It didn't take too long for Shira to wake up, considering that she's an Uzumaki and all. It took her a couple of minutes to actually register where she is and, for goodness' sake, she didn't panic. "Ah... it's just Sasuke..." When she looked beside her, on the other bed, there lay Sasuke. His face relaxed and it was obvious he wasn't in pain any longer, so was she.

It wasn't like she didn't like Sasuke's presence, but being so vulnerable right now, she felt a bit fragile. Thatsnakewas still out there, he must be causing havoc to Konoha orsomething. Shira shuddered at the thought when she remembered thatsnake'schakra. It felt so disgusting, so revolting. She wanted to throw up and dig herself a hole to hide in. Shaking her head, she took a peek at Sasuke once more.

He looked so peaceful.

The look suits him, he should be a bit more relaxed.'I... I need Naru-naru right now.' Gathering her chakra, she hiraishined to Naruto.

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"Hinata, you alright?! Hey!"

It was horrible.

Naruto felt sick watching this fight between Hinata and her cousin, Neji. How could he fight Hinata like that? Why does he hate her so much? Hinata was a gentle, albeit a really shy girl but gentle and kind. Why did she deserve this?! They were family for heaven's sake! What does that Neji guy have against her anyway?! As far as the blonde knows, Hinata isn't like the type to make enemies with others.

He can't even imagine fighting with his sister.

Shira is really precious to him and he would refuse to fight her, competitive and friendly, yes but for a fight to the death? No, nu-uh, he's not going to fight her to that extent. For Neji to do that to a girl like Hinata, someone who didn't avoid him and heck, she even helped him on occasions (of course, not without stammering and blushing countless of times in the process) was completely outrageous. If his sister was here, she would go berserk.

So, he was a bit happy she wasn't here at the moment. Oh, oh, if she was here, he can't imagine what her reaction would be once she finds out Hinata's situation. But he wasn't happy still. No, he was furious or maybe even beyond that. He vows to take revenge for Hinata, by beating his enormous ego at the last and final part of this exam. Naruto's going to show him who's stronger and make him realize how stupid he was.

"Hey, the loser over there..."

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts, Neji's voice catching his attention. "I'd like to tell you two things. If you're a shinobi, cut out that pathetic cheering for strangers and once more, a loser will always be a loser... they will never change!" His cerulean eyes narrowed at this proclamation. Oh, it was so on. He's so gonna beat the heck outta him! "You wanna test me?"

"Heh..."

He was nearing his limit and when Neji smugly smirked at him, his patience had crossed its border. Naruto formed a fist and charged towards Neji, who took a fighting stance. Naruto has every intention to punch him in the face full force to make him feel all his pent up rage right now. However, a flash of red flashed in front of him and a hand stopped his fist, another wrapped around his waist and pushed him down on the ground.

Naruto found himself lying on his stomach, someone sitting on top of him. "Gah! Get off of me!!" He struggled beneath the person sitting on top of him but was forced to stay still when that person pushed more force, making him kiss the dirt ground. "Naru-naru, please calm down." He froze.

With difficulty, he managed to look up and see a familiar redheaded girl with her eyes narrowed towards him. Naruto mentally cursed at himself and looked back at the dirt ground. Yes, it was more interesting now than that Neji bastard. Kakashi frowned upon seeing his female Uzumaki student up and about. It hasn't been that long since he put the seal but realizing it was in their blood, he let it off this one time. The girl was still a bit paranoid and he thinks it's okay for her to be here, to be surrounded by people she knew and comfortable with.

But her timing was bad.

Shira still hasn't notice Hinata but when she did, Naruto wished he was anywhere but here right now. She didn't know what to think until her eyes landed on Neji. She remembered the Hyuga's fighting style. There was only one conclusion to this. It was a Hyuga VS. Hyuga battle and it seemed like Neji won. Shira won't sugarcoat her words, he had pulverized Hinata. The older Hyuga was just that of a prodigy but Shira was a much stronger prodigy than him.

"Hyuga Neji... I will obliterate you if we ever fight," she said, her voice eerily calm that Lee backed away. Her eyes say it all.

She was deadly serious.

Neji merely smirked at this. "The loser's brother, I see."

Shira didn't bother correcting him about her sexuality. She was just too lazy to correct every person she encounters that mistakes her as he. "I will look forward to it," Neji said and walked away, the medic team taking Hinata away to get her treated and fast. The redheaded girl slowly got off of her brother, who sent a worried and wary look her way. He has only seen her annoyed and a bit angry quite a few times but this time... she was really scary.

She looked ready to kill, in his eyes at least.

But Naruto knew she wouldn't do that, despite her anger, she was still the kind and brave Ne-san he knows. Shira threw a kunai towards the second floor and instantly appeared there with Naruto. She caught her sealed kunai with ease and puts it back in her pouch. She was hiding her rage quite well, Gai noted. He can't even see a trace of anger in her eyes or expression for that matter. Her mask was perfect, reminding him of a certain silver-haired jounin he knew when he was young.

"Ne-san! You're up already! Are you okay already?! You sure you should be using your super, duper awesome jutsu, 'ttebayo?!" His questions were endless and Sakura was getting annoyed. The pinkette prepared to hit him upside the head when a foreign sound reached her ears. Someone was giggling and it turned into a full blown laughter. The remaining Rookie Nine didn't hide their surprise. Not once did they see her show so many emotions.

Shira's laughter died down and proceeded to ruffle her twin's hair. "Yes, yes, I'm fine, Naru-naru. Don't ask anymore, it's troublesome." Her response made Shikamaru, Asuma, and Kakashi chuckle. It was just so much like a Nara-like response.

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Once more, another battle began. This time, though, it was between Gaara and Lee. Shira wanted to say that Gaara has the upper hand but on the other hand, Lee was incredibly fast, especially when she noticed his weights. However, Gaara was very likely similar to her twin, chakra-wise that is. She had felt a similar chakra residing inside Gaara which she had felt from Naruto back at the Country of Waves.

Blow after blow that Lee sent Gaara, it was blocked effortlessly by Gaara with the use of his sand. Lee was unable to get closer, only remaining a few feet away before he had to jump back to avoid Gaara's sand. Shira looked bored but took a step closer to Naruto, this action didn't go unnoticed by a certain silver-haired jounin.'Ah, she must still be feeling scared'. And went back to the fight. After Gai approved for Lee to take off his weights, almost everyone couldn't keep their jaws tight shut after he dropped them.

It created a medium sized crater. It was just weights. Though, it was heavier than most.

Lee was able to get through Gaara's defense and even penetrated his armor of sand. However, it wasn't enough. He will only be able to win if he usesit. Lee kicked Gaara up the chin, sending him up in the air. He had followed in a blink of an eye and bandages wrapped around a startled Gaara. Grabbing onto the sand shinobi, he twirled themselves midair and went straight to the ground, performing Initial Lotus. But it wasn't enough.

Gaara was a genius in his own rights.

He was able to replace himself with a sand clone and attacked Lee with his sand. The rest of the fight was horrible and Shira couldn't help but get worried. Lee was a really good guy, a bit insane but still a nice guy. One of his arms and legs were crushed to bits and Shira knew he was fighting with sheer willpower right now, as soon as she saw him get up. He already reached past his limits and he can no longer do anything but his willpower kept him moving.

It was a heartbreaking scene to watch. Just as Gaara was about to finish the taijutsu specialist off, a barrier seal covered Lee. The seal glowed a yellowish color and it refused to let the sand enter. "Gaara of the Sand, I think that's enough." Shira's voice echoed. Gai appeared no later than a second in front of Lee. The barrier seal surrounding Lee disappeared and the chains that acted as the medium retracted back to Shira.

Gaara remained his eye contact with her.

Her eyes showed no fear.

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No matter how many times I look at his eyes...

It reminds me of Naruto back before when he dreamed of being acknowledged by the village.

Even if I'm not related to him in any way, I hate seeing that kind of eyes staring back at me the most.

It reminded me of being weak, not being able to protect Naruto from the nasty villagers.

I hate it.

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Night came around and the twins were in their apartment. Shira didn't care much about her match against Dosu. He wasn't near her Danger radar. In actuality, she just can't sleep after the Forest of Death. Every time she's about to drift off to sleep,hisface would always pop up inside her mind. It was haunting... and terrifying.

So, she decided to take a stroll, leaving a sealed kunai in her room just in case she runs into someone unpleasant. (Ex: Orochimaru)

Her feet wandered off, her mind no destination inscribed. Ah, yes, she runs into Gaara, who looked deeply in thought as he stares at the night sky. The logical part of her said to stay away but the other said to approach him. So, of course, she picked the latter.

Sand encased her feet and she stopped. "Why are you here?" His eyes connected with her gaze and violet eyes refused to look away. Those eyes that her brother once had is staring right back at her. She felt sick to her stomach, knowing what Gaara has been through. "I... couldn't sleep." Sea-foam eyes remained impassive but went back to looking at the sky. He was pondering on what happened on his match. This girl before him... saved his opponent.

Why?... is his biggest question.

Gaara's sand retracted back and Shira sat down a few feet away from him. Not because she was scared but because she knows his uncomfortable with another person's presence. The silence accompanied the two in this lonely and dark night. Though, Shira kept glancing around, paranoid that Orochimaru was near. Oh, how right she was. "Will you stop fidgeting?" Gaara's voice snapped her out of her fidgeting. She looked at him with an embarrassed face. It was the first time someone called out on her about what she's doing.

Normally, everyone would just leave her alone and Naruto is scared to do something (it was her fault anyway, she accidentally scared the heck out of her twin that day). "S-Sorry." Once more, silence enveloped them.

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The next night, Shira had sat with Gaara once more. This time though, his sand didn't encase her, meaning she wasn't a threat to him anymore. Shira had brought some food since yesterday night, she had to leave earlier than what she anticipated and got hungry, leaving Gaara with his own... thoughts. She had laid the bento she made for him near him and proceeded to eat her own. Not once did Gaara look her way, was she being a nuisance to him?

She might be, considering she did stop his match with Lee before but if she didn't do it, Lee would've been killed and she didn't want that. Shira internally sighed and packed up her bento and lied down on her back. She tried falling asleep in Gaara's presence but as soon as she was about to sleep, his face popped up inside her mind. She gasped and instantly sat down, tucking her knees close to her chest and hugging them.

It washim.

Thatsnake.

She felt something rough beneath her hand and when she raised her hand, she saw Gaara's sand. It slowly (and surprsing gently) encased her wrist. It didn't tighten nor did it hurt, she felt comfortable though.

She feltsafe.

Gaara didn't know why or how but he unconsciously comforted her. His sand just moved, not by because of what's inside him but because it was... him? He didn't know what to think but he was getting kind of hungry. Begrudgingly grabbing the bento she gave him, he was surprised to see that it was only a simple dish. The girl beside him seemed to go over everything, except when she deemed something too troublesome.

Gaara have never felt so relaxed in a presence of another for so long.

He decided there and then, he liked her presence.

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For the next few days, Naruto hasn't seen his sister that much anymore. He didn't like the feeling of not seeing his sister that much but he was sure that she's safe. He can feel it. But right now, he had to take care of this huge pervert who knocked out his also pervert sensei!

"Hey, you! This guy was supposed to train me but you knocked him out!! Take responsibility you pervert!!"'Ne-san's gonna kill me if she found out I'm training with a pervert.' "I HATE DISRESPECTFUL AND RUDE BRATS LIKE YOU!!! AND I DON'T LIKE MEN!!" Naruto flinched away after giving the old man the finger. A mischievous plan crossed through Naruto's mind and he snickered to himself.

'He's so gonna train me after this!'

Using his Sexy no Jutsu, the old man praised him like no tomorrow. The blonde Uzumaki could only sweat drop at his stupidity.'This guy's such a pervert.' "I LIKE YOU!!"

After getting him to water walk, Naruto realized what time it was already and panicked. "OH NO!! NE-SAN'S GONNA KILL ME!" Jiraiya overheard Naruto as the young boy dashed away.'Ah, I still haven't met the older twin.' The Toad Sage decided to follow the blonde but much to his surprise, he lost sight of him after turning around a few turns. He sctratched the back of his head and wondered where that little troublemaker go.

He seemed ready to poop back there and then.

Thankfully, when he got home, his sister still wasn't there. This caused him to sigh in relief, not wanting to put too much stress on his sister any longer. He noticed the eyebags she has under her eyes and he doesn't want to wear her out too much to find him. She doesn't know but he knew she has been leaving the house at night. She has been restless, he noticed. She hasn't let her guard down since the forest of death and she looks like she's always ready to flash away.

He knew she wasscaredand he was determined to always be there for her.