I'm the new Sakura Haruno! CHA!

The Preliminary Rounds

I had stayed in my room the entire time, only now coming out. I stood isolated, a few feet away from the others. The jonins obviously noticed Sai walk over and show me some of his drawings.

One was of Orochimaru, one of the forest itself and a few of random animals and genin. I myself had drawn my mother without her horns and showed him.

"Kaguya-San? I read that people are supposed to give others nicknames. Can I call you little blue?" I hummed.

It was cute. "Sure little artist." I patted his head as the rounds started. It went the exact same as last time. Sasuke still had the curse mark. But this time Kabuto was still here. I'm guessing either me or Sai are going to fight him. I might get Ino like in the anime, but Sai replaced me.

I ended up falling asleep, the sensei I was given keeping watch. When I woke up, I saw my name along with Kabuto's. I let out a small grin. Lee was still here meaning Gaara and him didnt fight yet.

I landed in the arena.

"KICK HER ASS KABUTO-SAN!" I twitched seeing Naruto yell. Annoying. Sasuke was gone, most likely resting after his sealing. Kakashi was here though.

"I'll go easy on you because you're such a little girl." I heard Anko grumble about sexism.

I stared Kabuto dead in the eye. "Then should I go easy on you?" I saw Ibiki smirk out of the corner of my eye as Kabuto glared.

"Hajime!" I leapt back as Kabuto summoned his chakra scalpels. Be raced at me and tried to hit me but to everyone's shock went through me. I had picked up a few things from Zetsu, one being able to use my chakra to go through things.

He tripped and I took the chance to kick him in the back. The shocked gasps were worth it. And so were the shout of 'So youthful!'

Kabuto was up very fast, trying his best to land a hit. He showed his real speed and I couldn't stop my bloodthirsty grin. I grabbed my katana, which I had changed to look like Shinobu's for now and lept onto the statue of Hashirama's hands.

I lept into the air and pulled it out of the sheath, decending with incredible speed. Kabuto managed to dodge, only getting a small cut. That was enough.

I put my blade away and engaged in a fierce taijustu battle. The poison from my blade caused him to slow down greatly. I quickly overpowered Kabuto with my immense strength. I hit him directly in the face, sending him flying into a wall. He didn't get up and I was declared the winner of the watch.

Instead of turning away and leaving Kabuto to his wounds like everyone thought I would, I helped him sit up and healed them myself. He woke up as I finished healing his broken jaw and stared at me in surprise.

"That was one hell of a fight Kabuto." I instantly lept back up and laid down, seeing Shikamaru come over. He looked interested. He sat down next to me and watched the matches.

"That was a nice strategy." I glanced at him.

"Thank you." I saw his eyes gain a hopeful gleam as he glanced at me.

"Do you wanna play Shoji sometime?" I perked up. Shoji was fun as hell and no offence to the Akatsuki but they sucked. The only reason Itachi won was by using his Sharingan.

"Sure. I haven't had a good game in a while."

I ended up falling asleep, waking up after the last match. Sai fought Ino as expected, and everything else was the same. I did admit I felt bad for Lee and Hinata, but history has to continue to bring mother back.

The fights were assigned and I was fighting Sai. I walked with Shikamaru as he questioned me about Ame. I answered to the best of my ability and he seemed very satisfied.

He opened the door to his house and led me in, taking off our shoes. We passed by his mother who hadn't seen me yet.

"Shikamaru! Welcome home! How were the exams?" He groaned and I chuckled, drawing her attention to me.

Her smile became a little strained at my headband, but it wasn't forced.

"Oh? Who is this preety young lady?" I giggled, seeing her relax a bit.

"I'm Kaguya Tsuki. It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Nara."

She looked surprised. "Aren't you the cousin of Haruno-San? The one the village is talking about? I'm sorry for your loss dear. And please call me Yoshino." I gave her a fake sad smile.

"Alright Yoshino-San. Ame has ways to help us try to move past the deaths of friends. I'm fine." She sighed but nodded. Shikamaru grabbed my arm and led me to the Shoji room. His father didn't seem to home, so I went all out. We sat there for hours on a single game.

We noticed his father get home and watch us after the second hour but paid no mind to him.

We were neck and neck, traps set up across the board. He moved his last rook and I saw he wanted me to take it. Instead I took out his last tower, leaving his king open for several attacks from all sides. I won the game at last and glanced at the clock. It had been almost seven hours.

"That was a good game Shikamaru. You chose a damn good player." I smiled at Shikaku, feeling pride. I said my goodbyes a little while later, heading to the hotel. I was about to go to sleep, but my ring began to heat up, telling me Pein wanted me.

I let my consciousness drift into the ring and showed up in his office, him alone. He noticed my surprisingly happy form and sighed.

"Sakura I apologize for calling you here so late. I need to tell you that now that you are in the final rounds, I will be there for that last fights. I'm taking two jonin with me and a lot of Ame's people to watch. I'm stealing a scroll so don't try to stop any Ame nin." I nodded.

"Are the others going to be there? There are two of the nine Jinchuuriki." His eyes narrowed. "And Orochimaru is here." He sat up straight.

"Then yes. We will all be there." I grinned.

"Thank you." He waved at me.

"We're done here. Now go get some sleep you night owl."

Meanwhile with Shikamaru:

"Admit it! You think she's cute! I know it!"

"MOM PLEASE NO-"

"Shikamaru you know she's right."

"Dad?! You're supposed to be on my side!" Both of the older Naras were laughing, teasing their son about the beautiful girl he had played Shoji with.