God this was a horrible chapter to write!

So sorry it took this long, I've just recently got a new job and that's taking up a lot of my time.

I managed to fit two episodes into one chapter, because honestly... Naruto episode are too damn short.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter, and I'm starting the next one as we speak.

A very uncomfortable vibe took over the room, as we all stared at the new arrivals. Most people were staring at Ibiki, I however, noticed someone standing behind him.

"Haruo?"

Sasuke blinked at me, then followed my gaze. We both could recognise him from a mile away, with his blonde and black hair. Like all the other Chuunins, he wore a grey outfit and his ninja headband around his head.

It was strange, seeing him so serious. As weird as it sounds, I have never witnessed my brother on active duty. And by Sasuke's face, neither had he...

I'll never forget the day Haruo became a Chuunin. He was so proud and happy with himself, the Uchiha's were just as delighted. It wasn't long after that we moved out, and it was just me and him.

"You three, from the hidden Sound Village" Ibiki yelled pointing at them, "don't think you can do anything you want before the exam. Do you want us to fail you already?"

The guy who attacked Kabuto turned to face the new arrivals. "I'm sorry" he said "I was excited, since this is my first exam."

Ibiki smirked. "This is a good chance to say this" he announced, "you are not allowed to fight each other during the exam, unless given permission by the examiners. Even if permission is given, you are not allowed to kill each other."

His tone then became more menacing, "pigs who go against me will fail immediately. Understood?"

The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Everyone remained silence till the cocky sound ninja spoke.

"This exam seems so soft and easy" he said in a cocky tone.

This caused all the Chuunin to chuckle, even Haruo had a smile on his face.

"We will now begin the first exam of the Chuunin Selection Exam" he declared, "turn in your applications, take one of these numbers tags, and sit where the number tells you to."

I raised an eyebrow, what are the numbers for?

"Then we will pass out the papers for the written exam" he concluded.

My heart dropped, a written exam!?

"Written... papers...?" Naruto repeated slowly.

It was then that one of the Chuunins held up a stack of papers, which caused me and Naruto to freak.

"A paper test!?" he screeched.

I held my head low "I'm so screwed."

Suddenly someone cleared their throats, looking up I noticed it was Haruo.

"Ibiki-sepai" he said.

Ibiki stared at him, but then gave him a nod.

Haruo then stepped forward. "Hello" he greeted, "my name is Mori Haruo, Chuunin and specialist advisor regarding the Hidden Mountain Village." He proceeded to hold in the air, four pieces of paper in the air.

"Those who are from the Hidden Mountain village, I have carefully translated the exam paper to your language" he told us.

I blinked a couple of times "specialist? Haruo... is a specialist?"

"Those whose first language is Yamakurism, raise your hand" he ordered.

Immediately, Tesuya and his teammates raised their hands. Haruo stared at them long and hard, and mentally counted the hands. His eyes then landed on me, and raised an eyebrow.

"Anyone else?" he pressed.

Sasuke threw me a curious look, as if to say 'why-aren't-you-taking-this-advantage'.

But something didn't seem right about this, if I put my hand up, my origin would be exposed to everyone. And honestly, what if Yamakure had sent more than Tesuya and his team? It was too risky, for me and my team.

I slowly turned my head away, closing my eyes.

I could feel Haruo narrowed eyes on me, but he said nothing on the matter. Instead he cleared his throat and let Ibiki carry on. The examiners led us all to our seats, with papers in hand.

All the Chuunin sat around us, holding clipboards. Quickly scanning the area, I realised that I was well away from my teammates. I noticed Naruto in the middle of the room, looking incredibly panicked. But I then noticed who was sitting next him and talking to him, and grinned.

'Luck is on your side Hinata' I thought, at least someone could enjoy this. About two rows behind them, was Sakura.

I knew without a doubt she would thrive in this test, she was the best at it after all. I was sat three rows behind her to her far right. Glancing to my left, I finally found Sasuke. He was sat on row in front of me, to the middle left. Sasuke probably wouldn't struggle much, he is a Uchiha after all.

Suddenly, I heard chalk make contact with a blackboard. "This exam has a few rules" Ibiki told us "I will not accept any questions, so listen carefully."

'This guy is so intense, its unnerving.'

Ibiki started writing on the blackboard as he explained the rules. The first rule is that we are all given 10 points at the start, the written exam consists of 10 questions, each question is worth one point.

"This test is a deduction based test" elucidated, "If you get one problem wrong, you will get one point deducted. If you get three problems wrong your points will be reduced to 7."

I guess that made sense, but I wondered how many answers you had to get right to pass this test.

The second rule, "the pass-fail decision will be determined by your team's total points."

I blinked a couple of times, "oh shit" I muttered.

"Wait!" Sakura screamed in a fury "Your team's total points? What!?"

"Shut up!" Ibiki shot back sternly, and full of assertion "there is a reason for this. Just shut up and listen."

He stated that he was now going to reveal the final rule.

"If an examiner determines that you cheated or do something similar during the test... Each action will cause you to lose two points."

I narrowed my eyes, and continued to listen.

"In other words" he stated simply "there will be people who will be forced to leave this place, without their tests being graded. Those who try to cheat without thinking carefully will only hurt themselves."

One Chuunin smirked, "We'll 'check' you at any time."

This is an incredibly high pressured situation, I couldn't help but think this was a little extreme for a written exam.

"You are all trying to become Chuunin" said Ibiki "If you are ninja, act like a first-rate one."

'Act like a first-rate ninja?' I thought 'what the heck does that mean?'

"Also" spoke Ibiki, interrupting my thoughts "if anyone in a team gets a zero, everyone on that team will fail."

I held my head in my hand, god damn it! Why didn't I take the translated paper!? WHY!?

But that's not all my team had to worry about, there was also the fact that Naruto was notorious in failing all written exams.

"The last problem will be given 45 minutes after the exam begins" notified Ibiki "you have one hour for the exam."

After about three minutes, he yelled begin and the echo of turning papers filled the room. I however, didn't touch mine. I carefully scanned the area again, taking note of everyone furiously scribbling own their test papers.

'There's a catch to this test.' I thought, but I wasn't going to get anywhere without at least attempting to read it. Slowly I flipped my paper over, staring at it, I attempted to read the first question.

'A cipher, at least from what I can read.'

I decided to leave that question for now, and move on the next one. This was an action I repeated with every question, not because I couldn't exactly read it, because I could, just not as well as most people in this exam.

'The questions get harder, and even the first one is ridiculously complex.'

I had now read all nine questions, and came to one conclusion...

I couldn't understand a single one.

I glanced at the examiners to my right, all holding clipboards and watching us like hawks watches a snake.

Tap tap tap

The scribble of a pencil to a board echoed in my eyes, looks like someone got caught. Hearing that made me remember that it was two point deduction if you're caught cheating. But surely, if you're discovered cheating once, that bad enough.

'It's almost as if they want us to cheat' I joked silently.

Wait...

"Those who try to cheat without thinking carefully will only hurt themselves. You are all trying to become Chuunin. If you are ninja, act like a first-rate one."

Of course... OF COURSE! This wasn't a test on our knowledge! It was a test on our data gathering, they want us to cheat... without getting caught!

'Ninja need to think beyond normal' I thoughts echoed, 'the examiner wants us to cheat and think it through carefully.' The two point deduction now made sense, it was to put us under pressure and test us on how we cope with difficult situations.

I hoped that Naruto would be able to figure this out, otherwise we'd be in the dog house!

But I couldn't dwell on that, I had to figure out a way to gather information. Placing my index finger on the side of my face, and my thumb under my chin, I carefully scanned to area.

'So who knows the answers to this test?'

My eyes fell on a certain boy two rows to my right, I could tell from his shoulders that he was writing furiously.

'Target locked' I thought 'now how to steal his data.'

I closed my eyes, listening to my surroundings. The tapping and scratching of pencils rang against my eardrum, this person was a very quick writer… making it impossible to tell what he was writing.

My sense of hearing was good, but not that good.

But then I could hear something else, a voice… but it wasn't very clear.

'Who is that? It's not the person writing' I questioned, 'and who would be stupid enough to mumble the answers?'

Unless… it was someone who was…. trying to give out the answers.

I focused a little harder, trying to pin point were the mumbling was coming from. It was coming from the row in front of me, to the middle left… wait…

I opened my eyes and glanced in the mumble's direction, and at the person who was doing it.

'Sasuke?' I thought in astonishment, now that I found the source, the mumbling was much clearer. To anyone else, he would just be making noises, but with someone who had very sharp hearing… it was as clear as a song.

But how did he know the answers? Even he would struggle with these questions.

But my questioning soon stopped, when he glanced slightly in my direction, and I saw a flash of crimson.

'The Sharingan? Of course!'

I couldn't help but smile slightly, Sasuke was risking everything to help me in this exam...

'Thank you Sasuke… I owe you one.'

I carefully listened to the answers that he was mumbling in the air. From observing the Chuunin, they had yet to notice any of this. I'm glad, the last thing I wanted is for Sasuke to fail us because I couldn't read properly.

That would be really bad.

I glanced up at the clock, we were near the 45 minute mark, which meant that we would soon be given the tenth and final question. I began to wonder what this question would require from us.

"What's the meaning of this!?" one Genin yelled standing up, I glanced at this paper to see that a kunai had been thrown at this desk.

The Chuunin who threw it, smirked, and said "you messed up five times, you fail."

turns out it was Kotetsu, one of Haruo's friends and comrades.

"What?" the Genin gasped.

Kotetsu showed no mercy and ordered him and his teammates to leave.

"Number 32, fail."

I blinked.

"Number 43 and 27, fail."

As each number was called, three people at the time were forced to leave the exam. Few tried to resist, but it was a wasted effort.

"Hey, man" one Genin shouted furiously. "Do you have any proof that I cheated five times!?"

I looked up to see he was talking directly at Haruo, who just smirked and the Genin continued to complain. Then, as quick as a flash, he was elbowed in the throat and held against the wall.

I stared in surprise, I never knew Haruo was that fast. "Listen to me" he began, dead serious, "We are Chuunin that were chosen for this exam, elites, so to say." Haruo then held his hand in a mountain fist and held it above his forehead "we won't miss a single thing you do, my strength and speed is the proof."

Finally he released the Genin and ordered him to leave. Everyone's eyes were trained on him, looks like Haruo's actions effected everyone. Hell, even he made me slightly nervous.

Haruo threw everyone a stern glare, which hastily cause everyone's focus to be back on their paper.

Throughout this exam, more people have been caught, and failed immediately for cheating. Funnily enough, none of us rookies got caught, nor did the sand ninja, the sound ninja and even Tesuya and his team.

Hell, even Naruto survived, but that's probably because he hasn't touched his paper.

"Okay" Announced Ibiki "I will now announce the tenth question."

'Finally This is it!'

"Yes, but before that, I need to tell you about the special rule that comes with this question." He told us.

Another rule? You've got to be kidding me! Enough with the curve balls already!

Suddenly, the main door swung open and in walked Kanuro, returning from his bathroom break from earlier.

Ibiki smirked "You're lucky, your puppet didn't have to go to waste."

'Puppet?' I questioned turning in my seat to look at the sand ninja, 'what puppet?'

Kanuro threw the examiner a very surprised look, but none the less sat back down when he was told to.

Ibiki took a step forward, looking more imitating than ever "I will now explain. This is a hopeless rule."

'A hopeless rule? What the heck does that mean?'

"First..." he began "you are all going to choose if you wish to take this tenth problem or not."

'We have a choice not to take it? That's a little weird'

"Choose?" the female sand ninja yelled, I think her name was Temari, "so what happens if we don't take the tenth problem?"

"If you choose not to take it, your points will be reduced to zero" Ibiki answered, "in other words you fail. Your two other teammates, will fail along with you."

Everyone was outraged, utterly confused as to why they'd do that. But if I had learnt anything these past few months... is that...

There's always a catch.

"And here is the other rule" he warned, "If you choose to take it and you get it wrong, you will... Lose the privilege to take the Chuunin Exam forever!"

I gulped, this isn't good.

"What kind of stupid rule is that!?" Kiba challenged furiously, whilst standing up and pointing, I'm surprised Akamaru didn't fall off his head it was so sudden.

"There should be those here who have taken the Chunnin Exam in the past!" he complained, his dog barking in agreement.

Ibiki couldn't contain his chuckled "you were unlucky, this year I am the rule."

Kiba was finally silent, as Ibiki continued to explain that because of the second rule, he has given us the option to quit.

"Those who are not confident can choose to not take it, and take the exam next year, or the year after that" he concluded, chuckling all the way.

I couldn't help but clench my fists on the desk, this had become a very difficult situation, not that it wasn't already! If even only one member of a team got the answer wrong, all teammates would lose opportunity to become a Chuunin.

This exam has been nothing but a total mind-fuck, putting us under this amount of stress... seems a little farfetched for a written exam and our data gathering.

Unless, there was something else they were testing us on.

"Let us begin" spoke Ibiki in a very calm voice, only it brought great discomfort to me. "Those who will not be taking this tenth question, raise your hands" he ordered, "after we confirm your numbers, we will have you leave."

Closing my eyes, I tried my best to analyse the situation.

'Two choices' I thought 'request to leave, and take exam again. Or stay and take the risk of losing your chance of becoming a Chuunin.'

This question is quite a gamble, even for me. However, I'm not here to become a Chuunin, I could care less right now. My main focus is Tesuya, and finding out my past.

But then again, I also had to think about my team. Because achieving the next rank did mean something to them, especially Naruto.

'Naruto...'

He has already been under enough stress as it is, and with this new stipulation... anyone could crack. But I know Naruto isn't a selfish guy, he wouldn't want to risk failing myself, Sakura and Sasuke failing.

"I..." someone spoke raising his hand and standing "I quit! I won't take it."

I opened his eyes to look at him, that didn't take long. After that they all dropped like flies, raising their hands, humiliated as their numbers were called, and failed.

I tsked under my breath. What horrible circumstances they've but us through, it's almost torture.

I light bulb switched in my head, could this be... just some psychological trial, that they wanted to see whether we had the mental capability to face such a challenge?

Maybe there wasn't a question?

'Wait a second' I told myself 'you're getting way ahead of yourself Tomoko, get back to the situation at hand.'

I looked around the room to see none of my teammates had raised their hands, Sakura however, was staring intently at Naruto's back.

But then I noticed the person sat behind her... smirking.

Tesuya looked like he was almost enjoying this, that creep is probably enjoying watching everyone squirm.

Noticing someone was staring at him, he glanced back at me, throwing a menacing grin as he did it.

Anger boiled inside of me, but I then shifted my gaze to Naruto.

'Naruto... what will you do?'

Sakura then slowly began raising her hand, was she gonna quit on his behalf?

But she stopped, as Naruto shakily raised his hand.

I sighed, as disappointed as I was, I understood. Naruto didn't want to take the chance of never becoming a Chuunin, his dream was to become Hokage...

'At least we'll get another chance...'

Suddenly, a massive slam shook the room, making me jump.

"Screw you!" screamed Naruto "I'm not going to run away!"

I blinked a couple of times, did he really just tell the examiner to get screwed?

"I'll take on this problem!" he declared "even if I become a Genin forever, I'm going to become a Hokage no matter what anyway!" He then stood up.

"I'm not scared!" he finally shouted, and sat back down.

Slowly my mouth curved into a smile.

'No matter what eh? You got guts Uzamaki Naruto... and I respect you for that.'

"I will ask one more time" said Ibiki "this is the choice that will impact your life."

If Naruto isn't backing down, I'm certainly not gonna chicken out.

"If you want to quit, now is the time."

But no one else budged, seems we all made up our minds.

"I'm not going to take back my words" affirmed Naruto confidently "that is my way of the ninja."

I could hear Ibiki chuckling, clearly amused.

I noticed the other Chuunin nodding with a little smile on their faces, something was going on.

"Nice determination" the head examiner complimented "Then... for the first exam, everyone here..."

He paused, breaking into a grin.

"Passes!"

'I knew it!'

"Wait" Sakura spluttered standing up "what's the meaning of that? We pass already? What about the tenth question?"

Ibiki couldn't contain his laughter "there was no such thing to begin with" he chimed, "or you can call the two-choice question the tenth question."

"Hey!" yelled Temari furiously "so what were those previous nine problems for?! It was all a waste!"

"No it's not" Ibiki answered "the nine problems accomplished their purpose. The purpose is to test each individual's information gathering skills."

'Just as I thought, they didn't give a damn whether we got the answers wrong or not.'

Ibiki explained that the test's purpose lied in the first rule, the pass-fail decision is based on your teammates. By giving us that idea, we were given an unprecedented amount of pressure to try and not be any trouble to our team.

"Yes, yes" mused Naruto "I was kinda sensing that."

I threw him a very unamused look, 'you little liar.'

Ibiki continued to state that the test problems could not be solved at our level, resulting in most of us coming to the conclusion that we had to cheat.

"Well yeah, that was a no brainer" I mumbled.

"In other words" Ibiki began simply "this exam assumed that everyone was going to cheat. So, we snuck in two Chuunins who knew the answers to be targets of cheating."

"Hahaha!" laughed Naruto "it was so obvious. It would be weird not to notice it, right Hinata?"

I felt a wet drop on the back of my head "no you didn't."

"But those who just cheated like a fool failed, of course, why?" Ibiki stated, he then proceed to remove his bandanna.

My eyes widened, as I looked upon the scars, burnt marks and drill holes around his head.

"Information can have greater value than life at times" he explained, "and in missions and battlefields... information is contested with the lives of people."

This just goes to show that we really have no clue what goes on behind the scenes, in the world of ninja.

"The information that an enemy gets after being noticed by a third will not necessarily be accurate" he informed us as he tied his bandana back on his head. "Remember this, getting incorrect information can cause great damage to your teammates and village. So we made you all gather information in the form of cheating. We kicked out those who were lacking in that field, that's what went on."

"But I still can't agree to that last question..." complained Temari.

"But this tenth question was the main question of this first exam" Ibiki rebutted.

Sakura questioned what he meant, so Ibiki explained that the tenth question was a 'take or not take choice'. So basically, we were given two very painful decisions, those who didn't take it, failed with their team. Those who chose to take it, but could not answer it, would have the right to take the exam away from them.

It was a very well calculated, insincere problem.

"The ability to show your courage to your teammates when needed, and the ability to get through a bad situation..." Ibiki asserted "that is what we look for in a Chuunin, a squad leader. Those who cannot bet their fate in a critical situation... those who give when given the chance because there is a next year, and let their minds sway over an uncertain future. Fools who only carry a light determination like that have no right to become a Chuunin" he concluded "that is what I believe."

I scanned the room and my eyes fell on my brother, who glanced back at me. Giving me a cheeky grin, he threw a wink as if to say "I'm pround of ya sis."

I smiled back, I guess I really could do this... as long as I don't get any unexpected surprises.

CRASH!

Something flew through the window nearest Ibiki, and in a flash, a massive banner was pinned to the ceiling, with a woman standing in front of it.

"Everybody" she blurted "there's no time to be happy! I am the second examiner, Mitarashi Anko!"

Me and my big mouth, so much for no surprises.

"Let's go to the next exam!" she ordered loudly and threw a fist in the air "Follow me!"

No words could really describe this woman, except that she reminded me a lot of Naruto... and that's a worry.

"78?" Anko noted "Ibiki, you let 26 teams pass? The first exam must have been too soft."

"It looks like there are a lot of excellent students this time" Ibiki chimed.

Anko laughed slightly "Oh, well... I'm going to make more than half of the teams fail in the next exam."

Not gonna lie, but that made me feel uncomfortable.

"I will explain the details tomorrow" she announced "we will go somewhere else, so ask your Jounin teachers about the rally point and time. That is all. Dismissed."