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Chapter Text

my body hit the tree with a massive thump, as the world was spinning around me all I could hear was Naruto`s screaming in the distance.

We should never have said yes to take this stupid exam. I mean look where it got us now, we're going to end up dead because some freak wanted Sasuke.

Ignoring  inner. I stood up a bit dizzy from the hit to the head. Looking up to where the creepy gras Nin was standing. The dizziness Changed into a headache with a sense of déjà vu. Something wasn’t right, it was almost like I'd seen this happened before. Any minute now that creep`s neck would stretch like a snake posing to strike it's next meal.

my mouth move before I  could stop it. “You know that isn't going to work” I yelled surprising the Nin.

Craning his next to the side he said. “Oh……. And what is it that I'm doing that won't work.” His voice sounding smooth as butter and just as sticky.

Making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Cursing myself for not staying quiet I continued “your plan, to take over his body I mean. His an Uchiha their mental fortitude Is well known even to me. So the likelihood of you possessing him and It succeeded, won't work well. maybe for a few years but then you have to jump to someone else again.”

My head was running on empty, and I felt like my mouth was speaking on autopilot. How did I know he wanted to possess Sasuke’s body. My head was truly pounding now memories, flashes of images, things that shouldn't make sense but for some reason did was swimming inside my head like I was a shaken soda bottle ready to burst.

Orochimaru Looked at me now examined me. his serpent-like eyes gleaming in yellow and glimpses of green. If I didn't know better why did I know better I would think he was surprised or even scared. He tilted his head signalling for me to continue.

“Possessing a body that already has a mind of its own is always going to come with its complications. Especially with the Uchiha. I mean there known for growing stronger when they face adversity so it only be natural to assume that their sense of self will only grow stronger when questiond or overridden.”

I was speaking out of my ass. Trying to convince him of something I knew wasn't actually right but maybe, maybe hearing it from somebody He never expected to stand up to him would confuse him just enough for him to take it seriously.

This is my first time writing a fic and English isn't my first language so I hope it's OK. I have somewhat of a plan for this fic, but if anybody reads this any comments would be appreciated. Should I continue this?

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Chapter 2

Two days earlier

“Hey …  hey, Sakura-Chan look what I can do” Naruto Yell and attempted to jump from one tree to another while in a one handed handstand using the tree climbing technique we'd learned from our last mission. As he jumped to the other tree he landed successfully, but as he tried to turn to face me his grip on the tree slipped and he fell flat on his ass.

“hehehe… Oopsie” he laughed raising his arm to itch the back of his head in a nervous tick. Just as both me and Sasuke turn to look at Naruto on the ground. There was a puff of smoke and Kakashi-sensei appeared standing right behind Naruto.

“Well, well well if it isn't my adorable little Genin. I your wonderful sensei I have brought you a gift” Kakashi Took a sheet of paper out of his tool belt flourishing it like it was a grand declaration from the Daimio.

“What is it what is it what is it?” Yelled Naruto. Swiping at the paper held in Kakashi-sensei`s his hand while jumping excitedly.

“Calm down Teme” Sasuke grumbled at him, but keeping his eyes trained on the paper in Kakashi-sensei`s hand.

“Oooo I wonder what's in that piece of paper maybe it's a new team assignment? so we can be rid of these losers!”

Inner being their usual self, decided to but in where they weren't wanted “Being on a team with Sasuke-Kun is the best thing that's happened to me. shut up Inner!” Trying to hide their frustration from showing on my face.

 Kakashi-sensei turn his head to me smiling that usual eye smile of his and said “and what does our resident konoichi think this paper might be” both of my teammates attention immediately to turn to me with inquisitive looks. and why in the hell would I know what's in there.

“ I don't know Kakashi-sensei. Maybe it's some sort of application form?”  I answer shortly. Not feeling particularly comfortable with the attention I was getting, especially not right after having an argument with Inner. I mean what if they start thinking I’m somebody crazy talking to myself? That would be a disaster!

“Actually, you're half right this Is an application form for the Cunin exams which you 3 will be applying for… if you want of course it's purely voluntary. I don't want to see any of you trying to pressure another into applying this is a decision you have to make yourself.” Kakashi-sensei Answered handing the paper to me and then poofing away.

“Yeah, we're not fucking doing that outer! Right? I mean it's a death sentence.”

Sasuke Taking the paper out of my hand and reading it looks up at both me and Naruto “Hhnn It's about time we get to prove ourselves” he said smirking while looking at the both of us with a challenging look in his eyes.

“Actually, Inner I think we are.”

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Chapter 3 The snakes curiosity

Back in the forest of death

The winds are howling a slow and steady tune through the leaves of the Hasirama trees. Naruto screams had stopped at some point. And I could barely see the outline of his yellow spiky hair if I turn my head just so, I couldn't tell if there was any movement. By the Kami I hope he is OK.

“So.. you think the conscious mind is going to become an obstacle for me. Tell me girl about how do you know who I am and why you seem so enlightened in the art of possession” Orochimaru answered in a mocking tone. Slowly almost like it was a performance he moved his body to face me.

I've really done it now somehow speaking out of my ass about a field I have no reason to know anything about. Or the fact that I knew who he was in the first place! Back in the Academy 1/3 of the Sanin we're always glossed over neither his name nor his picture showed up in history books. Erased from that part of history at least for the Academy students.

The headaches decided to rear its ugly head again pounding on my skull making it impossible to think. Flashes of images popped up inside my head like some sick game of show and tell. inn one of them I could see him having his jaws around Sasuke's neck. And in the next I see Sasuke standing in front of the village gate at night followed by sense of desperation that didn't feel wholly my own.

“OK Outer you really need to get your act together because if you don't we both die”

“Well do you have any bright ideas to get us out of this mess”

“I don't know maybe continue talking like you did before? don't really know what it's all about but it seemed to be working”

Taking a shaky breath, I looked up at him and continued By the Kami this is going to be the death of me.

“Well I can't really answer your previous questions that would…. make this boring right”

pausing for a second to just maybe get a grip of what I need to say instead of just letting my mouth run the show I take in another shaky breath

“The easiest way to be rid of this problem would be just making a body. think test tube baby just letting it grow itself out in the test tube Instead of being born and having a life. That way you get to prevent it from creating an established sense of self. That way even if you made it capable of having one it will never be conscious enough to form one. There's also the bonus that you can mix and match whatever bloodlines you'd want, custom make a body to suit your needs and preferences even to the point of appearance”

Orochimaru seemed to pause for a second maybe taking in what I just said. Then he started cackling this hollow horrible sound that just seemed to make every hair on my body stand on end like I had made some sort of terrible mistake. Which in all fairness I probably have.

“Yes yes that would be an idea and it is possible for me” he almost purred, he went from carefully observing me to turning his head to look straight at Sasuke. “And for that I will need a DNA sample of my preferred bloodline won't I!”

“ I know I said to just keep doing what you were doing but I think you just gave Sasuke a death sentence”

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Chapter 4 The disappearance of the duck

Orochimaru Examined Sasuke looking him over Like a predator trying to find out which part of its prey would taste the best. The options of what DNA sample he would want to take was limited. Pretty much down to his hair or blood. Now to convince him t only take Sasuke’s hair. So that it doesn't drain him of his blood like emptying a juice box.

“Are you trying to decide whether or not to take a sample of his hair or his blood?” I ask

Orochimaru turning his head slightly to glance at me answers “and just a little flower have a recommendation of which I should choose?” He was humouring me it was so obvious that it was simply humouring me finding amusement in my panic. The basterd.

“Well as a matter of fact I do” I answer “I would recommend taking his hair, that way you don't risk harming him or potentially shortening his lifespan and you get a DNA sample that's shelf stable. So if you ever might need to stock up on some Uchiha DNA you will have a fresh source available. That is not something you can guarantee if you choose to take his blood!”

Quickly quicker than my eyes could follow Orochimaru stood before Sasuke. Holding a kunai in his hand quickly and precisely he grabbed a hold of Sasuke's hair with his other hand shaving off large portion from the back of his head.

“Bye bye duck butt hair you will be missed. Is the funniest hairstyle I have seen”

Inner always with their perfect timing responded to the scene in front of us. Sasuke now on his knees clutching the back of his head looked straight at me. The luck was filled with a mix of confusion and offence. I was going to have a lot to explain once we got out of this Kami forsaken forest.

Just as quickly as he had appeared in front of us Orochimaru disappeared. Quickly jumping to the branch where Sasuke was, I grabbed his arm and tried to get him to stand.

“I know you have questions once we're out of this forest you'll get answers for now we need to find Naruto and get out of here! Does that sound good to you?” I said before Sasuke had a chance to question me. Quickly standing up and brushing off the dirt from his pants he yanked his arm out of my hold.

“Let's go find that idiot” Sasuke answered gruffly.

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Chapter 5 The forest continues.

Finding Naruto was not a difficult task. Just a few paces away from where we were he laid sprawled on the ground sleeping.

“So.... Like I know the snake did something to his seal But you have to admit it does just look like he took a nap while we did all the hard work,” Inner snickered

“yeah, about that! Do you have any clue on how we know these things. Not to mention that our personality has somewhat shifted. I mean I still like Sasuke but not even close to how infatuated I was before.” I responded back.

“Well my best bet is that we hit our head and somehow got access to Idc _{the plot}”

“ The what now?”

“Not important. By the way you should really watch where you're jumping, you're about to miss a branch.”

And just as Inner finished that sentence we were plummeting down from the treetops after I missed the branch. Thank you for the early warning, Inner.

After so graciously landing on the dirt, Sasuke jumped down to us followed by a frantic Naruto. Both boys were staring down at me with some level of concern, admittedly one was showing a fair bit of annoyance along with that concern.

“If you were starting to get tired you should have just said so and we would have taken a break!” Sasuke said to me with a deadpan expression on his face.

 Naruto meanwhile was jumping around and asking me if I was OK and if he could do something to help all in such quick succession that I had no chance to respond even if I wanted to. Which for the record I didn't out of embarrassment.

After Discussing it for a little while we decided to take temporary shelter inside the roots of a tree. This not sitting well with me I insisted on us putting up several traps before we even remotely tried to sleep. Something about this just screamed unsafe to me for some reason. Well another reason than sleeping in the forest to death which can be considered stupid in and of itself especially for three inexperienced Genin. But in the end I had to admit that I was tired and well very much out of it.

We took turn looking over each other's injuries. Naruto was relatively unscathed, but a strange tattoo had appeared surrounding his navel. Well not necessarily strange, it was obviously a seal and its purpose seemed oddly familiar but neither me nor Inner could put our finger on it. Sasuke They reluctantly got checked over as well his injuries were more present but nothing more than what amounted to a few bruises and well a new haircut. The hair at the back of his head that was previously pointing upwards pristinely like the tail feathers of a duck was now shorn short and jagged. It didn't exactly look like any traditional haircut it did quite frankly look exactly alike what would expect from having it be shorn off by a blade. When it came to me I was surprisingly more injured than I expected. The head to the back of my head had apparently resulted in a cut as well leaving my hair crusted over with dried blood and quite the bruise forming both at the nape of my neck and at the back of my head. Further than that my hands were scraped up for some reason it almost looked like I'd dragged them over a matter of sharp nails. But the hardest part was there was no residue in the wounds of my hand it almost looked like the scratches were it done by chakra. All in all I was the most injured of us. Which brought the lead to both boys refusing to let me take even one guard shift during the night. So off to bed I went hoping I could catch some amount of decent sleep and that I wouldn’t wake up with brain damage considering pretty sure you're not supposed to sleep with the concussion.

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Chapter 6 Night watch

Sasuke

Nothing about this exam had gone right. First having to have sakura of all people point out the genjutsu in the hallway. He was an Uchiha he's supposed to be better at genjutsu than anyone else! But even so that fan girl spotted it before he could have a chance to. That in and of itself would have been enough of a humiliation. But to top it all off that idiot of a blonde had to show him up in the written exam. Not with smarts like Sakura or answering the questions right now not at all was not at all intelligent. No he showed him up by standing up to the Proctor and showing that he was brave and could face adversity.

And all of that just to end up having to be protected by the both of them in the forest. Though we had to admit to himself that sakuras show of intelligence  and trickery did make her seem somewhat more useful to him. Scratching the back of his head feeling his fingers dance over the parts of his hair that was well gone he straightened up his back a bit more. He was on watch, he couldn't afford to start daydreaming right now. Stealing a glance back towards his sleeping teammates he had to admit that they had proven more useful to him during these exams than he ever expected them to be. Um well Naruto had proven himself more useful during that one mission but Sakura? He'd practically given up on her a lost cause just a dead weight a fragile girl he had to protect. Another possible weakness for his brother too utilize against him.

Looking up at the sky that was barely showing through the leaves of the forest he couldn't see the moon anymore. Taking one last cursory check of the traps and other safety measures, he went to wake up Naruto for his watch.

Naruto

Sitting in the forest that night wasn't such an unusual experience for him. You've done it plenty of times growing up whenever he needed a break from well everything. Knowing there was a place where only the shadows would follow him. Where the shouts from the angry villagers and the glares shinobi shot him wouldn't follow him was always welcome reprieve. Though this time was different for one his shadows weren't here they hadn't been for a while not since that night with Misuki-sensei. And secondly his team was sleeping behind him. Just the thought of that word team made a smile creep over his face not one of those usual fake smiles he put on to stop people from having anything more to point at him for but an actual one, a real one.

Thought that those smiles never lasted long. He started remembering the events of the day. What that snake man did to his seal still bothered him it was like that voice of the demon  was stronger now more present. Maybe even more dangerous. he had to talk to Gigi about this surely the old man would know what to do. He always did.

Glancing back at his teammates sleeping form he started thinking back to specifically Sakura’s behavior the past few hours. She'd been so different since crashing into that tree. I mean she'd been changing ever since the Wave mission calling him an idiot less and not hitting him as much. All things considered he was happy and grateful for it but… It was different right now! This change had seemed too sudden. How she dealt with that snake man from what he'd heard, which he had heard some of it he hadn't been fully unconscious and well they were being quite loud even for him. She was different now  still spacing out at times, and while he was curious where she went whenever she started daydreaming it was sharper now. like the daydreaming had a purpose.

Though it didn't really matter once they were out of this forest. once they got their promotion there was no knowing what would happen to their team. The  thought struck him but this could be the last time they were team 7, couldn't it? The last time he would have his own people. Shaking his head he decided that he wouldn't let that happen even if team 7 wasn’t together any more as Genin they'd still be team 7! Surely their bonds were stronger than just a team placement right?

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Chapter 7 the Wake-up call.

Naruto

His head lulling on his shoulder Naruto woke up to a kunai thrown right at his face. Dodging the kunai by Hair he looks up To see a team of well he didn't quite know what country they were from what village. The only thing you could glean from their headbands was a musical note. “That's what you get from not paying attention you insufferable brat” the fox growled at him. “Oh shut up you dumb fox it's not like you know who they are!” Naruto growled back to the fox in his head. This was bad very bad ! Risking a glance back at his teammates he could see both Sasuke and Sakura were still asleep. Another kunai flew at him.

“ Wake up Sasuke we're not here for you!” The one with the large gray cloak spat at him.

“ Yep you better listen, after all we're not even remotely interested in you. I mean how old are you 10? You're just a little twerp I bet you can't even hold a candle to us!” The girl clothed in what looked like cow pattern tactical gear With some sort of weird neck thingy he said.

“You got a point there Kin come on Doso let's just beat the guy up it's not like he stands a chance against us, and a it might be some good warm up1” The last one said also partially clad in that weird cow print stuff.

Seriously these guys need to rethink their wardrobe they look like a bunch of cows that's gotten lost in the forest Naruto snickered to himself. Before it could come with a quick clip back the girls ran at him with their kunai raced. As quickly as he could he raised his own knife to block her and counter attack. Once he'd gotten a bit of distance from her, jumping back a bit and away from the tree where Sasuke and Sakura was sleeping he activated the shadow clone jutsu. Summoning of swarm of maybe 20 of him to start brawling with her. At least that was the plan until this absolutely horrendous sound started ringing in his ears. it felt like his brain was melting and 1 by 1 he felt his shadow clones popping and got the feedback of all those memories. Quicker than he could respond the one the others had called Dosu was on him taking advantage of this disoriented state.

Sakura

“Wake up your you idiot we're being attacked” inner yelled in their shared mind. Immediately sakura was awake and on her feet and faced with the view of Naruto being attacked by some weirdo with a Cape. “Seriously who wears that type of gaudy cow print shit in this day and age?” Ignoring and are in favor of running in to help Naruto fend off his would be attacker so I could have sent out a flurry of senbon towards the boy. Surprisingly they hit true but unsurprisingly they did little to nothing. “Well duh of course they did nothing the cloak is probably blocking any possible skin you get hit with a needle you're gonna need something a bit more heavy duty for this!” Hating to admit inner was right on this one sakura took out a kunai from her two belt and ran inn. A quick glance here surrounding she identified two other assailants one girl and another boy. All three of them were wearing headbands with a note symbol on their forehead “so they're from the sound village, if I recall correctly that it would just rather young.” Wasting no further time so could I end the kunai at the outstretched hand off the main assailant attacking Naruto. The kunai hit through and cleanly stabbed through the boy's hand. Yanking his hand back before sakura let go of her kunai made the stab wound even worse splitting his hand opened between his pointer finger and ring finger. Causing the boy to scream rather horrendously.

“You're going to fucking pink pay for that you pink bitch!” The girl screeched at her while launching towards her kunai raced and fist clenched.

Sasuke

The first thing here is when he wakes up is the screech of a girl promising to make someone that could only be Sakura pay. Immediately getting to his feet and running out of their makeshift camp. Sasuke took quick stock of the situation. 1^st Naruto standing beside a boy who had his hand cut open looking somewhat frazzled. 2^nd a boy lifting his arm aiming it towards them. 3^rd Sakura facing down the previously screeching girl holding a bloodied kunai while wearing a look on her face that he didn't recognize from her. The next thing that happened was a earth shattering noise coming from the second boy. And his chakra feeling like fire while it moved towards his eyes sharingan activating and gaining a 2^nd tome.

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Chapter 8 the sounds of fighting

Sakura

“Did we just shred a guy's hand?” Inner commented while they turned to the girl who screeched at them. “Yes I do believe we just did, and I mean you did say we needed something more heavy duty. What's more heavy duty than shredding a guy's hand. Now do you have any bright ideas on how to deal with Kin I believe her name is?” Sakura answered inner while dodging to the left as said the girl dove at her with her kunai outstretched. Wonder if we're going to be getting a matching haircut with Sasuke? Following up the dodge with a swipe towards Kins unguarded right side Sakura completely forgot that there was a third assailant. The same shockwave of pure sound had her straight in the back causing her to drop her weapon. “I do have one idea and that is to not forget that we're fighting three people! Or I don't know we could punch a girl you don't have to rely on weapons all the time you know. Even at this age we should still be pretty physically strong!” Inner  said from their position in their shared mind. Before she could really get a chance to answer inner she felt someone take a harsh grip at the back of her head yanking her by the hair she was sitting a bit more upwards. Kin had her by her hair and was grinning menacingly down at her with eyes that promised nothing but pain and maybe a haircut.

Sasuke

His chacra was still surging like fire through him as he looked towards Sakura. In the span of a split second that girl had her by the hair grinning menacingly down at her while yanking her head upwards. Turning his head to glance at Naruto he saw him engaging in a fight with the two others having already summoned what could amount to a small army of shadow clones. Sprinting towards his pink haired teammate he started weaving the signs for a fireball jutsu with his fingers. Just as you release the fireball the black-haired girl turned to him. Seeing her smug grin falter at his fireball made a grin of his own appear on his face. At the same time as his fireball hit the girl he grabbed sakura's collar and yanked her to him with far less grace than he normally moved with. After maneuvering her behind him he took stock again of the battlefield. Naruto's clones were quickly losing and even after being hit with a fireball that girl was still trying to stand up.

“hnn… you losers are really raring for a fight aren't you?” He half yelled half proclaimed at their assailants. The one with the cape and shredded hand turned to him seemingly the leader of the group.

“I wouldn't go so far as to call us losers considering we are feeling quite better than those teammates of yours. But you're right that we're here for a fight. And that fight is with you!” The caped one said with a put upon air of superiority.

Looking at the boy he was clearly tired the blood was seeping from his mangled hand no doubt he wouldn't be much of a problem soon if he didn't stop the bleeding. No the one who seemed to be a problem was the one with that sound weapon. It was evident that he'd continued using it just on a smaller scale towards naruto's clones making them seem more like balloons for popping than an actual threat. It was evident that his teammates needed his help! Naruto looked worse for wear seemingly not having gotten a single good hit in unlike his usual battle prowess. And Sakura though she seemed to have gotten a few good hits in on their leader was still visibly shaking by her previous head injury and wow the sound attacks can't have helped with that situation. It was clear to him that he would have to step up to protect the two idiots he call it teammates.

******

The scene in front of them was dubious team 7 was obviously in some sort of fight that was way above their head. Sakura A girl he perilously thought to be somewhat intelligent but on a larger scale pretty useless was clearly the one who had done the most damage in this fight, even with the apparent head injury her bandages suggested. His female teammate was staring at the scene almost like in a trance not that that was surprising considering the connection she had had with the pinket in their early childhood.

It was clearly not a good idea to get involved they already had all the scrolls they needed and should really just move to the designated area in the middle of the forest. Get this exam over and done with as soon as possible. But it was hard to turn away from a fellow shinobi of the leaf when they were so clearly outmatched and in need of assistance.

Though just as he was contemplating moving in to the conflict with his team that prodigy started running towards one of their assailants, though simultaneously another prodigy per se jumped in. This one however was clad in a garish green jumpsuit and was making Gaga eyes at the injured pinket.

“Now this might be an interesting watch, and I don't have all that much information on the graduating class before us, Let's observe the situation a little longer.” He thought to himself.

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Chapter 9 the green boy

Naruto

“ damn… this guys tougher than he looks” Naruto thought to himself. About 300 of this clones had already been disarmed by that noise thingy and it was starting to take a toll on him. And what was worse every time he tried to steal a glance towards Sakura and Sasuke the guy hit him right in one of his blind spots. Honestly at this point it was just pure dumb luck that the guy hadn't gone the good stab in. Well or the the Cape guy is hopeless with kunai. This fight was starting to feel worse and worse by the second. He hadn't felt this hopeless in a fight since Graduation day. And he felt like that was saying something because I've been in some pretty gnarly fights since then. I mean fighting haku or Zubaza wasn't easy by any means.

“You know if you used me you could get this fight over with quick kit…” the fox whispered to him through the seal. The offer felt like a double edged sword to him like help me now and you'll have to be complacent when I destroy the village. No no he couldn't do that absolutely not. He also didn't need the damn fox! He just needed to think.

Sakura

“well looks like I'm back to being a damsel in distress” sakura thought to herself while absent mindedly tugging at her long hair. Taking in the scene in front of her she started hearing a oddly familiar yell. And just as she was about to place the voice she was hearing a boy clad in a annoyingly familiar green body suit jumped in just clearing where their fight was taking place.

“Where are you fine maiden of the blossoms for I am here to save you and your team! I Rock lee I'm here to save the day” He yelled out once he'd entered the clearing. Immediately getting into a fighting stance and facing off against the one with the sound weapon. In an instant after that he was engaging the sound  nin in a fight. Somehow managing to dodge the shockwaves of sound while also landing hit after hit on his opponent. If it wasn't for the fact that he royally creeped her out she would be more than just impressed. Then again Rock lee being a good fighter wasn't all that surprising for some reason. A somewhat foreign feeling of begrudging respect and friendship welled up in her chest. Before attention once again was taken away by the surging pain in her head.

Flashes of sand coiling around green clad limbs bending in ways no arm or leg ever should crossed her conscience. Followed by more images of this boy in front of her sitting in a hospital bed looking like death warmed over and with eyes to match.

 And then the searing pain subsided and she was able to focus on the present again noticesing she was on the ground with a concerned Sasuke sitting beside her holding her steady by the shoulders.

“Well damn not only is the green beast given that damn sound guy a sound beating but Sasuke actually showing genuine concern to us. You know if this was a day or so ago we would be on cloud 9 right now.”  Inner snickered

“Damn you get away from him you freak” Kin screeched at Rock lee attempting to jump into the fight.

reacting on maybe instinct and reflexes both me and Sasuke hrough  our weapons at her. Me with my senbon and him with a throwing shuriken. Kin quickly deflected the larger shuriken but my senbon hit their mark straight into the nape of her neck 3 needles had dug their way in and hit a nerve. But this only seemed to enrage her further turning on her heel and glaring at us both she went on the offensive. Sasuke jumpd straight into the fight Blocking her first slash with a kunai.

Chapter Text

Chapter 10 tandem

Sakura

rushing into the fight using Sasuke’s back as a cover Sakura swerved to cover Kins right punching her in the side and attempting to sweep her leg. Kin rolled away from the sweep and Positioned herself to somewhat face the both of them. Sasuke quickly shot a fireball straight at her, using it as cover they both moved in, Kunai drawn. When the fireball subsided Senbon flew at them with surprising accuracy and speed. Sasuke dodged most of them but one hit him in the shoulder. Sakura attempted to dodge but was mostly unsuccessful and was hit with the barrage aimed at her. Sasuke Jumped right back into the fray continued to fight Kin whit a flurry of different throwing weapons and fire jutsu.

“Well fuck is it just me or are we mostly paralyzed?” Inner said somewhat frantic. “it's not just you Inner I can't feel my armes or my legs” I replied feeling panic well up in me. This was bad bad Rock Lee seemed to be winning his fight, but Naruto was obviously injured, and I was comparatively inn worse shape than him. Glancing back at Sasuke’s fight, he and Kin seem to be somewhat evenly matched. It was obvious the tides of the fighters was turning in our favor but it was a question of if it was turning too late. At this rate team 7 wasn't going to make it back to the tower even if we Somehow managed to get both the scrolls. “You really should be worrying about, I don't know our life instead of some stupid exam! This is worse than just failing  a test outer  we could quite literally die. If not by this fight then the hellscape of this forest Could take us out” Inner yelled in our shared headspace.

Naruto

Rock Lee Had really come at the nick of time. Swooping in and saving the day. Well almost as the guy with the sound weapon was fighting Rock lee face to face the Cape guy seemed to be trying to sneak up on him to attack him from behind. Taking stock of himself he noticed that his clothes looked worse for wear. Gnarly cuts and rips that were slightly covered in blood centered around his torso. His pants didn't look all that much better either. But the actual injuries from the strikes had healed quickly and physically speaking he wasn't that worse for wear. Other than getting dangerously low on chakra. “Something you could remedy if you just accepted my help” the fox snickered at the back of his head, he could almost see how self satisfied that ugly mug of the fox looked. But he had a point if he accepted some of that Fox's chakra their situation would get exponentially better and he would be able to fight with his clones again. But at what cost? I mean this was the same beast that had killed his parents and multiple other peoples in the attack when he was born. “Not happening demon fox” was all he replied but the temptation was there.

Quickly running in after the Cape weirdo Naruto took out his kunai and swiped at him. He couldn't rely on his chakra at the moment he just had to go brawling style and leave the jutsu out of it. Quickly placing his back towards broccolis he decided to face off against the Cape guy while rock Lee took the sound weapon guy. It was aggravating how well they fought together. Especially considering he kept calling Sakura such weird creepy things. I mean he'd already gotten rejected couldn't he just take a hint! Just then the Cape guy charged at him. Using one hand to drag up the sleeve of his right arm some weird clumpy thing came into view.

Non

“Let's get you out of the way now I'm done playing nice” Dosu yelled at Naruto. The modification on he’s  arm activated with a charge of chakra and let out a a shockwave of sound larger than that Zaku was capable of wielding. In contrast to Zakus sound weapon that was just a hole on the palm of each of his hands. Dosus coverd the entire forearm of his right arm. The shockwave blasted through the forest clearing leaving both foe and ally clutching their ears. Not only were team 7 and Rock Lee on the floor clutching their ears. But so was the rest of Dosu`s  own team. Walking towards the ravenette. Dosu rase his right arm once again preparing to end the fight there and then. Just when he was about to activate it he froze completely unable to move.

“Man this is such a drag… my ears are ringing like crazy because of that freak”

Chapter Text

Chapter 11  A wild Ino appears.

Sakura

just when it looked like they'd lost and Sasuke was going to get one final reunion with his family. Dosu just stopped I stood completely still almost like he was frozen.

“Man this is such a drag… my ears are ringing like crazy because of that freak” a familiar and lazy voice said. As Dosu Turned around and walked towards the forested edge of the clearing. Shikamaru and the rest of team 10 Walked out of the very same one with Shikamaru spearheading their triangle formation. He had captured Dosu in his shadow using the Nara clan technique.

“Wow forehead don't you think it's kind of pathetic to participate in this exam when that is all you can do. Lie on the ground useless while your teammates do all the work!” Inos melodic voice chirped at her with glee. Splitting from the formation she and her team had kept Ino walked towards Sakura while lightly surveying their surroundings. Looking all the part of someone who couldn't care less of the dangers the forest brought.

“HEY Don't say that about Sakura I mean it's not like you could do any better! I don't see you outsmarting a snake person.” Naruto Yelled at Ino from where he was sitting on the ground. Though being defended by Naruto was somewhat flattering Sakura couldn't help but feel like he had just said something he shouldn't have.

“Outsmarted a snake person?” Shikamaru Said interrupting whatever clap back Ino was preparing for Naruto. After saying this, he got this serious look on his face. Sakura honestly couldn't remember the last time she saw him actually look anything other than bored out of his mind. “ Yes, snake person. But you most likely know them better by the name of The snake sannin Orochimaru.” I answered.

“No, you fucking didn't, you tramp. No one can defeat or outsmart Orochimaru Sama. Much less some girly nobody like you.” Kin screeched from her position on the ground. Jumping up and arming herself with a kunai, Kin sprinted at Sakura. But before she could hit her target. Choji was in her way easily knocking her to the ground and immobilizing her.

“I think we best report this to the proctors immediately.” Choji said in his mild mannered tone of voice. Shikamaru, nodding his head in agreement, took out their scroll and Moved to open it but was interrupted by Ino. “Use their scroll. That way we don't end up giving up our exam. And I mean, it's clear to see that they can't exactly proceed with the exam like that.” Ino gestures toward the state of us. And in all fairness, she was correct. I was paralyzed and most likely in severe chakra shock or exhaustion by this point. And inn all likelihood all of us had some sort of ruptured eardrum from the amount of sound attacks we'd been hit by. We really were in no shape to continue this exam.

“ What? No, we're not giving up.!” Naruto and Sasuke said simultaneously.

“Yes, we are.” I answered them. Both of them turned to look at me as if I'd betrayed them on some deeply emotional level. “I don't know about you outer, but I really can't bring myself to care about their feelings right now.” Inner said in a tired voice. “Neither can I Inner. Plus if we continue to be in this forest now. I think you're concern about having to worry for our lives may be more than just  a concern .” I answered her.

“The scrolls in the pouch by my right thigh. Take it. I can't really move right now.” Sakura said, more into the air than to anyone specific.

“ Smart choice.” Ino said and in quick succession, took the scroll from my pouch and opened it.

A small explosion of chakra filled smoke Immediately filled the clearing when the scroll was opened. Coughing up what felt like probably half her lung Sakura Looked up at the figure that was stepping out of the smoke.

“Team 10 and Team 7 for opening up the scroll prematurely. You are now disqualified from the chunin exam.” Iruka sensei declared loudly. Ino`s screech quickly followed. “What? That is so not fair.”  Yep, almost as unfair as being attacked by a rogue S class ninja during an exam.

Chapter Text

The blame game (part 1)

Sakura

After Ino's Outburst Iruka Sensei quickly took in the state of us and proceeded to summon a team of Chunin to carry us Into the tower in the middle of the forest. Apparently, because the exam was still in progress, they couldn't take us out of the examination area without revealing how many of the examinees had passed or, well, not. Which meant that Team 12 and Team 10 were now stationed in the Med Bay of the Tower. Where we'd stay until the end of this portion of the exam.

“So what you're saying is that you got a concussion? By being thrown into a tree. You’re also paralyzed because of a fight you had with the sound team. The same team that cost the rest of your team, including yourself, to have burst eardrums.  As well as the fact of this snake person you fought has done something to Naruto causing a seal to shortly appear on, he's stomach. And you new suspect, the same person to be responsible for all these incidents in some way. Because of what one of the genin you fought said?”  Kakashi sensei said arching his one visible eyebrow. From where he stood, leaned up against the wall, the disbelief could practically be seen wafting off him. We've yet to say the name of the person who attacked us first. Well, I'd yet to say the name, mostly because I suspected that doing so would Crack open a can of worms I really didn't want to open at the moment.

Kakashi sensei scanning the cots we were laying in took a good look at us. Most likely cataloging our injuries. “ You know, I do understand the disbelief coming from sensei, but it's kind of disheartening him so fully not believed what we're saying. Especially considering that I'm pretty sure he would believe Sasuke!” inner grumbled.

“Yes sensei that is more or less what's happened.”  Sasuke Supplied from where he was sitting on his cot. The healers already had gotten a good look at us, Sasuke and Naruto was more or less in tip top shape again. Though I wasn't as lucky. Apparently the concussion was worse than I expected. Well, yeah, of course it's worse than you expected. You got Brained into remembering a reality you shouldn't. So, it was strict bed rest for me for a while.

Kakashi sensei, predictably nodded in belief of Sasuke’s testament. And proceeded to give his signature, eyes smile and then pooped out of the room.

“So, it was a clone with us the entire time.” Inner Murmured in our shared head space.

Feeling the tiredness that seeped into her bones Sakura wanted nothing more than to fall asleep. This exam had been exhausting It felt more or less like something they shouldn't have done. They were obviously not ready! I mean, they hadn't even been genin for an entire year yet!

“So when are you planning to come with your explanation?” Sasuke said suddenly, standing right in front of her cot. “ Yeah, Sakura, I kind of want an explanation for how you've known these things too! How did you know the snake creep's name?” Naruto joined in.

“ Obviously it's because of how much of A nerd she is. She probably seen him in some history book in the library someday and recognized him. I guess that billboard brow is at least good for something!” Ino said from her cot. Glaring at Sakura as if it was somehow her fault that they were cut from the Chunin exams as well.

“Well. Sakura was named the Kunoichi of the Year For our graduation class. Being knowledgeable about our village history doesn't seem all that surprising to me.” Choji Helpfully supplied.

“No, what I want answers to is how you knew Orochimaru was after my body! How did you know he wanted to take me for my body and not as an apprentice?” Sasuke said through gritted teeth. The annoyance in his voice was palpable. And felt really misplaced. Didn't he realize she had saved him from being used as a tool? By a man who was most likely a pedophile, no less. All those years of love and admiration she could feel crumbling to dust at his reaction to her attempting to save him. Attempting to be a good teammate. Attempting to be something other than a burden. And the answer she got was him being annoyed at her knowing something he didn't.

“Well, if you used half as much time polishing up your intelligence instead of your ego. I do believe you would know Uchiha. Considering Orochimaru is quite well known for not exactly following ethics.” Sakura spat out. Feeling the annoyance and betrayal well up in her as tears started forming at the corner of her eyes.

Almost as quickly as she said this, the pain in her head started up again. The sensation of shattering glass continued as a scream slipped out of her mouth, pictures once again flooding her head. Paintings of Blood covered sand, and a starless night sky. Of dead bodies lying under rubble. And Naruto`s back, walking out of the gates together with a white-haired man. Before she knew it, everything started to fade to black, and she could feel the sensation of a needle being stuck into her arm. Looking towards the sensation, she could see a nurse wearing some familiar round glasses. Fuck. It seems the plots changing!