Ten Minutes (Naruto fanfiction) EDITING--DO NOT READ!!

Chapter Sixteen - Written Test

After having had their memories erased, the ninjas were slightly dazed, but they were perfectly ready for the Chuunin exams by the next day.

As Tenasiuta walked quietly into the room at which they were to meet, everyone turned her way. Their gazes all lingered on her odd appearance.

"Woah! Ashi-chan!"

She was wearing a white and blue tunic that opened in the back to show ornate, fancy white armor with black trim. The armor split off into six odd sockets from which sprouted small, long wings. Baggy sleeves were penetrated by both Zabuza's sword and a sword with a glowing, blue blade and a black, oddly-shaped hilt.

She was also wearing white boots with odd mechanisms on the sides that sprouted various blades. (------> pic)

Tenashiuta blinked. "Hey, Naruto." She said quietly, making Naruto blink in surprise. She had been all happy and joking again just a while ago, what had happened?

"Hey," a voice called that instantly made Tenashiuta stiffen and her eyes flash a bright crimson. "You're the fresh leaf Genin, right?"

She spun around, a look on her face that very clearly said 'Shut the - up you little-,' but her anger was irrelevant to all, for they were not looking at her face.

While he was ranting about how this wasn't a picnic and they were attracting attention, she was glaring at his face like he had just peed on her copy of Deep Space Nine.  (If you get this reference you are the awesomest person in the entire universe)  Then, he said something that caught her attention.  What he said meant that Sasuke could ask about people.

"Gaara of the Sand, Rock Lee of the Elaf, and..." he glanced at me.  "Tenashiuta of the Leaf."

"Oh." Kabuto said, sounding pleased, and glanced at his ninja info cards.  "You have names.  Good, that makes it easier."  He put one card on the ground and spun it.  First came Lee, then Gaara, then..........................................

BOOM!  The last card blew up just as Tenashiuta's picture flickered into life.  She grinned sadistically and shoved a long tube with a bright red button on the top ino her tunic.  'After all,' she thought, 'can't have them knowing anything.  Not that there was much, but it was still out of her comfort zone.

Just as the Sound nin strode up to Kabuto, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke huddled. 

"Did you see?" Naruto asked, shocked.  "It said that her last name was-"

He suddenly got a dazed look in his eyes, along with the other two, and they shook their heads clear, now having forgotten they had even asked.  From a distance, Tenadhiuta watched them, a sorrowful look on her face.  She uttered an apology before turning away and leaving them to deal with the Sound Nin.

Just at that moment, Ibiki stormed in. "All right you baby-faced denigrates! Pipe down and listen up!"

All heads turned at his entrance, making Tenashiuta snicker. "Melodramatic much?" she muttered under her breath, but no one heard- both due to her soft voice and Ibiki's attention-drawing aura. Tenashiuta rated it orange- sadistic, angry, hidden sadness.

"First off, you sound ninjas! Knock it of! No one gave you permission to fight. Do you want to get disqualified before we've even begun?" Ibiki said threateningly, his glare sending weaker ninjas to the floor in tears.

"Sorry, it's our first time, we just got a little excited, SIR." The sound nin put sarcastic emphasis on 'sir.' Ibiki growled disapprovingly, but begrudgingly replied,

"I should probably mention one thing right away, killing is not permitted. Even when fighting, unless prior say from your protector is added, the use of deadly force is strictly prohibited. Violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification." He turned to the rest of the genin. "I am Ibiki Morino, your protector for this exam and, from now on, your worst enemy."

Tenashiuta rolled her eyes at his 'scary act.' "Please. I've seen better." she muttered, watching him closely. He seemed rather uptight, his shoulders were heavy with lives.

Tenashiuta's POV

My eyes widened as I realized it.

"Ah, a torturer." I spat. "How nice."

"Alright, if you've all got the rules, we can begin! Hand over your paperwork and I'll give you a number. Once you've all sat down, we will start handing out the written exams."

I could see Naruto completely die inside at the word 'written.' He sunk even deeper into depression, if possible, at the word 'exam.'

When it was my number, I yanked it crankily from his hands with a glare and quickly sat before he could retaliate. I stepped quickly with loud taps.

"Stupid..." I hissed, crumbling the number in my hand. I sat down and gripped the edges of the desk until my fingers went through it and clasped themselves into tight fists.

"Alright, listen up! This is how the test works: there will be nine questions on the paper. You get one point deducted for each question you get wrong. You begin with ten points. The tenth question will be presented at the end of the test."

'So it's a point deduction system?' I thought, looking him over and analyzing him. He wasn't done, however.

"You also will get two points deducted for every time you're caught cheating. Get caught five times and you'll be out!"

'Why not just fail whoever's caught?' I suddenly understood. 'So the point is to cheat, hmm? But the stakes haven't been made high enough yet...'

"Lastly, if one team member fails, the rest of the team will also fail!" Ibiki yelled. I could see Sakura and Sasuke glare at Naruto, who was now drooping so low that his chin hit the table. I shook my head with a sigh.

The tests were handed out and Ibiki looked at a clock. "Begin!" Papers were flipped over. I grinned and began to prep myself to cheat. When no one was looking, I made my move.

I only needed to hum a little to activate it. Both my eyes glowed crimson red and everything around me slowed down to the point where it appeared frozen. It would take 100 years for them to move a centimeter. Literally.

I stood and leisurely walked around until I found a paper already full. I brought the paper over to my desk, copied down the answers, and then replaced the paper. I sat down and released my kekkei genkai, then just waited.

After I had waited for quite a long time, Ibiki shouted, "Pencils down, and listen up! The rules for the tenth question are as follows!"

I could tell from the look on Naruto's face that he obviously didn't even have a question done.  Tenashiuta chuckled a bit under her breath before her gaze turned to Ibiki in all seriousness.  It was now time for the final question.

"Okay, first of all, you can choose to quit right now!  You and your team will all leave and your journey will be over."  Everyone gasped.

"Why would we do that?" Someone asked.  I was too focused on Ibiki's aura and expression to tell who it was.  "We've come this far, why drop out now?"

"Because," Ibiki chuckled sadistically, "If you do the question, but fail, you will not only be sent away... but be barred from ever taking the Chuunin exams again!"

People gasped and broke out in lolud complaints.  I was focused right on Ibiki.  Something seemed off... why would that happen?  There's no other reason to send us away unless the question was ridiculously easy, and, in that case, why would it be included?  If it's meant to scare people off, to test their courage, that might be it.. no! Wait!  He's trying to hint that you can never just quit a mission and try again next time!

By the end of my realization, Naruto, a few rows ahead of me, was shakily raising his hand.  My eyes widened as I saw it go up further... and further... 'No,' I thought desperately.

Suddenly, his expression steeled and his hand slammed back down on the desk.  "No!" He yelled, eyes squeezed shut.  "I won't give up or run away!  Even if I can't take the Chuunin exams, there are other ways that I can become Hokage!"

Ibiki mercilessly tried to make him changed his mind, but everyone was now gaining courage.  I smiled softly as I saw him, stubborn as a pig.  'Just like Naruto to completely give everyone else courage.'  I thought.

"Okay..." Ibiki said.  "For all who still remain.. congratulations!  You have passed this exam!"

'I knew it.'