"The Chunin Exams?"

"Yes, Akari, as I've said four times already, you all will be joining in the Chunin Exams this year," Kurenai Sensei says wearily. She has, in fact, repeated this to me four times, but I'm so excited and shocked I have to keep asking, to make sure she isn't kidding.

The Chunin Exams! We've only been a team for a few months, and now we're going to enter the Chunin Exams! I'm too excited to be worried, but Hinata...

"B-But Kurenai Sensei... isn't it t-too soon?" she stutters, making Kiba roll his eyes. Ignoring her worries, he bares his teeth in a smile. "This is awesome!" he exclaims, with Akamaru barking madly to back him up.

Shino merely lifts and eyebrow, showing his mild surprise and excitement.

He's so expressive, isn't he?

Ah, I love him anyway.

"As a matter of fact," Kurenai says, "I've got to go inform Third Hokage of my decision right now. So go ahead and take the rest of the day to do what you please. Train, relax, freak out. It's your choice."

With that, she does a quick handsign and disappears.

Hinata turns to me, fear in her eyes. "You're not worried at all?" she asks me. I pause, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well, I know it feels a little sudden but if Kurenai Sensei thinks we're ready, then I think we're ready too." A small bit of reassurence creeps into her eyes, and I smile to myself. It's been about two weeks since her father almost killed me for being in his house without permission, and we've both been training hard even since.

Kiba and Shino have too, but they hardly need it compared to us.

More importantly, Kiba has been helping me with basic Taijutsu. I still need somebody a little more specialized, but the training has been helping. I feel ready to tackle the Chunin Exams, even if my head tells me Hinata is right, and it's too soon.

"What do you guys want to do?" I ask the three of them. Kiba throws his hands behind his head, shrugging. "Not sure," he says. "Training makes sense, but I'm not really focused at the moment. Shino?"

The Aburame shakes his head, telling us the decision is ours.

I roll my eyes playfully.

"Thanks Shino," I say, shoving him gently. "At least we can rely on you to make the tough decisions."

He says nothing, and I'm not surprised. I've not been able to goad him into an argument yet, though not for lack of trying. I honestly think it would be funny and horrifying to watch Shino explode.

I have a "lightbulb" moment, slapping my forehead in frustration. "What's wrong, Akari?" Hinata aks worriedly. I smile at her, to say nothing's wrong, not really. "I've just remembered. Masaki asked me to show him my new jutsu today. He was very adamant about it." I shrug helplessly. "Guess I'll see you guys later?"

Kiba grins broadly, throwing an arm around my neck and nearly knocking me to the ground in the process. "Course we'll see you later. Now go kick your brother's ass!"

I can't help buy laugh, and apparently, neither can Hinata. Only Shino keeps his cool, watching us with an unreadable expression as I crack up and Hinata giggles uncontrollably.

Man, I love my team.

***

"Ugh, I never realized how far I live from the training grounds," I mutter irritably, walking slowly down the road that leads home.

People glance at me as I mutter to myself, raising eyebrows or hurrying away from me. I don't really care. I already get looked at strangely for my horrible Taijutsu skills within my Clan. Oh they try to hide it. But I see right through them. They think something's wrong with me, either mentally or physically. There isn't, I'm sure, but it's what they think.

Hm, maybe I understand Naruto better than I thought.

Soon, I start to hear whispers that aren't about me.

"...heard he killed people..."

"...fear him in his Village..."

"...used the sand..."

"...like it was alive..."

"...scared everyone..."

"...murderous..."

"...demon..."

Demon? Are they... are they talking about Naruto? But he hasn't done anything! I know he hasn't! I just saw him yesterday, and he was his usual chipper self. Well, usual since becoming a Genin, anyway. If he'd done something, or if something had happened to him, he would have been acting strange, wouldn't he? No. I refuse to believe these murmurings have anything to do with that annoying blonde boy.

And what about sand?

Naruto and sand? It doesn't make sense. So it must be something else. Or someone else, I guess.

Maybe this is none of my business...

Anyway, Masaki is waiting for me.

I start running, knowing I have about a mile until I reach my home. Ugh. I really wish I knew a Teleportation Jutsu, but that's way out of my league. So I'll stick with ground-travel for right now.

It only takes a few minutes for me to realize that the streets are too crowded for running. But instead of slowing down, I hop up onto the fence beside me and continue racing down the street. I'd take the roofs, but recently the Jonin have been getting annoyed with us Genin causing commotions up there. Kiba sets off fireworks one time and we all get in trouble. Damn Inuzuka, doesn't know when to stop. I'd told him that people wouldn't appreciate him lighting up the sky during a funeral, but he insisted they wouldn't notice. Something about them being too preoccupied with their grief. Well, thet had noticed, and our entire team had gotten a lecture from Third Hokage because of it.

That kid, sometimes he's as annoying as Naruto.

I easily keep my balance running on the thin wooden planks that make up the fence, leaping gaps and landing lightly. I only stumble when I suddenly hear voices.

"Temari, we've got to follow the plan."

"I know Kankuro, I know! But how long do you think we'll be able to keep him from--"

I freeze as the two speakers look up, still someways down the road, and spot me, barely balancing on one foot. The boy in a full black body suit and pointy-eared hat sneers at me. "Looks like we've got a weakling spying on us, Temari," he says to the other speaker, a tall girl with her dark blonde hair set in four ponytails, two of which go above her head. A large fan rests on her back, and a wrapped up... something is on the back of the boy, presumably Kankuro.

About to fall, I drop down and grip the fence tightly with both hands. "I'm not a weakling," I mutter, glaring at them. "Oh I beg to differ," the girl, Temari, says in a false-polite tone. "Seeing as how you couldn't even keep your balance just a moment ago."

I scowl. "Who are you anyway?" I ask. I spot their headbands, frowning when I recognize them. "You know what, it doesn't matter you who are. What matters is that you're two Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Sand. Are you here for the Chunin Exams?"

Kankuro smiles cruelly. "So not all the Genin in this pathetic Village are brain-dead, huh?" he says to Temari, who smirks. "I guess you're right Kankuro. This little girl at least at least knows why we're here."

"Little girl?" I echo, wrinkling my nose. I am not a little girl. "I'm a Ninja," I tell the girl pointedly. She only smirks. I mean, she's fifteen, maybe sixteen. What right does she have to be calling me a little girl?

"Have you got permission to be here, or haven't you?" I ask, more irritated than before already. "Second time I've been asked that in the space of twenty minutes," the girl mutters, pulling something out of her weapons pouch. She flicks her wrist and throws a card over to me, which I manage to catch without toppling to the ground. There's barely any information on it besides her name and Village, but it's legitimate. She and her teammate are here legally.

I toss the card back like I'm throwing shuriken and the girl stuffs it back into her bag. I study them for a minute, reluctant to let to Sand Village Ninja run around my Village. "Where's your third teammate?" I ask after another moment of staring. Kankuro crosses his arms over his chest. "What are you talking about?" he asks rudely. I sigh, running a hand down my face like Shikamaru does so often. Hm, speaking of, I haven't seen him in forever. Maybe I should stop by his house today, see if he's in the Chunin Exams as well.

Whatever, back to the situation at hand.

"I'm talking about the fact that most Ninja are assigned to a three man squad. At least, it's how we do things here in the Leaf Village. Is it much different in the Land of Wind?" I ask, genuinely curious and no longer angry. My change in attitude seems to surprise both Temari and Kankuro, who blink several times in rapid succession before regaining their composure.

"We have a third teammate," Temari says coolly. "He'll be here in a minute, I'm sure."

Why does she sound equal parts uneasy and relieved? What kind of person is this teammate of theirs?

Temari and Kankuro exchange a look, and something passes between them. I take a moment to pull my black hair away from my shoulders, tying it securely, leaving two semi-long waves of hair to frame my face. Then I resume my study of the two Sand Ninja. What's got them so spooked?

I feel something slowly wrap around my ankle, and look down. My eyes widen. Sand. It's actual sand wrapping around my legs, getting tighter. I don't waste time looking for its source; I leap down and away from the fence, only to feel the sand tighten further, dragging me to the ground painfully when it catches.

I follow the trail of sand with my eyes, marveling at the fact that it hangs in the air like a very gritty cloud, and spot a boy around my age at its source. The sand pours out from a gourd-like container on his back. I blink, looking at the dark rings around his eyes. He looks as though he hasn't slept in years, and yet deceptively wide awake at the same time.

His sea-green eyes stare at me coolly, giving nothing away. Something about his stare unnerves me, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

"G-Gaara!" Temari calls brightly, but it sounds forced. I look back and narrow my eyes at her. Beads of sweat form on her forehead and Kankuro doesn't look much better off. And they're both staring at the boy behind me.

I feel the sand tighten even more, putting a crushing weight on my ankle and making me cry out in pain.

"Gaara! Let her go!" Temari shouts, rushing up to me. She whips out her fan. "We can't afford to cause a scene now," she insists as I grit my teeth against the pain. He's going to break my freaking leg. How will I be able to compete in the Chunin Exams if that happens?

"Gaara," Temari continues when the hold on my leg remains. "Please don't make me do this," she says, spreading her fan in front of her. Three purple moons decorate its surface. Temari looks horrified at whatever she feels she has to do. But then the sand rectracts, letting me go and returning to the gourd on "Gaara's" back.

Temari, as well as Kankuro, lets out a relieved sigh. She helps me to my feet. "I'm sorry about that," she says softly as Kankuro approaches. "He isn't meant to do such things without provocation."

I crouch down to examine my ankle, but look back up at her to say, "So he's going to be in the Chunin Exams as well?" Temari nods warily. I sigh. "Well, my chances just decreased a whole lot." I can practically feel the power radiating off this Gaara kid. Whoever he is, he certainly rivals the likes of Sasuke Uchiha. And the look in his eyes... I can't place it, but it definitely doesn't give me any warm or fuzzy feelings.

I tentatively wrap my fingers around my now-bruised ankle. I wince slightly, but nothing's broken or sprained. A day or two and it should be perfectly fine.

Soft footsteps on the ground tell me that Gaara has joined his team. I don't look up, too busy frowning at the blue-black bruise wrapping around my ankle like an unnattractive bracelet. What the hell did I do to this kid to make him almost break my ankle?

"You're not worthy of my power," a cold, rough voice says. I raise my head. Gaara's harsh eyes are locked on mine. I swallow hard, forcing back another shiver. "I'm sorry...?" I say, unintentionally making it sound like a question. His impassive face remains the same. A slight breeze blows his red hair from his face, and yet I don't think the narrowing of his eyes is the result of the same wind.

I rise to my feet, just as Gaara asks, "The Uchiha. Do you know him?" I take a small step back, taken aback by the sudden bloodlust in the boy's eyes. It seems he already knows Sasuke, but why do I get the feeling that this is a conversation I shouldn't be having?

"No," I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "I don't know him. Why?" Gaara remains silent, arms crossed over his chest, a plainly expressionless look on his face. But his eyes...

"Just go, kid," Kankuro says, pulling slightly at the white straps over his shoulders. "Get outta here before you end up hurt."

Normally, I'd argue that the threat of "ending up hurt" isn't enough to scare me away. But with this Gaara kid, I think "ending up hurt" might mean something much more permanent.

I nod once, leaping back up onto the fence, wincing when my bruised ankle takes my weight so forcefully. With a quick look back at the three Sand Ninja, I take off down the fence.

Then I stop and facepalm.

I turn around and rush back the way I've come, feeling like an idiot when I pass the trio again. Temari narrows her eyes at me in a silent question. I pause only for a minute to sigh, "My house is this way." Both Temari and Kankuro smirk at me, but Gaara's face never changes. His cold eyes follow me until I turn a corner and disappear from all their sights.

"That kid can't be all human," I murmur to myself, another uncontrollable shudder passing down my spine.

***

"So he beat you again?" Shikamaru asks.

I hide my head in my hands. "Yes," I growl. "He insisted we have another Taijutsu match, and he whooped my ass in a matter of seconds. I only came by today to show him my new jutsu, and yet he couldn't help embarrassing me in front of his girlfriend."

"Masaki has a girlfriend?"

"Shocking, isn't it? You know, maybe we only fought because I made some crack about how he can't get a girl..."

"In front of her? Oh you didn't."

"But I did, my lazy friend.Come to think of it, he did challenge me after I said that. Ah well, live and learn, right?"

I've opted not to tell anyone about the mysterious Sand Ninja I met earlier. I didn't tell Masaki and I'm not telling Shikamaru or my teammates. They'll see them during the Chunin Exams anyway. And I just don't want to bring up Gaara again.

Anyway, after my encounter with the trio, I raced home to see Masaki. I made a joke about him, he got angry, demanded we fight using our Clan's Taijutsu, and beat me so badly I refused to show him the jutsu Kunenai Sensei showed me. He was trying to apologize to his girlfriend too much to notice me leaving. Apparently, she's not a Ninja and hates all kinds of violence. Yeah, great catch, Masaki.

If they have kids, I'm secretly teaching them all the jutsu I want, because I seriously doubt that girl will allow them to become Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.

I met up with Shikamaru after that because I was feeling lousy. He led me inside his house and out to his backyard where he commenced in making me play shogi. And here we are, with me losing miserably.

Shikamaru grins suddenly, moving one of his pieces. He says, "Checkmate," making me widen my eyes in surprise. "No way!" I exclaim. "I was never even in check!"

He snickers. "So what? You're still in checkmate, Akari."

I frantically scan the board, only to realize that he's right. He has got me in checkmate. I sit back and release a sigh. "Why did I agree to play this with you?" I mutter in a very non-threatening way. Shikamaru laughs. "Because you think you're a better player than you really are?" he suggests, making me scowl. "Smartass," I mutter.

The sliding door leading inside opens slightly and Shikaku, Shikamaru's father, pokes his head out to see us. "He always has been a smartass," he comments, stepping fully out onto the porch. "But usually not around women," he adds thoughtfully, leaning against the wall. I shrug. "What can I say? I'm special like that," I say, grinning.

"Special is right," Shikamaru says cheekily, making me throw a glare at him. I rise to my feet in indignation, throwing the pillow I'd been sitting on at his head. He feebly swats it away, smirking at me.

"Boy, haven't I taught you anything?" Shikaku says, shaking his head from side to side, eyes closed. "Never insult a woman. It'll only end badly."

I lift my nose haughtily. "See Shikamaru? You're dad gets it," I say, sounding like a total snob. At least, until I lose control of my body.

"Shadow Possession, success."

I scowl at Shikamaru as he rises to his feet, smirking at me. Shikaku opens his eyes, only to roll them at his son. "Kid, you're just digging yourself in deeper," he informs his son. I couldn't agree more.

"As soon as your release this jutsu, Shikamaru," I say, "I'm going to kick your ass."

"You know," he replies. "Even since you've joined Team Kurenai, you've gotten a lot more violent and snappy."

"Blame Kiba," I say truthfully, wishing I could shrug my shoulders.

"You do remind me of that kid," Shikamaru sighs. "What a drag..."

I look at Shikaku out of the corner of my, unable to turn my head. "Hey Shikaku," I say, getting him to look at me. "Mind doing me a favor?" He raises an eyebrow, the long scar above his eye shifting slightly. "Shove me."

He realizes what's going on a moment before his son does. He gently shoves me off the porch, causing Shikamaru to follow me. I end up in the bushes while he splashes into their koi pond, severing the jutsu due to a lack of concentration.

"HA!" I exclaim, getting to my feet. "I outsmarted a Nara! I feel so epic right now!"

Shikaku laughs behind me. "You're a good kid, Akari," he says, making me smile. "I try," I tell him, before walking over to an annoyed looking Shikamaru, who's sitting in the pond, spitting out water with a floundering koi on his head. I offer him my hand, and before he can even think about dragging me into the water with him, pull him onto the porch and to his feet.

"Sorry," I say. "Couldn't resist."

He shrugs, wringing out his jacket... on my head. "Now we're even," he says with a smirk.

"I realize I'll never win against a genius like yourself, so I'll just give up this game now," I say, wiping water from my eyes and sighing. Then I grin at Shikamaru. "I forgot to ask. Are you and your team competing in the Chunin Exams this year?"

"You guys too, huh? This'll be such a drag. I just hope Naruto's team doesn't make it. I can't handle his annoying thick-headedness during such a trying time."

"Aren't you guys friends?"

He shrugs again. "We were when we were younger. Not so much now that we've graduated. I mean, I like the kid, he's funny. But now that we're Ninja, I'm not sure I'd put my life in his hands."

I frown thoughtfully. He's being reasonable, but isn't that true of any of us?

I turn to Shikaku. "Do you think the Genin from this year are ready for this Exam?" He narrows his eyes slightly, as if in deep thought. Then he says, "If I were to go by experience alone, I'd have to say no, none of you are ready. But since I know the lot of you pretty well, and know you're stengths and weaknesses... Not to mention I've spoken to all of your Sensei... Well, I'd give you a fair chance of surviving this whole thing."

I glance at Shikamaru. "Is that supposed to make me feel more confident?" He shrugs a shoulder, pulling his jacket back on, though it's still pretty damp. "Dunno, maybe. Just ignore it if it makes you worry."

That's helpful.

I shake my head, looking up at the darkening sky. The sun is only minutes from setting, setting the stage for the moon to cast it's glow on the land. I guess I should get going. Mom will be worried about me, and Masaki... Well, someone will need to kick his girlfriend out of the house before it gets too late. I am not becoming an Aunt when I'm only twelve.

"Thanks for having me over," I say to Shikamaru. "But I've got to go. Lots to do tomorrow, and all." I grin a little, still excited about my chance to become a Chunin. I'm nervous, too, for sure. Especially with people lke those Sand Ninja in the running. But I trust my team, and I know they've got my back. We'll do fine.

"Want me to walk you home?" Shikamaru offers. I shake my head. "No thanks, I'll be fine."

Offering both Nara men a goodbye, I head back inside and towards the front door. Just before I step outside again, I hear Shikaku say, "You know, if you like her so much, you should ask her out."

And Shikamaru's strangled reply: ...What a drag..."

I laugh to myself quietly, turning towards home. I love Shikamaru like a brother, and he's told me if he had a sister, he wished she'd be like me. I'd replace Masaki with Shikamaru in a heartbeat, if I could. Romantic interest? Zero. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Not. A. Chance.

Still, it's funny to hear Shikaku talk like that. I wonder if my father was ever that embarrassing...

My thoughts turn towards the Chunin Exams as I walk, the light continuing to fade from the clear sky. How difficult will they be? I know next to nothing about them, only that most Genin do not make Chunin by the end of it. I've also heard it mentioned that there is a high fatality rate. With people like those Sand Ninja around, I don't doubt it. They'd of killed me in an instant if they were allowed. At least, that's what I got from what Temari was saying. Not meant to do such things without provocation, huh? He doesn't seem like the type to follow rules, meaning he's going to kill someone unnecessarily. I'm one hundred percent positive about that. I'm scared to death of Gaara, and I'll admit it to anyone but him and his team. Shinobi must not show weakness to the enemy. It creates an opening, and then you're dead. I will not die by the hand of that red-haired boy, I'll make sure of it. And he said I'm not worthy of his power. Whatever.

Great. Now I've gone and pissed myself off. I'm sure to sleep great tonight.

After a while of walking, I push open the door to my house, closing it softly behind me. The lights are out. Everyone must have gone to bed already.

I feel a little underprepared in terms of mission experience, like Shikaku pointed out. I've only been on C rank missions, besides the usual D rank ones. The most my team has done, besides rescue Konohamaru, was escort some foreign dance troop to the border before handing them off to some people from the Land of Tea. True, we'd fought some robbers and the like, but nothing as fierce as when we'd fought the Rain Ninja.

We'd also travelled to the Hidden Grass Village. But it was totally peaceful, no one attacked, and we had nothing to do but get some document signed. I'm not even sure what it was about. I think Kurenai Sensei mentioned something about a possible Peace Treaty, but I don't know.

I pause outside Masaki's door. He's been in the Chunin Exams a few times. Five, I think. If that doesn't make him an expert, I don't know what does. Oh, wait, yes I do. Actually passing the Chunin Exams would make him an expert. But I'm desperate.

I knock softly on his door, wincing when I hear his snoring. Boy sounds like warthog when he sleeps. I knock again, louder. The snoring is abruptly cut off in an obnoxious noise. He's awake. Shuffled footsteps apprach the door in irritation. I can just tell by the way he moves. The door is jerked open and I'm faced with a bleary-eyed Masaki, scruffy chin-length light brown hair a mess, with an exaggerated scowl on his face. I giggle at the sight of him. My brother couldn't pull off "scary" if had two heads. He'd only be twice as goofy and annoying.

"What is it, Akari?" he grunts, leaning his forehead against the door frame. I roll my eyes and push past him into his room, where I proceed to flop down on his bed, face-down.

"Will you be in the Exams this year?" I ask, my voice muffled by his blankets.

My brother's voice suddenly sounds wide-awake. "Yes, my team and I."

"Is it... as scary as everyone makes it out to be?" I ask hesitantly.

I feel Masaki sit beside me on the bed, placing a hand on my head and ruffling my hair. "You worried?" he asks me. I flip over onto my back and stare up at his bright green eyes. All my Clan has green eyes. It's what sets them apart from others, besides their fighting skills. I don't have green eyes, though. I have dark brown ones. I've always assumed whoever my dad is, he has dark brown eyes as well. Maybe he wasn't from this Clan. Maybe he sucked at Taijutsu too.

"Yes, I'm worried," I admit, remembering Hinata from this morning. I shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss her concerns.

"You have every right to be," Masaki responds seriously, frowning at me. "You know I've taken them five times?" I nod. "Well, there's a reason I've failed every time. The Chunin Exams are not for the faint of heart, Akari. If you enter these things half-assed, you're going to fail. That's what happened my first time. I didn't think they'd be a big deal, and I learned the hard way how very wrong I was."

"Why haven't you passed the other four times?"

"I guess I'm still not good enough."

I pause. But I can't resist asking, "Do you think I have any chance of making Chunin my first try?"

Masaki doesn't hesitate. He says, "I think you have a much better chance than I did my first try."

"Why is that?"

"You have complete faith in your team. I've seen how you all train and act around each other. There are no negative feelings among the four of you. You trust each other, and it really does show, Akari."

"Masaki?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you be mad... if I became a Chunin before you?"

This time, he does pause, clearly thinking over his answer. I'm not sure what I'm expecting from him. The right answer would be to say that he won't be angry at all. But I'm not sure that's the honest answer, which is what I really want from him.

After another moment, he speaks. "Yes," he says. "I think I will be angry. At first, anyway. But then, I think I'll realize that it means you've earned it, while I haven't. And I'll support you, Akari, no matter the outcome. Remember that I love you, no matter what, ok?"

I reach up and hug him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He hugs me back, arms holding me tightly around the waist. "I love you, too, big brother."

At that, I feel Masaki stiffen slightly, but then he relaxes. Maybe I imagined it?

He releases me with a smile. "Just try to remember everything your Sensei has taught you, ok?" he says. "Nothing can really prepare you for these things, or else I'd give you an in-depth summary of them. Just, trust your instincts, and trust your team. You'll do great."

Trust my instincts and my teammates. I can do that. I can do it. My team and I can make it through this. I smile determinedly up at my goofy brother.

"Get ready to kiss my flak jacket, Masaki."