The Preliminary Rounds seemed like a joke as Oroshi listened to the rules set by the Hokage himself. She glanced around at the other teams to see some of them were disheveled by the last test. What pleased her the most was not seeing anyone from the Grass Country, though the ones from Sound seemed…off. The memory of her last visit to Sound emerged in her mind; she wondered if they knew what happened. Hana had agreed that the assassination of the Sound Daimyo was a success, but were there shinobi capable of seeing past what was portrayed? Oroshi must've stared too long because now the Sound team were returning her gaze. She quickly glanced away and noticed that her team was making their way up the stairs. Taking a few steps to join them, she then felt a hand clutch her wrist. Oroshi turned to see Ino, the blonde's eyes fierce and accusing, "Well, Ino-chan, it seems you made it through the forest."

"No thanks to you," Ino squeeze Oroshi's wrist, "I thought you were better than the others. Or at least you wouldn't lie."

The girl was strong. Oroshi wanted to be angry, or at least say that she could be stronger than Ino, but she wasn't. She softly sighed as she took a step towards Ino, "You're right, I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied to you and I apologize."

"You really don't belong here," Shikamaru approached Ino from behind, "You're not like the other kunoichi here who are stronger and can fight for themselves."

"Oroshi," Ino's eyes softened as she released Oroshi's wrist, "You're a beautiful geisha, and I love your pictures and admire how the media portrays you. But your kimono is torn, your make-up is running and ruined in some spots, and you don't look as willowy as you did before. Maybe you ought to forfeit."

The words sunk deep into Oroshi's mind. If only she could reveal to them how deadly she could be. Pulling out her normal fan, she covered her features from her nose down as she glanced away from the two in front of her. She was about to turn away when someone from behind her approached Ino and Shikamaru, "You two have a lot of nerve talking to someone from Suna like that. Every villager can wipe your face on the ground without trying. How do you think Oroshi made it here? She came here on her own with the others or me helping her. Remember that if you're stuck in the ring with her."

Kankurou. Oroshi narrowed her gaze on the back of his head. He didn't need to stick up for her, though she appreciated it in this moment. The prompter had them escorted to their places on the stairs were their sensei's were waiting. Baki gave each Oroshi and Kankurou a reproachful glance before turning his attention to the matches ahead. Because of the odd number since Kabuto opted out of the match, it was declared the one who did not battle would fight one of the winners of the matches. Oroshi stood with her arms crossed as she watched the first match. Her mind was elsewhere until she couldn't take hearing the noises around her and needed silence. She walked out of the room and into the hallway.

Baki had stated that he wanted her to lose any battles coming up. Placing her fan on the tip of her nose, Oroshi knew it was probably the best way to handle that strategy. However, it did not suit her. How could she get Gaara's attention by losing any battle that came up? Even if she did win a battle, there was the main question of how she would be able to do this. These shinobi were far stronger than her in ways that she was not trained in. But, they were not trained in the ways that she was capable of doing. This meant that her and her opponent had an upper hand.

"You're missing a really good show."

Oroshi turned her gaze to see Kankurou in the doorway of the preliminary room. He really needed to stop wearing that paint on his face and that stupid hood, it really didn't suit him at all. Or at least that was her opinion. She closed her fan and placed it within her kimono, "I don't think anyone in there really wants me to watch their boring fights."

"If you're the last one, you may want to know how your opponent fights," Kankurou commented as he neared her, "I also kinda want to talk about what happened in the forest."

"Kankurou…" Oroshi murmured as she gazed up at him, she didn't want to do this now.

"I just want to say what I need to say," he glanced around before reaching out to stroke her hair, "I've grown to really like you, Oroshi. In the forest, it felt like I got to see another side of you. On the outside, you act like you're so put together and that you always have something to do or on your mind. But, really, you want to prove to the world that you're just as good as anyone else. You're nervous, scared, self-conscious, and-"

"So I'm human," Oroshi's eyes hardened on him, though to her surprise he leaned down quickly and silenced her with his lips.

Why did she have to feel like she was melting in his arms? Or why the paint on his lips actually tasted kind of nice? She knew it she should be pull from him, but her hands betrayed her and clutched onto his uniform tightly to return his kiss. This was wrong. Personal relationships were forbidden for her. Kankurou slowly pulled away, "Please, let me finish. You're very much human, and you're more than a porcelain doll. The world can see how beautiful you are, and I see how much more lovelier you are."

No one had spoken such kind words to her before. She gazed up at Kankurou's eyes, his face barely an inch away from hers as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him once again. Maybe, just this once, she'll enjoy this feeling of kissing him before having to end this. Suna didn't need to know for now, and the others had to remain unknown to this. Once Kankurou pulled away slowly, Oroshi then murmured, "You can't tell anyone about this."

She opened her eyes to see the hurt in his eyes as his arms remained around her body. Oroshi turned her gaze away from him, "Personal feelings and relationships are not allowed for my kind. I'm starting to feel the same way for you, I really am, but this isn't allowed."

"It's because I'm not your danna isn't it?" Kankurou let go of Oroshi and crossed his arms, "So I have to buy you in order for this to work?"

His question was answered with a slap across his face, so hard that he actually had to take a step back. Oroshi held the hand she slapped him with and took a step back, "You're right, I think I'll return to watch the rounds."

Oroshi felt Kankurou alone in the hallway to return to the others, and noticed how Kankurou went on the other side of the room. She was hurt by his question. He had to have only said that out of spite, but it hurt nonetheless. Oroshi tried to focus on the fights, even the ones where Kankurou and Temari fought. It was no use. Baki nudged her, "I received word from the prompter. You will be going last and one of the winners will decide amongst themselves who will fight you."

"Oh joy," she sighed as she pulled out her normal fan, "I wait with bated breath."

Gaara's match was a massacre. Oroshi watched in utter horror at his battle and fighting style. This was a revelation she hadn't expected upon witnessing. Would it be that difficult to kill Gaara? Even so, how would she be able to get passed his sand? He wore it as his skin, he used it as his defense, and used it as his offense. There was no way for her to be able to stab him or any physical means. No, she would have to use her poisons and kill him from a distance since getting within a few feet of him would mean instant death for her.

After the last, disappointing, match with Choji and Dosu, Oroshi was instructed to enter the arena. Her heart raced, and her face calm. Oroshi glanced up to see Kankurou meeting her gaze as well as he stood next to Naruto. She then turned her gaze to see Temari speaking with Baki and even Gaara looked distracted. Perhaps this was her only time to get Gaara's attention, but the look on Baki's face told her that she ought to obey him. However, he wasn't her danna nor was he her mentor. Hana would be pissed and she would not let the Kazekage down. Though he had released her as his danna, she still had her own orders.

"Since Oroshi of the Sand is the odd-man..well, woman, out I guess, one of the winners will decide amongst themselves who will-"

"I'll fight her! Believe it!"

Oroshi turned to see Naruto dash away from Kankurou to the arena and run up to her, "I'll give ya a fair fight even though you're kind not really a kunoichi."

Hiding her smile, Oroshi chuckled, "I'll do my best, okay?"

"Ugh..yeah, sure," Naruto leaped back a bit as the prompter initiated the fight.

Oroshi watched as Naruto just stood there, what was he doing? Slipping off her shoes, she placed them neatly to the side and walked back to where she was standing before. This seemed to confuse Naruto and he broke his posture to stand normally and scratch the back of his head, "Hey? What are you doing? Hey! You can't put on make-up right now!"

"Hm?" Oroshi glanced up from fixing her eyeliner, "But I can't fight like this. Let me just fix one thing first, please."

"She can't do that!" Naruto turned to the prompter.

"Technically she can until one of you loses," he shrugged, "It's just wasting our time."

"Argh…" Naruto growled as he turned back, "Hurry it up!"

Oroshi sighed as she put the cap on her eyeliner, sticking it back inside her kimono before turned to Naruto. She opened her normal fan, and then pulled out her special one from inside her sleeve. Her stance was slightly side as she stood on her tiptoes, exposing her leg from her thigh-high slit, and hid her features from Naruto as she kept her eyes on him, and spoke in a sultry voice, "I'm ready for you, Naruto."

She rolled his name of her tongue as if she had spoken his name a thousand times before. This one was weak for females. The way his eyes went directly to her exposed flesh, the way he faltered for just one second exemplified how his mind worked. She did not need physical strength for this one nor would she need speed. Then, this fault vanished as he ran towards her and began throwing punches. Spinning on the pads of her feet, Oroshi dodged the blows as if she was in a dance and would step away if she became too close. Each punch was evaded as she willowed around, spinning here and there until Naruto missed one punch and she managed to trip him.

Though it was a good time to make her final move, that wouldn't impress Gaara. She glanced up for just a second to see that he was watching her. Good. Take a good look, she thought to herself, because this will be you soon. Oroshi glanced back to Naruto only to see his fist before he made a hit to her abdomen. Good Kami he was strong! The air was knocked out of her as she was sent back a few feet and onto her back. She clutched her abs and recoiled, groaning from the pain before sitting up as best as she could.

"Hey…could you..ugh…fix yourself?" Naruto grumbled as he glanced away.

"Wha…?" Oroshi winced as she spoke.

She glanced down to see that the top of her kimono was lowered down her shoulders and exposed some the top part of her breasts. Her gaze then went to Naruto to see that he wasn't looking at her. Oroshi then pulled the sash from her waist before holding it out to Naruto, "It has to be tied in the back. Please, tie it for me?"

"We're in the middle of a fight! I can't do that for you!" Naruto yelled as he turned away.

"I cannot put up a fair fight if I'm not clothed properly," Oroshi pleaded as she covered herself, "Please, Naruto."

His will was weak. She watched as he growled as he approached her. Oroshi turned her back to him, listening to his only teammate, Sakura, berating him, and his friends yelling for him to not give into her. With each step, she knew this battle was won. He took her sash and she felt him beginning to tie it around her waist until she held her orange fan above her shoulder, opened it quickly, and waved it gently as she held her breath. Naruto may not have known her specialty, but soon he would and the others. She felt her lungs burn as Naruto continued to tie her sash before saying, "Alright, can we-…."

Oroshi stood and walked a few feet away before expelling her breath, taking in a few deep breaths to compensate. She turned to see Naruto starting to collapse before turning to the prompter, "He may need to get an antidote and quick, here's the vial of poison."

She tossed the prompter the vial, which tossed it to Naruto's sensei, as the medic-nin came in to take Naruto to the infirmary. Those who remained were silent at the scene. Oroshi looked up to Baki to see the rage in his eyes, she had disobeyed him. Her gaze then went to Gaara, who didn't take his eyes off of her. The others, as she glanced around, seemed to be in either confusion, shock, or did not respond. She was not as strong as they were, but she was cunning. Oroshi looked to the prompter, who declared her the winner of the match.

Upon returning to their hotel room, Baki dragged Oroshi into his private office before slamming the door shut, "Do you have any idea what you have done!? You've exposed yourself to this country! Why did you not listen to me!?"

"Because I have different orders!" Oroshi yelled back, only to cower when Baki raised his hand.

Baki stopped himself from striking Oroshi, and then took a step back, "The Kazekage will hear of this, and he will not be as kind to you as I am. When you are instructed to do or don't do something, you are expected to follow that order."

Oroshi stood up straight, not wanting to meet Baki's gaze. He ushered her out of his office, and Oroshi remained in the hallway for a few minutes. When the others walked passed her to go to their own rooms, Temari seemed intrigued towards Oroshi, Kankurou didn't meet her gaze, and Gaara stopped and stared right at her. His eyes were cold, she definitely caught his attention and perhaps it wasn't the best time. Oroshi watched as he walked out the door to go outside. Maybe he wouldn't try to kill her just yet. She took a breath before heading to her room. A thought then struck her mind; out of all those who won, why was Naruto the only one to volunteer? Surely Shikamaru wanted revenge for her taking his scroll in the forest? What about that Neji guy? Or the others? Kankurou. He was next to Naruto. Oroshi went into his room without knocking to see Kankurou, without his paint, in only his black pants. She hesitated before entering and closing the door behind her, "You put that kid up to fight me so I could win."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he turned his back to her.

"You knew he wouldn't see through my attempts to win and you made him want to fight me so I could win!" Oroshi stomped towards Kankurou and pushed his back, though she barely made him move, "You set him up to lose and for me to win!"

"So!?" Kankurou spun around and got in her face, "It's not like you would win against the others! You didn't have a chance against that Neji Hyuuga or that shadow or bug guy! Sorry for looking out for you!"

"I don't need to be looked after!" Oroshi snapped as she began to fan herself, she had to calm down, "Why would you do that?"

Kankurou sighed as he faced her, "Because you don't stand a chance to anyone. I found the weakest link and I tossed him to you because I figured you wouldn't be eaten alive out there if Temari and I aren't there for you."

Oroshi, confused, placed a hand on her hip. His tone was very serious, and the look in his eyes told her that he had reason to mention this. She raised a brow as she asked, "What do you mean?"

"Have you seriously not noticed how some of the other shinobi look at you?" Kankurou gestured to her body, "They see you as a toy, a laughing stock. Today, when you poisoned that kid, you showed them that you're more than just a pretty face. Now they won't skin you alive when me or Temari aren't looking."

She hesitated at his words. Being targeted for future clients or hopefully of assassin's use, she was being targeted for death. Oroshi opened her mouth to ask, Kankurou glanced up at her, "I noticed Sound hasn't taken too kindly to you. I don't know if they know what happened before we came here, but I'm reluctant to find out."

For the first time, Oroshi felt scared. She felt her body wanting to quiver as her stomach tied itself into a knot and her throat began to dry up. Her mind scattered as she thought of the next rounds of the Chuunin Exams. But she wasn't a ninja! Oroshi felt her knees beginning to shake before bending from giving out until Kankurou grabbed her hand to force her back up. She held his hand tightly, "I can't do this."

"You don't have to," Kankurou helped her to sit on the bed next to him, "Baki has something he wants to explain to us tomorrow. My dad has sent us different plans, and I'm not sure how you fit into all of this. But if you're here, then you might have something to do with it."

Oroshi was still in shock. She had women jealous of her before, but this wasn't something she had expected. When she felt Kankurou's hand on her shoulder, she flinched before bolting to stand, "I better change…"

"Oroshi," Kankurou stood up, but Oroshi left the room without another word and into her own.

The next day, Oroshi stood in her new kimono, her make-up in an elegant fashion, but her hair remained long and silken as she stood with her team in Baki's office. His curtains were drawn and he had set up a jutsu that would block the room from any of their voices. But Oroshi remained silent. The news of the Kazekage coming to Konoha and his plans to invade with Sound disturbed her. This was not the man she knew. He would never have planned something this elaborate. Oroshi crossed her arms as she looked away in disgust. This was not the man that she once called her danna. Once Baki finished explaining the plan, Oroshi remained until the others left. Kankurou stopped for a second to glance at her before leaving the room.

"I hope there's nothing going on with you and the Kazekage's son," Baki commented dryly as he took a long swig from his flask.

"The Lord Kazekage is my danna," Oroshi spoke fiercely as she approached Baki, "I know my danna and I know he wouldn't do something like this. Someone else has to be involved."

"Yes, precisely, that's why Sound is involved-"

"That's not what I mean and you know it," Oroshi glared up at Baki.

"You're a child. A 14 year old girl who wants to play with adults and you can't," Baki's breath smelled like fresh sake, and it looked like he was ready for another drink, "You call yourself a woman yet you haven't even taken the role of a woman."

Oroshi blushed in frustration before turning her back to Baki. He emitted a low chuckle before leaning against his desk, "I can almost place money on that you haven't even fulfilled your little 'geisha duty' or whatever you call it."

Her eyes widened for a split second. She narrowed her gaze. Of coarse he would view her as a child though she had committed to an act that she knew far too well. Oroshi gave a small breath before turning towards Baki, "I'm in no position to argue with you."

"It's about time you understood that much," Baki chuckled once again.

"But I will inform my danna that this is wrong when I see him," Oroshi left the room.

The Kazekage would know that this invasion was wrong. There wasn't any point to invading this country when there was still so much their country could do for financial gians. Oroshi stormed out of the apartment and into the village, though she put on her okobo sandals and grabbed her parasol before venturing into the village. Though her posters were still up among other geisha's from the Sand, Oroshi could see the stares from other shinobi around her. Perhaps disobeying Baki wasn't the best idea she had, but it had it's good points, right? Gaara noticed her. With that in mind, she kept her parasol in her hands as she went into different shops to purchase various items.

Her travels then led her to gaze up at the Hokages from the past in the mountainside. It was a marvelous structure, and it honored many of the old Hokages. Perhaps the Sand village ought to take up a habit like that as well. Then again, they didn't have a mountainside to carve. Oroshi gazed up at the last Hokage, the one she had heard called the Killer Bee. He was dead, so the Third Hokage was the one back in charge. Odd. Perhaps they couldn't find another one yet. Oroshi was about turn until she came face to face with the one known as Kabuto, "Excuse me, sir."

"I think we ought to know each other better," Kabuto smiled as he bowed slightly, "I've been watching you from afar, and yesterday peaked my interest."

"My pardon?" Oroshi took a step back as she clutched her parasol, "I don't believe I understand."

"My teammates told me about your performance," Kabuto smiled, "You did an outstanding job with your poison. And you're not even a kunoichi."

This was bad. Oroshi could see the look in his eyes that something was off. She had seen that in so many patron's eyes before when a maiko didn't return home or if she came home in scraps. This wasn't good. She glanced around to see they were utterly alone, and she didn't have the capabilities to know if there was another shinobi nearby. Oroshi took a quick breath before smiling up at Kabuto, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I was actually hoping you and I could take a walk and discuss something in private," Kabuto placed his hand on the small of her back, just below her darari obi at the small of her back and ushered her to the stairway path.

"Actually, I need to talk with my teammate."

The wind picked up, causing Oroshi to lose her parasol and Kabuto to take a step back as Temari glided in from her fan to the two. Temari folded her large fan and landed with ease on the ground between the two. She glanced coldly at Kabuto, "If you don't mind."

Kabuto, looking quite agitated before calm, smiled before waving as he left. Oroshi glanced at Temari as he left until the two were alone. Temari then turned her gaze to Oroshi, "Next time something like that happens, you can't be in that situation. The last round of the Chuunin Exams is tomorrow and you can't mess up now."

"I didn't know I'd be followed," Oroshi commented as she toyed with the end of her hair.

Temari sighed. She was tired of this whole geisha thing Oroshi had and was ready to go home without it. But, they weren't bantering anymore. Oroshi glanced up at Temari, "I'm not cut out for this like I thought I was."

"I know that," Temari grumbled as the two began going down the stairwell, "Let's just get back to the hotel and call it a day."