Chapter 15: Sizing up the Competition.
Yuri waits outside of the academy. Her head bowed and arms crossed, she hadn't gotten any answers. Nothing seemed to be going right for her, and the more she thought about it, the more annoyed she got. After everything she had been thinking about for a few days, she was going to drive herself mad.
And Asami thought it would be fun to train her more. Even Jirya was hoping on training her. It seemed like all the adults wanted to make sure the rookies were going to be fine in the exams. It wasn't something she was happy about though. She trained hard… and she hadn't run into other genin either. All of them were training or with their teams. In familiar circles.
She tastes Kenji and sees him, dragging Isamu. They managed to talk to Isamu. Yuri is glad he came. She doesn't know what she would do without Isamu here.
"I thought we agreed not to drag me." Isamu says.
Yuri smiles softly seeing her teammates. It makes her happy to see them all here, now she can only wonder what is going to happen. But with her teammates here, everything should be fine.
"You said you felt faint, so I thought this was the best way." Kenji shrugs his shoulders.
Pushing off from the wall Yuri smiles. "Glad to see you made it."
Isamu looks between them. She can see a wide range of emotions crossing his face. It's been a rough couple days for them. Since Asami was trying to train them to be independent, they met once a day though. Isamu admitted the space wasn't working for him since he liked training with them and it was helping him.
"You guys… we stick together… right?"
Yuri gets between the boys and throws her arms around them. "Of course! We are a team and we will make it through. Besides, we would fall apart without you."
With that they walk it. Yuri in the middle of them and hanging onto their shoulders. Luckily for now they are all of similar height, she knows one day it might not be like this. But for now she would leave it alone and enjoy it. They make it up and see a crowd around Room 301. Yuri rolls her eyes, how annoying. They got here during a rush.
But as they get closer they keep hearing the muttering of two people blocking the way. Yuri shares a glance with Kenji and Isamu. Making it to the front of the crowd something hits Yuri right away.
The two blocking the door taste like Peanut butter and jelly. Weird combo… but rather nice in her mouth.
They walk in on a guy in an awful green jumpsuit getting pushed to the floor. Yuri doesn't know who it is though. She doesn't reconize him but he has the hidden leaf headband around his waist. And some awful eyebrows… who has that kind of eyebrows?
Everyone is muttering. She feels Isamu pull her to him. She lets him since he is tugging Kenji to him as well.
"Genjustu… but I know that Hyuga, Neji. He's a year older. That's his team."
Yuri looks back and sees this Neji kid only standing there. He doesn't look interested in what is happening.
"Let's see this play out." Kenji mumbles.
"Also… those two in front of the door aren't genin or low chunin. I dub them peanut butter and jelly." Yuri smirks.
This gets a chuckle from Isamu, and a glare from peanut butter, the one with a big nose and two things on his back. He notices them and sees the three of them smiling. While Yuri doesn't care, she wants to see the skill of the other groups. It might be helpful to them later to figure it out.
"You're taking the Chunin exams, but you can't even get past us?" Peanut butter states.
Why is this feeling like Kitty boy again?
"Why don't you just give up now before you get hurt." Jelly chimes in.
Peanut butter can't be one upped though. "Yeah, I think I hear your mommy calling you."
Kenji pulls Yuri to him. "Some power trip they are going on… but I don't understand it. Why aren't the rest of the genin swarming him?"
Yuri shrugs. Some people aren't smart. All of them could get through, but they also know its a genjustu. All Yuri wants is information.
A girl with buns speaks up. "Please let us through! We're supposed to go in there."
She stands up and gets punched by the boys sending her back by the green suit guy. While she feels bad for the girl, she also wonders who she is. Maybe she should find out who she is. She might be strong as well. She wonders… She can taste Neji. Sour dumplings, he is related to Hinata.
Someone speaks up and the peanut butter guy looks at them.
"Did you say harsh? Don't kid yourself. We're being nice in comparison. The exams are going to make this look like a picnic."
"Some of you won't survive the exams. Others will be wrecked for life. And some of you may go crazy. For Chunin, it's always life and death."
Peanut butter and jelly play off each other really well. And it's kind of nice to see. Even though they are bullies and messing with a bunch of genin. But hey, if it's for the exams, why not?
Team Kakashi walks up, and Yuri notices something off about Sakura. She elbowed Isuma, nodding her head towards Sakura. She is normally cheerful and all about being loud. But she isn't.
"Is everything okay? She seems off." Yuri looks at Kenji, and knows he noticed right away.
Isamu nods. "I agree. I haven't talked to her in a few days. She might be feeling… inadequate compared to Saskue and Naruto."
Yuri nods her head. Even with training, the boys were moving forward. Everyone was starting to move forward. They all had room to improve, and it was something that seemed Sakura was struggling with.
"You think this is a joke? Chunin are qualified to lead missions. The lives of your squad members are in your hands, so you better be tough enough to take the heat. Delicate little girls don't belong here." Jelly begins.
"We're just thinning out the herd. You won't pass anyway, so go home and play with your dolls."
How Yuri hates that. She knows female ninja have to prove themselve even more than their male counterparts. She begins to march forward to pumble the two at the door.
Cue Kenji and Isamu having to hold back Yuri.
"Relax, we need to lay low." Kenji whispers to Yuri. "I know you want to beat them up, and you probably could. But now isn't the time."
"He is right. We need to laylow." Isamu continues.
But Saskue walks up to them. Yuri pouts and turns away for a moment. Shaking her head. She was going to prove it to those idiots. And since Saskue seemed to catch their attention, she needed to take a second to cool off.
"Really nice speech. Now both of you step aside and let me through. And while you're at it, reverse the Genjustu. We can see through your illusion anyway. We're going to the third floor."
Of course Saskue knew. He is smarter than the rest of them. Yuri turns back around and needs to see what is going on around them.
A random boy. "What does he mean? We're on the third floor."
"I know," Another replies.
"Well, well." Peanut butter muses.
"So you noticed the genjustu, huh?"
Saskue pasuses and turns to Sakura.
"Go ahead. Tell them, Sakura. I'm sure you saw it before anyone else did."
Yuri sees what Saskue is doing. He is actually being nice to Sakura. She looks at Isamu and Kenji, they knew Saskue as this awful person, but Yuri knew him better than that. Not only that… but it seems like he is trying to snap Sakura out of whatever is happening to her.
"Huh?"
"You have the sharpest eyes and the best analytical skills on our squad. You must have seen this coming a mile away." Saskue pushes.
"I must have?" She pasues. "Well, Sure! Of course. Sure! I spotted it right away. This is only the second floor."
Naruto has to chim in. "Right."
Of course… She doesn't believe Naruto saw it for a second. He was just agreeing to prove a point, one that seems to be driven into the ground. Peanut butter and Jelly seemed to be upset when someone realized it. The justu is released.
"Lame… I thought it would have been a fight." Kenji mumbles.
Isamu hums in agreement. Yuri is just glad it didn't. She didn't think fighting would be here at the first stage. And she was going to make sure it remained that way.
"Well aren't we the smart ones? So you noticed an illusion. Now let's see you deal with this!"
Peanut butter guy does a surprise attack. He goes directly after Saskue who seemed to be ready for it. Saskue throws a kick and Peanut butter throws a punch. But before anything can happen the guy in the green jumpsuit moves so fast he is between the guy and Saskue in a blink of an eye.
The others stop and back down.
"He's fast." Kenji points out.
Yuri snorts. "He was on his butt earlier, seeming to be weak."
Both the boys look at her as she shrugs her shoulders. Everyone doesn't want to show their skills until they need to. Showing off isn't a good thing to do and could get you hurt if you show your hand too quickly. Not to mention, become a target.
The Hyuga speaks up. "Hey. What happened to the plan? I thought you were the one who said to keep a low profile and don't let anyone see our skill level."
"I know but–" Geen guy starts.
"Never mind, it's over. Forget it." The girl finishes.
The green guy is staring right at Sakura. And Yuri smirks. She elbows Isamu.
He walks over to Sakura. Yuri is so thrilled to see how they interact. And she is going to hold this over Sakura's head. She can get anyones attention, but not Saskues. What a hoot.
"My name is Rock Lee. You are Sakura, right?"
"Let's go." Yuri tugs the boys. "No point in staying for the show."
He seems creepy and she heard him ask Sakura to be his girlfriend. Which…Yuri chuckles at. But they should get to the classroom. They can't miss being there, it would look bad and they might not even let them in to begin with should they show up late.
Isamu pulled them to the side. Crouching down and lowering his voice.
"Before we go in there, Yuri, we need to be extra careful." Isamu looks right at her.
Yuri shakes her head. She knows that, and she might have been a little hotheaded earlier… but that doesn't mean it wasn't in good faith… right? Yuri needs to be extra careful, should word get out that she has these powers, it will put a big target on her team. She cannot let that happen to them, it would be awful.
"I know. But if these exams are deadly, what am I supposed to do? Not try to save you guys?"
Kenji speaks up. "We have to be careful. That is Rock Lee, I heard he almost flunked a year ago, and he had Neji on his team. Said to be the best there is. We should stick with grapefruit."
Yuri nods her head and thinks for a moment. The problem is… how does she know the boys aren't being hothead and wanting to take the glory? What if she sees actual danger and they aren't able to see it for themselves. Yuri has to have some freedom to act how she feels like she would need to. Plus, she won't always have Asami sensi or the boys around her.
"Okay, but I need to have the ability to judge for myself as well. What might not seem deadly to you two might be deadly to me. But we have to make sure the team we are against I can knock out. Asami sensi won't be too happy about it though."
The boys nod in agreement. Isamu is about to speak up when there is a voice.
"Hey you, with the attitude. Hold on."
The three peak over and see team Kakashi and Rock Lee.
Yuri looks between the boys and sees them staring wide eyed at the events. Here, she wanted to get away from the weird guy in a jumpsuit. She would have given anything for it. But here they are. At least Team Kakashi is surprised as well.
"What do you want?" Saskue asks.
Yuri kicks herself for not noticing them earlier. She should have tasted them. Yuri might be so used to them she doesn't even notice their taste anymore. That could be a problem for her.
"I want to fight, right here and right now." Lee states.
Yuri rolls her eyes and looks at the boys.
"Could be a chance to see what he can do. We have no clue about Rock Lee." Kenji whispers.
"You want to fight me here and now, huh?" Saskue questions.
"Yes."
Lee jumps down from the balcony and stares down Saskue. Yuri figures this is a good time to learn something about another person. The more they know the better chance they have at surviving the whole thing.
"My name is Rock Lee. You said it was common courtest for a challenger to give his own name first, right? Saskue Uchiha?" Lee begins.
This is going to end badly… so badly. She feels like she should stop them… but what's the point? Let Saskue fight it out eventually.
"Hm. So you know me." A small smirk comes across Saskues face.
Lee gets into a stance. "I challenge you."
She feels bad for Naruto. But he isn't a threat yet, nor does he carry a name like Uchiha. A name that people fear and one of the founding clans of the leaf. Those kinds of names are important. If you don't have a name or nickname you will be seen as useless and small. Everyone wants a piece of the bigger fish.
"Everyone is always talking about the Uchiha clan and how great they are. I want to see if it is true. I figure you will be a good test for me. And also…" Rock Lee looks at Sakura.
Even Yuri shivers. He's more bold than the fanclub. And shameless. Yuri doesn't even need to hear the next words. She already knows it's going to be bad. She pulls Isamu and Kenji down.
"Swear to me, you two will never be like that. He's so shameless and it's off putting."
While Sakura screams about Lee, Yuri shakes her head. For once, Yuri pities the poor girl. But she can't help it. It is kind of funny to her.
"I would never do that to Sakura…" Kenji mumbles.
Causing both Yuri and Ismau to look at each other and smile. They had been figuring it out for a while now. And they were sure it would finally come out. Sakura and Kenji would be cute together. Much like Hinata, Sakura needs to expand her wings.
"So, you finally admit it?" Isamu smiles.
Kenji's face gets red and looks away from Yuri and Isamu.
Yuri has to cover her face to keep from laughing out loud at Kenji. It's cute seeing Kenji getting embarrassed like this! It doesn't happen often, but when it does Yuri wishes she could have a photo of it.
But of course… Naruto has to yell. She doesn't even care what they are saying. Just the fact she looks over and sees Naruto charging and getting spun out. Shame… She wants Naruto to win one of these days. But today isn't that day.
The fight moves from Lee and Naruto to Saskue. Something she wants to see. Saskue might be strong, but there are always going to be people out there who are stronger. And Saksue is getting his ass kicked.
Yuri fully stands up and watches. Kenji and Isamu follow her lead since the four are so engrossed in their little battle. Seeing Lee breaking Saskues defence, she sees Saskue using the Sharigan.
Yuri being curious, she opens hers as well. And she has to use them to keep up with what is happening.
"No way! He just hit him again." Kenji says.
"He's fast… he's faster than you Kenji. He is taijustu based" Yuri states.
Yuri deactivates her sharigan. Shaking her head. She couldn't see any ninjustu or genjustu being used. He even lays it out for Saskue. Which… might not have been the smartest move on his part. But hey… it helps give them more information.
But someone faster than Kenji… that troubles her. They should avoid them if they can.
"Looks like Saskue found his match. He might cause all of us problems." Isamu muses.
Seeing the bandaged unwrapping, she notices something flying through the air. And Lee is on the ground in front of a giant tortoise. And Saskue falling. Sakura has to catch him.
She shakes her head. Saskue is shocked, all of them are. Nothing was going to happen… but she wonders what Lee was going to try. Might have been bad since it was ended right away.
"We've seen enough. Lee is a problem, even I can't keep up with him." Yuri says.
But another man appears… and he looks like Lee. And he tasted like sweat.
"Gross."
"What is?" Kenji asks.
"The man? It Tastes like sweat."
She points to the man on the turtle. And he is scolding his student, but then he punches Lee. Leaving everyone shocked. But it just gets weird after that… and a lot of crying. Even Yuri is freaked out.
It's too much for her. Too many emotions. She would rather hang out with Ino and Sakura together over witnessing whatever it is that's happening in front of her. While it could be sweet… It's so weird.
"Well… this is a weird dynamic… but seems on par." Isamu says.
"I think it's even weirder…" Kenji mutters.
"Let's go check in…" Yuri shakes her head.
Kenji turns and they begin to walk away. How weird… she doesn't like it. And they need to check in. She doesn't want to watch this anymore. But watching that told her something. They were all going to be in trouble. If Lee is on the lower end of strength in the exam… she didn't know what they were doing here at all.
They all need to be on guard, everyone is probably stronger than them.
Notes: Here we go! It is the full beginning of the Chunin exams! I hope you guys enjoy it. There are some fun things I have planned for it. While I did keep a lot of the cannon things, I have changed a few things to allow for other characters to be in the story as well. Please enjoy, follow this story, and leave a comment!