Ch. 11

Neko's Turn

Neko's P.O.V.

Last day of the exam

I am so glad that this is the last day of the first exam. It wasn't hard or anything and we learned a lot about our enemies but Tsubaki hasn't gotten any better. I'm just getting back from collecting more herbs for her.

I walked into the tree to find that Tsubaki was still asleep and her breathing was uneven. I went over and after making sure that Tsubaki wasn't going to wake up I started a small fire to cook some meat and make tea for the two of us. After I put out the fire I was going over to wake Tsubaki but heard a warning howl from one of the wolves.

One of the enemies was approaching so I hurried outside and got into a fighting position. After I got out there three sound-ninja appeared ready to attack.

"What do you want?" I asked them. "We came for you partner" the first one said. "Our master heard that she controls all elements and wants her power" Another said. They took a position where they had one in front and the others on each side and my back to the tree. "You might want her but like fucking hell you're getting her, bastards" I said.

Suddenly sound was building up around them and the two ninja to my sides aimed an attack at me as the one in front punched the ground sending waves through it. I jumped up and dodged the attacks and landed with a kunai in each hand.

I threw one of them into the ninja to rights leg and then ran forward and shoved the other one into the ninja in front of me shoulder. When I stopped I heard the sound of a fire starting and turned around; the third ninja had taken the chance to set fire to our tree.

When I saw this I used the one elemental power I had gained and trained over the last three months. I had my 'binding vines' wrap around the man who had set the tree ablaze. After I had him securely wrapped I used 'protective vines' by sending in a set of vines to create a dome around Tsubaki in order to keep her from being hurt by the fire.

My vines cannot burn but can freeze; good thing Tsubaki, Tsunade and I are the only ones who know that. After being sure that Tsubaki was safe before attacking the two ninja who had not been wrapped in my vines. On the first I used 'piercing vines' this sent a sharp thorn covered wing into the man's heart; splattering my face with his blood.

On the second I used 'blade leaves' which changed the leaves in the forest into sharp razor like weapons as they flew at him. When they touched his body it tore through his bone; cutting him into six individual pieces.

On the one that I had wrapped in vines I used 'crushing vines' which used the vines that I had wrapped him in to crush him to death. With the thorns it splattered blood over my whole body. When I finished I used the vines to lift them and move them to the edge of the forest. When that was done I walked to the river and washed as much blood as possible off of me.

When I returned the tree was nothing at all but ash. It had the vines that were protecting Tsubaki right where she had been asleep before the fight. I brushed the ash off of them and released them. I collected the herbs that had survived the fire and picked up Tsubaki before heading away from it.

I found a nice spot so I could set Tsubaki down and make some tea. I started a small fire and brewed the tea with the herbs. When I was done I put the fire out and woke Tsubaki. She gave me a questioning look and I said "We were attacked and the tree was burned before I could finish them but don't worry. Drink some tea and hopefully Anko and the other anbu will come to tell us we are finished." She drank the tea before we heard her stomach growl. I looked at her with a sorry face and told her "All of our food burned along with the tree, sorry Tsubaki." Although all she did was wave me off as if saying 'it's fine.'

After a few minutes Anko showed up; she showed up so suddenly that Tsubaki jumped into the tree even as sick as she is. "Hey there you two, the first exam has finished so let's get out of here" she said as I helped Tsubaki down. When she saw how pale Tsubaki was she freaked "WHAT HAPPENED? ARE YOU OKAY, TSUBAKI?" she kept asking. Tsubaki waved her off as if saying the she was fine but Anko didn't believe her.

Anko sighed "Fine let's get going." I let go of Tsubaki to follow Anko thinking she could at least walk; until I heard a light thud and turned around. She had fallen to the ground breathing heavily and unable to stand back up. "You can just carry her back" Anko said. I walked over and placed Tsubaki on my back before following Anko out.

Gaara's P.O.V.

I was waiting with the others for Tsubaki and Neko to leave the forest but when they came out we all got really worried. Tsubaki was being carried by Neko and you could tell how pale and flushed she was from where we were all standing. We all sprinted over to them.

Neji and I were the first to reach them and asked what was wrong shortly followed by the others. Neko told us that Tsubaki had gotten sick three days into the exam but Tsubaki just waved us off as if nothing was wrong. None of us believed that she was fine seeing as she obviously wasn't.

Neko sat Tsubaki down so she was leaning against a tree and Anko had left to find Tsunade. We all sat around in a circle with Neko on Tsubaki's right and me on her left. After a few minutes of Neko telling everyone about what had happened during the exam I felt Tsubaki take hold of my hand; I could tell it was her because the hand was warmer than it should have been.

I looked over at her and she pointed to the ground; everyone looked at it. During the time Neko had been telling everyone what had happened Tsubaki had taken the time to write 'I love Gaara!' I looked at her stunned along with the others. "Really?" I asked her; she nodded. I grabbed onto her hand a bit and gave her a small smile. "I don't know much about love Tsubaki but I know that I care for you very much. Will you be my girlfriend and show me love so that I may also one day show it to you?" I asked. She then gave me one of the largest smiles I had ever seen and nodded her head.

Soon after Tsunade was in view and we all waved to her. She looked very scared and worried; after what Anko told her I wouldn't be surprised. Tsunade look at Tsubaki and Neko as if they were her own children just like she did Naruto. Tsubaki fell unconscious on my side her hand in my just as Tsunade arrived.