Her body is still incredibly sore after the month-long training with the Uzumaki clan at their training at Kakashi sensei's request, and waiting around for the doors to the Chunin exams to open didn't help. She looked down at her hands and forearms still heavily bandaged. Naruto had been given even harder training under the clan elder as he had apparently done the course multiple times and his sword skills had advanced enough that he was ready to go to the next level. Even Sasuke had struggled with the course. She didn't know how she would have made it though the course if it hadn't been for one of Naruto's cousins, Honoka, had decided to give her some extra instruction. Her instruction was harsh, but it had allowed her to pass the course by not being hit by any of the traps in the course.
She could feel her chakra having been greatly increased by all the physical training and her study of Honoka Sensei's moves. She didn't have the Uzumaki clan's kekkei genkai or insane chakra reserves, but she have her wits. Which allowed her to quickly pick up from a theoretical standpoint what Honoka Sensei had been talking about and it had allowed her to notice that Honoka Sensei actually breathed differently than even any of the other jonin like Kakashi sensei she had seen.
That had left her curious as to why, her curiosity grew even greater when she noticed that Naruto breathed that way now after their training. Was it some hidden technique of the clan?
Sakura turned to Naruto and said," Hey Naruto, I can't help but notice that you and your clan breathe differently. Why is that"/
Naruto's big dumb smile appeared on his face like a neon sign as he said, "Oh that? That's because we use Total Concentration Breathing! It's this super cool hidden technique that allows us to greatly increase our physical abilities to perform powerful techniques. Normally one can only do it for a short time, but if you're really strong and skilled you can learn to do it constantly"!
That seemed to get Sasuke's attention, "So you can't do it then deadlast"?
Naruto got angry and said, "Damn you Sasuke! Don't act all cool and stuff when it was my breathing sword style that kept up with Haku"!
Sasuke replied, "I meant the constant part. Obviously I have seen you use your clan's hidden techniques. I'm not as dumb as you are".
Naruto said, "Jerk. What do you think that extra training I went through was for"!?
Sasuke said, "Good. I don't want to have to carry anyone's slack during the Chunin exams".
Naruto replied with a smirk, "Funny, I was just going to say the same thing to you".
The doors finally opened and the line moved fast enough as simply a matter of submitting the paperwork.
Yet everything after went crazy. Sasuke and Naruto were both decisively defeated by the weirdo with the bushy eyebrows, and then the craziness with their former classmates. Almost everyone in the exam room looked liked they wanted to murder them. Well except Kabuto and three Leaf Genin that had been keeping their distance. The redheaded one seemed to be the leader of the trio and strangely seemed familiar despite the fact she had never seen her before.
The redhead started walking over. No one seemed to notice her approach except for Naruto who lit up and started yelling, "Hey Karin! Come meet my teammates"!
The redhead said, "Naruto, pipe down. You're drawing too much attention".
Naruto replied, "I don't care because I am going to kick all of their asses! Because I will become Hokage, believe it"!
Karin shook her head and said, "Part of being Hokage is mastery of shinobi skills which includes stealth".
The rest of their class had turned to see who was approaching. Most of them had relatively neutral expressions with curiosity being the primary emotion that was visible. Though Sasuke's skin flushed red briefly.
Did he like her?
Sakura's fist clenched hard and she promised herself that she wouldn't lose Sasuke to anyone!
Sasuke asked, "So how do you know this idiot, you don't seem anything like him".
Naruto yelled, "Hey"!
Karin smiled, titling her head and said, "Oh, I'm Naruto's clanswoman… and his betrothed".
A collective yell of shock came from their class present save Naruto, "WHAAAAAAT"?!
Sakura didn't fail to notice that Hinata completely collapsed while Choji tripped over her unconscious body.
Karin didn't answer, all she did was laugh.
Naruto asked, "What's up with you guys?", turning to Karin. "I never understood why any of you guys find that funny. You guys should at least include me in the joke".
Sakura asked Naruto. "Naruto do you really not know what it means"?
Naruto replied, "No, what does betrothed mean"?
Sasuke seemed to recompose himself briefly before yelling at him, "It means that you and her are to be married"!
The words didn't seem to register with Naruto for a few moments before it hit him and he reacted the same as they did when Karin introduced herself.
Naruto yelled, "NOOOO! NOOO, ARE YOU SERIOUS!? YOU GUYS ARE JOKING RIGHT"?!
Karin was laughing even harder, and had to fight through the laugh to speak, "Yeah, they are. That's what it means. Why do you think they always sat each other together during formal clan events and both of us were taught what is required for future Clan heads. Afterall you are technically the Clan head as your mother was before you. I will admit we should have told you years ago, but it was just so hilarious that you didn't understand what it meant especially when people outside the clan found out".
Naruto yelled, "YOU JERKS! HOW COULD YOU GUYS DO THAT?! NOT TO MENTION, I CAN'T MARRY YOU, I LOVE SAKURA"!
Sakura's fist clenched hard and she was about to hit Naruto, but Karin beat her to it.
Karin yelled, "SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU IDIOT"!
Naruto recoiled from the blow and yelled out in pain.
Karin said, "I didn't make the betrothal contract either, it is simply what needs to be done. To preserve the power of our kekkei genkai and other reasons I do not need to tell you. The least you could do for me is not embarrass and shame me in front of everyone".
Naruto replied, "Dammit that hurt. I am sorry, I guess I am still kind of overwhelmed after learning we're betrothed. I could certainly do worse"... Naruto noticed that his last words were about to get him hit again so he tried save himself, "I MEAN THE ELDERS COULD HAVE MARRY SOMEONE WHO WAS WEIRD AND WEAK! NOT SOMEONE AS BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG AS YOU".
Karing smirked, "That's more like it".
Naruto said, "Though can you at least grow your hair out more. I like long hair better".
Karin said, "Maybe if you become a chunin. Now I will let you get back to classmates and four eyes over there".
Forget the Chunin exams, Sakura didn't know if she could survive all the craziness Naruto brought into her life. Naruto loved her? The preference for long hair? Naruto being betrothed? If she was old enough to drink, the insanity that was her team would make her drink.
The first stage of the Chunin Exams was almost nothing compared to the insanity of what had just preceded it. Only the 10th question had matched the craziness. She almost forfeited to protect Naruto's dream, but Naruto's last second speech brought everything back to normal. As annoying as Naruto could be, he did have a knack for sparking a fire inside people.