Fire Red (Naruto)

The Exams get Complicated!

Upon opening the double doors to the examination room, Aiko was greeted by the faces of many shinobi, the majority older and scarier than she was. Nearly a hundred set of eyes focused on the trio of rookies, many eyes judging, mocking, or angry. However, there were several sets that became calculated, attempting to judge their skill sets by stature alone.

Aiko's cerulean eyes swept across the room, taking in each and every face. She noted that teams 8 and 10 were there already, looking out of place in comparison to the more intimidating shinobi.

"Come on, let's move towards the others," Riichi said, casting an uneasy glance towards the many ninja filling the room. Tension radiated from the boy's body in waves. When Aiko looked closely, she noted the slightest tremors in his fingertips. He was uneasy, perhaps even more so than the redhead herself.

Akemi, however, seemed unfazed. Of course not, the tall girl was far too cheerful to notice the hostility in the air. It wasn't exactly her forte.

The three person squad made their way towards the familiar faces of teams 8 and 10. Shikamaru Nara made a face upon seeing them approaching, his lazy expression never changing as he spoke "Great, you guys are here too? Looks like these exams are gonna be more work than I thought." A low groan escaped the boy as he hung his head, and Aiko had to suppress her amusement. He and Riichi were very similar in their laziness.

Time passed, more people entered the room, most of whom Aiko didn't recognize, although she noted that the sand village team arrived, as well as Lee and Neji's team. Then, finally, Team 7 entered the room, attracting the attention of everyone with how obviously uncomfortable they were. Aiko moved towards the three, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder as she smiled softly, "I'm glad you made it. Wouldn't be a competition without you in it."

Immediately, a bright grin made its way onto his face. Blinding, intoxicating in the way that only a smile from him could be. "Thanks, Aiko! Although, I hope you know I'm going to beat you." He was dead serious too, his eyes had a certain look of determination in them that made it known just how serious he was. The redhead simply smirked, eyes filling with their own determination, "Well, we'll just have to see about that now, won't we?"

"Oh god, now even you are here? This is such a drag." Shikamaru said, walking forward with his hands in his pockets, Ino and Choji walking behind him.

There was a certain sense of nostalgia upon seeing that all the rookies from her year had reunited, and judging by the looks on her teammate's faces, they agreed.

Aiko had to hold back a groan as Ino jumped onto Sasuke's back, saying something or another about his good looks. Sometimes the redhead was sure that her mind held nothing but boys. She and Sakura had that in common.

"Hey what do you know the whole gangs back together again," said Kiba, the hint of a cocky smirk on his face as he walked up as well.

"You guys are here too huh?" Asked Shikamaru, "Man everyone is here for this.. Stupid thing."

"Yup, Rookie 12 is all here!" Kiba said, "this is gonna be fun. At least, for those of us who are good enough to make the cut... Right Sasuke?"

"Kiba, careful you don't get overconfident."

"Just wait," he said, "we're gonna blow you guys away. We've been training like crazy."

"What do you think we've been doing? Sitting on our butts picking daisies?" Naruto pointed at Kiba, "you don't know what training means!"

Aiko sat back, listening to everyone talk as she scanned the room. Almost everyone looked scarier than her, older, more intimidating. But she wasn't one to assume they were all excellent shinobi based on appearances alone. After all, everyone in the room was still a genin, meaning that they had yet to make the cut. Still, she was a fool to not be nervous, going up against any of them blind.. Well it was dangerous in the sense that she didn't know their abilities, strengths and weaknesses.