SUMMARY: A little more grim reality.
They exchange looks when the proctor gets up and declares that there is a tenth question.
It's not like they have a pressing need to become Chunin but it would mean higher ranked missions.
Which would mean more money.
Which would mean less shifts at 'work'.
And also more scars.
A good thing really.
There were some sickos who liked scars.
Hopefully they could keep their eyes off the younger kids.
It would be well worth it.
No one did anything for you in the streets.
There were some who did little things - like a loaf of bread.
It kept you going.
The three of them would be dead already it it wasn't for those people.
The least they can do is try to spare some of the younger ones from the true monsters.
They are staying.
They cast a quick, inquisitive look at the Sand Siblings who simply nod.
Then, they look at Tenten and Lee.
Both are wearing matching, determined expressions.
Their third teammate - the Hyuuga - simply sits there glowering.
They don't bother to look at any of the others - they don't really care about them.
Sakura casually winds her arm around Simure's shoulder.
"Team hug!" Naruto yells, tackling them both.
Sakura and Simure swat him but they are giggling.
The Sand siblings look on seemingly impassively.
At least, until Naruto gets up and drags Gaara over.
His siblings follow, silently.
But then the three smile at them at the Sand siblings cannot stop themselves smiling back.
Lee comes over soon after and with him, comes Tenten.
Neji mutters uncomplimentary things.
They all ignore him.
They're having a moment and broody arrogant prodigies are not going to ruin it.
Neither of them.
Naruto ignores Sasuke's glares and enjoys the feeling of having his friends and family with him.
They had to miss their meditation and Naruto missed them.
Ru admits that he would have felt better if they could have spent some time together yesterday.
He is not ready to admit that they are becoming important.
It is too soon.
Behind them, Ibiki sighs when he realises that he has lost control of the Genin.
Of course that is the moment, they are interrupted.
Anko waits anxiously.
She is going to have to play her part well.
Otherwise she is not going to be able to return for an even longer time.
Her stalkers had better decide that there's nothing up, before she sends them there.
She's sure Kurenai won't mind playing ball.
She's very tempted.
The only thing that saves the ROOT following her from becoming human basketballs is Naruto.
He shouts something, loudly.
Anko knows he prefers Hikaru but right now, he is playing his part.
Just like she has to.
She waits a grand total of thirty seconds before she decides it's time to make her dramatic entrance.
She crashes through the window, impressively.
She can see her three brats trying not to laugh.
She realises she can't glower at them without blowing her cover.
Well played, brats, well played.
They were taught by the best, after all.
But she still has some tricks up her sleeve.
Lee cannot help but smile when he hears that they will be meeting at Training Ground 44 - 'The Forest of Death' tomorrow.
He will be able to spend some time with his very youthful Meditation Companions today!
Gai-sensei will probably be there too!
His sensei says that the eight of them have high flames of Youth!
Lee agrees.
None of them have yet called him a freak!
Lee doesn't find it very youthful of the others to call him that.
He is an actual threat - his determination is strong!
He also doesn't find it very youthful for the Uchiha to attempt to hurt Naruto.
He knows that the Uchiha's flames of Youth have been snuffed due to the killing of his clan.
Still, Lee finds it very unyouthful that he tries to hurt Lee's - Lee's what?
What are the other seven to Lee?
He knows the flames of Youth burn brightly in them all but how does it link them together?
When he later speaks to his teammate, Tenten, about it, she laughs and gives him the word he is searching for - friend.
Lee has never had friends before.
No one wanted to spend time with him.
But now...
He has friends.
Lee sniffles - how youthful!
Zabuza grunts.
He is deep in thinking but he's not really a thinking man.
Anyone who knows him can attest to that.
He's certainly no intellectual.
Still, he is fairly sure it is time for him and Ha- his tool to continue their journey.
Being around the three brats has made him weak.
He is starting to slip when it comes to his... apprentice.
It's all the brats' fault.
Is it that bad - that Zabuza wants to stay and allow them to mellow him out?
But he can't.
He will never admit it but he is leaving for them.
He knows how much danger they already court.
He is not helping.
They seem to want him to stay.
He wants to stay.
He won't be that selfish.
He is selfish.
He wants to leave so they are not hurt.
He is selfish.
At least they don't seem to mind.
So he has to go.
But...
...maybe not yet.
He can wait until the brats get to the next stage of their exam, can't he?
He shouldn't.
He will.
The Sand siblings hurry back to their hotel.
They have a difficult choice to make.
Soon, Suna's joint attack with Oto will take place.
The three have no idea what to do.
They will have to attack their friends.
The friends who helped Gaara with 'Mother'.
The friends who repaired their relationship.
What should they do?
They don't know.
It isn't easy.
Life never is.
But they are children so it is worse.
But they are Shinobi so it is the worst.
On one hand, the Kazekage is their father.
The man who conceived them, the man who raised them.
Except, he didn't really.
They were all pawned off to other people.
It had been called 'special training' and they were so happy.
That they could be like their father.
That they were special.
But it wasn't.
It taught them to kill.
That missions were more important than people.
That Gaara was a monster.
That they would never be proper siblings.
But then they met them.
And the others too.
They wanted more.
They wanted to be better.
Their father participated in their making, was not unkind to them and loves them in his own way.
But their friends helped them grow.
Are just beginning to trust and care for them.
They -
There is someone watching.
- were stupid.