A/N: EDITED

Please R & R... chow! (mein)

Matsuri pov

Today is the big day. I think to myself while packing a bag to leave for Konoha for this years chunin exam. I, along with Temari-chan, would be accompanying 4 genin squads to the exams to get registered, qualified and placed for the preliminaries. Later, before the final rounds commence, the Kazekage himself will come to the Leaf to see who among the genin made it through to the finals. He'll make the last decision on whether or not to pass them to chunin. This was going to be exciting. This was my first time taking a group to the chunin exams. Unfortunately squad 2 contained my less than eager protégé, Anare.

"When are we gonna get going already? I wanna go so I can get back to the Sand." She whined while we waited at the front gate for the rest of the squads and Temari to join us.

"Chaaa...don't make this difficult. It'll take three days to get there...complaining won't speed the process." I said through tight lips.

This blond had been pushing my buttons for the past three weeks. She irritated me just off looks alone. I will be so glad to get this over with and stop teaching her myself. A promise is a promise and for Gaara I will see this through; he's the only reason I haven't given up yet.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting." Temari says crashing to a halt with the rest of the genin in tow. "I was finishing up some things for Gaara." She said brushing off.

"It's fine, now that we are all accounted for, shall we be off?" I ask checking names off a list attached to my handy clip board.

"Lead the way, Matsuri-chan." Temari said smiling at me. At that moment I could have swore I heard Anare roll her eyes.

I look back towards the tower. I reminisce on this morning when Gaara and I said our goodbyes in the stairwell.

"I will be there as soon as the finals get underway." He said hugging me back as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I know but that's still going to be at least 3 days from our arrival." I complained missing him before I could even leave.

Gaara flashed me a rare smile. "I will miss you too, Matsuri." He says touching my hair.

"Well then, I'm off." I say breaking our embrace before it turned to something else (wink, wink). We were in the stairwell and anyone could just pop up. We were more careful of our public displays of intimacy but this time we met where we could. "Wish me luck." I add pecking him on the cheek quickly.

"You?" He questions folding his arms across his chest.

"Yes, with Anare. This is going to be a long trip...she doesn't like me. I guess because we're so different…" I sigh just thinking about the situation.

"I'm sorry if I burdened you."

"No, Gaara, n-not at all...it's just that..." I counter nervously.

He didn't say anything for a few seconds. "It's my fault. I before I knew it, she developed a crush on me. I figured removing her from the office was the best solution. I didn't think she would hold any thing against you."

I stumble for words since I had pretty much figured out what was going on already. After that training I had with Anare and she said those things about Gaara and her, I knew she wanted to get to me. "At first it bothered me. I thought it was two sided...or that maybe-"

He kissed my lips. "Never, Matsuri...you really are the most important person to me. You are who I want to be with. No one else. Thank you for everything. I love you."

And with that said he planted firm lips to mine again. I was in a near coma like state. Gaara practically melted my soul with just a few simple words. Not so much the words them selves, but the emotion I felt within them. I dare not ruin the moment and question why he waited to tell me. Or why he tried to handle it alone. It didn't matter. I was his and he was mine. This was the man that protected me for so long, the man I saved my virginity for, the one I wanted to marry. I backed against the railing as his tongue stroked mine in just the right way as his arms engulfed me into warmness. I was just content knowing he felt safe enough to confide in me even if it wasn't the moment something happened.

"Sorry to break up the love fest, but Gaara, the council awaits." Said Kankuro appearing at the stairwell doorway.

A pink tint of embarrassment spread over my face as Gaara joined hands with me.

"So, Temari-san how many days is it going to take to reach Konoha?" Anare asks breaking me from my reflection.

Hey didn't I already tell her the answer to that question?

"Ahh, three days. Two and a half if we hurry." Temari states as I glare rocks at Anare.

"Hn." I grunt in response.

Yeah...this is gonna be a long trip...

Anare Pov

Finally we arrive in Konoha, I almost kiss the ground as we enter the gate. I couldn't count on my fingers how may times I mentally strangled Matsuri on the way here. She was annoying even when she didn't speak to me. Whatever...This will soon be over. And I can get back to Suna and set things right.

"Welcome everyone," Says a black haired guy with a high ponytail. "Temari."

He's pretty cute. I mentally assess.

"Shikamaru, long time no see." Temari says walking over the dark eyed cutie.

He kisses her on the cheek.

Hmmm...I've never seen Temari blush before. I think taking in as much info as possible.

"Matsuri." Shikamaru says gesturing towards her. "Glad to see you made it back as well."

She nods in acceptance to his acknowledgment. "Hi, Shikamaru."

"Well guys I guess this is where the fun stops." Shikamaru says now widely addressing the lot of us. "Again, my name's Shikamaru of the Nara clan. I've been appointed your concierge while here, and even though it's troublesome, don't hesitate to ask me anything." He said sounding rather lazy as he applied his hand to the back of his head. "I'll take you guys on a tour of the village in a little while but for now we'll get you checked in and registered for the exam tomorrow."

Following suit with Shikamaru and the others we checked into a local bed and breakfast. I was assigned a room with my team, squad 2, whether I liked it or not. After registering for the exams and getting our id cards, we began our tour of the village. We explore, and meet a lot of the Leaf nin then head back to the inn to have dinner and rest for the next day. I was really tired of playing little miss nice ninja all damn day. Shit, all I wanted to do was get this freakin exam over with. We all knew I was good enough to pass, I mean what the hell was the point in making me do all this?

"So how has everything been in Suna, Temari?" Some blonde haired blue eyed valley girl asked obnoxiously over the table. She had been irritating me since dinner started.

"Really well actually. Matsuri took over the genin training classes shortly after becoming a jonin. And adapting Konoha's training program was a really good improvement for us. The economy has stabilized fairly well in the past 12 months and the Kazekage couldn't be better." She said smiling.

"Wow that was a mouthful. Congrats Matsuri. How have you enjoyed the jonin life?" The bobble head continued.

How do you think dummy? I silently reply.

"It's been great. Of course with higher rank comes more responsibility but..." she trailed off as I sucked my teeth and turned away. "Gaara-sama more than prepared me." She audaciously spat. I could feel her eyes burning a pin sized hole in the side of my head as she spoke.

That bitch said that on purpose. I growl.

"I'm going to turn in." I said standing from the table done with this whole crowd and the reminisce slash dinner date slash meet and greet that they had going on. I was so over these losers already, and about 10 seconds from slapping Matsuri's smug words back down her throat.

"Okay let me know if you need anything." Temari called out behind me.

I look over my shoulder and shot her a quick yet phony smile and make my way up to my room.

The next morning

Trying to get as focused as possible, since I'm being forced into this, I get up about 5am and began a brisk run around the village. I bump into a few people we had met last night but couldn't put names to the faces. Bringing myself back to the cottage I run into the big mouth girl from yesterday.

"You're up early." She says with a hint of acid to her voice.

I can detect it because it's the same toxin I possess. "Sure." I spit continuing my way up the path.

"You sure seem to be a quiet one huh?" She comments sarcastically, as I pass her shoulder to shoulder.

"And you seem to be a nosy one." I fire back not stopping to entertain her conversation.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asks sounding a bit flustered.

"Hn..." I grunt and continue to my room. I'm not here to socialize. I'm not here to make nice or win friends. I'm here to secure one thing. I'm here to make sure that when Maturi falls, she falls hard. To do this, I need to make sure Gaara sees me in the best regard possible.

Matsuri pov

"This is so unbelievable. This is not a circus; you are supposed to represent the hidden sand with more dignity than that! Even if you don't have any for your self, please spare your village the humiliation." I scoff towards Anare.

This was taking place near the edge of the leaf. I had basically dragged Anare out here, tooth and nail, after she disrespected a leaf nin named Ino. It seems like the two girls have similar personalities but she is ally and we don't need one big mouth brat ruining that for our villages. I had a feeling this would happen. Ever since they laid eyes on one another the other night, they were sending bullets flying wildly. Ino was a chunin, she assisted Shikamaru and he left her with us since he was also assigned exam ambassador and had other duties to handle. After the preliminary written test yesterday and the second round survival test today, Anare found herself exclusively paired with Ino on a brief medical development assessment. All Ino had to do was confirm Anare's health, stamina, and chakra reserves for the next days final rounds; all the genin had to go through this process. As easy as it sounds, Anare could simply make the best situation the worst.

"Just save it Matsuri! She had it coming. I'm not gonna get disrespected no matter where I am; you can either get out the way or get ran over." Anare said forcefully shoving past me in the direction of the Leaf.

I honestly snap. I couldn't take it anymore. This was so inappropriate but I snatch her back by the end of her shirt, not knowing the next step after that. I hesitate as she turns to me violently lashing out. I try moving away avoiding fist after fist, kick after kick. "Anare! Wait! I don't mean to fight you!" I yell through blocks and ducks trying, almost in vain, to avoid the force of her blows. She is definitely powerful but this too is very inapt.

"Aaaarrrgghhhh!" She leans back and bears forward at me full steam with a punch.

I hop up to a hovering tree branch. My eyes widened as I'm violently shaken by the force of the blow she delivered to the base of the tree. That was intended for me?

Pant Pant Pant

Her chest heaves angrily.

After waiting a few minutes, I deem it safe to get down. Dropping to the ground, I keep my guard up as I start to speak. "Jeeez, I don't wish to fight you." I say moving forward by an inch. Light eyes gleamed at me in rage. "I apologize for grabbing your clothing." I said with another movement. "We need to be sensible."

Breaking down to her fighting stance, Anare lowers her eyes at me. "Fight me."

Shocked I search her face for a break. "I do not wish to fight you, Anare." I repeat.

"Fight me, Matsuri…fight me for him." She says suddenly stirring up a new emotion inside me.

"I will not." I reply still standing my ground. Seconds later she was again barreling toward me with intent to kill. Moving left, right, ducking and bobbing, I barely manage to escape precisely aimed blows. I couldn't decide whether to fight back or just continue to defend. Anare was mad with hate right now. If I did fight with her this would not, on any level, be a simple sparring match; on the contrary it's so much deeper than that.

"You got me fired! You made him do it! You talked him into it…" She snarled between throws.

All I could do was block and defend while still trying to reason with her. "No! He decided it on his own! I didn't tell him anything." I manage feeling over whelmed by blows. "He makes his own decisions!"

Deciding she wasn't going to lay off, I threw her back and leapt up to a tree branch again. Regaining my composure I note her building chakra in her feet. She couldn't… I thought just as she laid into the trunk with a kick so powerful, the very tree began to topple backwards. Moving to another tree limb I study her movements again. She had definitely mastered chakra manipulation but to this extent? I knew she was no ordinary genin.

"Come down Matsuri!" She screams still forming more chakra. "Are you gonna scamper around the tree tops like a baby all day?"

"Like I said before, I have no interest in fighting you." I reiterate trying to level with her. "We are playing for the same team, Anare. We should have unity."

"Hn. You've got 5 minutes before I break every tree in the surrounding area; you won't be able to hide then." She barks coldly as if I wasn't trying to reason with her.

Baka! Feeling helplessly thrust into an uphill battle, I descend from the tree and stand at the base of it. "If you won't be rational, I guess I have no choice but to succumb to your demand." Unwillingly forming my own stance I wait for her to come at me. I couldn't keep running from her. She wouldn't stop. If she insisted on combat, then we would fight.

"What's the problem?" Temari says thunderously entering on her fan right in the middle of Anare and myself.

I was almost ashamed to tell her. "Well, Anare and I were…" I start badly. Anare's eyes are still focused on mine, not once loosing their death flash. "We were discussing today's meeting and such matters…" I said trailing off again.

"Looks to me like you're about to rip each others heads off." She said looking at Anare who then softens her stature. "Anare I hear you caused a commotion earlier huh?" She said still looking at the girl.

Anare rolls her eyes. If it's one thing she should know, it's to not get on Temari's bad side.

"It was nothing really. We were just discussing it." I said trying to lighten the mood, being that Anare was supposed to be my student; I didn't want to seem incapable of controlling the situation.

"Well, whatever the case, everyone is yapping about it." She alleged not seeming pleased at all. "You had better get you attitude together. We are here as guests to Konoha and under thumb of Hokage-sama, whom we need to leave a good impression for. The Kazekage would not be happy at all to come here and hear rumors of discontent." She said pretty much addressing Anare.

Silently the blond gathers her hair into a bun, turns her back to us and leaps away without a word.

I sigh quietly in relief.

Temari turns to me. "Your student is getting out of hand, eh?" She asks raising an eyebrow as if waiting for a reply.

"Heh, heh...hai." I laugh nervously at a loss for words.

"Let's head back. Gaara is expected soon." She comments before taking off.

Silently on the way back to town, I thing about Anare. Her words. Her face. Her actions. They were so serious. Maybe this wasn't a simple crush like Gaara had suggested. Why did she blame me for everything?

Gaara pov

As soon as I step into Konoha, I'm greeted by Shikamaru, Temari and a few others; Kankuro is by my side. I anxiously notice Matsuri's absence.

"Let's get you to Lady Hokage." Temari pulls me by hand. She must have read my mind as she sometimes did. "I'm sure Matsuri will meet us there." She added smiling.

I nod and we begin to the Hokage mansion.

After a brief meeting regarding the final rounds of the exams, I look around, still no Matsuri. I tour the village since it had been at least a year since I was last there but she still hadn't appeared. Later that evening, after a brief dinner with Naruto Uzumaki and some others, I turn in to rest for the next day.

Knock Knock

"Come in." I reply rather quickly anticipating Matsuri.

"Good evening Kazekage, how was your trip?" Anare says stepping through the cracked door and closing it lightly behind herself.

I sit up straight. "It was fine."

"Great! Did you miss me?" She asks batting her eyes rather eerily as she seats herself next to me on the bed.

I stand and face her. "You need to be more respectful. Especially toward your sensei and the other shinobi while in this village."

"This is amazing; first she jumps down my throat about some sissy ass leaf ninja and now you?" Anare raises her voice.

I don't speak. I hadn't seen this side of her before. My mind twisted in thought as I went over her words in my head. She sounded very bitter.

Anare continued to fume before me. "After all, the reason we're here is to show them who's more elite. I could take any chunin or jonin they send out."

Her attitude disgusts me. I didn't want to hear anymore. "Enough, Anare. The reason we are here is to A, strengthen the bond between the two villages and B, advance our ninja on both sides. Although you may see this as Sand verses Leaf, it's hardly that complex."

"You know, Matsuri hates me. She hates me because of you." She says totally disregarding the break down I just relayed to her. "She knows how I feel."

"She does not hate you. Your feelings for me are merely superficial." I state folding my arms.

"I bet." She huffs. "You never even gave me a chance to show you." Anare continues moving closer to me.

My eyes widened as she snakes her arms around my neck. I lift my head to avoid her face. "I need to make something clear to you. There is nothing of our relationship. And it's hardly appropriate for you to throw yourself at me in this manner." I warn trying to sound firm but not to reprimanding while removing her arms from my body.

She protests lightly. "For her? Is this charade for her?" She asks raising her voice again trying her best to rouse up tears. "That's not what you said the night we met on the roof...when we ended up in your bed..."

I watch her for a moment. I had seen Matsuri shed tears before. Tears displayed an opening to the soul, raw emotion, or so I heard; yet these relayed something fake and ungenuine. Sighing roughly, trying very hard to keep my patience in line, I move for the door. Stopping to turn and face her I say, "Good luck in the final rounds, Anare. You have a lot of talent."

She's unable respond before I exit.

Anare pov

I watch as he leaves the room. He's probably going find that brown haired twit. My stomach turns.

Even if Matsuri doesn't hate me; I hate her.

Hope you enjoyed.

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