"Hey Nara's." I greeted. I was currently in front of the Hokage building, Shikamaru and his father stood in front of me. "Hey Miyu. You were summoned here too?" He asked. I nodded.

His dad smiled lazily. "You two go up ahead." We nodded and headed inside. I sighed loudly, drawing the lazy boys attention. "What is it?" He asked. I shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I thought I was in trouble, but seeing as you're here, I'm only hoping it's not something annoying she wants us to do."

Like manage her finances. Again.

He chuckled a bit and we arrived at the room. Knocking twice, the door opened for us. Grandma Tsunade and a lot of the proctors from the exam stood around the room. I blinked a couple times. Well then. What do we have here?

Entering the room, Shikamaru and I stood in front of Grandma Tsunade. "To be honest with you two, I don't know what to do." Tsunade said. Shikamaru and I glanced at each other, both of us had an eyebrow raised in question.

Is this about the exams? "With the final exam being suspended it was the opinion of many that none of the students should pass this time around. That includes you two."

Oookay? "However, I hear that the Third Hokage had nothing but the highest praise for both of your matches. It seems he meant to recommend you two for Chunin. In fact, all those who observed your fights and your proctors felt the same. So in this case, my opinion doesn't really matter. From this day forth, I hope you two will strive to achieve a level of excellence worthy of that headband. Congratulations. As of this moment, the two of you are Chunin's."

I blinked once, twice, three times. Shikamaru and I glanced at each other, both of us a bit surprised.

To be honest I never really thought of becoming a Chunin. Getting over our shock we bowed. "Thank you Lady Hokage." We spoke in unison. She smiled and a ninja walked over, handing us the Chunin flak jackets.

"Now it isn't required for you to wear this all the time, but here are your flak jackets." I nodded my thanks. Shikamaru put his on and I smirked. "Awe look, he did it." He blushed lightly making me chuckle.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and turned. "Come on, go tell your team." I sweat dropped and followed. "Man, Naruto's gonna be really loud." I grumbled, exiting the room.

A light bulb went on in my head. "Alright! I win the bet! You became a Chunin!" I cheered. He sweat dropped. "Why bet on me?" He asked. I gave him a flat look. "Because you were obviously going to become a Chunin."

He seemed a bit surprised by this. "C'mon, don't give me that face. You're smarter then all the Genin, your strategic skills are higher then Chunin and some Jonin, you're a genius. All be it a lazy one. But it's obvious if anyone deserved to be promoted, it'd be you."

We exited the building and I stretched. "Well, I'm going to visit Sasuke. Later Nara." I waved him off and headed towards the hospital.

I was not expecting to be summoned by her today. I just got back the other day and bam. I thought she wanted me to practice Medical Ninjutsu again. Looks like I lucked out there. I do not feel like being pulverized for not having the skill.

Sighing I put on the jacket. It does not look good with orange. So not wearing this often. But I'll wear it a bit to show my team. Ah.

I stopped walking. Sasuke isn't going to be happy. Oh well, what can you do? "Miyu?" Hm? I turned to see Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto. Kakashi smiled upon seeing the vest whereas the other two's eyes were wide open. "You're a Chunin!" Sakura gasped.

I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head. "Yeah, Shikamaru and I just got promoted. I was about to show you guys. I'm not a fan of the jacket so you won't see me wearing it often." I told them.

Suddenly I was enveloped in a bear hug. I gasped as the air was literally squeezed out of me and my brother twirled me around. "Congratulations Miyu!" He cheered happily before setting me down.

I immediately gasped for air, greedily taking in oxygen. Thought I was a goner. "We need to celebrate!" Sakura said enthusiastically. I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good. Just wanted to let you know, I'm gonna visit Sasuke."

"Oh, we'll go with!" Naruto grinned. Sakura hit him upside the head. "No you idiot! They should have some alone time." She hissed before putting him in a head lock.

She smiled at me. "You go on ahead." She smiled. I sent her a thankful smile and started heading his way. The hospital was just up ahead. I know he is going to be upset. He will, there's no denying it.

I just hope he's not too upset. Sighing I headed inside and to his room. Standing in front of the white door I hesitated. I don't want to see him angry. But I wanted him to be the first to know.

He's my boyfriend. If he's upset, I should comfort him to the best one can comfort a Sasuke that is. Making up my mind I knocked. "Sasuke? It's me."

"Come in." Swallowing the lump in my throat I pushed down my anxiousness and slid open the door.

My eyes immediately met with Sasuke's. However his gaze flickered to my jacket and they widened. "You're a . . . Chunin." He murmured. I nodded, walking in. "Yeah. Shikamaru and I were just promoted today." I informed him, sitting in the seat next to his bed.

His hand immediately gripped the white sheets. His knuckles matching the color. Anger was evident in his eyes and he bit his lip. "Congrats." He managed to say. Sadness washed over me and I unintentionally looked down.

Now he's angry with me. Softly, Sasuke grabbed my chin and made me look up. His eyes that were once clouded with anger were softer. "I'm sorry, I'm not angry with you. Just myself. So don't make that face 'kay." I pursed my lips as relief filled me and nodded.

He could see how much he affected me and smiled lightly before leaning forward and kissing my forehead. I blushed lightly at that. He looked off into space. Sasuke, I know your pride is hurt, but . . . I'm not even sure how to comfort him.

"Sasuke, there's no rush. You are growing stronger. It's okay to go at your own pace." I tried. His jaw clenched at that. "Naruto, how can he be stronger then me? With Gaara, with Aoi, I couldn't beat them, yet he could." He grounded out.

I sighed. "Yes, but the same goes for me. Naruto, well he's different then most people. When he sets his mind on something, he bulldozes through anything in his way. He doesn't stop." I murmured, thinking back to the Rasengan.

Even I can't keep up. "But I train just as much, if not more. I listened in class, I train day and night, yet he . . ." Sasuke.

"I understand. Naruto, he even surpassed me." I murmured thinking about my brother. Naruto. "I don't see how! I'm smarter, stronger, I'm better yet he!" He shouted, surprising me. "Naruto may be an idiot, he may be rash, hell, he's downright ignorant. But Naruto is ambitious. He never gives up. Because that's his ninja way. It doesn't mean you won't be stronger. Not at all. It just takes time."

"Then why is he ahead!" He shouted at me. I narrowed my eyes. "I understand that you're upset, but aren't you going a little overboard?!" I shouted back.

"Why aren't you as upset? Aren't you even a little annoyed he's ahead of you?!" I clenched my fist in irritation. "I'm not! If anything I'm a little sad, but I'm happy for him! You should be too! You're his friend after all!"

He narrowed his eyes on me. "Sad? Don't you see? At this rate, Naruto won't need you anymore!" My blood froze. Naruto won't need you anymore! Naruto . . . won't need me.

Won't need me. I'm unneeded. Realizing how his words affected me, he reached out. "Miyu-" I stood fast and slapped him. The sound echoed throughout the room. "I won't be unneeded. Just because he might become stronger then me, doesn't mean that I'm unneeded." Without saying anything else, I Flash Stepped away.

How could he say that? Yes, I'm scared of him getting stronger, but he doesn't need to put it like that. I've accepted this fate. Even if he does get stronger then me, then I'll be his support. He's my twin brother.

I sighed looking up. Gramps . . . how do I help Sasuke?

I can see it. Slowly, but surely, he's become a bit distant. He's more angry. He's more defensive. He's become a bit obsessed with surpassing Naruto.

I can see it. And it's worrying me. It doesn't help that I just slapped him and left.

Geez, what's wrong with me? Why can't I comfort him? Is all this because of the curse mark on him? Orochimaru did say that Sasuke would go in search of power. Is it because the mark is making him?

What's going on his mind? Sasuke . . . Gramps, mom, dad, what do I do? I want to ease his mind. I want to ease his heart. I want to help him. But every time I do, it seems to have the opposite effect.

Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, me, everyone. He's surrounded with people who care about him, yet he doesn't see it. I don't understand.

Sighing I sat down, looking up at the sky. After about thirty minutes I decided to check up on Sakura so I Flash Stepped there. However . . .

My eyes widened. In front of me Naruto and Sasuke were fighting. Actual fighting. What the hell?! "Miyu!" Sakura cried from next to me. We were atop the hospital roof and I looked around. Lots of Naruto clones surrounded Sasuke who was destroying them easily.

However a few of them attacked. "Na-Ru-To! Uzumaki barrage!" What are they doing?! Naruto went to kick him down but Sasuke blocked it and turned facing down at the clones.

He quickly weaved hand signs. Watching, I instantly recognized them. The Tiger Symbol! "Sasuke no-" My cry wasn't heard. It was too late. "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" I quickly brought Sakura to me and shielded her from the flames. Lucky they didn't really reach us, just my jacket is singed a bit.

"Naruto!" I shouted. Where is he? Ah! In the midst of the flames he uses Rasengan to make them swirl around him, not touching him. Sasuke grabbed his hand and formed Chidori.

My eyes widened. Rasengan, Chidori, no. "Please stop fighting. Both of you stop." Sakura murmured from next to me.

Sasuke descended down towards Naruto who jumped up, both letting out war cries. "STOP!" I screamed at them, fear coursing through me. "STOP IT!" Sakura cried.

An image of the two of them on the ground covered in blood flashed through my mind. No. Don't. Don't do this.

 "STOP!"