Title: Covenant

Author: bubblytokki

Rating: PG-13

Special thanks to Vash the Unholy and pyr00tje for beta-ing for me~~! :)

Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.

AU.

Pairings: Probably none. I find that pairings or focusing on them hinder my stories… so gomen nasai. ^^

Chapter 9-Sand

The next stage of the examination was a hall with two observations platforms on the left and right sides. A chipped red railing prevented potential idiots from falling and was an ideal leaning post… that is if he ever got up there. In front of him was a stage with the statue of a Hokage with his hands set in a seal and he stifled a yawn as the smaller version of said Hokage was yapping away about a deadly competition. He half-heartedly listened to the Hokage who was explaining the process of the final part of the chuunin exam. Naruto disregarded the stunned gasps of the other genins as he began to ponder on the development of one on one battles. He just hoped that he didn't have to fight Sasuke. It would be really bothersome to deal with teenage angst in the midst of battle. Since there were only twelve genins who passed the second exam, it seemed that there would be a full scale formal match set to take place in one month. Which meant that Naruto needed someone to train Sasuke to pass the exam alive, otherwise Itachi nii-chan would be very miffed. He also had to have Sakura survive, because it would be pointless to have a three man team with only two people.

Che… this is so irritating. Teams are liabilities, Naruto thought disdainfully before carefully setting a cheerful grin on his face. He turned to look at the other passing teams. Three teams were from Konoha and the last one was from the Hidden Village of the Sand. He gave a thumbs up at the haggard appearances of Shikamaru and Chouji, ignoring the annoyance that flitted across Shikamaru's face. Naruto's gut reaction was correct regarding the pineapple genius since that team survived the forest of death, Shikamaru would be a good friend to maintain. The last Konoha team was comprised of a Hyuga. Angst and bitterness just rolled off his posture and Naruto withheld a groan. Was the talented in Konoha doomed to some mental disease of angst? No wonder Itachi nii-chan left the village when he did. Naruto didn't want to deal with people's irritating angst either. The other teammate was this weird bushy eye-browed freak who was making too much noise and the final member of that team was a decent looking girl with her hair twisted in buns.

Unsurprisingly, Gaara of the Sand was in the last team with a funny looking guy in a black body suit with some kind of doll tied to his back. Naruto didn't want to bother to use his Kyubi vision to see what it was inside the doll and passed over the boy to take a look at the girl in the team. She had sandy blond hair tied up in a pineapple style ponytail and a huge fan strapped to her back.

Naruto sweat-dropped. There seemed to be a lot of people with pineapple styles, Iruki sensei, Shikamaru, and now this Sand girl. He decided to withhold his comments on their lack of fashion sense and decided to pay attention to the old man just as the Hokage was setting the matches.

"Uchiha Sasuke v. Gaara." There were gasps and aahs from the girls who were awe-struck from the beauty of Sasuke. Naruto snorted at their glassy vacant gazes, it seemed that some things would never change.

"Hyuga Neji v. Uzumaki Naruto." He slapped his hand to his forehead in dismay. He had to fight with Mr. Angst number two. All he could hope was that there wouldn't be too much talking involved.

"Haruno Sakura v. Yamanaka Ino." Naruto sighed in relief. He didn't have to train Sakura too much to beat that other girl. And there wasn't much of a chance of her dying unless she did something really idiotic… like fall on her own forehead.

"Nara Shikamaru v. Rock Lee." Now that would be a comical match. Mr. Bushy eyebrows versus latent lazy bum. It would amusing to see how Shikamaru would use his genius to finish the match.

"Tenten v. Temari and Chouji v. Kankuro. The final battles will be in one month. You are dismissed," the Hokage finished regally. The old man had an authoritative aura and Naruto was nonplused at the power that suddenly seemed to emanate from him. Shrugging away his unease, Naruto strolled out of the chambers. He had one month to prepare for the unpredictable. He had to be in his best condition, especially since there was another demon to deal with.

**

"Sakura-chan! You need to pack more force into that punch. Remember, Ino won't be holding back!" Naruto yelled out as he directed Sakura's training. It was the day after the announcement of the impending battles and Naruto was hard-pressed not to laugh. It was pitiful that someone as weak as Sakura was actually considered a shinobi. She had a long way to go and he was the unfortunate one to ensure that she would win. He mentally winced as he saw her blindly punching at his clone. Her punches couldn't even cancel out his clone, which technically speaking held a tenth of his power. He sent a mental order to the clone to execute a series of swift kicks that Sakura barely evaded.

"That's enough," Naruto said as he walked over to a panting Sakura. He had a month to whip her into shape and it was a challenging thought. But Naruto loved challenges and planned on succeeding. Especially since he had convinced Kakashi sensei to train Sasuke instead of himself. The look of surprise was priceless, but he had felt a twinge of guilt at the disappointment that Kakashi sensei hid in his eyes. Ah well, it was all for the best and Naruto concentrated on Sakura to forget the swirl of guilt that settled in his gut. He'd make it up to his sensei later.

He handed his female teammate a bunch of weights which she took without complaining.

"What do you want me to do now?" Sakura asked, her words coming out in wheezes as she struggled to catch her breath. She seemed exhausted, but determined. That spirit would pull her through the hellish training that Naruto planned for her.

"Run for two hours around the village." He laughed when her eyes widened in horror. "Sakura-chan, you need to build up your endurance. The only way to do that is to maximize your physical strength. Don't worry, I'll be running beside you so you'll be safe. Now put those weights on. Once we're done running, your training for today is done. Tomorrow I want you to show up at four in the morning."

Sakura nodded and attached the weights to her arms and legs. An expression of distaste and horror flitted across her face as she attempted to walk. Naruto smirked, his beautiful blue eyes twinkling in mirth. "I borrowed those weights from Kakashi sensei. You need to learn how to control chakra all over again. Let's just say it's a different level of chakra control. Come on.. let's go."

Naruto genuinely smiled as Sakura struggled to place on foot in front of the other. He strolled alongside casually, his arms behind his head as he riled her up. Anger was good because it would lead to strength in this case. Sakura just had too much lovey emotions and not enough ambition. That ambition had to be cultivated. With her talent at chakra control, she would probably have the potential to be the strongest female genin in their village. It was worth his time and for once, he didn't frown at her.

Sensing that she was slowly speeding up, Naruto broke out into a light jog. She was catching on faster than he thought she would.

"Ne .. Naruto," Sakura managed to say.

"Yeah?"

"I… I want to apologize…"

He cocked his head to look at her more closely. She was sincere. "Yeah…about what?"

"I was so focused on Sasuke that I didn't treat you like a teammate. I'm really sorry."

Naruto grinned openly, his eyes turning into happy half-moons as he responded, "Don't worry about it. It's all in the past right?"

She bowed her head slightly and smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem. Just try your best like you're doing now and you'll beat Ino in no time!" He declared confidently.

She giggled good-naturedly and throwing her arms in the air she yelled out exuberantly, "Yeah!"

**

She was soooo tired. She didn't even know that it was possible to be this exhausted. She wanted to sleep so badly, but she still had to walk home. The past four weeks had been hellish. The only thing that had kept her going was Naruto's faith in her. His encouragement that she could succeed and that she would if she kept at it. Sakura always thought of herself as persistent and focused. That's why she even cast aside her friendship with Ino to pursue Sasuke.

Sasuke. The one person she had given up everything for, and received nothing in return. Inner Sakura was a survivor. She had long given up on the pretty boy. But she hadn't been able to relinquish her affections for the stoic, arrogant Uchiha until Naruto had arrived and changed her perspectives. Naruto was aloof and disdainful. Rude to even the prodigy, Uchiha Sasuke and was so strong. She didn't think it was possible to be so strong at their age. They were thirteen for goodness sake!

Naruto seemed to know everything. He had to. Because he was so terrifyingly capable. Even Kakashi sensei flocked to Naruto's side because of his hidden potential. Naruto never revealed more than necessary. She still didn't know how she had ended up in the tower after battling with Orochimaru. All she could remember was whispering Naruto's name before being knocked out. She thought she was going to die. Die at the age of thirteen in a stupid examination that she didn't want to take in the first place. She only took it for Sasuke… and he seemed to care less. What was so important about a rank that their lives had to be sacrificed?

She wanted to be stronger. She had to be. At least, until she figured out what was so great about being a shinobi. Until she knew why she wanted to be a shinobi, she had to persevere. Even if it meant fighting against the one person she could call her friend. Ino.

Memories of their time together floated across her mind. Ino's strength and her ability to ward off bullies. Ino had always been so strong. Almost like Naruto. But where Naruto was mysterious, Ino was transparent. Transparent to the point where Ino's affection showed in everything she did. Such as weaving flowers in her hair and protecting her from the other kids.

Sakura leaned against a wall in silent desperation. When had she become so foolish to lose such a precious friend? And now she would have to fight her to become a chunnin. Was rank that important? Was it worth it? Tears leaked out of her eyes.

A gentle finger wiped them away. She blinked in surprise. She thought she was the only person around here. Who?

"Sakura."

It was him… Naruto. She began to cry in earnest as she threw her arms around his waist, ignoring his start of surprise.

"Shhh…" He whispered soothingly as he gently patted her back. If Sakura hadn't been crying her eyes out, she would have laughed at Naruto's awkwardness. Had he never held a woman before? "Is training too hard?"

She rubbed her face against his chest as she shook her head. Wanting to be held and protected for once. She was so tired. Tired of her longing for Sasuke, tired of realizing that she was always more than one step behind.

"Then… what's wrong?"

"I…" She hiccupped and continued. "I don't want to fight her tomorrow."

His eyes softened in understanding, then they seemed distant as if he retrieving a past memory. "Sometimes…" he began softly. "Sometimes, by fighting… you show you care. Besides… it's not a real fight. It's just a formal battle to test both your skills. You can see… how strong each of you have gotten." Sheepishly he scratched the back of his head.

Sakura tremulously smiled against the weird fabric of Naruto's clothing. "So.. I'm training to show her how strong I've become? Is that what you are doing?"

He stiffened slightly before he relaxed, his expression languid and lost in thought. "Maybe… besides, only when you are strong can you protect the ones precious to you."

She tightened her embrace, heedless of Naruto's discomfort. He seemed so lonely. She wondered about his past, and what had made him so multi-faceted. His life must have been difficult indeed. He moved slightly, and Sakura was unwilling to relinquish the comfort of Naruto's strength.

"Just please… let me stay like this for a little bit," she brokenly whispered as she continued to cry. At least, let me cry until I feel that I can be stronger.

Hesitantly, he put his arms around her and continued to gently pat her back.

"Don't worry. You'll become strong."

Slightly stunned at his compassion, she cried harder.

**

"Gaara of the Sand," Naruto said coldly as he stood behind him in the dark, dusty corridor that led to the main arena. From the aura the other boy exuded, Naruto could only conclude that the killing intent radiating from Gaara surpassed his own. He could never kill for fun unlike the other boy. Menace reeked from Gaara's posture and Naruto wondered for a moment if it was possible for Gaara to be saved. Dismissing his negative thoughts, he fixed a cool, calculating expression on his face as Gaara slowly turned to face him.

Gaara of the Sand was a boy about his height. Beautiful red hair was trimmed close to his head, and he had a wiry build. His emerald eyes were surrounded by dark lines and his mouth was set in a sullen line. Naruto looked beyond the aggressive posture and saw the painful loneliness that could barely be sensed.

"What do you want?" Came the defensive reply. Had Naruto been anyone else, he would have been quaking in fear. Bloodthirsty.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Naruto requested. Although it came out more of a demand rather than a request.

Gaara's eyes sharpened to become predatory. "A favor?" He snorted mockingly. "Who are you to ask me for a favor?"

"That all depends on you," Naruto answered enigmatically. His cerulean eyes sparkled with authority in answer to Gaara's menace.

"I refuse."

Naruto smiled cruelly as he softly intoned the name of Gaara's demon. "Shukaku…"

Gaara stiffened visibly. Anger rolled off in waves as Gaara took an intimidating step towards him. Naruto stepped forward in response, bemused. Gaara was like a rebelling child. It was obvious that the demon and the boy were two separate entities.

Sand began to swirl at his feet, biting at his dark cloak. Naruto continued to smile and slowly, methodically stepped toward Gaara. The sand became more concentrated and Naruto sardonically lifted his eyebrows. It gathered into a fist which rushed toward him. Smoothly, Naruto deflected the attack, scattering the sand against the wall.

"Why do you kill so freely, Gaara of the Sand?" Naruto's voice was cool and condescending.

"The purpose of my existence is to kill. I won't let anything interfere with that."

Naruto maintained eye contact, grinning in satisfaction as Gaara's eyes widened as Naruto continued to casually deflect his sand attacks.

"You wonder how it is possible… you wonder why the sand isn't hurting me," Naruto remarked as he came to stand next to Gaara, staring at his eyes to show dominance.

Gaara began to tremble. His eyes were dilated in fear as uncertainty clouded his vision. "I will kill only to please myself. You can't do anything about that," Gaara stated, his voice unsteady and disconcerted, repeating the mantra that had given him the strength to live to this day.

"Can't I?"

"Die!" Gaara screamed out and a wall of sand swirled around him. Naruto let the sand close in on his body before he easily blasted it away with his chakra.

"I wanted to be kind," he murmured softly into Gaara's ear. "But you leave me no choice. If you spare Sasuke's life, I will do nothing. But if you move to kill him… I will release Shukaku and ensure that your lonely self will never emerge in your body again because I can control him, unlike you."

He walked passed him, feeling a twinge of guilt for leaving Gaara so shocked. His heart was softening and he shrugged. His mission was technically completed. However a small part of him, wanted Gaara to be saved from himself. Well.. I think Itachi nii-chan wouldn't mind if I meddle some more. Come to think of it, I wonder if he's even eating….

He pushed his concern to the back of his mind as he continued to walk out into the arena.

Hyuga Neji… he hoped it would be an interesting battle.

Otherwise, it would be a waste of his time.

**

AN: Wow.. another chapter. Sorry for taking so long… (even though it was only a week). I've been very reluctant to write and finally convinced my lazy self to get to it. Hopefully this chapter was satisfying. Even though it may seem as if there is a Sakura and Naruto pairing.. there will not be one. He's just being a sweet older brother because his heart is being chipped away and softening to the people of Konoha. Itachi is out on a personal mission as you guys all read from the chapter before. Hmm.. I think that's pretty much it. Oh yeah.. err.. Sasuke will be… in the next chapter. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with him. ^^;; I don't like him very much… but I guess I will give him some ethical lessons or something of the like. :P

Well.. thanks for reading up till now~~!

**

Preview:

Chapter 10-Main Matches

"You have never had a seal placed upon you! What would you know?!!"

"I know more than you think, you pathetic whiner."