!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
Welcome to the longest chapter of this FF, I wanted to have the Chuunin Exams wrapped in one.
So enjoy them.
Chapter 10: The Chuunin Exams
Finally the day Kohana and her teammates had waited for in anticipation arrived.
The Chuunin-Exams took place.
Kohana stood before the Haruno-Clan compound getting fussed over by her mother, while her father gave her an encouraging smile.
"Do you have enough Kunai?", asked her mother. "How about Shuriken? Did you have your Fuin Jutsu Traps from Kushina-San?"
"Yes, Kaa-Chan!"
"Now, Tamiko, let her breath.", chuckled Oto-San, gripping the shoulders of his wife. "Let our little blossom breathe."
"I'm just worried, Aoi. Nine years old and already taking the Chuunin Exams..."
The girl in question made a fist and gave her mother a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry Kaa-Chan I got this. Obito, Rin, Kakashi and I trained like obsessed with Minato-Sensei and Kushina-San to be ready for them. Nothing will happen!"
"Now, Ko-Chan, don't promise something like that. A ninja can never know when something goes wrong.", reminded her father.
"Then I will promise I will only break a bone and not die!"
"KOHANA!", yelled Kaa-Chan, while her father laughed.
"Now that's better."
"AOI!"
After Kohana left herself getting nearly hugged to death by her mother and her father kissing her forehead in good luck, she made her way over to the Uchiha District.
She would be damned if her crush would be today late.
That wouldn't shine a good light on their team.
Soon she reached Obito's house.
Grandma Keika let her in with a smile, telling her that Obito was going crazy in his room since he didn't know what she should bring with him to the Exams.
A tiny laugh left Kohana.
She knocked on Obito's door, announcing her arrival.
"Come in!" he shouted from inside. Kohana opened the door to find Obito pacing back and forth.
"Hey, what's going on? It looks like a tornado wasted your room," she asked curiously.
"I don't know what to bring with me! I feel like I'm forgetting something important," Obito replied frantically.
The girl walked over to the bed, where the ninja tools were laid out.
"You've got your Kunai, Shuriken, and Paper Bombs," she said as she checked each item off on her fingers. "You're good to go."
Obito let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Kohana gratefully.
"Thanks for checking, Kohana-Chan,"
"Don't sweat it, Obito-Kun.
He put his ninja tools in his bags and followed her out the door.
As they made their way towards the exam location, Kohana couldn't help but feel confident in their team's preparation for the Chuunin Exams.
They meet up with Rin and Kakashi who seem to talk with each other.
"You are early.", deadpanned Kakashi at Obito. "Thank the Kami's for Kohana-San or you would be late again."
"Shut up Bakashi! Kohana-Chan was just nice!"
"No, I literately picked you up."
Obito's groan drowned out Rin's playful: "Oh you didn't take him home?"
Rin was like them only nine years old, but sometimes she had a perverted sense of humour. It's always the cute, calm ones.
For that Kohana sent her best friend a deadly glare with her Eagle-Vision activated, to intimidate her, however, the brunette just laughed.
"Are we all ready?", asked Kakashi his teammates. "It may be only the written exam part of the Chuunin-Exams but it is important."
The girls shouted an energetic agreement, while Obito gave a thumbs up.
So Team 7 walked into the Ninja Academy where the writing exam was held.
The exam room was filled with eager young ninjas of Konohagakure, all hoping to pass the first stage of the Chuunin Exams.
Kohana's team found a spot near the front and settled in, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
As they waited for the exam to begin, Kohana couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness.
This was her chance to prove herself as a skilled ninja and make her family proud.
She remembered how Kizashi, her big brother, encouraged her last night. He couldn't send her off today with his team, since he was sent back to the war front with his own team, but he had some wise words for his younger sister.
"I know, you want to become on your first try Chuunin, because you want to start our family legacy with a boom, but Ko-Chan, don't stress yourself. You already awoke a Kekkai Genkai, who hand't been seen since the Warring States Era, you are a Fuin Jutsu Genius and you are the youngest in our family who ever took the exams. This is enough to be proud of."
Kohana girl took a big breath and adjusted her glasses. She would try to think about her brother's wise words if she got too reckless in reaching Chuunin. She didn't want to be brought home...in a body bag.
The written exam proved to be challenging, but Kohana's team managed to answer most of the questions correctly.
After the written exam, the team was relieved to have completed it without any major issues.
They were confident in their abilities and felt that they had done well.
As they left the exam room, they were greeted by a group of other young ninjas who had also completed the first stage of the Chuunin Exams.
The atmosphere was tense as everyone waited for the results to be announced.
Kohana's team stood together, waiting anxiously for their names to be called.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the proctor announced that they had all passed the first stage of the exams.
The team let out a collective sigh of relief and exchanged high-fives.
Even Kakashi!
As they walked out of the Ninja Academy, Kohana couldn't help but feel proud of herself and her teammates.
They had worked hard and it had paid off. She knew that there was still a long way to go before becoming a Chuunin, but she was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
With renewed determination, Kohana and her team set off towards their next challenge – the second stage of the Chuunin Exams.
They were ready to face whatever obstacles came their way and prove themselves as true ninja warriors.
The second half of the Chuunin Exams was held in the Forest of Death.
It was Team vs. team.
Nearly Kohana and Obito were late because her crush wanted to help an old lady with her groceries.
Since they were two, they managed to wrap it up faster.
The nice old granny gave them both a bonbon as thanks.
The girl decides to eat it later, while Obito already sucked on it.
"Come on, Obito-Kun. We must hurry or we will be late!"
"Right behind you, Kohana-Chan!"
When they meet their other two teammates at the front gate of the Forest of Death, Kakashi just says. "One minute more and you would have been late."
Before Obito could verbally shoot something at Kakashi, Kohana asked: "Do we know which team we have to fight?"
Even with wearing a mask, Kohana could tell that Kakashi was making a face, while Rin giggled: "It's Gai's team."
Oh...!
Now Kohana understood Kakashi's face.
She and Obito had shit-eating grins on their face.
"Your eternal rival.", they sing-songed together.
"You both...", began Kakashi with a twitchy eye. "Are a match made in hell."
"Hell yeah, me and Kohana-Chan are a great team."
Behind Obito Kohana pretending to get stabbed in the heart, Rin was beside her and hugged her best friend in comfort.
Kakashi just rolled his eyes.
Why was everyone he knew so dramatic?
Obito, of course, didn't catch anything.
The promoter let them enter the forest and now they stood face-to-face with Gai team. He, Genma and the closet pervert Ebisu. Kohana knows this because she had a vision a while ago from Naruto who used his Sexy-No-Jutsu on an older Ebiso and had knocked him out fully with it.
Yeah, her visions weren't always doom and gloom.
Thankfully or she would turn crazy.
"We will begin now with the second part of the Chuunin Exams.", began the protoctor. "The Teamwork Exam. Pre-Qualification. Start!"
Everybody got ready.
Kohana activated her Eagle Vision, taking a Kunai out of her holder. Kakashi and Rin got into a fighting stage, while Gai ran up to Team 7.
Because she had activated her Kekkei-Genkai Kohana saw at first how Obito ran up to Gai, Fire-Chakra curling in his coils and Gai ready to kick the living daylights out of him!
"Obito! Wait!", she shouted.
It was too late.
Gai kicked Obito in the face before he could unleash his Fire Jutsu. The Uchiha was knocked out cold.
"Dammit! Rin, take care of Obito. Kakashi, follow me!", shouted Kohana.
Kakashi and Kohana ran towards Gai, who was now standing in front of them with a smirk on his face. Genma and Ebiso were standing behind him, ready to attack.
Gai charged towards them with his fists ready to strike. Kakashi dodged his attack and countered with a swift kick to Gai's stomach.
Kohana followed up by throwing her kunai's at Genma and Ebiso, who barely managed to dodge it.
Meanwhile, Obito was healed by Rin and woke up.
"What?!"
"Obito, let's help our teammates!", told him Rin and started to make handsings. " Water Release: Gunshot!"
The Water Jutsu swept over Gai's Team, making them wet.
Kakashi followed up with a Lighting Jutsu, electrocuting them.
Ebiso was out cold, and Gai and Genma barely standing.
Kohana gave them no chance to move as she threw one of her Fuin Jutstu Traps at them, practically glueing them to the forest floor.
"Obito, Great Fireball now!", shouted Kohana to her crush, while she made her handsings.
The Uchiha nodded and sent the Fireball after the two trapped ninjas, Kohana used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to make the fireball bigger and hotter and well, Gai and Genma were nicely roasted.
They fall on the ground out cold.
"Team 5 can't fight anymore, Team 7 wins!", declared the proctor.
"Come here.", cooed Kohana softly, cleaning Obito's wound on his cheek. The boy hissed at the sting from the disinfectant.
Rin had only used her medical jutsu to wake him up, now that they passed the second part of their Exam they had time to treat their wounds.
Old Matchmaker and self-proclaimed captain of the ship ObiHana (that Rin gave them even a shipname was worrying and funny at the same time) had handed Kohana her little medical kit and said such a superficial wound can wrap up someone without medical jutsus.
She and Kakashi had gone together to get them something for lunch, so it was only Kohana and Obito on the stone bench.
Kohana knew that Obito was sad that Rin didn't treat him and was away with Kakashi, but she would try her best to take care of his wounds and make him think something different.
"Our combined attack worked even better than when we trained it.", she mused at Obito.
The boy made an agreeing sound.
"Well Minato-Sensei did say your Wind Nature compliments my Fire Nature.", then he crossed his arms with a frown on his face. "Like Rin's Water Nature Kakashi's Lighting..."
The glass-wearing girl felt a stab in her heart.
She knew what Obito was thinking.
He was jealous of Rin's close bond with Kakashi and how their elemental natures complemented each other.
It hurt her that he couldn't see how she and him complimented each other.
Would she ever have a chance to win Obito's heart?
There was no competition, which Kohana was glad but didn't understand at the same time, Obito was amazing, yet Obito always chased after Rin.
Always Rin.
Never her.
No matter how close, what good friends they had become.
"Hey.", she heard Obito whisper and felt how he gently wiped a tear from her cheek.
Damn it.
She was crying.
"What's wrong Kohana-Chan? Did you get hurt in the fight? You shouldn't hide wounds!"
Kohana shook her head, trying to compose herself. "No, it's not that. It's just... I don't know if we can ever be as good as Rin and Kakashi. They have such a strong bond and their elemental natures complement each other perfectly."
Obito frowned at her words. "That's not true, Kohana-Chan. We have our strengths and we work well together."
"But you always seem to admire Rin so much, Obito-Kun.", Kohana looked up at him with teary eyes. "It makes me feel like I'm not good enough."
In silence, Obito looked at his friend and felt... bad.
His heart was hurting.
He never wanted to make some of his important people feel like that.
A great friend that he was!
Gently Obito cupped her face in his hands and wiped away another tear. "Don't say that, Kohana-Chan. You're amazing in your way and I admire you too."
The girl felt her heart skip a beat at his words.
Did he mean it?
Could there be a chance for them after all?
Kohana's heart was pounding in her chest as she gazed into his black eyes, feeling a rush of emotions overwhelm her.
She wanted to kiss him so badly, to show him that someone loved him, that he was perfect the way he was in her eyes.
Quick as lighting she pecked his unwounded cheek.
Not only she was blushing like a tomato, but Obito had wide eyes and a soft blush on his cheeks, rubbing the kissed spot in wonder.
"Thank you...for your words.", mubled Kohana. "They made me happy, Obito-Kun."
Like a deer in headlights, Obito stared at her, still blushing cutely and nodded slowly.
He didn't get why he felt all flattery and clammy all of a sudden. Where Kohana had kissed him it burned warm and tingly.
It was...a nice feeling...
"Erm, of course Kohana-Chan."
Suddenly they were interrupted by the return of Rin and Kakashi with lunch in hand.
"Hey lovebirds," teased Rin with a smirk on her face, which made them blush harder and Obito spluttering nonsense.
Kakashi rolled his eyes at the two of them before handing out lunches to everyone.
As they ate together, Kohana couldn't help but steal glances at Obito, wondering if what he said earlier was true.
Maybe there was hope for them after all.
The final and last stage of the Chuunin Exam was one-on-one battles.
The further you came into the ranking, the higher your chance to become a Chuunin.
Of their little team, Rin was the first to enter the arena.
Their Medical-Nin won two fights, till she was beaten by Anko.
Then it was Kohana's turn.
She managed as first to reach the final!
Rin and Obito hugged her in congratulation and even Kakashi gave her a thumbs up.
Next up was Obito.
He had to fight Gai and wanted to get revenge for the kick in the face, but sadly Gai again kicked his ass.
Then it was Kakashi's turn.
Kakashi rushed through his opponents even faster than Kohana had.
As he faced Gai, of course, the Hatake won.
Rin cheered for her crush, while Obito looked at her sadly with a defeated look.
He would never be like Kakashi in Rin's eyes, would he?
That's when he felt how Kohana lay her hand on his shoulder and gave him an understanding smile.
Huh?
He wondered who hurt his friend like that. Were they stupid not to see what an amazing girl Kohana was?
The world was full of idiots.
Since Kakashi won against Gai he was now in the final.
This meant Kohana had to fight her teammate.
One of her friends.
Rin and Obito gave her encouraging smiles as she stepped down into the arena where Kakashi waited.
Both teammates looked at each other.
This would be it.
This would show if a natural-born genius or a hardworking genius was the best.
"Kakashi-San.", began Kohana. "Before we begin...I want to say it's an honour to fight against you. Whoever wins this fight, shall not be angry at the other."
The silver-haired boy nodded in agreement.
"Of all the competitors here...you are the one I wanted to fight most. You made incredible progress even awaked a Kekkei Genkai since we became Team 7. I can't wait to see how good you are Kohana-San."
They both smiled at each other.
Meanwhile, Obito whispered to Rin: "For whom are you cheering?"
"For both, silly."
"Huh, what? Kohana-Chan will wipe the floor with Kakashi. I will cheer for her! She deserves to be Chuunin, she trained a lot for it!"
The protoctor stood between Kohana and Kakashi.
"This is now the final fight of the Chuunin Exams.", he said. "Remember even if you have lost or you will lose now you could still make Chuunin. Strength alone isn't what we search for in a Chuunin. Now without further outdo, the final fight of the Chuunin Exams: Haruno Kohana VS Kakashi Hatake...Begin!"
Kohana and Kakashi faced each other, both with serious expressions on their faces.
Kohana activated her Eagle Vision, taking in every detail of the world and her opponent.
She knew that he was a formidable opponent and she couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
Kakashi charged towards her and Kohana dodged his attack and countered with a series of quick punches.
The boy blocked her attacks with ease, but Kohana didn't let up. She continued to attack him relentlessly, using her speed and agility to keep him off balance.
Kakashi was impressed by Kohana's skills. He had trained with her for a year now and had seen how much she had improved since they first met.
But he also knew that he couldn't hold back against her.
This was the final stage of the Chuunin-Exams after all.
Kakashi used his Lightning Bolt technique, aiming for Kohana's body. She retaliated with a Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, sending a powerful gust of wind towards Kakashi and his lighting.
The Hatake dodged it easily and countered with a Fireball Jutsu.
The two ninjas continued to exchange attacks, neither one giving an inch. It was clear that they were evenly matched.
Then something unexpected happened.
As Kohana tried to land a punch on Kakashi's face, he suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What?" Kohana looked around confusedly as the crowd gasped in surprise.
Suddenly she felt something hit her from behind and she fell forward onto the ground.
Kakashi appeared behind her, ready to put a Kunai on her throat, as Kohana replaced herself with a log.
And not any log.
"A Fuin Jutsus-Trap!", hissed Kakashi as the marking bind him on the ground.
He heard how the ground again gasped shocked and turned around.
High in the air were two Kohanas making rapid hand seals.
"What? Kushina-San thought her Kage-Bushin? When?", he wonders surprised.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!", shouted one Kohana, while the other shouted: "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire!"
The wind and fire mixed creating large fireballs that rushed and engulfed Kakashi.
"YEAH! AWESOME KOHANA-CHAN!", yelled Obito proud of his friend.
Kakashi lost surely!
Rin smiled happily.
Of course, she was a bit sad that Kakashi lost, but Kohana showed amazing skills. She deserved the win.
The two Kohana'a landed on the ground.
One was bending over catching her breath, while the other vanished in a puff of smoke.
Damn it, this took out a lot of her. She was thankful that Kushina taught her Kagebushin, but it seemed her Chakra-Pools were still a bit too small for it.
If she had to continue fighting she would lose.
As the proctor wanted to call her out as the winner, the ground under her suddenly shook.
"What no!", she shrieked and looked where a defeated Kakashi should lay. She saw a burn to the crip log, as she was pulled into the ground.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!", proclaimed Kakashi breathing heavily, but he seemed alright.
Kohana tried to get out of the ground, yet she didn't have any force anymore.
Defeated she shook her head.
"Haruno Kohana can't fight anymore, the winner of the Chuunin Exams is Hatake Kakashi!"
After a good two hours, the remaining Genin of Kohnoha were in the Academy looking at the list if they made Chuunin, besides Kakashi, who had been congratulated and promoted after his win against Kohana.
The three remaining members of Team 7 searched for their names on the list.
"I'm not in it.", told them Rin sadly.
"You will be next time, Rin-Chan.", tried Obito to lift her spirits.
The brunette nodded and looked with Obito at their other teammate.
Kohana had her blue eyes closed, sweating nervous.
"Kohana-Chan...", said Rin worried for her.
She wanted to encourage her best friend to look at the list, but surprisingly Obito was faster.
Gently he took Kohana's hand in his and squeezed. Rin wanted to fangirl so bad seeing this.
"Kohana-Chan, do you trust me?", he asked the green-haired girl.
"What's that for a question.", she answered wobbly. "Of course I do."
"Then...look at the list."
Slowly Kohana opened her eyes.
Obito put a hand on her cheek, Rin in the background could barely keep her fangirl scream at bay, and turned Kohana's head in a direction.
The Haruno read with a breath in her lungs: Qualified Chuunin's...Haruno Kohana.
"I, I, I made it!", she shouted happily.
She threw herself in Obito's arms and the Uchiha swung her grinning around.
"You made it!", repeated Obito. "I told you, you are amazing Kohana-Chan!"
Kohana just laughed brightly like she was a sunshine personification.
While the two hugged each other, Rin had a happy smile on her face, her hands on her chest.
She was proud of Kohana that she made Chuunin, but she noted how both her friends were blushing and smiling softly at each other.
Maybe they didn't realise it, however, Rin saw it.
The blossom of a new love.
It was beautiful.
Aww.
They meet up with Kakashi and the two new Chuunin hold proudly their certification and Chuunin Vests in their hands.
"You two have made Chuunin on the first try! Kakashi-Kun and Kohana-Chan you are amazing!", celebrated Rin happy for them. "Isn't it true, Obito-Kun?"
The Uchiha had his arms crossed and stared away from them.
"Kohana-Chan deserved it.", he said shortly.
"Obito-Kun, don't be like that.", scolded Rin.
"It's okay, Rin-Chan.", reassured her Kakashi, which made her blush.
That...that was the first time that he called her Rin-Chan...!
Kohana noted this too and mouthed to Rin: Oh my kami, Rin!
The Haruno wasn't far from fangirling now.
Yeah, both best friends were the captains of the ship of their best friend, so Kohana shouldn't find it creepy that Rin had a ship name for her and Obito.
She wasn't better
"Kohana-San, you earned this promotion.", turned now Kakashi to her, which made her smile at him. "You too, Kakashi-San."
No one, besides Rin, saw how Obito made a face as Kohana smiled at Kakashi.
He...he didn't know...but it pissed him off!
Kohana normally only smiled at him and Rin.
Not wanting to see this Obito turned around a walked away.
His three teammates looked at him surprised, till Kohana decided to go after him.
She found him lying on a stone bench looking at the setting sun.
She put her Chuunin Vest on and her certification in her bags, before she leaned over him.
"What's on your mind?". she nearly whispered.
It didn't stop Obito from freacking out and sitting up.
"Come on Kohana-Chan, don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry."
She sat down beside him and both stared at the ground.
"The Chuunin Vest looks good on you...", told her Obito after a while.
This made her snort and twirl one of her green hair strains.
"I don't think, green on green is a good idea. I will look like puke."
"Ah, don't say that.", whined Obito and put a hand on her shoulder. "I like your green hair it's so minty in colour."
A little giggle escaped Kohana.
"You told me that when we were little. When you promised me that one day when you would be Hokage you would say for a mission I have to dye my hair."
"I will keep my promise, but I don't get why you don't like your hair it's so pretty.", grumbled Obito.
The two of them sat there in silence for a while longer, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Kohana could feel the tension radiating off of Obito and she knew that something was bothering him. She didn't want to push him, but she also didn't want to leave things unsaid.
"Obito-kun, is everything okay?" she asked softly, turning to face him.
He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know...it's just...seeing you smile at Kakashi like that..."
Her blue eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean? I was just happy for him."
"I know, I know," Obito said quickly, waving his hands in front of him. "It's just...I don't like it when he looks at you like that."
"Like what?" Kohana asked, genuinely confused now.
Obito hesitated for a moment before answering. "Like...like he likes you or something."
The laugh that Kohana left was big. "Obito-kun, you're being silly! Kakashi and I are just friends."
"But what if he wants more than that?", Obito pressed, looking up at her with worried eyes.
"He doesn't trust me." She paused for a moment before adding softly, "Besides, even if he did...I only have eyes for one person."
Obito turned to look at her fully now, his expression hopeful yet cautious all at once. "Who?"
Kohana smiled gently and took his hand in hers. "One day...I will tell you, I'm scared. I need time."
"Way to let me down, Kohana-Chan!"
"Come on future Hokage, let's go to the others to celebrate!"
Still holding into Obito's hand, she dragged him along, towards their friends.
And towards a new chapter in their life.
!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!