"Why, Why, Why, it's always the same! He sets the time then we have to wait hours for him!" I walk onto the bridge with Sasuke to hear this with a sigh. "It's Not Fair!" Naruto yells.
"Tell me about it, I rushed here so fast I didn't even have time to blow dry my hair!" Sakura complains as she runs her fingers through her hair. I couldn't help but tilt my head. Technically blow drying your hair isn't a good thing. The heat will fry the delicate strands.
"And I didn't even have enough time to brush my teeth or change my underwear!" And that's my best friend for you. I couldn't help but shake my head hearing him.
"You uh... Didn't? That's really disgusting Naruto." I pull myself up on the side railing of the bridge as Sasuke leans his back against it next to me. Closing my eyes I very nearly yawn. We did it again, Every time he and I train we always stay up way too late. Then Kakashi was annoying and had me wake up early from the message he gave my mother. I just want to go back home to bed... "Hey, good morning, everyone. Sorry, I'm late. I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life." Kakashi says as we all look up at him.
"You liar!" Naruto and Sakura yell accusingly up to him at precisely the same time. Sliding off of the railing I walk over to the group as Kakashi jumps down.
"I know this is a bit sudden but I recommended you for the chunin exams, all four of you." He says before pulling out four pieces of paper. "These are the application forms."
"Application forms?" Sakura questions dumfoundedly as she furrows her brows.
"You're repeating me Sakura." Kakashi teases her lightly. "This is all voluntary, it's up to each of you, if you don't feel ready you can wait till next year."
"Alright!" Naruto yells running up to Kakashi and hugging him throwing him into a spin.
"Hey, don't slobber on my vest." He says as he puts Naruto down and handing him his application. "Whoever wants to take the exams sign your name to the application form and come to the room 301 at the academy. It's at 3 pm five days from now, that's it."
"Hahaha, chunin exams, chunin exam!" Naruto speaks excitedly as the rest of us take our applications as well. Frowning I look at my exam sheet and tilt my head. I know what the exams are, it's one of the things we learned in the academy. I even did an extra credit report on them and had spent time in the library researching the exams. Most of the time there are three exam levels the last one is always the same, whereas the first two have differed throughout the years. There was even one that contained examinees battling for every step but that was a long time ago.
As we are walking Naruto looks at his application. "Chunin exams, I'll be up against some really wicked ninja!" He speaks closing his eyes momentarily then shifting a glare to Sasuke, causing me to tilt my head with a small smile at his actions. Times like this, my best friend is pretty cute. Glancing at Sasuke as I see him glare I nearly sigh. I know Sasuke likes me, it's why he had asked me out. I would say he should know I wouldn't date my best friend but a little while back I had agreed to go on a double date with him. I mostly agreed like I had, so Sakura could finally have a date with Sasuke but still. Looking ahead of us I feel my fingers curl into loose fists at my sides. I hate fighting, I don't want to hurt anyone. However, that kid yesterday was right. Nine times out of ten you have to participate in the exams in order to advance. I know Naruto and Sasuke are planning to take them. I'll take them too even if I don't want to. Which I really don't. Unlike with missions, fighting isn't a possibility, it's a criteria. It's just unnecessary bloodshed.
I jump as I feel someone touch my hand. Glancing to my right Sasuke smirks as he closes his eyes a moment before he uncurls my fingers and slips his hand into place. Almost as if he knew the thought of the chunin exams bothers me. I couldn't help but raise a brow at him before looking away. It's not unthinkable that he'd remember everything I've told him about fighting. Though Sasuke always pegged me as the kind of guy who couldn't care less about anyone else's feelings. Still. He noticed when my best friend didn't. For some reason… it feels nice. Even if this is the first time a guy has ever held my hand, in this life and my last.
After a bit, I release Sasuke's hand and walk up to Sakura. I nudge her lightly with a smile ignoring the eyes I can feel on my back from the male Uchiha. "No harm in trying right? If we fail it just means we weren't ready and we can try again." I mutter to her. The frown tugging on her lips changes to a smile as she looks at me. "You're right!" She giggles lightly even though her eyes didn't quite share her good mood. I could understand her feelings. My stomach was even beginning to turn in circles. Unlike Naruto, I had done a report about the chunin exams for extra credit. I know there are always casualties. Unnecessary death. We will be battling against other ninja for our lives just to pass a stupid exam. "Tala, you coming?" Naruto asks drawing my attention from my thoughts to notice I had stopped walking and to see them waiting for me at the top of the steps. All three of them. Sakura and Naruto were smiling as Sasuke even had one of his classic smirks. Nodding to them I run up the steps to catch up to them. That's right, unlike Itachi. I won't be competing alone. I'll have them with me.
"Naruto! Brace yourself!" I yell making Naruto give a sound of question, as he turns to continue walking. Jumping I wrap my legs around his waist and sling my arms over his shoulders. Thanks to Sakura and Sasuke he didn't fall face first. "Tala!" Sakura snaps at me as Naruto begins to laugh. "I gave him forewarning." I shrug and rest my chin on Naruto's head. "Now where to?"
"Tala, you're heavy." Naruto grumbles with strain making Sakura look at him with a frown. Her eyes move from me to him as a bead of sweat accumulates at her temple. "Look at it as training." I smile and resituate myself so my chin was now on his shoulder. "But I could get off if you want..." I speak gently and I could feel him tremble beneath me slightly before his hands grip my legs. "No, you're fine right where you are, believe it!" I couldn't miss the glare Sasuke shoots in Naruto's direction as we continue walking.
After that, Naruto took me around town. While he was happily talking about anything and everything. I didn't mind that he was rambling, he wouldn't be Naruto if he didn't. Most of our conversations are usually one-sided with him anyway as he talks my ear off. I did notice when he calmed down and started talking a bit less frequently at slower intervals. When he suddenly stopped near a small lake with a wooden dock on it I couldn't help but look at the sun reflecting off of the smooth surface as well. "Beautiful." I comment before climbing off of him and catching his hand while I walk down to the dock. "Wha?" He begins and I look over my shoulder at his reddened face. I wonder if carrying me around like that did wear him out. He's so red.
"You've been walking me around for hours, time to rest and this place is perfect." I found myself giggling and letting go of his hand as I walk onto the dock. At the edge of the dock, I take my sandals off and set down letting my feet skim the cool water. Naruto sets down next to me with his hands resting behind him. A smile is firmly in place as he looks out over the water. I nudge him lightly with my shoulder before resting my head against him. "You know Naruto. I think you're the best friend anyone could ever ask for. We've been together for so long. Even so, when we first met I was comfortable around you. There were never any awkward moments between us."
He sets up so I could now fully rest against him as I lightly kick my feet in the water. "Tala... I..." He began and I close my eyes listening to his voice rumbling in his chest. Yes, every time these last six years that I needed someone. To know I'm not alone. Naruto was always here. He then exhales a breath. "You're my best friend too, Tala." He speaks rather quietly causing me to smile as his hand rests on my shoulder opposite of him. "Forever, believe it."
"I'll hold you to that." I giggle before looking back out towards the lake again. My eyes settling on the water reflecting the sun like shimmering jewels. He then chuckles and holds up his free hand with his pinky raised. Seeing this I raise my head and look from his hand to his smiling face. "Swear!" He calls out happily making me smile. Curling my pinky with his I couldn't help but giggle lightly at his childish antics. "Don't ever stop smiling, Naruto. Your antics are some of your best qualities." I point out gently causing him to chuckle again as his cheeks dust pink. Laying my head back on his shoulder I couldn't help but close my eyes. He smells like a field of flowers that have soaked up the warmth of the sun all day. "So, are we going to hang out tomorrow?" I ask him randomly causing him to stiffen a bit beneath me. Probably because I haven't asked him anything like this since we were little. Usually, I spend my free time training. "Actually, I kind of promised Konohamaru that I'd play with him."
"A ninja playing?" I raise and tilt my head looking at him again making him smile and rub the back of his head. "Him and his friends are a bunch of kids but they sorta look up to me ya know." He explains making me smile. I guess there are some things about my best friend I never knew. "I understand. You can go ahead and keep your promise. I'll find something else to do." I tell him quietly. "You can join us too!" He suddenly yells nearly making me jump from the suddenness of his tone.
"Actually, I'm sure I wouldn't be any good with kids so I'll pass. But maybe the day after, you can look me up? I'll probably just train."
"Oh, ok, if you're sure." He mutters making me nudge him with my shoulder. "We have four more days before the exams, we can always hang out after tomorrow." He finally smiles again. "Alright!" Shaking my head I pick up my sandals and stand, holding my hand out for him to take. Once we are both on our feet I slip my sandals on. "I'll see you the day after tomorrow Naruto." I inform him before giving him a soft pat on the back and running away to train. It has been too long since Naruto and I just hung out together. I should do it more often.
The next night Sasuke met up with me at my usual training area. We were holding an anything goes sparring session with our blazing red eyes locked onto each other. Dodging Sasuke's kick I drop to the ground and go to swipe his leg off of underneath him. He jumps as my eyes calculate his movements. Leaping back I do three handsprings just as a fireball hits where I had been. Pulling my tanto I run around the fire and lunge for him as he lands. Already with his kunai out our blades clash at that moment. A smirk on his features bringing out one of my own. He's gotten a lot faster since the land of waves. I think to myself before jumping back holding my tanto down at my side. "Hn." He grunts as he closes his eyes a moment, the flames from his jutsu finally dissipating. "Ever thought about weight training to help boost your speed?" I couldn't help but ask him. "If you weight yourself down a bit while we train it will help." I suggest when he looks at me with a grunt.
"Hahahaha." A guy with a higher-pitched voice underlined with a ruff edge to it laughs from behind me as I turn to look at him. Sasuke walks up to my side his kunai still in his hand. "We're training, so beat it." Sasuke snaps at the guy, his now onyx hues glaring at him. "Do you think you can really survive the chunin exams?!" The guy calls out causing me to tilt my head. "What's it to you?" Sasuke asks as his fingers tighten around the handle of his kunai. "I might as well get rid of you now to eliminate the competition!" The guy cackles. Sasuke races forward as I watch the ninja pull a reed umbrella from his back blocking Sasuke's kunai. At that moment I come up behind the man and slip my arm around him in a chokehold. Forcing him to bend backward to my height. "Wha?!" The man begins just before Sasuke catches his foot against the man's chin. Loosening my grip at the exact moment of impact the man goes flying sideways nearly sending him off the cliff. "Get out of our village." Sasuke practically snarls as the man moves to get up.
Turning I go up beside Sasuke and rub the back of my head lazily. "Sasuke, stop." I utter out as I watch the man in front of us with my Sharingan still blazing. "What... Do you mean Tala?" Sasuke questions almost hesitantly as he glances to me from the corner of his eye. "It's just a transformation Jutsu." I inform him with a sigh causing him to grunt. "My eyes see it." I pipe up for the one who had interrupted our training. I watch as the man makes it to his feet already preparing to dodge another attack. If only he knew. I thought a moment. "You're not going to the chunin exams." I speak up boredly as if this is an everyday occurrence. Sasuke gives a grunt of confusion before he too looks at the man. The rain village ninja's eyes widen with my words. "What makes you think that kid?!" He calls out pointing in my direction with one hand and putting his other on his hip. That's right. I smile as a memory flashes over my gaze. "Iruka Sensei." I speak again if only to prove my initial statement I had made to Sasuke. A bead of sweat slips from beneath the black mask and over what visible skin there was. A puff of smoke suddenly pops blocking him from view just before Iruka steps out of it. "Whew. I have to say out of all the rookies you're the only one to notice." He chuckles with a red mark from Sasuke's kick pronounced on his face.
"So, Iruka Sensei, what gives?" Sasuke asks as he holsters his weapon watching our old Sensei curiously. "Well, I was given the task to test you guys. It's practically unheard of for rookie genin to be suggested for the exams." I give him a nod then move my right hand back to my hip. "I see, so did we pass?" I ask aloud for him causing Iruka to practically jump. "Yes, and might I say quite spectacularly too." As he says this he rubs his face where Sasuke had struck him. "As expected of you Tala." He smiles brightly before sending us a wave. "I'll let you get back to training, good luck in the exams you two." With that, he disappears in another puff of smoke. Tilting my head I watch as he leaves. Noticing Sasuke looking at me I glance at him from the corner of my eyes. "What, Sasuke?" I ask him curiously. "Nothing, let's continue." He grunts almost as if that isn't what he had really wanted to say. I nearly shake my head before turning to face him again. "Don't hold back." He speaks with a hint of annoyance in his tone. Sasuke, if I don't hold back, I'll hurt you. "Fine, I'll use the eye of hypnotism and evasion only." I speak up annoying him further as I slip my foot back and drop into a fighting stance.
The next four days I spaced my time out between my own training, training with Naruto, and with Sakura. Nearly every night just before nightfall Sasuke would appear in my training area expecting me to let him join in. Which I did. We would train well into the night until one of us dropped. Sasuke met up with me as I was walking to the academy, his dark eyes set ahead of him with a hand in the pocket of his shorts. Even though he has been trying to watch himself for the last five days I can still tell, especially when he is lost to his thoughts as he is now. He is still thinking about the possible fights ahead of us. He is excited and anxiously awaiting when or if he can meet Gaara in battle. Fact is, he is trying to hide it. Meaning he is trying to change his views as he said he would but I can't expect it to happen overnight. Sasuke and I walk up to the academy side by side. Stopping in the front play yard as we wait for our teammates.
Naruto was the next to show up, he was so excited his goofy grin was permanently plastered on his face. At first, he asked if we were ready but Sasuke snapped back asking if he was. That killed the conversation my best friend tried to have. At one point it seemed like his mood was going to slip entirely due to Sasuke's glare, but I went up next to Naruto and slung my arm around his shoulders with a smile to cheer him back up. His cheeks darkened at first as he looked a little nervous before he snapped back with that goofy grin. Sasuke grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Naruto rudely. His glare only intensified towards Naruto. Shrugging I put my right hand on my hip once Sasuke lets me go. "Sasuke! You're such a jerk!" Naruto yells causing Sasuke's glare to change into a smirk. "Hn, Loser."
"You two are acting like children." I mutter and look away from them causing both boys to look at me. Sasuke's brow is twitching as Naruto growls in annoyance. "As far as I'm concerned neither of you can claim me. Naruto you are my best friend, I can have other friends. Sasuke, we've gone out on one date, it's not like we are a couple. Besides, even if we were. I am allowed to have friends." Finally moving my gaze to meet theirs I nearly frown. "To simplify it, I'm allowed to be as close to anyone as I want. Neither of you have a say. If you want to control me I can walk away right now."
Silence fell between the three of us as the two boys quietly think about my words to them. "Sakura! Hey late." Naruto smiles as he turns. Moving forward a bit to meet her. Sakura looks up from the ground and gives him a smile with a small wave. "Uh.. right. Sorry guys." She then looks over towards Sasuke, her eyes glazing over a bit as her cheeks tinge pink. "Good morning... Sasuke." I couldn't help but furrow my brows watching her. Usually, she's squealing and laughing pitching Sasuke's name happily. "Yeah.." Sasuke speaks up as he looks to her from the corner of his eye his brows furrowing down in thought.
Leaving the play yard we move inside. As we are walking up the floors of the academy I nearly lost track of where we were. Already feeling us walking into a Genjutsu as we reach what should be the second floor. Moving forward with my squad we step up to a group where the sound of someone being beaten up was coming from. "You're taking the chunin exams but you can't even get past us?" A guy says smugly, hidden by the group of genin.
"Really you should just give up now." This time both of the guys chuckle.
"Yeah, I think I hear your mommy calling."
"Please let us through we are supposed to go in there!" A girl sounds as if she is begging as we make our way through the crowd. Revealing a girl with brown twin buns holding a guy wearing a green jumpsuit and an ungodly haircut. She leaves him on the ground and walks towards the door only to get hit back. Sasuke's hand suddenly on my shoulder made me look to him in time to see him shake his head as if he knew I was about to leap in and interfere with them hitting someone for no reason. Kids muttering in the background about how harsh the bullies were being. "Did you say harsh? Don't kid yourselves we're being nice by comparison. The exams are going to make this look like a picnic." The one with black spiky hair and an off-colored nose says with a smile.