[In Naruto?!] -- Older Version of Dérive.

| 29 | The Third Round |

ONE MORE CHAPTER 'TILL THE BIG 30! Haha, I would've never been able to make it this far without you readers, voters, and commenters! I'm still quite sick, so please don't hate me if this chapter is a little...short. Ugh, I'unno, but don't hate me since my brain can go into hay-wire from being sick easily. I HATE YOU, SICKNESS! >∆<U

ANYWAYS.

I am so sure that Shikamaru will win the lover's pairings, hands down. The chibi and Shika-kun used to be neck'n'neck, but now Shikamaru's ahead. Like seriously, ahead.

Hm, suspicions are coming back.

Yasuo: Hm...

Tiffany: What?

Yasuo: Nothing. Just saying that you should be cautious around the poll now.

Tiffany: NO SHIT.

WARNING: Foul Language. Fluff. Quite Sick Authoress. Crack!

DISCLAIMER: I, LeTiffany, do not own the manga/anime Naruto or its characters. I only own the story plot and the Original Characters (OC) I create. All credits towards Naruto should go to Masashi Kishimoto.

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| [(*)] | Music: No Current Music For This Scene | Effects: No Current Effects |

It had been a full four weeks since the second part of the Chūnin Exams, and a full four weeks since you started training nonstop. Injuries flocked around you, mostly at your torso or leg, but of course; that didn't stop you from guaranteeing your survival in the final part of the Chūnin Exams. No, you pushed on, occasionally visiting Rui from your late-nights while he was asleep.

It was at this day that all the training would hopefully pay off. Today was the big day - the last part of the Exams that would decide if you were good enough to be a chūnin or not.

And you were ready for this day, more than ever.

| [(*)] | Opening Theme: Colors by FLOW | The Third Round ; 3回戦 | Music: Naruto OST Album 1 // Song - Naruto's Main Theme | Effects: Cheering, Talking |

"Ne, Rui; Sakura'll look after you now, 'kay?" you smiled down at your younger brother, who looked up at you with a grin.

"Hai!" he giggled, and you couldn't help but smile.

"Yosh, I-I'll look after h-him, [Name]-kun," Sakura stated shyly, and you let go of Rui's hand, nodding towards her.

"I'll be back soon, Rui!" you called over your shoulder as you sighed, walking into the final arena of the Chūnin Exams, going to line up with the single file that was already there.

You blinked as you spotted an unfamiliar face - an emerald-eyed female from Takigakure who was currently glaring at you. You raised an eyebrow at her, making her smirk before she turned around, as if she never saw you. Your eye twitched as you stared at her, finding her short honey-brown hair almost insulting.

Does she want to die?

Just because she has short hair like you doesn't mean she's mocking you.

Shut up, Yasuo.

You sighed, before leaning over to look at the whole single file. You blinked as the person next to you spoke.