The next morning, all the genin made it to the tower. Anko and I were standing with the Hokage and there was a guy on the screen telling us that we need to do a preliminary round since there are twenty-four genin who passed.

I was glad to hear that Naruto was doing good. I was hoping he would pass.

"For the time being, we're going to continue the exams as planned, but I want to keep an eye on his movements," The Hokage said to Anko and I, about Orochimaru.

I had this terrible feeling in my gut and I hated it. 

The three of us walked onto the platform with the jounin who recommended their students here.

I let Anko do the talking again since I wasn't in a talking mood. I hate public speaking anyway.

"Alright now pay attention!" Anko shouted, getting their attention. "Lord Hokage is going to explain the Third Exam to you. You better listen carefully, maggots!"

"Lord Hokage, they're all yours." Anko bowed and he stepped in front of us to speak. 

He's going to make that speech again. I remembered it was hard to keep focused on his long speech. Some of the genin here were interrupting him. It was Naruto mainly.

Hayate took over. Anko started arguing with the Hokage about Sasuke being in the exams because of his curse mark, again. He made it clear that he's going to stay in, as long as it doesn't spiral out of control. 

I turned the screen to show who'll be fighting against who and then the preliminary rounds started. I spaced out at the first few matches and realized I needed to talk to Kakashi about what happened. 

 "Is it okay if I go stand with Kakashi?" I asked the Hokage. "I'll be back,"

He nodded and I quietly thanked him.

I walked over to Naruto and Sakura, but I realized Kakashi wasn't there.

"Oh hey Hana!" Naruto waved.

Sakura turned around and smiled at me, but I could tell there was something bothering her. 

"Hey guys," I fake smiled. "Where's Kakashi at?"

"He's with Sasuke," Sakura replied. "They took him to the infirmaries,"

I nodded.

"Well, I'll just stand here with you guys then," I said.

Naruto started telling me about how his experience with the Forest of Death was. I grew angry at the thought of Orochimaru causing them trouble. I already had a bad feeling about him, but if he hurts Naruto in any shape or form, I'm kicking his ass.

We watched a boy from the Aburame clan fight against a Sound ninja and I shuddered at the sight of him using beetles.

"There was always a reason why I avoided them," I remarked. "I hate bugs. I remember this one time a boy from the Aburame clan scared me with spiders,"

"Shino isn't that bad," Naruto replied. "He's kind of weird, but he's not a bad guy,"

"I know he probably isn't," I replied. "But it's just the fact that there are bugs living inside of him that freaks me out. Also, it's mainly spiders that I hate,"

Sakura looked grossed out at the thought of bugs living inside of someone.

I started talking more with Naruto and Sakura about my experience in the chunin exams since Naruto asked me about it.

I told him about how Kuroshi nearly had me in a bind and Guy jumped in to save me at the time. 

"Hey, Lee did the same thing for me," Sakura said. 

"I noticed Lee is just like him. They're pretty similar, so it's no surprise," I replied.

"Wait, so why did that Kuroshi guy attack you? Didn't you say that he wasn't after a scroll?" Naruto asked.

"He just..." I trailed off. 

I didn't know if I should bring up the whole Nozomi thing. Maybe I'll tell him another time.

"He wanted to challenge me in particular," I lied. "He was trying to test me instead of trying to get the scroll,"

Sometimes I wonder how things would've been if Nozomi lived and if she was able to return to her village with Kuroshi. Maybe she would've been there when Kuroshi found me.

I didn't want to get sad again, so I pushed those thoughts away.

"Alright, onto the fourth match then," Hayate said.

"Hi," 

I jumped and turned around quickly. It was Kakashi. I swear he's like a cat. He appears out of nowhere.

"Hi?" Sakura asked. "What do you mean 'hi'? Is that all you can say? What about...What about Sasuke? How is he?"

I looked at them with an eyebrow rose. I suspect this has something to do with the curse mark.

"Oh he's fine," Kakashi replied nonchalantly. "He's sleeping soundly in the infirmary,"

Kakashi then turned to me. "Aren't you supposed to be with Anko and the Hokage?"

"I actually needed to talk to you about something," I said. 

"Me?" Kakashi asked, playing dumb on purpose.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, who else?"

I grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

"We'll be right back," I said to Naruto and Sakura.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked. "You took me by surprise back there,"

"It's about those ninjas again," I said and his expression changed immediately. "I encountered one with Anko when we confronted Orochimaru. I took him down with ease, but something felt off about it,"

"What do you mean?"

"It was like he was holding back his true ability. It was almost too easy to take him down," I said.

Kakashi looked worried. "I didn't realize they would try to attack now. Where is the guy?"

"He's with the Interrogation Force," I answered. "I'm worried that Orochimaru's curse mark has something to do with it,"

Kakashi looked surprised that I knew about it.

"Anko told me about it," I answered for him.

He nodded.

"Well, if that's the case, then I suspect he let you beat him on purpose," Kakashi said. "And we need to watch for more of them,"

I could tell Kakashi was very stressed. He has to deal with Sasuke and the curse mark and now this. 

"Should I go confront him with the Interrogation Force?" I ask.

"No, that would be a bad idea. He may suspect you're going to do that already and try to lay out a trap,"

"Yeah, you're right..." I trail off.

"I'll go confront him later," Kakashi said. "It was just one that was after me. I'll see if I can get any answers out of him,"

I nodded. "Okay, then you just gotta meet me at my house after you do that so you can tell me what he says,"

Kakashi nodded and we walked back to Naruto and Sakura.

"Was it about Sasuke?" Sakura asked me.

I shook my head. "No, it was something else that Lord Hokage needed me to ask him. Nothing about Sasuke,"

She looked troubled and looked back at the match with the Sand ninja, who appeared to be losing. 

"So, what happened with Sasuke exactly?" I asked Kakashi quietly.

He told me a short version of what happened. This just makes me wanna hunt Orochimaru down. I've grown to like the three and I don't want anyone messing with them.

The Sand ninja was wrapped up by the Sound ninja's arms and legs. It was an odd sight.

"Ugh, that's just gross," Sakura remarked. 

"That's freaky!" Naruto exclaimed. "I wish I could do that,"

"Not the grossest thing I've seen in my life," I remarked. 

The Sound ninja almost defeated the Sand ninja, by 'snapping' his neck. We all thought he was going to die, but he turned the match around because it ended up being a puppet. I was surprised to see one in action. I've heard of puppets being used, but I've never actually seen one. 

"Enough, enough! I give!" The Sound ninja shouted frantically.

Hayate ended the match.

"Since the other opponent is unable to continue, the winner is Kankuro," He said.

"Two against one is hitting below the belt, isn't it?" Naruto asked Kakashi. "I mean, is that thing even fair?"

"It's not really two against one," Kakashi replied. "It's a puppet, not a ninja,"

"So it is just another tool?" Sakura asked.

I cut in. "Yes, it's just controlled by the puppet master,"

"Time for the fifth match," Hayate said as the panel began picking the next two that would fight.

"Well, whoever it is, it'll be two weirdos," Naruto said. "This contest is full of them,"

"Well, you're the one to talk," Sakura giggled.

"Hey! Give me a break!" He retorted.

She continued to laugh. She stopped once she saw she was next and was staring at the screen with shock. I hope these rounds end soon. I need answers from that guy who attacked me. I need to know who their boss is, so I can beat him before he gets to me.

~~~~

Again, there are two stories where I have to go through this so that's why it's a little rushed. There's a part coming up that I want to get to very soon. I'm on a roll today with five chapters out in one day lol