Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Irony of it All ❯ Nine Rookies Together Again ( Chapter 17 )

Alright so I said in the last chapter that I'll get the Chunin exam up and I didn't realize how long these episodes are! So I'm putting up two chapters so I can get the Chunin exams up like I promise from before, hope you like it! And I thank Lady Amazon for her review! That'll help my esteem for a couple of chapters… I think… but anyway, Hope you like it and Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 17: Preliminary Fight! The Nine Rookies Together Again

 

It was two days later, the start of the exam. Rayne sighed as she walked in the morning sunshine. She looked up as she reached the academy to see two of her teammates already there.

“Rayne!" Naruto called out, waving. Rayne smiled slightly as she approached.

"Hey Naruto… Sasuke," She said nodding to him. Sasuke glanced at her,

“Sasuke, huh? Finally used my name…” Rayne shrugged.

"So you decided to take the Chuunin Exam?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"Wouldn't miss it," Rayne replied closing her eyes.

"Hey, you're late!" Naruto called out. Rayne and Sasuke blinked and turned around to see Naruto was talking to Sakura who was walking up behind them. Sakura looked up and gave a small smile.

"Oh yeah, sorry..." she said giving a small wave. Rayne watched Sakura closely as she looked at Sasuke. Instead of her normal smiley face when she saw Sasuke...it was dull and, well, sad?

"Good morning Sasuke," Sakura said calmly.

"Yeah..." Sasuke said to her, narrowing his eyes. “She seems off today...” Sakura then turned to Rayne and grinned,

“Good morning Rayne. Thanks for the advice yesterday. It wasn't much, but it helped.” Rayne blinked, trying to remember what she did. She snap her fingers as she remembered and looked at Sakura.

“Sure thing. But don't over do it…” Rayne scratched her face sheepishly. “It's kinda weird…. scary even….” Sakura raised an eyebrow in surprise said,

“Did Rayne just say that she was scared of something?”

“No!” Rayne shouted back. Naruto grinned.

“I thought I heard she said that! Ray-nee-chan said she was scared of something!”

“Did not!” Rayne protested. Sasuke smirked.

“From what I heard, you were scared of Sakura.” I growled at him,

“I'm not scared! I know you are scared of Naruto and I though!” Sasuke scowl.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“Prove it!”

“Whatever, loser.”

“Let's just go register…” Sakura suggested, not wanting to hear more fighting and not being able to register on time. The other three genins silently agree and they went inside the building. Dozens of ninja stood in the hallway of the academy. They were all huddled around one door, watching a scene. A boy with a bowl haircut and wearing a green spandex suite was thrown backwards. A girl in a pink chinese shirt caught the boy.

"Lee, be careful!" she pleaded. They looked to the door. Two ninja stood in front of the door, smirking.

"You plan to enter the Chuunin Exams with that?" one gave a sneering comment.

“You guys should just quit now," the other ninja said.

"Please, just let us through," the girl begged. She stood up, looking at the sign above the door that read the room number, 301. But the girl was knocked back with a bruised cheek. The crowed let out gasps and murmurs as the girl with brown hair fell to the ground.

"Horrible..." someone from the crowd said.

"Horrible? We're being kind compared to the Chuunin Exams," one of the ninja said.

"Why don't you let us be the judge of that?" Everyone turned to their right to see Rayne smirking. The team walked beside Rayne as she led the group to the door. Rayne walked over to the girl and held out a hand. The girl took in and pulled her up.

“Are you okay?" Rayne asked. The girl nodded and went to help the boy in green. Rayne walked back and stood next to Sasuke who was now in front and talking.

"You will let us pass through," Sasuke said, hands in his pockets. "Oh, and remove the genjutsu, I want to go to the third floor." Everyone started to murmur, wondering what the black-haired teammate was talking about.

"So, you noticed?" one of the ninja in front of the door asked.

"Sakura, you must have seen it first right?" Sasuke asked, looking back. Sakura looked up at the call of her name.

"You're best at analyzing genjutsu and have the best analyzing skill on our team," Sasuke continued, looking back to the door. Rayne blinked.

“Sasuke being nice? Huh, maybe he noticed how Sakura was…”

“Besides, you have a nack for noticing these things.” Rayne added. Sakura smiled softy to herself.

“Thank you, Sasuke, Rayne.” Sakura smirked. "Of course, I noticed ages ago. The genjutsu says '301' but we're actually on the second floor." Sasuke and Rayne smirked as the genjutsu disappeared and the sign now read '201'. One of the ninja smirked.

"Heh, not bad, but all you did was see through it." Rayne frowned.

"Yeah yeah, now get lost, we have somewhere to go." The ninja's eyes flashed and she could feel a battle coming on. She was about to ready her fist when Sasuke stepped in front of her with kick as the ninja had a kick of his own. All of a sudden, both attacks were canceled and Sakura gasp. The boy from earlier in the green spandex was between Sasuke and the ninja holding both of their legs.

“This ninja was just kicked around before! Was this all an act?” Rayne thought looking at the girl from before. The ninja in gray jumped back next to his partner and Sasuke stepped back. Sasuke watched the boy in green with a frown.

“He's fast, how could he have caught my kick...?” Sasuke thought. The girl in pink and a boy with clear eyes walked up to the boy.

"What happened to the plan Lee?"

"You're the one who said not to draw attention to ourselves," the clear-eyed boy said. The boy named Lee started to give an explanation before he stopped talking. Suddenly pink patches appeared on his cheeks as he looked towards team 7. Rayne, Sasuke and Naruto followed his gaze until they realized he was looking at Sakura. Lee walked over, standing in front of Sakura.

"My name is Rock Lee. Yours is Sakura...let's go out!" Lee put thumbs up and blushed. Rayne cracked up laughing. Leaning against the wall, she held her sides. Sakura on the other hand went blue. "I'll protect you until I die!" Lee promised. Sakura watched with a priceless expression.

"No...way..." Lee's expression grew disappointed.

"You're lame," Sakura stated. Rayne was now giggling and unable to keep her balance, kept an arm on Sasuke. Sasuke sigh, took her arm and kept her standing upright. Rayne found this scene with Lee and Sakura hilarious but felt bad for Lee. Sakura was being too harsh. Lee hung his head.

"Hey you..." a voice called. Sasuke turned around too see one of Lee's teammates, the male, talking to him. Rayne, being connected to Sasuke by him holding her, twisted her feet so she won't trip.

"What's your name?" Naruto noticed Sasuke's conversation and grew angry.

“Sasuke again!?”

"It's impolite to ask someone's name without giving yours first," Sasuke responded. Rayne let go of Sasuke bit he wouldn't let go of her.

"You're a rookie right? Just how old are you?" the male questioned.

"I don't have to answer you," came Sasuke's mature response. The male grew angry.

"What?" The girl behind the clear-eyed boy giggled.

“He's cute...”

“Oi, let go S-cockatoo head.” Rayne said trying to pull her hand out of his death grip but only manage to get as far as three feet away from him.

"Hey hey, mistress of beauty." Rayne blinked and stopped moving as she realized Lee was standing in front of her. He got on one knee and took her other hand, looking onto her eyes.

"Please, I need you to make Sakura fall in love with me," Lee begged.

"Er...I don't know if that's possible..." Rayne said feeling uncomfortable. Rayne looked up but quickly looked back to Lee as she saw Sasuke's gaze on her.

"Please mistress of beauty," Lee begged again.

"Er...you can just call me Rayne," she said, shifting slightly.

"Sasuke, Naruto, Rayne, let's go!" Sakura said excitedly.

"Oh er, I have to go Lee. Um...good luck..." she said, trying to pry her hand from his. Sakura took Naruto's and Sasuke's other hand and began walking. Sasuke, still holding onto her wrist, pulled her along. Looking behind her, she waved to Lee before turning around and muttered to Sasuke,

“Thanks….” Sasuke smirk and `hn'. The team climbed a fleet of stares, still on Sasuke right. By now he finally let go of her wrist, however he left it kinda red.

“Stupid death grip of yours…” She muttered to Sasuke so Sakura and Naruto couldn't hear. Sasuke smirked.

“I just means that nobody else would try anything since you have a mark there. It means you belong to someone.” Rayne forrow her eyebrow in thought for a second before jolting her head back at Sasuke.

“I belong to you?! No way. I won't accept it.” Rayne harshly whisper back. Sasuke didn't do anything but smirk and said a simple,

“You can't do anything about it with your wrist red like that.” This was the end of their discussion, earning curious stares from both Naruto and Sakura. However, Rayne and Sasuke couldn't help feel excited as they remembered the faces of all those new ninjas.

“This is getting good…” They both thought, however, Rayne smirked to herself.

“I can't wait to get this party started.”

 

Squad seven climbed the stairs in silence and they soon filed out into a large, empty room. Rayne glanced around slightly then looked forward to another hallway.

"You there, with the attitude." They all stopped and turned around. That voice could only belong to...

"Rock Lee?" Rayne asked aloud. Rock Lee, green spandex and all, was standing on a balcony, staring down at the group.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked calmly as Sakura started a spasm attack from next to Rayne. She started laughing slightly. Sasuke, whom was on her other side, glanced at her.

“Rayne-san, do you find something funny?" Lee asked from his spot on the balcony. His voice held no emotion but wasn't dead like Sasuke's. She held out a hand as though she was waving to someone.

"No no, I'm sorry…” Rayne took a deep breath, trying to get a hold of herself. Her team looked at her with funny looks and she herself was slightly weirded out.

"It's just that, that.." Rayne was grinning and leaned on Sasuke's shoulder, earning a twitch from Sakura and Sasuke did not object surprisingly, and explained, "Lee said 'you with the attitude' he didn't say a specific name and Sasuke is the one that responded!" It finally clicked in Naruto's head and he started laughing too. Sasuke on the other hand, was not amused and sent her a glare. After a moment, Rayne stopped giggling and stood up straight, leaving Sasuke's shoulder.

"Okay, okay sorry, I'm good now." There's was an ackward silence in which Rayne constantly shifted her eyes this way and that. After a minute Lee finally spoke up again.

"Will you fight me?"

"Are you talking to one-with-attitude?" Rayne asked, air-quoting the nickname. Lee jumped down, landing several feet in front of the group.

"I want to fight Uchiha Sasuke," Lee said, his round eyes looking at their raven-haired teammate. Sasuke's eyes widened for a moment before they went back to normal.

"So you know my name?"

"Obviously," Rayne muttered, rolling her eyes. Sasuke sent her a side glance before returning his gaze to Rock Lee.

"A fight right here, right now?"

“Yes," Lee got in a fighting stance. "I would like to test my moves against a genious decendant of the Uchiha Clan. Also..." Rayne cough into her hand as Lee's vision moved to Sakura. Patches of red appeared on his cheeks as he spoke once more.

"Sakura, I love you." Sakura let out a shriek and shook as Rayne burst out laughing.

"Oh my God Sakura, imaging what your kid's will look like!" She said through fits of laughter.Sakura let out a scream of bloody murder which made her laugh even harder. Sakura hugged herself as she shuddered.

"Those eyebrows, your hairstyle, everything about you is too unique for me!" Sakura spoke to Lee. Rayne draped her arm around Sasuke's shoulders.

"Oh that's right, you like the emo guys," she said controlling her giggles. Sasuke glared at her; whether it was for her touching him or the emo comment she didn't know, nor did she care.

“Rayne, you're not helping!" Sakura shouted at her. Rayne ginned.

“Am I suppose to?” She gave a thumbs up and Sakura let out an aggravated scream.

"You are an angel," Lee said and winked, causing a red heart to appear in front of him. Rayn's eye began to twitch.

“What kind of twisted jutsu is that..?” Rayne muttered to herself, with Sasuke hearing since she still has her arm around him. “Assuming it was a jutsu...” Sakura screamed and held her head as Rock Lee blew the heart towards her. She dodged to the left and the heart went past her and stuck to a column.

"You are good, but how about this?" Lee winked as a dozen hearts appeared and went after Sakura. Sakura screamed and moved this way and that in attempts to dodge the strange hearts. The last one came so low Sakura had do bend her back, hitting her head hard on the floor to dodge the last heart. Rayne snickered as Sakura stood up, a newly formed bump on her head and panting heavily. Sakura then shook her fist at Lee as she made an angry statement.

"Stop that! I had to dodge those for my life!" A dark aurora surrounded Lee.

"You didn't have to try so hard..." he said disappointed. Rayne watched, arms crossed and with a bored face as Sasuke looked on silently. Naruto got a pissed look on his face.

“About Sasuke again!”

"So you're challanging me knowing my name is Uchiha? You must be ignorant," Sasuke said, one hand in the pocket of his shorts. Rayne rolled your eyes at Sasuke's comment.

“And you must be arrogant...” She murmur softly but loud enough for Naruto and Sasuke to hear since they're next to her.

"Do you want to know what the name of Uchiha is capable of, fuzzy brows?" Sasuke asked, acting serious. Rayne sighed.

“He's so cocky...” Lee smirked and held out his arm in front of him.

"Please." “I am lucky, I get to fight this year's top male rookie. I will prove myself to you Gai-Sensei.”

"Wait!" They all looked over to Naruto who was standing with his fists clenched at his sides. "I want to fight bushy brows..." Sakura sighed and put her hands on her hips and looked at Naruto.

"Naruto, this guy is a year ahead of us.."

"So what! If Sasuke can take him on, so can I!" Naruto protested.

"I don't want to fight you. I only want to fight Uchiha," Lee said. Naruto put on an annoyed face as Rayne stepped forward.

"Wait a second, what is so special about Sasuke?"

"Sasuke is a genious, he is this year's top rookie," Lee said to her.

"Male rookie. You just happen to be looking at this year's top female rookie. I mean, unless you're sexist..." Rayne said, seething.

"It is not only that, I want to see if my power can measure up to such a great clan," Lee said.

"Oh so now the Kouseki clan is not as good as the Uchiha clan!?" Rayne narrowed her eyes, probably taking this more personal than necessary.

“I have no wish to fight you Rayne," Lee looked her straight in the eye. "As of now..." Rayne blinked and stepped back. She let a small smirk appear on her face and nodded, saying nothing more. Naruto however was not satisfied and charged at Lee.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted at him but he ignored her and kept going. Naruto sent a punch but Lee simply put on finger on Naruto's fist and he began to go down. Naruto placed both hands on the ground and spun, sending a kick as Lee's legs. Lee quickly dodged and sent his own kick knocking Naruto of his hands and sending him spinning. With a loud 'BANG' Naruto hit the wall and was knocked out. Lee stood straight once more and got back into his fighting stance.

"I will declare now, you cannot defeat me because, I am the strongest of the Konoha geniuses right now." Sasuke at first glared then smirked.

"Interesting, I accept your challenge."

"You idiot! We don't have the time!" Rayne hissed. Sakura looked at the clock and then to Sasuke.

“Rayne's right Sasuke, we have less than thirty minutes to turn in our applications."

"This'll only take five minutes." Sasuke said then took off running towards Lee. Rayne frowned and watched Sasuke.

“Why does his stupid ego always have to slow the rest of us down?” Lee stood calmly and watched Sasuke.

“He's coming. I am sorry Gai-sensei, I may have to break my promise. I may have to use 'that' move...”
Sasuke sent a punch but he only hit air. Lee had jumped so quickly into the air Rayne barely could see him do so.

"Konoha Whirlwind!" Lee called as he suddenly sent a large twist of kicks at Sasuke whom dropped to his knees to dodge. Lee quickly dropped to Sasuke's level and sent a kick to Sasuke's jaw.

"Sasuke!" Sakura called as Sasuke flew back and skidded against the polished floor. Sasuke got to his knees and looked over to Lee.

“What was that? He got through my guard. Was that a ninja technique? Or an illusionary technique?”

“Just as I thought, you can still stand up” Lee thought as Sasuke slowly got to his feet. Sasuke smirked.

"I'll show you." Sakura let out a light gasp as Sasuke opened his eyes to reveal their red color. Rayne glanced at her.

“That's right, she wasn't with us when Sasuke got his Sharingan...” Her mind flashed back to the fight with Haku and smirk. “Then again, they don't know that I have it either.”

“So those are the Sharingan I've been told so much about?” Lee thought to himself. Sakura was all smiles as she watched Sasuke.

“Sasuke is truely amazing!”

“If this guy is using ninjutsu or genjutsu, I'll be able to see right through his attacks...” Sasuke thought, glad he was well informed on the power of his Sharingan. Sasuke set his red gaze on Lee and took off once more.

“Sasuke really does live up to the Uchiha name!” Sakura thought to herself. Rayne must have been the only one not amazed as she sat boredly against a column.

“Who freakin cares? The Sharingan is just one more thing to make Sasuke more of a pompous ass...” Sasuke was kicked into the air. “My Sharingan couldn't see through it! His moves must be...”

"My moves are neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu," Lee said as Sasuke landed and went after each other again. Lee fought fast, Sasuke having time to dodge one attack then get hit in the stomach with such force. Naruto opened his eyes slowly and watched Sasuke getting beat. Sasuke stumbled backwards, clutching his stomach. Sasuke winced as he watch Lee.

"My attacks are only hand-to-hand combat," Lee said.

“That's why Sasuke's sharingan can't detect Lee's move, he's using taijutsu…”

"Sasuke..." Lee disappeared and reappeared behind Sasuke. Sasuke quickly moved and Lee jumped back.

"I hear that your Sharingan can see through genjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. You can defiantly see through and deal with genjutsu and ninjutsu that require forming handseals and kneading chakra but hand-to-hand combat, or taijutsu, is a little different."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked glaring.

"Even if you can see my movements with your sharingan, your body does not have the speed to keep up with mine." Sasuke was quiet.

"Did you know there are two types of ninja? There are genius type and hardworking types," Lee started to say. Rayne narrowed her eyes.

“These ninjas are two kinds of strength. The kind you're born with and the kind you only get from back-breaking work, they're the same thing.”

"Your Sharingan is a natural, a born genius that carries the blood of Uchiha..." Sasuke started to run at Lee.

“I am a hardworking type that continuously improved my hand-to-hand combat. I got through blood, sweat, and tears! In other words, your subtle arts and my physical prowess make us a complete mismatch. Let me prove it to you. This particular move exceeds your genius completely!”." Sasuke sent a punch that Lee easily dodged.

"Shadow dance...." Lee murmered. Sasuke tried his best to watch Lee underneath him.

"I will prove to you with this move, that hardwork does surpass genious..." The bandages on Lee's left arm began to unwrap.

"I win!" Lee stated. From the corner of Rayne's eye, she caught a fast moving red object. The red object went straight to Lee and pinned his unraveled bandages to a wall. When Rayne looked closer she saw it was a pinwheel.

“What the hell...?”

"Stop right there Lee." They all looked to the direction of the voice to see a large turtle. Rayne blinked and rubbed her eyes. She reopened them but the talking turtle still remained.

“I know I'm not seeing this....” Lee flipped and let himself down easy and kneeled in front of the turtle. Sasuke started to fall down quickly. Sakura called his name and ran, catching Sasuke so he didn't hit the floor. Naruto was watching, eyes quivering.

“Sasuke was beaten? What happened after I was knocked out?”

"Are you okay Sasuke?" Sakura asked but Sasuke didn't answer, he simply watched Lee. Rayne went to Naruto, helping him up, eyes never leaving the turtle and Lee.

"You were watching?" Lee asked, head bowed to the large turtle.

"Lee, that move is forbidden," the turtle spoke. Rayne eyes widened and her mouth dropped, almost dropping Naruto back on the ground. Her other teammates were shocked as well.

“I-I must be dreaming, turtles can't talk!...Right Naruto?”

"I am sorry, I got carried away..." Lee said.

“He's getting scolded...could that turtle be the guy's sensei?” Naruto wondered. Lee looked up and the turtle looked at him. Lee got freaked out and stood up.

"I wasn't going to use the Reverse version! Really, I'm telling the truth!" Sasuke and Sakura were watching the turtle confused. Rayne and Naruto watched Lee and the turtle until they walked over to their squad members.

"Hey hey, that's a turtle right?" Naruto asked, pointing.

"Noooo, it's a whale," you said sarcastically.

"So can a turtle become a ninja teacher too?" Naruto asked Sakura.

"I don't know!" Sakura shouted. As those two bickered Rayne watched Sasuke. He was watching the floor, obviously upset with himself for losing. Her eyes softened without her knowing, she did feel sorry for him. After all he did lose so easily.

"You fool! Did you really think that excuse would work!?" the turtle yelled at Lee making him close his eyes and stand straight.

"Are you prepared to face the consequences?" the turtle asked.

"Sir..." Lee said, bowing his head.

"Gai-sensei, please take care of the rest," the turtle spoke. In a puff of smoke a man in the same outfit as Lee appeared.

"You guys are in the spring time of your life aren't you?" The whole team began to twitch as their mouths dropped.

"An even more funny looking guy came out!" Naruto shouted, practically horrified like the rest of your team. The man pointed to himself and smiled, his teeth literally sparkling.

"Hey Lee."

"Oh...my...God..." Rayne spoke slowly.

“A guy with even bushier eyebrows, bigger bowl-cut and even more weirder looking!" Naruto exclaimed. Lee looked back at the group with anger. "Hey, don't make fun of Gai-sensei!"

"To hell with that! Look how weird that guy looks!" Naruto shouted back.

"What did you say!?!" Lee shouted in response.

"Calm down Lee," the man named Gai said, standing on top of the turtle. Lee turned around and faced his sensei seriously.

"Sir."

"You..." Gai pulled his hand into a fist. "Idiot!" Gai punched Lee hardly, causing blood to run from his nose. Team 7 watched, horrified. Lee landed a little ways from them and Gai walked over. Gai got to his knees, as did Lee. "Lee you...you..."

"S-sensei..." Rayne twitched as the two began to cry.

"Lee..."

"Sensei. I-I..."

"It's okay Lee, don't say anymore.."

"Sensei!" Lee stood up and hugged his sensei.

"Lee!" Gai hugged back. Rayne twitched, her mouth ajar.

“What..the..fuck...Sasuke lost to that guy!?” Sasuke held the same expression as her.

“How could I loose… to a guy like him?!” Lee and Gai cried into each other's shoulders.

"Ah yes, this is youth," Gai sensei spoke. The two in green let go of each other and Gai put a hand on his pupil's shoulder. "It's okay Lee. It is normal to make mistakes when you are young." Tear streamed down Lee's face.

"You are too kind, sensei." Gai dramatically pointed to a window.

"Now! Run 100 laps around the training field in the sunset!"

"Yes sir!" Lee responded, equally as dramatic. The two wiped away their tears and grinned, teeth literally sparkling again. The team watched, ready to fall over in disbelief. The two started to walk away until Naruto spoke up.

"Hey, wait a sec!"

"What are you going to do about the Chuunin Exam? There's no time left," Sakura pointed out to the two in spandex.

"What? Oh yeah..." Gai said. He coughed and put his hands on his hips. "Lee, I will have to punish you but first, on to the exam!" Lee saluted.

"Yes Gai-sensei!" Gai got into the weirdest pose. "Do 500 laps!" The team continued to watch with 'what-the-hell' expressions. Now Rayne really felt sorry for Sasuke's loss.

"Hey, so what's up with the turtle?" Naruto asked smiling. Rayne and Sakura anime fell. Gai looked up at their group. “These are Kakashi's students…” Sakura noticed they were being watched and stepped back.

"Ew, he's watching us!"

"You four, is Kakashi doing well?" Gai asked. Rayne sat up, in-between Sakura and Sasuke. She blinked.

“You know Kakashi-sensei?" Gai chuckled.

"Do I know him? Well I guess you could call us, rivals."

"Rivals?" Rayne echoed with an arched eyebrow. The rest of the team went back to their disbelieving faces. "There's no way you're Kakashi-sensei's rival!"

"Hey! Gai-sensei is really..." Lee began but was cut off.

"It's okay," Gai said calmly. "Don't say it out loud Lee, express it with your attitude." Rayne watched the two and suddenly it was one. She quickly stood up and looked behind her to see Gai standing there.

"The record stands 50 wins and 49 losses." The rest of your team turned to look at the strange man, wondering how quick he was to be able to move in a split second.

"Let me just tell you, I'm stronger than Kakashi," Gai said, pointing to himself.

“Can that be so? I mean, his speed is better…” both Sasuke and Rayne thought.

“How's that! Gai-sensei is amazing!" Lee piped up.

"Lee made a mistake but please forgive him for the sake of my face," Gai said giving Sasuke the "sparkeling grin". Rayne's eye twitched along with Sasuke's.

"Lee and the four of you should go turn in your applications now," Gai said. Gai threw a kunai, knocking away the pinwheel pinning Lee's bandage to the wall. Lee began to gather the bandage and rewrap it around his left hand.

"Do your best Lee! Farewell!" and with that, Gai disappeared. The turtle disappeared as well.

"Sasuke..." Sasuke looked over to Lee, as did Rayne, Naruto and Sakura.

"Let me say this before I go. To be honest, I came here to test my skills, I lied a while ago. The strongest genius in Konoha is in my team, but it is not me." Lee's mind flashed to his clear-eyed teammate. "I entered this exam to beat him, and you are one of my targets as well. Prepare yourself!" And with a dramatic exit, Lee flipped up to the balcony and left the room. Rayne walked up beside Sasuke and put her hand on his shoulder. As Sasuke looked to her, expecting some kind of sympathy like from Sakura, found her shaking her head.

"You poor sap..." Sasuke sweatdropped.

“How is that going to help…?” He asked. Rayne gave him a blank stare, which he returned.

"Well, it looks like the Uchiha clan isn't that great after all," Naruto said, brining the two out of their trance.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted.

"Shut up."

Sasuke continued in a cold voice. "Next time, I'll slaughter him." Rayne's eyes went wide and she backed away real slow-like.

"You lost so badly though," Naruto said, hands behind his head. Sasuke glared at Naruto whom simply closed his eyes and looked to the floor.

“Naruto!” Sakura yelled.

“You guys way his hands, right?” Naruto nodded.

“He must've worked hard.” Sakura was down right confused. The team watched Sasuke, his fists clenched at his sides. The next thing they saw, Sasuke was smirking.

"The Chunin Exam is getting interesting..." After a moment Rayne smirked as well.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Sasuke smirked at the team made his way down the hallway, the one leading to the first test of the Chunin Exam.

The four of them walked down a hallway that led to two closed doors; in front stood Kakashi.

 

"Yo." They stopped and stared at their sensei.

"So I see Sakura came as well," Kakashi spoke. Sakura glanced at her teammate as she let out a weird look.

"You can now officially register for the Chunin Exams," Kakashi continued.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

"Well actually, truthfully, this exam can only be taken in groups of three," Kakashi confessed.

"But you said we could decide if we could take the exam," Sakura pointed.

"Yeah, I did."

“So you lied?" Sakura clarified.

"Well...yes. If I told you, Sasuke, Naruto and Rayne would pressure you to take the exam." Kakashi continue. "Even if you didn't want to take the exam you'd take it if Sasuke asked you."

"So what would have happened if Sasuke, Naruto and Rayne came without me?" Sakura asked.

"I would not have been able to let them take the exam," Kakashi responded.

"But you said this exam had to be taken in groups of three right?"

"Yes Sakura, I did say that," Kakashi said.

"Well if I had decided not to come, couldn't Rayne just take my place?" Sakura questioned. That sparked a question in her mind.

"Wait sensei, we're a group of four. Wouldn't that mean one of us wouldn't be able to take the exam?"

"Well no, I had to get special permission which took a while. Everyone was pretty upset that there would be extra man power," Kakashi explained. Rayne snorted; everyone turned to look at her. "Our team? We're probably weaker than everyone else."

"I think you guys have improved greatly," Kakashi reasoned.

"We have horrible teamwork. Our team just contrasts so much," Rayne said. Kakashi looked at their group.

"I guess that's something you'll have to conquer and quickly because now I wish you luck as you enter the Chuunin Exams. Sakura. Sasuke. Naruto. Rayne..." They all stared as Kakashi smiled.

"I'm proud of you. You're my team. Good luck." Kakashi stepped aside. Rayne and Sasuke stepped forward. They both opened a door and the both of them stepped inside after Sakura and Naruto. They all entered the next room, the large doors closing behind them. The team stood in a line. Rayne, Sasuke, Naruto and then Sakura.

"Oh man..." Rayne heard Naruto mutter quietly. Rayne looked ahead of her. Filling the room was dozens upon dozens of ninjas. Some sat on benches while others stood against walls and some just standing quietly. She scanned over the large bunch, the faces at first looking like a blur but she could pick out their headbands. Leaf, sand, waterfall, rain, grass, she could see even sound ninja there.

"A-are all these people taking the exam?" Sakura asked. Rayne could hear the fear in her voice. She glanced past Sasuke and Naruto to Sakura.

"Calm down Sakura, it's just a little competition is all."

"A little!?" Sakura turned her head to you, her voice a loud whisper. Rayne looked back to the ninja to see most of them looking at your team. It was a little nerve wracking, but she didn't let it show.

“They seem so strong...” Sakura thought, losing her confidence. She gulped.

"Sasuke! You're late!" They all looked as Sasuke was glomped by a blonde fangirl back from the academy, Yamanaka Ino.

"Oh Sasuke! I have eagerly been awaiting your return ever since I heard you'd be entering!" Ino's arms wrapped around Sasuke's chest as he gave her an annoyed look.

"Hey! GET OFF SASUKE!" But everyone noticed there was another female voice other than Sakura's in the demand. Everyone, including Sasuke, watched Rayne intently.

“What the hell am I doing? Great… now I can't get out of this…” Rayne glared and said in a cool voice,

"Ino, get off. I can't have my teammate getting back injuries,"

"My my Rayne, doesn't someone have a crush," she smirked. "I knew it." Rayne felt warm around the neck but frowned and crossed her arms.

"Who said I like him? I just don't want a member of my team being handicapped, that wouldn't be good for the exams."

Ino smirked. "Right."

“I can't believe Rayne likes Sasuke too…” Sasuke, Ino and Rayne heard Sakura say. Rayne twitch.

“Didn't you hear me yesterday when that other blonde girl asked? I would NEVER like cockatoo boy, ever!”

“Yeah but that's when she asked if Mitsu-kun was the son of Sasuke-kun's and you. Of course you'll denied it!” Sasuke and Rayne froze, along with Ino getting off his back in surprised.

“They asked if this `Mitsu' kid was the kid of YOU TWO?! Why would they think that?!” Ino shouted. Rayne and Sasuke slump and sigh. Rayne gave Ino a death glare but she ignored her, turning her gaze back to Sakura.

"So Sakura, forehead big as usual."

Sakura glared. "Shut up Ino pig!" Ino pulled her eyelid down and spit out her tongue.

"Man, so you guys are here too? How troublesome..." Rayne looked over to the familiar voice and her eyes lit up.

"SHIKA!!!" Rayne ran over and hugged her friend, almost knocking him to the ground. She hugged him and everyone sweatdropped, not use to this behavior coming from her. Sasuke, however, gave Shikamaru a death glare for whatever reason he has. Shikamaru gave Rayne on funny look along with a small blush.

"Okay Rayne…er…” She let go of her grip and smiled at Shikamaru. She saw Chouji standing beside Shikamaru.

"Chouji!" She grinned but didn't hug him on fear of getting chips squashed in between her and her friend. Naruto frowned.

"Ah man, the idiot trio's here."

"Stop calling us that!" Shikamaru said annoyed. Naruto huff and started giving introductions in his little head of his.

Nara Shikamaru

This guy's extremely lazy and complains about everything. He's Rayne's best friend but I couldn't tell ya why.

Naruto looked at Chouji whom Rayne now had her arm around his shoulders.

Akimichi Chouji
Chouji's ALWAYS eating something. He's just a fat idiot. Oddly enough, I guess he's pretty close with Rayne too.

Naruto looked at Ino who stills hand one arm around Sasuke's shoulder.

Yamanaka Ino

Yamanaka Ino's always fighting with Sakura. She's Sakura rival and a total Sasuke freak. She's really annoying.

"Yeah, found you all!" Naruto all looked at a team of three walked up to the rest of them. Naruto noticed them as some of the rookies who graduated with them.

"So, I see that everyone is here," Kiba said.

"H-hello..." the shy Hinata greeted from behind Kiba.
Naruto looked at Hinata and she immediately looked down, red on her cheeks. Shikamaru, Choji and Rayne moved closer toward the group, Rayne between Sasuke and Shikamaru. Rayne blinked.

“Why is Hinata all red?” Shikamaru and Sasuke sigh.

Hyuuga Hinata

Hinata's kinda weird. Everytime I look at her, she goes red and looks away. But I guess, she's okay.

Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru

This guy's extremely cocky; thinks he's better than everyone. He may be just more annoying than Ino. Akamaru's his dog. Him and his dog fit perfectly.

Aburame Shino

I don't really know anything on this guy. He's quiet...and weird...

 

“You're so slow, loser.” Sasuke said smirking while looking down at her. Rayne glared back,

“And you're so smart.”

“Infact, I am.”

“Well guess what? You're NOT.”

“I'm more observant than you, stupid girl.” Sasuke hiss, with Sakura and Ino cheering in the background.

“Stupid idiotic self-center jerk.” Rayne hiss back with Naruto, Kiba and Choji silently cheering her on.

"You three too? Ah man, this is so troublesome..." Shikamaru muttered. Rayne tear her eye off Sasuke and glanced at him. Without her seeing, Sasuke scowl and glare harshly at Shikamaru.

"Well looks like all the genin are here to take the exam," Kiba stated. "How far do you think we'll get Rayne?" She met his gaze.

"Pssh, I know we're gunna get far. I don't know about you." She smirked.

Kiba smirked as well. "We're gunna make it, we worked our asses off."

"Too bad we're gunna have to kick them," Kiba smirked.

"You need to work on flirting." Rayne saw Kiba turn a light shade of pink but he turned his head to look towards the voice. Rayne watched as a guy with light brown/lime hair and green eyes walked up to them. He was wearing a net shirt with a jacket with a hoodie over it along with pants. Rayne and the boy gasp in surprised once they had a good look at eachother.

“YOU!!” The two shouted pointing at the other person.

“Why are you yelling?” Another boy asked stepping up next to him. He had green hair and golden-ish eyes wearing a short sleeve collar shirt that sticks up and knee long shorts. Once he saw Rayne, however, his mouth dropped.

“Yayori! Mitsuko!” He shouted turning around. A girl with blue hair down to her mid back wearing a tee shirt, shorts and ninja shoes ran over. She has legging on her leg and a net shirt under her shirt along with arm warmers. Another girl, with red/orange hair down to just below her wearing a tank top and Capri with leg and arm warmers and ninja sandals also ran over.

“What? What? What?” The blue hair girl asked after getting to the boy.

“What happen?” the other girl ask after. Rayne ran to Shikamaru and hid behind him.

“H-hey!” He shouted, being dragged in front of Rayne.

“Shhhhh. Don't let them see me!” She whispered.

“Rayne's here!” The boy with light brown/lime hair said excitedly, jumping up and down.

“Really? Where?” The red/orange hair girl asked looking everywhere. Sasuke, not knowing what's the big deal, took Rayne and pulled her out.

“Traitor…” She muttered at him. The two girls squeal and ran over along with the boys. The boy with green hair pulled her into a death hug. The nine genins watch in wonder and amusement while Rayne stuggled.

“CHIKARA! I ORDER YOU TO PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!” Rayne shouted, shocking everyone. Rayne doesn't usually shout, much less raise her voice. The boy, name Chikara, put her down.

“Hi Rayne-sama!” The blue hair girl perk. Rayne sigh with her head falling down. She then ran her hand through her hair while everyone was thinking the same thing,

“Rayne-sama?!”

“Yayori,” Rayne said nodded to the blue hair girl. “Mitsuko.” She then nodded to the red/orange hair girl, “Ichiro.” Sasuke then walked next to Rayne and pulled her back next to him, earning Rayne a glare from Sakura and Ino, curious stares from the boys and eyebrow raised by the four new people.

“Who are you guys. What's your relationship to Rayne.” Sasuke demanded while glaring. Ichiro smirk,

“We're from mist country and know Rayne when she was little. Why? What's your relationship with her?”

“Hn. She's my teammate.” Sasuke cooly replied. Chikara snicker while Ichiro walked closer toward him and said softly so he could hear, but no one else,

“She'll be mine soon.” He then smirk and took a step back. Sasuke glared at him hatefully while the two girls talked to Rayne.

“Ohhh he's such a hotty!” Yayori said giddily.

“He is hot.” Mitsuko said agreeing. Rayne sigh and went between Sasuke, who was going to punch Ichiro, and their team.

"Look, it's 'nice' of you to come and introduce yourselves..." She paused, seeing Ichiro look at her differently than when they were a kid. As she shuddered no one saw Sasuke send him a glare...almost no one. "But we're enemies an-"

"Stop right there, we understand," Chkara said. He looked at his team, giving them a look and they began walking away. Ichiro blew her a kiss and followed his team into the throng of people.

"That...was weird..." Naruto said, still staring after the mist team as they disappeared. Everyone simultaneously nodded in agreement. Except for Sasuke, he was glaring after the team.

“Who were those people?” he ask demanded from Rayne. She looked at him weirdly.

“They're my old friends from mist when I lived there, why are you so worked up?” Sasuke didn't answer.

"Hey you guys." Rayne groan inwardly.

“More people?” They all looked to their left to see a guy with silver hair walking up to their group.

"So you guys are the ten rookies, fresh out of the academy eh?" his eyes scanned the group. "You guys are causing quite a ruckus, this isn't a field trip."

Ino glared. "Who asked you!?" The boy smiled.