Hinata sensei

passing of the second exam

Naruto, along with his team, was on the way to the Tower. It wouldn't be long before they finished the second exam. Only a day had passed. Sasuke has a curse mark, and then he discovers he has a long-lost cousin. It was a lot to take in. Karin was silent; she had not said anything he couldn't blame her; he felt the same way. Two lost relatives meeting each other at the most unlikely place. Just what can he say? There's a lot he wanted to ask her. So much he did not know.

Naruto noticed another person being beaten down by a group of ninja. Being the kind person he is, Naruto couldn't just stand by and let it happen, especially if the victim couldn't fight back. Despite protests from his teammates, Naruto rushed to help and punched the attacking ninja. After subduing them, he offered a hand to the person he had helped, and recognized him as Kabuto.

"Kabuto, where's your team? How did you get separated?" Naruto asked, concerned.

"I got separated, unfortunately. Thank you for coming to my aid when you did," he said with gratitude.

"Naruto, can you not do that again? This whole day has been hell," said Kagome, who was exhausted.

"Are you two heading to the Tower now?" Kabuto asked.

"Well, yeah, we have no reason to be here," Naruto said. His teammates weren't happy that he implied that they had both scrolls.

"Come with us; I'm pretty sure you'll find your team on the way to the Tower." Thank you; it'll be really troublesome to try to get around by myself." His friends didn't argue with Naruto; they decided it was better to travel in big numbers, nor did they think anything of it. He didn't notice the suspicious look on Karin and Sasuke's faces.

Karin did not trust Kabuto; something was off about him. He appeared almost out of nowhere, as if he knew they were heading in the direction they were heading. She had been around enough people in her years and her home village to know someone was playing a part. She didn't know who Kabuto was, but he was suspicious to her. She couldn't voice her suspicions openly, not without drawing attention to herself. She looked at Sasuke and noticed he had the same feeling. He didn't have to say anything; it was almost as if they were on the same wavelength.

He was a spy whom she knew for certain was not who she knew. It was as if he knew everything they were doing. How many spies are there from the sound village? She cannot voice these concerns openly; she would make sure to keep an eye on him and ensure her companions don't make a fatal error, trusting him is a mistake. Naruto was too naive; his naive nature would get him killed one day.

This is what she had gathered from the short time she had interacted with him. He may be a long-lost cousin, but other than blood, they had nothing in common, as far as she knew. Her sensei would be displeased if he saw her as the sole survivor of her squad, the only person left. Her fear and cowardice had gotten her team killed; if only she were stronger, her team would still be alive, and she wouldn't be forced to travel with strangers for protection. How humiliating is that?

They were at the gates, and she knew she couldn't progress further because she was only one in her squad.

"Come with us," Naruto said, trying to get her to come with them.

"I'll talk to them and explain your situation." "You know I can't do that," she said, trying to reason with him. "I heard how they treat people like you in the land of grass. I won't allow you to be beaten or something that was not your fault." Naruto wouldn't let it go, even though she was a stranger, he was willing to protect her.

"You better not complain if all your teammates get disqualified for not following the rules." Karin gave in, the chances were low, but it was better than facing her sensei and being beaten to the inch of her life. She did everything she could to survive; this was no different, and if being with Naruto and his team would increase her chance of survival, then she would take it. She couldn't help but think, "Another member of my family alive, I put those thoughts aside right now; my priority is getting out of here alive, not a family reunion that can wait if I even desire that at all."