"And that is a preliminary to the third exam, with proptiation in the main battle on the line." Hate said which surprised us.

"Preliminary?" I wondered, tilting my head to the side.

"What do you mean... preliminary?!" Shikamaru exclaimed, furiously.

"Sensei, I don't understand the point of that preliminary. Why aren't we doing the next exam with the remaining test-takers?" Sakura asked from behind me.

"This time around, perhaps because the first and second exams were easy, there are a few too many people left, you see. In accordance with the rules of the Chūnin Exams, a preliminary will be held in order to reduce the number advancing." Hate explain to Sakura, shocking her.

"N-No way!" She exclaimed.

"As Lord Hokage said before, many guests will be coming to the third exam. So we can't have long pointless matches and our time is limited as well. Therefore, those of you not in top physical condition..." Hate stop to cough. "Excuse me. Those of you who wish to drop out, please speak up now. The preliminary will begin immediately, so..."

Immediately, you say...?!" Kiba proclaimed.

"But we finally made it through the second exam." Ino said disappointed.

"This is a pain..." Shikamaru sighed.

"Huh? What about our meal?" Choji asked.

"It does make sense, in some way." I mumble to myself while caress my cheek.

"And oh... I forget to mention this, but it will be individual battles from now on. It is your decision, so feel free to raise your hands and drop out." Hayate said.

Suddenly Sasuke groan as he hold shoulder.

"Sasuke?!" Sakura whispered.

"Are you okay?" I whispered, worried.

"Sasuke, you should quit these preliminaries!" Sakura told him, shocking me as I looked at her with widen open eyes. "L-Look, you haven't been yourself ever since you got worked over by that Orochimaru guy! That bruise hurts even now, right...? At this rate...!"

I hug myself as I remember what had happened at the forest.

"Please..." Sakura whispered, holding her hands over her chest as she was trampling in fear as I could tell that she remember aswell. "Please, quit! I'm...scared." Sakura begged with watery eyes as she quickly wiped them away.

"You're in no condition to fight properly, Sasuke...!" Sakura said.

"Shut up." Sasuke told her.

Sasuke... I though concerned.

"I understand!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Be quiet!" Sasuke ordered.

"Sakura, please stop." I pleased when I notice Sasuke's expression.

"But you've been enduring the pain this whole time, right?!" Sakura continue, ignoring what we were saying.

"Please be quiet!" Sasuke said once more, getting more furious.

No matter what you say, Sasuke... I'm going to tell the teachers about the bruise! If I do that..." Sakura said, shocking me as she slowly raising her hand.

However another was rised before her. "Excuse me... I'll quite." It was Kabuto which surprised us all.

"K-Kabuto...?" Naruto Naruto exclaimed, shocked.

"Let's see..." Hayate check his clipboard, letting out a cough.

"Kabuto Yakushi of the Leaf Village, correct? Then, you may step back." Hayate told him.

"Okay." Kabuto said before walking away.

"Kabuto!" Naruto stop him. "Why're you quitting?! Tell me! Why?!" He asked him.

"You have come so far." I said, trying to reason with him feeling concern and confused.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, Nikki... But my body is worn out. Actually before the first exam...when I wrangled with the guys from the Sound Village, I've had no hearing at all in my left ear. To fight right away...and to be told that my life would also be on the line, I can't go on." Kabuto explain to us.

"You have a point, when you say it like that..." I said as Naruto looked down disappointed.

"It was a honor to met the next Phoenix Princess, Nikki of the Mikage clan." Kabuto said as he did something that shocked everyone.

Third Person's POV

Kabuto lean in and kissed Nikki at the corner of her lips shocking everyone.

Sasuke gave him a death glance as he quickly grab Nikki arm and pull her to him.

"Mind not doing something like that to another man's girl." Sasuke said as he growl in angrer with Sharingan on, giving him a dangerous look.

Kabuto felt chil running down his spin.

"Sorry, sorry." Kabuto said giving them a fake smile and before he left.

Nikki's POV

I snap out of shock when Hayate start to talk. "Now then, there are no others who will quit?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Sakura raising her hand but Sasuke grab it, surprising her.

"Be quiet about this bruise." Sasuke said to her in a harsh tone causing Sakura to tear up.

"Why're you acting tough like that?! I don't want to watch you suffer all the time anymore! For me you are...!" Sakura said, shaking away the tears.

"This has nothing to do with you!" Sasuke said causing her to gasp in shock. "It's none of your business. Your not my girlfriend." He let go of Sakura's hand. "I said it once before... I'm an avenger, my only light is Nikki." Sasuke turn to me causing me to blush at the small soft smile, he was giving me. "This is not just a mere exam to me the Chūnin business has nothing to do with me. 'Am I strong?' All I want is the answer to that. By fighting with those who are strong! And... And they're...here! I will not allow even you to take my path away from me!" He finished.

"Sasuke..." Sakura mumble, tear up again.

"You! What're you doing putting up a front, you idiot?!" Naruto proclaimed and I had enough.

"Enough!" I said causing Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura to turn to me in shock. "You guys are acting like children! We are a team, aren't we?!" I turn Sakura causing her to flinch. "Sakura, I get that are worried about Sasuke but it his decision and his teammate." I told her.

"Don't you care that he is in pain!" Sakura snapped at me.

"Of course I care but I won't be selfish like you are being right now!" I scolded causing Sakura to flinch in surprised.

I turn to Sasuke and gentle caressed his cheeks with both hands, leaning in so that our noses were touching and staring into his eyes. "Sasuke, I won't tell you to quit but all I ask to be careful." I told him with tearful eyes.

Sasuke looked at me, surprised before closing his eyes and places his hands over mine. "Okay, I'll be careful for you, Nikki." He whispered into my earn. "But then you have to be careful aswell because you still have a fever."

I nodded in understanding.

''Naruto!" Sasuke turning to him. ''I want to fight you, too." He said, surprising Naruto.

"Now then, we will begin the preliminaries. The preliminaries to come will be one-on-one individual battles. In other words, actual battle-format. There are now exactly twenty-two people so we will conduct then battles. The winners will be able to advance to the third exam. There are no rules at all. You will fight until someone dies, collapses...or admits defeat. And...please admit defeat right away if you don't want to die. However, in case I judge that a match is over..." Hayate lettes out a cough. "Err... I don't want to needlessly increase dead bodies, so I will intervene and stop the match or something to that effect. What holds the key to your destinies is..." Hayate finish explaining and nodded toward Anko.

We saw a panel opening revealing a TV screen.

"This. The names of two foes will be randomly selected and displayed on this electronic signboard. Now then, let's get right down to it and announce the two names for the first battle." Hayate said.

We watch the screen until it say.

Nikki Mikage
Vs
Yuri Fudo

I felt Sasuke grab my hand, giving it a gently squeeze which I return.

"Now then the two displayed on the signboard, come forward." Hayate said as I gulp nervously and walk over to him.

I turn to face my opponent and she was glancing at me.

"For the 1st battle, Yuri Fudo and Nikki Mikage have been selected. No objections, right?" Hayate asked.

"No!" We both answer together.

"Now then, we will begin the first battle." Hayate coughed. "Everyone other than the two foes, please more to the upper area." He told everyone as Sasuke came over to me, along with Naruto and Sakura.

"Nikki! Your first, believe it!!" Naruto said excited.

"I guess..." I said with a nervous smile while rubbing my arm.

"You should probably give up." Sakura said smugging.

Sasuke glare at her causing her to flinch and looks like she was going to cry. Sasuke's soften his expression when he turn to me. "Nikki, you got this. Just do your best and please be careful." He told me, kissing my forehead when I agreed.

"Hey! Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto said, waving at him as he came over.

"Relax Naruto." Kakashi-sensei told him when he came over to us. "Good luck Nikki. Do your best, okay." He said to me as he patted my head.

I smile. "I will Sensei!" As their left and when to the upper area where did others are.

"Now then, please begin." Hayate said.