The Forgotten Uchiha

"Master, when you asked me to show you some new moves, this hadn't been what I expected…" Haku said as the two stood in the training grounds of Ryōga's side of the compound. Ever since they got back and word was given about the Chunin Exams from the applicants that came from the Hidden Sand Village; Everyone was getting to be a little nervous to be called upon.

Sakura's recent dressing down by Sasuke certainly knocked her self esteem down and both of them getting defended by Ryōga of all people was doing nothing to help either of the other two members of Team 7, as a means to prove she was capable of standing alongside the two; Sakura decided to put her efforts into her studying, practicing her Jutsu in the training grounds to get more efficient with front line work.

Sasuke was positively fuming at being made a fool of by Kankuro's sudden trip up along with the utter disrespect that Ryōga had to stand up for his cousin. "I swear…If we ever get put forward for the Chunin exams, Dud…I will put you in your place and make you understand who the superior Uchiha is!" He growled to himself as he eyed the incinerated training dummy that was the target of his Fireball Jutsu.

Ryōga on the other hand felt like he still needed…No, he HAD to improve to keep making progress; He promised to himself that there would be no more being glum or letting everyone's words get him down and this was the perfect chance to show everyone that. "Okay, first of all…I thought we agreed; No more Master talk…And secondly, I want to try learning how to better use Jutsu." He admitted honestly.

Haku nodded as she listened along; For the purposes of training, she had donned a long sleeved version of the ANBU outfit but it had a dark forest green for the fabric and steel guards for her chest, arms and shins.

"There isn't really a whole lot that I can show you…You and your cousin are already nearly as fast as I am, I don't use swords so I lack skill in Kenjutsu…Though I can show you how to use one handed Seals." She offered as she decided to clue Ryōga in on her specialty; "It's a good skill and if used properly then the combined effort of two Jutsu can outweigh the drawback of the cost of using both at the same time."

"We haven't really got much time outside of maybe three days to balance out the training so this is what we'll do…" Ryōga explained as he picked up a calligraphy scroll and a brush before looking to Haku; "Sasuke and Sakura are doing their own training so maybe it's time I capitalise on what I learned: The Breathing Styles were handy in a fight plus I can use both Fire and Earth style so that can make for good resonance with each other." He noted as he sat in front of Haku with a sense of readiness to learn. "Outside of what you show me for these seals, I can do some background studying…I don't want to get taken by surprise and the Uchiha's library is quite diverse in Jutsu…" He added as he started writing while the former assassin began making each one handed seal and how to form a Jutsu with it.

Haku may have been capable of showing kindness and warmth towards Ryōga when they were alone but when it came to teaching him, quizzing him on his studying or sparring, she certainly didn't pull any punches and made sure that he knew everything about everything they had from Jutsu and Summoning to the one handed seals she knew. "Remember, each Jutsu performed with one hand may or may not be as powerful but it is faster to use."

It took a few days and a lot of dummies but the Chunin Exams came about with everyone at the primary testing centre including the approaching Team 7. "Well…Can't back out of any of this now." Ryoga spoke up to try dissolving the tension as they headed up the stairs to see a mob of people who looked like they were equally waiting only to be blocked by two Chunin.

"And already, we're stuck with the problems." Sakura said glibly as she noticed the superior sneers on the older students' faces, "Though it looks like we came to the right…place?" She mentioned but then trailed off as she started to notice that something felt out of place.

"You guys aren't going to be able to get into the exam, let alone pass it…Just give it up now because you're way too early to act tough." One said to the group but then looked confused when Sakura smirked.

"Really? Then if you're so sure, how come you're deliberately hiding behind a genjutsu?" Sakura asked them with sly look like she had cracked a puzzle.

"What are you talking about? This is the third floor…Look at the sign, not to mention that everyone else is here too." The other blocker sneered as he pointed to the plaque that said 301, before pointing to the crowd of confused individuals.

"You know you're not fooling anyone, right?" Ryōga asked as he turned off his Sharingan and then pointed at the plaque; "This is still the first floor…Nearly anyone here with the common sense to count the floors would guess that."

"Wait…"

"How'd HE guess that?!"

The others talked among each other and became more of a buzz when they realised that this was Sasuke and Ryōga Uchiha that picked this out. "This isn't really the most complex Barrier Jutsu so anyone who had the sense to question it could've spoken up about it…" Sasuke added in to get the last word in.

The two defenders of the now revealed Room 101 looked to the two Uchiha and Sakura; "Trust the girl sat with Uchiha to pick up on that…But that's still not enough to get in!" They snarled and swung out for powerful kicks to try suckering them.

Ryoga brought up his still sheathed sword while Sasuke brought up his arms to block, however someone managed to jump in between the four and blocked both kicks.

This kid was taller than the three he defended and clad in not just bandages on his wrists and orange bands on his ankles up to his knees but also wearing a green jumpsuit. This kid was none other than Rock Lee and turned to face Sakura with his thick eyebrows on display and flashed a wink at her. "Are you okay, my pink haired angel? My name is Rock Lee! Perhaps you'd be interested in going out with me once this is all over?"

"Uh…Yeah, we're good." Sakura stated as she was doing everything she could to not get weirded out by Lee's rather up front attempt at flirting. "And no, I'm not interested…" She added and tried to make it as blunt as possible for him to understand.

"Then in that case, You….You're Sasuke Uchiha, correct?" Lee asked as he craned his neck to look at the more sour looking Uchiha and gained a more incensed glare; "I wish to engage in a fight with you to test your skills."

"Okay…And why should I have to?" Sasuke shrugged off his would-be opponent's proclamation; "I've got better things to do then humouring your want for a fight?"

"Huh…Never thought I'd see the day that Sasuke lectures someone about demanding attention." Ryōga thought with some level of surprise as he faced Lee as well. "You heard him AND her; They both said no, so go focus on your own team…We've got an exam to prepare for."

"Hm…You are the other Uchiha, aren't you? I never would have thought that the once great clan would back away from a fight." Lee tried to goad them, unfortunately…It worked for Sasuke. "You must really have low standards if you aren't going to demonstrate what you learned under Kakashi Hatake."

"Alright, that does it…You want a fight? Then you're gonna get one, you thickbrowed fruitcake!" Sasuke growled as he punched his open palm.

"Sasuke, calm it down…You said it yourself, we have the exam to get to so let's get moving." Ryōga tried to argue them back on track but Lee seemed adamant to test him.

"You can mock me all you like but if the so-called Number One Uchiha is refusing to fight, then he must certainly lack the nerve let alone the skills to defend himself." Lee kept prodding as he could see that Sasuke was about ready to pop.

"Fine, you wanted this, you got it!" Sasuke yelled as he rushed forward to confront Lee; Though as blows were blocked and returned, it was clear that there was a degree of both experience and skill separating the two.

"Sasuke! You can do it!" Sakura yelled to try and encourage Sasuke as he struggled to maintain his position.

"Alright, I'm stopping this before we get in trouble for fi-" Ryōga sighed as he stepped forward to try jumping in but was stopped by a kunai getting thrown in front of him.

"Hey pretty boy…Don't think that you're stopping this when it's getting good." A brunette with twin buns in her hair and holding another kunai in hand; "You wanna intervene? Then I'll play with you for a little." She mentioned as she unfurled a scroll and summoned up a katana, this was Ten-Ten: The resident weapon specialist of Team Guy.

"Is there seriously no other way to make them stop?" Ryōga asked as he clutched the hilt of his sword. "Because I'm pretty sure we don't get that many shots at this."

"Maybe not…But I rarely get the chance to fight another weapon user that's our age, I wanna see if you're actually good at using one or if that sword's just to look tough." Tenten said with a cheeky grin as she waved him over to taunt him; "Come on, you're really gonna act like you don't wanna cut loose a little?"

Ryōga sighed, part of him wanted to be the one voice of reason since Sasuke barreled into his fight and despite her smart pickup on the genjutsu illusion, Sakura was right back to her Sasuke Tunnel Vision. Though on the other hand: He seemed enticed by the idea of fighting another sword user. "Fine…but when we stop, we break those two up." He said begrudgingly as he got into a two handed kendo stance, though he had a looser grip than normal and with his first few swings; it looked like he was moving like a stream of water. "Water Breathing Style: Third Form, Flowing Dance!" He called out as he began to swing and strike at the blocking Tenten.

Even though it sounded grand and like he was performing a Jutsu, the onlookers could only see Ryōga swinging his sword with the flat of the blade pointed toward his opponent.

Tenten on the other hand was keeping on the defensive to get a feel for him and found him to be deceptively capable. "Pretty good, I can tell he's got a good handle of the basics but he still feels restrained…Like he's worried he'll hurt me. Hmhm~ It's cute that he thinks that~" She thought before starting to push back and put up more of a challenge by swinging faster and harder.

Ryōga was continuously deflecting and striking where he could but found himself struggling on a slow decline. Tenten picked up speed with her swings to the point that he was getting pushed back, her quick strikes were methodical and determined to break through his guard, he was about to start using his Breathing Style to amplify his strength when a kunai stuck in the ground betwen them and Sasuke was spared being slammed into the ground when a pinwheel caught Lee's bandage mid wrap.

"That's enough, the both of you!" A stern voice called out as Tenten stopped mid-swing and Lee was dropped to the ground while Ryōga and Sasuke saw the most peculiar source of the voice; A Turtle with a headband around it's neck.

"A…A Turtle? That can't be their teacher, can it?" Sakura muttered to herself as could only watch in both confusion and anxiety, she then saw Sasuke hit the ground with a startled look on his face and rushed over to help him up. "He..He barely even had the chance to fight back…Let alone land a hit…"

"No…Their teacher must be close by…" Ryōga pointed out as he sheathed his sword and went to go join them, he himself was sporting an unnerved look at how much the gap was between him and Ten-Ten. "I think the Turtle is their Summoning."

"Guy-Sensei! I-I…"

"Stow it, Lee! You and Ten-Ten are both in trouble for brazenly showing off your skills before the exams! Imagine what kind of trouble that you would end up in if the wrong person figured out your secrets outside of a battle!"

Ten-Ten didn't exactly come off of it any easier as she helped Lee up to his feet. "Well...Guess we have to face the music for this." She muttered as a cloud of smoke billowed out from the top of the turtle's shell and in it's place was a significantly older man who matched Lee's outfit barring the flak jacket, his haircut and somehow had even more outrageous eyebrows. "Guy-Sensei, I'm sorry that we jumped the gun on things but I just had to see what another sword wielding Genin was capable of."

"The sheer abundance of youth that you two show is the most refreshing thing that I've seen all day!" Might Guy proclaimed with a dramatic pose as he climbed off of the disappearing turtle and started to scold the both of them for breaking "The Golden Rule of Youthful Ninja", that was then followed by a tearful hug which lasted for a very long and very dramatic moment.

"And you three must be Team 7…Tell me, how is Kakashi these days?" Guy asked as he turned to face Sakura, Sasuke and Ryōga. "Because right now, I can see my arch rival has some interesting prospects."

The three were quiet as they were still trying to process what had happened, including both Sasuke and Ryōga sharing a look of mutual bemusement and second hand embarrassment at the prior scene of Lee and Guy in a tight embrace.

It only took a blink of an eye for the Jonin to vanish and reappear behind them; "Though interesting doesn't quite match up to unbridled skill." Guy remarked as he saw the three spooked by his sudden jump. "Alright, you two! let's get moving…You're gonna end up late."

Lee nodded along as he was wrapping up his hands following his attempted technique on Sasuke; Unintentionally showing off the battered and bruised knuckles that he had earned through training, though it far exceeded what most Jonin normally put their students through.

"Just so you know, Uchiha Siblings. Neither of you are the strongest in this group of Genin; The real deal is in my squad and I already have the desire to beat him, though you are the next on my list; Sasuke Uchiha." Lee mentioned before vanishing to go join his mentor to register.

Ten-Ten looked to Ryōga who was already unnerved by the distance between dealing with Kakashi and with Guy. "Try not to look so sour, you're a lot better with a sword than I expected from you…Make sure you take that sword seriously and get to the end because I'm not gonna let you half heart your way to becoming a Chunin." She said directly to Ryōga before hopping up to join the others.

Sakura was shocked to say the least; Sasuke was her flawless warrior that could beat anyone who went up against him while Ryōga was the hard worker who'd power through challenges thrown at him out of either willpower or spite, though she was less likely to admit it but more open to accepting that Ryōga was not the hopeless case she made him out to be. "C-Come on, let's hurry it up and get going." She prompted as she helped Sasuke to his feet and felt herself sink a little in shock: He was shaking.

"He caught me off guard…That's all…The next time that I see him…He's going down!" Sasuke growled to himself as he stomped towards the stairs while leaving Sakura and his cousin behind so he could shake off the feeling of being beaten.

"Yeah he did…But he also wiped the floor with you just now, you're saying that if you saw him again now that you'd somehow kick his butt?" Ryōga asked with a wry tone as he marched forward to confront Sasuke.

"That's out of line, Dud! You KNOW Sasuke can beat anyone, including you!" Sakura protested as she stepped between the two; "He just…He wanted to give that weird browed guy a chance to feel superior for now but when he next shows up, he'll-"

"Just look at what happened, the both of you!" Ryōga snapped; He himself felt on edge after Ten-Ten practically had him on the back foot and he didn't want to undo all of his progress. "You saw those scars on his knuckles too..Didn't you, Sasuke?" He asked as he gazed down at his own hands; They were barely forming calluses from holding and using his sword but that simply proved his point.

"So what are you suggesting? That it's hopeless? Or that I should just give up on trying?!" Sasuke snapped at Ryōga as he reared on the other Uchiha with a disdainful look in his eye. "You might be willing to give up but I'm not gonna sit there and get looked down on!"

"I'm just telling you to face the facts…You got beaten and I couldn't have done any better…The training that they had gone through must have been more intensive than what Kakashi has been throwing at us." Ryōga pointed out as he wasn't backing down from Sasuke's rebuke. "No one's gonna give us the easy way out…So how about we prove that bowl cut that we're not going to be laughed at or dismissed, you wanna prove you're better? Then put the effort in to train harder."

"Heh…You know what? Fine, if you're so pushy about it then we can play it your way for once…" Sasuke said with a smirk; It was true that Sasuke desired to get stronger than anyone else but hearing his own cousin being the one to grow a set of balls and agree in his own way made him more motivated than anything. "This Exam could be interesting…Dud, Sakura…Let's go pass the exam."

Sakura cheered with a "Hell Yeah!" as they headed up the stairs and towards the exam hall where Kakashi of all people was standing in the hall and waiting for them.

"Good to see you three show up, I'm especially surprised that Sakura showed up too." Kakashi mentioned as he greeted the three.

"Me? Why would I be the one that surprised you?" Sakura asked, thoroughly confused at the fact that Kakashi singled her out.

"Well, I deliberately kept information vague about the Exams…I WAS going to bring it up in the morning after you rested up but it looked like those kids from the Sand beat me to it, not to mention the fact that I saw how you were after your group's…Disagreement regarding the end of our last mission."

"That…Still doesn't really answer the question." Ryōga pointed out as he looked at Kakashi with that same level of confusion.

"Okay then…Allow me to explain; The Chunin Exams are reserved for 3 Person cells and that's how it's always been…You were all kept intentionally vague because that way none of you would be pressured by the others into coming along." Kakashi detailed as he decided to make it simple; "You all had the choice to go or not go, but Sakura: YOU would have gone if Sasuke had told you to go without hesitation. No questions asked at all but then it would just be out of obligation and going through the motions, just like you would have ignored it if Ryōga asked you to go."

"And say Sakura didn't show up but WE did…What then?" Sasuke asked with his hands in his pockets as he figured that he'd ask the question; Partially wondering since his idea of getting ahead was to try going without Ryōga or Sakura around.

"Then I'd argue against it, you'd be turned away right here and now…You two might be Uchiha but you're still Genin, it's a team for a reason." Kakashi pointed out. "Though knowing those two doddering old grumblers around Lord Hokage would probably offer Sasuke an instant pass to Chunin for simply blowing his nose…" He thought as he then looked to the three. "But since you've opted to go into this together, I'm very proud to offer you the chance to proceed ahead and do your best."

As the doors opened up; The tension practically hit them like a colossal wave as a large group of applicants stared directly at Team 7, more specifically at the two Uchiha since they were considered the high priority targets to beat. "Well…So much for the confidence earlier…" Sakura muttered as she felt a little unnerved by the fact that these people were large in volume AND looked strong, though that innervation quickly gave way to annoyance when a familiar streak of blonde hair zipped forward and latched herself around Sasuke.

"SASUKE! I knew that you'd be here~ Where exactly were you hiding all this time?" Ino Yamanaka was another of Sasuke's most prolific groupies and her jealousy at Sakura being in the same team as him mean she was clinging on to him like a tick.

"Ino, you ponytailed pig! Get the hell off of Sasuke! If you want to snag an Uchiha, there's a better suited one for you right there!" Sakura yelled at Ino and then gestured to Ryōga who was trying to stay out of the whole thing.

Just like most of the other girls in their class; Ino often steered clear of Ryōga due to the fact that he was labelled the second gloomiest, non-Sasuke person in the group, however she was distinctly higher in Ryōga's respect list since she wasn't going out of her way to undermine or degrade him which at least made her bearable in his eyes.

"Looks like you've really gotten the lucky straw in terms of teams, Ryō." Shikamaru mentioned as a light jab as he and Choji decided to try giving Ryōga a little breathing room from Sakura and Ino's fight. "So, how is it being in a team with one of the smartest girls and your cousin? Because Ino's all "Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke" all the time and we're the ones having to hear about Sakura's supposed love poaching."

Ryōga sighed, thankful for the distraction and at least appreciating a familiar face. "Well, considering that I'm stuck having to listen to Sakura trying to cross that bridge…I've just learned to tune it out." He admitted; "Plus I've spent most years around Sasuke, being on a team with him isn't really much different."

"You've certainly perked up since you started missions." Choji pointed out in between a mouthful of chips; "Plus I've heard you've been swinging a sword around a lot."

"Taijutsu was always a problem back in the academy, at least now I have a physical way to defend myself without having to freak out like before." Ryōga mentioned as he pat the sheathed sword; "As for the perking up? I'm making the effort to change my skills so why not start changing my confidence?"

"Yeah, you've gone from a whimpering puppy to becoming a dog with a worthwhile bark." Kiba said with a playful grin as he bumped fists with Ryōga. "But I'm still gonna beat you guys and become Chunin."

"I'll believe that once Akamaru stops leaving…"Surprises" in your hoody when you annoy him." Ryōga said as he shot back a similar barb and felt a small smile grow, he missed being able to hang out with them for a while since they all became Genin.

"H-He's actually managed to get a handle on it once Kurenai-sensei told him off for the smell during a mission." A brunette shyly spoke up as she joined Kiba alongside a shades wearing dark haired boy.

This girl was Hinata Hyuga; A girl who much like Sasuke and Ryōga came from a highly recognised Clan who specialised in a technique known as the Gentle Fist, however she was also an incredibly shy and withdrawn person that was capable of making Ryōga look like an extrovert by comparison.

"Hey, I just told Akamaru to stop and he stopped." Kiba grumbled as he scratched the dog's head as they lay atop his hair. "Plus Ryō hasn't really helped much at the kennels recently so I think he misses his other buddy."

"Just as long as it stops the ammonia smell…it messes with my insects." The other boy mentioned with a voice barely rising over a whisper. "But I do have to ask, how does someone like him become friends with you, Kiba?"

"Mostly because Ryōga's not a conceited prick or complains about the smell." Kiba mentioned as he shot a grin at Ryōga.

The conversation was cut short when a silver haired boy with glasses stepped in; "You know this isn't a social gathering, right?" He asked as he looked among both Ryōga's group and the argument between Sakura and Ino. "Everyone here is on edge and you all acting like this is a field trip isn't helping."

"So what, we're supposed to just sit here and act all mopey like we're at a funeral?" Kiba asked with a grimace and took one of the seats; "Because that's just adding to everyone else."

"True, I guess…But I guess I can offer some sage advise since I've been around this block several times…Throw you guys a bone, what do you say?" The boy asked as he pulled out a deck of cards from a pouch on his waist.

Sakura was the first to question it; "Hold on…several? You mean this isn't your first time taking the exam? What kind of test is this?"

"It's my seventh actually, I can issue you a little information thanks to these Ninja info cards…And my name's Kabuto." Kabuto mentioned as he weaved Chakra through the cards and showed up a small chart of the world including a list of the nations put forward, explaining how each Village submit their very best to become Chunin.

"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE LISTEN UP AND FOCUS UP!" A deep voice boomed out as the head proctor showed up with other teachers; Ibiki Morino was glaring at the applicants and smirked a little when he heard all of them quiet instantly; "Good, you learn quick…My name is Ibiki Morino and for right now, you will be undergoing a simple test for the first part of your Chunin Exam, the rules are straightforward but you better listen since I won't explain it a second time!" He barked while writing out on the chalkboard with the list of rules to follow.

"Rule 1. You will be judged as a whole so no one team member can carry their whole team, Rule 2. You start with a score of 10 and any mistakes you make round that down all the way to 0, you lose that and you lose outright! Rule 3. Since this is a simple written test devised to test you on being Ninja, you will be allowed to do anything to earn your results but if you get caught cheating…You get kicked out!" He explained in a quickfired fashion and handed tests out to each applicant along with a number for that they were allocated.

Once everyone was sat down, the proctors were sat by the window with clipboards and pencils at the ready; "Alright, The test starts now…You have one hour so make it count!"

The room was silent as pencils scratched against paper amidst the occasional complaint or the outright surrender to the test. Everyone had their own ways to get through the questions once the idea of cheating became an option; Ryōga and Sasuke used the Sharingan to sparingly copy the pencil strokes that people around them used while under the observation of the proctors, Gaara used a hidden Sand Eye to peek and Ten-Ten used the traditional method of hiding the answers behind a metal plate around a light fixture.

By the time that Ibiki and the Proctors knocked the number of people down to 78, it was time for the final question; "Here's the long and short: If you choose to refuse answering, then your points will be taken away and you'll fail the exam." Ibiki explained as he then saw some hands go up and decided to follow on. "For those who wonder why you'd choose refusing it then I'll make it simple; If you take this question and get it wrong, I will fail not just you but your entire team as well plus I will make sure you are barred from taking the Chunin Exams…Permanently."

This brought about a few protests and some who decided to fold it with giving up. "This is insane…If even one of us decides that it's not worth it then we ALL fail but if we mess up the question then we'll never become Chunin…." Sakura thought to herself; Glancing to Sasuke who was quiet and barely moving before looking to Ryōga. "Sasuke wants to become the top Uchiha in the Clan…So I won't ruin it for him…"

However it was Ryōga who stood up from his chair and stared Ibiki dead in the eye; "Name a single thing that doesn't come with a risk; You swim in water and you risk drowning, you eat something and you risk choking on it….You become a Ninja and you risk your own life, so why should we start worrying now?"

"You've got guts to try standing up to me…but I should warn you, this carries a stronger risk than simply failing…If you give it up now then you at least have the chance for another try later." Ibiki pointed out as he watched Ryōga with a sharp gaze.

"I didn't give up when I was trained as a kid…Or when I decided to start using a sword and I'm not going to start now. Backing down is no longer a option to me, I promised to not to give up and I'm sticking to it no matter what you or anyone else says." Ryōga stated bluntly while some others began to take on board what he said and decided to double down.

"This is your final chance while you can…Give. Up…I won't tell you again." Ibiki said with a focused glare that matched the standing Uchiha.

"I won't quit…I won't second guess and I won't let you tell me otherwise because I'm gonna do what's right for me." Ryōga calmly smirked as he felt more sure of himself than he ever did before.

It seemed like the others were starting to agree as they kept their cool and even felt reassured, the only ones who didn't seem affected were Sasuke, Gaara or Sakura who were either annoyed at Ryōga's display, otherwise nonplussed or surprised that he had the guts to stand up to Ibiki.

"Alright then." Ibiki smirked a little once the door closed when the last person gave up. "For the 78 of you still here in the room, there's no going back from hereon out…"

The tension returned quickly as they saw Ibiki pausing for what he was going to say next but then found themselves surprised when he placed his hands in his coat pockets.

"Because Congratulations, all of you in here pass!"