Chapter 35: Chunin Exams Stage 1

Sakura easily led her team with their signed forms to the appropriate locations after they received their supplies form Kakashi-sensei in the office. None of them were excited about these tests, but they would do their best. Sasuke and Naruto kept to her side and stayed quiet in this most of the time. Neither wanted to draw unnecessary attention to their group and the other genin teams made a bit more noise.

Shino and Shikamaru joined up with Team 7 in silence and awaited their orders from the proctors. It was a matter of minutes before Kabuto approached the other genin while Sakura watched him suspicious and muttered, "There's no way a genin would have info cards. That's an espionage and infiltrator accessory and no one is allowed to specialize so soon. Not to mention how much they cost and what it takes to get that kind of info to fill them."

Shikamaru and Shino nodded agreeing with her observation Shino muttered softly, "If you are amendable to it Sakura-san I can leave a female kikaichu on you in case you need assistance during the exams before the combat stage." Sakura asked kindly, "You mean to track us in case we need you?" Shino explained, "Yes the female releases a pheromone that makes it impossible to hide from me."

Sasuke stepped forward and said softly, "You can plant her on me. Kikaichu eat chakra and I'm not sure she should risk the strain yet. You can still find us that way." Shino nodded and set a female and both Sasuke and Shikamaru nodding politely before moving over to Team Gai and offering the same. If Sakura's eyes didn't deceive her Neji took the female on himself. Each team had a kikaichu on them to help during the exams.

Ibiki stood at the front of the room and eventually all the genin were in seats mixed with other teams. Sakura sat beside a Suna-nin with red hair. She saw Sasuke at his own desk and Naruto sitting next to Hinata. 'So far so good. Looks like they want people to cheat but, looking at these papers I may not need to. She waved at the familiar proctors who weren't henged anymore from the second floor before she began testing.

Sakura smirked and filled out her test in minutes turning hers over strategically after 4 others had done the same giving Sasuke time to cheat off her if needed. She sat back and waited for her team when she felt an uncomfortable pressure coming from the nin next to her. His energy was dark and hungry she placed her hand over her paper, so it wouldn't move. Hearing a slight growl next to her she simply closed her eyes and ignored everyone in the room focusing on Ibiki's energy.

When the time ran out just after the other Suna-nin returned from the bathroom she sat patiently waiting for the final decision on the tests. As the pressure increased from Ibiki in the room she saw several teams give and noticed Naruto starting to raise his hand before he lowered it after meeting her gaze.

Sasuke nodded to both in acceptance as they were going for it. All for one and One for all. They were in this as far as they could go. Soon the pressure increased that only the Suna-nin, 5 of Konoha's teams, the Oto team, and 2 Ame teams remained.

Sakura grinned, 'So far, so good.' Anko broke in the window pleasantly surprised. "Man looks like we got only four teams going to the 3rd stage this time around or less." She cackled as she led the teams to a set of ominous gates. "The Forest of Death kids."

Sakura tuned out as she explained the workings of the second exam correctly guessing this was a mission simulation or survival exercise portion of the exam. "Here we go guys."