I do not own Naruto, any Naruto characters, or anything Naruto related.

Chapter 8: A Red Head and New Rivals

Tsuki's POV
After a series of missions that consisted of dog walking, weeding and cleaning the river, I was annoyed. Why? Well because Sakura won't stop scolding Naruto and Naruto kept getting hurt while trying to prove who's the best between him and Sasuke. Plus our sensei did nothing to stop it, he just read his perverted orange book.

Anyways right now I'm standing off to the side while watching the love triangle fall to shambles once again. Why can't they see that it's never going to work out. Naruto 'loves' Sakura, Sakura 'loves' Sasuke, and Sasuke I don't know who he likes. I don't think he likes anybody. Me well I don't see a point in trying because I don't feel the emotion, plus I'm too young for lovely dovey crap.

My thoughts run dry when I see a box disguised as a rock run after Naruto. I quirk an eyebrow at the sudden randomness. I watch as the box halts and shines with a blinding light that makes me cover my eyes and explodes. I drop my raised arms and wait for the coughing children to say something.

"I think *cough* we used *cough* to much gunpowder" a boy with a long blue scarf and a helmet wheezes.

I roll my eyes at their stupidity, I mean yeah it was cool and all, but why do you need gunpowder? I ignore the question as I walk off waving to the three kids, Naruto, and lastly my sister.

"See ya around, I'll be at the book store" I say as I turn and disappear from their view.

Now what book should I get? A mystery? A horror? Erotica? Informational? Love? Crime? Sci-fi? I need something to distract me from reality and actually draw me into the plot of the story. A distraction that what I need. Maybe not a book, but something to help me keep my mind off everything.

My river of thoughts come to a stop as I crash to something. Someone. I fall to my butt and suppress a painful groan. I look up to see a guy dressed in a black jumpsuit that finishes with a hat with cat ears? His face is adorned with purple make up. He has a wrapped thing on his back. I look to his side and see a dirty blonde girl dressed in a pale purple dress along with multiple fish net underlines. I see she has a huge fan strapped to her back. What catches my eyes is the Sunagakure headband tied around her neck. They're from the wind country. They must be here for the upcoming Chunnin Exams.

"Ah, sorry I didn't see you there, I wasn't looking where I was going" I apologize to the Sand ninjas while I get up and dust my clothes.

The guy goes to say something, but the girl cuts him off, "it's okay it's not much of a problem" she says.

"So you must be here for the Chunnin Exams, am I right" I ask.

"Yeah, we just arrived, not so long ago" she replies.

"Ah, well my name's Tsuki Haruno, and I'm willing to show you around if you want" I offer.

"Oh, my name's Temari and this is Kankuro, and as much as I love the idea we got to go to our assigned inn, thanks by way" she apologizes as she informs me.

"Anytime" I reply back as I watch them walk away.

Well that was weird.

I ignore them and continue on to the place that became my friend, the book store. Well I was going until I felt this dark chakra coming from the place where my team and the kids were last at.

Without thinking I rushed towards the location and jumped in front of Naruto. I was met with Kankuro holding the kid with blue scarf up by his neck. I got in a offensive position and took out a kunai while shouting at the cat man.

"Hey put him down, before I cut your hand off!!!" I sneer.

"Oh really, what is a little girl like you gonna do" he insults.

"I'll kill you. You think coming to our village and picking on kids isn't going to cause problems for you, especially if it's the Hokage's grandson, hmm?" I inform.

He along with Temari pale at the new information.

"Now drop the kid before I cripple you" I persuade.

"Yeah right" he says before he swings his hands towards the kid.

But his fist gets stopped with a pebble. A pebble? I look up and find Uchiha on the tree smirking at his victory.

Why does he always need to show off?

I stand straight and cross my hands over my chest while I ignore the squealing girls around me. I swear the whole girl population goes crazy while looking at the Uchiha. I mean what's so good about him. I ignore these thoughts and look at the two sand nins who face us.

I suddenly feel this dark presence around the area. So evil yet inviting. I look around and find nothing. I know something or someone's here because the hairs on my neck are up in alarm, sensing the foreign presence.

"Kankuro stop" a menacing voice says from the same tree Sasuke's on.

I turn and put a face on it's voice. He's pale and has red disheveled hair, he has extraordinary piercing teal eyes. His eyes are surrounded by dark bags indicating severe insomnia, on his forehead there's a kanji of love.

He's so menacing and evil, but he's so beautiful, if that makes sense.

I try to look away, but I can't. I find myself in a daze. I hear the people around me speak, but I can't make out the words. I escape the state only when our eyes clash. Fuchsia against teal. Teal against fuchsia.

"What's your name" he asks.

"Tsuki Haruno" I reply in a calm voice.

I watch as they walk off in the other direction and a part of me feels sad.

Why am I sad? And why was I so entranced with him? Why did my heart flutter? What's going on with me?

I sigh and follow my team to the bridge still thinking about the boy. Wait! I didn't get to know his name. Argh!! I'll just ask my team when we arrive at our meeting point. So he's the third member of Temari's team. I guess I'll see him in the chunnin exam.

We arrive and wait for our lazy sensei to arrive.

"Hey who was the guy with the red hair" I ask no one in particular.

"Gaara of the Sand, why" Sasuke replies with a smirk on his face.

"N-nothing, I just wanted to know" I murmur before looking the other way to hide my face.

"AH HA!!! YOU LIKE HIM DONT YOU TSUKI-CHAN!!!" Naruto exclaims while pointing a finger at me.

"B-BAKA!! No I don't. W-what m-made you think that" I defend.

"Your face" Sasuke says.

My face?

"What's wrong with my face" I ask.

"You're blushing" Naruto points out.

What?! Blushing! Why am I like this? And for a boy I don't know?

I say nothing but cross my arms and turn my head. I ignore the stickers coming out of Naruto's mouth. I ignore the complaints from my sister about her hair and having to wake up early.

I take out my book and continue reading from where I left off. From the corner of my eye I can see Naruto pacing back and forward with impatience and I could also see Sakura uselessly flirt with Sasuke and Sasuke ignoring her like she doesn't exist.

We wait for minutes that stretch to hours until a sudden poof of smoke appears on the other side of the bridge.

"YOURE LATE!!!" again both Naruto and Sakura shout in sync.

Why do they even bother, he's not going to listen.

"Sorry I got lost on the path of life. Now, I registered all four of you to take the chunnin exams-" Kakashi gets off.

I block them out and look at the form in my hands,

I, Kakashi Hatake, nominate Tsuki Haruno to take the upcoming chunnin exams.

-Kakashi Hatake

Register at room 301 by Friday at 3:00 pm.

Today's Sunday so five days by now. It gives us time to improve some skills that we lack in and train. I wonder who else got to participate in the chunnin exams other than our team. I get drawn in by the loud chant that comes out of Naruto's mouth. Yeah, he's my friend, but he's a bit annoying sometimes. I'm not used to his boldness since I was always in solitary.

"Chunnin Exams, chunnin exams, chunnin exams" he says with a blinding grin on his face.

Hmm, he must be happy to take the exams and be closer to achieve his dream as hokage, I think as I shake my head.

I look to my left to see my Uchiha comrade smirk in satisfaction.

He wants to prove to himself that he's strong, eh.

I turn my head to look at my sister who's shaking in fear. I could see the slight concern on her face, not for us, but for herself.

Is she doubting herself?

"It's gonna be fine, stop being a coward, you got Naruto and Sasuke to protect you, so there's nothing to be afraid of" I say as I start to walk away.

Yeah, we got a pretty solid team to get through this troublesome exam.

Time skip to the Exam registry

After days of honing my basic medical Ninjutsu, wind jutsu, Taijutsu, and endurance, I'm exhausted, but ready for any situation. I know I'm not the best ninja or the strongest, but I'm smart and I know how to fight and defend myself. I also know that I won't give up, no matter what.

I wait under a tree for the rest of my team to arrive since I came a little too early. I notice multiple teams enter the building, a few from the mist, sound, sand, grass, and rock, I also see some gennin from our village as well.

On my right I quickly notice a team, I turn my head and see that it's the sand team we met a few days ago. Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara. I feel my cheeks flush as I lock eyes with the red head. We stare without breaking sight of each other. My heart picks up and beats rapidly, ready to burst out of my chest. What's wrong with me? I see Temari smirk as she notices my flushed state. I quickly look away and try to calm myself down. I clutch my chest as if that's going to help in any way.

Why does he make me act like this? Why him? What is this I'm feeling?

I ignore the feeling and walk forward, I would continue if I didn't crash into something. Or someone. I fall on my butt with a thud. I look up and I silently curse myself. Why me? I watch as the barrier of sand disappears into the gourd. I stand back up and dust my clothes clean.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I didn't see you there" I say as my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Tch, do it again and I'll kill you" Gaara says as he walks away.

"A-ah o-okay" I mutter.

Sheesh, what's up his ass. I seriously need to watch myself so I don't become his next victim,but why am I not scared?

As I stand underneath the shadowing tree, I watch as the orange clad ninja runs up to me in excitement. In the corner of my eye I see Mr. Emo walk walk ever so graceful towards us.

"You guys ready" I ask.

"Hn" he grunts. Really?

"BELIEVE IT!!!" Naruto screeches.

These two are so different, Naruto's loud and careless, but he shines so bright like the Sun. Sasuke's all calm and collected, but everyone admires him like the Moon.

"Alright then, all we need is Sakura" I say before she appears out of no where.

Wow, speak of the devil, you say its name and it appears right in front of you.

"Ready" I say to her.

"Uh, yeah I guess" she replies with a shrug.

I know she's not, but I won't push it, one thing for sure, she's not acting like a bitch towards me. My team walks forward as I walk behind them, trying to add less attention towards me. I said this once and I'll say it again, their outfits scream attention and it's going to get us killed. I mean who dresses in full orange, who wears a blinding bright blue shirt, and lastly someone with pink hair and a cherry red dress. I mean I have pink hair, but not as bright as hers and I dress in all black. I hide in the shadows as they take the spot light.

We walk in the building and climb one set of stairs, a Genjutsu surrounds this floor, but people don't recognize it. My team walks forward, straight o the center of attention. I make my way towards the corner and observe from here.

"Take down the Genjutsu, we're only on the second floor" Sasuke informs boldly.

Murmurs fill the room from Sasuke's outburst, they're obviously confused. They call themselves ninja, they can't even spot a simple Genjutsu. Or maybe they're laying low like me so they don't show they true skill and power.

"Come on Sakura you must've seen this before we even entered the building, you do have the most observant eyes of the group" he says as he lifts her ego.

Aw they're getting along, but I still ship SasuNaru.

"What? Oh right. Of course I saw it, this is only the second floor" she says.

"Huh? So you saw through a weak Genjutsu. Lets see you block this" the boy says before he launches a kick towards Sasuke.

Sasuke, with his massive ego, engages in the fight with his own kick toward the boy. It would've been fun to see who got hurt, but a boy in green spandex stopped the kicks with his hands.

Impressive.

"Lee?! I thought you were the one who said not show our skills" a pale eyed boy says to spandex boy who I learned is named Lee.

Pale eyes? He's a Hyùga, and they're certainly in the strong group. That's one rival, along with Temari.

"But-" Lee cuts himself off as he sees Sakura.

Oh this is good, where's the popcorn when I need it?

"You're Sakura Haruno, correct" he asks.

"Um yes"

"Will you be my girlfriend, I'll protect you with my life" he says with hearts in his eyes.

"Uh, no" she deadpans.

"What, why not" he says dramatically.

"Because you're a weirdo" she says crushing his ego.

Man I feel bad for him.

"You what's your name" Hyùga asks Sasuke.

"I'm not obliged to answer" Sasuke retorts.

"What?!" Hyùga exclaims in anger.

"The person always says his name first before asking" Sasuke says.

"Fine, Neji Hyùga, now yours" he asks.

"Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha" he says showing off his name.

I walk up beside him and elbow him in the side, making him double over. I smirk knowing that I messed up him 'awesome' introduction. I look at the two people in front of me and offer my hand to shake.

"Name's Tsuki Haruno, yours" I introduce myself as I ask for their names.

The girl goes first, "TenTen, pleasure to meet you" she says.

I nod and smile, "same goes for you" I say as I turn to Neji.

"Neji Hyùga" he shakes my hand.

"Sorry for my rude teammate, he let's his ego get in the way much too often. It was nice meeting you, now if you excuse us, we'll be on our way" I say as I grab Sasuke by the hand and meet up with a sulking Naruto and disgusted Sakura.

"Hey what was that for" Sasuke says before we regroup.

"For showing off" I answer quickly.

"Come on, we need to register before it's too late" Sakura says as she leads the way.

We claims the second set of stairs and walk into a empty room. I bet she's lost. We walk across the floor, but we stop as we hear a voice call out to us.

"Hey you, the one with the glare on his face" I see Sasuke turn as well with the rest of us.

There's Lee on the balcony of the upper floor. I turn and ignore them. I walk off to the registry room, not wanting to deal with a fight that boosts the men's ego. Lee and Sasuke just want to see who's stronger. I bet Lee is going to win, I mean he did stop two powerful kicks earlier with just his hands, and that takes a lot of chakra to do that without getting hurt.

I meet Kakashi who's waiting in front of the double doors. He's reading his perverted orange book as usually. I stop in front of him and wait until he acknowledges my presence.

"Where's the rest of the team?" he asks.

"Fighting with someone called Lee, it's mostly Sasuke" I answer.

"Well good, I need to tell you something important"

"What is it" I ask in concern, wanting to know the new information.

"Since the chunnin exams only allow squads of three, you're going to be on your own" he informs.

What?! Alone!! I'm screwed.

I look at him with wide eyes, "so no partners or anything" I say.

"Yup, but you'll do fine, I'm sure of it" he reassures.

Not helping perverted old geezer!! I'm the one alone versus a whole group of enemies.

I sigh, "fine, if it's the only way, I'll do it" I say.

"Good, now do your best" he says as he ruffles my short pink locks.

I sigh again and walk forward. Well, this is it. I open the doors and walk in. The door slams shut and I'm met with foreign eyes. Great. I scan the room, I see gennins from different villages and they're varieties of different ages.

I hug my body and walk towards a desk that's not occupied. I sit and I slam my head on the table. I ignore the pain on my forehead and think about my potential rivals.

Temari, a girl from the Sand village, she's older, she's confident and she seems smart. She had a fan strapped on her back so I'm guessing she has wind nature chakra. Wind and wind are no good, they'll only clash against each other.

TenTen, she seems like a strong girl, I observes her structure and she has muscles in her arms and legs. I don't know what type of fighting she has, so it's a fifty fifty chance that I'll either lose or win.

Neji Hyùga, he comes from a respected clan, and right now they're the strongest clan in Konoha. His style is close combat, and he uses the gentle fist style of Taijutsu, the best of the best Taijutsu. He's arrogant, so he's probably strong and smart if he thinks lowly of others. And I'm a mid to far range fighter so I have a small chance of winning, probably 20 percent. Yup that's a no go.

Let just see where this test takes me.

Well that was Chapter 8, 3269 words. Well I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please give any feedback of the story, comment on your likes, dislikes, your opinions, or you criticism, I take no offence. Also sorry on the late update, I had writers block. Anyways don't forget to

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