Black Ice Chapter 8
Gaara of the Sand
After finally checking out of that stupid hospital two weeks later, I, well obviously, trained. I tried to fight off the emotions that Team 7 was making me feel but it wasn't that hard. It seemed like the more I tried to resist, the more I showed happiness, excitement and other emotions. But on the other side I think it helped me gain more control over my Kunioki State. I could now control elements without chakra for a limited time. Also I could merge my soul with the environment, like trees, and sometimes control it, like vines and plants and stuff.
Now, I am sitting by Naruto, glancing up at Kakashi-sensei. Although he's always late and reads those perverted books, he is a good teacher. He's the main one that helped me control my Kunioki State, and that wasn't an easy task. I smiled slightly and tuned back in to what he was saying.
"-Okay! I think that's all for today! You guys did a good job. Now, you can do what you want. Goodbye!" and with a puff of smoke he was gone.
I stood up, waving at Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto before turning and walking away. Soon, I reached my destination. I jumped into a tree, climbing onto a thick branch and leaning back against it, closing my eyes. I let the environment seep into my heart, my eyes gaining a purple ring around it. I sighed in content as I could feel the world around me breathing. I felt the birds, the trees, the squirrels and even the tiny ants, scurrying across the ground with food half their sizes on their backs. I slowly began to fall asleep...
"You little brat!" I heard a voice yell, "Do you know who you just ran into? I think I should teach you a lesson..."
I sighed in annoyance, opening my eyes so I could see what the problem was now. I gasped slightly. Naruto and Sakura were standing across from some guy in a black baggy full body suit. It had a red and yellow circle on the front. He also had a hood with cat-like ears on the top. He had weird purple face paint all over his face, his Suna forehead protector was on his forehead. The guy had picked up a wiggling Konohamaru, bringing him up to his face and sneering at him hatefully.
"Kankuro! We don't have time for this! Put the boy down and let's get out of here!" A girl with four pig-tails gathered around her head said.
The girl also had a Suna head protector, but it was around her neck, like mine. She had green eyes and wore a single light purple-colored garment that went all the way down to her thighs. Underneath it, she wore a fishnet undershirt. Also, she had a huge fan on her back. Kankuro turned to her, now, Konohamaru still in his iron grasp.
"Temari, this boy ran into me, he deserves to be punished!"
Naruto was about to launch himself recklessly at Kankuro but Sakura held him back, whispering something in his ear that made him stop struggling and just continue to glare at Kankuro. Kankuro pulled back his arm, preparing to punch a quivering Konohamaru. I sighed again and picked up a rock, noticing Sasuke behind me with two in his hand as well. I nodded to him and we both threw one at the same time, both hitting Kankuro in the arm with deadly accuracy. Kankuro dropped Konohamaru and everyone looked in our direction. They saw Sasuke throw his other pebble in the air, letting it fall into my open palm. I then smashed it so it became dust particles. We both jumped down coolly. I'm so cool! I thought happily, keeping my 'don't-mess-with-me' look up.
"You're stupid. Wanting to hurt a child just because they ran into you?" I said.
"Pathetic." Sasuke finished, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
I looked over and saw Sakura practically pass out squealing 'Sasuke's so cool!'
"It's cocky people like you... That really makes me pissed off!" Kankuro suddenly exclaimed, reaching behind his back and pulling a wrapped up bundle from behind him.
What is that? I thought.
"Kankuro! Are you really going to use the crow for this?" Temari exclaimed, her eyes wide.
Kankuro nodded, preparing to unravel the thing inside of the wrap. I slightly leaned forward to see what was in it, a kunai in hand. The wrap began to unravel more, showing messy brown hair.
Could it be? I thought in shock, Is it really a-
"Kankuro," A low voice said, making me slightly jump at its fierceness, "Why are you trying to start a fight? You should have just walked away. Now put the crow back up before I kill you. I don't care if you are my brother."
My eyes widened as I heard the voice say that. It was right to the left of me... at that tree. I looked over and saw a guy with the most intriguing sea foam eyes. There was a thick outline around his eyes, a love sign on the left forehead. He wore maroon shirt and pants, a white sash around him. It matched his tousled maroon hair. It defied gravity, or it looked like it since he was upside down. A huge gourd was on his back, I'm guessing it had sand in it. There was something about him... it made my stomach lurch.
Suddenly I was in front of a gate... I looked up and gasped in shock. A huge white wolf with two tails appeared in front of me, restricted by the cage.
"Who are you?" I muttered in awe as I stared up at her in awe.
"My name is Chieko. I am a two tailed wolf demon. I have been sealed inside of you ever since you were born."
My eyes widened. I opened my mouth to speak but she silenced me with a look.
"We must speak later..."
I was brought back to the present. I had unconsciously stared at Gaara, my eyes never blinking or leaving his. He appeared before me in a whirl of sand, still staring at me.
"You...?" he questioned, cocking his head to the side in confusion.
I just stared. Suddenly I walked towards him, unconscious of myself doing so. I lifted one of my hands, slowly moving it towards his stomach. I could faintly hear Kankuro and Temari gasp, but they did not move forward or do anything, they just stared. I finally placed my hand on Gaara's stomach. A wave of recognition came over me and I lost control over myself. My eyes turned red and my hair slowly shortened and turned white.
Chieko... I breathed in my head. She giggled and hugged Gaara. He hugged back, a small smirk on his face.
"Chieko..." he muttered in a different voice than before.
His eyes seemed to have turned black. I fought for control. This doesn't feel right! I thought. I then pulled my hand away, my hair and eyes returning to normal. I stumbled backwards and gasped. He also regained his composure and turned to Kankuro and Temari, glaring.
"Were leaving." he stated simply, beginning to walk away.
They nodded shakily and turned, following his retreating back.
"Oh, what your name?" Sasuke asked suddenly.
"Who? Me?" Temari asked turning and smiling.
"No. You the one with the gourd on his back."
"I am Sabaku no Gaara. I am interested in you and your name as well" Gaara turned and replied, looking at me and Sasuke.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
Mizuki Gesshu" I replied, looking down at my nails.
Gaara nodded and turned around. He started walking again, Temari and Kankuro right beside him.
"Hey!" Naruto yelled, "Don't you want to know my name?"
"No." Gaara said, not looking back.
Naruto hmphed and Konohamaru giggled, still staring up at me in awe. It was kind of cute... but sort of weird at the same time.
"Hey, wait!" I heard Sakura say, "I see that your headbands are from Suna. I know that the Fire Country is allied with the Wind Country, but that doesn't give you a right to be here without permission. What are you doing here? I d-demand t-to see your p-passports or I w-will have to t-take you t-to the Ho-Hokage."
Sakura began to stutter when they turned and glared at her. Temari sighed and stepped forward, taking out something.
"This is our passport. Have you been living under a rock all of your life? We're here for the Chuunin Exams!" with that they turned and walked away.
The Chuunin Exams? There here? I thought.
"What are the Chuunin Exams?" Naruto asked stupidly.
"The Chuunin Exams are where Genin from all Countries come and participate in three tasks." I said, smiling slightly.
"Oh yeah! I knew that!" Naruto quickly said.
I giggled and turned.
"Well see yah!" I said, jumping back into my tree, sitting back down on the branch.
I closed my eyes and tried to go back into my meditating state. I began to hear the running water a little bit away, the birds chirping from above and the woodpeckers attacking the trees. I sighed in content. Nothing could make me happier. Nothin-
"HEY, MIZUKI! WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT GARRA GUY! THAT WAS REALLY WIERD!" Naruto bellowed in my ear.
I was in such shock that I jumped, falling off the tree. I barely had enough time to stick my leg out, spinning like a psycho person as I tried to regain balance. When I came to a stop I looked back up, seeing a shocked look on Naruto's face. I was angry.
"What the HELL? Are you trying to KILL ME?"
"Eh! Sorry Mizuki!" he exclaimed, flailing his arms around helplessly.
I sighed and walked back up the tree, a purple ring appearing on my pupils.
"Ugh. It's fine. Just don't do that again okay?"
"Okay!"
I jumped to the ground gracefully landing on my feet. I started to walk away, waving at Naruto.
"I'll see you at training tomorrow!" I yelled as I chakra jumped away.
He nodded and waved, going his own way. I can't believe it... I thought, I actually care for Naruto... How did I let this happen? I made it home and walked in, immediately going into the kitchen and making rice balls with fish. I then went upstairs so I could take a shower and go to bed. But, I couldn't sleep...
I sighed and jumped onto the roof, taking my familiar position. I stared up at the moon, letting my mind wander. I then saw a figure on the roof beside mine. Strange... I thought I'm usually the only one out here most days. Sasuke sometimes comes out but that's not his chakra... It's... Gaara's? I jumped over to Gaara and saw him watching the moon like I would, but he was standing up.
"Trouble sleeping?" I inquired, walking over to him.
He looked down at me and shook his head, looking back up at the moon.
"I don't sleep. I have insomnia. You couldn't sleep?"
"Yeah. I usually can't sleep. I come out here. It calms me. The moon reminds me that my family is watching over me." I explained, not knowing why I said that.
We sat in silence for a while, looking up at the moon. Soon, I blurted out, "Why are you so cold to people?" and then covered my mouth. What was wrong with me? I was about to apologize when he actually answered my question.
"It's what I am. But I can't help but be nice to you... why? All my life people have been mean to me; they called me a monster and ignored me. All because of something I can't control..." Gaara then lifted up his hand and sand came out from his gourd, twirling around me.
I smiled at him and touched his shoulder lightly. His eyes widened.
"My sand... It didn't stop you..."
I giggled slightly, "It's okay. I won't hurt you anyway. Unless you hurt my friends unnecessarily, that is. I feel the same way. I am only open to my Team but something makes me want to get to know you..."
He nodded and sat beside me. I then closed my eyes.
"Tell me... about your past. In return I'll tell you mine..." He whispered.
I nodded and told him everything. From hanging out with Hinata and Haku to the Gesshu Massacre. I told him about how I bottled my emotions inside and stayed away from socializing. I even told him my dream... he listened intently, watching me and even wiping a tear from my face when I cried. I could tell he was a nice person... He just had a bad childhood that made him stay away from others and put up a wall of hate. Sticking to our promise he told me of his past. It was sad... very sad... I noticed that the moon began to go down.
"I'll talk to you again sometime... Gaara-kun" I said, yawning slightly.
He nodded sadly, "Okay..."
I kissed his cheek and jumped back into my room, lying down on my bed. Sleep came automatically, pulling me into a dreamless sleep. The next day I woke up and got dressed, doing my morning routine I walked downstairs and decided to have a full breakfast. I ate eggs, bacon and pancakes. Well, they were sort of burnt but whatever it wasn't that noticeable. I attacked my kunai pouch to my leg and headed out, waving when I saw Gaara walking with his siblings. He waved back slightly and smiled so just I could see it. I returned it and ran to the training grounds, jumping into a tree. I closed my eyes and waited for people to come. Sasuke appeared next, leaning against a tree and ignoring Sakura who had somehow attached to his arm. Naruto came last, cramming Instant Ramen into his mouth and zipping up his orange jacket.
I caught a glimpse of his black undershirt. It clung to his body, showing off his flat upper body... EEEK! My cheeks were red now and I was fantasizing... NOOO! I got up and ran around the training grounds five times, trying hard to get that image out of my head... His perfect stomach... AHHH! No no no no no no no! I couldn't get the image out of my head! I sat down and tried to calm down as Sasuke sent me a weird look. I then replayed what I did in my mind. I was jumping around, hitting my head on a tree after I ran... Hehe oops. That must have looked weird... Kakashi-sensei then suddenly appeared with four papers in his hands.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI! YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura and Naruto yelled.
"Heh, heh. Sorry 'bout that! A black cat crossed my path and-"
"Oh just get on with today's training." I said, chuckling and shaking my head.
"Oh, well you have today off. I decided that you guys are ready for the Chuunin Exams. These are the entry papers for it. The Chuunin Exams are when Genin from all villages meet in a certain place to participate in three tasks. If you make it past three tasks then you will become a Chuunin!"
"THANK YOU!" Naruto said, launching himself at Kakashi-sensei and hugging him.
"Hey! Don't get drool on my vest...!" Kakashi-sensei pushed Naruto off, clearing his throat, "If you decide to take the Chuunin Exams, -you don't have to if you don't want too-, then meet at the Academy five days from now at 7:00 a.m. Okay? Okay! I'll see you later!"
With a wave and a puff of smoke, Kakashi-sensei disappeared.
