Oh good God, I'm so sorry DX I've been gone sooooo loooonnnnggggg! I should probably work on my other FFs, but oh well. Truthfully, I'll probably never get a few of those done. I just lose interest in them. If you want, PM me or say something in a review and if you want to finish it/learn what happens, I'll tell you if it's one I completely lost interest in. Stay away from the PoM one, though. My mind works in mysterious ways, and I have really long, complicated ideas. That is one I swear I will finish!

(I just need to be motivated…. T-T At this rate, I'll only be writing one-shots)

Anyways, this is my new one, yet again! It is a GaaraxSakura. I'm telling you now, so haters? See that button at the top of the screen? Yes, the one with the arrow on it? Click it. Now. Buh-bye. I am proud to say that I support both Gaara, Sakura, and GaaSaku! CHA!

KK out~!

~Sakura POV~

I struggled to stand. Across the floor, I saw Ino trying to do so as well. I got one shaky leg under me and then the other. That final hit almost got both of us. But while I continued to stand, Ino fell to the floor, out cold.

"Since Yamanaka Ino -cough- is unable to continue, Haruno Sakura is the winner."

A huge smile graced my face as my body decided it couldn't stand anymore. I fell back, expecting to hit the floor, but instead landed in the strong arms of my sensei. I could tell by the creases in his mask that he was smiling down at me, so I smiled back at him. As I, too, fell into unconsciousness, I heard him say, "Good job, Sakura. Now rest."

When I woke up from a weird dream, Ino was sitting beside me "About time you woke up, Sakura." Lee and his mentor stood at the rail in front of me, yelling encouragement to Tenten.

"What happened? D-did I lose? To you?" I felt myself tear up.

"Bah! I should be the one crying. I can't believe I lost to someone like you Sakura."

"Lost? You mean, I won?"

"Yeah, Sakura. Here," she handed me my forehead protector, "and - you made it bloom. Into a beautiful flower." She smiled at me.

"Ino…" I smiled back at her, taking my headband and putting it back on.

"Next time, I won't lose! And I'll never hand Sasuke over to you!"

"You had to say something like that, didn't you!" We growled at each other and looked away. There was a commotion at the rail, so I got up to see what it was. The girl - Tenten - was knocked out on the other girl's fan. Kunai, chain-scythes, and other assorted weapons were scattered on the ground.

"How boring," said the girl from the sand village. The proctor announced 'Temari' the winner. The girl smirked, then flung Tenten into the wall. Fortunately, before she could hit it, Lee caught her. "Nice catch." Temari said turning.

"Why did you do that?" Lee asked, "She gave her all in this battle, and you treat her like that?"

"Shut up and get that loser out of here." Temari replied, making Lee angry.

"Lee, no!" Neji yelled.

Lee was attacking Temari before he even got it out. She caught his foot on her fan and chuckled. "Just as I thought, you're so pathetic."

"What?" He was about to attack again when Gai-sensei jumped down saying, "Lee, stop!" Lee obeyed with a sad look.

"Damn." Temari said.

"Temari, get up here! You've already won. Stop wasting time with that guardian guy." I looked to where the cold voice originated from. The boy with red hair and the kanji for love carved into his forehead. He and Lee glared at each other.

"Enough, Lee." Gai-sensei stood beside the shaking Lee and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sand team!" Gai commanded the attention of the entire room, not just his intended audience. "If you don't mind, I'm going to tell you something about this kid. This kid is strong, so you'd better prepare yourself!"

All around me, people were muttering about how foolish he was to take on the sand team. Not me, though. I looked at the red head. He seemed… Distressed. Angry. He shifted his gaze to meet mine. I jumped, shocked. His eyes held so much sadness, so much pain! Just like Naruto's used to.

"Sakura, are you alright?" said boy asked.

"Yeah," I said smiling, "but you better not lose to those guys, Naruto!" I finished by yelling. Naruto and even Kakashi-sensei seemed surprised.

"Sakura…"

"If you lose, you're not a man. Then how will you be able to face Sasuke?"

"Heh, of course!" He smiled his annoying, happy-go-lucky smile at me.

I gently smiled back. "But I really do owe you. If it weren't for your screaming like an idiot, Ino would have taken over, and I never would have won. Thank you."

"Yeah, you're right." He said and turned to Lee, who had joined us. Both started to yell about how they had to be next. Damn you, Naruto! I thought. He is so ungracious! I smirked when neither was chosen. Instead, it was Shikamaru and the girl from the sound team, Kin. I shuddered when she glared my way. She was still angry that I escaped her. Truthfully, I'm still used to my lack of hair, but I like it better. The girl was right, though. I don't need to focus solely on beauty if I'm going to become a great kunoichi. Who cares what Sasuke thinks!

Shikamaru won, easily. Next up… Naruto and Kiba. Naruto practically exploded with joy. I watched every detail. Naruto's amazing! He's grown so much! He even won! He didn't take Kiba down easily, though, but he did! Although he kind of stole Sasuke's attack…which was stolen from Lee…

Still, it was pretty awesome. "Hell yeah, Team Seven!" I yelled. "We all made it!" Naruto joined me in celebrating, until Hinata approached us blushing. I moved away from them, giving them some privacy. Everyone knows about Hinata's crush on Naruto. No one knew why, but she is head over heels for him. I leaned against the rail while they talked. Across the room, on the other side, that boy, Gaara, was looking around, probably to judge his competition. He hasn't fought yet, so there's a chance his full team will make it to the finals, too. I don't doubt that he will make it in.

His gaze met mine. I was busted staring at him! He glared right back. I waved to him smiling nervously. He's just a little lonely, right?

I noticed the others on his team glancing nervously between us. His mentor shook his head slightly at me. Was it a warning? He leaned forward to talk to his student.

"Sakura! You have to try this medicine! It's amazing!" Naruto interrupted, so I never caught what happened next. The medicine Naruto was so eager to show me seemed to heal his wounds instantly, but I refused his offer.

The next match was Hinata versus her cousin, Neji. Kakashi-sensei explained the different branches to us. Then the fight began. I stopped watching about halfway through, only peeking here and there. She was going to lose. But still, she fought on. I had tears in my eyes when they took her away to the emergency room. Naruto… Maybe he has feelings for her too. He swore on her blood that he would defeat Neji for her.

I looked at Gaara one last time. He seemed to get excited at the sight of the blood. I saw his eyes dart from drop to each individual, tiny drop. After all that, Naruto headed back up to us, followed by the other guy from the sand team, the one in the black jumpsuit and purple makeup. They were talking about Neji. I could tell because Naruto yelled about how he 'would kick his ass'. Even the guy from the sand can't put up with Naruto for too long. That got me giggling.

"And now, the next match will begin." the proctor announced. Almost the whole room held its breath in anticipation from the next match.

"Watch it, Choji. The only people left are pretty strong." Shikamaru warned his friend. "Especially the sand guy. His eyes are dangerous." Choji said he would just forfeit when his battle came around, only to be enticed by Asuma-sensei with promises of steak and protection. Gai-sensei was encouraging Lee. "Surely you're next, Lee!"

"No. I have waited this long, I might as well go last," he replied crossing his arms. Aren't you being kind of bratty, Lee? I thought at him. Of course he didn't hear it.

There was a commotion on the floor below. When I returned my attention to it, it was none other than Gaara appear in a swirl of sand. "Get down here," he said to my side of the room.

I glanced at the screen:

Sabaku no Gaara

Versus

Rock Lee

"WOOOOOOO!" Choji exclaimed in relief.

Another 'Woooo!' was let loose by Lee. "You fell for it! If you say you want to go last, you'll be next! That is how it always turns out!"

Finally, Lee gets his turn. But… I have a bad feeling. And what's with Gaara's gourd? What is it for?

Gai turned to Lee. "Lee, I have come across some info that no one else may have noticed, but that gourd is suspicious." Lee started writing everything down. "Don't do that! You'll never be able to look at it in battle!"

"Yes sir, Gai-sensei!"

"Now go Lee!"

"YES!" Then Lee jumped over the side. Is he going to be alright? He landed, stood, then faced his opponent. "To be able to battle you this soon… I couldn't be happier."

"Pft." was all the response he got.

"He's got no chance against Gaara. It doesn't matter what kind of moves he has," said Gaara's teammate. Thankfully, Naruto defended our friend with, "No. He's strong."

Something was shot towards Lee. He caught it and held it up. It was the cork to Gaara's gourd. "There is no need to get antsy," said Lee. The glare Gaara sent him gave me chills.

"9th match, now begin!" announced the proctor with a cough. What's his name? Hayate. He should probably get that cough checked out.

Lee attacked Gaara with a spinning kick, which was blocked by sand that flowed out of the gourd? Huh? "He…he can control sand?" So that's what the gourd is for. It holds his sand.

"Yes. It is his primary weapon." I jumped and turned away from the battle. Gaara's teammate was standing right behind me!

"Um… Kankuro-san, right?"

"Yes. And you're Haruno Sakura, correct?"

"Yes," I replied with a bow. I straightened up with, "It's nice to meet you, Kankuro-san. You battled well. Congratulations."

He looked at me strangely as he replied, "The same to you." I turned back to the battle after a few minutes of awkward silence where he just studied me.

"Lee-san is so fast, but none of his attacks are landing. All because of the sand." Lee tried attacking from every angle possible, but that sand got in the way every time!

"His attacks have no effect." Naruto said.

"No physical attacks work on him," Kankuro explained, "whether he likes it or not, the sand always shields and protects him. That's why not even one person has ever injured Gaara." We looked astonished at what he was saying. Gaara's never been hurt? Never felt pain?

"So he's never felt pain?" Naruto asked.

"Never any physical pain, no." I answered for Kankuro.

He looked at me in the same strange way as before, as if seeing me in a new light. "How would you…" he muttered, then shook it off. "Never mind. Can I talk to you alone, Haruno-san?"

I felt my eyes widen. "Uh, yeah, sure." We walked away from the crowds. Before we left, however, I heard Naruto asking about why Lee was only using taijutsu. Gai's answer shocked me. No talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu? Amazing. He's so powerful. Unlike me. What if I get someone really strong to fight in the finals? I doubt I could even beat Naruto, much less the others.

"…my brother." Kankuro said.

"Huh?" I wasn't listening!

He sighed. "I just wanted to warn you. Stay away from my brother," he repeated, eyes flicking to the battle, then back to mine.

"Gaara's your brother?"

"Yes. And before you ask, Temari is our sister. But back to Gaara. He's dangerous. Don't go near him. Don't look at him. Don't even say his name anymore. You've sparked something inside of him, something dangerous. You caught his attention. And now he won't stop for anything, trying to get to you, whether he wants to just spill your blood or steal your life. Stay. Away. For your own safety."

I glanced quickly at the battle. Lee kept jumping back to keep away from the sand chasing after him, eventually landing on the giant carved hand sign at the end of the hall. I looked back to Kankuro and nodded. We returned to the others in time to feel the whole building shake from the weights on Lee's legs. Every mouth hung open, except for Kakashi - who held his face in his hand - Gaara, and Gai-sensei.

Gai shouted encouragement to Lee, who yelled out of happiness, then disappeared momentarily. When he appeared again, he was directly behind Gaara. He went in for a punch, only to be stopped inches away from the sand-wielder's face. Again and again, kick after punch after kick, halted by sand just inches from the target.

"Although he can't use genjutsu or ninjutsu, he's a taijutsu specialist." Gai said as Lee jumped over Gaara… And kicked him in the head. Kankuro and Temari seemed more shocked than anyone else in the room. Lee… who knew he was so fast? "I told you: 'this kid is strong'. He won't lose in speed to anyone." Gaara stood, a cut on his cheek. Lee stood, a smirk on his face.

"Now we're just getting started." Lee said. He started jumping all around Gaara, taunting him with 'Over here!' before finally going in for the hit. Right on the cheek.

"So fast! It's incredible! The sand wall can't keep up at all!" I said.

"This is bad." Kankuro said.

"Well yeah! He took a pretty heavy hit!" Naruto exclaimed.

"That's not the 'bad' I meant." Naruto and I looked at him confusedly. I looked back at the battle and gasped, a hand covering my mouth. Gaara's face was cracked. Pieces of it fell to the floor, turning from flesh- to sand-colored. The rest of his body turned the same color, save his eyes and the wickedly-grinning bottom half a his face.

"Sand covering his entire body… So he's basically unscratched." Kakashi said thoughtfully. I bit my thumbnail. What-what is he? I was beginning to lose any kind thoughts for him. But his eyes! Though consumed in an undeniable rage and insanity, his eyes still held the pain of a lonely little boy, just barely. I looked away.

"His face is falling apart?" Naruto asked. But Kankuro was lost in his own thoughts. I laid a hand over Naruto's mouth to hear

"That face… it's been awhile since I saw it last… he's usually so calm and collected, so emotionless… I felt that he was losing control in these Chunin Exams… the 'other guy' is fully awake…" He finally gained focus. "If he gets caught by this Gaara, he'll be killed, just for fun."

The sand gathered around Gaara, forming his shield, I think? "What is that? Did it stop Lee-san's attacks from earlier?" I asked.

"His armor of sand." Was Kankuro's answer.

"Armor? What's the difference between the shield and the armor?" Naruto was more confused.

Kankuro remained calm, though. "His armor is a thin layer of sand that covers his body. Unlike the shield, which is automatic, he controls it. It is Gaara's absolute defense."

"So there's nothing you can do about it… no weakness…" Even Naruto got that.

I was beginning to get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. A sinking feeling. It tells me that I'll be the first one to go up against Gaara in the finals.

"Is that all?" the red head asked.

Lee thought for a moment, then looked up at Gai-sensei. He nodded back, and Lee started to unravel his bandages. The Lotus! The move Sasuke and Naruto stole! The sand couldn't protect against that! Lee ran in a circle around Gaara, earning impatience from the latter. "Hurry up and come."

"As you wish!" Lee appeared before him and kicked him into the air. Gaara grunted as he crossed his arms in front of him for protection. "It's not over!" Lee yelled as he kicked Gaara higher and higher into the air.

"End it here, Lee. The Lotus is self-damaging!" Gai muttered.

Lee's bandages wrapped around Gaara. Lee grabbed him and spun into the ground, jumping away at the last moment.

When the dust cleared, Gaara was lying on the ground. "Lee-san won!" I said.

"Do you think he's dead?" asked Naruto.

"Hey, no way!" Kankuro seemed offended.

I giggled, then heard a 'crack'. I turned my eyes to Gaara. Only it wasn't him. It was an empty shell that fell to pieces. Kind of creepy.

"When did he leave the sand? There's no way Lee could have missed that!" Gai yelled.

"When you closed you're eyes to pray." Kakashi-sensei said. "He paused for a moment because of pain."

Gaara stood up behind Lee, sand almost covering him, with a dark chuckle. Lee turned, an arm raised in defense. Sand exploded from behind Gaara, catching Lee and throwing him against the wall, then attacked again. Kankuro looked scared. Gaara licked his lips in seeing the indentation made in the wall.

"Why didn't Lee dodge?" I wondered out loud.

"The Lotus is a double-edged sword." Gai answered. Kakashi explained how it stresses the body.

"Lee-san… At this rate, he'll…" I couldn't finish.

Still he fought, dodging the sand. Gai was lost in memories. I can't take it anymore! "Lee-san! Don't!" Gaara glanced my way. Kankuro shot me a sharp look.

Suddenly, Lee's strength returned. He was able to dodge the next wave of sand. He smiled. "He's smiling…even though he's getting pushed around."

"The tables will turn, now," Gai said, "the lotus of the leaf blooms twice." I remember him telling me that. That he would also become a stronger man.

"You are finished here," Gaara's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Either way," Lee answered, "this will end it."

"Gai, you didn't!" Kakashi sounded surprised. Gai smiled. "That genin can open the Eight Celestial Inner Gates?"

"He has the ability-"

"Even with the ability, it's such a dangerous technique! The 'Extreme Lotus' should never be taught!" Gai was silent. "Gai… I don't know what that kid means to you, but there are limits!" Kakashi looked disgusted. "I've lost all respect for you, Gai."

Gai glared at him from the corner of his eye. "What would you know about that boy?" He returned his gaze to Lee. "That boy is special, he has a special dream, something he wants to prove. I wanted to turn him into a man who can accomplish it."

"He healed so quickly… Gai, how many can he open?"

"Five."

Kakashi gasped. "Five! That kid's not just hard-working, he's a genius!"

"The 'Eight Celestial Gates'? What is this?" asked Neji coolly.

So even he didn't know? Gai explained, but I lost interest. I don't think anyone else heard them talking, everyone was so riveted on the battle. A dangerous technique? I hope Lee will be ok. "If you open all eight gates, you will gain powers greater than a kage, but in return you will die." Kakashi told Neji.

Lee's skin turned deep red, and veins popped up on his head. When he looked up, I saw his completely white eyes. The ground around him seemed to crumble as he said, "Third Gate, the Gate of Life, open!" He roared, probably opening another gate. Rocks flew, torn from the ground and circling Lee. I'm not sure what happened next, it was all just a blur before my eyes, but rocks started flying up and hitting people. When the dust cleared, both fighters were gone.

"Gaara?" Kankuro shouted, followed by Naruto's "Where did they go?" Someone shouted, "Above us!" I looked up. There was Gaara, face up in the air, but no Lee. The sand made a desperate attempt at protecting Gaara, but it couldn't even keep up. Lee, nothing but a blur, kept hitting or kicking his opponent in the air. The sand armor fell off in pieces. Gaara was slammed to the ground, only to be caught in Lee's bandages. Lee pulled up on them and held out a fist and foot, hitting Gaara with extreme force.

Gaara should have been finished, but the gourd on his back turned to sand as well. Lee fell close to him. Without standing up, Gaara raised his hand and sand collected around Lee's left arm and leg. He tried to run, but it was too late. He screamed as Gaara closed his fist. More sand threatened the unconscious Lee, but was stopped by Gai.

Gaara seemed to freak out, grabbing his head. "Why… why did you save him?"

"He is my beloved comrade," answered Gai coldly.

Gaara stood and started leaving, his gourd re-forming. He was declared winner due to Gai's interference. But then, Lee stood, shocking the whole crowd. Gai turned to talk with Lee, but instead started crying. Lee stood, unconscious, as Gai hugged him.

Gaara looked on in silence. I jumped onto the railing, trying to get down there to help, but was stopped by one hand on my shoulder and another grabbing the back of my dress. Kakashi held my shoulder, while Kankuro pulled back on my dress.

"You consoling him won't help, it will only make it harder," what Kakashi said was punctuated by Kankuro's voice hissing in my ear, "Idiot! I told you to avoid Gaara, and you want to jump straight into his line of vision! Do you have a death wish or something?"

Naruto jumped down, though, and ran to Lee's side. The medical ninja talked to Gai about something. I'm not sure what about, but Naruto made a fuss about it. Kakashi abandoned me to silence him. Kankuro was staring at the ground, scared. I followed his gaze to Gaara, who was watching me! He had this creepy, sadistic smile on his face. He then disappeared and reappeared next to his sister and mentor.

The next match began. Choji versus Dosu, the last sound nin. Dosu won, easily.

All the winners lined up in front of Anko, Ibiki, Hayate, and the Third-sama. The order, from the left, was: Shikamaru, Shino, Naruto, Neji, Temari, me, Kankuro, Dosu, and finally Gaara

"Although one is mi-cough-ssing, I would like to congratulate the winners of the -cough- preliminary round of the third test of the Chunin Exams. -Coughcough-"

Third Hokage-sama stepped forward and cleared his throat. "-Ahem- As you already know, the main matches will be viewed publicly. You must fight well, as representatives of you're different countries. I'd like to see you're full strength, which is why the finals are being held one month from now."

"You mean we're not doing them here and now?" Naruto asked.

"This -let's call it a 'break' - will be for preparations." answered Third-sama.

"What does that mean?" This time the question came from Neji.

"To put it simply, we must inform the leaders of the various countries, and to arrange for the gathering of people coming to view this event. Also, this is time for the students to 'study'."

"Study? What do you mean?" Kankuro pitched in from beside me, asking what we were all thinking.

"This is time to get to know you're enemy, as well as yourself. This time period is to calculate you're chances of winning by analyzing the data you collected during this trial examination. These battles have put you in actual combat situations. You fought an unknown opponent, with Justus you had to learn to avoid." His eyes scanned us finalists. "The final trial will not be like this, though. Some of you -" I swear they stopped lingered on me for just a split second, before moving on - "have already shown all you have. Some have been seriously injured here." My thoughts turned to Lee and Hinata. "To make it fair, you are to use this month to advance yourselves and improve your skills. Of course, you'll have time to rest, too. Any more questions?" No one raised their voice. "Well, I'd like to dismiss you now, but there is one more thing -"

"What now, I gotta train!" Naruto yelled. Anko started toward us holding a box.

"Don't get so excited. There are pieces of paper inside the box. Each of you take one."

"I'll get to all of you, don't worry." Anko said as she walked down the line. "Only take one, now."

Once we all had our paper, Anko returned to our leader's side. "Wonderful! Now, stating from the left, tell me your number."

One by one, we called out our numbers. There were ten of us, so there would be five matches. Shikamaru got eight, Shino got six, Naruto and Neji got one and two. They would be the first match! Temari got seven, she would go up against Shikamaru. I announced my number, nine, mentally noting the few very strong people left. I prayed Kankuro, the seemingly nicer of those left would say ten, but my hopes were dashed when he said five instead. Up against that creepy bug guy, Shino. Dosu - I don't want him. He's strong. Luckily, he called out four. But that left Gaara! My heartbeat sped. Again, I prayed. I prayed he would say three. Sasuke would be gentler with me, right? I mean, I'm his teammate. Gaara threatened to kill his own brother.

Kankuro went rigid. I glanced down the line out of the corner of my eye. Gaara was grinning sadistically. He glanced at sideways at me.

"Ten."

I'm going to fight Gaara.