DISCLAIMER: WHY DO I STILL DO THIS? BECAUSE I HOPELESSLY DREAM THAT ONE DAY I'LL GO INTO THE NA- I MEAN, OWN NARUTO! *laughs nervously*

Savior by Rise Against

Ch 16: The Chunin Exams Pt. 4
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THIRD POV
Watching her last defence fall to the ground in a unconscious, but painful, state, Sakura stares at the Sound trio with wide, fearful, eyes. Both Lee and Riko lie unmoving because they interfered to protect her, the only signs that they're still alive is the rising of their chests.

She's scared, alone, and doesn't know what to do. Is this how Riko felt, she questions as she looks to the purple clad Kunoichi. She obviously went up against a team if she got that hurt. Though, because of me, she's hurt even more.

"Now, for the coup de grace," Dosu states, moving to make the finishing blow.

Sakura reacts quickly, not wanting the two fallen comrades to die. "I don't think so," she exclaims, throwing a handful of kunai.

Though, her actions are futile as Dosu simply blocks the kunais with his arm device. They all clatter and fall to the forest floor, useless.

"Oh....my...," Dosu muses darkly, a sinister tone to his voice.

Down yonder, towards the side, along a line of bushes stand three people. A trio of Leaf Genin, all watching the scene before them.

"Running away sounds like a good plan," cries Choji in a harsh, petrified, whisper. "Those guys are getting creamed!"

"Looks like Sasuke and Naruto are just unconscious, but the famous Lee, and Riko obviously had their butts kicked. And Sakura's all alone. What are you going to do," Shikamaru assesses before asking the platinum blonde.

"What? W-why are you asking me," she asks, frozen with fear.

"I mean, Sakura's in deep trouble! We can't just leave her, can we?! Wasn't she, like your best friend, or something," Shikamaru asks, incredulously.

As he says that, it triggers the platinum blonde to remember a specific memory of her childhood. The memory when Sakura confronted her about liking Sasuke. The one where the Haruno declared to be her rival.

"Hey! Ino! What's it gonna be," the Nara exclaims in a harsh whisper.

"There's nothing we can do," Ino snaps out of her memory, slightly afraid. "If we blunder in now, we may just make things worse!"

Back in the fighting scene, Sakura throws multiple shuriken at Dosu, attempting to land, at least one hit. Though, her actions are, once again, futile as Zaku blocks them with his Ninjutsu. Using the air, he throws the weapons back at Sakura.

My throwing stars were repelled by a wall of air, she grunts as she protects herself from her own attack.

Though, as Sakura protects her front, she makes the mistake of leaving her back unprotected. Kin, the Sound Kunoichi, grabs Sakura from her hair and glares.

"Lovely hair, it has so much more shine and bounce than mine has! What ninja technique is that - the Art of Deep Conditioning? You're a disgrace to all Shinobi, fussing with your looks when you should concentrate on your training," Kin smirks darkly. "That teammate of yours, the Kiyomi, she knows what's more important. Even when she's barely standing, she defends you. Now, that's a Shinobi!"

She states, but that's before she gives a sinister chuckle.

"Zaku, why don't you finish off Sasuke, or one of her other fallen heartthrobs, right in front of this lovesick pig?! The least thing we can do is entertain her," she suggests.

"Hah! Good one," Zaku barks out with laughter.

Sakura stares in front of her, horrified, I can't muster up any strength. I....I can't. I'm just a burden to them, just someone they have to protect. I'm always in the way, never helping. Darn it! I thought this time... it would be different! This time...I need to help the people I care about, she thinks, crying tears out of frustration.

"All right. Let's do it," Zaku initiates, walking towards the sleeping duo.

Down, back behind the bushes, Shikamaru panics. "Hey! Sasuke and Naruto are in deep trouble," he exclaims.

Wh-what'll we do, Ino states mentally, also panicking.

But before the Team Ten trio can do anything, Sakura acts first.

"You think so," she smirks, pulling out a kunai.

"Your cheap tricks are useless against me, little girl," Kin glares down at the Haruno.

But she did get tricked. The kunai wasn't meant for her. No, Sakura used it against herself. Even though she really cares about her beautiful pink locks, she cares for her teammates even more. Slashing through her hair, Sakura slices and chops away at the long strands of pink to free herself from Kin's grip.

As strands of bright hair are thrown up into the air, everyone watching the scene stare in shock. They all knew that Sakura cares more about her looks than her skill, so, seeing this, it's an action they never expected. Because for her teammates, she will sacrifice her looks in order to protect them.

"What," Kin gasps with complete shock as she stumbles back.

I'd always thought of myself as a full fledged ninja, proud to be an equal as I trailed after my teammates. Crushing on Sasuke, scolding Naruto, and being envious of Riko, watching them, safely from the background. While they would all risk anything to protect me. Lee says he likes me, too, and he risked his life to come between me and danger. You're all my teachers and you've shown me what I want to be, like you. All of you, now it's your turn to watch my back, Sakura tells herself, remembering everything they've done for her, as she stands up.

When she stands from the ground, there's a newfound confidence around her. Along with her newly cut hair, Sakura looks stronger, she looks determined, and she finally looks like a Shinobi. A strong Kunoichi who will defend her teammates.

No matter what the cost is, she's ready.

Sakura, Ino mutters internally, watching her childhood friend, her love rival.

"Ha! Kin! Finish her," Zaku shouts at his teammate.

When the Sound Kunoichi runs towards Sakura, the Haruno quickly produces a number of hand signs. When Kin makes contact, and stabs Sakura with her senbons, she scrunches her eyebrows in confusion. Though, when she realizes, Sakura's body transforms into a log with a poof.

Sakura appears not that far and makes a run towards Zaku, who's aiming at her previous spot. With two handfuls of kunai, she shoots them at the arrogant Sound Nin.

"Give it up," he scoffs, aiming his air cannons at her.

When he activates his ultrasonic air waves, Sakura stops and repeats the same hand signs. Just when her kunai ricochet towards her, her body poofs into a log as soon as the weapons hit.

"Hah! Poor, foolish, girl. Just a one trick pony," Zaku laughs, amused by her repetitive attacks. "Obviously, you're overhead!"

He states before looking up, and just as he assumes, he's correct. Sakura appears above him and is currently falling towards him. With no weapons in her hands, she just makes the same hand sign.

"Try it twice, try it thrice, that trick will never work in me! My smallest skill is just enough for you," Zaku shouts at the incoming Haruno, throwing kunai at her.

When the kunai embed themselves into her body, Zaku immediately looks away and searches the area.

"Heh. Come out, come out, wherever you-"

Zaku cuts himself off when he feels liquid drop onto his face. Looking up, he realizes that it's blood as he sees Sakura above him, kunai embedded in her body. For Sakura, she's been using the same tactic, and in the end, she was able to trick him. It's not the best, but it's what she knows.

She may not have Riko's level of intelligence, but she has enough to be able to out trick her enemy in the simplest of ways. She especially doesn't have either of Sasuke's or Naruto's strength, but she still knows how to fight. Sakura admits that she's the weakest on her team, but it won't stop her from trying.

Because that's all she can do, try.

When Zaku looks up with shock, Sakura initiates her attack. Crash landing on his body, she stabs a kunai into his forearm as he tries to protect himself. As the duo falls to the ground, Sakura, who's on top of him, she immediately bites on his opposite wrist.

"Get off," Zaku yells.

Once again, everyone who's watching the scene, stares in shock. Maybe confusion as she settles with that sort of tactic. And every time Zaku punches Sakura in the face, those of the Leaf, wince.

Though, no matter how many times she gets hit, she endures the pain. Bleeding, and crying, Sakura keeps her grip on his wrist tight. It may be pathetic, but it's all she's got. She's weak, a burden, but she'll do anything to protect those she cares about.

It's the least Sakura can do, especially after what all her teammates have done for her.

Hit.

After hit.

After hit.

She ignores the throbbing pain of every punch, she ignores the sting of tears that burns her eyes, she ignores how pitiful she looks; Because this is the best she can do.

Behind the bushes, Ino stares at Sakura with sadness. The Yamanaka remembers when she first met the Haruno, the girl was crying, hiding behind her hair. She remembers how shy and quiet Sakura first was, how it took her to bring out Sakura's confidence. First, it was a red ribbon to tie her hair back. Then, it was words of encouragement, giving her compliments, and standing up for her. To Ino, Sakura was a small bud, waiting to bloom.

And maybe, just maybe, she did bloom.

Allowing tears of frustration to burn at her eyes, Ino continues to watch the scene before her. She looks towards Sasuke and Naruto, who are still in a deep sleep. Her teal eyes move to Lee, who's unconscious. Then, towards Riko, who also unconscious. The blonde realizes that Sakura's got no one left, it's all up to her.

She needs to make a choice.

With one last punch, Zaku finally manages to get Sakura off him. Hitting the ground, the Haruno huffs in exhaustion as her body feels numb.

"Th-this is not good," Choji exclaims to his teammates.

"Ino! Ino, come on," Shikamaru urges at the blonde.

Ino, the leader of their trio, stays in her spot, silent in contemplation as she weighs her choices. A part of her wants to run and forget this, but the other part wants to jump in and help her old friend.

They need me to protect them, Sakura huffs as she glares at Zaku.

"You little witch," the said man shouts, preparing to attack her with another wave of ultrasonic air.

Sakura prepares for the worst, but what happens next shocks her. She watches as Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji all jump in front of her, shielding her. Her emerald eyes widen at the scene. Her surprise isn't for the whole team, but towards Ino. The girl who's her rival in strength, and in love.

Sakura never expected her to save her.

"Hmph! The freak parade just goes on and on," Zaku groans, irritated.

"Ino," Sakura questions, looking up at the blonde.

"Sakura," Ino smirks a confident facade, "I told you I'd never let you show me up!"

"But...why," the Haruno questions with wide eyes.

"Did you think I was going to let you make the big sacrifice and hog all the glory in front of Sasuke," Ino informs in a snarky, but playful tone.

"More of these annoying little Konoha Village bugs have crept in and started swarming," Dosu states to himself as he stands besides the unconscious Lee and Riko.

Choji has one moment of silence before all havoc breaks loose. He starts panicking and yelling about how his team is insane and how the Otonin are going to 'eat them alive'. He pulls at his scarf, which is being held by Shikamaru, Choji even falls to the floor as he attempts to loosen himself. The Nara bickers at him, trying to calm him down, saying that they couldn't leave Ino by herself to deal with the Otogakure Genins.

Fed up with their childish antics, Zaku speaks up. "Heh, heh. We'll let you off the hook if you want to run, fatty," he informs.

His mistake.

As soon as the 'f' word left his lips, Choji came to an abrupt stop. His ear twitching as he tries to hear what Zaku said, trying to find confirmation.

"What did that guy just say? I could've sworn he called me..." Choji asks in a serious voice, his personality making a full one-eighty.

"Eh," Zaku questions, confused about the personality switch, though he reserves himself. "You're welcome to run away. If you can find a hiding place that's big enough, fatso," he insults, again.

Choji quickly turns on his heel to face the ninja, anger in his eyes. "I am not fat! I'm just pleasingly plump! Arrgh! Pleasingly plump people unite! Does everyone understand?! Do you get me?! Konoha and the Sound ninja are at war!!!"

Shikamaru smirks, letting go of Choji's scarf. "This is turning into a complete mess," he muses.

"....it certainly is," Zaku states, narrowing his eyes. Our orders were to find and kill Uchiha Sasuke under the cover of this exam.

"Sakura," Ino calls, gaining the Haruno's attention. "Stay here and watch over your team."

"Right," Sakura gives a tired smile.

"This it it, Team Ino! Up and at 'em, full speed ahead," the Yamanaka announces.

"Yes, ma'am," Shikamaru dryly states.

"Ino-Shika-Cho boar deer butterfly formation," the platinum blonde orders.

"It's on you, Choji," Shikamaru tells his friend.

"Okay," Choji accepts.

Making the hand signs, Choji's body expands to a large sphere, a form fit for his clan's taijutsu. Once his body's expanded, he tucks his limbs, legs and hands, along with his head and begins his assault. Spinning in place in a violent manner, Choji builds up the speed before he launches himself at the arrogant Sound Nin, Zaku.

"What kind of freakin' art is this," Zaku yells, incredulously. Though, that disappears when he gives a smirk. "Hmph! Just a fat guy rolling himself around!"

Saying that, he shoots a concentrated amount of air towards Choji as an attempt to end the rolling. For one point, he does stop Choji, but he doesn't stop the rolling. The violent spinning continues as the Akimichi stays in place, fighting against the air wave.

Well, that's before it launches him into the air.

"Flying?! How is that possible," Zaku yells.

Though, no matter how much he questions it, it doesn't stop Choji from descending towards him in a high speed. Across the field, Dosu looks at the situation and runs towards him, wanting to help his teammate. Well, he probably wants to attack the Akimichi more than helping out.

That's until Dosu came to an abrupt stop. His eyes widen at his situation, completely confused on why his body isn't moving. Catching a dark shade in his peripheral vision, he looks down. Dosu follows the shadow and realizes that it's connected to the Nara, their shadow is one.

A loud crash booms in the area and the cause is Choji connecting to the ground in a harsh impact, still spinning. Zaku is a few feet away, lying on the ground as he completely dodged the catapulting Choji. But Team Ten's assault doesn't end there. With their shadow connection, Shikamaru distracts Dosu by making weird stances, the Sound Nin copying unwillingly.

Watching her teammate raise his hands above his head in a weird fashion, Kin snaps at him. "Wh-what are you doing at time like this?! Dosu," she exclaims, incredulously.

Doing the same poses as Dosu, Shikamaru looks to his blonde teammate. "Ino, the woman is the only one left," he informs her.

"You got it, Shikamaru," she grins. "Take care of my body when I'm gone!" She states, making the Yamanaka hand signs for the needed jutsu.

"Gotcha," the Nara reassures, making bunny ears with his hands on his head.

With that said, Ino initiates her clan's jutsu and hits her intended target, entering her soul into Kin's body. As her body slumps, Shikamaru moves quick to catch her discarded body.

"You're finished," Ino says from Kin's body as she holds a kunai to her neck. "If either one of you makes a move, your teammate, Kin, is as good as dead! Both of you leave your scrolls here, and go finish the exam without them. When I can no longer sense either of your chakras, I'll release kin," she orders, trying to negotiate with the Otonin.

Though, at her plea, both Dosu and Zaku release a dark chuckle, laughing. This confuses everyone who's watching the scene. It's Sakura who realizes it first.

"They're going to-"

"No," Zaku states, before releasing an air wave at Kin-Ino.

The blast hits her with full impact and it makes Kin's body fly across the field. Kin-Ino releases a startled scream, but it's soon replaced with one full of pain as their body crashes against a large tree. Curling her back in pain, their body falls to the forest floor. Across the field, with Ino's real body, blood pours from her mouth seeing as her soul took part in the real impact.

"Ino," Shikamaru yells in panic.

"Wh-what unbelievable lowlifes to wound your own comrade," Kin-Ino huffs, looking at the Sound duo.

Zaku laughs. "You underestimated us, bad mistake," he smirks sadistically.

"Out objective isn't some stupid scroll, nor have we any interest in passing your infantile exam," Dosu professes, scoffing. "We're after Sasuke!"

Hearing this, it shocks all the remaining Konoha Nins, making their eyes widen.

Inconveniently, Shikamaru's shadow jutsu comes to an end as it separates from Dosu's own shadow. This catches the Otonin's attention.

"So, your little trick can only work for five minutes at a time," he asks chidingly. "And as for the Art that girl is using, from the looks of things, if we inflict any harm in her host, her real body suffers as well. Heh heh! We can kill her, by killing Kin ourselves!"

"You're despicable!" A voice that doesn't belong to any of them, rings through the clearing.

Getting caught off guard, they all turn to the direction from where the voice came from. They look up at a tree and see two more Leaf Genin. Sakura and Team Ten all immediately know that it's Lee's comrades, Neji and TenTen.

"You bucolic nonentities think you're all that just because your sonic powers were strong enough to whump these novices," Neji announces with a glare, crossing his arms.

"What," Dosu questions, seriously ticked off.

"Again, the vermin come crawling from the woodwork," Zaku scoffs, annoyed at the number of Leaf Genin.

Lee's groans catches his teammates attention, and Neji frowns. "Looks like you blew it, huh," he rhetorically asks.

"Lee," TenTen sighs sympathetically.

"The kid with the weird hairdo belongs to us," Neji informs, still glaring at the Otonin.

"Oh, really? Does this one belong with you, too," Dosu muses darkly before kicking an unconscious Riko.

Riko, who was face down in the dirt, subconsciously grunts at the new pain as her body turns, face up. Neji only narrows his eyes even more, but it's Sakura and the rest of the first year Genin who get jostled.

"Hey," Sakura yells at Dosu, her anger spiking.

Even though, he didn't show it, he's clearly angry, especially with his own teammate who's also hurt. "You hurt them, so now you have to answer to us," Neji raises his voice, flashing his Byakugan.

Everyone widen their eyes in shock, probably because they haven't encountered someone with the Byakugan doujutsu. Plus, if someone as serious, and talented, as Neji gets angry then they're in deep trouble.

"Stop while you still can, or we'll give you everything we've got! Huh," Neji warns, but that's before he senses a large amount of chakra.

"Heh heh! If you find us so despicable, why don't you stop posturing and start doing something about it," Dosu laughs.

Neji sighs, deactivating his Byakugan. "Well, from the looks of it, we don't have to," he explains.

That's when the rookies notice it, too. Sakura turns towards her teammate, all excited, happy that he's now conscious.

"Sasuke! You're awak-" She cuts herself off when she notices his behavior.

Is that Sasuke, Ino questions, also confused on how he's acting.

"Sakura," the Uchiha calls in a monotone voice.

"Sasuke," she questions.

"...who was it? Point out the ones who pummeled you into that state," Sasuke tells her, as black markings caress at his usual flawless skin.

The energies of the curse, they're working their way around his entire body, Dosu mentally exclaims, assessing the Uchiha.

"It was us," Zaku announces rather arrogantly, stating it like it was an award.

"Sasuke...your body," Sakura questions, observing the newfound markings on his pale skin.

Sasuke looks down as he raises his left hand, acknowledging the creeping marks as they cover his arm. "Nothing to worry about," he tells her. "I feel fine...strong. Bursting with power! I got it from him."

"Huh," the Haruno questions.

"I understand now. I am an avenger. On the path I walk, I have to do whatever it takes to gain power. Even if it means selling my flesh to the devil," Sasuke explains, not caring who hears him.

Just as I thought, Dosu thinks, assessing the Uchiha with wide, nervous, eyes. The spell mark on his neck that Sakura was blathering about is the mark of the curse he was placed under. He's channeled and mimicked it, and actually made it to his feet.

"So...it was you," Sasuke growls, glaring at Zaku.

The said Otonin smirks, arrogantly. Dosu widens his eyes, slight fear flashing in his black orbs. On the other side of the field, Shikamaru is running with Ino's body.

"Ino, if you stay in that form, you'll be dragged into this! Get back to your own body! Choji, let's get moving! It's time we got out of here," Shikamaru exclaims, trying to avoid the incoming fight.

Ino wastes no time by making the reverse hand signs of her jutsu. With that done, the blonde immediately returns to her original body. Shikamaru sighs in relief when she wakes up as Team Ten hide behind a coverage of bushes.

Just as Kin begins to regain consciousness, Dosu feels the spike of power. "His chakra's immense!"

"Snap out of it, Dosu! Just because he refuses to die..." Zaku says before drifting off.

"Zaku, no! Don't you get it," Dosu shouts, warning his teammate.

But it was too late seeing a Zaku wasted no time in blasting a concentrated amount of air towards Sasuke. His assault was, and is, similar to the actions of a hurricane. Pressurized air currents all running in one direction, the dirt is the only evidence that it ever happened.

The surrounding Genin all duck or hide behind an object as they avoid getting harmed from the violent air wave. Zaku looks around and spots Sasuke, nor Sakura nowhere in sight.

"Hah! Blew that pipsqueak to bits," he boasts.

"What pipsqueak is that," Sasuke's voice sounds from behind Zaku, startling him.

Well, that's before Sasuke backhands him with a large amount of strength. The impact of the hit sends the Otonin flying across the field.

He's fast! And strong enough to lift them both at once, Dosu assesses as he watches from a distance. No single intention in his mind to step in and intervene to help his teammate, at all.

Creating a series of quick hand signs, Sasuke initiates another attack. Inhaling a large amount of oxygen, he then exhales a fire jutsu, breaking the flames into small and equal portions. The breaths of fire all race towards Zaku, seeing as he's the only target.

"You're getting overconfident! I can just blow these out," Zaku shouts at the Uchiha. Though, that's before he spots the hidden shuriken. "What?!"

Using his hands to block the incoming stars, Sasuke takes advantage of the situation to sneak up behind him. Dosu is the only one who quickly realizes this.

"Zaku, beneath you," he tries to warn.

But he's too slow, at least against Sasuke's newfound speed.

"Huh," he tries to find the Uchiha.

Sasuke, who's faster, and being in a crouching position, he quickly takes a hold of Zaku's left arm. Using the arm to subdue his enemy, Sasuke kicks Zaku to a kneeling position and gets behind Zaku. Pulling his arm back, he takes hold of his other arm and steps on the Otonin's back, restraining him.

As Sakura watches the scene in fear, not from the horrific acts, but fear for how Sasuke's acting. She remembers Orochimaru's words, rest assured, Sasuke will come to me. He said them with a sinister grin, a grin, the very same, is etched onto Sasuke's lips. His red blazing Sharingan is filled with an unattainable amount of bloodlust, a shine that wishes for both blood and gore.

This isn't the Sasuke she knows.

The Sasuke standing before her isn't the one she's come to love and care for.

This isn't him, he's a total and complete stranger.

"Heh! You take such pride in your arms...time to bid them farewell," Sasuke grins rather sadistically.

And with one, strong, pull, Sasuke yanks at Zaku's arms until they dislocate. While doing this, he clearly ignores the pain filled screams coming from the older Sound Nin. He feels no mercy, just the power running through his veins, nothing else.

Screams of pain, ones that you flinch, filled the clearing. Well, that was until you heard the snap of bones.

Now, that made everyone flinch.

Sakura, Shikamaru, and ino are all staring in horror. Dosu is looking at the Uchiha with wide, nervous, eyes. Then, there's Choji, who's cowering next to Ino as he covers his ears.

Dropping Zaku on the ground like a discarded piece of trash, Sasuke slowly turns to glare at Dosu. "Then, there was one. I hope you're more of a challenge," he gives a sinister smile.

That was...

That's...

This is not Sasuke, Sakura mentally exclaims as she remembers every memory she has of the Uchiha. Every brooding, smirking, and happy memory of Sasuke. Before Orochimaru turned him into this.

"Stop it," she cries, rushing forward to hug him. Wrapping her arms around his arms and torso, Sakura cries into his back. He turns his head to look at her, his crimson gaze meets her tear filled emerald eyes. "Please...stop it," she whispers.

((Oh, damn! If Riko were awake, she would be heartbroken, and jealous. Especially heartbroken!))

And with the power of her love, Sasuke's curse markings magically disappear. This causes Dosu to sigh in relief, knowing that he wouldn't have to face the power of the curse.

"Ooh! Sasuke," Sakura exclaims as she catches his exhausted figure. That's before she lowers him to the ground, to sit and rest.

"You're pretty tough," Dosu's voice rings out as he talks to Sasuke. "Obviously. In your current state we have no chance of defeating you, Sasuke. Please, accept this as a token of my admiration. And some reparation for your trouble." He states before presenting his scroll, placing it on the ground.

"And allow us to leave in peace after what we've done, it may seem like a lot to ask, but something big is afoot that merits further investigation and confirmation! I give you my word, on behalf of us all, that if you let us go now, then the next time we face you, we will stay til the battle is done, no matter how poorly we fare," Dosu continues, and finishes with a promise.

Sasuke glares, not pretty intimidating since he's all exhausted, at Dosu, but the Otonin ignores him. He focuses on picking up his teammates. Carrying an unconscious Kin in his left arm, he secures his hold around her waist. With his right arm, he carries Zaku, letting the latter use it as support as he walks besides Dosu.

"Wait," Sakura calls out before they leave. "You've got to tell me! Who is Orochimaru? What did he do to Sasuke? And why is Sasuke the one he chose?!"

Without turning, Dosu answers. "I don't know. We were just following orders," he explains pitifully before leaving.

"Hey! Are you all, all right?!" Shikamaru questions, shouting towards the Haruno and Uchiha as he runs out of the bushes. "I hope it's not an imposition, Ino, but I'm leaving Lee and Riko in your care!"

"What happened to me," Sasuke mutters to himself, looking at his shaking hands.

Once Shikamaru and Choji reach a sleeping Naruto, they stand around him while contemplating on how to wake him. Though, that's before the Uzumaki starts talking in his sleep.

"You can count on me, Sakura, I'll protect you," he says, giving a dopey smile.

"So, what about this one?! Should we kick him until he's awake," the Nara questions.

"Ooh! Can I? Can I," Choji states eagerly, already poking the blonde with a stick.

Across the field, Ino softly smacks Lee on the cheek to at least get him up in a conscious state. She does the same to Riko, but she's careful to hurt her already wounded face. Calling their names to get a response, it's Riko who manages first.

"Not now, Ranko, I'm sleeping. Go train with Tou-san," she mutters, swatting Ino's hand away.

But back with Shikamaru and Choji, they finally manage to wake Naruto up. Though, of course, when he wakes up, he also screams which makes Riko jolt in alarm.

# # # # # #

RIKO's POV
Sitting up with a startled gasp, screaming rings in my ears and I quickly look around for the source. Squinting my eyes at the light, I find Naruto sitting up and screaming. Well, that's before he stops and looks around, too.

Narrowing my eyes, well, eye since one is covered with the bandages on my face. Anyways, I narrow it in confusion as I look around.

Where the hell am I, I question to myself. Though, once I do that, everything comes rushing back. The Chunin Exams. The Kirigakure team of bloodthirsty Genin. Then, last but foremost, protecting Sakura against the Sound Genin. Shit! Well....that happened.

Turning my head, I spot Ino helping a semi-unconscious Lee as she walks him towards her teammates and Naruto. I tilt my head and ponder.

She, along with the rest of her team, must have come later, after I got knocked out. And Sakura, what happened to her...

My thoughts come to an end as my crimson gaze spots the pink clad Kunoichi. Though, my eye widens at the slight difference.

"Her hair," I mutter, observing the short, shoulder length, choppy hairdo.

Stumbling up into a standing position, I groan in pain as my head throbs. A pounding that makes it feel like someone's hitting my head against a wall, it makes me dizzy and I have to rest my hands on my knees in order to stop myself from falling. It takes a moment, but I manage.

Walking towards my teammates, I run my hand through my hair only to realize that my headband is missing. Halting in my steps, I have a momentary crisis as I pat all my pouches. I sigh in relief as I feel a rectangular metal in the large pouch.

"Hey, Sakura," I call out. She turns to me, but Naruto's voice rings out.

"Sakura! Your hair," the Uzumaki exclaims, beating me to the punch as he runs over here.

I pout, giving him a mental frown, along with some under the breath grumbling.

"Oh! Um, you mean this? Well, I wanted to update my image! A new look," Sakura explains with a smile.

I close my eyes and smile. "Well, you look beautiful," I say, before opening my eyes in alarm, blushing with realization. "I-I mean, i-it looks beautiful, yeah! It suits you," I say, clearing my throat and looking away.

I hear her chuckle, "thanks, Riko."

"Yup! No problem," I state, waving nonchalantly.

"Yeah, long hair is fun, too. I really liked having it, but let's be realistic. We're in a forest, fighting enemies, moving fast, and this is so low maintenance," she continues, explaining, but lying to Naruto. Since he wasn't awake during her fight, she's clearly lying so he won't have worry.

"Hmmm. Who are all these guys and why are they here," Naruto changes the topic as he looks around.

I shake my head, scoffing.

Shikamaru, who's standing not that far away from me, sighs. "Explanations are so tedious," he comments.

"These guys saved our butts," Sakura smiles, touching her hair.

I close my eyes, giving a genuine smile. "Well, whatever you guys did, thank you. You protected our team when you didn't have to, I appreciate it," I say towards the Nara and Akimichi.

"Don't thank us," Shikamaru sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "You troublesome woman."

"Ha! Stop being embarrassed by a single compliment, Shika! It's nothing, but appreciation," I huff, crossing my arms.

Though, before we can bicker about anything else, screaming interrupts us. Looking towards the voice, I find TenTen shaking Lee by his shoulders trying to wake him up.

"Lee?! Are you all right?! Pull yourself together," I watch her yell, practically scolding him.

"Wha," Lee questions incoherently. "TenTen, when did you get here," he asks tiredly.

"We came to rescue you," TenTen chides, yelling at him.

"Huh? Where did the Otonin ninjas go," I watch Lee ask as I walk closer.

"Sasuke scared them off," TenTen informs her teammate.

As Lee looks down, I stop next to the Kunoichi and give him a smile. "Even if Sasuke did run them off, you were still great, Lee. You came to protect Sakura, ignoring the fact that you two are on completely different teams. So, thank you," I tell him, changing my smile to a grin and giving him a thumbs up.

He beams at my talk, but TenTen is quick to shut him down.

"What we're you thinking?! Going off half-cocked like that, alone? Look at you, you're a mess," she scolds, raising her voice.

Sheesh, I grimace while leaning away from her wrath. Oh, Kami! If she's like this with her teammate, I can't imagine how Kaa-san will react to my current state?! I'm doomed!

"Sakura needed me! Saving her was my duty as a sacred man," Lee explains, making me deadpan at the choice of words.

"You're an idiot. You know that, right," the brunette scoffs.

The Taijutsu fighter pouts at her words. "Your words are so sharp, if I try to answer back, I may cut myself," he mumbles.

Suddenly, Naruto flounces in between us. "Hey! I know you! The unibrow," he exclaims, but insulting Lee as well.

Oh, no, he didn't, I frown.

Ticked off, because Lee's gained my full respect, I form a fist on my right hand. Raising it quickly, I deliver an instinctual suckerpunch. But what shocks me, is that Sakura delivers one as well. In fact, we punch in synch, hitting Naruto at the exact same time.

"Don't you talk to Lee like that," Sakura exclaims.

Wow...if it's possible, she looks even more beautiful- No! Stop it! You were just getting over her! A haircut isn't going to change anything, she'll still hurt you. Face it, Riko, Sakura will never return your feelings, I tell myself as I look away from the pink bombshell of a beauty.

Feeling the familiar sensation of heartache, I look around and smile as I spot Neji standing away at a distance. Quickly glancing at my teammates, I shake my head and walk towards the Hyuga. Walking closer, I can see that he has his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Scoffing at his standoff attitude, I smirk.

"So, what is the Neji Hyuga doing all the way over here," I question as I stand in front of him, at a fair distance.

"Hmph! So, the Hime is finally awake from her beauty sleep," he mocks with a playful smirk.

"Ha ha! Very funny, Neji. And as I tell you everytime, stop calling me that! Address me as friend, not someone of a higher status because that makes me feel weird," I say, pouting.

Though, all playfulness comes to an end as he becomes serious, more than usual. Stepping closer, he surprises me by raising his hand to delicately touch at my face.

"You sustained serious wounds, and these bandages tell me that you faced other opponents before the Otonin. Also, it's not only your face, your whole body endured different attacks," he tells me, but it's more for himself as his other hand moves to my wounded arm.

"Neji, I was deemed to get hurt from the start. As soon as the other ninja noticed that I was the solo participant, I immediately gained a target on my back. Do I wish that I could have planned better and avoided this? Yes, but that's in the past, I can't change it. It was my choice to go against a whole team, and it was also a choice to protect Sakura. Do I regret it? Not really," I explain, giving a smile to reassure him.

"You're too stubborn," he smirks, shaking his head.

"Says you! You're like the most stubborn person I know," I laugh, slapping his shoulder.

"Fine, but at least I'm not the one who cries over spilt tea," he smirks, bringing up a childhood memory.

"It was one time! I was a kid! And, it got on my favorite kimono," I exclaim, waving my hands as he turns to walk past me. "Hey! Don't walk away from me! You knew it was my favorite, it had flowers on it! Plus, you're the one who spilled my tea! It was your fault,"I continue to yell as I follow behind him.

"Hmph! I don't know what you're talking about. You were a clumsy child. You obviously spilled it on your own and placed the blame on me. I got in trouble because of you," he huffs, still walking ahead of me.

"What?! No, I didn't! And, good! You deserved it! You were nice to everyone, but once we were alone, you became a brat! A very bratty, annoying-"

"What are you guys talking about," Tenten asks, looking between us.

"Nothing," we say in synch, though I become a blushing mess when we get caught.

Again, she looks between us and smiles. "Sure, all right," she stated before turning away.

I glare at Neji. "Brat," I whisper harshly at him.

"Crybaby," he scoffs at me, narrowing his eyes.

That's before we give each other smirks. "Man, we really had a weird childhood. Still....that was my favorite kimono! How could you," I say before whining at the memory of my purple and flower clad outfit.

"Fine, if you loved it that much, I'll buy you another one," he crosses his arms.

"Really!? I mean, you don't have to, I clearly got my payback. Remember that kunai set you had, but it got destroyed," I ask wistfully.

"Yeah," he narrows his eyes.

"Well....that was me, I'm the one who destroyed it," I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck as I avoid looking at the Hyuga.

"What?! Do you know how much that cost," he glares at me.

"And, do you know, how much my kimono cost! It was pure silk," I counter, giving an equal glare.

Our conversation got interrupted by Lee's voice. Though, I didn't really pay attention to what he was saying. I only caught the words 'Lotus' and 'blooms twice' to be honest. He must be talking about his Taijutsu specialty since I vaguely remember that it also has the word 'Lotus' in it.

After that, it doesn't take long before the other teams start to bid their farewells. Looking at Neji, I smile at him while giving a subtle wave.

"See you soon, Hyuga," I smirk.

"Same goes for you, Kiyomi-chan," he smirks back before taking his leave along with his team.

Somehow, watching him leave makes a feeling of emptiness fill me. Sighing, I bite my lip and shake my head before turning on my heel. Looking towards my teammate, I see that Sasuke and Naruto are now standing. Walking closer, I wring my hands behind my back as I look between the trio.

"Soooo, are you guys alright now? Do you guys have any wounds that need healing? Sakura? Sasuke? Naruto? Anyone," I ask them.

They look at themselves, checking for any wounds that need to be tended to, but as they find none, they shake their heads. Though, that's before Sakura walks towards me, worry in her emerald eyes.

"Riko, what happened to you? How did you get hurt," she genuinely asks. This catches both Naruto and Sasuke's attention.

I can feel their eyes rake over my body as they take in my damage. I see Naruto's hands tighten into fists, I smile at that, knowing that cares about my well-being. Sasuke though, he keeps his stoic nature, but if you look closer, you could see that his eyes narrowed into frustration.

Well, at least they care, I muse to myself.

"Well," I chuckle nervously. "On the first night, once it was dark enough, I made a plan to find a team and stealthily attack them. Though, that backfired. I faced against a Mist team. All three of them are very, and extremely skilled. You guys remember Zabuza, right," I profess before asking the obvious.

They nod.

"Then, you remember how dangerous he was, how bloodthirsty. Alright, now imagine three of him because that's how this team was. The Kunoichi of the team, she's the leader, and she's really fast and skilled with swords," I state, caressing the scar on my stomach.

"Is she the one who did that to your face," Naruto asks.

"Nah. It was another, a guy. He uses a large sword, very similar to the one Zabuza had-" and after explaining what happened, they offered, well Sakura did, if I wanted to stick with them throughout the rest of the exam.

A part of me did, but the rest of me was yelling no, and that's what I said. Plus, I wouldn't find it fair. I mean, the circumstances aren't fair to me anyways, but being the solo participant was, and is, the challenge that was given to me. Besides, I have a new fire of determination burning inside me.

"No thanks, Sakura. This is an exam that I have to do alone. Still, thanks for the offer and I hope to see you there at the tower," I tell them before turning away.

And without a moment to waste, I left them in the dust as I ran into the forest.

# # # # # #

The day was darkening and I made a pretty impressive distance from the rest of Team Kakashi. I'm sticking to my original plan for obtaining a scroll, attack when it's dark, but find a team that's exhausted and tired. That's the crucial detail. Though, even when I don't want to kill anyone, it's what I have to do. This exam screams the choice of murder, but that's what a Chunin has to do in missions.

Kill the enemies.

Pushing the sickness in my stomach away, I steel myself and all of my nerves as I prepare my mentality.

I need to be ready! For no matter what it is! It's life or death here! It's kill or be killed in this exam, and I'm sure not ready to die yet, I say, trying to reassure myself.

L

ingering in the void darkness like a shadow, I glue myself to the trees and bushes as I walk I'm the forest. Using the tips of my toes to get around, and to remain as silent as possible, I preform the jutsu to aid me through the darkness.

"Art of Nature: Whispering Winds," I mutter in a low voice.

Immediately, the effects of the jutsu hit me. My eyes are keener to the dark. My ears are strained to hear every sound around me. My senses are practically heightened at this point.

As I go to walk forward, my ear twitches at the rustling noise behind me. Though,  as I make the choice to push it aside, my instincts counter me. The hairs from the back of my neck alert me of a foreign presence.

Not wanting to risk it, I quickly spin on my heel and deliver a swift kick to the person following me. Making contact, my foot hits the person's face which makes them grunt in alarm. I watch as their body falls to the ground, splaying in a heap of defeat.

Narrowing my crimson gaze, my eye darts to their reflective head plate. Observing much closer, I see that he's from the Rain Village, Amegakure. Pale skin, red, almost maroon, hair, and green eyes. Though, before I can further evaluate him, I get alerted by someone behind me. Twisting my body around, I make immediate hand signs.

"Earth Style: Hell Zone Rock Shards," I state to myself.

Pouring chakra to my feet and into the earth, I purposefully make the ground shake in violent manner. As the area around me and my opponents resembles an earthquake, shards of rocks start to raise from the ground. Then, a few seconds later, I clamp my hands together and this actions creates a storm of rocks. The shards all gather in one area before shooting, in a violent speed, towards the targeted area. Also known as my second opponent.

I heard the whoosh of shards flying, then it was silent for one second. The next thing I knew, was mayhem. Screams of pain filled the clearing. The action itself made me feel instant regret as I winced at their cries.

"Asahi," the voice of a girl called out, before running towards her fallen teammate.

The guy who's embedded, and has been pierced, with shards of rock has black hair, pale skin, and golden yellow eyes. The girl who's now next to him has similar looks, too similar.

They're siblings. Oh, now, I feel horrible. Great! My experience with this exam just keeps getting better and better, I mentally groan.

Though, as guilty as I feel, I push that feeling away and keep my stone exterior. Even when she swivels her head to scream at me, anger in her eyes.

"How dare you, you wretched witch! I'm gonna make you suffer," she lashes out.

"Well, you're too late," comes my smart ass answer.

Really, Riko, I facepalm at myself.

Getting up from her, what I assume is dead, brother, she quickly runs towards me. I jump back to create distance, but I nearly knock into her other teammate. I widen my eye in panic and dart to the side to avoid him as well.

He was too quiet, I completely forgot about him! Damn it! I'm too distracted and it's affecting my strategies!

"Akari, attack her front, I'll attack by distance," the male tells to the his Kunoichi teammate.

I grit my teeth with urgency and quickly create multiple hand signs. "Earth Release: Mud River," I announce to myself in a whisper.

Pouring more chakra into the ground, the terrain instantly adapts to my will. Instead of an earthquake, this time it's a mudslide. A large river of mud is created and Akari, who's running towards me is abruptly swept into the raging mess of motion.

She yelps in shock as her body is now tumbling, and fighting, through the mudslide. The other Rain Nin takes that chance to attack me.

"You like to blindside your enemies with large elemental attacks, then let's see how you like it," he yells towards me.

Narrowing my eye, I watch as he produces a scroll. Opening it, he creates a single hand sign and that's enough for me to widen my eye. Not having a chance to properly react, a large tidal wave suddenly spills out of the scroll.

The humongous wave of water hits me with full impact and I gasp for air as I'm immediately pulled under. Technically, water shouldn't be so hard to maneuver through, but chakra enforced water, now that's different. This water is so full of chakra that it creates a certain density, too thick, and heavy for the victim- me - to move around in.

Glaring, I force my mouth shut and clamp a hand over my nose in order to preserve my limited oxygen. Though, as I do this, I feel the strain in my throat as my lungs begin to burn, crying for the sensation of fresh air. As soon as my body begins to convulse with the self suffocation, I reluctantly open my mouth and breathe out.

I regret it instantly.

Forcing all my oxygen out, I have nothing to breathe in as I'm still under water. Not wanting to swallow water, I immediately shut my mouth and attempt to swim to the surface.

Swimming up and moving my arms, it feels like several minutes, hours even, but I finally reach the surface.

Soaking wet, I cough and breathe in the air around me. Well, that's before I glare towards the two Ame Nin. The Kunoichi is standing next to her teammate, all caked in mud. I guess she knows how I feel, just dirtier.

Just as I continue my glaring, I smirk as soon as I realize my terrain. Trees, dirt, water, I'm surrounded by earth.

"Art of Nature: The Cosmos Massacre," I state with a sinister grin.

Pouring almost all of my leftover chakra into the ground, I place my hands in the dirt. With this, roots and practically everything that's hiding in the earth's surface, rise from the ground and wrap themselves around the two Amegakure Nins. Then, at a fair pace, the roots pull them down into the ground, burying the two alive.

I watch with a blank face as they attempt to free themselves. They try everything, pulling at the roots, when they slice them off with kunai another replaces the first, they hold on the ground, they scream their pleas, and they also simply yell.

"Please! Let us go! Take the scroll from my brother's pouch and release us, please! Don't do this to us," Akari cries out, begging me.

"Please, don't let us die! My name's Kaito, I'm fifteen years old, I have a family! My little sister's waiting for me, she's all I have! Plea-"

I turn my head away as their yells are muffled by the ground, bodies encased in dirt as they're slowly sinking. I try to play off as it doesn't affect me, but inside I'm tearing myself apart with guilt.

Accusing myself with exclamations.

You didn't have to do it! They begged! They have families! Do you even care?!

I'm calling myself names.

You're a monster! You're heartless! Completely insensitive! Unsympathetic! Unfeeling! You're just a mindless drone with no emotions!

I'm questioning my morals.

Is this what it means to be a shinobi? To be a killer of the innocent? Is this what you want to be? A person who destroys families? To be an unemotional person? A person who dirties her hands with blood? Is this right to you? Do you believe in this? How much blood will you carry for your village?

Filling my mind with doubt.

This is what shinobi do, right? We eliminate every threat to ourselves and to our village, right? We're supposed to remain unemotional, right?

This is what makes a shinobi, right, I question myself as I look down at my hands.

The hands that are filled with metaphorical blood.

How do I wash it off?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welp! That's chapter 16! 8,694 words, whoop whoop! Anyways, sorry for taking a long time to update, I was too busy drawing, and binge watching America's Next Top Model, lolol, I'm on season 11 :D

Moving on....

So, did you like this chapter?

I personally liked when Sakura cut off her hair, what about you?

Did you like Riko's slight affection towards Sakura, or no?

Did you like when she stands up for Lee and compliments him?

What about her moment with Neji, arguing and reminiscing about their childhood?

Did you like how Neji cares for her?

What about Riko's fight with the Amegakure Nins, was it too brutal?

Is she right for questioning her morals?

Anyways, don't forget to

COMMENT

VOTE

&

FAN!!!

ARRIVEDERCI, My beautiful readers!

?¿If you can travel to any country, where would it be?¿

Me, personally, I would love to go to either Italy or England!

Picture of Team Mist (Akane, Karasu, and Shinkai).