Naruto's POV

Once we got the Heaven Scroll from the rain ninja, we went through the front doors of the tower and opened both the Earth Scroll and the Heaven Scroll. After we opened them, Iruka came out of the scroll, telling us we passed. "I'm glad to see you guys are all right." He said with a smile.

"Iruka-sensei, we lost Miu-chan. We think she might be dead." I said. "What are you talking about, Naruto? Miu is here, in the infirmary." Iruka-sensei said. "What?! She's here?!" I said. Sasuke looked at him as well. "Yeah, follow me,"

Iruka lead us to the infirmary and opened the door to reveal Miu, sleeping in a hospital bed. "Kakashi and I found her just outside the doors. She had a high fever and had a panic attack earlier. Other than that, she's doing fine," Iruka-sensei explained.

Sasuke went over to Miu and gazed down at her. 'But how is that possible? She left with that Orochimaru guy. Did she change her mind?' I thought. "How did she get here?" Sasuke asked as his hand was gently placed on her cheek. 

"That's the strangest thing. We don't know how. With a high fever, she must have pulled through. But somehow, I doubt that. Without any medical treatment, she should be dead. If you ask me, I think someone helped her." Iruka said.

I don't care how she got here. I'm just glad she's safe. A smile made its way to my face as I stared at Miu, happy to see that she was okay.

Miu's POV

Sasori was all I could think about as I slept. I miss him already. After a while, I decided to wake up. I opened my eyes then sat up before rubbing my eyes. "Miu-chan!" I heard someone cheer my name. I was unexpectedly hugged by Naruto. "Naruto?" I said.

"Thank goodness, you're alright! I was so worried about you!" He said. "You're too loud." I mentioned. "How are you feeling, Miu?" Iruka-sensei asked me. "Dizzy. O-Other than that, I-I feel fine." I answered. "I'm glad to hear that. The next part of the exams are about to start. Are you sure you still want to compete? You don't have to, you know." He asked me.

I shook my head. "I'm ready." I said before getting out of bed. I realized I still had the little wooden mannequin in my hand. I smiled and hid it in my clothing as my team and I walked to the big arena. "How'd you do it?" I looked at Sasuke. "Excuse me?" I asked.

"How were you able to make it here all on your own?" He asked. "I just had a little help, that's all, and I'd like you to stop asking questions." I said before listening to what the proctor had to say, but I think I can guess what we're going to be doing next; We're going to fight each other.

I just hope I go last. I looked up at the big screen as it began to read off the names of who will be fighting who. 'Please let me be last. Please let me be last' I thought over and over. But of course, since things like to backfire on me, I was went first and was going to be fighting Kabuto Yakushi.

I sighed. "Good luck, Miu-chan." Naruto said with a smile. I gave him a small smile and stepped forward while everyone else went onto a balcony. This shouldn't be hard, right? I could just read his mind and detect his next movement.

Easy enough, right? Yeah, right. "Just so you know, I'm not going to go easy on you just because you're a girl." Kabuto informed. I didn't respond as I stared blankly at him. I just want to get this over with. "If you're ready, you may begin." Hayate said.

I got in a fighting stance. Kabut smirked before throwing shuriken at me. "You know, you can stop objects with your mind, right?"

I gasped slightly. Sasori? He's here? I took his advice and decided to try it out. I focused on the shuriken that were flying at me and stopped them when they were about to hit me. I smirked before letting the shuriken fall to the ground.

"Thank you, Sasori." I whispered. "That was a nice trick. Now let's see you try and dodge these." Kabuto said before throwing more weapons at me. I frowned and used my mind to stop all of them. I wonder what else I could do? Can I push them back?

I doubt that, so I'm not gonna try it. I began to do a few hand signs. "Water Style: Raging Waves." I spit water out of my mouth and towards Kabuto. He was able to dodge the attack. Go figure, right? I read his mind, seeing what his next move will be: "I'll go at her with taijutsu. Then when she's weak, I'll finish her off with ninjutsu."

That's actually not a bad idea. Maybe I should use genjutsu on him. I did the correct hand signs for the genjutsu and pink flower petals began to leave my body, surrounding Kabuto. "Trying to trap me in a genjutsu, huh? That's not going to work on me!" Kabuto said before kicking me the chest.

I flew back and slid across the ground. I don't get it. Why didn't that work? How was he able to see pass my genjutsu? Looks like I'll have to try a different approach. But before I could do that, like Kabuto had in mind, he began to come at me with taijutsu.

I've got to think of something, and fast! I began to do some hand signs until Kabuto grabbed my throat. "Sorry, but it's over for you." Kabuto said. He lift me off the ground and smashed me into the wall, causing me to cough up the blood.

Wait a second. Why do I have less chakra than before? I didn't even use that much of it. Unless...

I looked at Kabuto. "So you're finally figuring it out. I've absorbed most of your chakra when you trying to put me under your genjutsu." He explained. That explains it. But now that I hardly have any chakra, I'm screwed. There's nothing I can do.

"You're not going to die on me like that, Miu. There's no way in hell that I'm allowing you to give up like this."

Sasori? Where is he? "Time to die." Kabuto said as he took out a weird shaped kunai. "Snap out of it, Miu!" Sasori shouted in my mind. His sudden tone made me squeak and something emerged from my back. Whatever it was, it hit Kabuto in the face, making him smash into the opposite wall.

I looked behind me and saw huge pink wings. "What the heck? What is this?" I said as I stared at the wings. "That's new. I didn't think you gain those so quickly." Sasori said in my head. "Sasori, what is this? Why do I have wings?" I asked aloud.

"I'll explain it to you later. Right now, you have a match to win. Now get going." Sasori said. I gave a nod and stood up as Kabuto was peeling himself off the wall. How do I use these? How do you use wings in a fight?!

"Not bad, Miu. But that won't be enough to help you." Kabuto said. I have to end this fight. But how? My wings acted on their own and began to flap, as if trying to fly. Instead, it shot sharp, pink feathers at Kabuto making him stick to the wall.

That was easy, but I don't want to kill him. I just want to end the match. Kabuto tried moving, but he was stuck. He couldn't move. Kabuto look at me before smirking. "That's it. I forfeit." Kabuto announced. "Because the opponent forfeits the match, the winner of the first match is Miu Shimizu." Hayate announced.

My wings flapped once then went into my back, making the sharp feathers that were holding Kabuto to disappear, letting him fall on the ground. "I'm sorry you weren't able to win, but if it makes you feel any better, you're an excellent fighter." I said as I bowed my head respectfully.

"You're pretty good yourself. I'll have to watch my back better this time," He stood to his feet then looked at me. "It was nice fighting you, Miu. I'm sure we'll be in touch." Kabuto said before petting my head. I flinched slightly when he touched me.

He removed his hand from my head then walked off. Creepy. I went to the balcony and approached my team. "Miu, that was awesome! Are you an angel?! How did you make those wings appear on your back?!" Naruto said excitedly.

"That's what I want to know. I honestly don't know how I was able to make them appear." I said truthfully. Then again, when Sasori practically yelled at me, that's when the wings came out. Maybe they were triggered by being startled.

"Of course, you wouldn't know how you got them. You're too stupid to know, Miu." Sakura scolded. "Please excuse me," I bowed my head to them then left, heading into the hallway. I wasn't sad at what Sakura said to me. I'm use to her insults.

I'm just looking for Sasori since he's somewhere around here. "Sasori, are you here?" I called quietly. "Behind you,  Miu." I spun around, spotting my cousin standing in front of me. "You did good out there. Nice job." Sasori praised.

"Thanks, but you helped me win because of your advice," I stated. "Sasori, how come I was able to make this wings appear? Which member of our family had wings?" I asked him.

"None. You must have been born in a special way. What I'm saying is, you're special, Miu. I'm not talking about that father saying, "you're special" crap. I mean, you're special in a different way. I'll have to go back to the base and find out what caused you to have wings." He explained.

I hugged his waist with a smile. A small smile made its way on his face as he hugged me back. "I have to go now, Miu. Do you still have that mannequin I gave you?" He asked. I went into my pocket and took out the small wooden mannequin that he gave me earlier.

"Good. I want you to keep that with you at all times. Do you understand?" He said. I nodded my head. "I understand." I said. He petted my head. "Good girl,"

His hand went to my cheek, gently caressing it. "I have to go. See you around, Miu." With that, he left. I smile because I knew I was alone. I went over to the window and stare at the sky. I wonder where Isuke went? He's been gone for quite a while.

I sighed and took a step back, attempting to walk away, but a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I blushed when a head buried itself in the crook of my neck. I turned my head, seeing it was Sasuke. "S-S-Sasuke?! W-What are you-!"

"I'm glad," I blinked as I looked at him. "I'm glad that you're okay. I thought you were dead. I'm glad you're alive and here with me." He said as he kept his face hidden in my neck. I don't undertsand. Why was he saying this? He doesn't even like me.

He was only pretending to like me so he could make fun of me. I know he hates me. He's just like everyone else who bullies me. "Why are you... saying this?" I asked. He secured his grip on my waist before speaking. "Because I care about you, Miu. Because... I don't want anything bad to happen to you." Sasuke said.

"But Sakura said-"

"I don't care what Sakura said. You're not weak, or stupid, or a nuisance. You proved that wrong when you fought against Kabuto. You're strong, Miu. Don't listen to Sakura. She's the weak one, not you. I don't know how to explain it, but..." He said.

"But?" I asked. "But there's something about you that makes me crazy about you. Every time I see you, I get this feeling that I just have to protect you. That I have to be with you. I don't know what this feeling is, but it happens whenever I'm around you." Sasuke explained. 

It's a trick. He's doesn't mean it. Sasuke's just saying this so he can tell it to everyone else and make fun of me later. I'm not going to fall for it. I refuse to believe his words. "You're lying." I stated softly with my eyes closed.

Sasuke spun me around so I was facing him. "I'm not lying. Look into my eyes. Does it look like I'm lying?" He said. I looked into his eyes. A serious look was plastered on his face. It was almost terrifying. It was hard to tell if he was lying or not.

Whenever I looked into someone's eyes, I always saw anger and a bunch of lies. But not Naruto. He's the only one who doesn't hold that. What he holds is very sad. His eyes held pain, sadness, and loneliness. I turned away from Sasuke's eyes.

"It's hard to tell if you're lying to me. You're just like the others. I won't fall for it. I won't believe such words." I said, walking away from him. Sasuke grabbed my wrists and pinned me against the wall. Not again. I think this is the part where he hits me.

"Well?" I asked. "Well what?" Sasuke questioned. "What are you waiting for? Hit me. You want to, don't you? That's what you want to do, isn't it? Then do it. I won't stop you. I'm use to the pain now. Go ahead and hit me. You'll just be proving my point." I said with a frown.

Sasuke frowned and lifted his hand. I shut my eyes and whimpered, waiting for the hit to come. Instead of feeling a punch or a slap to the face, I felt his hand gently place itself on my cheek and felt his lips on my forehead.

I opened my eyes, seeing that Sasuke was kissing my forehead. "I'm not going to hit you. I couldn't do it even if I wanted to." He said. "So why won't you? What is it about me that you won't hit me?" I said. I don't understand his behavior.

Naturally, I'd get hit left and right whenever I'm not doing anything wrong or when I'm not doing anything. But this guy, this Uchiha, was treating me with kindness. The only person who's showed me so much kindness was Lord Hokage.

"I like you, Miu. Don't forget that." Sasuke said before kissing my cheek. I blushed a dark red as he left. He likes me? He said that before, but I never understood it. I don't even understand it now. No, he's lying. He must be lying. He has to be lying.

"You're lying." I said softly as I looked at the ground. I turned the other direction to walk away. I wasn't ready to go back to my team, knowing Sakura would just make fun of me. I bumped into someone.

"I'm very sorry. I didn't look where I was going." I apologized while bowing my head. "That's alright, my precious Miu," I gasped and looked up, looking at Orochimaru. "O... Orochimaru?" I said with a gulp. "Hello, Miu," He smiled at me.

"I saw your match. You did a splendid job." Orochimaru said. "Why... W-Why did you give me a mark? Why? You... Y-You lied to me." I said. "I didn't lie to you, Miu. I promised I would take you away from the Leaf and I'm still holding on to that promise. However, my plans are put on hold for the time being." He explained.

I flinched and shut my eyes when he gently placed his hand on my cheek. "You tried to kill my cousin." I said as I felt him caressing my cheek. "Oh, Miu. You still trust me, don't you?" Orochimaru said. I was scared to open my eyes and I was also afraid to answer.

It's like I couldn't speak. Actually, it felt like my ability to speak was taken from me. "You do still trust me." Orochimaru said. Man, did he read me like a book. "Yes... I-I... I still trust you." I admitted.

I opened my eyes to see him smirking at me. "The reason why I've given you a curse mark is because you can become stronger." He explained. "Stronger?" I repeated. "Yes. So, you can get revenge on the people that hurt you." Orochimaru said.

"But... I don't want to hurt other people." I said. "Don't you want to get even with the people who hurt you? Get a little payback?" He questioned. Yes, I do want them to pay for they did to me, but I don't want to kill them. "Miu, you won't betray me, will you?" Orochimaru said.

"No, never!" I said rather loudly. He smirked at me. "That's my Miu," Orochimaru petted my head then walked past me. "Remember what I said on the day we met, Miu? I told you I was always on your side, and I still am. I wouldn't want you thinking I was lying to you. Besides, I'm the only one who really cares about you." He said as he walked away.

I stood in my spot as Orochimaru left. I don't want know what to think anymore. Sasori tells me to stay away from Orochimaru and Orochimaru tells me that he's not lying. I should have read his mind before he left. I smacked my hand against my forehead.

I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I read his mind? Who should I trust? Who do I trust?