A/N: Allow me to correct myself from last chapter. Sasuke is a 'bigger' jerk in this fic. My first plan was to make Karin a Sasuke fangirl, but after some thinking and your reviews, I changed my mind. What attracted Karin to Sasuke was, first of all, the fact that he saved her from the bear. Second was his strong chakra. Now, he didn't save her and his chakra isn't as appealing as it was when Karin first felt it. Also, I'm sure some people will ask this so let me say this now: I am not giving Naruto chakra chains like his mother. He has the Rinnegan, I think that's enough. At best, he'll be able to do the healing bite and that's a maybe.
Chapter 18: Second Test, Finished
Ten minutes had passed since Naruto went off. Hinata was about to go after him when he returned, with a red-haired girl in tow, surprising everyone, especially since she was a grass kunoichi. "Um, care to explain, Naruto?" Hinata asked.
"T-this is Karin. I f-found her being c-chased and decided to h-help. She l-lost her teammates and I o-offered to help her."
Hinata looked at her for a sec. "Oh, well, I guess we could… Wait! What happened to your arm?"
Naruto looked at his arm. The wound the bear gave him was still on his arm. 'Strange. It should have healed at least a bit by now.' Hinata pulled out her balm, but this time Naruto didn't protest. 'What's up with the Fox?'
Karin took this time to observe them all as they introduced themselves. She was familiar with some of the Leaf's ninja clans from her studies back at the Hidden Grass. She recognised the Hyūga by her eyes, the Inuzuka by the red marks on his face and the pup by his side. She also recognised the Uchiha by the crest on his shirt. Using her unique sensory skills, she took in each of their chakra. 'The one with the sunglasses has different chakra signatures on him that aren't human. Must be an Aburame.' When she got to Sasuke, she shivered. 'His chakra… It's strong, but dark and cold. Unwelcoming.' Finally, she focused on Naruto, and blushed. 'His chakra is strong too, but the opposite. It's so warm and bright, so inviting, yet hesitant at the same time.' She found herself attracted to it and hugged Naruto from behind, resting her head against him, shocking everyone. "Thank you again for rescuing me Narutoooo," Karin said, drawing out the 'o'.
Naruto blushed, wondering what was going on. Hinata didn't have that problem as a tick mark appeared on her forehead. 'Hands off!' She pulled Naruto toward her and said, "Well, I think we should know more about you. Why don't you sit over there," 'Away from my Naruto.' "and tell us about yourself."
'Um, this is weird,' Naruto thought as Hinata separated him and Karin. 'What's going on?'
Everyone sat in a circle. Ino and Sakura sat next to Sasuke. Next to Ino was her team and next to Sakura was Shino, then Kiba, then Naruto. Hinata was next to him, forcing Karen to sit between her and Choji. "So," Sakura started. "Tell us about yourself. I see you're from the Hidden Grass."
"Yeah. My mom fled there when her village was destroyed, along with most of our clan," Karin told them.
"Clan?" Shino asked. Sasuke looked curious as well.
"Yeah. My mom came from the Hidden Whirlpool Village in the Land of Eddies. I'm sure you guys know all about it." She notice everyone looked confused. "Didn't you guy learn about the Land of Eddies?" They all shook there heads. "Seriously? Nothing. Not even the clan who founded it? My clan?" Again, the shook their heads. "I don't believe it. Your ninja wear our symbol on their jackets as a sign of friendship to remember us after the village was destroyed in the last great war. There it is." She pointed at Naruto's left shoulder, which had a white swirl on it. "That's it right there. You guys just normally wear it red." The Leaf genin nodded. They saw the swirl on the back of the flak jackets of their shinobi. "I can't believe none of you have heard of the Uzumaki Clan."
Everyone's eyes widened, though no one saw Shino's due to his glasses. They all looked at Naruto, who was the most shocked of all. "Uzu..maki… clan?" He reacted the only way he could. He fainted.
"So, I take it you've heard of us?" Karin asked while Hinata tried to wake Naruto..
"Not quite," Shino answered. "We were unaware of your clan's existence. However, we know of another Uzumaki."
"Really? Who?" Karin asked, anxious to meet another from her clan. "I hope I get to meet him. Or her."
"You already have," Sakura answered, pointing at the blond boy now waking up.
"What? You're an Uzumaki too? That's great!"
"S-so, this m-means we're r-related?" Naruto asked. 'Do I have living family?'
"I guess we have a distant relation." Karin said. 'Distant enough that it won't be a problem or weird for us to be together,' she mentally added. 'Besides, most clans marry others in the same clan anyway, like the Hyūga and Uchiha.' "So you had no idea you were a part of a clan?" Naruto shook his head causing her to frown. "Want to know about it?"
Naruto looked excited and got ready to move toward her when Hinata spoke. "Ok, as much as I want to hear this, we should really get going." Naruto looked sad. "But, since you're coming with us, you can tell us later."
"Oh, that reminds me." Karin pulled out her scroll. "Anyone need an Earth Scroll?"
"We'll take it." Shikamaru said. "Now we can try to avoid any troublesome encounters."
"Whatever, we can get the last scroll we need easily." Sasuke said standing up.
"I recommend we all go our separate ways," Shino said. "Why, because while there is strength in numbers, we'll be able to move faster and remain undetected longer." Shikamaru nodded in agreement.
As Team 8 with Karin left, Sasuke looked in their direction. 'So he is from a clan. But it changes nothing in my opinion. He's still an unworthy loser.'
It was the third day of the second exams when Team 8 and friend arrived at the tower in the center of the Forest of Death. During the journey, Karin told Naruto how the Uzumaki were seal masters with long lifespans. She also mentioned that some Uzumaki were able to produce chakra chains, though it was rare, as well as heal by having the injured bite them. She told them about her mother and how she died because she used up too much chakra using the healing bites. "So, is this the end?" Karin asked as they looked at the doors. "I mean, will they even let me in? I'm not on your team, and I'm basically out of the exams."
"We'll talk with whoever's inside," Hinata assured her. The redhead nodded. The others began to enter the building when Hinata stopped Karin. "Listen, I can see you have feelings for Naruto since he saved you."
"It's not only that. He has such warm chakra. Too bad your Byakugan doesn't allow you to feel it." Karin had explained her sensory ability to the others as well. When asked how the bear snuck up on her team earlier, Karin explained that she was asleep. "Anyway, I can see you like him too. So I'm guessing I'm a problem to you."
"Look, there's no way I'm letting you have Naruto. But you are important to him, since you are of the same clan, so I'm willing to be nice. Besides, I have no intention of acting like Ino and Sakura did when they both realised they had the same crush on Sasuke. So, what do you say? Wanna try and be friends?"
Karin was surprised. She expected the Hyūga heiress to tell her to get lost and stay away from her man. "S-sure," she said, shocked, but glad.
Hinata smiled. "Good." She was about to open the door when she turned around. "Oh, one more thing. If you do anything to hurt Naruto, I will hunt you down and use you as a training dummy!" She said that with her Byakugan activated. "Clear?" Karin nodded quickly and Hinata deactivated her bloodline and smiled. "Glad we're on the same page." She entered the tower.
'Thankfully I have no intention of hurting him. She's scary,' Karin thought as she followed shortly behind. 'Not scary enough for me to back down though.'
To their surprise, there was no one in the room, and no other door visible. "What now?" Kiba asked.
Hinata was about to use her Byakugan when Naruto pointed to the wall. "T-there's something written t-there."
"It looks like a poem or something," Hinata commented. She started to read it. "If qualities of Heaven are your desire, acquire wisdom to take your mind higher. If Earthly qualities are what you lack, train your body and prepare to attack. When Heaven and Earth are opened together, the perilous path becomes righteous forever. This 'something' is the secret way that guides us from this place today."
"This something?" Karin asked.
"There's a word missing, but I think the poem is a clue,"
"And that is…" Kiba asked.
"Um, m-maybe we open the s-scrolls at t-the same t-time?" Naruto offered.
"But weren't we told not to open them?" Kiba asked.
"Anko said we couldn't until we reach the tower. Well, here we are." Hinata nodded at Naruto, who took out the scrolls and handed the Earth one over to her. "On three. One. Two. Three!" She and Naruto opened the scrolls at the same time, but were confused by the contents. It was the kanji for person in a circle with unfamiliar symbols around it. "What is this?" Soon, however, a bulge appeared where the kanji is and started smoking.
"Drop them! It's a summoning jutsu!" Karin shouted. They did just that and jumped away. Smoke engulfed the area in front of them and when it clear, they were surprised to see who appeared.
"Iruka-sensei?"Kiba asked.
"Hey guys. It's been awhile," Iruka said with a smile. "Congratulations on passing the the second part of the Chunin Exams! I'm proud of all four of…" He stopped. "Wait, why are there four of you?"
"I'm Karin, a member of the Uzumaki Clan." Iruka looked a bit surprised "Naruto here saved me from a bear after I… After my teammates died." Karin looked sad. Iruka didn't blame her. "He offered to let me come with him and his teammates agreed." She grabbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. "Isn't he great?"
"Yeah, he is," Hinata said as she pulled him away from her.
Iruka chuckled a little. 'Looks like Naruto's gotten popular with the ladies. And the poor boy doesn't even have a clue,' Iruka thought, noting the boy's confused face. "Well, I'm afraid you're out of the exams, but I guess we could let you stay here with them. I'll have to ask, but I doubt they'll throw you out. Anyway like I was saying, good job passing the second part. Most rookies don't make it this far. I'd love to treat you all to some Ichiraku ramen," Naruto's face lit up, "but that'll have to wait until the second part is over for everyone." The blond's face fell. "Anyway, I'm sure you're curious about the writing here." The chunin pointed to the wall with the poem. "These are instructions a chunin should follow. You see, Heaven refers to the mind, and Earth is your body. 'If qualities of Heaven are your desire, acquire wisdom and take your mind higher.' Do you get it?"
"I think so," Karin said. "It means that if your weakness is in your intelligence, that you have to train your mind through study and experience."
"Correct. The same with Earth. If you are physically weak, you need to train your body to become stronger. 'If Heaven and Earth are opened together, the perilous path becomes righteous forever.' This isn't just a clue on how to use the scrolls. It means that if your mind and body are working together, a difficult mission is made easier. Never neglect one for the other. A true shinobi is one who trains both body and mind, utilizing the advantages of both. Before you continue into the tower, remember this, a chunin is a leader, who must know the strengths and weaknesses of those under him, then properly use them to succeed in a mission."
"Got it sensei!" Hinata said.
"Well, that's all I have to say as messenger. A hidden door on the wall behind him opened up. "Good job and good luck!"
"Wait, sensei." Iruka looked at Hinata. "Why didn't you teach us about the Uzumaki Clan?"
Iruka frowned and started to think. "It wasn't in the curriculum, though I don't know why. They were very close to the Senju Clan. In fact, the First Hokage's wife was from the Uzumaki Clan. I wonder why they were left out."
-
It was the fifth day of the second test, Naruto and his team along with Karin were resting up after surviving the last test. The examiners allowed her to stay in the tower. Team 10 and Team 7 had passed, as well as Team Guy and Kabuto's team. The Sound team managed to obtain two scrolls and passed too. The Sand Siblings were the first to pass. All of them were gathered in a single area. The room had stands on three of the walls with two stairways to get there. The fourth wall had a statue of two arms, the hands together to form the ram hand sign. Karin was in the stands with her sensei, a dark-haired man in sunglasses wearing a closed black trenchcoat, black pants, and his Grass protector on his forehead. The rest of the genin, the ones who passed the second part, were standing in front of the proctors, their senseis, and the Hokage. 'Twenty-one left. And that includes all the rookies. That's a surprise,' Anko thought.
"Well Kakashi, it looks like your genin passed as well. I'm impressed," Guy said. "But since my team is here, your team doesn't stand a chance. They had a good run, but it's over now."
"Hmm? You say something?" Kakashi asked.
'Damn you and your hip ways Kakashi!' Guy thought.
"I think you guys are forgetting my team," Kurenai whispered as she pointed at Team 8. "They're no pushovers."
"Congratulations all of you," the Hokage started. "You have done well to get this far. Before we continue however, I need to tell all of you about the true purpose of the exams."
'The true purpose?' many wondered.
"Why do you think there's a single exam for all the villages? To increase the strength of our shinobi, as well as strengthen bonds of friendship amongst the other villages. These are all true. But there is another, unspoken reason that you must understand. The exams are, so to speak, a substitute for war." Many genin gasped at that. "They represent battles between allied nations. You see, we all use to battle each other for power. It was decided that instead of destroying each other's military strength meaninglessly, it was decided that each nation would pick champions to do battle at mutually selected locations. This is the origin of the Chunin Exams. Of course, the purpose is still to choose those worthy of the title of the rank of chunin. That's just not it's only purpose. It's also where shinobi of the different villages do battle with each other, carrying the pride of their nation on their backs. During the third and final part of the exams, many leaders and prominent figures are invited to watch the future of each village do battle. How you perform will determine where they take their business. Basically, this is a chance to impress some important potential clients and determine the future of your careers as shinobi. Not only that, but your actions will reflect the strength of your village."
"Okay, but why is it necessary for us to risk our lives?" Kiba asked.
"Because the nation's strength is dependant on the village's strength, which is dependant on the strength of it's shinobi. And the only way to truly bring out that strength is a life or death situation. This exam showcases the strength of the a nation's shinobi and therefore the strength of the nation itself. This exam is given meaning because it's where your life is on the line. It is for this same purpose that your predecessors took the exams!"
"Wait, then why did you mention friendship?" Tenten asked.
"Don't get the wrong idea about the exam's meaning. In this custom, balance is preserved through battle and death. In this shinobi world, that is friendship. During this final test, you'll need to put your lives and your dreams at stake. Does everyone understand?" No one said anything, but there was no sign of any confusion among the hopefuls. "Alright, for the final test…"
Suddenly, a leaf shinobi in the standard jonin attire with brown hair sticking out from under a blue bandana appeared in front of the Hokage on one knee. "Pardon me, Lord Hokage. But as proctor of the the third exam, I believe it is my duty to explain the rules."
The Hokage smoked his pipe. "Very well. Proceed."
The man stood. "It's nice to meet you all. I am Gekkō Hayate, proctor for the," he starts coughing, "for the third test of the Chunin Exams. cough cough However, because many of you cough passed the second part, we'll need to hold a preliminary exam, in order to reduce the number of people participating in the real one." Hayate started coughing again.
"Woah woah woah, wait! What do you mean?" Hinata shouted.
"Um, well cough the first and second test seems to have been too easy, because there weren't suppose to be this many people left. According to the rules, a preliminary round can be held in order to reduce the amount of candidates remaining."
"And how is that fair?" Kiba shouted in outrage.
"Well, the thing is, at this stage we have to speed things along. It's like Lord Hokage said, many important figures will be viewing the third test. We can't have too many fights and waste their time. They've come to see the best and the best will be determined by this test. If any of you feel you aren't in the best shape…" Hayate goes into a coughing fit.
'So far, he's the one that's acting like he's not in the best shape,' Ino thought. The other genin were thinking the same thing.
"Sorry, as I was saying, if you don't feel you're currently ready, it might be better for you to back out now and try again next time, because the preliminaries start now and it's one-on-one combat, sudden death."
Some of the genin complained about just finishing the last test. Kabuto raised his hand. "I'm out. I wore myself out in that last test, plus I haven't fully recovered from that little dust up before the first test, so I don't think I can continue." He turned to the other leaf genin. "Guess my seventh try is a bust. But I'll be rooting for you all." He started to leave.
Naruto heard something and looked over his shoulder at Sasuke and Sakura. "Sasuke, it's that mark, isn't it? Maybe you should…"
"I'm fine Sakura," Sasuke said, clutching his neck and trying to ignore the pain. 'Stupid mark! These waves of pain are getting annoying.'
"Sasuke, it's only getting worse." Sakura started to raise her hand to inform the Hokage and her sensei. "You really should…"
"I said I'm fine!" Sasuke growled as he grabbed Sakura's arm. "Stop meddling, I'll be fine. It's only a nuisance, nothing major."
"I'm inclined to agree with Sakura," Shino said. "We don't know much about that mark on your neck, only that it was given to you by a rogue ninja, which is enough to warrant worry and caution."
"Listen, I'll deal with it after my match, alright?"
"Then let us pray your match comes first. The sooner this is dealt with, the better." Shino turned forward and Sakura reluctantly agreed to let it go.
However, their argument did not go unnoticed. "So it's true. My wayward pupil has given Sasuke the curse mark," the Hokage whispered.
"We need to take him out of the exams and give him to the ANBU," Anko said.
"I doubt he'll go along with that," Kakashi said.
"Doesn't matter!" Anko nearly shouted but managed to control her volume. "He a danger to others and himself as long as the curse mark remains on his body. As his strength grows, so does the power of the curse mark! It'll eat away at his body. I'm surprised he's still standing."
Hiruzen looked at Anko. Being one of the first to have been given Orochimaru's curse mark, she had first-hand experience of what it did to a person. "Your advice is noted Anko, but I will allow young Sasuke to continue with the exams."
"But Lord Third…"
"But at the first sign of the curse mark growing or Sasuke losing control, we will step in and stop it." Anko didn't look satisfied, but could not argue against her leader's orders.
Hayate looked over the remaining genin. "If there is no one else who wishes to leave, we will begin the preliminaries."
-
Alpha: The preliminaries are about to begin. I'm sorry to say, but most of the matches will be canon simply to move things along. However, there will be some fights that are different. So look forward to those.
Ino: Maybe this time I'll win Forehead!
Sakura: In your dreams, Ino-Pig!
Ino: Please! The only reason you won that match was because Naruto's loud mouth helped you break my jutsu and Alpha took it away!
Sakura: That doesn't mean I'll lose!
Alpha: I'm just gonna move on to the omake I made.
-
Omake: Final Night in the Forest
It was night. The two kunoichi wait by the river when Naruto and Kiba returned from washing the slime off themselves from an earlier encounter. "That was one big, hungry plant," Kiba said.
"Good thing Naruto can make a bunch of shadow clones," Hinata commented.
"Yeah. Even by Uzumaki standard, his reserves are greater than one his age," Karin added. "Wonder why."
"Um, g-good genes?" Naruto offered. He wasn't ready to tell Karin about the Nine-Tails inside him as he didn't want to scare her like he did Ino and almost did Kiba and Choji. He was lucky she didn't sense it in him. "A-anyway, I'll keep first w-watch. You guys s-sleep." They nodded and went to sleep, Kiba offering to go next.
After two hours of nothing, Naruto woke Kiba up and went to sleep. Once his eyes were shut and sleep took over, Karin opened her eyes. 'Perfect, now to get into position.' She moved her body, snuggling up next to Naruto.
However, she wasn't the only one who was feigning sleep. Hinata opened her eyes too. 'Oh no you don't!' She scutched next to Naruto and pulled him toward her. Karin wasn't gonna give up without a fight and pull him back toward her. Hinata pulled back, resulting in a game of tug-o-war with Naruto, who surprisingly slept through the whole thing.
About two hours later, Kiba's shift ended and he and Akamaru arrived to wake Hinata up. However, they found her and Karin asleep next to Naruto, both holding an arm possessively. 'Damn, you lucky bastard.'
-
Alpha: Thankfully, Naruto didn't wake up in that position. Oh, and just so we're all clear, this is not a harem! Just a little fun, but Naruto is not getting two girls! Only one, and we all know who. Hope you enjoyed this.
Naruto: Wonder who's butt I get to kick.
Kiba: Bet this time I get to the finals!
Hinata: I hope I do good.
Shino: I believe I will achieve victory once again.
Shikamaru: I'll have to fight a troublesome woman, won't I? What a drag.
