A/N: And so the first week back pretty much killed my mood. Being a club president is not easy. Tack 12 full time units on top of that and I can barely write anymore. Updates may be sporadic, but they will be there. That said, the last chapter ended with a pretty massive cliffhanger. My motto is always keep the readers gasping for more. So I think it served its purpose well. This chapter will be one of several intended to develop the characters and their identities. That out of the way, let's begin.

Chapter Ten: Blossoming Feelings

Gaara and Naruto watched as their children stared each other down. Gaara swallowed hard, knowing exactly the raw power they both possessed. Gaara looked over at Matsuri, sitting behind and above him with Hinata. They were holding hands, straining their eyes to see their children. Naruto then smiled at Gaara.

"We'll jump in if they get out of control. In the meantime, let's enjoy the match that Tsunade, Onoki and you set up. We know that they're best friends, but even best friends fight. Gaara, just relax. They're not trained yet. What could possibly happen?"

Gaara closed his eyes and he nodded.

"You're right. And besides, we have Yamato ready, just in case, along with other ANBU who can seal. We have Kushina ready as a last resort as well."

Naruto nodded and he clapped his friend on the shoulder. Hinata sat down next to her husband as Hanabi gave the signal to start the match. Hinata gripped Naruto's hand tightly, causing the young man to stroke her hair.

Rise and Kaze stood still for several minutes. Rise dropped her guard, and she looked up at her parents. Why do I have to fight Kaze? She thought. Naruto gave her a grin and a thumbs up. She resumed her battle stance and she dashed forward, striking at Kaze's chest. A wall of sand erupted upwards from the floor, blocking Rise's strike. Rise hopped backwards and she sighed. Gaara called down from the stands, encouraging his son.

"Fight back Kaze! You can't win if you only defend! You'll never be strong if you let your kindness overwhelm your natural abilities!"

Kaze nodded and he spread his arms wide, sand falling from his body.

"No holding back Rise. Come at me with all you have!"

He said to her. Rise flashed a grin and she nodded.

"Now that's what I wanted to hear. Same to you Kaze. Don't go easy on me!"

Rise grinned and she assumed her battle stance. She activated her kekkai genkai and she rushed forward. She stopped a few feet away from Kaze and she pushed her palm forward.

"Eight Trigrams: Empty Palm!"

Kaze felt a blast of air hit him, causing him to stagger. Rise charged forward and she delivered a strike to Kaze's leg, only to be blocked by the sand wall once more. Rise kicked at the sand wall, but to no avail. Kaze then shook his head and he made a wide punching motion with his right fist. A blast of sand erupted from his palm, hitting Rise square in the stomach. Rise doubled over and she spat up a little. Hanabi raised her hand, but Rise stood back up, wiping her mouth.

"That actually hurt Kaze. How'd you do that?"

Kaze smiled and he chuckled.

"We've been friends all this time and you never knew? The Shukaku's DNA bound onto my father's, and when I was conceived, I received some of his power, namely sand manipulation. That sand barrier stops me from taking damage."

Rise smiled and she crouched down and started to weave seals. She stood up and she released the Jutsu.

"Secret Art: Flash Step Technique!"

Rise smiled at Kaze and she disappeared. Kaze then felt a sharp pain in his arm. Rise has somehow bypassed his defenses and struck him.

"What did you just do?"

Kaze asked and Rise laughed.

"Something Daddy showed me. It lets me triple my running speed in very short bursts. Problem is, its very draining. So I have to end this in one more move. Are you ready, Kaze?"

Kaze chuckled.

"You're rushing it, Rise."

He said and he swung his arms in a circular motion, as if throwing a lasso. A rush of sand erupted from his arms and ensnared itself around Rise. Rise struggled and she fell off to the side, squirming and thrashing. Kaze chuckled and he stepped towards her, to let her go. Rise broke through the bindings and she stood up. Kaze jumped backwards and he assumed his battle stance again. Rise had a very angry look on her face.

"Don't you EVER tie me up like that!"

Rise screamed and she started to punch the air. Kaze was blown backwards by the force of the blows, even though Rise had never touched him. Rise's usually serene, calm lavender eyes were burning with anger. Rise was a Wind Affinity just like her father and her older siblings. Kaze felt the Chakra behind the wind blasts, and he knew he had to give into his power. Kaze closed his eyes and he felt the power of the Shukaku flowing in him. He opened his eyes and he crouched low to the ground.

Gaara stood up and he dropped his hand.

"This match is over!"

Naruto nodded and they jumped over the edge and into the arena. Rise was already running at full speed at Kaze. Kaze was preparing a Sand Shuriken attack. Naruto and Gaara had reached them just in time. Gaara had already immobilized them both with ropes of sand. Naruto then called in Yamato. The older man weaved seals and he touched both of the children on their foreheads. Rise's eyes closed slowly, as if she had fallen asleep. Kaze slumped down in his father's arms and he looked up at him. Gaara was smiling, and Kaze grinned weakly before falling asleep. When Naruto looked down at his daughter, he sighed.

"We need a stronger seal. If she's going to feel that power every time she gets angry, we're going to have problems. Gaara, what seal are you using on Kaze?"

Gaara shook his head and he swallowed hard.

"Iron Seal. Rise?"

Naruto smiled sadly.

"Steel. I think I need to have my mother put a Trigrams seal on her. No offense to you or Kaze, but she's carrying the Kyuubi. You know the Bijuu's power is determined by the number of tails it has. Kaze is carrying the Shukaku, which is only one tail. Gaara, answer me truthfully. What does Kaze have that you don't?"

Gaara looked at the ground and he whispered.

"Let's talk about this in Tsunade's office. We need to get these two to Sakura. They're both bleeding pretty bad. And I want to know what you've been teaching Rise."

Naruto nodded in agreement. Hanabi had come jogging over and she talked with Naruto.

"They both pass. It was a draw. I'll let them go, just make sure that they're both well rested. And I'm sorry for suggesting this battle."

Hanabi bowed low to the ground and Naruto smiled.

"It was our idea Hanabi. You're a great teacher. Its our fault for not realizing how strong they already were."

Hanabi nodded and she hugged her brother in law. Hanabi smiled and they parted as Hanabi called out the names of the next two combatants. Naruto then turned to Gaara. Both men nodded and they carried their children to the hospital. Sakura admitted them to a room and she began the examination.

"How far did they transform?"

She asked to Naruto and Gaara. Naruto whispered.

"We stopped them before they could even get into one tail. We know that the more they heal, the shorter their lives will be. We don't want that."

Gaara nodded and he bent down over Kaze's bed. He saw several burn marks on Kaze's arm.

"Are these from that technique she used?"

Naruto scanned his mind.

"I've never seen Rise do that. Not even I can use Wind Jutsu just by punching. That must be the Kyuubi's power."

Naruto looked down at the burns and he turned to Sakura.

"Any idea?"

Sakura nodded.

"First degree burns. They're not life threatening, but they need to be treated. They'll have to stay overnight."

Naruto and Gaara nodded. Sakura smiled and she led them back to the lobby.

"They're going to be fine. Tell Hina and Matsuri that, ok? By the way, how was it?"

Naruto grinned. Sakura, despite being the top medical Shinobi, still enjoyed a good fight. Naruto looked at Gaara, who was also grinning.

"They're both progressing rapidly. Rise's already about to outrun his Sand Shield."

Sakura let out a soft whistle.

"It took Sasuke months to keep up with you Gaara. Naruto, what have you been teaching her?"

Naruto chuckled.

"Flash Step. Problem is, unlike Sasuke and me, she can't use it indefinitely. She can only use it for short bursts. One day though, she'll be able to use it often."

Naruto smiled proudly, causing Gaara to chuckle.

"Anyway, Naruto, we should go. Hinata and Matsuri will worry if we're not back soon."

Naruto nodded and the two men left. Sakura then began to write up medical charts. She knew it was going to be a long night.

Rise awoke in her hospital bed a few hours later. She opened her eyes slowly and she saw Kaze sitting up in the bed next to her.

"Finally awake Rise?"

Kaze said with a smile. Rise looked down at her clothes. She had several large holes in her shirt, exposing her bra. Kaze smiled at her and Rise smiled back.

"Sorry I burned you."

Rise said and she held her hand out. Kaze took it in his gently and he smiled.

"I'm sorry I tied you up. I forgot how much you hate it."

Rise and Kaze smiled at one another. For a brief moment, it seemed like time had stopped. Rise had moved to sit in the chair next to Kaze. Kaze held her close to him, his arms around her waist. Kaze hugged Rise tighter than he ever had before, and Rise looked at his eyes and she whispered to him.

"This is nice."

Kaze nodded and they stayed in that embrace for a long time. Kaze eventually let Rise go when a knock came at the door. As if in spite, Nanjo had come to visit them. Serah had come too. Kaze climbed back into his bed and the four of them talked until visiting hours were over. When Sakura came in to check one last time, she put them to bed. It wasn't until Sakura left that it happened. Kaze knew deep in his heart, then and there, that he loved Rise Uzumaki with all his heart.

TO BE CONTINUED...