16

Hey~ 1.2 K reads omg wow luv y'all!

Enjoy reading! <3

Hello new readers!

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

3rd person POV

Akina had been discharged from the hospital later that day. She refused to let Inoichi enter her mind and the Hokage respected her wishes despite everyone's protests. One glare from him had shut them all up. He took her into his office and about an hour later she was back to normal. Almost.

That haunted look hadn't left her eyes but it was still soft. She flinched whenever she looked at her team or any of the girls and decided to spend most her days after the D ranked missions with Kiba and Shino or training with Yamato, developing a new technique. She was making friends with them very quickly. 

Shino liked Akina's sense of privacy. She didn't force him to talk and would listen patiently to him whenever he did. She even helped him catch insects even though she'd just point them out. She never caught them. Akina was terrified of insects after all and yet she still hung out with him. She never considered him to be weak and she was different. Shino liked that. 

Kiba and Akamaru enjoyed her occasional visits to the Inuzaka compound. She loved all animals and enjoyed playing with Pakkun and Akamaru but for the love of her life she could never find out who she liked better. Kiba would get flustered whenever he saw Akina and she being a bright girl noticed it. Hana and Kiba's mother sniffed her when she first arrived and approved of her almost immediately. Apparently Akina's chakra gave a motherly and dangerous vibe at the same time. Tsume was delighted. Kiba and Akina would spend all their time playing around, fighting, arguing and having races with each other. 

She now had support of the Inuzaka clans and Aburame clans. Being friends with the Clan head's sons was a very useful thing. Moreover, she found it refreshing to hang out with them and act normal. 

In her list only three genin were left. Neji, Tenten and Rock Lee. 

The Chunin exams were approaching fast and finally the day came when Gaara and his siblings made appearance in the Hidden Village of the Leaves.  

And that day was today.

Akina POV

I entered the door along with my team by kicking it open. All the genin turned to glare at us and I smirked. Their glares were nothing compared to Zabuza and Kakashi's KI directed at me and Naruto. 

I shivered at the thought of pulling a prank at them once more. Sakura cowered slightly not used to such looks and Sasuke shot them a smirk too. We entered and I made eye contact with Gaara. I smiled and waved at him and he nodded in return as his sand swirled around him at a faster pace.

Flashback

Sasuke was standing next to me and Gaara was slightly hidden by the shadows of the tree. He crushed a pebble in his hand and smirked slightly.

Temari, Sakura and Moegi slightly blushed. Naruto and Konohamaru felt like idiots.

"Which one of you threw that kunai at me?" Kankuro snarled.

"Me. You were being too annoying. Coming from Suna for the Chunin exams, you shouldn't be hurting Academy level students. Or are you so weak you need to showcase your strength by beating younger kids up." I smirked amused. Kankuro kept his hand on crow and growled.

I turned to a specific red head. "Hello Gaara."

Gaara seemed momentarily surprised and he regained an emotionless look. He ignored me and looked at his siblings.

"Temari.. Kankuro.. You are a disgrace to our village. Mother is not happy." They froze. 

Gaara turned to look at me with his teal colored orbs. 

"Mother says she likes you. Your chakra reminds her of someone." I slightly cocked my head. 

We had never met before. 

"Who?" 

Gaara remained silent for a while as he listened to Shikaku. Sand started to flow around his gourd and started to slightly stick to my clothes. I froze. 

If Gaara kills me, I kill him.

"She won't say why. She wants me to spare you."

Temari and Kankuro gasped and I felt Sasuke's chakra darken.

Using his sand he levitated the both of us down from the tree and Sasuke followed glaring at Gaara. 

"What's your name?" Sasuke asked Gaara.

I stayed silent for a while. This was not how I expected it to go.

"Gaara of the Sand."

He turned to Sasuke. "Your name?

"Uchiha Sasuke." He turned to me.

".. Senju Uchiha Akina."

He cocked his head slightly. "Mother seems to be laughing in amusement. I do not know why."

I frowned. Just what was happening?

"Yume.. Get to work."

Yeah yeah. I'm already on it.

Sakura and Sasuke shot me a strange look. Naruto pointed at Gaara.

"Oy oy won't you ask me my name dattebayo?!"

"I have no use to know your name. Mother says you remind her of an old acquaintance she would not want to meet again."

Kurama? 

Must be. I still can't find out why he seems to know you.

I bit my lip slightly. The sand siblings walked away. 

Flashback Over

For some unexplained reason, Gaara liked me. Is it because he knew I could control him?

Shikamaru looked at us and yawned. "Looks like the Konoha 10 are here. How troublesome."

Akamaru and Kiba engulfed me in a hug. I chuckled as I patted their heads. I swear Kiba acts like a dog half the time. 

"Good morning, Akina san." 

I shot the boy who'd spoken a smile. "Ohayo Shino and everyone else."

Naruto had stricken up a conversation with Hinata surprisingly. Sakura and Ino were talking about something and the rest were lost in their own worlds making a huge ruckus. Shrugging I walked towards Gaara.

"Hey Gaara, Temari and puppet man."

The latter growled. "The name's Kankuro."

"Oh I know. I don't think scum like you deserve recognition even if you are the Kazekage's son." 

Temari smirked. "I like you kid. But we aren't here to make friends. We see you during a battle, we crush you."

"Hmm.. I'm pretty sure Gaara is the one who does the whole sand coffin crushing thing but okay." I shrugged. Their eyes widened and I giggled. 

Oh it was fun telling people things about them which no one else knew.

Gaara gave me a small stare as he started speaking. "Mother wants to talk to you."

"Wut?" 

"Mother will see you soon." Temari and Kankuro exchanged worried glances with each other as they turned to Gaara. 

"G-Gaara.. You can't-"

The red haired boy turned to look at his brother, glaring. "Mother is telling me what to do. If I do it, she'll be happy and let me sleep for more time."

I frowned. My heart broke for Gaara. 

"I need to go. I see a white haired little shit approaching my friends." Looking around I noticed a long haired kunoichi with a tongue swiping across her lips and I cringed. 

Orochimaru. 

Walking quickly I stood in front of Kabuto before he could reach my friends. He looked taken aback.

"Kabuto san. Nice to meet you. I am Akina Senju Uchiha."

His eyes glittered. "Nice to meet you Akina san. But I must ask you how you know who I am?"

"Sasori and Orochimaru huh... Why don't you get out before I bash your face in with those flash cards you have? You aren't fooling me. I know your pedophile of a sannin is there. No why don't you go back to your owner bitch?"

He narrowed his eyes at me as he fought off a snarky comment. 

"You better hope Orochimaru sama doesn't kill you Senju." He hissed. I raised my eyes amused. 

"I know he won't kill me. Down the road I might have an offer for him. Now go back and report whatever you want. I want you to leave my friends alone and if you approach us in the Forest of Death your screams will echo." I released KI and everyone turned to look at me. 

From the corner of my eye I saw Gaara's sand swish violently at blood lust. Team 7 took out their kunais and came towards me sensing that something was wrong. Orochimaru licked her lips once more and leaned forward. 

"Akina san why don't we save everything for later. I wouldn't want to create a scene now." Kabuto said as he stepped back raising his hands as a gesture of surrender.

I gave a bright smile. "Sure! Don't get in my way or I'll kill you." 

One of the sound shinobi got up and snickered. "A brat like you can't even harm us. You talk big little squirts." 

Naruto growled. "Don't underestimate us 'ttebayo!"

"Don't tell me you guys are fighting already?" A new voice said from behind us. 

Ibiki Morino. He gave us all a hard stare making all the genin stand up straighter subconsciously. His aura screamed dominance.

"Get into a line brats and we will give you a ticket. You will sit on the seat number specified on the ticket for your first stage of the Chunin exams. A written test!" Behind me Naruto beamed. 

I asked (read forced) Sasuke and Sakura into tutoring Naruto, cramming his head with knowledge a few days before the exam. He'd been terrible at first but surprisingly caught up with us quickly. He wasn't as dumb as he looked which made me consider the fact of teaching him fuinjutsu. 

I looked down at the seat number I got. 167

"Hello Akina san." I turned to look at the person next to me and I slightly gulped. Her voice sent chills down my back and I gave her a small smile.

"Hello.." I trailed off not knowing how to address her.

"You are a Ssssenju hm? I thought they all died." Her slithery voice made me freeze up and face the front. I could see all my team mates. I was at the very back. 

"Well everyone thought that but here I am."

"Tell me more about yourself. Consider me interested." She gave me a smirk.

"I'd rather not." I turned to face forward. Everyone was still settling in and Sasuke turned to look at me. 

Are you okay? He mouthed.

I gave him a reassuring smile back and he glared at Orochimaru, sensing my discomfort. Next to me she giggled and I groaned. He just made things worse.

"Alright maggots. Its time to start the written exam. Here are the rules..."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"There's something creepy about this place." Sakura said as she shivered at the site of a huge centipede go behind a tree.

Anko gave her a grin. "You'll find out why this place is called the Forest of Death soon."

Naruto squatted down, pushed his ass out and began to wiggle his hips as he mocked Anko. "I'm not scared dattebayo!"

I giggled at his dance attempts.

Anko gave us a wider grin. "Is that so? You have a lot of energy." Grabbing a kunai she threw it towards Naruto and I stepped in front of him and caught it. Anko laughed as I sent her a smirk.

"Maa maa its not good for you to attack us genin with a kunai now would it. Let him go?" I threw it back at her and Naruto released a breath he was holding in.

"Well before we start the second exam, I have to pass these forms around. This is a consent form you have to sign before you enter." 

"Why?" Naruto asked.

"Well from here on corpses will be coming out. I don't want to be responsible for your death now would I?" She said as she laughed. I giggled at her crazy personality. My team shot me weird looks. 

This lady is speaking my level of craziness. I like her.

Naruto started to pass the forms out and Anko started explaining the map. I smirked at the plan which was slowly forming in my head. A plan which would be much more efficient. 

"... read these forms carefully and exchange them for your scrolls. Don't die!"

I read the form in my hands.

"The participant (enter full name) from (village name) agrees to take part in the second stage of the Chunin Exams. Our amazing, beautiful and sexy proctor ANKO MITARASHI has explained all the rules to us. By signing this consent form we agree to participate in a life or death situation and our proctor will not get blamed if we should die.

(Signature of the maggot)

I snorted at the form. Her level of confidence was so high it was astounding. 

After some time we submitted our forms and got the Heaven scroll. I giggled as I looked at the three proctors. 

"The second stage has officially started, hasn't it?" They looked at me confused before nodding their heads. 

"Ja ne!" I skipped out of the tent.

"Tell the plan" said Sasuke without wasting anytime. 

 "Well we can knock out a team right now and steal their scrolls. I can ask Gaara for help with the scrolls. He'll help me."

Sasuke made a face. "Why him? We don't need him. We have to do this alone. I'll take care of it." He activated his sharingan. 

"What's his shenanigan going to do 'ttebayo?!" 

"Its sharingan baka Naruto! His vision will become much more better with that."

"Found them. Its some team from Kusagakure. The kunoichi who was sitting next to you."

I grabbed Sasuke's shoulders. "No! We have to stay away from them at all costs. You see them, you retreat!"

"Who are they?" Sakura asked worried. Sasuke gave me a look filled with worry.

"... They are after Sasuke." 

Naruto gasped. "What do you mean?"

"The Kusa kunoichi is actually a powerful shinobi named Orochimaru. He wants Sasuke's body." I explained.

"Hehe Sasuke teme! That pedophile likes you." Naruto slightly snickered. 

Sasuke grimaced. "Can't we go against-"

I shook my head. "He'll give you a bad... hickey? I don't know what else to call it. Anyways, we are no where near his level yet. Maybe in three to four years but not now. Also Naruto you should be careful as well. He likes little boys."

By the time I finished my monologue the two boys looked like they were going to puke. It was guaranteed that we'd stay away from him now. Sakura looked at them and then Orochimaru before shivering. 

"Be right back. Sasuke, keep scanning for Earth scrolls. I have an idea." I walked towards Anko.

"Oy psycho Proctor! What's up?"

She gave me a cheerful grin. "Its you brat. The Hokage has high hopes for your team. I'm not sure why but I hope you'll die."

"Let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"You give me your Earth scroll, a legit one and.. I'll give you information on the whereabouts of Orochimaru. How's that?"

She froze and her hand subconsciously made way to her neck. "What if you are lying?"

"I'm not. The Hokage trusts me. And if I am lying, you can kick me out of the Chunin exams for this year and as a bonus I'll treat you to dango and possibly a date with Kakashi sensei."

She ruffled my hair. "Deal. I give you a real Earth scroll and you give me information? Hell, I am positive you are lying but who'd miss a chance with that fine piece of ass Hatake and dango." She licked her lips and I giggled. 

She reached into her pocket and gave me the Earth scroll. "Its legit kid. I don't back out of bets." She gave me a serious look.

"You are good at bargaining. You'll pass this... hopefully. But tell me about that snake ass fucker now."

"Well you see that Kusagakure kunoichi over there? She's Orochimaru. He's just wearing her skin. You might want some backup. Also he's after Uchiha Sasuke of my team because he wants to give him a cursed hickey just like the one you have. He wants my team mates sharingan and I won't let him. Please capture him before anything bad happens."

Anko gave me a serious stare. "Go kid. And stop crying for fucks sake. I can see the similarities between them and I'll observe them for now. If its a hoax I won't let you become a Chunin. Ever."

"Got it." I wiped my tears. Worrying about Sasuke had caused me to cry. Kami, what was wrong with me?

"Oy you maggots! We start in half an hour. Go to your respective gates."

I gave my team a small smile as I approached them. Sasuke began speaking.

"I found another te-"

"Its fine. I got it." I cut him off.

"How?" 

"Its simple really. I bribed the Proctor."

Naruto laughed. "Only Akina chan can do something like this 'ttebayo!"

Sakura shook her head. "Explain."

"Well she has a vendetta against Orochimaru and so I told her who he was. She gave me a real Earth scroll."

"And she believed you?" Sasuke scoffed.

"I told her that if I was found lying, I wouldn't be able to continue the Chunin Exams but you guys will. Also I might've bribed her with dango and a date with Kakashi sensei."

 "So let me get this straight. You got us the scroll we needed, got Orochimaru somewhat off our trails and got Kakashi sensei a date with a psycho?" Sasuke asked eyes wide.

"To sum it up, yep!" I beamed.

Sakura breathed a sigh in relief. "You are amazing."

"Oh I know." I flipped my hair back. Sasuke and Naruto got ready.

The Chunin standing in front of us unlocked the game and at the sound of a bell, we rushed in at a fast pace. 

I started collecting my chakra for a powerful move and looked at my chakra saving bracelet which Yamato got for me. 

It's showtime!

Um hi. 

Long time no see? *sweats nervously*

I am sorry for the late update! As most of you know I update a few days after the previous chapter but this time I updated it after a week. Gomenasai. 

I fell ill and then I had to study for an upcoming test and it was all very hectic and troublesome. I also got stuck on what to write for this chapter. I skipped half of it because it'd be boring for me to  write and for you to read. I was waiting for the Forest of Death to pop up. 

Don't underestimate Orochimaru. That guy has some tricks up his sleeves you wait ;)

Anyways how was this chapter?

Q: Any theories on the masked man and why he hates Akina's family?

Tysm for reading!