Chapter 37

The group cheered happily. "Right guys, we need to find the heaven scroll now" yelled Kiroko happily. Konohamaru looked at her and nodded, "Yup and I'll find my teammates too." They both stared at each other for a moment and smiled. Naruto looked over at Tenna who looked shocked and scared.

"Hey don't worry Tenna" Naruto said trying to cheer her up. "There's a little chance that you are going to face her in a match." Tenna didn't say anything to him. She looked the other way. Naruto sighed, "Ok guys, let's go and find that scroll!" he yelled happily to the others.

Finding the heaven scroll was a lot more difficult then the other. But they finally had it with them. Also on top of that Konohamaru found his teammates again. He kissed Kiroko on the cheek before saying goodbye.

At the tower Iruka was there to congratulate Naruto, Tenna and Kiroko for passing the exam. Naruto jumped up and down happily and hugged Iruka. Tenna and Kiroko looked at each other and smiled.

Outside the forest all the senseis were waiting for their students to see if they made it. Naruto, Tenna and Kiroko all walked out together, and gave a sigh of relief. Kiroko then saw Gaara. She ran to him and give him a tight hug. "Yay! We did it Gaara-sensei!" she yelled happily. Gaara smiled, "I knew you guys could do it" he said.

Naruto looked around, "Hey Gaara, where's Kakashi?" he asked. Gaara turned to look at him. "He said he had something to attend to" Gaara said simply. Naruto shook his head in disgust, "I don't know. Can't even congratulate his own students…"

Tenna just stood there. She still was thinking about what the girl said to her in the forest. Gaara couldn't help but stare at her. She looked cold and petrified. Gaara decided to see what was on her mind, "Tenna, you okay?" he asked as he approached her. Tenna looked at him and then looked down again. "I'm fine" she said looking the other way. Gaara knew that something was troubling her and he wanted to know. "Tenna, you can trust me."

There was a little pause and he spoke again, "Tenna I really do care for you, and all I want to do is look out for you." He said affectionately. Tenna looked at him. "Gaara is so sweet and thoughtful. Does he really have a monster in side of him?" she thought to herself.

She smiled and then placed her hand on his cheek, "I was thinking of what a girl said to me in the forest. Nothing for you to worry about" she said. Then she took her hand off Gaara's cheek. She smiled at him and he smiled at her too. He really wanted to express his feelings for her, but not in front of everyone else. He felt like he wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go.

Kiroko looked at them and smiled. She then pulled Naruto. "C'mon Naruto, lets go find Kakashi." Kiroko said. Naruto nodded, and then both of them were off. Tenna turned to look at them. "Hey where are they going?" she asked. Gaara was too busy looking at her, "Maybe they are going to find your sensei" he said. Tenna turned back to face him, "Well at least it'll give us time to talk." She said smiling.

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Naruto and Kiroko searched all over for Kakashi. "Man, where is he???!!!" Naruto whined. "I got to tell him something." Naruto continued.

Kiroko scanned her surroundings, "Hmm let's check the Hokage's" she said. Naruto nodded, he was anxious to tell Kakashi about what the girl said in the Forest of Death.

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Meanwhile, Gaara and Tenna deiced to walk around so they could talk. Gaara was the first one to speak. "Tenna, does your family follow any traditions?" he asked curiously.

Tenna thought for a moment and smiled. "Yeah, every year or so, the Harasamma family have a special annual party. That's when all the members get together and have a great time. It was my job to play music and dance." Gaara smiled, he would like to see Tenna dance.

"Come to think of it, there will be another one soon." Tenna said staring straight ahead of her. Gaara and Tenna looked at each other and smiled. Then something came to Tenna's mind. She gave out a little gasp. "Oh there's this marriage tradition too. That's how my mom and dad were married. The parents had to pick out the bride and groom. But hey, at least they did fall for each other."

Gaara looked shocked, he then spoke. "Do you have to follow that tradition?" he asked worriedly. Tenna shook her head. "No way, I don't live there anymore. Besides, if I did I would be married by now." Then Tenna give a little shudder thinking of herself being married to a jerk.

"I'm really glad about that" Gaara said softly. Tenna looked at him and smiled. "Awww Gaara you are so cute." She said happily.

Gaara blushed as he looked straight ahead and Tenna giggled. "Hey if my mom would of met you, she would totally adore you." Tenna said really kindly. Gaara looked at her. "Really?" he asked, Tenna smiled and nodded. "Oh yeah, probably she'll say that you'll make the perfect husband for me or something like that. Silly eh?" Tenna giggled. Tenna then took a deep breath, "Gaara can I talk to you about something?"

They both stopped walking and sat on a bench nearby. No one else was around. "What's on your mind, Tenna?" Gaara asked as he rubbed her arm soothingly.

Tenna took another deep breath. "Gaara…you have a monster inside you don't you?" she asked without making eye contact. Gaara's face went pale. He feared that if he said yes then Tenna would be totally scared of him. "Who told you that?" He asked her looking the other way. Tenna sighed, "Lee did" she then sniffled and looked at Gaara. Gaara felt like he was going to explode with anger. Lee had pushed it too far this time. He decided he wanted to give Lee as piece of his mind, so he stood up from the bench. Perhaps Lee found out that Gaara has strong feelings for Tenna, and he is really jealous about them.

"Please Gaara" Tenna begged. "Please don't hurt Lee…please…"

He then turned to look at Tenna and noticed she had tears in her eyes. "He says that the monster could take control of you and hurt me." She said as she sobbed. "Oh Gaara is it true? Can the monster make you hurt the ones you love?" Tenna broke down into tears. She was scared and confused and did not know what to do. Gaara lifted her head up, wiped the tears away from her eyes, and put his arms around her. Then he gently pulled her closer to him and cuddled her into his chest.