a way out. Choose not to take the final question and try again next year… Raise your hand."

Squad Seven didn't give anyone a chance. The blonde of the team slammed his hand loudly on the desk, successfully gaining the attention of the whole classroom and freezing arms raised in midair.

"Don't feed us that crap!" his shout was heard among them all. "I'll take it! Even if I'm a Genin forever… I'll be the strongest of them all! Konoha wouldn't dare waste talent like that, no matter what my rank. No matter what, I will become Hokage. So, bring on the question! I'm not afraid."

"Your life is riding on this decision, id. This is your last chance to quit."

Naruto wasn't swayed. "I always keep my word. That's my nindo."

"Hmph. Good decisions and to the one hundred-seventeen remaining … I congratulate you on passing the first test of the Chunin Selection Exam."

Shouts, thanks, praises, and protests rose all at once in a loud dull roar. One youth demanded what the tenth question was. Ibiki grinned widely, his cold exterior put aside in humor. "You could say that those two choices were the tenth question. And thanks to that numbskull there," he glared at Naruto who laughed sheepishly in his seat, "You all answered correctly. Don't think the first nine questions were pointless, they weren't. They had already served their intended purpose: to test your individual information gathering skills…

"I'm sure you've all noticed or considered that the questions on the test were not the types a mere Genin could answer. Because of that, I'm sure most of you came to the conclusion that to score the acceptable amount of points was to cheat. That was basically the whole point of this test. As cheating targets, we placed two Chunin or so that knew all the answers mixed into the crowed. To help you maggots out. Of course, those that cheat poorly fail."

Morino Ibiki had the Genin's full undivided attention as he reached up and stripped away the bandana from his skull. A collective gasp erupted. Horrible burns, screw holes, and scars decorated his bald head gruesomely. In every mind, they realized it was the after-effects of torture…

"In times, information is more important than life and on missions and the battlefield, people risk everything to get their hands on it. I want you to remember this," he began to slip the bandana back on his scarred skull. "Remember that with important information in your hands can be a powerful weapon for you, your comrades, and your village. So we had you gather information through cheating. We separated those that clearly did not have the stable abilities.

"The purpose of the tenth question was to show the infamous "take it or don't" decision. Two painful choices and one leap of faith. If any of you become Chunin, you will always be forced to take a leap of faith because some missions you can't avoid, no matter how dangerous. The ability to be courageous and survive any hardship… this is the ability needed to become a Chunin Captain. "There's always next year" doesn't exist. You never know if they'll not be a 'next year'.

"You have made it through the entrance, the first test of the Chunin Exam is over. I wish you maggots luck."

Disclaimer: I do not own NARUTO or its original characters, or Sesshoumaru. I do proudly own the AMAZING Kibichi who I can't wait to introduce to you! and the future and few OC's. Oh, I also own Paradise Tea, but I'm pretty sure the title's been taken somewhere.. I wasn't that creative with the title.