His Little Bird [A Naruto Fanfiction] [Shikamaru x OC]

[16] The Test

AN: Wow, I can't believe it's already been pretty much 17 chapters. I feel like I haven't written anything of importance, lmfao. I'm sorry about that, but I promise HELLA STUFF IS GONNA HAPPEN RIGHT HERE. Okay not right here but REALLY REALLY SOON I PROMISE. I have so much planned, like I have shit planned out up until the fight with Pain. I am so ready for that fight. I have so many things. So. Many. I dream about this shit, people. I have no life anymore and it's all because of this stupid show and stupid Shikamaru. 

*clears throat*

As it were, this song is Wizard by Martin Garrix & Jay Hardway (Yellow Claw Remix). This song is pretty much what I see as the soundtrack to anxiety attacks - how erratic they are, and it reminds me pretty well of how I feel during a test. Considering all the stress that's going on in this test, I feel like it's pretty much perf. 

Anyway... uh... enjoy?

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The 168 Chunin hopefuls all grabbed their numbers, moving into place at their seats. Sen got number 113, and she sat next to two people she didn't know. Several rows in front of her was Sakura, and Sasuke one row in front of her. Ino sat further down the same row she was in, and Shikamaru a row behind her. Overall, there was no way that any of the friends would be able to help each other out if one was struggling. She could hardly even see Ukon and Hiroe, who were at the very back and the very front of the room, respectively. Instead of worrying too much about her own issues, she turned to look at Naruto, who appeared to be having a bit of a meltdown in the front of the group. At least the lucky fool got to sit next to Hinata. That girl would give up her answers to him any time, and Sen knew the kid would need all the help he could get. 

Suddenly, Ibiki smacked the chalkboard at the front of the classroom with a piece of chalk, his body facing the group of Genin, a stern glare on his face. "Everyone, eyes front. There are a few rules you need to be aware of. And I won't answer any questions, so you better pay attention the first time around."

Sen was a little shocked at just how harsh this man was, but per his word, she wouldn't say a thing. At least not out loud. Something tells me this test isn't going to be as easy as I thought... She groaned internally, looking at Akai who sat on the table in front of her. It certainly was nice being able to communicate with her hawks without talking anymore. She'd discovered the ability a little while after returning from the C-Rank mission, where she'd originally believed that she could only do this while in hawk form. Sen turned away from her hawk, petting him absentmindedly as she observed the Chunin lining the outer ring of the classroom and listened to Ibiki speak.

"Alright, rule number one is this. The written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you may be used to, you all begin the test with a perfect score of ten points. One point will be deducted for each answer you get wrong, so if you miss three, your final score will be seven. Rule number two, teams will pass or fail based on the total number of scores of all three members."

Sen's jaw dropped at the announcement of rule number two, and her head wrenched around to find Ukon's gaze. The two stared at each other, worry echoing in their eyes. Sen knew the three of them were smart, but that didn't mean that they were good enough to get these questions right, or pass all together. Sen turned her gaze to Hiroe, who didn't even turn to look at her. He didn't look worried in the slightest, and Sen didn't know why she was surprised by that. The boy had a quiet confidence about him - or maybe it was arrogance - that, despite all of his creepy tendencies, could put her at ease in the most stressful of situations. When she'd first met him, she would have called that confidence the creepiest thing about him, but after all the missions they'd done together, she was glad that he was the silent, stoic type. It would be a disaster if they were all like Ukon.