The three of us stood in front of Ren-Sensei. Off to the side is the building we'd take the exam in. But of course, before we go in, we're getting scolded.

Ren-Sensei gave us a glare that'd put the Raikage's to shame. The three of us are sweating nervously, but while the boys avoided his scrutinizing gaze, I looked into it.

"S-Sensei, I think we should go in." I stated nervously. When we got back the bastard beat the shit out of us. He'd starve us, but considering the test was the next day he let us eat.

But his anger is suffocating.

And he even managed to increase it! "You three better behave. I don't want any funny business. No pranks-" He looks at Kazuki who flinched.

"No patronizing-" His gaze slid to Shou who did the same. Finally his eyes landed on me and narrowed even more.

"No picking fights." I couldn't help but flinch as well.

"If you three do anything that's not appropriate, that makes our village look bad, that makes me have to apologize, and do paperwork, I will drag you all by your hair straight into the pits of hell."

We swallowed the lump in our throats and nodded. He glared at us a bit before closing his eyes. "Go. I'll see you after the second test." With that he vanished.

The three of us let out sighs of relief as soon as his overwhelming presence left.

Well that was just dandy. Well . . . I turned to the building. This is it.

I began heading towards it, the boys right by my side.

What will it be like? Is this test a test where one team will live? Where one team will pass? Do we have to win individually? How does this village do this? I shook my head. No, don't think about it. Just go.

Kazuki glared after we went up the stairs. Shou frowned as well. Is this . . ? "Who the hell cast this weak ass Genjutsu?" I asked, face scrunching in distaste.

Personally, I hate Genjutsu with a passion. It's for weaklings. At least, that's what I was taught. Besides, I like hand to hand combat. Taijutsu is definitely more my style. Of course with ninjutsu mixed into it as well.

Kazuki scoffed, moving on up another level. "It's insulting." He grumbled. We followed after and entered the room. Whoa. There are a LOT of people.

A. Lot.

And of course, they all immediately turned to see the competition who just walked in. Most of which tried to be intimidating by releasing threatening auras.

I nearly sneered. Pansies. Who the hell do they think they're trying to intimidate?

Ah. I felt a specific glare and looked over to see a boy glaring our way. He has long, straight, brown hairy and milky eyes. Wait a minute, those eyes . . . He must be a Hyuga.

Well that's just peachy. We don't exactly have the best . . . rep with them.

The most recent thing is the Hyuga incident where we tried to take the Byakugan from the heir. However we didn't succeed. We claimed that the ninja who did the abducting did it without our knowledge, but that's a lie.

It's not like we had a treaty or anything. The Cloud doesn't need the other villages. And we pursue things for our villages prosperity. I'm not saying we do all the right things. But that's just how our village is. But by the look in this kids eyes, he's got some resentment.

I just want to take this exam and pass. I don't want to deal with drama I had no part in.

We walked further in, heading towards the back, when someone ran right into me and we both tumbled to the floor.

Sitting up, I rubbed my head before shooting a look at the kid who backed up into me.

A blonde kid decked out in orange sat just in front of me. He's about my age, maybe a little younger. With the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen, even more then Shou's. And he has some thin lines across his cheeks, like whiskers.

He blinked, staring at me wide eyed. "Oh! I'm sorry about that, are you alright?" He asked loudly, moving a little closer to check on me.

His hand went towards my face and that snapped me out of my surprise. Hands reached out and grabbed me from under my arms and hauled me up.

Shou stepped in front, blocking me from the boy as Kazuki helped me stand back up.

Neither looked particularly happy.

"Watch it Leaf boy." Shou warned, turning his back to him. I frowned at my teammates.

I get that because of my connections people tend to want to keep me safe, but he's just a kid. And I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

"What? I was just seeing if she was okay! No need to be a jerk about it!" The kid shouted. He's so loud. Hm? He's with a group of other Leaf Genin. I recognize three of which when we went to that BBQ place yesterday.

A chubbier boy, a blonde girl, and a boy with dark hair that looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here. But it's strange. He's so . . . relaxed. Which is weird during a time like this. It's the Chunin Exams after all.

I sweat dropped. Some team. I glanced at the other Leaf Genin and my eye twitched. What kind of training did these kids do?

Crafts?!

None of them seems like a threat. The closest is the raven head boy next to a pinkette and behind the blonde boy, but even his isn't quite fearful. Hell, even some of the Rain Ninja seem more threatening and they're RAIN NINJA!

Almost as much of a laughing stock as the Grass Ninja. No wonder everyone back home talks about the Leaf like this.

They're like normal kids. Non-Shinobi.

And that just made everything even weirder. Maybe I should've just taken the test back home.

But that's not what life should be about.

I want to prove to the world that the ninja of the Cloud are worthy of their titles. I want to show them how strong we are. But I also want to see what other ninja are like in different places. I don't want to hate them because our village does.

If I hate someone, it's going to be because I decided it, not the village. Besides, travelling is kind of fun. I want the full experience of being a ninja.

This is one of them. At least to the other villages.

"Chill out. Don't make enemies in the first five minutes." I hissed at them. The boys scoffed. "They're Leaf Ninja. They're not even capable of being enemies." Shou stated. Although his comment was heard.

Unfortunately.

"What did you say?!" A boy wearing a coat with fur lining and red marks down his cheek demanded. The small dog on his head growled lowly.

Is that a Ninja Hound? But it doesn't look like a summon. It's not strong enough to be one. He must be training it.

That's interesting. I blinked, realizing a few of the Leaf Ninja glaring at me and my team. Uh-oh. Shou didn't falter as he returned their glare with a cold stare. Kazuki, of course, wiped his face of emotions, and stood at the ready to back up or defend his teammate.

Before he could, my arm slinked around his neck and tightened, choking him slightly as my other snaked around to cover his mouth.

"Mph!" He shouted as he struggled in my hold. I looked at the angry Leaf Ninja. "Don't mind him. He's just a dumbass. Carry on." I dragged Shou away effortlessly even as he dug his heels into the tiled floor.

Kazuki trailed close behind as I dragged Shou to a secluded corner, near the other two teams of Cloud Genin. And much to my distaste, I recognize Team Hikari.

Don't get me wrong, Hikari-Sensei is awesome. But her students are total bitches and always pick fights with us. Well, me mostly but it still pisses me off!

All three of them are total dicks. I released Shou and he gasped for air. Whoops. Covered his nose too. My bad.

"What the hell Yume?!" He hissed, glaring at me. I returned it, placing my hands on my hips. "What did Ren-Sensei say? No patronizing." I warned.

He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Haughty laughter made me scowl. I turned my silver eyes to Sato. The female Genin on Team Hikari.

Although her name means 'sugar' she's as far away from sweet as can be. She's a cruel, sadistic, manipulative little- "Seems Yume is already getting taken out by Leaf Shinobi." She mocked, emphasising the 'Leaf Shinobi' for a more offensive strike.

Kazuki glared her down while Shou glared at her equally infuriating teammates.

Sato isn't really much in a fight, but her mental attacks is what makes me hate her the most. Even more so than him.

I turned my glare to Takeshi. He hates me, and for ridiculous reasons too. He's what everyone in the academy called a prodigy, but so was I.

And that pisses him off to no extent.

He's always picking fights. Not stupid fights like everyone else in the vilalge either.

Life and death.

Kid's got some serious issues. Which is a shame because he's got talent and skill. Stong, smart, fast, and usually always victorious.

"Ah Sato. Always nice to see you. Last I saw you, you were struggling to cross the lands here. Didn't Reo have to give you a piggyback? Hmph." I scoffed.

Her face flushed and she growled lowly, making me smirk more. "I didn't want to waste energy for this stupid exam with these lousy foreign ninja." She said, a little too loudly, as many glared at us.

However Takeshi sent one of his bone chilling glares that made most turn away.

Reo sighed, looking over at his female teammate. "Come on Sato. Don't get so worked up." Reo is the more relaxed of their group. No, not relaxed. He's kind of like the stabilizer. He calms down Sato and Takeshi whenever they get too worked up.

He's the one that thinks straight. Their group, much like our own, is more of a powerhouse. With only Reo having any talents in tracking and reconnaissance. He's a people person when he needs to be and can be a charmer even without all the looks. Not saying he's ugly but he's not outstanding.

Of course Sato is good at manipulating people, however Reo can manipulate his personality. But he's got nothing in strength and fighting styles on Takeshi.

He's almost cool. Almost. "Besides; Princess and her ragtag team aren't worth it." He said with little emotion.

My fists clenched at my nickname. A small, sadistic smile stretched across his lips. "I'd watch it before I tear you to shreds." Shou warned, stepping up a bit.

Kazuki glowered, his fists clenching as well. "Or perhaps you'd like me to turn your bones to ashes." Normally, I'd be right there with them in their threats and fights.

But my mom told me not to fight. Ren-Sensei told us not to fight. Moreover if we fight against our own it'll show weakness against our village.

I can't bring that on the Raikage or the Naruse Clan.

"They're right guys. They're not worth it." I said, turning my back to them. The ultimate insult to those in our village.

"Why you!" Sato growled lowly.

"Not now. When the tests begin, we'll annihilate them." Takeshi said smugly.

"Big talk from someone who's never beaten the Princess. Not once." Shou countered. This bristled Takeshi.

Normally I'd throttle him for referring to me as 'Princess', but since he's antagonizing Takeshi I let it slide. "I'd watch your tone Shoutaro Kimura. I can annihilate you."

Uh-oh. He used Shou's real name. I grabbed Shou's shaking arm and shook my head.

Now's not the time. Instead I turned my cold gray eyes to Takeshi. "We'll see when the tests start." I simply said.

I was going against every one of my instincts to smash his face in, but I promised mom I wouldn't fight other ninja.

Then again, it was 'foreign ninja' that we were referring to. Takeshi is a Cloud ninja, same as me.

Technically I could start a fight with him.

But that would leave a bad impression on our village. Thinking about the punishments from Ren-Sensei and the Raikage made me shiver.

Nope. Takeshi isn't worth their wrath.

Not even worth mine. So instead, I gave him a smug look and turned my back to him. One of the greatest forms of disrespect amongst us.

It's like saying you're nothing to worry about. You're not worthy. And I can feel Takeshi's heated glare on my back. But I continued to ignore him and surveyed the competition.

Most were older, I'd say we're the youngest, but some of the Leaf Shinobi here look younger.

Sure are confident huh? Well they must have proved themselves ready. Maybe they're not as weak as The Raikage and everyone in the village says they are.

But there are definitely quite a few strong ninja here. For instance, that Grass Ninja.

My gaze went to the strongest aura I sensed. Her aura is definitely far greater than ours. Her strength and chakra reserves far surpass almost everyone here. No, everyone.

Even Ren-Sensei's. And he's a brilliant chakra master. He was once the best Medical Ninja in our land. He was taught by the great Sanin herself!

She doesn't belong here. What's she doing here? I've got a bad feeling about her. Her gaze flicked over to me and my body stiffened ever so slightly.

No. Show no fear. Cloud Ninja are never afraid.

I masked any weak emotion from my face and straightened my back. The ninja from the Cloud won't falter, especially not to another foreign ninja.

A loud battle cry broke me from my thoughts and I looked over, along with everyone else, to the Leaf Genin.

The orange boy.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I'm gonna beat every one of ya! Believe it!!"

.

.

.

What?

The rest of the Leaf began to argue a bit with each other, kicking up more noise.

"There's definitely something wrong with their heads." Kazuki declared, face twisted. I tilted my head a bit.

What a strange kid.

Hm? An attack! I could see three Sound Ninja rush around everyone. Ah, but it's not towards us.

I went to go assist the Leaf Genin when Shou and Kazuki grabbed my arms and shook their heads. "But . . ." I trailed off. We're not supposed to fight one another yet. And it's such a cheap shot too!

One threw kunai at a silver haired guy and he managed to dodge. Another one swung his fist, but he dodged that too-wait. Chakra? What kind of attack is that?

Whatever that attack was, no one could see it. The guys glasses shattered.

What was that? Shaking the boys grip on me, I walked over as one of the Leaf demanded to know what happened. By the time I neared him, the silver haired guy fell to his knees and threw up.

"Are you okay?" I leaned over and watched as he struggled to get his bearings together.

I grit my teeth and stood, facing the three sound ninja as two of the Leaf went to their comrades side.

"Write this on your little card punk. The Genin from the Sound Village will be Chunin when this is over."

I narrowed my eyes on them. "I doubt that. Disrespectful people like you can't possibly become Chunin. We're in another's village, I'd watch it if I were you." I warned.

Their arrogant smirks remained, but I saw the younger males eye twitch. Oh?

A smirk of my own formed on my face. "Then again, you're only Sound Shinobi. Hardly even Shinobi's. Of course you don't understand courtesy."

"What did you just say?" The guy said, stepping closer. However Kazuki and Shou immediately flanked me.

I tilted my head slightly, hardening my exterior so to present myself in a way that'd honor my village.

Before a fight could break out, smoke erupted up front and brought all the attention there.

"Alright you baby faced degenerates, pipe down and listen up!" A masuline voice demanded. The smoke subsided revealing a lot of higher ranked ninja and a scarred man.

"It's time to begin. I'm Ibiki Morino your proctor. And from this moment, your worst enemy." Hm. I see. I like his spunk.

This'll be interesting.