Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Closer	By : SilentStar-009 Category: Naruto AU/AR > General Views: 1538 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Today was unexpected

Nothing here is how I left it

Each day that passes by just seems to feed the lie

Closing in around me makes it so hard to see

Now I'm standing on the ledge

My foot creeps closer to the edge

Friends all know what to say

To make me push them away

What they can't know about me makes it so hard to see…Drown You Out, by Crossfade

::Chapter 6::

            Over the next couple of days, Ino decided that best way to deal with her budding feelings was to simplify them. She like him, but liked him only as a friend. Yeah, that was easier. She could handle friendship, because it halted any other feeling that might just develop. She could hold back the butterflies (she changed them to butterflies because thinking she had worms in her tummy was not very pretty) that fluttered every time she got close to him.

It should have worked for her, clarifying things in her mind. Unfortunately, her heart didn’t communicate with her brain like she wanted it too. Every time she saw him, it would pound so fiercely she swore he could hear it sometimes. And they had been hanging out a lot more lately. How could her heart not be worn out yet? These things occupied her mind more than she would have liked, followed her like an annoying ghost to bed, to training, to missions and even to work.

            Today she was just finishing her shift in the flower shop and then she was off to Old Leaf to meet a tailor Himo told her about a few weeks ago. Hinata was supposed to stop by and they would go together.

Ino leaned on the counter, her butt jutting out, just watching the clock as it ticked away. Twenty minutes, fifteen…this is soooooo boring! She groaned and put her forehead on the cool glass surface. The door bell chimed and Ino instantly looked up, but then she sighed again. It was only Mai, her older replacement. She was about thirty with short red hair and matching red eyes. Her perky personality matched her mismatched wardrobe of bright colors and strange patterns. Today she had on a brown skirt with hot pink ruffles on the bottom, a scarlet shirt with a baby blue vest. Despite her strange style, she was actually pretty hot. Some customers came in to buy flowers just because they wanted to flirt with her. Actually, all of her dad’s five workers were attractive. He had an eye for pretty things.

            “Good afternoon! Wow, you look pretty bored!” She said brightly, giving her a flirty wink. That was Mai’s thing, winking at everyone and apparently stating the obvious. She unbuttoned her vest like it was a jacket and Ino’s eyes widened.

            “Mai! Did you get some work done?”

            Mai grinned and looked down at her busty chest. “Do you like them? Yes, they did fill out rather nicely didn’t they?”

            “Yeah. If mine don’t grow in, then I’m going to beg Daddy to let me get some.” Ino grinned, half meaning it. Mai just laughed and waved her off.

            “Go. I’ll just finish your shift.”

            Ino’s fist pumped the air with a silent YES! She ran upstairs and grabbed her wallet and then left outside just as two Mai regulars entered. Ino took one last look back at the flirting adults before almost skipping to the north part of town. Hinata was waiting patently by a crumbling pillar of red bricks, staring intently at her feet.

            “Hey!” Hinata looked up and smiled with a little wave.

            “You’re early.” She said softly.

            “Me?” Ino said loudly. “You’re early! You didn’t even know I was getting off early and I find you waiting for me.” They began walking together, linking arms.

            “I w-was only waiting for a-a couple of m-minutes.” She tried to protest, but Ino just sighed.

            “Must be hard.” She said a little sadly. She felt Hinata’s confusion. “I mean, you’re taught to be the next heir to you clan. I don’t think I would like being proper and polite all the time.”

            It was a little while before Hinata spoke. “All the training might be for nothing. My father thinks I’m too weak to handle the clan.”

            Ino paused, making Hinata stop as well. In truth, she really didn’t know what to say. Hinata was very quiet and shy and skittish in many ways. She didn’t seem like she had any self-esteem. Ino gave a quick side look. “When you think of someone strong, who do you think of?”

            “Naruto.” She said without a second thought. “He has nothing, but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming big and working hard for it.”

            Ino smiled and they started walking again. “I’m shocked you didn’t choose me Hinata!” When she felt her stiffen, Ino just laughed. “Just kidding. Now, I don’t know anything about Hyuga politics, but if you need someone to look up to, then I think Naruto is a good role model.” She felt warm saying that. “You see how everyone has their own opinions about him, but for some reason I notice that he can make friends really fast.” Look at me, Ino thought fondly. She never really cared to know him, but once she spent time with him, she became fast friends.

            Hinata fiddled with her headband around her neck nervously. “Y-you d-don’t like him? Do you?”

            Ino took a little time digesting that question before exploding in laughter. “Me? Like Naruto? Of course I like him!” She stopped and twirled Hinata in front of her, both hands on the shorter girl’s shoulders. She looked like she wanted to cry! Ino’s smile softened. “But not the way you do.”

            Hinata’s head shot up with a mixed expression of hopefulness and relief. “R-really?”

            “Really. The little squirt doesn’t quite pass the Ino-dating scale, but hey, no one really does at the moment.” She admitted with a shrug. “You and I are friends Hinata. I’ll always put me friends over boys any day. That means Naruto is off limits to me. Got it?”

            Hinata flushed prettily, but nodded. “Okay.”

            The chatted idly the rest of the way into Old Leaf, stopping at Himo’s newly remodeled shop. When they entered, she saw someone else in there that was talking quietly to the old man. “Shino?” Hinata asked softly. Shino looked up, adjusting his dark sun glasses on his nose.

            “Hello Hinata.” He nodded. “Ino.” He had a medium sized box in his pale hands, stenciled with the words weapon oil. Ino gave a little smile. Shino…was strange. He was quiet and watchful. Tall. Ino could never really tell what he was thinking because of the dark glasses. She wondered what color his eyes were, what kind of shape they were and what his smile looked like.

            “Hello girls.” Himo greeted, dressed in dark green robes and slicked back hair. His cane looked new, carved in ivory wood with a beaded handle. Every time Ino came here, the shop only improved more and more. She was proud of it, because she knew it was due in part to her and her friends. Shikamaru, Choji and Asuma shopped here now. She even noticed that there was a whole new section of groceries. No doubt a suggestion from Choji and Naruto. She spotted at least seven different kinds of ramen and various flavors of kettle chips, Choji’s favorite.

            “I appreciate your promptness. My father will be pleased.” Shino said with a little bow.

            “It was no problem.” Himo commented a little embarrassed.

            “Ladies.” It was his goodbye.

            “Bye Shino.” Ino called out. Despite all the things she didn’t know about Shino, she did know one thing. He smelled good, like fresh cut grass and sweet melon. She wanted to hug him just to get that smell on her clothes.

            “Well girls, Ms. Ebisu is in the back, watching her shows. I’ll go get her.” Himo even sounded more businesslike.

            “Um, w-why are we getting dresses made?” Hinata asked politely.

            “Because, I don’t want to go to those stupid stores in Main Leaf. If this woman can make me a pleasing set of clothes, then I’m going to boycott all the stores in Main Leaf and come here.” Ino sighed, calming herself. Whenever she came into to this store, it always reminded her of the first day she went shopping with Naruto and Hinata.

            They both turned to the murmuring voices coming from the back and saw Himo with a middle age woman with light brown hair and young looking green eyes.

            “Girls, this is Ms. Ebisu.”

            “Hello.” Ms. Ebisu smiled and gave a little bow. Ino instantly know that she was going to like this woman.

XOXO

The next afternoon, Ino was coming back from the bank when she spotted Naruto and Sakura in the distance. They were accompanied by three younger kids who were arguing that Sakura was a mean ugly girl. Ino had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. They knew what they were talking about! Poor Naruto looked like he had a couple of knots on his head, so did the little boy with the blue scarf. Sakura was walking away with an arrogant, pissed off aura about her.

            “Is she really a girl?” She heard the little boy ask. Sakura turned around abruptly, fisting her hands in annoyance and rage. Ino knew that look well and she took a step forward to stop her but someone put a restraining hand on her shoulder.

            Her heart knew who it was before she even turned. She knew his touch so well now and it had only been four days since she grew suspicious that she was beginning to like him.“Oh, Sasuke.” Of course a swarm of butterflies madly fluttered in her tummy, but she looked composed and relaxed. She had been practicing.

She could hear a stampede of feet running the opposite direction and Ino turned to see Sakura bolting after the group of kids. The little brown haired boy with the long blue scarf pulled ahead of the pack and Ino gasped out loud as he smacked into someone in the distance. She couldn’t quite see his face, or that of the girl with him but Ino knew that she had never seen them before.

            “Let’s go.” Sasuke dropped his hand off on her shoulder and Ino trotted behind him to keep up. They weaved their way behind a long brown fence to a tall tree next to the scene. Sasuke climbed up first and then held a hand out to her to help her up.

            “Grab those rocks.” He said and Ino scooped out her free hand, gathering the sharp pebbles next to the trunk before he pulled her up. She then climbed on the tree branch just above his, crouching to watch the exchange.

            “I was just playing around…” She could hear fear in Sakura’s voice. Ino was concerned for the little boy being held by the front of his shirt. Sasuke was bidding his time. She could tell he wanted to know more about these strangers that were in the village. The older one was dressed from head to toe in black with strange purple face paint on his pale face. The blonde girl accompanying him was older than her as well, not exactly thin, but she dressed pretty well with a huge closed fan tied on her back. Naruto tried to go after the older guy, but he tripped or something, Ino wasn’t quite sure. She shifted her eyes to Sasuke who was just quietly listening.

            “Leaf Genins are weak.” She heard him say.

            “Let him go you idiot!” Naruto was getting angry and worried. The other little kids were staring to cry and Sakura was afraid to move. Ino was becoming irritated, just standing here, not doing anything. She slipped from her branch to Sasuke’s, but he just held out his arm, stopping her from getting down.

            “Sasuke! If you’re not going to help then I have to try.” She hissed at him, shoving his arm out of her way.

            “Just wait.” He slipped his fingers under her headband tied to her waist to hold her in place. “Give me the stones.” She immediately handed them over, tensing as she saw the taller guy raise his fist to hit the little kid. Sasuke let go of her headband and threw the stone at the guy’s hand. The sharp point stabbed him though his black gloves. A few drops of blood dripped to the ground. Everyone’s attention turned to them in an instant.

            “What do you think you’re doing in another’s village?” He asked coolly, carelessly tossing the other pebble in the air and catching it.

            Sakura lit up instantly. “Sasuke!” She cried in devotion. Ino just snorted.

            “Show off.” She whispered to him though she had to admit, he looked pretty cool. He vaguely acknowledged her comment with a slight turn of his head.

            Naruto looked a little ashamed. Ino felt a little bad for him. Sasuke just stole his heroic thunder with one little rock. No wonder Sakura and the older blond stranger were going goo-goo over him. Sasuke crushed the other pebble in his hand and let the powder fall from his fingers.

            “Get lost.”

            “He’s so cool.” Ino heard Sakura sigh dreamily. The little blonde girl looked like she was in Sasuke worship mode as well.

            “Naruto! You’re not cool!” The blue scarf boy she heard being called Konahamaru cried in heartbreak. Naruto tried to save face a little, but the kid was still upset.

            “Hey come down here. I hate kids like you who think they’re so clever.” Ino’s neck hairs stood on ends when the guy pulled whatever he was carrying on his back to the front. The unfamiliar blond girl he was with was startled.

            “You’re not going to use…”

            “Kankuro…stop.” Instant goosebumps emerged on her arms and she saw Sasuke stiffen. From the other side of the tree she felt something in the shadows. It didn’t even feel human, chakra so cold she actually felt a shiver work its way down her spine. She leaned in, beside Sasuke. Sakura saw her then and a little of her fire died from her eyes. But Ino didn’t take time to think about that. All she wanted to do was get away from whatever was near her. Sasuke grabbed her wrist to keep her next to him. He moved enough for her to see a guy, around their age standing upside down on heavy branch. He had curly red hair, dressed in clothes similar to the ones below her.

            “You’re a disgrace to our entire village.” Ino sucked in a breath. Even though he didn’t say it to her, she felt the remark cut deeply. Kankuro paled under his face paint and gave a wobbly smile.

            “G-gaara.”

            “A disgrace.” His words were cold, dead. “Why do you think we came here to Leaf?”

Ino knew terror when she saw it. This guy was frightened. “Listen Gaara. These guys started it.” Kankuro said in a fearful tone. Ino dared not to breathe. She was afraid that if Gaara heard it, he would notice her.

            “Shut up. I’ll kill you.”

            Her heart was in her throat. If Sasuke wasn’t holding on to her wrist to tightly, she would have likely fallen out of the tree by now. Fear was thick and weighed heavily on everyone here. Even Sasuke was cautious. Very cautious.

            “I was at fault!” Kankuro finally said in desperation. “I’m sorry. Really sorry.”

            There was a thick silence. Gaara turned to her and Sasuke. He only gave her a slight glance with those cold aqua eyes of his before turning his attention fully on Sasuke. “Excuse them you guys.” He said in a stale polite tone. Ino didn’t know she stepped closer to Sasuke until she felt the fabric of his collar brush her cheek. Gaara then dissolved into strands of falling sand reappearing at the bottom next to the other two.

            “Let’s go. We didn’t come here to fool around.” He told them. Ino breathed a little better now that he wasn’t so close to her, but she was still frightened. What was up with that guy? The people he was with were older than him, but he ordered them around like servants.

            The three began walking away but Sakura stepped up, surprising Ino. Not two seconds ago, she was just as petrified as she was. “Hey wait. According to your headbands, you ninja from the Village of Sand in Wind Country. What are you doing here?” She demanded.

            “You don’t know anything?” The blonde asked, raising a brow. Her tone was friendly enough. She pulled a card from her side pouch and held it up for them to see. “This is a traffic pass. As you guessed we are Genins from the Village of Hidden Sand. We came here to take the Chuunin selection exams.” She explained patiently.

            “The Chuunin exams?” Naruto asked in confusion. Ino wanted to hit him on the head. He didn’t know what they were?

            “You take the Chuunin exams to advance from Genin to Chuunin.” Konohamaru explained.

            Sasuke let go of her wrist and jumped down. Ino decided to stay where she was. No need to move from a safe place. The fence could shield her if anything happened. “Hey you. What is your name?” He called out. Gaara. Duh Sasuke.

            “Me?” The blonde asked excitedly with a little blush. Ino rolled her eyes. Sasuke could make anyone a fangirl.

            “Not you. The one next to you with the gourd.”

            Gaara turned around. “Gaara of the Sand.” He introduced himself. Humm, nice title Ino thought looking at the red head. He was actually kinda cute, if you ignored the unhidden killer intent. He looked alright without eyebrows, though she didn’t recommend anyone to shave theirs.

            “I’m also interested in you. What is yours?” Gaara inquired. Sasuke smiled.

            “Sasuke Uchiha.” There was a standoff, one thing that Ino saw boys do a lot when they were sizing each other up. She wondered what they were thinking about.

            “Do you want to know my name?” Naruto asked brightly pushing forward with a hopeful face.

            “Not interested.” Gaara said curtly and then turned. Ino smiled a little. Poor Naruto. No one took him seriously. She would have to hang out with him later to lift his spirits. She was good at that.

            When the three from Sand left, Ino jumped down. Sakura pounced on her immediately.

            “Why were you just standing up there?! You could have helped!” She accused loudly. Ino just snorted and pushed Sakura’s pointed finger out of her face.

            “Why? You seemed like you were handling it just fine Billboard Brow.”

            Sakura was going to say something back but Naruto ran interference. “Hey Ino! You want to play with me and the kids?”

            Ino looked at Naruto little followers who were peering up at her with big curious eyes. “Hey! Are you Naruto’s girlfriend?” The little girl asked slyly. Naruto blushed.

            “She’s not.” Ino looked up sharply at Sasuke. He was looking away, his hands stuffed in his pockets. She heard Sakura’s sharp intake of breath at his quick answer.

            “Uh…Naruto and I are just friends.” Ino said quickly, to fill in the silent void. “But sure, I’ll play with you guys. Later though. After hearing everything that went on, I need to see my sensei.”

            “I saw Shikamaru and Choji at the Disuke Tea Shop next to Old Leaf. Maybe you can find him there.” Sasuke offered. “We should go and find Kakashi. He’ll probably be looking for us.” He told his team.

            “Yeah. You’re right.” Sakura said jumping to Sasuke’s side. The little kids groaned in disappointment.

            “I’ll find you guys later then.” Naruto said. Everyone said their goodbyes. Sure enough, she met up with her team at Disuke Tea Shop just as Asuma was going to send Choji to find her. Asuma motioned her to sit next to Shikamaru on a carved concrete bench. She always had perfect timing. She wanted to blurt out everything that had just happened, but she restrained herself and let Asuma tell them.

            “I’ve entered the team into the Chuunin exams.” He finally said after lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag. Shikamaru and Choji exchanged looks, but Ino just grinned.

            “Really? You believe in us that much Sensei?” She jumped up in excitant.

            Asuma grinned, his cigarette wobbling on his lip. “Of course. I trained you.”

            “Rookies like us are never admitted into the Chuunin exams so soon.” Shikamaru sounded suspicious. “Everyone will be watching us closely.” He moped. Ino sighed, so that was his problem. He hated it when he was on display, hated having to be awake.

            “So? Let them. You’re a good example of what a team is supposed to be.”

            Ino flushed hearing that. She was proud of herself even more when others noticed and complimented her skills. Asuma really did believe in all of them and her team had to show everyone that entering them was not too soon. Besides, this was going to be the first time being with other Genin other than Leaf’s. She could learn a lot.

            “What do we have to do?” She asked.

            Asuma reached in his pocket and pulled out three short notes. “Turn these in to room 301. They’re application forms that let you enter. All of you have to do this. They only take teams of three.”

            “So we all have to enter or no one can?” Shikamaru asked hopefully.

            Ino spun around in a shocked instant. There was no way he was going to ruin this chance for her! “Shikamaru! Are you chickening out? If you’re scared, I can protect you.” She taunted him. Usually Shikamaru and Choji were not riled by her challenges when they were alone. But she said it in front of Asuma and that hurt their budding male egos.

            “Give them to us.” Shikamaru growled, taking the application notes from Asuma and shoving one to Choji who was quietly fuming. The boys stomped away and when they were out of sight she grinned and turned to Asuma. He chuckled and clapped her on the back.

            “Good job Ino.”

XOXO

            Doing the whole applications thing there were a myriad of strings attached to it. The moment they stepped into the Academy, they were tested. Luckily Shikamaru’s quick thinking and Choji’s sharp eye noticed the little door trial. They were the first rookie team to step into the assembly room. There were a lot of people in there, older sweaty men and tough looking women. She couldn’t believe that she was looking at other Genin. Especially Genin who were way older than her. It was intimidating and exciting as well.

            Every time the door opened, she looked, expecting to see anyone she might recognize from school. After two more teams entered, finally she saw someone familiar.

            “Kiba!” She called out. He was the first to enter, then Hinata and Shino. She didn’t know why, but Ino was relieved that more people from her graduating year were joining her team in this endeavor. The calculating glares from the other Genin that her team was exposed too didn’t seem so heavy now that there were more people her age taking this exam.

            She quickly pulled Hinata close to her, wanting more female company than male right now. She was chatting idaly, when the door opened again. Hinata took a step closer to her in…fear? Ino felt her little buddy begin to tremble. Confused she looked to where Hinata was gazing and saw a team with a boy she instantly knew was a Hyuga. He was staring at Hinata with contempt and anger.

            “Who’s that?” Ino murmured, holding Hinata’s arm more firmly as a way of comfort. She never seen her act like this before.

            “M-m-my cousin. Neji.” Hinata stammered out and looked down. Neji’s mouth thinned in disgust before he and his team moved to the other side of the room. Quickly, her angered flared. What a jerk! What did Hinata ever do to him to make him look at her like that? So what if he was really really really cute, he had a despicable attitude. Actually, he remained her a lot of Sasuke. She felt that same air of arrogance roll off of the Hyuga.

            The door opened again and Ino looked from Neji’s team to the new arrivals. She let her frown fade when she saw who it was. And the look on Sakura’s face.

            “What’s this? There are so many people. Are they all taking the exam?” She breathed in disbelief.

            Ino watched as Shikamaru pushed himself off of the wall and greet them.

            “So you made it too huh?” He asked, knuckle bumping Naruto and Sasuke. Choji followed suit. Ino waited for Sakura’s eyes to find her before she ran behind Sasuke and threw herself on his back.

            “Oh Sasuke! I’m sooooo glad you’re here with me! What took you so long? Did Sakura’s big forehead slow you down?” She crooned in exaggeration. Sakura didn’t disappoint. Her face became red and her eyes narrowed.

            “Get away from Sasuke Ino-Pig!” She yelled. Ino just tightened her hold on him.

“Oh, its you.” Ino made a big show of looking over his shoulder at his clothes from head to toe. He regarded her silently, though she could see the light amusement mixed with irritation in his eyes. “I don’t see your name on him.”

“Get off!” Sakura ordered again, earning more disgruntled stares from the others in the room. Ino just snorted in amusement. Mission complete. Now Sakura looks like an immature little girl in a room of hardened ninja. Ino slowly slid herself from his back, loving the death glare and outrage her former friend skewered her with.

“She’s so fun Sasuke.” She murmured quietly to him.

“You should stop. People are looking.” He told her quietly, for her ears only.

Ino smirked. For some reason, she found courage to be like this with Sasuke when there was an audience. When they were alone it was a different story. In front of people he knew it was an act, but alone, when she didn’t even need to put on a show…if she did what she did just now, alone, it would have a whole new meaning.

“Fine. I’ll let you keep your cool and mysterious image.” She sighed in mock hurt and lingered close to him just to rub salt in her former friend’s jealousy.

“So I see that everyone is here.” Kiba came into the little circle everyone was unconsciously making. He looked around giving Akamaru a fond pat on his little white head. “So all of the rookie nine have entered.” He grinned and looked at Sasuke. “How far do you think we’ll make it?”

“You seem to be confident Kiba.” Sasuke commented, sounding equally confident.

“We trained like hell to get here.” Kiba said. “We won’t lose to you.”

“Same here Kiba! Be prepared to face all my massively awesome skills!” Naruto crowed. Ino smiled at both boys who knuckle bumped in camaraderie.

She was about to say something when her chakra spiked in warning. There was something dark and evil in the air. A feeling that she remembered all too well. She began backing away from it, bumping into Shikamaru.

“Shikamaru.” She croaked in panic. He put both of his hands on her shoulders, silently giving her strength. Even Choji remembered and he was by her side.

“I know.” Shikamaru said sagely.

A young man with white hair and glasses stepped into their circle. All the memories of their mission a few weeks ago came flooding back like a tsunami. It was that guy, the one who killed the weeping mother. Ino forced herself to swallow the knot forming in her throat.

“Be calm. He doesn’t know we were there.” Choji told them, mostly for her benefit. It gave her comfort and made her feel a little more secure. That was right, she needed to act like she never seen him before. Quickly, she straightened and she and her team moved closer into the circle. She wanted to know why he was here and who he was. The headband he wore was from Leaf, but she never saw him before.

“So you’re the rookie nine that just graduated from the academy right?” He scanned the crowed. “All you’re cute faces…you should really quiet down. This isn’t a field trip you know.”

Ino puffed with outrage. “Who are you to tell us that?” She demanded. The young man gave a friendly smile. Ino hated him even more. That smile was so convincing. No one in the crowed beside her team knew the real face behind that smile.

“I’m Kabuto Yakushi. Look around you.” Everyone did. The other Genin were staring harder at them. It would make anyone nervous. The ones behind them looked really scary. Kabuto seemed to notice this.

“The ones behind you are from the Hidden Village of Rain. They have a short temper.” He sighed, adjusting his glasses. “Everyone is tense before the exam. I’m warning you so you won’t get picked on.”

Yeah, keep with the nice guy attitude Ino thought sourly, though she didn’t show it.

“You guys are new so I guess you really don’t know anything. Ah, reminds me of the old me.” He said wistfully.

Sakura regarded him silently. “Kabuto was it?” He nodded. Yeah, good girl Sakura. Be wary of him and his boyish smile Ino silently coached. “So this is your second time then?”

Kabuto shook his head with a little embarrassed smile. “No. My seventh. This exam only takes place twice a year. This is my fourth year.” Of course it shocked everyone to know this. Yet, as Ino got over it, she just grinned mentally. Sensei must really believe in them for her team to enter so soon.

“Then you know a lot about this exam right?” Sakura asked, hopping to gain some tips.

“Then you’re an expert?” Naruto asked with growing excitement, obviously following Sakura’s line of thought.

“But he hasn’t passed it yet.” Shikamaru said bluntly.

Kabuto blushed and rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, that’s true.”

Shikamaru sighed. “Is the Chuunin exam really that hard? This is getting more and more troublesome.”

Kabuto gave one of those innocent boyish smiles. “Then I guess I can help my cute underclassmen with some information.” He pulled the top of his weapons pouch open and withdrew a stack of cards. He fanned them for everyone to see. “I have these recognition cards. I burned information I gathered these past four years into them by using my chakra.” He squatted down and took one from the top. “It looks blank but then…” He began to spin the card and tunnel his chakra into it. It poofed into a small map of the various countries.

“The Chuunin exams are supposed to help other countries become friendly with one another.” He shrugged. “That’s what they say anyways.”

“They?” Sasuke implored.

“Well, it’s just me, but I think it helps balance out the power between different countries. To analyze their strengths and weaknesses.” For a moment, Ino thought he sounded like a conspiracy nut. But then again, it wouldn’t surprise her if people did do that for like…invasion purposes or something.

“Do you have personal information on people?” Sasuke asked.

Kabuto nodded. “Yes. Anyone in particular?”

“Yes. Gaara of the Sand and Lee Rock.”

After gathering the info, especially the info about Gaara, both Sasuke and Naruto looked ready to charge into the exam. The info on the Village of Sound was interesting to learn. Though saying out loud that the Village of Sound might be a bit weak because it new didn’t go over too well with the ninja representing said village because they attacked Kabuto with a strange, unseen jutsu that none of the rookie nine had ever saw. Even Sasuke was taken back. It was tense in the room after. Ino was afraid that an all out brawl would take place but luckily the tension was broken when someone poofed into the room.

“Back down you punks!” The smoke cleared and a tall, scarred man dressed in a long black trench coat with other higher ranking ninja stood by the door. Ino recognized him immediately. He and her Dad often worked together. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I am Ibiki Morino, the first examiner of the Chuunin exams.”
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