Hey everyone! I'm deciding to start another story, but don't worry. I'm still doing Petals in the Wind. This is a Naruto/Temari pairing, and takes place before, during and after the Chuunin exams. So... tell me what you like (I'm trying a slower paced style of writing, with much more plot. Sorry if it seems too canon). Oh, and you know how much I like reviews :)

Chapter 1: Beginning

It was a week before the Chuunin Exams. The streets of Konoha were bustling as always and filled with civilians buying groceries, and ninjas buying weapons for the upcoming event. Children danced around their mothers' feet, begging for her to buy them that cool-looking thing on the table, and they whined when they were firmly denied their goal. On another side of the village, a group of children were playing. The game was called, Ninja.

"You guys in position?" a light male voice whispered.

"Yeah." A slightly deeper voice answered.

"Let's do this." A high-pitched female voice said in agitation. The first one to speak held up his hand, showing three fingers. He silently counted down to zero with the digits and then they all jumped out, heading toward their target, their orange clad, blonde haired target. The "target" anticipated their movement and ducked out of the way, the deeper voiced boy flying past him.

"Udon!" the other male yelled in concern for his friend. He launched a kick at the "target", who caught it and easily tossed the boy aside.

"Konohamaru!" the girl shreiked, taking up a fighting stance.

"No Moegi! Give up, he's too strong!" Konohamaru ordered. Moegi sized up her opponent, deliberating on whether or not she had a chance of beating him. She couldn't think of a single way she could beat him, so she sighed before dropping her guard.

"I concede, Uncle Naruto." she said in defeat, going over to join her teammates. Naruto scratched the back of his head and chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Konohamaru asked, picking himself and Udon of the ground.

"Ya know, I'm glad you gave up Moegi. I honestly wasn't going to fight you. I wouldn't dare hit a girl. You actually could've won." he snickered. All three children sweatdropped before Moegi flattened Konohamaru with a punch.

"I could've won! Come one Kono, what kind of leader are you?"

"The kind who doesn't want a headache." Naruto sighed at the exchange. It reminded him of someone, someone close to him. The thought hit him and he nearly groaned in frustration. The children turned to look at their friend in worry.

"Ahh! I'm late! Sakura-chan is gonna kill me. This is bad, very bad." Naruto panicked, gripping his head and pacing back and forth.

"Hey Naruto, why do you put up with that pink haired demon anyways?" Konohamaru asked.

"Well Kono, you're too young to understand. But love makes you do some crazy things." Naruto dreamily sighed, causing the group to gag dramatically.

"Ew Naruto! Shut up!" they all screamed. Naruto smirked and turned away slightly, putting a hand up to wave.

"See ya later guys. Keep working on that wall climbing exercise." and like that, he was gone.

"Hmph. If he thinks we are gonna just do nothing while he gets beat, he's wrong. Konohamaru corps, move out!" Konohamaru ordered.

"God, where is he?" a frustrated pink haired girl demanded. She turned to look at the object of her affection, completely ignoring her and looking over the bridge they stood on, watching nature take it's course.

"..."

"Sasuke-kun, you're so quiet today. Something wrong?" she asked, sliding up to him in an attempt to be seductive. She failed horribly, however, when a splinter wedged it's way into her arm. She winced at the pain and looked at it. She went into super panic mode when she saw the slender, almost thread width wood in her arm.

"Oh no! A splinter? Someone get it out! Sasuke-kun, help me! There's so many things we haven't done yet." she stopped spazzing as she went into her own little fantasy, but quickly went back to being the brat she was. Sasuke quickly grew tired of her and told her to come closer. Sakura immediately approached her love, only to have him grab her arm. He pulled her to him and pushed her away just a quickly. She realized the pain was gone, and that the splinter was now on the ground. She jumped on him and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you Sasuke-kun! You saved me!"

"It was only a splinter." he said, disinterested. He pushed her off of himself and went back to the water.

"Why so cold Sasuke-kun?" she asked sweetly, sickenly so.

"Because you're so annoying. Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"Why did you decide to become a ninja if you crumble at the sight of a splinter. You do know that it's all real out there right? People get stabbed by kunai. Wounds are inflicted that make people wish they were merely splinters. If you want to continue to be this way, do eveyone a favor and quit." Sakura had to admit, that hurt a bit.

"B-But Sasuke-kun... Oh, I see now." she said mischieviously, latching onto her idol. "You told me to quit because you're afraid I'll get hurt out there. You're so sweet!" she squealed. Sasuke felt like faceplanting over and over again.

' How the hell did she mix my words into that? Someone save me from this girl.' he mentally groaned. His prayers were answered when a familiar figure approached them.

"Hey guys!" Naruto called out, running to them. As much as Sasuke hated the dobe, he had to admit he felt instantly relieved by his arrival. He pulled his arm away from Sakura and composed himself, putting on his emotionless mask. Sakura sighed agitatedly. She hated Naruto with a passion and took every second to remind him of that. She felt he took away from her time with Sasuke, and a crime of that scale was unforgivable.

"Hey Sakura-chan." Naruto greeted, slightly out of breath from his run. He expected a hello in return, but he instead received a punch in the face that knocked him flat on the ground. Konohamaru's team made it there just in time to see their idol be knocked down and immediately ran to him.

"Naruto! Are you okay?" Moegi demanded. She was relieved when Naruto sat up, tenderly holding his cheek where Sakura had attacked him.

"Jeez Sakura-chan, what did I do?" Naruto painfully asked. She cracked her knuckles and walked closer.

"Don't act dumb. Sasuke-kun and I were alone, and we were about to have a moment, until you came up."

"Well sorry. How was I supposed to know?" Naruto said, feeling a bit of anger inside of him. All he did was care about her, but she kept knocking him down, literally, to get to the damn Uchiha. It seemed like every girl he met did that.

"Dobe, there is nothing going on. Sakura, stop making his life a living hell. We're on a team now, like it or not. We need to at least try to get along. Stop being so childish." Sasuke snapped.

"You don't have to be shy Sasuke-kun. It's okay if he knows." Sakura said in a dreamy state, once again attaching to his arm. Naruto saw his eye twitch and knew he was telling the truth. He smirked at the Uchiha's predicament, elicting a growl from him.

"Anyways, where's Kakashi?" Naruto wondered, looking around for his sensei.

"You know he's always late Naruto, why even ask?" Sakura huffed. Naruto simply shrug his shoulders.

"So who knows why Kakashi wants to see us?" Naruto tried again.

"If we knew, we wouldn't be here dobe." Sasuke smirked.

"Shut the hell up Sasuke!"

"Naruto, don't you dare talk to Sasuke-kun like that!"

'Well that hurt. And with the kids watching too.'

"Naruto, why do you put up with her? It's obvious she's gaga over the Uchiha. You could do a lot better." Konohamaru pointed out, walking up.

"What did you say brat?" Sakura dangerously growled. Naruto didn't want to admit it, but Kono was right. Why waste his time when he could pursue another, who possibly returned his feelings.

"Ha, fat chance." Naruto told himself, low enough for Sasuke not to hear, but close enough for Sakura to hear. A dangerous aura surrounded her and she looked at Naruto with murder in her eyes.

"D-Did you just call me fat? You bastard!" she shreiked, jumping at Naruto, fist ready to knock some teeth out.

"N-No Sakura-chan! I didn't, honest!" but that wouldn't stop the angered girl. The fist connected, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious. Both groups heard a sigh and looked up above the bridge.

"Well, glad everyone's getting along." he said sarcastically.

"Well about time you got here Kakashi-sensei!"

"Yeah, just in time to see you knock the hell out of Naruto. You still act like a child Sakura. You're a kunoichi now, grow the hell up and stop beating on Naruto. He has done absolutely nothing to deserve the hell you put him through. You think it's justified because of your fairytale, but if you paid enough atrention to what people say, you'd realize that Sasuke here has no feelings for you whatsoever. In fact, you're a bother to him." Kakashi harshly said, going over to help Naruto up.

'Well that was harsh, but if it works, fine.' Sasuke said, studying the now devasted features of Sakura's face.

"Naruto, time to wake up. You can't sleep through this briefing." Kakashi said, shaking him awake. His eyes fluttered hefore he opened them.

"S-Sensei?" he asked, jumping up almost immediately. Kakashi smiled beneath his mask and nodded. "Thanks."

"No problem. Now about this mission briefing." Kakashi said loudly. Sasuke immediately walked over, Sakura sulked over. The children, knowing not to provoke the jounin, quickly ran off.

"In a week's time, the chunnin exams will begin. This is the test you will all need to take in order to become chuunin. I signed you all up for it this morning. This test is not to be taken lightly. They are looking for those who have what it takes to become a chuunin." Kakashi began.

"Well then nothing to worry about. There's no way I'll lose!" Nauto proudly proclaimed.

"Well Naruto, you just may win every battle in the exam, but that doesn't guarantee you'll become a chuunin. Brute strength is not what it takes to become an elite ninja. It takes knowledge, strength, and teamwork. You're not children anymore so I won't mince words. Your teamwork sucks. Naruto, you and Sasuke won't stop bickering and you won't stop trying to impress Sakura. Sasuke, same for you and you keep pushing your teammates away, thinking they are nuisances. Sakura, you won't stop beating on Naruto, even though he is only kind to you, and you won't stop fawning over Sasuke long enough to get some training in. If anything, you're holding them back. So work on it. I've already told you all enough about the exam, so I'll leave you to train. You know where to find me. It begins in a week, see ya." Kakashi said before flashing away.

"As if he could get my attention." Sakura huffed before walking away. Naruto could only assume she meant him, and it stung his heart. What would it take for her to see he was just as good as Sasuke? Head hung low, Naruto started off on his own way.

"... Naruto." Sasuke said, stopping Naruto in his tracks. He turned to see the Uchiha with an attempt at an understanding face. It was weird, but it made the blonde smile.

"Just a bit of advice. Give up on Sakura. She's way too bothersome to realize your feelings for her, and she'll never recognize them. Honestly, you could do a lot better." he said before immediately leaving. Naruto was shocked by the friendly display, almost brotherly, but he smiled.

"Duckass does care." he laughed to himself before also leaving. Naruto knew it was useless, but why couldn't his heart accept the truth? He had loved her for years, had put up with her consant beatings and verbal abuse. It was if they were dating and he was her bitch that recieved all of her frustrations. Thinking of it that way, he felt pretty damn stupid.

"I've been wasting all of my damn time for this? No more. Fuck it!" he screamed to the heavens. He was tired of the pain. There was already a bruise forming on his cheek.

"Naruto, language. There are children out." Naruto spun around to face his father figure. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood tall, his hat hiding his greyed hair and his white robes flowing in the breeze.

"Old man ji!" Naruto gleefully yelled, tackling the man in a hug.

"Hello my boy. You seem to be troubled. Talk to me." he said in a tone that gave Naruto no other choice. There was no big deal really. He was able to talk to the man about anything and he had gotten some damn good advice over the years. Naruto sighed heavily before he started talking.

The elderly hokage listened intently to every word Naruto said. He felt great sympathy for the heartbroken boy, but he knew that Naruto was a very strongwilled person, and he'd get over her with time. He wanted to punish Sakura somehow for her ignorance but he was the Hokage, he had to control himself.

"...and that's about it." Naruto finished. He felt immensely better now that his troubles were off of his chest and by the smile in the old man's eyes he knew it as well.

"I'm sorry Naruto, I never wanted you to go through this kind of pain. But everyone must experience it as humans. You are a strong young man, you'll be okay. I just know it." Hiruzen kindly said, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. If Hiruzen knew one thing about the hyperactive ninja, it was that Naruto wasn't a fan of open affection, even though it was what he desperately needed. Naruto smiled brightly and hugged his leader once more.

"I gotta go train old man. Chuunin exams and all." Naruto said, beginning to walk away.

"Okay then, goodbye Naruto. Stop by before you go home, I'll have some ramen waiting on you." Naruto stopped mid-stride and turned, a smile brighter than before, if that was even possible, on his face.

"Thanks!" he yelled, running off. The faster he finished, the sooner he could go home and sit down with a hot bowl of Ichiraku ramen. The very idea made his mouth water with anticipation.

Naruto was weaving the handsigns before he had even reached the training grounds, a group of 10 clones encircling him and running with him.

"So, what's the plan boss?" the clone closest to Naruto asked.

"Hmm, how about a group of three work on my chakra control. Ya know, do some tree climbing and walking on water. Another group of three work on my speed. Race through the trees or something. The last group of three work on my wind-style jutsus." Naruto instructed, the clones already forming their groups.

"What about me boss?" the same clone asked.

"You, you'll be my sparring partner. Gotta keep my fighting skills up. Everyone dispel in two hours. Go!" and with that, it was only Naruto and his clone. Naruto had picked up the idea of using clones to increase training progress in his studies. He wasn't the dumb dobe everyone made him out to be. He only pretended to be like that to try and fit in. Not being socialized properly, he had to take a wild guess on how to interact with others, leading to how he was. Naruto faced his clone and dipped down into a fighing stance, much like a fox. He had learned his body behaved like one thanks to his dear "friend" Kyuubi, and used it to his advantage. He could move as swiftly and powerfully as a fox, smell like a fox, and sometimes his eyes even looked like a fox's. His clone mimicked the movement, and all was quiet. The two must have stood there for about an hour, waiting for someone to make a move. Naruto had no intention of his training taking that kind of turn, but this would help him learn patience. So he went with it, as he had always been a go-with-the-flow guy. But no matter how hard he tried, Naruto would eventually lose patience.

"Bring it on boss." that one taunt was all he needed.

"Okay, but you asked for it." Naruto launched forward at an incredible speed, having used his legs to push off the ground. He spun in midair, bringing his foot down on his clone. The clone however, had anticipated the move and ducked out of the way. It then aimed a kick at Naruto's side and it connected.

"Ya gotta do better than that boss! You're forgetting that I'm you. I know all of your techniques and fighting styles. Surprise me." the clone snickered. Naruto stopped and thought for a few seconds, a grin spreading across his face with a thought.

"Alright then. Let's see just how well you know yourself." Naruto rushed at his clone head-on.

"A frontal attack? That wouldn't work on you." the clone prepared to dodge and attack. Naruto threw a punch, as expected, and the clone dodged. The clone brought his elbow up and brought it down on Naruto's back, knocking him to the ground. His celebration was cut short when Naruto disappeared.

"A clone? But when?" the clone asked, frantically looking around for his creator.

"Right here." Naruto sang before punching the clone in the face, knocking him out. 'I win! I gotta learn some more fighting techniques. But whatever, I got a month to work with.' Naruto looked up at the sky and groaned. "Man, I still have an entire hour before the old man will have my ramen, and I have nothing to do!" sighing heavily, Naruto sat down under a tree and leaned back, deciding to get in a little nap.

"Jeez, where the hell are our apartments?" a male voice demanded in the distance. Naruto sat up immediately, not having recognized that voice before.

"Would you shut your damn complaining for a minute Kankuro? You've been complaining since we got here." a female voice scolded.

"Temari's right Kankuro. Must you act like a child all of the time?" a deeper male voice agreed.

"Whatever. Well do you know where the apartments are dear sister? How about you sensei? I don't suppose you do Gaara? How about it little bro?"

"... Actually, I do. It's that way. Your senses of direction need work." a soft, rapsyish voice answered.

"Y-Yes Gaara." Naruto was starting to get an idea of this team. It was a four man cell with two guys: Kankuro and Gaara, and one girl: Temari, who were all siblings, and their sensei was a man named Baki. And it seemed that at least Kankuro was terrified of his little brother. However, the fact was that their names weren't common to Konoha, they sounded like names that ninja of Suna would use. But why would Suna ninja be here?

'Maybe it's for the chuunin exams. Oh well, if something happens, I'll have names to report.' Naruto sighed, laying back down.

An hour later when his clones dispelled, Naruto gave himself a few minutes to go over the information now in his head then practically ran to the Hokage's tower. The old man stood outside, waiting for him.

"Old man!" Naruto yelled as he ran up.

"There you are Naruto. As promised, here is your ramen." he said, handing Naruto a large bundle of Ichiraku ramen, the equivalent of 10 bowls. Naruto eyes lit up like stars and he felt like screaming for joy.

"Thanks jiji. Why are there foreign ninja here in the village?" Naruto couldn't help but ask. It seemed that everything he was thinking of had a way of escaping in front of the hokage.

"For the chuunin exams of course. Genin come from many lands to compete. It's nothing to worry about. Now you go home and get some rest. You have much training ahead of you."

"Okay then, see ya!" Naruto traveled along the rooftops to his apartment, immediately going in and locking the door. Ripping open the plastic, Naruto grabbed the bowl inside and filled it to the rim. He grabbed the chopsticks and dove in.

"Itadakimasu!" he said, mouth full of noodles. Little did the jinchuuriki know, the next few days would be interesting, very interesting.

So... Like it? Hate it? Let me know, but be nice. I can take negative comments, but only in the form of constructive criticism (Don't just say, "this sucks!" tell me what you don't like, and how I can improve).