"This is the arena for the second exam, Training Ground 44," Anko shouted as she stood before a rather large and intimidating forest, Ginko being the only one who looked at the forest with wonder and admiration. "Also known as... The Forest of Death," Anko added with a sadistic smile. Ginko immediately raised her hand, waving it around like mad, which caused Anko to raise an eyebrow. "You got a question, squirt?" Lowering her hand, Ginko said, "A few actually. What kinds of trees are in there? Are the animals inside as big as them, or are they rationed out to be larger than average but seemingly normal compared to the tree sizes? What kinds of plants are there? Are the insects large as well? What about-"

"By the God's, kid, this isn't a field trip! Besides, you'll find out soon enough," Anko interrupted, a little bit irritated with the fact that the smallest one here wasn't the least bit afraid. Ginko instantly shut up, looking down at her feet as she nervously kicked the dirt. "Sorry. I was just curious," she said quietly. "And why wasn't one of those questions, 'Why is it called the Forest of Death'?"Anko asked. Ginko shrugged her shoulders, "I could gather that myself when you said this was Training Ground 44. In our culture, the number '4' is considered an unlucky number because it is pronounced as 'Shi', which is also the word for 'death', so the number '44' is considered an especially ominous number. Put that with the aura that the forest itself gives off, one could gather that Training Ground 44 lives up to its name."

"And you're not afraid because...?" Anko dragged out, leaning forward slightly. Ginko broke into a grin, "You're kidding, right?! Certainty of death with a small chance of success... what the hell are we waiting for?!" Anko stared at the small silverette that could easily be mistaken for an innocent 8-year-old. Did this kid have no fear? She then looks over at the other applicants, noticing the fear the had slowly fade away. Well, this is just great. First, she was late, making a complete fool of herself and giving Ibiki an excuse to tease her for Gods know how long, then there's this pipsqueak with all her questions and no fear of the most deadly training ground in existence... And now no one is taking her or the forest seriously because this damn kid looked forward to the prospect of death and it gives them fucking courage! This damn kid and Ibiki had sucked the fun right out of this Exam and she'll be glad when she won't have to deal with her anymore.

With a sigh, she pulled out a scroll and let it roll out so that the applicants could see the terrain for the training ground. "Alright, listen up. I'm only gonna say this once, so pay close attention. Training ground 44 is bordered by a circular perimeter interrupted at regular intervals by forty-four locked gates. Within the confines of this carefully delineated area, you're going to undergo a survival test. During the course of that test, you may use any ninja arts or weapons you have at your disposal."

She reaches into her overcoat and pulls out a stack of papers from a pocket on the inside, dejectedly saying, "And that's where these consent forms come in. When you sign, you're saying that if any of you fun-suckers should die, we can't be held liable." She handed the stack to the Genin closest to her as she began to explain the second part of the exam and where to turn in the consent forms. "After you and your team signs these papers, bring them over to the hut and submit them." She then pulled out two scrolls as she continued on. "There you will receive either a Heaven scroll or an Earth scroll. Your objective is to acquire both scrolls and head to the tower before the 120-hour time limit is reached. It's kind of like a fight-to-the-death version of 'Capture the Flag', only instead of a flag, your looking for a scroll. You will need to hold on your scroll, get a hold of the opposite, and then bring them both to the tower at the center. Since there are twenty-nine teams, 15 teams with have one scroll while 14 will have the other. which means at least 15 teams will fail. As time shortens, the trials will come harder and faster with less recovery time for any mistakes, accidents, or injuries. You'll be surrounded by enemies at all times, so you'll also have to sleep with one eye open.

"So, in addition to those who die in attempts to defend or capture a scroll, some of you are bound to succumb to exhaustion, exposure, starvation, and dehydration," at most of their paled faces, Anko smiled slightly, happy to see the fear returning, and continued on as she held up her fingers, listing off the rules. "Now about the rules and offenses you can be disqualified for. Obviously, the teams that fail to reach the tower in time as a three-man cell carrying both a Heaven and an Earth scroll, are out. So is any team that loses a member, whether to death or to severe injury. And under no circumstances can you leave the forest before the time is up. No recess. No time-outs." She chuckled when she heard some of them gulp. "Oh, and before I forget, you're forbidden to look at the contents of the scrolls until you're inside the tower!"

"What happens if we sneak a peek?" Naruto asked nervously. "That's for those who look to know!" Anko said lovingly, confusing the blonde. "If any of you make it to the Chunin level, there will be times when you'll be entrusted with top-secret documents... so consider this a test of your trustworthiness.

"That's all the explanation you'll get. We'll trade one scroll for every three forms. When you've got yours, choose the gate you want to start from, and then everyone will begin at the same time. Oh, and one piece of final advise... Stay alive!" Anko shouted to them as a black curtain was being hung up on the front of the hut. As soon as a Chunin stepped out and said, "It's almost time to distribute the scrolls," Ginko quickly read over the form before signing it with a pencil Itsuki handed her, and raced to the hut with her temporary teammates not too far behind. When they turn in their forms, the Chunin handed them a Heaven scroll, which Ginko stuck inside of her shirt.

A Chunin with more bandages than skin stepped up to them and pointed to the map of the training ground. "Where would you like to start?" Before Itsuki and Tsukiko could wonder which gate to go to, Ginko quickly said, "By one of the rivers, please." The man nodded and told them to follow him to Gate 13 when it was time to head out. The four of them then left the hut, three Grass Nin going in the hut after them. "Why by one of the rivers?" Tsukiko asked, looking at the girl curiously. "Because when you're by water, everything comes to you at one point or another," she said happily. "It provides water, food, potential enemies, and can wash our scent if you're being followed. And besides who doesn't like fish?" Tsukiko then raised her hand because she did not, in fact, like fish. Ginko, who had been quite proud of herself, looked a little surprised. "Huh, look at that. Instantly wrong," she said with complete seriousness. Itsuki smiled ever so slightly, not wanting to let the girl know he found it funny. He didn't know her that well, let alone for very long, but he thought she was quite fun to have around. Almost as if she was a more free-spirited Kakashi Senpai. "But that's fine. There's always berries and nuts in forest's, as well as small critters like rabbits, squirrels, and foxes," she said, to waving her hand dismissively. "I won't be eating squirrels. They're cute and will more than likely remind me of my summons," Itsuki was quick to point out, Tsukiko following with, "Same goes for me with rabbits. They're just too cute to eat."

Ginko sighed, "Fine. If we catch those animals, I'll eat them in a concealed area."

"Couldn't you just let them go?" Ginko looked horrified at the other females question. "Well, no! Rabbits are delicious! And so are squirrels if you get 'em while they're still young." The guard for their gate nodded in agreement, as did the Grass Nin that walked past them with their gate proctor. Itsuki, however, looked absolutely horrified at the thought of eating a baby squirrel, especially after having known his summon, Berika, for so long.

"All right, everyone," Anko yelled, voice amplified via the speakers. "Follow your proctors to your respective gates! When the signal sounds in half an hour, the exam will begin!!" The applicants quickly followed their proctors and began to discreetly discuss their battle plans. All of the gate proctors unlocked the padlock and let the chain fall to the ground before they stared at the watch on their wrists. "Part two of the Chunin Exam begins... NOW!!" Anko yelled as the gates slid open.

Everyone then shot into the Forest...

*About 15 minutes into the forest...*

A scream was heard by a few competitors, some looking in the direction it came from. "Did you guys hear that?" Sakura asked, fear creeping into her system as she heard a twig crack and strange animal noises. "This place gives me the creeps."

"Ah, you're worrying over nothin', Sakura. Your safe with us around," Naruto said, trying to ease his teammates' worries. Then nature called and he couldn't ignore it. He probably should've listened when Ginko said he should use the bathroom before they left the academy. He really needed to start listening to his cousin. "...Uhhh... I gotta take a leak," he said, turning around as he fumbled for his zipper so he could go I the bush behind him. Sakura was ticked off at the fact he would just go in front of her. The nerve of some people.

"Not in front of me, you bozo!" she yelled as she hit him in the head. "I'm a lady! Didn't Ginko teach you better?! Use the bushes!!" He whined and rubbed his head. "Ginko never had a problem with it," he mumbled as he headed into the other direction to use the bathroom. When he couldn't see his team, he figured it was as good a spot as any and sighed in relief as he went about his business. He should really start listening to his cousin more.

"Ah~! All better~!" 'Naruto' said as he stepped out of the bushes. Instantly, Sasuke knew that wasn't Naruto. Sakura, however, was oblivious and was in the middle of scolding 'Naruto' for being vulgar when Sasuke punched the imposter, sending him flying back into a tree. "S-Sasuke! I appreciate the chivalry, but that was way over the top!" Sasuke ignored her in favor of glaring at 'Naruto'. "Wh-what was that for?!"

"What have you done with Naruto?" Sakura blinked at Sasuke, wondering if she heard him right. "Um... What?" She asked, looking over at 'Naruto'. "Hello! I'm right in front of you... bleeding!" 'Naruto' said, wiping away the blood on his cheek. "You're wearing your shuriken throwing stars on your left thigh. Naruto is right-handed. And your chakra... it's all wrong," Sasuke said, glaring at the imposter.

*Sometime during their mission in Wave...*

"Ginko," Sasuke said when he entered the kitchen. Said girl looked up at her teammate with a wide smile on her face. "What's up, Kitten?" The nickname didn't bother him as much as it did when she first started a week ago, just as long as her cousin didn't hear her say it. He looked around the small room, seeing Tazuna's daughter and grandson, as well as the Missing Mist Nins she had been talking to, and figured it was safe enough. "I want to ask you something," he said, looking back at her before turning and leaving. He heard her bid Tazuna's family and the couple farewell before following him into the other room.

When they were in the living room, he turned to her refusing to look her in the eye, choosing instead to look at the old couch, which seemed to be made of more patches than cushion. "You're a Sensory type ninja... right?" He saw her nod from his peripheral vision and felt heat rise in his cheeks as he forced himself to ask, "Can you... t-teach me how?" He saw her grin and rushed to add, "I can sense other Ninja's presence, just-"

"Not as well as you want to," she finished. "And you want me to help you get better, that right?" He nodded just barely, making that damn grin of hers widen. "This is just precious, an Uchiha asking for help. Makes me wish I'd brought my camera with me." He turned to glare at her, picturing in his mind that she was bursting into flames under his heated gaze. "Don't get your panties in a twist, I'll help ya... but it'll cost ya~."

"...What do you want," he grumbled, hoping it wouldn't be as bad as his fangirls asking him out on dates. She waved him off as she began to walk towards the front door. "Don't worry, Kitten. I know your little secret, and all that implies."

'Thank the Gods,' he thought in relief, following her outside and towards the forest. "What is your price?" he asked after a few moments of silence. She smiled, lacing her fingers together as she put them behind her head, reminding him of her cousin. "I'll let you know when I think of something. I'm sure you want me to keep this a secret, so it'll be big. Don't be surprised when I bring up the words 'you owe me', got it? Oh, and no hissy fits either because I can and will erase your memory of our lessons." He didn't know if what she said was true or not, but he wasn't planning on taking any changes.

When they reached a clearing, she stopped and, folding her legs gracefully, sat crossed legged on the ground in the center. He followed suit, sitting across from her. "It's unusual for Genin to be able to sense others right out of the academy, so I'm guessing that someone else helped you get to where you are now," she said and he tightened his jaw as he thought of That Man. "And you probably discovered on your own or through this other person that, as you continue to develop and control your own chakra, you will eventually become more sensitive to the presence of it in others."

Picking up a nearby stick, she drew a quick outline of the human body (terribly) in the hard soil, drawing figures (again, terribly) in it as she spoke. "As you know, chakra is the result of melding physical and spiritual energy. Like I said, your sensitivity will increase as you use and develop your own chakra reserves… but because Naruto and a few others had asked me the same question before, I figured out a few techniques to help speed the process." She smiled when he leaned forward slightly in anticipation. Tossing the stick aside, she held out her small, childlike hands as she said, "First, we gotta hold hands." He stared at her in flat-out refusal, to which she smirked, "What? Afraid you'll get cooties?" He scowled, somehow feeling like he could say anything to the girl without worry about it making it back to the others, especially her cousin. "No. I just don't know if you wash your hands or not." She laughed and grabbed his hands, surprising him at how rough they felt. He never thought her hands would be callused. But then again, his were as soft as a female, so he couldn't say much.

"Whatever you say, Kitten. Now, close your eyes," Ginko directed, then led him through several breathing exercises designed to quiet the mind and increase perception.

"Your body is an empty shell, a container for your physical and spiritual power," she intoned. "Visualize your own chakra within this container. Many people see it differently; you yourself may see it as a point of light, an inner fire, or a spring well. Focus on this image. Let it fill your mind." When Sasuke found it, he experimented slightly, making his chakra grow brighter and dim again. "This is your natural chakra, and you should already be familiar with the feel of it. You have your chakra visualized, but now you just need to learn to sense it in others. For this exercise, you will need to gather some chakra into your hands."

Sasuke's palm began to grow warm as he applied chakra to it, and Ginko was glad he was taught chakra control otherwise he could've burned her hand. Ginko waited a moment before continuing, "Concentrate on the feel of my chakra and how it is different from your own. Everyone has a slightly different signature. First, you'll learn how my chakra feels and memorize it. Then we'll find a way for you to learn the others and memorize their chakra. With enough practice, you'll eventually be able to tell where your teammates are from a distance, and if someone is attempting to fool you with a henge of them."

*Present time...*

In a poof 'Naruto' was gone and in his place was Ninja from the Hidden Rain. "Since you've forced me to come clean, it's only fair that yo-" He started, only to be interrupted by the real Naruto, who had kicked him square in the back. Sasuke and Sakura watched as the Rain Genin flew past them and hit a tree before looking back at Naruto in shock. The blonde was so pissed, it seemed as if steam was coming from his ears as he glared at the Rain Nin. Raising a hand, which had a hold the rope he'd been tied up with, he yelled, "You mother fuckin' pervert! I was in the middle of taking a piss, y'know! You don't just grab someone while their stuff is out, believe it! You're fucking worse than Kakashi Sensei, y'know!"

The Rain Nin ignored what the blonde was saying, instead of wondering if he had any broken bones. He groaned as he pushed himself to his feet, but he didn't get far before a foot was on his back and a kunai pressed to his neck. "And where do you think you're going?" he heard the black haired boy ask. "You ain't apologized yet," the blonde said, his voice closer to the Nins ear. "You picked the wrong team to mess with, pal," the pinkette said, walking up to her teammates and the pinned foreign Ninja, cracking her knuckles.

His screams could be heard throughout the forest, making Anko grin as she began to eat her dango.

*About 7 minutes later with Ginko and the ANBU...*

"Finished~! Ginko said happily, her hands on her hips as she stared at her traps. "I'm impressed," Itsuki said, inspecting the trap made for rabbits. "Where did you learn how to do this?"

"My academy teacher, Iruka Sensei. One year, on Naruto's birthday, he took us camping. He taught us how to set up traps for animals and 'enemies' all around our camp," she said, putting air quotes around the word enemies. "Said it was important to do when one went camping." She added, dusting her hands off. She made sure to leave out the fact that the next day their apartment was broken into, completely trashed and covered in graffiti. As she began to gather her stuff together, she asked them, "Now, you guys said there was a team nearby, right?" At their nod, she continued, "Then let's go see if they have the opposite scroll!" she cried happily, jumping into the trees. The ANBU nodded and followed after the small silverette.

*34 minutes later with the Sand Siblings...*

"The nerve of these sand brats! Daring to take us on!" A Rain Nin said, scowling at the sight of the Sand Siblings. "How foolish..." another added. "Are you going to fight us or talk us to death?" Gaara asked, getting annoyed. 'Are you sure these guys have what we need?' he asked Shukaku. 'Of course, I'm sure! I remember these guys and they not only have a Heaven scroll but an Earth scroll as well!'

"Hey, Gaara. I thought we had agreed we wouldn't fight anyone until we found out if they had the scroll we needed," Kankuro said, not too far from his brother. He was honestly being to worry that his little brother just wanted to kill someone. Gaara nods just slightly, but it was noticed by his siblings, "We did." he then turned his head to look at his brother, adding, "They have both scrolls, already, Kankuro."

"What?!" the Rain Nin, the leader supposedly, shouted. "There's no way..." another started, looking at the other, who shrugged his shoulders. The Leaf Nin hiding in the bushes were just as shocked. 'How could he have known that' was running through everyone's mind as Shukaku laughed. 'You're giving me a headache,' he told the One-Tail, which made him laugh even more. As the Rain Nin prepared to defend their two scrolls, Gaara sighed at Shukaku's antics, wondering why, out of all the Tailed Beasts, had he ended up with the craziest one of all. "You're dead kid!" the leader yelled after he threw up his umbrellas and formed the sign of the Tiger.

"Why even bother," Gaara said, having meant what he said to Shukaku, but the others didn't know about this and it only served to piss off the leader. "You're completely surrounded!" he yelled a thousand Senbon flew out of the spinning umbrellas, all heading straight for the red redhead gaps, no blind spots! All 1,000 of those needles will swarm in response to my chakra, seeking you out like missiles that have locked onto your signature!" Gaara stayed right where he was, his arms still crossed over his chest. 'Did he think I planned to run? I was the one who requested a battle.'

'Of course, he did! Ha-ha-ha! This pussy willow is nothing but a fly to us!' Shukaku laughed. Gaara blinked as his sand moved to protect him from the deadly needles. When the dust cleared, the enemy and Leaf Nin saw his sand surrounding him, embedded with a thousand of the man's Senbon. "Impossible... Not a single needle... Nothing touched him!" the leader shouted in shocked anger. He held up two fingers, sending a few more Senbon, and everyone watched as the sand moved to protect him. Gaara looked at all of the needles before looking at the enemy. '... That was it?' Gaara thought, 'Just needles? No poison?'

'Well, Gaara mah boy, to them that would be considered "overkill". And they've never come across someone like us,' Shukaku said calmly. Gaara nodded just slightly. The hardened sand that surrounded him began to soften and fall away, the Senbon falling with it. "A wall of sand...?"

"Exactly," Kankuro said, placing his hands in his pockets. "Infinitely malleable... an impenetrable defense. Only Gaara has ever mastered the art. He draws the sand within the sphere of his own massive chakra, then manipulates it into the shape he needs and renders it utterly solid. Even more remarkably, it is done with no conscious effort on his part. It happens when he needs it to... Independent of his will." The last of his sand fell away as his brother was nearing the end of his explanation. He couldn't help but wonder who was right. Was it his father, who always said it was Shukaku, his brother maybe, in thinking it was just himself doing it unconsciously, or Ginko, who says it's his mother? He knows through Shukaku that his mother did, in fact, love him, her dying word having been "No matter what happens, I will always protect you, Gaara". But... was it true? Was she really protecting him from beyond the grave?

"Any frontal assault on Gaara... is doomed to fail," Kankuro said with a small chuckle. "N-no way... those needles should be able to Pierce even a five-millimeter thickness of tempered steel!" Gaara just stood there, watching all of this go down as Shukaku listed off ways they could get the scroll without killing them. "You're just not good enough to touch our Gaara," Kankuro told the man with a shrug as Gaara agreed to one of Shukaku's suggestions.

"Shut up you--" the leader started as Gaara made some unknown hand sign as Kankuro thought, 'Fine. It's your funeral.' Gaara threw out a hand as he held two fingers up near his mouth and immediately the sand went to work; quickly wrapping around the man's legs, halting all movement as it crept up to his head, squeezing as it went. When it reached his neck, it hit a pressure point, knocking him out. Gaara them moved his hand so that the sand threw the unconscious man towards his teammates. "The scroll," he said holding out both hands so that it grabbed a hold of their legs, slowly making it's way up, squeezing hard enough to make it seem as if he was going to crush them.

"H-here!" the larger of the two said, pulling out his Heaven scroll and tossing it towards the redhead. Gaara smiled slightly, "Thank you for your cooperation." Letting his hands drop, the sand released the men and returned to Gaara's gourd, retrieving the cork as it did. "You... didn't kill them," Temari said softly in amazement. "Of course not," Gaara told her as his sand resealed itself. "That would be wrong." He walked over to where the scroll was and picked it up. "Good luck finding the other scroll after he wakes up," he told the Rain Nin, nodding at the unconscious man.

His siblings were surprised but mostly relieved. They weren't sure as to how or when it happened, but they were glad that their little brother wasn't a crazed murderer anymore. They smiled at each other before turning their smiles towards the redhead. "To the tower?" Kankuro asked, and Gaara nodded with a smile of his own.

'He does have Mom's smile...' Temari thought as they jumped to the trees, heading straight for the tower.

*29 minutes later with the Cloud Nin...*

"Wow. I mean, all you did was look into their eyes, say some weird shit, and then 'bam'," Tanuki said, mimicking an explosion with her hands, "We got a Heaven scroll." Yukima rolled her eyes. It's nice that her friends thought that she had some sort of superpower, but she didn't see it that way. "Do we head straight for the tower now? Or take an alternate route?" Nezumi asked quietly from her place in the treetops. Yukima looked up at her teammate, and when their eyes meet, she could see what Nezumi imagined what the tower looked like. She looked away, the image fading, to look at Tanuki. "What do you think, Tan?" she asked, and instantly she saw all three of them heading straight for a tower before the brunette said, "We head straight for the tower of course! The sooner the better, right?!"

Yukima nodded. "Let's go, then."

With a nod, they were off.

*21 minutes later with Ginko and the ANBU...*

"Woo-Hoo! We did it!" Ginko shouted, jumping up and down happily around the Rain Nin they had gotten the Earth scroll. They were currently held on the spot by wood, courtesy of Itsuki and his Wood Release; i.e. Silent Strangle Jutsu. "Man, first that Sand brat, now her?" the larger one of the group whined. "High five!" Ginko shouted when she ran up to Itsuki. He complied with a smile and she ran over to Tsukiko to claim a high five from her as well.

"Yes! Now off to base so we can eat!" she shouted as she pointing in the air, causing her temporary teammates to roll their eyes. After releasing the Rain Nin, Itsuki and Tsukiko followed after Ginko to where they set up the traps. When they arrived, they had a rabbit and a fox within their traps. Ginko quickly went to the rabbit for she didn't trust her teammates not to set him free. "Aw~ You're so cute~" she cooed, rubbing his chin as she held him by the ears, making the ANBU think for a moment she might set it free.

Then all to suddenly she rung his neck, smiling when she heard it crack. "But you taste even better than you look, too~" Her words horrified the ANBU, as well as the sight of the now dead rabbit in her hands. How can someone so innocent looking be so cold-blooded and barbarous? They then watched as she headed over to the fire that Tsukiko had started a few moments ago and began to skin and gut the once alive rabbit with one of her kunai. The fox must have sensed the danger it was in because it began to whine as it went to the far edge of the cage it was in. Feeling sorry for the poor thing, Tsukiko set it free and told Ginko that Itsuki and her were going to eat nuts and berries instead as they left the clearing.

That was the mistake that they would never forgive themselves for.

*8 minutes later with the ANBU...*

"I'm serious, Tenzō, I think she really might be his daughter," Tsukiko said as she ate a sakuranbo (Cherry) and an ichigo (Strawberry). Itsuki cracked open a walnut with his hand as he scowled at her, "Itsuki. My name for this mission is Itsuki." Tsukiko rolled her eyes and ate another ichigo. "It's just us Itsuki. So calm down." He narrowed his eyes at her as he ate his nut and cracked open another.

"I'll admit she looks and acts a lot like him, but do you really Kakashi Senpai would allow his own daughter enter the Chunin Exams when she looks like an 8-year-old?" Itsuki said, taking a bite of a nashi (Pear) that he had picked earlier. Tsukiko sighed and laid down on her back, staring up at the sky. "I guess." She thought for a moment as she ate a ginnan (a delicious Japanese nut; a prized delicacy that is highly sought after and only found in the gingko fruit, which emits a foul odor), then suddenly sits up, opening her mouth, but was interrupted by a scream.

"Ginko!" they yelled simultaneously, dropping their fruits and nuts to run back to the clearing. But by the time they made it back, Orochimaru was gone and Ginko, clothes dirty and torn, was lying on the ground unconscious, three slightly curved lines, which spread in a rip-like pattern, on the left side of her collarbone.

*8 hours and 36 minutes later at the tower...*

"You couldn't sleep either?" Yukima looked up at the gruff voice, seeing the puppeteer, free of the war paint and hood. She smiled and nodded, returning to her ramen cup with her cheeks slightly pink. "It's hard for me to sleep in new places," she told him before taking a bite of her noodles. He nodded and sat down across from her. "What about you?" she asked and looked into his eyes. Instantly she saw a man, who shared a striking resemblance to the boy, yelling and throwing things around a room. There was a smaller version of the redhead on his team who was cowering in a corner of the room, watching the man in fear as a smaller version of the boy in front of her tried to protect the redhead, only to get knocked aside. "Can't sleep on new places either," he said, breaking eye contact. She smiled at him sadly and left it alone. He obviously didn't want to talk about his dream and the troubles he's faced at home.

So, they sat in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable nor was it comfortable, but it was peaceful and they welcomed it. After about five minutes, she had finished her ramen and suggested a game, to which he gladly agreed to. Anything to get them dream off of his mind.

*4 hours and 23 minutes later with Teams 7, 9, and 10...*

"Lee!! Are you alright?! Pull yourself together!!" Tenten yelled as she shook her comrade. Ino stood by and watched in bewilderment. "Wha...?!" Lee said as he slowly gained consciousness, looking around. "Huh? Tenten? When did you get here?" he asked once he spotted his teammate, one of his eyes refusing to open all the way.

"We came to rescue you!" she said moving to rest on her knees along with her green spandex wearing friend. "Hunh...? Where did the Sound Ninja go...?" Lee asked, finally noticing the missing three Nin. "Sasuke scared them!" she shouted, getting annoyed with the boy. "Oh..." Lee whispered as he looked over at Sasuke and Sakura. "What were you thinking, going off half-cocked like that, alone?!" Tenten said, gaining his attention once more. "Look at you! You're a mess!"

"S-sakura needed me! I could not leave her to face them alone, Tenten. I would not be able to forgive myself if she were harmed, knowing that I could have done something to help!" Tenten stared at him for a moment. 'Oh, Lee. You're too noble for your own good...' She smiled slightly at him, "You're too much. You know that, right?" He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head as he said, "Ginko says I'm ethical."

"Hey!" Naruto shouted, bouncing over to the two, surprising them both as he pointed at Lee. "I know you! You're the really weird bushy-browed guy who's dating my cousin!!!" Sakura, who had heard the blonde (though, honestly, who couldn't?), punched him so hard he was sent flying. "Don't talk to Lee like that!!" she yelled, surprising everyone. Naruto laid on his back, staring at the sky as he wondered if everyone went crazy while he was unconscious."Naruto is the Olympic champion of cluelessness!" Shikamaru said, staring at the blonde. "He's one of life's natural born supporting characters; a guy who couldn't even cut it as the star of his own life. Or his own comic, for that matter!" Choji said from beside his friend. "It's times like this that you know without a doubt that he and Ginko are related." Choji nodded agreement, "Only family can be this dense."

Sakura huffed before turning towards Lee, a light blush on her cheeks as she said quietly, "Lee... thank you." The wide-eyed boy looked up at the pinkette in surprise. "Thanks for your help, I've made some kind of breakthrough," she smiled at him, the blush still evident on her bruised and dirty face. "My skills have been taken to a whole new level." Lee began to shake as tears filled his eyes. "Sakura... I am not worthy! It was Sasuke!" he cried, rubbing his eyes. "It seems so natural that a member of the renowned Uchiha clan would be the one with powers so incredible that he could rout those same Sound Nin who beat me senseless."

'What?! Lee was beaten senseless?!' Sasuke thought, looking at Lee in shock. 'I don't get it. Were the Sound Ninja really that strong?'

"But Lee," Sakura said softly, getting down on her knees so they were eye level (sort of), "You gave me the courage I've been lacking all this time. Without you, I don't think I would even be here." She leaned forward until she was nearly in his face and whispered, "And for that, I am eternally grateful." What she did next shocked everyone completely, especially Tenten because she'd only ever seen Ginko do it. Neji, however, was just confused as to why cute girls are suddenly showing interest in his loser of a teammate.

Heat rose in Lee's cheeks all the way to his ears when he felt the pinkette's soft lips on his cheek. When she pulled away, he placed a hand on the cheek she kissed as he stared at her, trying to figure out what to say to the smiling beauty before him. Only Ginko has ever kissed him there, but when she had kissed him, it was at the end of a date and he was able to utter a soft "Thank you". He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say to this girl because this time he was the one being thanked.

"Oh, Sakura!" Ino shouted, cupping her mouth with one hand as she waved the other. "If you'd like, I'll help you trim your hair! You know, even up the ends!!" Sakura looked over at the blonde and smiled bitterly, knowing she wanted to talk about something. "Well, aren't you sweet?"

She stood and walked over to her former best friend, sitting down in front of her as she pulled out a kunai. "That was a cheap trick," she whispered harshly as she cut the pinkette's hair. "Acting like you just had to help Sasuke... so you'd have an excuse to hug him... Billboard Brow!" Sakura couldn't help but smirk. Something about pissing the blonde off was just funny to her. Must be the rivalry. "What can I say? You snooze, you lose, Ino... you Porker." Ino growled, tightening her grip on the kunai. "But," Sakura stared again, confusing Ino and causing her to wonder what else there was to say. "I think Sasuke has eyes for someone... and it's not us," she said softly, watching her teammate. "Well... I guess as long as it isn't you..." Ino tried, the heartbreak she felt leaking through.

"You believe me?" Sakura asked, completely shocked that the blonde wasn't arguing with her. "He is your teammate... and, as much as it pains me to say it... you do know him better than me by default." Sakura watched as more of her hair fell to the ground around her.

'...And I know you're starting to have eyes for someone else. Even if you don't know it yet... Sakura.' Ino thought to herself, looking at the weird boy dressed in a green spandex.

*2 hours and 28 minutes later with Ginko and the ANBU...*

"Tsukiko!" Itsuki yelled from his place beside Ginko. Tsukiko, who had been keeping watch as a clone of his went to gather nuts and berries, quickly ran to the small wooden shelter he and Ginko were both in. "I think she's waking up," he said, looking back the groaning silverette.

"It's about time," a new voice said. The two ANBU turned to see the three Willow Nin. "I was getting tired of waiting," one of the twins said. "Was being to think we should just head in there and kill her already," the other said. Instantly, the ANBU were in defensive positions around the girl in their care. "You'll have to go through us," Tsukiko said, glaring at the twins. "That's what I'm here for," a deep voice said, this one behind them. They turned to see what looked like a 10-year-old boy holding a two nodachis. "I keep you two company while they fight Runt. Simple as that," he said, jumping down to land between them and Ginko, who was suddenly producing a dark aura.

The boy smirked, his pointed teeth showing as his orange eyes twinkled with glee. "I've always wanted to fight two Elite ANBU's at once," he said to no one in particular, wasting no time in charging at them.

*19 minutes later...*

"You know," the boy started, blocking a hit from Tsukiko as he dodged another from Itsuki. "They're taking longer than they said they would." He attempted a roundhouse kick, only for it to be blocked by Itsuki and then he bent over backward to block an attack from Tsukiko. "Not that I'm complaining, this is the most fun I've had in years. But there's no, 'Shuichiroh! Come on, you half-breed!' Or 'It's done, you fool, so stop your playing!'," he said, sweeping his leg out and tripping Itsuki as he pushed back on Tsukiko's katana.

As of to prove him wrong, someone screamed. Shuichiroh jumped away from the two ANBU and looked in the direction the scream came from. "That was Shuuhei," he said quietly. He looked over at his opponents before sheathing his nodachi's and running off. They followed his example; quickly running after him. When they reached the spot they left the others, Shoumetsu was... everywhere; an arm in the treetops, a leg in the bushes, a head tossed to the side, and what they believed to be intestines was shred to pieces and spread all along the ground as if was used as confetti. They heard a groan and looked over just as Ginko dropped Shuuhei's lifeless body to the ground. "Ginko...?" Itsuki said softly, stepping forward. Slowly, the silverette turned towards them, blood, whether it was her own or someone else's they didn't know, was dripping from her hair, clothes, and skin. They noticed black lines along the left side of her body when she fully faced them, a crazed look in her lavender colored eyes.

She stared at them before looking at her hands. "...Do you know, how long I've wanted to do that?" she asked quietly. "How long I've wanted to be the one to laugh as they screamed? To feel their blood run through my fingers instead of the other way around?" They could only watch as her hands began to shake and tears filled her eyes. "He said I could kill them all with my bare hands with the help of his seal..." The lines turned a red-orange color, moving back towards the seal on her collarbone. "But all I see when I close my eyes... is the light leaving their eyes... and I hear myself laughing as I tear them apart." She fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands, "I didn't want them to touch me, I wanted them to get away and leave me alone... but they wouldn't and I got scared."

Itsuki, not caring if he was putting himself in danger, walked over to the crying girl and kneeled down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "I let it take me over, and for a moment I felt safe and free but..." she began to shake even harder, the others listening intently. "I felt like a monster..."

*39 minutes later at the tower...*

Shuichiroh tossed the scrolls and in a puff of smoke, a woman was revealed. "Where are your cousins?" she instantly asked, looking around for them. "Elder sister," he said, gaining the woman's attention, "Runt killed them."

"That's impossible. She's nothing but a bastard slave-" she stopped when he lifted Shoumetsu's head. "If you do not believe me, you can always check her memories," he said calmly. The woman growled, clenching her fists. Her eyes flashed green and a vine extended from her arm to retrieve the head. When had it in her grasp, she turned it this way and that, inspecting it as her hands turned a light blue color over the crown.

After a while, she shouted in anger as she threw the head at the nearest wall. "That little bastard has fucked up my plans for the last time."

*34 hours and 53 minutes later...*

"Ugh! I'm so bored!" Tanuki whined loudly from her place on the couch. Nezumi was resting her head on her teammates' lap as she read 'Animal Farm', Yukima was sitting upside down beside them as she snuck glances at Kankuro, who was working on a puppet on the coffee table. Temari was currently in the kitchen getting a snack and Gaara was leaning against the wall, watching all of them as Shukaku continued to say vulgar comments about the Cloud Nin and what he wanted to do with them.

"Then go do something," Kankuro said, reaching over to where he placed his screwdrivers, switching a quadrex for a clutch. "But there's nothing to do, Ningyo (means 'doll' or 'puppet' in Japanese)." Kankuro growls, tightening his grip on the screwdriver in his hand. "I said not to call me Ningyo!" he yelled, slamming his fist on the table. Yukima giggled, causing Kankuro to shoot her a glare. Heat rises in her cheeks and she quickly coughed, scratching her cheek as she looks the other way.

'Ooh, someone's got a crush on the ugly one~' Shukaku said in a shrill voice that made Gaara cringe. 'I wonder if their kids would be as ugly as him or as hot as her...?' Gaara sighed as Tanuki rolled her eyes, "Oh, whatever. Teasing you is no fun anyway." She laid her head back and stared up at the ceiling.

"Anyone got any Pocky?" she suddenly asked, lifting her head back up to look at the two brothers in the room. "We didn't have any yesterday, or the day before, so why would we have any today?!" Kankuro growled as a bulging vein appeared on the side of his head. Yukima couldn't help but giggle again, causing Kankuro to look at her, "What is so damn funny?!" She blushed as she looked into his eyes, seeing herself through his eyes. "You're cute when you're angry," she said honestly, which surprised him and made his cheeks turn pink for a moment before he glared at her. his voice ran through her mind. She pouted but didn't say anything as he went back to working on his puppet.

A deck of cards landed on the coffee table, and everyone turned to look at Gaara. "You could play cards," he said as he closed his eyes. Tanuki smiled and, after lifting Nezumi's head, grabbed the deck. "Why do you have a deck of cards in your pocket?" Temari asked when she returned from the kitchen, eating a plate of roasted chestnuts in cinnamon butter. He shrugged, "Ginko gets bored easily."

His siblings nodded while the Cloud Nin shared confused looks, not knowing who Ginko was. "Well, who wants to play poker?" Tanuki asked with a smirk. "No thank you," Nezumi said, returning to her book. "Boxer has recently collapsed from overwork, and the pigs say they have sent him to a veterinarian, when they've actually sent him to the knacker's yard to be slaughtered in exchange for money for whiskey and I'd like to see how the others take it," she continued, turning a page as she rested her head on the brunettes lap once again.

"You can count me out," Yukima said, turning over onto her side so that she could get off of the couch, "The last time I played poker with you, I was out 50000 yen and in debt for 37500 more. Took me about a month to pay you back." Kankuro snuck a glance at her as she left the room, heading for the stairs where the rookie teams were. He shook his head, returning to his puppet. 'She didn't mean it.'

"Well... what about you sand dwellers?" Tanuki asked, trying not to get her hopes up. Kankuro and Gaara didn't say anything as their sister politely declined. Tanuki sighed and begrudgingly began to play triangle solitaire as she hummed 'One is the Loneliest Number'.

*7 hours and 7 minutes later...*

"Do you have any 3's?" Lee asked, looking up at Gaara.

"Go fish."

"Will you please tell me why you guys are suddenly rivals?" Ginko asked, putting her book down as she leaned forward. For the past day and a half, the two boys had been challenging each other non-stop, Lee even going as far as to claim them to be 'Eternal Rivals' with Gaara never denying it. They'd played almost every card game in the book, had God knows how many eating contests, rock-paper-scissors. Hell, she even heard from Kankuro that Gaara had been looking down Lee's spandex. Sure it was because Gaara wasn't circumcised and Lee had apparently thought something was wrong with it when he saw the redhead taking a piss, but it still somehow lead to some kind of challenge that she and Kankuro didn't need to know the winner of.

The two boys turned to blink at her before Gaara turned and asked, "Queens?" Lee's shoulders slumped as he handed over his queen of hearts. Ginko sighed and leaned back reading her book, 'There and Back Again'. "Do you have any Jack's?"

"Go fish."

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A.N. - Okay, if you can guess where "Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" and the book, 'There and Back Again' comes from, I will love you forever.

​​​​​​​I hope you enjoyed the story guys and sorry if it seems rushed, because honestly, I kinda sorta forgot how close it was to Christmas I've been so busy.

And with that out of the way, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanzaa (there's a lot more, but I'm only saying these three because they're the most common)

~愛 Naomi