Quietly, Yours

One month had passed since Sasuke had found himself reluctantly roped into Team Seven, and somehow, even more reluctantly, dragged along to Ichiraku Ramen. He wasn't sure how he'd ended up sandwiched between Naruto and Sakura. It certainly hadn't been his plan. He'd been the first to sit down, not caring who sat where. But Naruto had dropped himself immediately to Sasuke's left, eyes narrowing and filled with resentment the moment Sakura naturally took the seat on Sasuke's right.

It wasn't his fault that Sakura hadn't chosen to sit beside Naruto. The dobe was glaring daggers at him, his irritation painfully obvious. Sasuke ignored it, or at least pretended to, slurping noodles with quiet annoyance. Every so often, he felt Naruto's stare sharpen, as if Sasuke had committed some horrible betrayal by simply existing next to Sakura. It made Sasuke’s temples pulse faintly in frustration.

He felt the sudden rush of cool air and heard Teuchi warmly greet someone else entering the shop, but Sasuke didn't bother looking. Instead, he focused on eating quietly, until Naruto loudly slurped a mouthful of noodles, splashing broth onto Sasuke's cheek.

"Naruto," Sasuke snapped sharply, swiping broth from his skin with the back of his hand. "Watch it."

Naruto completely ignored his complaint. Sasuke scowled as the blonde eagerly turned around and waved enthusiastically. "Hey, Hinata! Glad you made it!"

Sasuke stiffened slightly, glancing briefly over his shoulder. Hinata stood at the doorway, fingers nervously pressing together, her lavender eyes shyly darting toward Naruto. She looked every bit the timid little mouse, and Sasuke couldn't stop the irritation bubbling beneath his skin. It was the same shy gesture she'd always done, the one he'd once thought endearing, but now it annoyed him deeply. He turned back around, biting back a huff.

"Hinata!" Sakura greeted warmly, leaning slightly around Sasuke. "Where are Kiba and Shino?"

Hinata smiled softly, looking grateful for Sakura's kindness. "Oh, um...they're running a little behind."

Sakura patted the empty seat beside her. "Come sit by me."

Sasuke watched Hinata hesitate, her pale gaze drifting toward Naruto, who had already spun back around, eagerly devouring another bowl. Hinata quickly averted her gaze, disappointment flickering across her face. With a small sigh, she quietly took the seat beside Sakura instead.

He let out a quiet grunt and shook his head, returning his attention to his ramen. Beside him, Naruto elbowed him roughly, leaning in to whisper in a voice that wasn't subtle at all, "Hey, Sasuke, you think Hinata would switch seats with me so I can sit next to Sakura-chan?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him, annoyed. "I don't know, but it's probably a stupid idea."

Naruto whined childishly, visibly distressed. "But when the rest of her team gets here, one of them will sit next to me! I don't wanna sit next to dog breath or the creepy bug guy. I wanna sit next to Sakura-chan!"

"You're being a baby," Sasuke said flatly, unimpressed. He knew exactly what would happen if Naruto asked Hinata something like that. He’d watched her pine after him for years, always hiding her disappointment behind gentle smiles and quiet sighs. Sasuke didn’t want the idiot to hurt her. He knew all too well how it felt to quietly ache in silence. He refused to let Naruto's obliviousness break her heart tonight, no matter how annoying she currently was.

Naruto puffed his cheeks, fuming. "Then you switch with me! Stop hogging Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke glared at him coolly. "I'm not hogging anyone. I sat down first, and I'm not moving."

Naruto muttered something under his breath, sulking and jabbing at his ramen with chopsticks, but Sasuke didn't bother listening. His attention shifted discreetly, noticing Sakura leaning close to Hinata, whispering something conspiratorial.

"Does Naruto know yet?" Sakura asked quietly, eyes sparkling mischievously.

Hinata flushed scarlet instantly, her stammered words stumbling awkwardly, "S-Sakura-chan! I-I don't know w-what you're talking about!"

Sasuke snorted softly in amusement at her embarrassment, earning a sharp, embarrassed glare from Hinata. Her puffed-up cheeks were bright red, her expression so flustered that Sasuke smirked openly at her discomfort. When Sakura began turning toward him, however, his expression reverted back to its usual stoicism, effectively hiding any trace of amusement behind a carefully practiced mask.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura asked, oblivious to his earlier amusement, her voice hopeful and curious. "Are you looking forward to the Chunin exam's written test?"

He sighed inwardly, thinking briefly of the upcoming challenges. It was just another stepping stone, another obstacle on his path to strength. He shrugged lightly, his expression detached.

"It doesn't matter," he replied calmly. "I'll pass it either way."

Sakura’s eyes brightened immediately, her cheeks coloring slightly as she turned toward Sasuke, a smile blooming across her face. "Of course you'll pass, Sasuke-kun! You're easily the smartest one in our class."

Naruto nearly choked on his ramen, spluttering indignantly. "Hey! I'm smart too—smarter than Sasuke!"

Sakura shot Naruto a heated glare, her voice cutting sharp. "Be quiet, Naruto! No one asked you!"

Naruto instantly deflated, shoulders slumping as he sulked into his bowl, grumbling under his breath. Sasuke exhaled softly, pressing his fingers briefly against his temples as the throbbing ache of an oncoming headache began. Being trapped between these two was exhausting, the constant cycle of Naruto’s outbursts and Sakura’s irritated rebukes wearing thin on his nerves.

Before he could say anything to quiet them, Kiba’s boisterous voice echoed into the ramen stand, cutting through the chaos. "Alright, the rest of Team Eight has arrived!"

Naruto spun around on his stool, eyes already narrowed. "Oh great, dog breath is here."

Kiba immediately bristled, jabbing a finger towards Naruto. "You wanna say that again, whiskers? I couldn't hear you over your obnoxious voice."

The two immediately descended into loud, pointless bickering, Naruto’s shrill protests clashing with Kiba’s sarcastic comebacks. Sasuke grimaced inwardly, feeling the dull ache behind his eyes intensify. He caught a glimpse of Shino attempting to speak quietly, clearly trying to make a comment on their bickering, but predictably, no one paid attention to the quiet Aburame boy.

No one, Sasuke noted with a faint twitch of amusement, except Hinata. She smiled shyly at Shino, giving him her full attention, and the insect user nodded slightly. "Thank you for always listening, Hinata."

Hinata’s gentle smile widened a bit as she softly replied, "Of course, Shino-kun."

Shaking his head slightly at the absurdity of it all, Sasuke watched as Shino calmly took the stool furthest from the commotion. Kiba, on the other hand, threw himself down heavily beside Naruto, still bickering under their breaths.

After a moment, Kiba leaned forward across the counter, his tone shifting to something a bit more serious. "Hey, you guys ready for that written test tomorrow?" he asked, glancing around at everyone. "I hear it's pretty tough."

Naruto’s confident bravado appeared again in an instant. "Ha! Of course we’re ready! It's just some dumb written test, right? No sweat!"

Sakura rolled her eyes dramatically, elbow propped on the counter. "Naruto, it's not just 'some dumb test.' They say it's really tricky and designed specifically to weed out people who don't pay attention."

Naruto faltered slightly at that, shifting uncomfortably. "W-well, it's still not gonna stop me from passing!"

Kiba snorted loudly. "Yeah, right. I bet you'll get caught cheating in the first ten minutes."

"I would never cheat!" Naruto snapped, turning red-faced as he jabbed his chopsticks aggressively at Kiba. "And what about you, dog breath? You can't even sit still long enough to write your name!"

Kiba bristled, growling under his breath. "I can sit still just fine, whiskers! Better than you anyway."

Shino quietly lifted his voice, calm and unbothered as always. "The test isn’t solely about intelligence. It's about strategy, observation, and teamwork."

Naruto waved his chopsticks dismissively. "Whatever, bug guy! That still sounds boring to me."

"Naruto-kun," Hinata interjected gently, her soft voice hesitant yet earnest, "Shino-kun's right. M-maybe we should take it more seriously…just to be safe?"

Naruto paused, momentarily silenced by Hinata’s soft words. "Well, I guess if you're worried about it…"

"I'm not worried," Kiba boasted, grinning confidently. "Team Eight is gonna crush this."

"Not if Team Seven gets there first!" Naruto declared loudly, puffing out his chest.

Sasuke sighed inwardly, losing patience with the back-and-forth. "It's pointless arguing over this," he muttered evenly, eyes half-lidded and expression weary. "Either you'll pass or you won't. All you can do is prepare yourself and deal with whatever comes."

Everyone quieted briefly at Sasuke’s blunt assessment. Sakura nodded decisively, admiration evident in her eyes. "Sasuke-kun’s right. There's no point worrying about it now."

Naruto pouted, muttering reluctantly, "Yeah, whatever."

Kiba huffed slightly, but seemed to accept it. "Fine, fine. Guess we'll see who passes tomorrow."

Sasuke returned silently to his ramen, grateful at last for the quiet. Around him, conversation resumed, this time softer, more relaxed, as everyone finally settled into acceptance. Though he’d never admit it, he was slightly relieved that they'd stopped shouting.

At least, for now.

After everyone finished up their meals, a comfortable silence settled over Ichiraku as each of them paid and started to file out into the street. Sasuke lingered behind, finishing the last of his ramen in quiet contemplation. One by one, his peers said their goodbyes until, eventually, only Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke remained behind beneath the warm glow of Ichiraku's lanterns.

Naruto shifted uneasily beside Sasuke, his blue eyes flickering restlessly between him and Hinata, who was quietly placing her chopsticks down. The sudden, strange silence from Naruto made Sasuke pause, raising an eyebrow skeptically at his teammate’s odd behavior.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, cheeks tinged a faint pink as he scowled awkwardly at the floor. "Hey, uh…Sasuke. You wanna, you know…" He cleared his throat roughly, clearly embarrassed by his own question. "You wanna train or something?"

Sasuke blinked slowly, momentarily taken aback. Naruto rarely, if ever, willingly asked him to train. His gaze slid toward Hinata, who subtly nodded at him, her gentle eyes encouraging him quietly from behind Naruto's oblivious back. Sasuke's expression softened just a fraction. She’d clearly put Naruto up to this.

He grunted softly, looking away from Naruto's earnest gaze. "Fine. I suppose I can spare some time. But I'm not holding back."

Naruto instantly perked up, the embarrassment melting away into pure excitement as he grinned broadly. "Ha! Like I'd want you to hold back, Sasuke! I'll show you I'm stronger!"

As Naruto celebrated, Hinata quietly stood from her stool, offering a gentle smile. "I-I enjoyed eating with you both," she said softly, preparing to slip away.

Sasuke stopped her abruptly. "Hinata," he said calmly, eyes sharp and direct. "You should train with us."

She hesitated, eyes widening as she waved her hands anxiously. "O-oh, um, I wouldn't want to get in the way—"

"You wouldn't," Sasuke interrupted firmly. "You and Naruto can team up against me."

Naruto practically bounced with excitement, eyes bright. "Yeah, Hinata! C'mon, we can totally kick this teme’s ass together! It'll be great!"

Hinata flushed furiously, giving Sasuke a quick, pointed glance filled with embarrassed bewilderment as if silently accusing him of betraying. He stared back impassively, unrepentant. He knew better than anyone how much she secretly longed for Naruto to notice her strength, to see her clearly.

After a brief, hesitant pause, Hinata nodded softly. "I…I suppose I wouldn't mind."

As they headed toward the training grounds, Naruto immediately fell into step beside Hinata, chatting enthusiastically about all the ways they’d definitely beat Sasuke. Sasuke walked a step behind, hands buried in his pockets, silently observing. Hinata’s cheeks stayed permanently flushed, her responses mostly stammers and quiet nods, but Sasuke knew that beneath her shyness, she was happy, happier than she’d ever openly admit. The sight made him smirk slightly, despite himself.

When they finally reached the empty training field, Naruto wasted no time. "Let's go!" he shouted, launching himself at Sasuke in a rush of reckless excitement.

Sasuke immediately pivoted, gracefully dodging Naruto’s energetic strikes, easily blocking the blows with his forearms. Naruto’s fighting style was reckless but surprisingly relentless, each punch thrown with force and determination. Sasuke quickly settled into a defensive rhythm, his dark eyes sharp, scanning his opponent for any opening.

From the corner of his vision, he caught Hinata quietly moving, circling around to attack from behind. Her stance was careful, precise. Just as Naruto feinted left, Sasuke twisted sharply, catching Hinata’s strike aimed at his chakra points. He deflected her gentle-fist blows smoothly, redirecting her momentum harmlessly to the side.

"Too slow," he muttered sharply, spinning on his heel to block Naruto again, who’d lunged back into the fray with renewed determination.

Naruto growled in frustration, attacking faster, each punch wild and passionate. Sasuke met his strikes calmly, every block and counter executed with practiced ease. Even as Naruto grew more desperate, shouting taunts and pushing harder, Sasuke maintained control, eyes darkly serious.

"Hinata, now!" Naruto suddenly shouted, signaling urgently as Sasuke found himself briefly cornered against a cluster of trees. Hinata rushed forward, pale eyes locked onto Sasuke's movements.

"Right!" she answered, her voice steady, quiet determination radiating from her.

Naruto leaped high, forcing Sasuke's attention upward, while Hinata swiftly closed the gap beneath, palms glowing faintly with chakra. Sasuke, for the first time, felt momentarily pressed as they coordinated seamlessly. Naruto attacking from above, Hinata below.

Their teamwork nearly trapped him, Hinata’s precise strikes almost landing against Sasuke's chest, narrowly avoided as he twisted sharply, feeling the ghost of her chakra brush past him. Sasuke pivoted swiftly, gathering chakra into his feet as he leaped upward and over their combined attack.

Landing gracefully behind Hinata, he wasted no time, sweeping her legs out from under her with a precise, controlled kick, knocking her backward. She fell, startled, but Naruto lunged instantly, catching her and skidding to a halt.

"Oi, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted angrily, tightening his grip protectively around Hinata’s shoulders. "This is just training! Don’t be so rough with her!"

Annoyance prickled hot beneath Sasuke’s skin, deepening the scowl on his face. Naruto gently helped Hinata to her feet, concern clearly written on his face as he quietly asked, "Hey, you okay, Hinata?"

Before Hinata could answer, Sasuke clicked his tongue sharply, irritation surging forth. "She's fine. Stop babying her, Naruto."

Naruto glared fiercely at Sasuke, clearly offended. "It's just supposed to be a spar, teme! You didn't have to—"

"I know it’s a spar," Sasuke snapped harshly, eyes narrowed into dark slits. "It's not my fault you two are both too weak to even scratch me."

Hinata visibly flinched at his cutting words, her head dipping slightly in quiet hurt. Sasuke instantly regretted his harshness, annoyance turning inward as guilt twisted uncomfortably inside his chest. He clenched his jaw, turning away sharply to hide his reaction.

A tense silence filled the training ground, Naruto’s fists tightening at his sides. Sasuke refused to look back, staring stubbornly at the distant horizon, heart still thudding with restless agitation. He’d only spoken the truth. He had no reason to feel guilty, he told himself.

Yet even as he justified it, the image of Hinata’s wounded expression lingered uncomfortably in his mind. Sasuke’s grip tightened involuntarily, irritation aimed inward more than anyone else. He was used to hurting Naruto’s feelings, he'd never particularly cared before, but Hinata’s quiet disappointment burned.

"Let's just stop," Sasuke finally muttered bitterly, voice clipped and tight. "We're done for today."

Naruto looked ready to argue, clearly brimming with outrage, but Hinata gently touched his arm, quietly shaking her head. "Naruto-kun, it's okay…Sasuke-kun is right," she whispered softly, her voice strained yet composed. "I-I need to get stronger."

Naruto hesitated, his expression conflicted, before finally nodding slowly. "Fine…but I'll definitely beat you next time, Sasuke!"

Sasuke didn’t respond, merely turning away abruptly, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. He refused to admit aloud that the spar had unsettled him, far more than he’d expected.

He started walking away, jaw clenched tightly as he heard Hinata softly reassuring Naruto behind him. The feeling burning low in his chest, a tangled mess of irritation and regret, wasn't something Sasuke wanted to examine too closely. Instead, he pushed it deep down, deciding firmly to dismiss it as another distraction.

Because distractions had no place in the path he'd chosen, no matter how persistent they were becoming.

X X X

Hinata walked quietly along the road toward Kurenai-sensei’s home, the soft patter of Sasuke’s footsteps trailing silently behind her. She could sense his brooding presence, so still, so withdrawn ever since their sparring session earlier with Naruto. Her mind replayed Naruto's cheerful invitation for ramen and how he'd happily remarked he'd enjoyed eating ramen with her before. Hinata hadn't even been able to process what Naruto had asked, because at that exact moment, Sasuke had looked at her with an intense, almost irritated glare. His expression startled her, leaving her speechless. Before she could muster the courage to reply, Naruto had shrugged her silence off, waved goodbye, and disappeared into the fading sunlight.

It troubled her, the way Sasuke looked at her, like he was disappointed or frustrated. She'd cautiously asked him why he'd given her such a look, but Sasuke had simply folded his arms over his chest, frowning stubbornly and muttering, "I didn't give you a look."

Sasuke had always been a mystery, his dark eyes hiding his emotions beneath layers of cold indifference. He'd grown even more withdrawn lately, his sharp features often shadowed with a distant and lonely sort of anger. Hinata noticed these things. How his brows knitted together in frustration when he trained, how he clenched his jaw tightly whenever someone mentioned something that reminded him of his clan. Sasuke was strong, yes, but beneath all that quiet strength and stoicism, Hinata could always sense his vulnerability, his desperate determination to not show anyone he was hurting. It broke her heart to see him silently carrying that heavy burden alone.

She glanced nervously over her shoulder, heart skipping painfully when she realized Sasuke was still glaring at her from behind, his hands buried deep within his pockets. Immediately, she stopped walking, shrinking back slightly from the intensity of his stare. Her voice trembled as she faced him hesitantly.

"S-Sasuke-kun," she murmured softly, nervously tapping her fingers together. "W-why…why are you looking at me l-like that? You're…you're being mean…"

His hardened expression immediately faltered, as if he'd suddenly realized he was scowling. He blinked, then turned away sharply, cheeks tinting the faintest shade of pink.

"I wasn't looking at you like anything," Sasuke muttered defensively, frustration evident in the furrow of his brow. "I was just thinking about something. Didn't realize I was glaring."

Hinata watched him silently, her lips gently curving into a relieved smile at his awkward admission. Seeing him pout slightly, though he'd never openly admit to pouting, made warmth flutter gently inside her chest. He was always like this: acting tough, trying not to admit how he really felt.

She turned back around slowly, starting to walk again, but Sasuke's quiet voice halted her immediately.

"…Do you want to eat onigiri with me?"

Surprised, she quickly glanced back at him. Sasuke wasn't looking at her, his dark eyes staring stubbornly at a spot somewhere to the side. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her lips, warmth blossoming fully as she whispered shyly, "I'd like that very much, Sasuke-kun."

He finally glanced back at her, carefully schooling his expression into something unreadable again, though a faint trace of embarrassment lingered on his cheeks. Quietly, he pulled an onigiri wrapped neatly in cloth from his pouch, extending it to her without saying a word.

"Thank you," Hinata whispered softly, taking the snack gratefully into her hands.

Sasuke took a breath, eyes still stubbornly averted. "During the spar today, you hesitated too much. Your stance was good, but when Naruto distracted me, you wasted the opening. Next time…" He paused, brows knitting slightly as he chose his words. "Next time, trust yourself more. Don't doubt your abilities. Take advantage of every chance you have."

Hinata smiled warmly, her cheeks pink from both the advice and the gentle sincerity behind his words. "I'll remember that. Thank you, Sasuke-kun. You always know what I need to improve on."

He only grunted softly in acknowledgment, turning away quickly toward the bench at the edge of the street. Hinata followed quietly, settling herself next to him. The evening air was gentle around them as they unwrapped their onigiri, quietly eating side-by-side in comfortable silence.

As she finished her snack, Hinata glanced timidly toward Sasuke. "I'm…nervous about the written exam tomorrow," she admitted quietly, staring down at her hands. "I-I hope I'll be able to pass."

Sasuke's voice, calm and certain, answered almost immediately. "Don't worry about it. You're smart enough to pass easily."

Hinata blinked, startled, her cheeks flushing warmly from his simple compliment. She peeked up at him shyly, seeing Sasuke staring ahead, his expression carefully blank as he took a casual bite from his onigiri.

"T-Thank you," she whispered softly, hugging her hands to her chest. She felt oddly comforted hearing Sasuke believe in her so surely.

He didn't respond further, but she knew that was just Sasuke-kun's way. Words had never come easily for him, not after everything he'd endured. But he had always been her best friend, in his own quiet, guarded way.

An easy silence settled once more between them, both quietly staring out at the darkening sky. She found herself smiling, content in his company, until her eyes caught sight of a tiny grain of rice clinging stubbornly to the corner of Sasuke's mouth. Without thinking, she reached forward and gently brushed it away with her fingertips.

Sasuke froze completely, eyes widening in startled embarrassment as he jerked his head to stare at her, clearly caught off guard. Hinata immediately retracted her hand, her entire face flaming red as she stammered hurriedly, "I-I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun! Y-You had rice—"

His face had turned a deep shade of crimson, his usually calm composure entirely shattered as he sputtered defensively, "I—I could've gotten it myself!"

They both stared at each other awkwardly, faces burning, hearts racing. After a few painfully silent seconds, Hinata quietly broke into a nervous giggle, covering her mouth shyly.

Sasuke watched her incredulously, still blushing. After a hesitant pause, a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and a tiny, rare chuckle escaped him before he could stop it.

"…You're such an idiot sometimes," he muttered, amusement softening his tone into quiet warmth.

Hinata smiled fondly at him, heart swelling gently inside her chest. Beneath all his stubborn pride and cold aloofness, Sasuke truly was a gentle, caring person, a friend she cherished more than anything. And sitting here beside him, smiling together beneath the twilight sky, she felt happy and at peace, grateful to have him by her side. She hoped he’d alays be there.

X X X

Chunin Exams: Written Exam…

Sasuke moved silently through the bustling hallway alongside Naruto and Sakura, the tension in the air nearly tangible as they approached the examination room. Every footstep echoed sharply against cold, tiled floors, heightening his awareness. Naruto, predictably, was already boasting loudly about how easily he’d pass, while Sakura sighed wearily beside them, trying her best to keep him in check. Sasuke paid little attention, his thoughts fixed sharply ahead, focused solely on the challenge before them.

As they rounded a corner, he immediately noticed a crowd blocking the doorway ahead. The murmur of frustrated voices reached him before he clearly saw the commotion. Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing the group of genin gathered, particularly Team Gai. His gaze landed quickly on Hyuga Neji, standing tall, arms folded, his expression cold and distant.

Sasuke knew exactly who Neji was. Hinata’s cousin, someone from the Hyuga clan. Beyond that, Sasuke knew little, aside from the fact Neji was a prodigy, spoken about with cautious reverence by instructors at the academy. Hinata had rarely mentioned him, and Sasuke had never cared enough to ask. Still, the cold, indifferent confidence radiating off Neji annoyed Sasuke instinctively. He reminded him a little too much of himself, aloof, guarded, yet somehow more arrogant.

Near Neji stood Rock Lee, animated and persistent as he argued loudly with the two supposed examiners barring the doorway. Sasuke could immediately see through the flimsy illusion, a genjutsu designed to confuse weaker shinobi. He scoffed quietly to himself. Any shinobi who couldn’t notice something this simple had no business participating in these exams at all.

Just as Naruto opened his mouth to loudly intervene, Sasuke placed a firm hand on his shoulder, gripping tightly.

"Wait, Naruto," he muttered evenly, glancing sidelong at his teammate. Naruto shot him a confused look, clearly impatient, but Sasuke kept his grip firm, silently nodding toward the commotion.

Sakura, ever observant, caught Sasuke’s meaning instantly, her eyes widening in realization. Naruto followed their gazes, finally understanding.

A few seconds later, Rock Lee tumbled backward onto the floor, knocked down easily by the disguised shinobi. Sasuke’s brow twitched slightly in annoyance. Weakness irritated him, but something about Lee’s stubborn persistence intrigued him. Lee quickly pushed himself up, determination clear on his bruised face. He was not about to back down.

Neji stepped forward, coolly addressing his teammate. "Lee, stop embarrassing yourself," he said coldly. "This is pointless."

Neji’s words annoyed Sasuke, hearing such dismissal irritated something deep inside his chest. Perhaps because Sasuke recognized the distant, condescending tone all too well from the academy days when others whispered behind his back, or perhaps simply because it reminded him of Hinata's occasional anxious expressions, quietly withdrawn and uncertain, each time the Hyuga clan was mentioned. But he pushed that thought aside roughly, refocusing his attention ahead.

"Let’s go," Sasuke finally said, his voice low and commanding as he strode toward the gathering. Naruto and Sakura quickly followed, Naruto loudly complaining as he always did, and Sakura whispering anxiously.

As they moved closer, Sasuke glanced briefly again at Neji, whose pale eyes flicked over him coldly. They locked gazes for the briefest moment, both prodigies assessing the other, neither willing to look away first. Sasuke felt his jaw tighten slightly in quiet, internal challenge. Neither said a word, but both knew instinctively that they would soon face each other. The silent tension crackled fiercely between them, broken only when Naruto’s boisterous voice shattered the charged moment.

Sasuke sighed softly in frustration, shifting his gaze sharply away as Naruto started shouting at the disguised shinobi to stop wasting their time. He watched quietly, annoyed yet unsurprised, as Naruto loudly pointed out the obvious genjutsu trap, the illusion finally dispelling in front of everyone. Sasuke folded his arms, expression carefully neutral as the room erupted into murmurs around them. Team Gai turned, finally taking notice of them clearly for the first time.

Rock Lee approached eagerly, eyes shining with excitement, his gaze instantly landing on Sasuke. "You’re Sasuke Uchiha, aren’t you?" Lee asked earnestly, fists clenched in enthusiasm. "I’ve been waiting for the chance to fight you!"

Sasuke’s brow rose slightly at Lee’s directness, mildly intrigued, though outwardly unimpressed. "Is that so?" he replied calmly, meeting Lee’s earnest gaze. He could sense Naruto’s rising irritation beside him, but ignored it.

Neji regarded them all coolly, expression unreadable, as if sizing up their worth and dismissing them just as quickly. Sasuke felt irritation prickle beneath his skin again, quietly wondering how Hinata could even be related to someone whose demeanor seemed so coldly arrogant.

Before Sasuke could dwell further on Neji, Sakura stepped forward, gently urging them to move on. "Come on, we’re wasting time here. The real exam’s upstairs."

Sasuke nodded once, pushing past the gathered genin without another glance. As he moved, he felt Neji’s gaze trailing him, heavy and evaluating. Sasuke smirked slightly, eyes narrowing with quiet determination. Good, let him watch, let him see exactly who he was dealing with.

As Team Seven started up the stairs, Sasuke sensed something swiftly approaching from behind, fast, determined footsteps echoing off the hallway walls. He stopped abruptly, turning slightly, eyes narrowed. Naruto and Sakura paused beside him, surprised and uncertain as the newcomer appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

It was Rock Lee.

The green-clad shinobi stared straight up at Sasuke, his round eyes shining with determination. “Sasuke Uchiha!” he announced boldly, pointing a confident finger upward. “Please fight me right here, right now!”

Naruto scowled fiercely, stepping forward. “Hey, Bushy Brows! Who do you think you are? If anyone’s gonna kick Sasuke’s butt, it’s me!”

Sasuke ignored Naruto’s outburst completely, his dark gaze fixed on Lee’s eager expression. There was a seriousness in Lee’s posture, a stubborn resolve that intrigued Sasuke in spite of himself.

“Why?” Sasuke asked coldly, folding his arms over his chest.

Lee straightened proudly, fists clenched tight at his sides. “Because I wish to test myself against the best of our generation, and right now, Sasuke Uchiha, that is you.”

Naruto immediately bristled again, grumbling loudly under his breath, but Sasuke merely tilted his head slightly, eyes assessing Lee’s unwavering determination. Sakura leaned closer anxiously, whispering to him, “Sasuke-kun, this probably isn’t a good idea right now—”

Sasuke raised a hand, silencing her gently. “It’s fine,” he murmured evenly, stepping down a single step to face Lee properly. “I accept your challenge.”

Naruto’s jaw dropped in outrage. “Sasuke, you jerk! What about the exam?”

Lee smiled excitedly, his energy practically radiating through every word. “Thank you for accepting! This will be quick.”

Without waiting another second, Lee charged forward, blindingly fast. Sasuke barely had time to register the sudden speed, his eyes widening slightly as Lee’s kick shot straight for his head. Instinctively, he ducked just barely in time, feeling the air whoosh violently above him.

He spun sharply, drawing back to strike, but Lee was already on him again, his fists flying in a flurry. Sasuke blocked desperately, his heart pounding faster as he realized just how skilled Lee truly was. He'd underestimated him severely.

“I see your eyes can’t fully follow my movements,” Lee stated seriously, leaping back smoothly, watching Sasuke carefully. “Do you see now, Sasuke-kun? Even your Sharingan cannot match my taijutsu.”

Sasuke clenched his jaw, irritation flaring hot inside him. He activated his Sharingan instantly, crimson flooding into his eyes as he lunged forward, intent on proving Lee wrong. But again, Lee’s speed overwhelmed him, effortlessly slipping past Sasuke’s carefully calculated punches, his agile movements too quick to accurately read even with the Sharingan.

Frustration surged within Sasuke, hot and bitter. He refused to lose, to Lee, to anyone. His mind raced, analyzing Lee’s patterns, searching desperately for openings, but his taijutsu was relentless, precise. Sasuke’s breath came heavier, sweat beading his forehead as he struggled just to keep pace.

Then, without warning, Lee vanished briefly from his sight, only to appear in front of him instantly, foot swung upward sharply. Sasuke’s vision blurred briefly as Lee’s kick connected solidly beneath his chin, sending him flying upward. For one disorienting moment, Sasuke floated helplessly in mid-air, his pride wounded deeply, eyes wide in stunned disbelief.

“I am sorry, Sasuke-kun,” Lee called sincerely from below, voice full of respect yet firm with conviction. “But this ends now—”

Lee leapt upward, spinning rapidly, his bandaged arm unwinding like a whip. Sasuke stared in muted horror, understanding immediately that this strike would be devastating—

But then, from nowhere, a blur of green flashed between them. Lee was halted abruptly mid-air, his attack interrupted by a large, sudden presence.

“Enough, Lee!”

Lee’s sensei, Might Guy, held his student firmly by the wrist, his voice stern yet somehow affectionate. Sasuke landed roughly, breathless and humiliated, his pride severely bruised as he stared up at the strange spectacle unfolding above him.

“I’m sorry, Guy-sensei!” Lee exclaimed, crestfallen.

“Lee, you promised never to use that technique unless your teammates were in danger,” Guy scolded sternly, releasing him.

“I—I just wanted to prove myself—” Lee stammered guiltily.

Sasuke slowly rose to his feet, fists trembling slightly in quiet fury. This fight had humbled him harshly—had made clear his limitations, his weaknesses. The burning humiliation in his chest became determination. He would never allow himself to be so thoroughly defeated again.

Guy landed smoothly beside Sasuke, studying him thoughtfully. “You must be Kakashi’s student—Sasuke, right?” he asked kindly.

Sasuke only nodded curtly, pride still stinging painfully.

Guy smiled warmly, eyes sparkling with genuine encouragement. “Lee may have gotten the better of you now, but don’t be discouraged. You have great potential, work hard, and one day, you might even surpass him.”

Sasuke said nothing, his expression carefully blank. But beneath his stoic façade, determination burned fiercely. He met Lee’s gaze again, this time with quiet, unspoken challenge. Lee returned his look with respect and determination of his own.

Turning sharply away, Sasuke moved toward the stairs, Naruto and Sakura quickly falling in step behind him, quietly concerned yet saying nothing. Sasuke’s mind raced fiercely, replaying Lee’s attacks, searching for ways to counter, to adapt. This defeat meant nothing—he would grow stronger, faster, better.

He would surpass Lee.

He would surpass everyone.

X X X

When they finally entered the examination room, Sasuke felt the heavy tension of nerves and anticipation press down on him. The room was already filled with shinobi from countless villages, each wearing an expression ranging from arrogant confidence to quiet dread. His eyes scanned the crowded rows, quickly landing on a familiar figure sitting near the front.

Hinata sat quietly, fingers pressed together anxiously, her pale eyes fixed nervously on the desk before her. Beside her was an empty seat. A sense of relief sparked inside Sasuke’s chest, and he moved forward instinctively, only to be abruptly shoved aside as Naruto bolted forward with reckless excitement.

"Hinata! Hey, Hinata!" Naruto called cheerfully, waving his arm enthusiastically as he claimed the empty spot beside her.

Hinata’s head whipped up, lavender eyes widening in shock as her cheeks flushed brightly. She smiled shyly, gently tapping her fingertips together in her usual nervous manner. "N-Naruto-kun…um, hi."

Naruto beamed at her, oblivious to her embarrassment, immediately launching into animated chatter about the test. Sasuke’s jaw tightened as he watched the interaction, his irritation bubbling quietly inside him. He glanced briefly at Hinata, whose shy, glowing smile spoke volumes. Sasuke sucked his teeth softly, frustration simmering beneath his usual aloof exterior as he shoved his hands roughly into his pockets, scanning the room for another seat.

Beside him, Sakura gently touched his arm. "Good luck, Sasuke-kun," she whispered softly, eyes hopeful and warm.

He only grunted quietly in response, eyes distant, already moving toward an available seat in the upper rows. Climbing the stairs, Sasuke paused briefly, looking back at Hinata one more time. Their eyes met, and her nervous expression immediately softened into a quiet, reassuring smile, a silent gesture of encouragement she’d always offered him, no matter what.

Despite himself, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He mouthed the word "idiot" clearly at her, unable to resist teasing her softly. Her cheeks instantly puffed out indignantly, a deep blush spreading quickly across her face. Sasuke’s smirk widened, amused, eyes glinting as he closed them dismissively and turned away, settling himself into his seat at last.

Barely a minute passed before the room’s murmuring was abruptly cut short by a stern voice from the doorway.

"All right, you brats, eyes forward!"

Instantly, silence fell across the entire room. Sasuke looked up sharply, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the large, imposing figure of Ibiki Morino. The scar-faced shinobi stood at the front of the room, arms folded authoritatively, his gaze fierce and unyielding.

"Welcome to the Chunin Exam's first stage, the written test," Ibiki stated loudly, his deep voice echoing with commanding presence. His gaze swept coldly across the room, assessing each shinobi carefully. "This test will measure your ability to gather and protect information. You will each start with ten points. For each question answered incorrectly, you lose a point. If caught cheating, two points will be deducted each time."

A tense silence filled the room. Sasuke’s expression sharpened, carefully calculating the implications. The nature of the test immediately became clear, it wasn’t about simply answering questions. It was about strategy, resourcefulness, and deception. He smirked inwardly, confidence igniting quietly inside him.

Ibiki continued firmly, eyes intense and intimidating. "Those who reach zero points will fail, and their entire team along with them."

Sasuke tensed slightly, sensing Naruto’s panic from across the room even without seeing him. But his own confidence remained unshaken, he would find a way through, no matter the obstacles.

Ibiki’s voice deepened further, stern and foreboding. "One more thing…there will be a tenth question given later. However, this question comes with its own special rule."

Around him, nervous murmurs arose, unease palpable. Sasuke’s eyes narrowed sharply, his mind racing with calculated clarity. Whatever the twist, he’d face it without hesitation. This was just another challenge to overcome, another step toward strength, toward the power he sought. Nothing—not even Ibiki Morino’s intimidating presence—would stand in his way.

Determined and calm, Sasuke leaned forward slightly in his chair, preparing himself mentally. The exam had begun, and he intended to pass, no matter what.

Sasuke stared down at the test paper, eyes narrowing as his mind instantly processed the true intention behind Ibiki’s exam. The questions were absurdly complex, far too advanced for any ordinary genin to answer. He smirked inwardly, realizing quickly that the purpose of this test wasn’t merely academic, it was about observation, stealth, and intelligence gathering. The proctors were testing their ability to cheat without getting caught.

Glancing discreetly across the room, Sasuke immediately noticed Sakura confidently writing down her answers, completely unfazed. His brows lifted slightly, unsurprised at her ease. Sakura had always excelled academically; there was no doubt in his mind she’d ace the test without trouble. He felt quietly assured knowing he wouldn’t have to worry about her.

Naruto, however, was another matter entirely.

Sasuke shifted slightly, eyes flicking toward Naruto, who was practically melting into his seat, trembling visibly. The blond looked like he was having a full-blown panic attack, his hand shaking so badly he could barely hold his pencil. Sasuke exhaled softly in frustration, teeth clenching. He hadn’t anticipated just how poorly Naruto might handle this scenario.

His gaze slid further down, catching sight of Hinata sitting stiffly yet calmly beside Naruto. Her pale eyes flicked nervously toward Naruto’s blank paper, clearly trying to get his attention. Sasuke watched as she subtly angled her paper, obviously offering Naruto a chance to cheat off her.

But Naruto hesitated, stubbornly frozen, eyes darting anxiously between Hinata’s test and the patrolling proctors. Sasuke silently cursed him. "Come on, Naruto," he thought impatiently. "Don’t screw this up."

Then a kunai whizzed sharply through the air, slicing dangerously close to Naruto’s cheek. Sasuke saw Naruto's entire body stiffen, eyes widening in horror, as though his very soul had been violently ripped from him. Sasuke closed his eyes briefly, irritation pulsing hotly through him. The idiot was completely panicking.

"Get it together, dummy," Sasuke mentally urged him, opening his eyes with a scowl as he glanced back down at his own paper. He needed to focus. If Naruto failed now, all of them would be dragged down alongside him. That wasn't an option.

Quickly assessing his situation, Sasuke activated his Sharingan discreetly, careful to avoid detection by the vigilant proctors. The room sharpened immediately into perfect clarity, the movements of pencils, shifting papers, and hidden signals suddenly obvious to him. His gaze quickly locked onto the candidate seated diagonally ahead, someone whose answers were clearly written and confident.

Calmly, Sasuke began copying the answers, his pencil strokes smooth and unhurried, carefully timed to match natural movements. Every so often, he glanced back at Naruto, who continued trembling nervously, staring blankly at his paper, utterly lost. Sasuke felt a flicker of genuine worry beneath his frustration. Naruto needed to calm down and realize what this test truly demanded.

Time crawled by agonizingly slowly, each second stretching unbearably. Sasuke maintained a perfect rhythm, copying answers while expertly evading detection. He caught brief glimpses of Hinata, still anxiously trying to assist Naruto, her expression quietly desperate yet determined. His jaw tightened again in silent frustration. Hinata was doing her best, but Naruto remained oblivious to her efforts.

Finally, Ibiki’s commanding voice broke the tense silence. "Now, for the tenth and final question. But first, there’s one rule you must understand clearly. You can choose whether or not to take this question."

A stunned silence filled the room. Sasuke narrowed his eyes suspiciously, listening intently.

"If you choose not to take it," Ibiki explained, voice heavy with authority, "you and your team immediately fail."

Gasps echoed around the room, followed by uneasy murmurs.

"But," Ibiki continued, "if you decide to answer and get it wrong…you will lose the right to ever take the Chunin Exams again."

The room erupted in startled protests, disbelief and fear palpable among the candidates. Sasuke stayed perfectly still, heart beating steadily as he calmly assessed the threat. This was psychological warfare, a carefully constructed scenario to pressure and intimidate. He understood it perfectly. Ibiki wanted to weed out those who lacked the courage to push forward despite the risk.

Sasuke’s gaze darted again to Naruto, who now looked completely shattered. But then something shifted, Naruto’s trembling suddenly ceased, his expression firming into stubborn determination. He stood abruptly, slamming a hand defiantly onto his desk.

"Forget your stupid threats!" Naruto shouted confidently, voice echoing boldly through the stunned silence. "I’m not afraid! I’m gonna take that question no matter what, and nothing you say is gonna stop me! I'll become Hokage even if I have to stay a genin forever!"

Sasuke smirked faintly, relief washing quietly over him. Naruto had finally snapped out of his panic, his ridiculous bravado igniting hope and determination around the room. Gradually, the atmosphere shifted, tense anxiety melting into stubborn resolve.

Ibiki studied Naruto with quiet approval before addressing the room. "All of you who remain…pass!"

Shocked silence followed the announcement, confusion rippling among the students.

"What?!" Sasuke whispered in disbelief.

Ibiki smiled grimly, arms folded. "The true purpose of this test was courage and decision-making under pressure. Those who chose to stay despite the risk have proven they possess the necessary resolve."

Sasuke sighed quietly, easing back slightly in his seat, tension releasing gradually from his shoulders. Naruto's gamble had paid off. Despite how obnoxious and loud he could be, Naruto's unwavering determination had carried them all through.

Around the room, relief broke out into scattered cheers and sighs. Sasuke glanced discreetly toward Hinata, who sat quietly smiling with visible relief, her shoulders relaxing. Their eyes briefly met, and she offered him another gentle smile, warm, reassuring. Sasuke merely closed his eyes again, expression unreadable, though inwardly, he was quietly grateful she’d been there, doing her best to help Naruto.

As the murmurs of relief and excitement filled the room, Sasuke stood slowly, turning toward Naruto and Sakura, who were already gathering beside him. Naruto’s grin stretched ear-to-ear, confidence fully restored.

"See?" Naruto declared proudly, thumbing his chest triumphantly. "I knew we'd pass!"

Sasuke scoffed lightly, rolling his eyes. "You didn't know anything, idiot."

Naruto scowled fiercely. "Hey! Who are you calling idiot, teme?"

Sasuke ignored him, allowing a quiet smirk of satisfaction to touch his lips. As obnoxious as Naruto was, Sasuke silently admitted, if only to himself, that he was glad the idiot had managed to pull through. Perhaps, just maybe, Naruto was tougher than he'd ever given him credit for.

Ibiki’s voice rang out one last time, interrupting the banter and drawing their attention once more. "Prepare yourselves, genin. The second stage of the Chunin Exam begins soon."

X X X

Sasuke approached Naruto and Hinata quietly, Sakura trailing closely behind him. The room buzzed with excitement, relief, and anticipation following Ibiki’s announcement, but Sasuke’s gaze remained steady, quickly landing on Hinata, who was still seated at her desk, visibly relaxing. Her lavender eyes were gentle with quiet relief, and Sasuke smirked softly, amused by her timid expression.

"I wonder what the next part’s gonna be!" Naruto announced loudly, hands clasped behind his head, eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I bet it's something cool, way better than some stupid written test."

Sakura rolled her eyes slightly, arms crossed as she sighed dramatically. "I've heard some pretty intense rumors about it," she murmured cautiously. "It's supposed to be way more dangerous."

Sasuke only half-listened, his eyes still subtly studying Hinata. He knew she’d been worried, though she'd hidden it well. Watching her quietly exhale in relief made something soften briefly inside his chest.

His thoughts broke sharply when the doors abruptly slammed open, rattling loudly through the exam hall. All heads instantly turned toward the doorway as a bold, confident voice echoed through the room.

"Listen up, everyone! I'm Anko Mitarashi, proctor of the second stage," Anko declared confidently, her sharp, intense gaze sweeping the crowd. "Congratulations on passing Ibiki’s little game. But things are about to get tougher."

Sasuke straightened, eyeing the woman carefully. Her presence was powerful, aggressive almost. She smirked dangerously as she stepped forward, hands resting casually on her hips, projecting an air of strength and confidence that instantly silenced everyone in the room.

"From here, you'll be heading to Training Ground 44," she explained clearly, eyes glinting mischievously. "Otherwise known as the Forest of Death."

Murmurs broke out immediately around them, tense whispers rippling nervously through the students. Sasuke frowned slightly, absorbing the implication behind the ominous name. The upcoming stage promised danger, risk, real combat. His blood quickened at the thought, but his mind quickly shifted to Hinata, concern flaring faintly inside him.

"Come on, let’s move!" Anko shouted commandingly, turning sharply on her heel as she led the way toward the dreaded forest.

As the crowd began filing out of the exam hall, Sasuke paused. He saw Hinata quietly gathering her things, her team slowly moving toward the exit ahead of her. Without hesitating, Sasuke quietly slipped away from Naruto and Sakura, crossing the room unnoticed until he reached Hinata’s side.

She startled slightly, looking up with wide eyes. "S-Sasuke-kun?"

He leaned closer, voice lowered discreetly, his dark eyes softening briefly in quiet concern. "Hinata, listen to me. Be careful in there, don’t hesitate, don’t overthink. If you get into trouble, call out to me. I’ll find you."

Hinata paused for a moment, brows furrowing gently, then surprised him by shaking her head firmly. Sasuke’s expression darkened slightly in confusion. "Hinata—"

"No, Sasuke-kun," she whispered softly, determination flaring brightly in her pale gaze. "This time, I’ll be brave. I won’t need you to rescue me." Her lips curved gently upward, confidence quietly blooming. "Maybe this time, I’ll be the one protecting you."

For a heartbeat, Sasuke stood completely still, taken aback by her quiet strength. Warmth flooded his chest unexpectedly, surprising him. Slowly, he smiled faintly, exhaling softly as he reached forward, gently tapping her forehead with two fingers in a gesture he'd quietly adopted from his brother.

"Alright, tough girl," he murmured softly, eyes fondly amused as he looked down at her. "Stay safe."

Hinata flushed gently, but nodded determinedly. Without hesitation, she reached up and tugged lightly on his earlobe, her own quirky, affectionate habit toward him. "You stay safe too, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke’s cheeks warmed faintly, embarrassment flickering briefly across his face as he grunted softly, averting his gaze awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah. I'll see you on the other side."

He turned abruptly, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he walked away. Naruto and Sakura stood near the exit, looking around impatiently.

"There you are!" Naruto shouted loudly, waving his arms dramatically. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing," Sasuke muttered dismissively, eyes downcast as he walked past them. But even as he returned to his teammates, his mind remained firmly on Hinata. Despite her brave words, worry lingered stubbornly in his chest. He knew she wanted to prove herself, he wanted to trust her strength, but an uncomfortable anxiety twisted in his stomach at the thought of losing her.

Sasuke’s jaw tightened slightly, resolve settling deep inside him. No matter how confident she claimed to be, he would keep an eye on her. He refused to risk losing the one person who’d quietly slipped past all his carefully constructed barriers, the one friend he genuinely cared about.

He lifted his gaze determinedly toward the looming, dangerous Forest of Death, silently promising himself to protect her no matter what it took.