Ch. 29 The Real Chunin Exams

"Hey Neji." Guy said as he walking into the training grounds that Don and Neji were practicing in.

"Sensei, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" he replied.

"Can't a sensei visit his old student?" asked chuckling. "But while I'm here, may I borrow Don for a moment?"

Neji nodded, "Make it quick."

Don walked over to Guy who faced him with a serious face. "I've been thinking about what you asked me a few days ago, and I will make you a deal. Pass the chunin exams and I will teach you that technique. I will let you know that I wouldn't just teach this to anyone, but I think you are a good kid. Despite what most of this village thinks of you, I still think you would never intentionally hurt this village. As a mentor, it is my job to pass strengths on to my students so they can continue to protect their home and everyone in it. You will be no exception, however given the circumstances, I will not just so easily give you such a great power. You must earn the right to wield it."

Don nodded and walked back to continue his training.

"I got some news for you Don." Neji said as Don walked up to him.

"Is it good or bad news?" Don asked.

"It depends on how you take it. I found out where the chunin exams will be held this year." Neji replied.

"And..." Don said.

"They're going to be hosted in Suna. It seems Gaara has built a new stadium there and has strongly requested he hosts the exams this year." Neji said.

Don froze and felt his breath leave him. His body almost went numb and a surge of anxiety rushed through him. His body began to tremble with excitement. "...Is that so? Taking it to home turf? I can't wait." he said slamming his fist into his other hand.

"Nice to see you aren't taking it bad seeing as that's a second village that hates you. Just don't expect any welcome home cheers and them to throw graffiti." Neji said.

"Don't worry, I don't. I'm expecting them to throw knives." Don chuckled softly.

Months went by and it was finally time. Don stood alone in his room with his gear packed. He zipped up is final bag and and began to think deeply. It had been so long since he last was in Suna. It felt like an eternity. His heart began to race and he began to feel nervous. Now was time for him to prove himself and show that he did deserve to be a sand shinobi.

"Baby?" Sachiko said as she walked into the room and wrapped her arms gently around Don's neck.

"Yes Sachiko?" Don replied.

"I just wanted to wish you luck. I know you will do well. I just... I know it must seem like it's been forever since you were last in Suna. Just try and take it easy. Remember why you are there, ok?" he said softly with concern giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.

Don slid his glove on which bored the leaf of Konohagakure. He turned to face Sachiko and kissed her deeply. "I hope to see you in those stands cheering for me." he said.

"You can count on it." Sachiko replied happily.

Don smirked and walked out the house to the village gates where Neji was waiting for him.

"This is it. Are you ready for your test?" Neji asked.

"Yes." Don replied.

The two walked out the gates of the village and towards the sand village.

The sun beat down relentlessly on Don and Neji. The gates of the village were straight ahead and a nostalgic feeling consumed Don. Sweat dripped from his pores, it felt good. It had been a long time since he had been under this sun and in this heat.

"I forgot how hot it was here." Don said, "But it feels good."

"I can see, you're sweating bullets." Neji replied.

"I'm not. It's my body's way of crying. It's crying because it's been a long time since it felt the warmth of the sun. The sun of this village. It's crying because I'm finally home." Don replied.

"Don't get carried away, keep in mind of who you are representing in these exams. Remember who you fight for. Remember who's symbol you bear on your left hand." Neji replied.

"I know, I won't forget." Don said, "This is just the beginning."

When they entered through the gates, the people in the streets stopped and stared in shock at their visitor. Some murmured amongst themselves mentioning his name, others glared at him knowing he had been branded as a traitor to the village. Don ignored them knowing he wasn't going to be getting any pleasant greetings from the village he once lived in.

Their walk to the registration seemed like forever as Don took notice that every face on every street turned and glared at him. Once registered, Don led Neji to their apartment.

"How did you manage to get this?" Neji asked.

"I called in a favor from an old friend. She hooked us up with this place ahead of time. I didn't want us to be left with a bottom of the barrel hotel room." Don replied.

"This friend, it wouldn't happen to have been Temari would it?" Neji asked with curiosity.

"Maybe..." Don said turning slightly red.

"Well, the exam will start at the end of the week, so just take this time to relax. I don't need you exhausting yourself before you get a chance to show how far you've come." Neji replied.

Don nodded smiling, "Good. I'm going out for a walk."

"Stay out of trouble and don't get yourself killed." Neji said sighing and then plopping on the couch of their room.

Don left the room and immediately went to a spot which he had missed dearly. He climbed to the top of the village gates and stretched out under the sun and relaxed as the soft sand held him in an embrace.

"It's been far too long..." He mumbled to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

The day went on and Don wound up sleeping until the next day. The desert sun rose above the horizon, wiping light across the golden sand and causing the shadows to disappear. When the sunlight hit Don's eyes, he woke up and yawned.

"Man, that was a good nap... oh.." he said to himself realizing it was morning of the next day. He smiled as he watched the morning sun slowly begin to rise into the sky.

"I thought I'd find you here. It looks like old habits die hard." an older man's voice said. Don looked over his shoulder to see a sand jonin towering over him. He had a white cloth wrapped around his head and part of it was covering half his face.

"Baki-sensei. What are you doing here?" Don said standing up immediately.

"I heard you were here and wanted to greet my old student. I can tell you've grown quite a bit since I was your mentor." he replied.

"Are you angry with me?" Don said nervously.

"For what?" Baki replied.

"Everything, all the reasons why Suna and Konoha hate me." Don said.

Baki folded his arms, "At first I was. I was ready to come to Konoha myself and kill you out of anger for what you had done. However, shortly after you were pardoned by Tsunade, I was called in to have a meeting with her. She explained everything to me and begged that I would understand. It took a long time to sink in, but I came to terms with myself and realized that you would never willingly harm this village." he placed his hand on Don's shoulder, "I can see it in your eyes that you want more than anything to be a sand shinobi again. I look forward to that day when you can walk through those gates as a sand shinobi again."

Don smiled softly at him, he was sad that things were how they were but he was going to fight for what he wanted. He was going to fight to become a sand shinobi again.

"I've got to get back to the Academy. My break is almost done and then I have to teach my last class of the day. One you are all too familiar with." he said smirking.

Don smirked as well getting the reference to his strategy class he took with Baki-sensei when he first became a sand shinobi.

After Baki left, Don began to walk through the village trying to keep as cool as possible. All of a sudden he was tackled from behind. Don turned around to face the person who tackled him.

A girl with slightly dark turquoise hair wearing a gypsy-like outfit hugged him tight. "It really is you!" the girl said.

Don's eyes widened, "Rain!" Don replied happily hugging her tight.

"I heard that you were in town. What are you doing here?" she asked.

He raised his glove to show her the leaf on it, "I'm taking the chunin exams. That's the only thing that is keeping me from getting killed." he said.

"Oh..." she said looking sadly.

They both stood up and then he felt someone punch him in the back of the head, "What's up buddy?" Gazu said as he walked up from behind Don.

Don punched him back, "Nothing much, how about you?" he replied.

Gazu swung back, "I'm here looking for an old friend of mine. I head he was in town to take the chunin exams and wanted to see how he was doing."

Don punched him back, "Well, that's nice of you. I would never expect an asshole like you to do something so kind for someone."

"What did you say you asshole?" Gazu shouted angrily as he threw a strong punch at Don's face making a clean hit.

The two kept hitting each other fighting back and forth and insulting each other as they went getting more and more ferocious with their punches.

"Ok, enough is enough boys." Rain said as she got between Don and Gazu.

The two shook hands and hugged and then the trio began to walk around. Don's stomach growled.

"Eh... wow, I just realized. I haven't eaten since yesterday." Don said.

"Perfect! We can all go eat together." Rain said happily.