A/N: Another update, because I'm pretty anxious to write this part. I don't really have the battle scenes planned out in my head, but I know roughly how this will go. And yeah, Keitorin uses pretty much taijutsu and some of the fun bloodline limit jutsu. Yeah, just random taijutsu I found online O.o

So what's happening? Sierra's true identity will be revealed...but it's SO not the end of the story! We still have the matter of who attacked Keitorin when she appeared at Naruto's apartment. I admit I've been neglecting that part of the story, working on the KeitorinGaaraSierra love triangle, but we'll find that out as well. And then...we focus on a few of the relationships formed: GaaraKeitorin, of course; Kyandii's feelings for Kakashi, and maybe a few other couplings as well. And dating, and marriage, and even kids. So this fanfiction is FAR from over.

oOo

Sierra wasn't the only one who appeared in the training area three days later. Gaara was there as well, and Neji came to watch the battle. "I'm not cheering for either of you." Gaara had made perfectly clear. "I won't take sides. Sierra, you're fighting for my love, and Keitorin is fighting for my friendship. It's impossible to take a side." Keitorin was about to correct Gaara, because she was actually fighting for Gaara's love as well. But she closed her mouth, scowling at Sierra.

Hiashi was there as well, watching with great interest. "I'd like to see how my niece's training has improved. Hopefully, the Chunin Exams has done something to help her." Keitorin's uncle glared at her scornfully, and she clenched her teeth. She knew that she was in this man's care - and he did take good care of her - but she remembered whenever he was around, that he could kill her at any time because she was a member of the branch family. And she knew how he looked at her - she was just a weak little girl who had disobeyed the family and ran away. Not fit to be a Hyuga...not fit to be a ninja.

And Keitorin thought for a moment, when the battle began, that she was in serious trouble. As she blocked and dodged a whole mess of sand covered shuriken, Keitorin called to Sierra, "How do you thinkyou can win when I have the power of the Kokoro on my side? It's simply impossible! I can tap into it's chakra at any time..."

"Think again, Hyuga. The Kokoro is not with you for this battle. This time, the spirits are on my side." Sierra replied triumphantly. "Just watch." She closed her eyes momentarily, tapping into the power of the Kokoro. (A/N: I have never seen Naruto do this with the Kyuubi, so I am guessing how it would be done. And Kokoro, I read, is translated to "heart" in Japanese, so that's where I got that.) When she opened her eyes, they were a stunning violet color instead of the usual blue green color, and two sharp canine teeth protruded from her mouth. "You see, Keitorin, I am the true Kokoro Ninja!"

"No fricking way." Keitorin shook her head. "This can't be happening." Quickly, she regained her composure, getting ito a fighting stance. I can do this without the Kokoro. All I need is...the lotus jutsu! One of the most powerful forms of taijutsu that Keitorin knew, taught to her by Kyandii. She knew the risk. Lotus technique put lots of strain on the muscles of the body, but Keitorin reminded herself that Sierra was a demon and she really had no choice. She initialized the technique, and before long she felt strength and chakra flowing through her body.

Keitorin couldn't believe it. Every punch, every kick, Sierra dodged or blocked. Keitorin jumped, dodging a shuriken star and aiming a flying kick at the girl's head. Sierra remained in the same position, looking right at Keitorin, as if she expected to simply absorb the blow. No way...there must be a catch. She can't take this hit! Keitorin was right. Just a centimeter away from her head, Sierra grabbed Keitorin's foot and slammed hr body into the ground. The wind was knocked out of her, and Keitorin couldn't breathe for a moment. She felt Sierra's hand wrap around her neck, tighter and tighter, with all the strength of the Kokoro. "And now, Hyuga, I'm going to kill you." Sierra proclaimed proudly. "You don't deserve Gaara." Leaning closer, Sierra whispered into Keitorin's ear, "and he was made for you, too." She held a kunai knife to Keitorin's throat.

This is it. I'm dead, I'm really dead this time.

The terrible pressure was relieved from her neck, and the Hyuga girl gulped hungrily for air. Daring to open her eyes, she saw that Gaara had knocked Sierra out of the way. "This isn't a fight to the death."

Keitorin stood up, attempting to speak. She quickly gave this up. Her trachea was damaged too badly, and as of now, she could only talk in a whisper. She knew exactly what to do now, a powerful move that Chansu-sensei had taught her. Inner Decapitation Skill. (A/N: Kakashi uses this. It's when he pulled Sasuke underground up to his neck!)

Now buried in the ground from the neck down, Sierra looked a lot less menacing than before. She glared defiantly at Keitorin, and a growl escaped her throat. Keitorin managed to stammer, despite her throat being soar, "It's over, Sierra. I know all your secrets. And you've lost this battle." Gaara glanced at her, confused.

"Perhaps you have. But then, I knew you would find out eventually. You're a bright girl." Sierra said, actually smiling. "Even without the Kokoro."

"How did you know about that? And how did you tap into it's chakra? And who the hell are you, anyway?" Keitorin responded. "It's time I got some answers, Sierra. And I think Gaara should know too."

"Hey, hey, I'm sticking to my word." Sierra whispered. "I'll leave, but yes, before I go, I should share some things with you. It's obvious I'd know about your past...because I'm the one who gave you your gift." She laughed. "And I didn't tap into the Kokoro's chakra, it's my own. As for who I am, well...I am not Sierra Takara of the Wind Country. I am you, Keitorin, or rather, part of you. I am the Kokoro."

oOo

A/N: Yay, another chapter done! Please read and review!