Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading! Answer to the reviews are at the bottom.

I am not very happy with this chapter. Writing the preliminary matches is difficult for me, probably because I am eager to get past them. I hope this chapter doesn't bore you too much. Oh, and title is lame, I know. Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter at least a little. Here we go:

Preliminaries

With a puff of smoke, two figures appeared from nothingness.

The two team tensed, ready to fight once again, before recognising Iruka-sensei and another chūnin with him.

"Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Curious to see two teams complete together." the nameless chūnin said. "Would you like to explain to all of them, Iruka-san? They were your students after all."

"Thank you. I'm here to give you a message, but first..." Iruka said, checking his watch. "Congratulation on passing the Second Chūnin Exam, with three days to spare, guys." he said, as the other nin left the room.

"Thanks, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed. "Will you treat us to ramen as a reward? Pretty please, pretty!" and he started jumping around.

"You are as energetic as always, Naruto." Iruka said, a little freaked out.

"Cool down, Naruto-kun, I've some Ichiraku's special sealed away. We can have them after Iruka-sensei finishes talking with us, but he can't if you keep this up."

"What? You are the best, 'mi-chan!" Naruto hugged her, enthusiastically.

"Thanks." she said, patting his shoulder. "Go ahead, now, Iruka-sensei."

"Yes." the Chūnin smiled at them, used to their antics. "So, the purpose of this exam was testing your ability to complete a mission, as you may have guessed."

The kids sat down to listen to him, they were familiar to the teacher's long lectures.

"What would have happened if we opened the scrolls during the exam?" Sasuke asked. "What did you plan to do?"

"Very sharp, Sasuke." Iruka chuckled. "We were ordered to knock you out, should you have not respected the rules. A chūnin is often sent as a messenger, so you have to respect the client's privacy."

"And what about that strange writing on the wall?" Sakura asked.

"Ah, yes. It's my mission to explain it to you. That is a principle given to us by Hokage-sama."

"Principle?" Kiba asked.

"Something every chūnin should always remember." Iruka solemnly explained. "Earth refers to the body: if you aren't strong, you should train hard, lest you fall in combat. Heaven refers to the mind: if that is your weak point, you should acquire knowledge and wisdom, lest you fail your mission. If you have both a strong body and a keen mind, then no dangerous mission will pose a threat to you."

They silently reflected on these words.

"A chūnin is a high class commander. He has to command a team, whose life relies on their shoulder." Iruka said. "Never forget the importance of strength and knowledge in missions. Inscribe this principle deep in your heart and go ahead to the next step. But don't push yourself too much..."

"Sensei." Naruto got up. "When you gave us this Hitai-ate, you recognised we were not kids anymore, but proud shinobi. Have faith in us? Now, can we go? I want my ramen!"

"No." Akimi sternly said. "Iruka-sensei, is Hokage-sama in the tower?"

"What?" the chūnin asked. "He is, but I don't think he wants to be dist..."

"Oh believe me, he does want to hear this. It's about his wayward student. The nastiest of them." Akimi darkly said. "We fought Orochimaru in the forest."

"What?" Iruka paled. "How did you survive?"

"He spared us." Akimi shrugged. "Now take us to Sandaime-same, if you please." and then she looked sharply at Sasuke, as if daring him to protest. "All of us"

"Hn."

"All right..." Somehow Iruka didn't dare to contradict the girl. "... follow me."

Anko was seated on a leather couch, panting. In front of her the Hokage was standing, his arms crossed behind his back, a serious expression on his face. Behind him were Ibiki, the ANBU commander and Kakashi.

"Does the seal still hurt, Anko-chan?" Hiruzen asked, softly, his eyes concerned.

"It's better now, thanks to you, Hokage-sama."

"It's hard to believe he is back." Ibiki said. "Did he say something, Anko? What is he after?"

"Uchiha Sasuke." Anko answered. "And he admitted not to have the manpower to attempt and assassinate Sandaime-sama."

"Somehow that is not reassuring." Hiruzen sighed, inhaling a breath of smoke. "Anyway, we can't cancel the Exams: we would lose face with the Elemental Nation. Ah, I'm getting too old for this..."

"Hokage-sama!" an ANBU opened the door. "There are six genins here, who want to speak with you. I'm sorry but they are quite insistent and..."

Hiruzen smirked. "Let them through."

"Certainly, Hokage-sama." the ANBU answered, albeit a little confused.

Iruka was the first to enter, still pale, Team 7 and Team 8 followed him.

"Oh, hello, sensei." Akimi said. "You are not reading... that's strange."

"I could say the same to you." Kakashi replied, with a small eye-smile.

"Oh, well." the girl shrugged. "ANBU-san, Morino-san, Mitarashi-san." she bowed to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama."

The old leader nodded at her. "Akimi-chan, I suppose this was your request."

"Yeah, I thought you would be interested... since we met the least likeable of your students in the forest." she tilted her head. "Or at least, the only one that is an international sick criminal."

"You met Orochimaru?" shouted Anko, leaping on her feet.

Akimi tilted her head, staring at her shoulder. 'Mmm, curious.' "Yes."

"Are you alright?" bellowed Kakashi instead, concerned.

"Mostly." Akimi sighed. "We had just defeated an Ame team, obtaining our Earth scroll, when Kaera told me there was this giant snake trying to kill Kiba-san... so we went to help him. After we arrived there, we sensed another fight going on, between Uchiha-san, Sakura-san and Orochimaru." Akimi continued. "So, short long story, we decided to intervene as well."

"Wait a second, you killed one of his summons?" Anko exclaimed.

Akimi looked at Kakashi. "Toukai Konbo...[Destruction Combo]"

The man nodded. "Yes, that's a deadly one." he softly said. "Did you rush in a fight with one of Sannin, knowing who he was?" their embarrassed expression told him everything. "I don't know if be proud or spank you until you can't sit, that was reckless!"

"My fault!" Naruto raised his hand. "I was the stupid one. But in the end all finished well, ya know..."

"Because of sheer luck." Akimi spat, annoyed. The blonde lowered his head. "So, Orochimaru played a little with us. I arrived just after he bit Uchiha-san on the neck... and he later tried to do it to me and Naruto as well."

Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "I'm impressed you stopped him."

"Well he didn't expect me to arrive, so I raised an earth shield between him and Naruto. So he tried to get me instead." Akimi said. "But I evoked a fire shield around me, and that probably pissed him off, so he decided to kill me. One of his snake bit me."

"How are you still standing then?" Anko frowned.

"I burned most of the poison off and then Shino used his Kikaichū to finish the job. I was very lucky we thought about a way to counter poisons after our run-in with the Demons Brothers..." Akimi shrugged. "But that's not relevant now. After Orochimaru bit me, Naruto went berserker... like in Wave."

Hiruzen and Kakashi nodded in understanding, while the others – especially the genins – were quite confused.

"So the snake-teme put an uneven seal on him, disrupting his chakra flow and knocking him out, and then he left. I don't know why, but I'm not about to complain."

Anko sighed. "I was chasing him. We found some dead Kusa nin outside the forest, discovering his presence in the exam."

"Ah, that would explain the disgusting thing he did melting the face of that woman off." Naruto exclaimed.

Hiruzen frowned at this, then asked to Team 8: "Can you add something to this story?"

Sakura briefly told them of the arrival of the Kusa kunoichi, who separated them with a wind jutsu. Then, the genins speak of how they found shelter and rested, concluding with the tale of Sasuke's awakening.

"I will prepare a sealing chamber to restrain the curse mark, Sasuke-kun." Hiruzen said. "For now, I want you and your team to visit the infirmary. I need to be sure you are fine. Iruka, accompany them."

If the Chūnin was puzzled by the order, he didn't show it. 'Why did he let Team 7 stay?'.

"I fear there is something else you wished to say, Akimi." Hiruzen said. "This will give us more privacy."

The girl nodded. "Well, we were attacked by the Oto team. They did show a strange interest in Uchiha-san, but claimed it was because he was the rookie of the year."

"You defeated them?" Anko asked.

Naruto smirked. "They were arrogant." he said. "One of my clones followed them. After a while, they stopped to recover, and I heard them say that Orochimaru sent them to kill Sasuke. So I suppose that hebi-teme is the head of this Otogakure."

"Why would he put the seal on him and then have him killed?" the ANBU asked.

"Most likely he wanted to test him." Anko answered.

"Something else?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yeah." Akimi produced a small card. "A certain Yakushi Kabuto, genin of the village, had this – and many other cards. He claimed to have info about every person in the exam and to be an expert because he failed 7 times. This card reacts to specific chakra, which is the key to make the information appear... it's very detailed. Missions record, team members, abilities as well. Anyway, for whatever reason, Uchiha-san asked Yakushi-san to see the intel about me and he knew I was on an A-rank mission with my team, but... I thought that was classified?"

Sarutobi frowned. "It was."

"A spy." Ibiki said, with contempt. "Just the fact that he had mission records means he stole them... and the security is quite high. However, we need solid proof."

"Can you break down the seals on the card, Akimi?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yeah. Probably will take me a day or two." the girl shrugged. "But we have to stay here and wait for the end of the exam, I assume?"

"Indeed." Hiruzen said. "I suggest you rest. Tell Kakashi as soon as you are successful. Now tell me, what do you think of the curse seal you saw on Sasuke?"

"It's very small, shaped like three tomoes, similar to the full Sharingan eye. It contains a high reserve of foreign chakra, my best guess would be Orochimaru's, that is full of killing intent. Once activated, the seal expands on most of the body, leaving the right side free of its signs. The principal effect seems to be a boost in power, strength and speed, with the downside of increasing aggression, anger... it also appears to cause pain in the user after it deactivates. Since Orochimaru placed it on Uchiha-san through a bite, I would say it's based on some type of genetic mutation. The seal likely reacts to chakra, maybe also absorbs it – I am not sure - so it probably will activate whenever Uchiha-san attempts a jutsu. Using it also requires a lot of will power... I don't know it's like it calls to his darker side. He was drunk on power."

"You got all this by observing the seal once?" Anko asked, surprised.

"I've studied Fūinjutsu since I was very young, Mitarashi-san."

"I'll show you the seal I plan to place on Sasuke." Hiruzen said. "I'd like your opinion about it."

"Certainly." Akimi bowed.

"Is that all?" the Hokage asked then.

Akimi glanced at her teammates, they shrugged. "Yes."

"Very well. Then you are dismissed. Kakashi, show them their room. We will announce the end of this Second Exam in three days time, since then you are free to do whatever you like, but I suggest you keep your energies up."

Kakashi brought his team in one of the upper floors of the tower, to a single big room with a private bathroom. They were to share it of course, but at least there were beds. It would be good not to sleep on the ground, after what they had been through in the forest.

As soon as they entered the room, Kakashi crossed his arms and looked at Akimi. "Give us privacy."

Akimi sighed. What was with people and ordering her to make seals around? Everyone could learn how to make privacy seal. They were so easy. However, she recognised the tensed settling of her sensei's shoulders, so didn't voice her complains. After all, she didn't really mind that much.

She took out her ink and started drawing. Ten minutes later she nodded to Naruto, who crossed his fingers in the ram hand seal and activated the array. The room glowed blue with symbols for a second, then the ink disappeared all together, leaving no visible trace that a seal had been drawn at all.

"Sit." the jōnin ordered. "We need to speak."

The tree genin knew their sensei/commander fairly well, even though they had been a team for only few months. Kakashi was a very laid back person and the fact that he was always late and always read porn gave the idea he might have been a disinterested sensei. Nothing could be more wrong. Even though he was sometime very eerie while speaking of serious topics, Kakashi cared for his students like a surrogate father. He trained them harshly and always made sure they were emotionally okay, especially after the almost disaster in the Land of Waves.

And he was angry/concerned right now.

"Sensei..." Akimi tried to say.

"No." Kakashi barked. "You speak only if I tell you to. Shino, report."

Akimi and Naruto lowered their heads, while Shino explained curtly but extensively what had happened during the first Exam and then in the forest of Death.

"... that's all."

"You three all agreed to help Kiba, correct?"

The trio nodded.

"There was no doubt about it." Shino stated.

Kakashi nodded. "Fair enough. After all a giant snake is an enemy well within your league. But then... Orochimaru?"

Naruto cringed. "It was my fault."

"Was it?" Kakashi thundered. "You rushed in a fight with a Sannin? What possessed you do to that, Naruto?"

"I... I don't know."

"When I told you that abandon your comrades makes you worse than trash, I also implied that you should care for your teammates. Tell me, what parts of forcing your teammates to come to your aid into an impossible fight is caring?"

"Sakura and Sasuke are also comrades!" Naruto protested.

Kakashi stared back at him. "Then why didn't you stop and think?"

"I don't know. It was a misunderstanding really. I thought Akimi wanted to leave and I got angry and then next thing I knew I was fighting against Orochimaru."

"Sensei." Akimi spoke up. "Just let me say something."

Kakashi turned to her. "Go ahead then."

"Running away would have been the smartest thing to do." she said. "That's true, but it would also have been so wrong. And I don't know if planning ahead would have helped us in the long run..."

The jōnin sighed. "I am so angry with you three right now, but how can I scold you properly when I feel that the blame is on my shoulders?"

"You don't?" asked Naruto, a little tentative.

"Baka!" Akimi swatted him. "It's a matter of prospective, sensei. You call it blame, others may call it merit. It's thanks to your teaching that Kiba is still alive. It's because of your teaching we almost risked our lives. But the moment we entered the forest we knew we could die, that's why we signed those waivers after all. Sensei, it has been years since I hadn't fear I could die. After all I possibly have a madman after my head. After all I am a kunoichi of Konohakagure, am I not?"

Kakashi eye smiled. "You do have a way with words, Akimi-chan."

Then Naruto got on his feet. "I know I was reckless and I think I learned my lesson, but thank you for scolding me, sensei. I think I needed it." he said, gesticulating widely. "Of course, if you ever repeat any of these words again I'll be forced to prank you into next millennium, so..."

"You do have a way to ruin the atmosphere, Naruto." Kakashi ruffled his student's hair. "But that's why we like you so much, isn't it?"

They shared a small laugh.

"Now, before I let you rest I need to know if you are all right, kids." Kakashi said. "So?"

Naruto was the first to answer. "I feel guilty." he murmured. "And I used it again."

"And...?"

"I am not sure if I would have been able to stop this time. It was much worse than Nami."

"You were surrounded by reddish aura of hissing chakra." Akimi spoke up. "It looked like a sort of tail. The only time I felt a power so great was... the night my Grandfather died."

Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, the only thing I can tell you is something you already know and that should always remember. You are not the fox. You used its chakra only two times and always because you were angry. Angry because someone had hurt a person precious to you. And both times you regretted using it, even though you didn't even kill anyone in that state. This is not something a demon, or an evil person, would think and do." he said. "But that's something Uzumaki Naruto always thinks and does, no matter the cost. You are very protective of Akimi and of your friends, even of two old classmates that did never treat you fairly. That's something to be proud of, don't you think?"

"Sensei also has way with words." Shino commented, as Naruto nodded in a hesitant way.

Kakashi eye smiled. "Thank you."

"Sensei, I feel I need to learn some other way to attack and fight that my Kikaichū. I don't want to be hindered if I ever meet an opponent with corrosive chakra again." Shino said, seriously. "Other than that, I am proud I was able to help Akimi recover... although I wish I could have fought side by side with my teammates."

"Very well, Shino. We'll think of something, although you need grand part of your chakra reserves for you Kikaichū, we may find some ninjutsu or genjutsu trick for you to use."

"Also, Fūinjutsu can help." Akimi exclaimed. "Fūinjutsu can always help."

They all nodded, used to her usual obsession with the 'Art'.

"Akimi." Kakashi invited her to speak. "Your turn is up."

She closed her eyes. "Fighting Orochimaru has been terrifying. I never felt that way, expect for... well, my grandfather's killer." she explained. "When we fought Zabuza, I could perceive the difference of power between him and us. We are genin and he was an elite jōnin, but yet... yet I know we could outsmart him and that perhaps we had a shot of him because of our teamwork. But Orochimaru was so powerful, is so powerful, that the gap felt... insuperable. I hated to feel so powerless."

"But?"

"It also gives me a new resolve, once again." Akimi smiled a little. "We'll train. We'll get there. And maybe next time Orochimaru will be... reachable. And he won't like it."

"You bet he won't." Naruto spat. "That bastard won't even know what hit him. Well, at least the first time he won't."

Kakashi nodded, taking out a familiar orange book. "Very well. I trust that if something is wrong you'll get me. I'm always there to listen to you." he said. "I'll be around." and he disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"Now, that was hasty." Naruto observed. "Wonder why he left so quickly."

"He probably missed his porn too much." Akimi said, with disdain. "You know he enjoys it more if he is alone."

"Well, that's understandable." Naruto said and promptly avoided her punch. "You are becoming predictable, 'mi-chan."

"Come one, guys." Shino stopped the fight at the start, as he always did. "We should settle down."

"Now that is a great idea." Naruto exulted, happy to escape Akimi's wrath. "Why don't we eat? I remember something about Ichiraku's ramen..."

April 15th, 214 – Infirmary

Sasuke was in complete pain. He kept dozing off and when he was awake he could barely open his eyes, let alone move. He believed Kiba had visited him a couple of times and Sakura was sitting as his side, annoying as usual. At least she didn't expect him to answer. It was the only positive aspect of that whole situation.

The Hokage had explained to him that the curse seal he had received was very dangerous. It could him, he had said. He was not to use it. Sasuke wasn't sure what to think about it. The seal didn't seem so... bad.

Sure, it hurt. But the strange thing Kurenai and the Hokage did to him hurt as well. They said they had used a seal to suppress the mark's influence. They also said he had to use his will to aliment the suppressing seal. But why would Sasuke need to suppress it?

It gave him power. He still remembered the electrifying trill that sudden source of power sent through him. If he could control it... it would probably be enough. Yeah it could.

Once, Sasuke opened his eyes. His vision was blurred, but he thought he saw the dobe and no-name there. He also believed he heard them talk with Sakura. He hated the rosette's high-pitched voice, by the way. It was annoying almost as her antics were. As if he had time to waste with her.

He had to train. He had to get stronger.

And if he needed it, he would use that seal, the hell with everything.

'Maybe I will have to fight with the dobe or the no-name during the Third Exam. That would be good.' Sasuke thought. 'I'll show them.'

He just hoped the pain would fade soon. He hated feeling so hopeless.

April 17th, 214 – Mysterious Location

It was all very strange.

She knew, deep down, that she was in a dream. She was sure, instinctively, that it was the only logical explanation as of why she was in such a weird place. That and the fact that her perception was very limited. It was like her eyes were covered by something, akin to sheer darkness, blurring her vision. A hissing sound was filling her ears, making it difficult to hear. An unknown, strange and disgusting stink was so intense she doubted she could smell anything else. As she was normally used to always analyse and attentively study her surrounding the feeling wasn't pleasant. At all.

As if it wasn't enough, she also felt her limbs heavy. She couldn't move properly. Even if she was certain it was only a dream, it somehow scared her.

That feeling of uselessness. All like two years before.

Akimi looked around, fighting with whatever it was that hindered her senses. She was in a stone chamber. It was very dark. The only light came from a small candle, at least she though, very far from her. Grimacing, Akimi made her way towards the bright spot.

"Damn old man..."

The voice startled her. It was low, husky and so... chilling. Like it was void of any positive emotion. Only darkness and despair. That voice. She was frozen in horror.

She mentally winced. 'That voice!'.

"Damn old man...!"

This time the exclamation was followed by a fit of croaking cougher. It sounded really painful. Akimi thought blood was involved. Somehow that relieved her.

"And damn you, little Enkounkin!"

Akimi was startled. Her heart started pounding like mad. 'Not good. Not good at all...!'

"Oh, you thought I didn't know you were here?" this time the voice was highly amused. "I was waiting for you. Come closer."

Now, she knew that was a terrible, terrible idea. And idiotic one as well. But she couldn't help it. She moved one step forward. Then another.

"I could feel your despair. I drank on it, little Enkounkin." the voice chuckled evilly. "Did something happen?"

Akimi gulped, getting closer to what looked like some sort of chair – or maybe a bed, she couldn't see clearly. She tried to struggle. She didn't want to get closer.

"Interesting." the voice remarked. "Not many would fight me in such manner. The old man taught you well. For years, I thought you had died. But then again, I wasn't well enough to properly search for you. Little Enkounkin."

Despite her efforts, Akimi couldn't stop. Eventually, after some few long moments, she arrived in front of the candle and the chair. It was a chair not a bed, she realised. Despite the fact that the light was now closer, the darkness around her eyes had gotten ticker. 'Genjutsu?' she mused.

"Where are we?" she asked. She cursed how weak and scared her voice sounded.

"Does it matter, little one?"

Akimi scratched her head. Did it matter?

"I think it doesn't. Ah, I can't see you as well as I would like." the voice said. "Damn old man."

Akimi felt a surge of hatred dissipate her fear, at least for a second. "Don't call him that!" she barked.

This time the laughter was thunderous. "You have spirit! Excellent. It will make for a fulfilling meal."

Akimi trembled in complete terror.

"Look at me, little Enkounkin." the voice croaked. "Come closer."

Horrified, Akimi watched like she were out of her body and the scene was played in front of her. She watched as she leaned towards that thing. Because he wasn't human. Not in the strict sense of the word.

The first thing she saw were the eyes. Cold, chilling and flat grey eyes. They were void, as if they were made of metal. They perfectly reflected her own black and deep black irises. Then, as her blurred vision became focused, what she witnessed made her scream.

Then, she felt a strong pain on her right leg, like claws scratching her skin. And was that a roar she heard? And just like that, she was awake.

Her eyes were wide opened. She was clenching the covers of her modest bed in the Tower. She was sweating profusely and panting. She felt a shiver on her spine.

"Kuroken..." she whispered, sitting up. "Kuroken."

"Meow."

"Kaera?" Akimi mumbled, as her small familiar jumped in her lap. "Was it you? Did you wake me up?"

The tiger purred and leaned her upper paws on her chest, raising to lick her face.

"So we were in my mind..." Akimi mused. "Or something akin to that."

Kaera agreed with her.

Akimi sighed, looking around. Her teammates were sleeping one on each side of her. Shino near the windows. He was curled on his side, his back on her, his breath even and relaxed. Shino was always silent and unmoving even in sleep.

Naruto was another story. Akimi and the rest of the team were glad for the invention of privacy seals, because when he could sleep deeply the boy snored like a bear. Not that she had never heard a bear sleep, but... She smiled seeing the blonde sprawled on his back, his covers a messy bundle at his feet.

"Meow!"

Akimi looked down at the tiger. "You are right, Kaera-chan." she sighed. "But he is sleeping so well."

Kaera simply tilted her head, just like the girl always did.

That made Akimi giggle softly. "That's true." she patted the animal's, before rubbing her between her hears, as Kaera liked. The tiger purred in contentment.

Then, Akimi slipped silently out of the bed and approached Naruto. Taking care not to wake Shino up, the girl gently shook her boyfriend's shoulder.

"What... What's wrong?" Naruto slurred, between snores.

"Just move a little, 'to-kun."

The boy snored again, but complied. Naruto was easily manipulated when he slept. One time she had played a prank on him because of that. It involved ramen and waking up in the middle of the village in pink pyjamas. Akimi giggled at the memory, as she lied down beside him.

"'mi-chan?" Naruto mumbled.

"Sleep." she said to him, drawing comfort by his presence. "Sleep."

"All right." he did enveloped her in his arms, thought. "This is nice."

"It is." Akimi started to relax. Kaera jumped on the bed, curling at their feet. "It really is."

It wasn't long before she caught sleep again.

April, 18th 214 – Team 7's room

When Kakashi sent a clone to wake his team up he was surprised to see Akimi and Naruto curled together in bed. The jōnin was one of the few people who knew the true extent of the two teen's relationship. He also knew that the two were aware that they could not let their romance interfere with the mission.

It was strange for them to show such affection during the exam. And with Shino in the same room – despite how close the tree genins were, Akimi was very reserved and moreover would hate to put the Aburame in an embarrassing position.

That made Kakashi worry. 'She probably looked for comfort.' He realised. The clone ruffled his hair. What was he to do?

Just then Kaera raised her head and looked at him, yawing. Akimi jumped on her feet a second later. "Sensei." she said.

Her eyes looked troubled, but otherwise Kakashi thought she was fine.

"Akimi-chan."

"Can we talk about this later?" the girl asked. "I gather it's time, after all?"

"Almost." Kakashi said. "Something wrong, Akimi?"

"Just a nightmare." Akimi said. "I..."

The jōnin eye smiled sadly. "Make sure you talk about it, even if it isn't with me." he said. "Wake the boys up. You have half an hour to get ready." and the clone popped out of existence.

Akimi sighed. "Well, that went... fine." she murmured. "BOYS! Wake up. The deadline is almost up!"

Shino immediately stretched and raised. Naruto groaned.

"Rise and shine, Naruto-kun." Akimi smirked, before literally pushing the boy out of bed. "Time to get up."

Sometime later, Arena of the Tower

The few, remaining genins who passed the Second Exam, gathered in the middle of a large arena. There were suspended platforms on the side, probably to allow spectators to watch the battles ongoing. In the front of the room was the huge statue of two hands that formed the ram seal.

The Hokage stood in the middle of the room, in front of those crossed fingers, flanked by the most important examiners. Anko was on his left, Ibiki on his right – Iruka sensei was there as well. Behind him the jōnin sensei of the teams were lined, in front of him were the genin.

Naruto was on the front, Akimi behind him and Shino last. They patiently waited for whatever was going to happen to start.

"First thing off," Anko said in that moment, "congratulation on passing the Second Exam." 'Out of 78 people who attempted it, only 21 passed. It's good, but I was hoping to get a single number...'

'The Oto nins are here... and Yakushi-san as well. Damn, Gaara is as well. It seriously creeps me out.' Akimi thought, with a sigh. 'And also all the rookies passed. We'll that certainly boosts Konoha's strength, doesn't it?'

"Your team is pretty good." Maito Gai said in that moment, from his place near Kakashi. "But as long as my team is here, they have no hope to continue. This exam tests individual abilities... ah, youth is sweet but sometimes strict, Kakashi."

"Mmm?" the masked jōnin said. "Did you say something, Gai?"

Gai looked shocked and frustrated. "You and your hip attitude... it was good, rival Kakashi, but it also pissed me off."

From her place, Tenten noticed the confrontation. 'So that is sensei's eternal rival? Mah, he certainly beats him in the looks department.' She then looked at Team 7. 'They passed and they arrived here even before us... barely scratched. They are not pushovers.'

The Oto team's jōnin sensei looked pissed. 'So they survived. And the girl doesn't seem effected by my poison. Mmm... she was feigning it. Smart. No matter, anyway, Sasuke-sun survived. This is the important.'

Hiruzen was attentively studying the genins as well. 'So many of them remained... and most of them new. Looks like the jōnin sensei did made a good bet by nominating them.'

"Hokage-sama will now explain to you the Third Exam." Anko said, before turning and bowing at the old leader. "Please listen closely."

Hiruzen made a step forward, his hands crossed behind his back. "Before the Third Exam begins, there is something I need to explain to you. It's the true purpose of the Chūnin Selection Exam." he said, his pipe on his mouth as always. "Why do we have a joint exam, have you wondered? Officially, is to 'promote good relationship between countries' and increase 'the level of the shinobi', but that is just a pretty façade to an harsher truth. Don't let this deceive you: what the Chūnin Exam truly is, so to speak..." He paused, breathing out a puff of smoke. "... a substitute war between allied countries."

Some of the genins gaped, while Tenten asked, maybe a little concerned: "What do you mean?"

"A long time ago, each village held their own chūnin exams." Sarutobi said. "However, since neighbouring countries kept fighting over and over to prove who was the strongest, wasting a lot of manpower and resources, it was decided to choose a determinate place and time to fight... and this is the beginning of the Chūnin Selection Exam."

Naruto frowned "Why, aren't we doing this do become chūnins?"

"Of course, this exam does indeed select those who have the abilities and skills to be promoted." Hiruzen conceded. "But most importantly, the Exam is a moment where ninja fight and carry their country's dignity. Potential clients, feudal lords and famous people are invited to witness to the Third Exam. If they see a significant difference in power, the stronger country will be flooded with jobs, while the weaker one will lose missions. At the same time, countries are able to show how much they have grown and how strong their military is, thus putting foreign pressure to other nations. You are only genin, the weakest of your village, but you are the future: one day you may become chūnin and even powerful jōnin. This is why the first two exams cuff off your numbers so much, only the best arrive here."

"So what are we going to do?"

"You are going to fight to the death." Hiruzen's face became harder. "A country's power is a village's power. And a ninja true power only emerges in life-death battles. I repeat to you, this Exam is an excuse to show off a country's power. It only has a meaning if your life is on the line."

"But why did you say it is a way to promote good relationships if we are going to kill each other?" Tenten asked.

"Don't get confused with the façade: fight to maintain the balance... this is a good relationship in a ninja world. And in any case, not many are actually killed in the Exam: usually genin prefer to spare their opponent's life."

"I don't care." said Gaara's, monotonously. "Tell us the details of this life or death battle."

"Very well, then I will explain the Third Exam, but..."

The Hokage was interrupted by the arrival of a ninja via Sunshin. "Excuse me, Hokage-sama." he said, bowing. "Allow me... cough, cough, to explain the rules to them."

"Very well, do so." Hiruzen replied.

The new arrived wore the standard Konoha uniform, with a bandana on his head. He had dark short eyes and was pale, sick looking. He turned to look at them. "It's nice to meet you, mina-san. Cough, cough. My name is Gekkō Hayate and I've the honour to be proctor for this Third Exam. Before we start, though, there is something I need you to do..." The genins looked at him, expectantly. "Fight in some preliminary matches to see who advances in the main battle."

"What?" was the general protest, the loudest coming from Shikamaru. "What do you mean preliminary?"

"Excuse me, sensei." Sakura said. "Can't we just start the Third Exam with the remaining examinees?"

"No" Hayate replied. "I don't know if it is because the First and Second Exam were too easy, or if you are extremely talented, but there is too many of you. Cough, cough. According to the Chūnin regulations, we must decrease the number of participants..."

"No!" was another general shout.

"... because as Hokage-sama mentioned, cough, cough, there are going to be a lot of guests in the Third Exam and we can't just have too many matches" Hayate replied. "We have also a limited time, so if any of you isn't okay..." and he broke down in an uncontrollable fit of coughs, making many genins wondered if he was okay.

"Please excuse me, as I was saying, if anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation, raise your hand now, cough, cough. The preliminary will begin immediately"

"What? Immediately? We just got through the second Exam!" Ino shouted.

"How troublesome."

"What about my meal?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention, from now the exam we'll be individual based, so don't be afraid to drag your team with you if you wish to withdraw.

Then, Kabuto raised his arm. "You are Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto-kun, right?" Hayate asked, receiving in answer a nod. "Then you may leave."

Akimi looked sharply at him – and wasn't the only one. Ibiki also had his eyes on him, especially after she managed to show him the card, after working a little to break down the seals.

"Why, Kabuto-san?" Naruto asked. "Why are you quitting, dattebayo?"

"Sorry, but my body is completely worn out... I can't fight, especially since it's a life or death battle."

They watched him go.

"So the girl was right." Ibiki said, impressed. "I'll have ANBU shadow him."

The Hokage nodded, curtly. "Be careful. He may have downplayed his abilities a lot. He stole right under our noses."

Ibiki nodded.

"May I assume none of you wants to quit?" Hayate asked. He received nods in response. "Very well, then we'll begin the preliminaries. It will be one on one matches. You will fight until your opponents is knocked out, dies or admits defeat. If you don't want to die you should give up immediately... cough, cough, and if I judge a battle is over, I may stop you to prevent unnecessary deaths. And the things that holds your destiny is..." He stopped, as one of the panel on the front wall opened. "... this electronic bulletin board, who will display the two random names for each match. And now, without further ado, I'll display the name of the first two fighters."

The board came to life, while name after name rolled on it, until it stopped: 'Akadō Yoroi vs. Uchiha Sasuke.'

"Please, come forward." Hayate said, waiting for the two genins to make their way in front of him. "Are there any objection?"

"No." they answered together.

"Then please those of you who aren't going to fight, move over there..." Hayate said, indicating the waiting platforms. "So we can begin."

"Glad to see you made it." Naruto said to Shikamaru, as they climbed the stairs to the hanging platforms.

"How comes you look so relaxed?" Chōji asked.

He shrugged. "Oh, we finished three days ago. We have rested ever since, because 'mi-chan didn't want me to train."

"That's because your definition of training includes working until exhaustion, Naruto-kun." Akimi tossed a scroll at Chōji. "You may want to restock your energy, uh?"

The Akimichi beamed at her. "You are the best, Akimi!"

She simply shrugged, then turned to Naruto and Shino. "Let's go over there, where our lazy perverted sensei is waiting. Come on, boys!"

Kakashi had stopped midway, close to Gai's team, while Asuma and Kurenai were further down the stand. As Team 7 walked, Naruto froze on his tracks, feeling a hostile gaze on him. He turned to see Gaara's piercing eyes staring at him, apparently emotionlessly, but in reality... what he could see scared him like hell.

"'to-kun?" Akimi called him, seeing he had stopped. Then she noticed Gaara as well and the redhead also 'glared' at her. "Now, that is just creepy."

"We should move on." Shino softly said. He was a little concerned with the fact that the mysterious Sand shinobi had kind of targeted his teammates. But then again he knew they were able to fend on their own... and he was ready to help them, always. They were a Team. "They are about to start."

The trio finally reached their sensei. Akimi and Naruto sat side by side, hanging their legs from the railings, while Shino stood behind them, near the wall.

Hayate raised his harm. "Begin!" he screamed, jumping back.

Yoroi was one of Kabuto's teammates. That alone made Akimi a little uncomfortable about him. She didn't like the way the older body carried himself either. Something was off with him. She couldn't see his face because it was covered by a black veil. He also wore sunglasses. No, she didn't like him – at all.

Sasuke stretched, his face showed eagerness and excitement for the fight. He didn't seem to be affected too badly by his Seal. He smirked.

"Mah, what do you think, sensei? Is Sasuke going to resist the pull of the Cursed Seal?" Naruto asked.

"I don't know." the jōnin leaned back to the wall. "But I don't like the look in his eyes. He only wants revenge."

"The Fūja Hōin [Evil Sealing Method]: relies on one's will to stop a curse mark. Besides, it's a very generic method." Akimi stated. "For now, Sasuke-san is safe. But if he is corrupted by power, then the protection won't do any good. The Ten no Juin [Cursed Seal of Heaven]is a very powerful and nasty seal... and it plays on his thirst of power."

"Do you think you can improve the protection seal?" Kakashi asked, interested, as he watched the battle unfold. 'Sasuke is skilled, yes... but he is also arrogant.'

"Now that is a difficult question. I may, but I sincerely doubt it. It's very sticky ground, one may as well fall into the field of enslavement seals. And that is not nice." Akimi scratched her head.

"So the only real solution would be to cancel that seal." Naruto observed.

"Hai." she replied. "But somehow I doubt it would be easy, you know."

Kakashi sighed. "You are right." he said. "I'm not sure what Orochimaru's true intentions are, but he sure went through a lot of trouble to give him that mark. It has got to be important. However, you should probably enjoy the match for now... you have done already more than enough as it is."

They could hear the masked pride in his voice, but also the finality on it. Kakashi didn't want to talk about such delicate matters in that moment. Besides, they had a battle to watch.

"Begin!"

Yoroi frowned. 'He doesn't seem affected by the Curse Seal...' he thought, baffled. Without minding too much, though, he rushed forward. He was certain of his own superiority.

Sasuke smirked at the approaching enemy. Finally a chance to prove himself. 'He is charging forward with so much confidence, he must want really want to get closer. Perhaps he is a taijutsu expert.' Sasuke jumped back and his hands moved through seals.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu! [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique ]"

Some few awed gasps could be heard in the crowd. The technique was pretty impressive, after all. As she could now focus more on analysing, Akimi wagered Sasuke was probably very close to master the second level of Katon manipulation. She frowned, though. 'No, it isn't his affinity.'

Yoroi cursed soundly, jumping to dodge the colossal fireball coming his way. Still, his clothes were partially burned. "Damn brat." he spat, before launching another offensive.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. 'So he really wants an hand to hand match. Well, let's give it to him!' he dropped in a defensive stance. 'Just come at me.'

Sasuke easily ducked the first fist that came his way, counteracting with a kick toward Yoroi's midsection. The older genin was almost hit, but managed to block the blow with both hands. And then he smirked.

Sasuke was confused. Yoroi simply grabbed his foot and didn't let go. After a mere moment, Sasuke understood why. 'My chakra... he is... taking my chakra!' His eyes widened in shock. For a second. Sasuke was a Uchiha. He didn't get scared like that.

"You realise it, uh?" Yoroi asked, with a smirk. "It's over."

"For you, perhaps." Sasuke growled, using the grip of the other boy as leverage to propel himself forward. He hit Yoroi square in the chest with a punch, sending him to the other side of the arena. Yoroi yelped in surprise.

'Did he really think I would stay still and allow him to suck all my chakra away? Is he stupid?' Sasuke thought, with a smirk. 'And now, time to get serious.' There was something he had wanted to try for a while.

"I'll show you, brat." Yoroi shouted, running towards him.

Sasuke smirked and activated his Sharingan. Yoroi stopped on his tracks. That was good. He was right to be scared of the Uchiha's eyes might. Widening his smirk, Sasuke relaxed and waited. He knew the other boy would eventually attack.

It was so. Yoroi chose not to be too worried by the Sharingan's appearance and resumed his charge. The two genin started a new taijutsu battle. Only this time Sasuke could easily predict what Yoroi was going to do... and counter it.

Not only, but the older boy's aim seemed to be... off. Yoroi didn't realise it, but the crowd did. The longer the two fought, the ore obvious it was. Yoroi aimed for a punch that was at least few centimetre higher that where Sasuke's head really was, and the other boy didn't even really to dodge. With another smirk, Sasuke jumped back and launched a barrage of kunai.

Yoroi was able to avoid only a few. 'Damn it, genjutsu!' he thought.'Damn bastard!' But the pain had successfully dispelled it and while he was hurt, Yoroi could use that at his advantage, if he pretended to be still effected from the genjutsu.

Only, Sasuke wasn't fooled. He had the Sharingan after all. He could clearly see that Yoroi's chakra pathways were clean. As Yoroi approached once again, the Uchiha simply disappeared.

"What?" Yoroi asked. "Where did he go?"

Sasuke reappeared right below him, sending him flying with a powerful kick. On the stands, several pair of eyes widened – the most noticeable being Gai's and Lee's ones.

Yoroi was visibly shocked, as he felt Sasuke shadow him in his ascent. "Kage Buyō... [Shadow of the Dancing Leaf]?"

"From here on is all original, though." the Uchiha said, referring to the fact he had copied Lee's taijutsu. "It's the end."

Sasuke hit Yoroi another time, sending him flying down, his speed at least duplicated. The older boy's attempts to dodge were vane. The finally strike of the combo consisted in Sasuke delivering another, deadly kick into his stomach, just before Yoroi reached the ground. "Shishi Rendan [Lion Combo]!"

The strength of the impact was so great it created a small crater on the floor. Sasuke landed nearby, crouched on his legs. He was panting a little, but otherwise he was fine.

Hayate slowly approached Yoroi, kneeling down. The older boy was completely out of it. The man looked over at Sasuke. "I will now stop the match." he said. "Winner: Uchiha Sasuke!"

"The teme isn't half bad." Naruto observed, watching the black-haired boy as he slowly walked towards his team. "Could be interesting to fight him."

Kakashi eye smiled. "It would be an interesting fight to watch. You just have to pass the preliminaries and maybe you'll get the chance."

Naruto laughed. "It should be easy."

Two medics rushed into the arena and took Yoroi's unmoving body out of the way.

Akimi sighed. "Don't underestimate him, 'to-kun." she said. "Uchiha-san is dangerous."

"You know I don't usually underestimate my enemies, 'mi-chan." Naruto laughed. "It'll be fine. I can always use clones as cannon fodder, can I?"

"I suppose you can." the girl smiled. "Stamina freak."

"He is announcing the second match." Kakashi pointed out. "Pay attention."

"Very well. The second match will be..." Hayate coughed a couple of times. "Abumi Zaku and Aburame Shino... Please, come down."

JUTSU NOTEST

Fūja Hōin [Evil Sealing Method]: A rank, supplementary, short range, this complex sealing method requires a long preparation time, but it efficiently suppresses evil influences (like curse marks, minor demons etc.). For greater and more powerful curse marks, like the Ten no Juin, the seal also requires the will of the user to stop said influence. Once prepared, the techniques requires a lot of handseals to be activated and causes a great deal of pain as well.

Ten no Juin [Cursed Seal of Heaven] S rank, supplementary/offensive, short-mid range, one of the strongest curse seals of Orochimaru. The seal boosts the strength, power and speed of a victim, allowing them to use Orochimaru's chakra but suppressing their own. This causes them to be heavily influenced by the Sannin's killing intent and personality. The seal requires great willpower to use and control and prolonged use will cause physical pain as well.

Kage Buyō [Shadow of the Dancing Leaf]: C rank, supplementary, short range, it allows to follow the opponent's movement in the air, usually it is preceded by a kick to send said opponent upwards.

Shishi Rendan [Lion Combo]: C rank, offensive, short range, after kicking an opponent in the air and following him using Kage Buyō, the user starts a barrage of hits, finally sending the opponent into the ground, with a final, lethal kick on the stomach.

REVIEW ANSWERS:

Guest: I am sorry you feel that way. This said, I think that the concept of 'Mary Sue' is very subjective. I personally don't think Akimi is a Mary Sue, but then again, she is my character so of course I don't think it. What you described is akin to the kunoichi I want her to be at the end of the story. The true end, not the Naruto series one's end. Akimi is intelligent and observant, yes, but she isn't a genius like – say – Shikamaru. She is not certainly a Fūinjutsu mistress yet. She beat Sasuke in spars because she had experience to back her up and later on Kage Bunshin training as well. Besides, none of them were going all out. I am not sure if the custom summon you refer to is Kaera or the tiger contract, but either way Kaera is just like Akamaru is to Kiba, and she basically will never really fight so... as for the contract thing, you can't just expect there are only four or five contract in all the Naruto's world, so inventing one is not that strange. And about her kekkai genkai, there are clear limits to the boosting you refer to. I explain it in later chapters (as I assume you read only up to chap 6) Well, I am probably being too polemic. I can't force you to read... nor to like the story, for that matter. Thank you for giving it a try, anyway, and for taking the time to review and give me your honest opinion, even though I can't really do anything about it, bar cancelling the story and rewriting it all. Which I am not doing. (and you'll probably never read this anyway)

Neo Amon: thank you very much for reviewing. As always, I'm glad you liked Team 7 interaction (and sarcastic Shino is just so fantastic, I love writing him) and that you agree with me about Sasuke. At least I am not the only one! You still have to wait sometime for Kyūbi's developments, hope you are too to. Also, I hope you liked the chapter. It was nothing much this time.

zerodragon: I really hope you mean it in a positive way! Lol =) Thank you for reading and reviewing!

shootingcuz: thank you for reviewing. I answered your question by PM. =)

Wizardmon0073: ahahaha, I always thought the same about the Oto genins. You are from the village of Sound. Duh. Well... that was why it was so funny writing about Akimi discovering their abilities. Lol. About them being strong. Well I don't really think that either. And neither does Akimi. They are good compared to the general standard of the other teams, that's all. Their abilities are quite particular if not easy to figure out. And other teams wouldn't have Naruto's clone to use a cannon fodder to buy time, so they would be surprised. Dosu can also track people with sounds very easily. I think the reason they only had their scroll up to the fight with Sasuke and company is because they were focusing on finding Sasuke, not the scroll. But that is just me. Their role will be over and finished after the preliminaries, so don't worry...

About the Gogyō Fūin: yes you are right. I suppose it will remain as a little hole in the story. Although I can say Akimi has studied Yondaime's seal extensively and therefore would trust in its strength. But that is the last argument I'll bring forward. But I agree 100% she was reckless! XD (one can't always be reasonable and everything after all, it would be boring...)

Thanks for genjutsu suggestion. I liked them, so I'll implement them in the story one point or another. I also edited the two mistakes you noticed. I didn't edit last chapter. Actually I'll probably have to edit all chapters, sooner or later. Also updating is not a problem as long as I've stuff done. I just hope I will not be struck by a writer block halfway during the story!

CHAPTER NOTES:

So, I hope the chapter was up to standard. I know the scene with Team 7 was somehow repetitive of what they spoke about in the last chapters, but Kakashi is a considerate sensei in this story and it would have been logical to speak with them. So...

Also, I look forward to hear your thoughts about Akimi's dream. I am not sure how it turned out. Also, you don't mind me putting into the story this original thing, right? It may become an Arc later on as well.

And what about Sasuke's POV? I think I really bashed this time, but in a way I don't really mind so much. But let me know. His POV is kind of a filler anyway, so I can always change it.

Lastly, as I told at the top, I am not happy with the preliminary fighting scene. If you have critics or suggestion to make, they are welcome. Thank you for reading!

I meant to ask you, do you prefer if I answer your reviews via PM or do I keep writing answers at the bottom of the chapters? Let me know.

Also, the poll about Shino's element is at a standstill. You still have time, though, because it'll be a while before he starts training with nature chakra. Vote if you want.

Until next time!