"Your... cousin?" Naruto repeated slowly.

I continued to breath in and out heavily, but nodded in response.

"But... if he's your cousin... then why did he... why did he... THAT'S SICK!"

Sakura nodded in agreement, "surely something like that is illegal, to make advances on to a family member."

"Actually, its not as taboo as you think" I informed them.

The both of them looked at me as if I had two heads, which caused me to sigh loudly.

Sasuke held his hand out for me to grab it, after doing so he pulled me to my feet. "Well, back in the early days... it was actually common for cousins within clans and such to marry, as it was believed that it would keep the bloodlines strong" I explained as I dusted myself off.

"Keep the bloodline strong? What do you mean?" Sakura questioned.

I took a breath and jabbed my thumb at Sasuke, "take the Uchiha clan for example, well in the past they believed that if they had cousin's maried and bred together, their Kekkei genkai would remain strong."

"Did... did the Uchiha clan really do that Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked him.

Sasuke nodded.

"Hell, some clans went to the extreme of pairing siblings together" I stated.

Both Naruto and Sakura pulled extremely disgusted looks.

"Look I'm not agreeing with it by any means, but that's how they thought they could maintain their bloodline. It wasn't till a hundred years later, they realized that inter breeding family members actually weakened the Kekkei genkai, and has since been abolished from this country."

"But in Yamakure, that isn't the case" Sakura stated more than asked.

I nodded, "I know for a fact that I don't have a Kekkei genkai, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a way to control the population within Yamakure. Like I said countless of times, its an isolated place, so its rare for someone to meet and marry someone who comes from a foreign land."

I then shrugged my shoulders, "then again, I haven't lived there in years... so things might have changed."

Sakura kept staring at me with a worried look, "How many times has he harassed you?"

I raised my eyebrow at her, "why does that matter?"

"Because you may need to report it."

I rolled my eyes at her "don't be stupid Sakura, I can look after-"

"Stop it!" she cut in, "this guy is clearly far stronger than you are!"

"Sakura's right" said Sasuke, "this guy is dangerous."

"Oh not you to" I snapped at him.

"Tomoko-chan" Naruto cut in, sounding quite serious "quit being so stubborn."

"Excuse me?!" I spat.

Naruto placed his hands behind his head "we're not saying you can't handle yourself, we're just worried about you."

I blinked, confused at what he was talking about.

"We all know how strong you are, but what we just saw was really scary. We're a team remember? We look out for each other." He told me.

Sakura nodded, "I know me and you don't get on the best of times, but I do consider you a friend" she told me.

"Guys" I muttered.

Sasuke then gave me a light slap on the back of my head, causing me to wince.

"What they're trying to say, is that you don't have to face this problem alone" he told me, "so don't scare us like that again, and the next time you confront that guy... we'll be there to help you."

I stared at them in shock, but I soon pulled a smile "thanks guys..."

We finally reached room 301, however, there was someone waiting there for us.

"I see" spoke Kakashi, "so Sakura came as well."

All of us stared him in confusion.

"You can now officially register for the Chuunin Exam" he told us.

Sakura let out a breath "what do you mean?"

"To tell you the truth" he began, "this exam can only be taken in teams of three."

I raised my eyebrow, only a team of three?

"Of course, this team in particular is given the exception" he quickly added.

I folded my arms "but surely that's not deemed fair to the other participants?"

Kakashi hummed, "yes but, this isn't the first time we've allowed a four man team into the exam. If worse came to worse, one of you would have to be put in a different group. However, there is a reason we put you four together, because you are all best suited to each other."

"I see" I mumbled.

"But you said that we could decide if we wanted to take it or not" Sakura pointed out.

"Yeah, I did" he answered.

Sakura pulled a crossed expression "so you lied?"

Kakashi shrugged a little "yes" he simply answered, and then explained that if he told us the truth, the rest of us would force Sakura to take it. "Even if you didn't want to take the exam, if Sasuke asked you, you would try to take the exam anyway, for Sasuke, Tomoko... and Naruto" he said calmly.

'I get it, he wanted Sakura to her to take the exam for her own accord.'

"So, what would have happened if only Sasuke-kun, Tomoko and Naruto came here?" she questioned.

"I would have prohibited them from taking the exam and not allowed them through these doors, even though the group would reduce to the correct number of three" He answered. "However" he chirped "the four of you came here of your own free will."

He called each of our names, one by one, and smiled under his mask. "Well done" he told us, "I'm proud of the four of you. You're my team." He then stepped away from the door, "Now, go."

I girnned "we won't let you down Sensei!"

"Alright!" Naruto cheered, "lets go!" Both Sakura and Sasuke opened the doors, and all for of us walked inside. Once entering the room, we took notice of all the people, and there were a lot of them.

"Wow..." Naruto muttered under his breath.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly and Sakura questioned what was going on. Everyone, and I mean everyone's eyes was glued onto us. It was a little unnerving to say the least.

"There's so many people" Sakura observed, "are all these people taking the exam?"

I glanced at her "don't look so nervous, we're all in the same boat remember?"

"Sasuke-kun, you're late!"

"Huh?" I turned my head right, I know that annoying voice from anywhere.

She threw her arms around Sasuke's neck and hugged him from behind, "I've been eagerly waiting for you ever since I couldn't see you for the first time in a long time" she gushed.

I felt a wet drop form on the back of my head, and Sasuke just glared evilly at her, clearly not enjoying being in Ino's arms.

"Get away from Sasuke-kun!" Sakura screech angrily "You Ino-pig!"

Ino jumped off of Sasuke, but still had her arm around his shoulder. "Oh my, it's you, Sakura" she mocked, " Your forehead is wide and you're still ugly... as usual!"

"What did you say!?"

Ino just pulled a face at her, infuriating Sakura more.

'Still immature.' I thought.

"What, are you four going to take this troublesome exam, too?" a voice said lazily.

I couldn't help but laugh at the person "you think everything is troublesome Shikamaru" I stated.

Shikamaru shrugged casually as his teammate, Choji, was demolishing a bag of chips.

"Hey, its the idiot trio!" Naruto remarked.

"Stop calling us that" Shikamaru shot back then groaned about it being annoying.

"Yeah! I found you all." I turned my head back to the front, and grinned "Hinata! You're here to?"

Hinata nodded "I-it would seem... that w-way" she stuttered.

She noticed Naruto staring at her, and blushed a deep crimson. Her teammates, Shino and Kiba, who was the one that spoke earlier, stood next to her.

"What? So you three made it, too? Geez..." Shikamaru remarked.

Suddenly, I heard a very small bark.

"Hm?" I looked at the top of Kiba's head, there lazing on it, was small white dog... staring at me.

Kiba to took an interest in the puppy "what is it Akamaru?"

The dog yelped again and kept his gaze on me, I couldn't help but smile at him.

Akamaru wagged his tail and jumped off of his owners head.

"Oy! Akamaru!" Kiba called.

Thankfully, I managed to catch the dog in my arms . "Careful" I told the pup "you could have hurt yourself."

But the dog put his front paws against my chest and began to lick my face, causing my to giggle.

Kiba stared at me in astonishment "well, he's not usually that friendly with new people" he stated.

I scratched behind Akamaru ears "I have a certain nack with animals."

"Yeah" Naruto cut in "they all seem to love her straight away."

I passed the dog back to Kiba, even though Akamaru wanted to stay in my arms.

"He's a sweet thing" I told Kiba smiling, "I can tell you take good care of him."

Kiba scratched the back of his head nervously with his cheeks a slight shade of pink "Oh er, you noticed huh?" he mused with a laugh.

I just smiled back at him, which caused his face to get even redder.

Kiba then cleared his throat. "So, I see all ten Genin rookies this are going to take the exam" he noted, "How far do you think we can get, Sasuke-kun?"

"Hm, you seem confident, Kiba" Sasuke stated.

Kiba threw him a wolfy grin "We trained like hell, we won't lose to you."

"Shut up" said Naruto, "putting Sasuke aside, I won't lose to you."

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun" Hinata spoke quietly, "Kiba-kun didn't mean it that way..."

"What?" Naruto said loudly, making Hinata a mute again.

"Naruto don't yell at her" I said crossly.

"But I can't hear her" he complained.

"Well we can certainly hear you" I replied sarcastically.

Suddenly, Choji starting walking towards Kiba, his eyes set on Akamaru. But Shino, blocked his path.

"What?" Choji groaned. Shino's eyes cast downwards, to see a bug on the floor.

"Don't step on it."

"Huh?"

"I said don't step on it" Shino repeated.

Choji raised an eyebrow "You're going to eat that?"

I gave him a weird look "did I just hear you correctly?"

"Hey you guys" someone called.

We all looked to the left, a young man, with long, silver hair and glasses walked towards us. He was a Leaf Genin, and wore his forehead protector in the correct place.

"You should quiet down a little" he ordered us, placing his hands on his hips. "So you're the ten rookies that just graduated from the academy, correct?" He tsked slightly, "You're all fooling around with those cute faces... geez, this isn't a field trip."

"And who are you?" I asked sternly.

"Who are you to tell us that!?" Ino snapped.

The man smiled "I am Yakushi Kabuto. Look around you..."

We did as he said, and realised everyone was still staring at us intently.

'I guess word travels fast.'

I then glanced behind me, and saw three particular guys glaring at us.

"The ones behind you are from the Hidden Village of Rain" Kabuto told us, "they have a short temper."

"Try saying that a little louder, I don't think they heard you" I shot back sarcastically.

"Everyone is tense since it's right before the exam" he explained, "I warned you so that you won't get picked on."

I stared back at Kabuto with narrowed eyes, he began remarking that it couldn't be helped due to the fact we're rookies and don't know anything.

"It makes me remember the old me" he mused.

'This guy is really annoying' I thought.

"Kabuto-san, was it?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah" he answered.

"Is this your second time, then?" shequeried.

"no" he replied "it's my seventh."

I blinked a couple of times, did I hear that right?

"This exam takes place twice every year, it's my fourth year" he told us.

"That's not something to boast about" I commented, yeah I didn't like this guy at all!

"That means you know a lot about this exam, right?" Sakura inquired in a hopeful tone.

Kabuto once again replied with a yeah.

Naruto mused "so you must be an expert, Kabuto-san."

"But he hasn't passed" Shikamaru pointed out.

"Exactly what I was thinking" I said agreeing.

Kabuto gave us a shy smile and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, that's true" he said with a chuckle.

Shikamaru released a tired sigh, and questioned whether was that difficult.

"Maybe I should give my cute underclassmen some information then..." he stated and reached into his pouch, he then pulled out a pack of recognition cards.

"What are those?" Sakura questioned.

"In simple terms" he began, "it's a card that has information burned into it using my Chakra." He put the pack on the floor in a neat pile, "I've collected on this exam for the past four years" he informed us and picked up the first card, and placed it on the floor facing up.

"It looks white, but..." he pressed his index finger on the card and released some chakra into it, "to get the information form this card..." the card began to spin around.

"What are you doing?" Sakura quizzed.

"It's made so you can't view it without my chakra" Kabuto simply stated and made a hand sign, "Like this." A puff of smoke burst from the card, and now, a map could be seen on it.

"Wow" spoke Sakura in awe, "what information is this?"

"The exam's total number of examinees and countries participating" Kabuto replied and then added, that it also has the number of participants from each hidden village.

Kabuto then looked up at us "let me ask, why do you think we do the Chuunin Exam together?"

Everyone remained silent, even I didn't know the answer to that one.

"First" he began, "it's to deepen the friendly relationships with the other countries" he stated. "Next, it's to heighten the level of the ninja. That's is what they say."

"That is what they say?" Sasuke repeated, a little confused.

"Yes" Spoke Kabuto, "the real purpose is to confirm the level of ninja in each country to try and balance out the power."

"Power? Balance?" Naruto echoed, "huh?"

"And why do they go through such a troublesome task?" pondered Shikamaru.

As Kabuto put his hand over the card, the map disappeared. "If they don't do that, the weak countries will be invaded and dominated by the strong ones" he told us, "so they need to check and restrain each other's powers… its just my guess, though."

I let out a breath "I suppose that makes sense."

Kabuto nodded "although one particular group has puzzled me, and that's the team from the Village Hidden in the Mountains."

I raised an eyebrow "how so?"

"Well, during the seven years I participated in this exam. This is the first time I've ever seen Beadurincs take a Chuunin exam" he confessed, "It's not often you see them on their pilgrimage outside of their country… they've made people quite anxious."

'That's because there's a chance they're not on pilgrimage…'

Kabuto smiled, "I must confess, I've always yearned to meet someone from the Mountain Country… they seem like fascinating people."

Kabuto then chuckled slightly, "so I guess I'm in luck to be afforded that opportunity."

I raised an eyebrow, "what?"

Kabuto hummed in interest "Yes, I know about you. You are a very rare bird in these parts of the world."

I narrowed my eyes slightly "that's not exactly accessible information."

"No, but, I had to gather as much data on the participants as much as possible" he informed me.

I blinked "Data?"

"Are there any cards there that have detailed personal information?" Sasuke suddenly asked, stepping forward.

"Yes" Kabuto answered with a knowing smirk, "is there someone that interests you?"

Sasuke replied with a very stern yes.

Kabuto began to orginise his deck, "the information I have on this exam's examinees are not perfect, but I've burned and saved them. They include the information about the nine of you, as well."

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Due to the fact that there is stuff about me even I don't know. But then again… he could potently have the information I'm seeking.

"Tell me whatever you know about the people you that interest you" he told us, "I'll look it up for you."

"Gaara from the Hidden Village of Sand, Rock Lee from Konoha and Tesuya of Yamakure" Sasuke listed.

I blinked at him in surprise, he wanted information on my cousin?

"Oh" Kabuto buzzed, "you know their names? Then it won't take much time."

As he began setting his cards, I leaned towards Sasuke slightly.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a hush tone.

Sasuke threw me a glance, and whispered "if I'm gonna protect you from that bastard, I want to be prepared."

Once again I pulled a taken back look, I've never seen him so cautious about someone before. I mean think about it, both Gaara and Lee are just a test for Sasuke… they haven't exactly posed as a real threat.

Tesuya, now that was a different can of worms. He has personally threatened to kill me, for reasons any of us have yet to understand. I guess my team weren't kidding when they told be there were afraid of him, hell I was terrified myself.

"I'm doing this for your benefit to" he added, still in a whisper, "there's no doubt in my mind he's gonna come after you during this exam."

Kabuto finally finished prepping, and held three cards in his fingers, "here they are."

"Show me" Sasuke commanded.

Kabuto placed one of the cards on the floor, "First, let's see Rock Lee." He proceeded to flow his chakra in the card like before, causing smoke to appear around it. We all gathered around to look at the little card. It was simple, it had his photo with his age, team members, sensei and the amount of missions he had taken.

"He's one year older than you" Kabuto stated, "Mission experience, 20 D-rank ones and 11 C-rank ones. The squad leader is Guy. His hand-to-hand combat skills have increased dramatically this past year, but his other skills are terrible." He paused, "he got everyone's attention last year as a skilled rookie Genin, but he didn't take the Chuunin Exam. This is his first time taking it, like you."

"His team is composed of Tenten and Hyuuga Neji" he concluded.

I saw Sakura make an 'o' shape with her mouth, "so that's how you know him" she said to me.

I nodded, Naruto however, seemed a bit puzzled.

"Next, let's see Gaara of the Desert" he announced and set up the next card. "Mission experience, eight C-rank ones and… This is amazing! He did a B-rank mission as a Genin."

'By Goddess!' I thought, 'a B-rank at his level?!'

"He is a foreign ninja and it's his first time taking the exam, so I don't have any more information on him." Kabuto confessed. "But, it seems that he has returned from all of his missions unharmed."

"He did a B-rank mission as a Genin, and was unharmed?" Shikamaru questioned.

"That's extraordinary" I gushed, I mean come on! That is impressive!

Kabuto placed down the final card.

"Okay last one" he announced, "Luckily, Tesuya is quite a rare name, so he shouldn't be hard to find." Tesuya's picture appeared on the card, his expression stoney and lifeless.

"Hm, since he isn't a part of a ninja nation… his lists of missions aren't available" Kabuto observed, "It does say however that he is three years older than you, and his first time taking this exam. I can only assume he is on his pilgrimage."

Kabuto sighed heavily, "unfortunately, Moutaineers are masters of deception, so its practically impossible to gather any data on them."

I can't say that I was surprised, it was impressive that he got Tesuya's age!

It's not called the most isolated country for perks, you know?

Kabuto then produced a fourth card, with another map on it.

"Konoha, Sand, Rain, Mountain, Grass, Waterfall, and sound" he listed. "This year, many talented Genins from these hidden villages have come here to take the exam" he explained, "The Hidden Village of sound is a village of a small country that was just made recently, so I don't have much information on them."

Kabuto then put all his cards away. "Either way" he chirped, "all of them are powerful hidden villages."

"I-I'm starting to lose confidence…" mumble Hinata.

"It's too late to say that!" Ino snapped.

I threw her a threatening look, which shut her up instantly.

"in other words, the examinees here are all?" Sakura began.

"Right…" Kabuto cut in. "It's not only Lee or Gaara or Tesuya. All the people here are top elites chosen from each country."

He sensed Naruto tense up as Kabuto concluded saying that this wasn't easy.

We all fell silence, as we digested his words. Naruto, was now visibly shaking.

"Hey, Naruto" Sakura called, "you don't need to be scared…" But she didn't finish her sentence. I turned to look at her, then at Naruto… noticing his clenched fists, I couldn't help but smirk.

"I think fear is the last thing he's feeling" I remarked.

Naruto then, completely out of the blue, did a battle cry and pointed at everyone in the room with a grin.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!" he announced proudly "I'm not going to lose to any of you! GOT THAT!?"

I was now beaming, "see?" I said to my female teammate, "nothing to worry about!"

But Sakura, wasn't amused.

"Hey, what's with him!?" Ino demanded furiously, "what's the point in provoking everyone!?"

"Don't ask me!" Sakura shot back.

"Who else am I supposed to ask!?"

"What did you say!?"

I felt a wet drop form on the back of my head, "you complain about him making a scene, when you're both just as bad."

"Ah that felt good" Naruto sighed and placed his hands behind his head.

"Always the opportunist" I commented.

Naruto grinned at me, "well I gotta let them know who they'll be messing with!"

A lot of gazes were still on us, however… one in particular stood out to me.

My eye's met Gaara's, his stare was so intense I would have probably burst into flames. I tilted my head at him, I wondered what he was think.

Gaara's eyes then shifted to the left, his once emotionless expression twisted slightly in hate. I followed his eye sight and I froze…

Tesuya was standing there, looking at me as if I was a piece of meat. With him were his teammates, who I could now see for the first time.

One member was female. She was quite pretty, with her long, midnight, blue hair and grey eyes. however, she was completely dolled up with her hair in high pony tail and face caked with makeup. Her outfit was just as promiscuous, she wore a tight body suit that showed off her breasts and bottom, a red sash around her slim waist, a white crop top jacket, black cloves, fish nets tights, and thigh high boots.

She had a cocky smirk plastered across her face, "Oh Tesuya!" she dragged out coyly, "she doesn't seem that special to me."

Tesuya didn't pay any attention to her, in fact it was if she wasn't there.

the third member, was another boy, who had a very stern expression on his face and didn't say a word. He was much taller than Tesuya, his purple glazed eyes stared at me through his silver haired fringe. His skin was so pale, I would've have considered him a ghost, or really sick. His outfit was similar to Tesuya's, only his was black with a white cloth and red rope.

The atmosphere began to get very uncomfortable for me. As Sakura grabbed Naruto from behind, yelling at him. I shrunk back a little, and tried my best to blend behind Sasuke.

Sasuke noticed my weird behaviour, but didn't question it when he saw him. In fact, he firmly stood in front of me, blocking me completely from Tesuya's sight.

Both boys glared at each other menacingly.

"My he's a hansome one!" the girl teased, "but he's nothing compared to you Tesuya."

Tesuya smirked and mouthed at Sasuke:

"Protect her all you want little boy, in the end, she will be mine."

Sakura then tried to calm the situation Naruto created, completely unaware of what was happening.

Suddenly, the sound ninja came out and made an attack on Kabuto.

'What the hell!? Where did they come from!?"

Kabuto easily dodged it, but that seemed to easy.

And then I heard it, a faint vibration in the air.

Kabuto's glasses shattered, "I see" he retorted taking his glasses off "so that's the kind of attack it was."

"What's going on?" Sasuke implored, "you definitely dodged it, Why did your glass…"

"It must have hit is nose" Shikamaru established "that's what happens for trying to look cool."

I shook my head, "no that's not it."

Both boys stared at me and asked "what was it then?"

but suddenly, Kabuto froze and collapsed to the floor, vomiting.

"Kabuto-san!" Sakura yelled in a panic.

Both her and Naruto rushed to his aid, asking whether he was okay.

"Yeah, I'm okay" he answered with a shaky voice.

"I wouldn't move if I were you" I told him.

"Tomoko-chan? What do you mean?" Naruto gasped.

I narrowed my eyes at the sound ninja who threw the punch, "because if he's done what I think he did, you'll be suffering for a while."

The ninja smirked though his bandages "You're not as good as I thought" he mocked at Kabuto, "for a veteran who took the exam four years running."

"Write this in your card" he teammate sneered, "the three from the Hidden Village of Sound will definitely become Chuunins.

This didn't make sense, at all. It was clear he didn't hit Kabuto, and I swear I heard a slight vibration around him. If my theory is correct, the sound traveled through his eardrum, and to the brain. Even though it was faint, at close contact, the vibrations could deal some serious damage to the ear.

But were did the vibration come from!?

"QUIET DOWN! YOU PUNK!"

suddenly, a large amount of smoke exploded at the front of the classroom. Once the smoke clear, there stood a line of Chuunin ninja, and a large built man in the middle. He was a massive black trent coat and had two thick scars going across his face.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" he said with a smirk, "I am the examiner of the 1st test of the Chuunin Selection Exam, Morino Ibiki."