Chapter 32

Third Person's POV

It was just the break of dawn when Naruto and Sasuke were fightin...err...fishing in the river.

"Oi! Sasuke-teme! Aim properly will you!", the blonde standing on top of the water shouted while pointing his forefinger.

"Urusai usuratonkachi, I'm trying.", Sasuke replied, visibly irritated with himself for losing his concentration and focus.

Naruto crossed his arms. "Tche! You were acting all cool and mighty yesterday for catching more fishes than me! Heh! Looks like your show's over!"

An angry vein popped on Sasuke's forehead, as much as he wanted to twist Naruto's neck, he had to restrain himself.

"Just shut up and hurry or we won't have anything for breakfast.", he threw shurikens, the moment fishes jumped out of the water to eat insects hitting them in the process.

"You're the one who should shut up! Stop ordering me around teme!"

"Say that if you catch one."

Naruto rolled his sleeves up ready to march towards the Uchiha when his eyes caught a figure behind Sasuke, immediately his face went beet red almost exploding any moment.

"Morning~haah...!", Sasuke turned around, his eyes widening after seeing Alexa stretching her arms out nonchalantly as if she wasn't in the brink of death yesterday.

A smile appeared on his face. "How's your wound?"

Alexa opened one eye to see him. "They're not completely healed yet but, I'm fine."

Sasuke blinked his eyes when Lhexi patted her stomach only to wince at the pain.

"Idiot...", he whispered before turning around, his back facing Lhexi.

The girl just watch his shoulders slightly shake before he faced her once again with his usual poker facer.

"Did you heal youself?", asks the Uchiha.

Lhexi shook her head from side to side. "Mnmn, well I'm fine now, thanks to Naruto."

"Naruto? What did that loser do?"

"If it wasn't for him, I might have died due to chakra exhaustion. He doesn't know how to share his chakra yet, so I had to suck them out myself."

"Suck?"

Lhexi awkwardly coughed a little before nodding, a slight tinge of dust hues on her cheeks. "Well forget about that, since my chakra's back and my wounds are partially healed. I have to thank him later."

Although Sasuke didn't understood much he pried no more but he was still bothered by how she suck out Naruto's chakra.

"Ohayo! Lhexi-chan!", Naruto ran towards them, a cheerful beam surrounding him.

Lhexi smiled warmly. "Ohayo, Naruto. About last night, thanks. That was a great help."

The boy blushed bright red before nodding, scratching the back of his head. "No problem! Hehehe!"

For some reason, Sasuke felt like a nuisance, moreover what was this irritation bubbling in his stomach about this unusual atmosphere between the two.

He stepped in and made himself a wall blocking the two from seeing each other.

"Sasuke?"

"Hurry up dobe and catch some more."

"I got it! I got it!", Naruto fumed before he rushed out back to the river.

Sasuke turned to Lhexi, an annoyed and suspicious look on his face while assessing the girl's face.

Lhexi sweatdropped before she sighed and took something out from her pouch.

"Here."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "This is...!"

"A scroll, you need it right? Just consider it as a payment for last night."

"What about yours?"

Lhexi waved that thought out. "My team's got two besides they're already in the tower just waiting for me."

Sasuke clenched his fists. "They just left you?"

"No, I told them to go. It was dangerous."

"What do you mean? You almost died. They should have stayed, that way you could have fought together!"

Lhexi was surprised she did not expected the Uchiha to shout. Was he worried?

"They will only be a nuisance. I can't protect and fight at the same time."

"Lhexi...you...!"

Her hand trailed to her neck before she looked directly into Sasuke's eyes.

"I'm sure you would have done the same. No. You did. But, my team is contrary to yours, they ran away while Naruto and Sakura stayed for you."

The Uchiha had doubtouble eyes. "Who was it?"

"Orochimaru."

The wind rustled and the two looked at each other, speaking with their eyes. It was deafeningly silent between them.

Sasuke's hand run through his neck the same place as Lhexi's before his eyes widened.

"Did he also...?!"

The girl nodded and Sasuke's eyes dilated, he remembered how painful it was, and this girl suffered the same as him.

She was also targeted by Orochimaru, but why? He understands why he was since he was an Uchiha but, not Lhexi. She was just another civilian born or so he thought.

He was so infuriated and angry with Orochimaru for hurting his friends. First his team and now Alexa. He'll kill him for sure and he promised he will.

"Let's hurry up.", Lhexi broke him out of his thoughts.

'Before that Kabuto bastard arrives...'

"Oi Naruto, hurry up. We're leaving.", he called before jumping down the small cliff.

"What about the fish?"

"Leave them be! I got food pills!", Lhexi shouted.

"But those taste horrible ttebayo!"

"We don't have much time!"

Naruto pouted before leaping out of the water. "Alright!"

..........

Everyone stopped when the girl leading them stopped on one of the branches.

"Lhexi-chan?"

"Shh..", Sasuke silenced his two teammates as he narrow his eyes around. "There are enemies nearby."

Naruto and Sakura nodded before pulling out their kunai as Sasuke did the same. Lhexi however just sat there and placed her hand on the tree trunk closing her eyes.

She felt three chakra signatures near them and contemplated whether to fight them or not. The most sensible way was to avoid them. They would certainly win but, they can't waste anymore strength.

Looking back, she motioned for the blonde to come towards her before she whispered something to him.

"Got it...!", he replied back and Lhexi could only smile at him.

For some reason, he had a soft spot in her heart.

Moments later they arrived at the tower, faster than they expected.

Sakura fell down on the floor as she heave a deep audible breath, relieved that they finally crossed the exam.

"Haah...! Finally! After this I'm gonna take a really long shower...!"

"I can't wait to eat Ichiraku ramen ttebayo!"

Sasuke's POV

"Does anyone else know?", I asked in a low voice.

She shook her head and I sighed relieved. It would be bad if others know, especially those Sound ninjas. I looked at her once again who's eyes were scanning the room looking for threats as if she was still in a battlefield.

I know that she was attentive but, not to this extent where she could not even rest. She looked like she's always at serenity but, just like Kakashi she has her guards up prepared for a fight anytime.

"Lhex--Alexa."

Her name is really unique that I couldn't forget it eversince she introduced herself to the class a few years ago. But, I couldn't call her the way Naruto and the others does.

No matter how badly I wanted to. Even though she's so close to me, merely 1 feet apart, it felt like she's so unreachable. So near yet so far.

She moved up her gaze towards me, one that I still could not get used to. Her eyes had always been so mesmerizing, I would never get tired to look at them even in a million years.

"What is it, Sasuke?"

Sometimes, I even forget what to say to her once she talks to me with her soothing voice. She's just like any other girl but, I wonder what makes her so different from the rest.

"Are you really alright?"

Before I knew, it slipped out of my mouth although I didn't really mean to.

She gave me a smile, a reassuring and kind smile yet it felt like there was something sinister behind it.

"I'm not weak, just to tell you Sasuke.", she turned her heels around and began walking away, her hair slightly dangling.

Like always, she had always been so far away and now she's even walking further away, just like my brother. Not the man I hate, but the older brother I used to love.

They were different people yet the same at the same time.

I clutched my head and shaked the thoughts away.

'I shouldn't be thinking of that man at this time. I have to plan things ahead for my team.'

I looked at the two who were sitting on the floor exhausted and tired more than ever, silently smiling to myself. For some reason I grew fond of these two.

"Oi, you two. Take out the other scroll now."

Alexa's POV

"What took you so long?! We thought you died!", I covered my ears at Yuri's outburst.

"Gomen gomen, I got caught into something."

"Tch. You made us worry for nothing."

"That's why, I'm really sorry."

Yuri crossed her arms and stomped on the floor while biting on her cheeks. On the other hand Itsuki was taking his jacket off to cover my skin that was exposed.

"Thanks.", I whispered to him.

He creased his eyebrows and squinted his eyes. "What's that mark on your neck?"

My hand immediately covered it. "That snake placed it on me. Anyways, take out the scrolls now. We have to open them."

The two rolled the opened scroll on the floor and a sudden smoke erupted from within which I was already expecting.

But what I was not expecting was Anko.

"Oi maggots, still alive huh?", she eyed the three of us before she took a bite of her dango. "This is surprising, a total 9 teams passed the exam. Tch, I was expecting you to die in the forest, you goddamn purple maggot."

I just smiled at her.

"Anyways, congrats you passed the second phase of the exam.", she doesn't look happy at all.

Yuri fistbumped with Itsuki and I felt a heavy burden lifting off my shoulders.

"We did it! Yes!", Yuri cheered.

Mah, this is not the time to be celebrating.

I walked towards Anko who just eyed me boredly.

"What? Need something?

"Yes, I just wanna show you something.", she raised an eyebrow and I removed my hand on my neck and revealed her the cursed mark Orochimaru placed.

Her eyes widened with her mouth agape, and the visible shock was plastered on her face. She even dropped the dango on the floor before she began laughing to herself.

"What a waste.", she muttered as she bite her lower lip. "You ran into him huh? Why didn't you informed me immediately?", she glared down at my two teammates.

Itsuki held his ground before speaking. "I talked to the Chunins, but no one seem to believe in us. They probably thought we were pulling a prank so they disregarded it. But, one of them said they would inform it to the higher ups and I haven't seen him since then."

Anko clicked her tounge. "Sokka. So that's what happened."

She giggled to herself and pushed her hair back before stretching her neck as she whisper something. "That damn traitor."

"Oh, by the way Anko-san.", I eyesmiled at her as I tilt my head. "I'm not the only one."

Her eyes widened when I blurted out his name. "Uchiha Sasuke got marked too."

She sighed looking up at the high ceiling tired of everything.

"Two...two managed to stay alive after getting a cursed mark...", she walked up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder before whispering. "There would be a preliminary round in a few hours to cut your number into half. Take a good long rest until then. It's one on one, and there's a possibility that you would face one of your friends. Now I want you to lose purposely for you can never win since you can't perform ninjutsus because of that cursed seal. Try and used it and you're immediately disqualified."

She walked away and I grinned to myself as I clench my fists.

'These bastards think I'm weak?

What would be the look on their faces once I show them what I can do?

I can't wait.'

I turned around facing my team. "I have to go and change."

Itsuki smiled and nodded. "Hm. You should rest for now."

I smiled back at him.

"Stop with those looks! It's making me puke!"

I laughed at Yuri before I walked to the nearest room.

Just as I opened it, I felt two powerful and bloodthirsty chakra fighting among each other. My eyes widened at the sight of Gaara and Tohru standing facing each other with their sand and frost ready to attack.

Gaara unleashed a huge amiunt of blood lust directed towards Tohru and I remained still as I sweatdropped.

"How annoying, let's finish this quickly."

Tohru only scowled.

"That's right, it's getting out of hand. Why don't we determine who's stronger since it have gone to this?"

Temari and Kankuro were a couple step back from Gaara sweating buckets. Tohru's team however was different. His male teammate just calmly chew his bubble gum, looking bored.

The girl rolled her eyes probably tired. "Hai hai! Do whatever you want! But don't go running to me if you get hurt Tohru."

"Gaara, let's stop here for now.", Temari whispered.

Both remained quiet still assessing each other before they spoke at the same time.

"Wait. I have business to settle with this guy."

The two prepared their attacks and in a couple of seconds, this room would probably be destroyed.

I just sighed before clapping my hands together before they could even take a move.

The sound cleared the tension away however, both their eyes are set on me now.

"You can take this outside, you're not the only one who needs this room.", I told them.

Tohru's eyes flashed with something I could not comprehend as if he was in pain. Wait what? He's not even injured nor scratched the lightest.

Gaara stared at me with a calm glare mixed with bloodlust. I walked inside not minding their stares.

I went passed the red haired boy and made a direct eye contact with him. His eyes widened at the sight of ocean on my eyes. I inwardly smirked as I turn my gaze away.

"Let's go. Temari, Kankuro.", I could feel them moving away and the other two Waterfall Ninjas.

I placed a scroll on the table. A scroll wherein I sealed my clothes and personal belongings that I would need for this day.

"You're not gonna come out? I need some privacy here.", I stated before crossing my arms.

He just eyed my body, particularly my injuries.

"You never listen. I told you to give up on the Chunin Exams."

I clenched my jaw a little feeling slightly irritated.

"I have come so far now, don't even try to take this chance away from me."

"Give up."

"And if I refuse?", I dared him.

"I'll break your limbs so you'll never be a ninja again."

"How cruel of you...", I whispered as I look down. "Why are you so obsessed on making me give up?"

He lifted his chin up, looking down on me. "You're weak. And a weakling doesn't deserve to be a ninja."

'Weak huh?'

"I'm different from 4 years ago. I'm not the same girl you met back then. And I believe you're no longer the same boy I befriended. You...have changed..."

He walked slowly towards me, the room was getting colder.

"Things must not remain the same way they are. That's the way of nature. If you don't evelove you just become an easy prey for predators." 

He stood infront of me towering over my small body. He used to be several centimeters shorter than me.

"I have an ambition and I'll do anything I can to achieve that. So don't get in my way Tohru."

He slammed his hand beside my head, pinning me against the wall. He moved closer to my face, his breath fanning my neck as he whisper something to me. One thing that made me snap.

"Don't you wanna know how your mother is doing? Don't worry, I just broke her legs. Not much."

Before I knew it, he was on the floor, my body straddling over him. His cheek was bruised and I had him by his collar. My body was on fire, it was so hot I had to let it out.

There was a burning sensation on my eyes and I could see the shock and fear on his face. His body was frigid and cold as his pupils dilated as if he was striked with horror and terror.

I felt a pain on my neck, the cursed mark was rapidly stretching out around half of my body. This guy...this guy, dared used my mother against me.

My beloved mother whom I haven't seen for 3 years.

I don't care who the hell this person could be, I'll kill whoever tries to bring harm to her.

"Quit joking you fucker.", he was cold in sweat at the amount of killing intent I was letting out. I myself wasn't even aware it was this dense. "I don't give second chances, you probably should pray your last wishes now. You will meet the real devil itself soon."

I gave a small sadistic smile as I tilt my head to the side like a doll who's eyes were empty.

My katana was right on his neck, his blood staining my weapon. My vision was dark and I could not see clearly, all in my head was to kill this bastard.

But that was until, I heard a droplet of water dripping on the ocean. I found myself standing on top of a calm distilled water. It soothed my nerves immediately.

It was peaceful in here, with just the far stretched ocean and sky alone.

The peace was destroyed when I heard a voice behind me.

Have you finally calmed down?

I looked back and all I could do was to stare in shock. Her eyes were gold, her long hair was so long it sprawled all over the water, she was dressed in a white and red kimono and she just stared back at me.

She walked so gentle that all I could hear was the rippling waters on her every footstep. She stopped right infront of me and sat which I did the same.

You lost control.

I scowled. "I didn't expected it either."

You're too attached to them especially that woman.

"She has a name."

See?

I looked side to side.

"What now? Where are we by the way?", I tried to disregard the topic.

We're in my subconscious anyways, try to calm down. You're losing your cover.

After she said that, I found Tohru beneath me, we were still in the same position.

I let go of him and snatched my scroll from the table before dashing away from the room.

.........

I stared at the huge screen hang on the wall displaying two names from different villages.

"Takeda Alexa vs. Nensho Oka."

All jonins eyes were on me especially after they learned I was given a curse mark by Orochimaru.

"Good luck, Lhexi-chan.", I could hear Naruto followed by the others giving me words of support and encouragement.

Forget abou that, my focus was on different person from the opposite side. His hazel eyes were boring itself to mine, as if assessing my whole being. He leaned his back comfortably against the wall as his gaze never left me.

Two people stood infront of him, one looked exactly like a younger Anko-sensei who's focus was on Naruto instead. The other male beside her didn't give much about what was happening and was silently writing to himself.

'Ryuugaime Kyuuji...what is he doing here?'