She perched on the balcony railing to watch the Tenten's match with Temari, the girl from Sand. She was intrigued by Tenten's technique utilising summoning scrolls and idly wondered if she might be allowed to look at them. It was a shame that Tenten lost, but Temari's wind jutsu was no joke.

The girl from Sound also used genjutsu, but Shikamaru was able to break out of it without too much trouble and once he had, it was pretty much over. The Nara's shadow possession jutsu was impossible to escape once caught. She thought that he, like Ino, had spent a lot of time working together as a team, so much so that they'd all neglected to learn how to fight individually as well. Shikamaru had his intelligence to fall back on, so he was able to secure his win. Sakura thought it would be interesting to see how Chōji faired.

Naruto vs Kiba Inuzuka and his ninken partner Akamaru had the most impressive fight since the preliminaries started. She was surprised to feel pride for Naruto while the rest of the rookies felt nothing but shock at his win. He'd come a long way since they graduated the Academy, and he'd shown that intelligence didn't necessarily have to lie in books. There was something to be said about his determination and his stubborn will to never give up. To never quit and always push forward.

Sakura didn't want to stay on the team, but she didn't want to lose his optimism and his drive to do better. To be better. She thought she'd lose something precious if she did.

Looks like we're giving our knight in blinding orange another chance. Inner stated drolly.

Looks like. Sakura mentally returned.

In the Hyūga match-up, Hinata's strong willpower and determination to do her best impressed Sakura. She also had come a long way from where she was at the Academy, but her cousin outclassed her in all areas except for her personality. He even had prettier hair. Sakura wanted to rub his nose in the dirt- and his hair. Especially when he tried to attack after the match had ended. She was glad when the jōnin stepped in and stopped him.

She blanched when she realised that Gaara was up next and she could feel his killing intent. She caught Lee's arm just as he was about to jump off the balcony.

"Be careful. He's dangerous," she cautioned and she had to leap back at the hearts that appeared in his eyes.

"There is no need for you to worry about me my beautiful blossom!" Lee announced. "I am all fired up and the springtime of youth is on my side!" he winked sending one of the hearts towards her and she barely dodged it while simultaneously pushing him off the balcony in an attempt to avoid more hearts being thrown her way.

He landed gracefully and waved up at her. "Thank you for your strong encouragement. I shall win this and when I do I hope you will consent to being my girlfriend!" Sakura took a shaky step back shaking her head. Lee was distracted by the proctor who asked if they were ready and Sakura thankfully didn't have to answer the madman with bushy eyebrows.

Lee immediately launched into an attack but the sand being carried around in the gourd on Gaara's back blocked every punch and every kick while the sand genin just stood there impassively.

It was a surprise to find out that Lee couldn't utilise ninjutsu or genjutsu at all, but it explained why his taijutsu and his physical stamina were off the charts. Sakura didn't want to know just how heavy the weights he wore were. Each set had created a small crater at the base of the statue, and then he was gone. His movements were so quick, that the sand was having trouble keeping up, and the Sand nin looked completely bewildered by it.

Lee landed a kick from above.

"YES LEE! LET THE POWER OF YOUTH EXPLODE!"

The cheer came from his jōnin sensei who was standing next to an exasperated Kakashi. Sakura couldn't help but giggle at their interaction.

Then Lee landed a punch and knocked Gaara onto his back.

It seemed like it was the wrong thing to do. The jinchuuriki had a coating of sand all over his body that had cracked from the punch and a crazed look in his eyes. Sakura concentrated and could feel the unstable seal giving off a low vibration.

The next move that had Lee sending the Sand nin into the floor with such speed and force, was in vain. It was a sand clone that Lee had captured, and the toll that the move had on Lee was severe.

The vibration became a steady hum and Sakura knew that they could all be in danger if the guy was pushed much further.

Then Lee got faster. The sand couldn't keep up. Gaara was being thrown all over the room. Then just when it looked like it was a double knockout, the sand started to move again. The jinchuuriki directed it towards Lee and crushed his arm and his leg.

Lee's sensei had to step in to stop him from killing Lee altogether.

Chōji's match against the last Sound genin went about as she had expected it to and was over almost as quickly as her own match had been. It unfortunately didn't say much for Team 10 since the two quickest matches involved two of their number and in those matches both Team 10 members lost.

"The third exam preliminaries are now finished. Congratulation on all of those who have made it this far. In the final rounds each of you will put your battle skills on display. You'll demonstrate the power and control that you've achieved in your chosen disciplines. Accordingly the final matches will be held in one month's time. This will give you time to rest and prepare. Up until now you've been fighting without knowing your opponents abilities. Now you have some idea what you're going to be up against. Once again you will be matched randomly by drawing lots. Stay there, the proctor will come to you."

Everyone drew a slip of paper and announced their numbers to Ibiki who called for them.

The Hokage explained that even though it was a tournament, everyone had the opportunity to become a chūnin even if they lost their match, as they were going to be assessed by the Lords and Ladies of the countries, the Hokage and the Kazekage. The more matches they fought in just meant more opportunities to showcase their skills.

Sakura's breath caught when they were showed the first round matches of the elimination tournament. Naruto would be fighting against Neji straight off the bat. Shino would be up against Kankurō. Gaara was up against the Sound nin, Dosu, Shikamaru would be fighting Temari and she, she was matched up against Sasuke.

You know he's going to underestimate us. Inner whispered and Sakura glanced over to see him already eyeing both Shikamaru and his opponent instead.

See. He's already moved on to assessing who he'll be up against in the second round. He doesn't think we'll be any problem.

Let's be a problem for him then.

Yes. Lets. Inner grinned back at her from inside her mind.

Dun dun dunnn! Reviews mean I love you in fanfic. Love me dammit ;P

~G