A/N: This piece that I don't own is called Autumn Light Chrysanthemum.

Sakura grunted, throwing three shuriken at a time, hitting the targets right in the centre. Today was one of the days when she remembered the mission with the bridge builder vividly. Usually when a shinobi has their first kill, they are supposed to talk to someone about, since they're most likely traumatised by it. Of course, because Kakashi was her sensei (and all sensei oversaw to their team), he didn't care, frankly.

Her mind replayed the scene in her head over and over and over again, and she listened to the screams that echoed only inside her head. They had gotten worse since she met the Sunagakure genin, or to be more precise, Gaara. He had emitted the same terrific aura she had felt from that man she had burnt to death. Hashirama had not spoken for a long time, now. I must be stronger. I must work harder to be the best. I must work hard and be the best and the strongest so I may please Orochimaru.

At the Academy, it took little to no effort to be the best. Everyone was under the impression I was the top of the class.

I do not have the same drive Ramen-boy has, nor the strong emotion called hatred that Sasuke harbors. I do not know who or what I am, other than that I am a shinobi. Shinobi: One that specializes in the art of stealth. This can branch off into many things such as assassination, torture, interrogation, etc. They have three basic parts that make up their skill set: ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

A shinobi is simply an elite tool used for any purpose. The only thing I know is that I hope someday that I may be of use to another the same way Haku did to Zabuza. Haku was a true shinobi.

Sakura had stopped throwing the shuriken and kunai by now and was doubled over, clutching her head as the pressure inside kept growing.

Who am I? What am I? What is my purpose? Why must I be cursed with such a fate?

Will I ever be of use to one?

:::

"Alright, Chūnin Exams! We're gonna kick butt, dattebayo!"

"Hn." Sasuke crossed his arms and smirked in agreement.

"Whaddya think, Sakura-chan?" Naruto attempted to bring Sakura into their conversation for the third time, with no avail. Instead, she continued walking to the Academy for the first part of the exam, her teammates trailing behind her.

When they began climbing up the stairs, they heard yelling. Naruto peeked, and saw everyone crammed in the small hallway. For some reason, they were all trying to avoid a semi-circle.

Sakura watched with an expressionless mask as she watched two genin that bore very similar features to Izumo and Kotetsu.

"TenTen!" Her and the rest of Team 7 watched as a green blur caught a girl with two buns.

Sasuke stepped forward. "What's going on?" He demanded, causing the others in the hall to begin whispering.

"These two won't let us pass into the room!" Lee exclaimed. "They are very un-youthful and have hit TenTen, my teamma—" He stopped, his wide eyes getting even wide and he broke into a smile. "Sakura! How odd it is to see you here at the Chūnin Exams!"

She found her hand being shaken very quickly by the spandex-clad genin. "Sakura," Another voice greeted her, and she nodded to all of Team Gai.

"We haven't seen you in forever, Sakura! Gai's worried about you!" TenTen scolded her, wincing slightly at her bruised cheek from the punch she had received earlier.

"Aa." Sakura nodded again, then turned to the one that punched her. "Do you not have better things to do, Izumo, Kotetsu? Perhaps you should leave," she suggested monotonously.

"Huh?" Naruto asked. "What do you mean, Sakura-chan?"

"Sasuke," the pinkette called out, not looking back at him. "Explain."

The Uchiha nodded, and stepped up next to Sakura. "What my teammate means to say is that we're only on the second floor."

"What...? Impossible—!" Neji activated his all-seeing eyes. "Genjutsu," he called out, only loud enough for those close to him to hear.

"Wow, you've really improved, Sakura!" TenTen smiled down on her short friend.

"I agree, TenTen! Sakura's youth had increased! Gai-sensei would be pleased!"

The pink-haired kunoichi shook her head. "No. I only know them from past experiences. They are truly chūnin in disguise."

"Really? You know some chūnin already? That's awesome, —ttebayo! But...who are these three?" Naruto pointed to the three genin that seemed to know Sakura.

"She can explain later, Dobe. Let's go, before everyone finally realizes that—they're gone." When Sasuke looked back to the chūnin in disguise, they were already gone.

"Let us go," Sakura declared, to no one in particular.

Team Seven climbed up the stairs to the third floor. Kakashi was there, waiting. "Hiya, Kakashi-sensei! What are you doing here, —ttebayo?"

"Naruto, Sasuke," the jōnin said to the two boys. Sakura's name was not mentioned once. "...Sakura." She looked up, her eyes narrowed a fraction. What is so important that he must acknowledge me? "I'm glad you're all here." Ah. I am needed since all three are required to take the Chūnin Exam. "I'll take your permission slips and then you can enter." All three genin gave their slips to the grey-haired man that poofed away immediately after he had them.

"Ready?" Naruto asked, jumping up and down from his excitement.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted, but had a smirk on his face.

Sakura nodded slightly and brushed past the blonde and opened the door revealing all sorts of genin from different villages. "ALRIGHT, ALL OF YOU, GET READY FOR THE BEATING OF A LIFETIME, DATTEBAYO!"

"Sasuke-kun!" As soon as the door was opened, all eyes were on them.

"Ino, don't be troublesome," a bored voice came as a boy with spiky hair stepped up beside Sakura. "Hey, Sakura. Haven't seen you around," Shikamaru said, then sat on the floor, most likely to conserve energy. Chōji stared at Akamaru, wondering if he was big enough to eat. Kiba and Naruto fought rambunctiously, and Hinata and Shino talked to each other quietly.

"He's right, you know," another voice chimed. All the rookie genin turned to see a boy older than them with gray hair in a spiky ponytail and round glasses that he pushed up constantly. His voice seemed very friendly and polite, but Sakura stared at him, interested.

There is a reason for why one would approach the loudest, highly-likely to be targeted in the Exams—he will use us to his advantage, somehow.

"I'm Kabuto." He smiled at everyone, the lenses of his glasses flashing as the light reflected off of them. She didn't like him, Sakura had decided.

Oh gosh, Kabuto's here to wreak havoc. What will happen next?