Chapter 4

I'm back! Welcome everybody to chapter 4 of 'Proving Myself'. In this one, I am going to make a time skip. I originally was going to have this chapter be a short one, but it would also be a boring one, so instead I am going to skip to the Chunin Exams, I know, the story is moving quickly, but it is to make it more interesting. Now, we can begin.

Legend:

"Talking."

'Thinking...'

Jutsu Name

Chapter 4: Demon of the Sand

"Team 7 reporting after another successful mission!" Anko screamed as she enters the hokage office followed by her team. Naruto chuckles at her excitement while Itachi shook his head.

Shikaku groaned as he muttered 'Troublesome brat' before looking at Minato that seemed amused for this distraction of the paperwork. "What she said. The mission was a success and the client got to his village safely."

Minato nodded with a smile "Good to know. Now, Shikaku do you mind staying for a second. Team 7, you can leave."

Team 7 did that and left the two shinobi alone. Minato closed his eyes before asking "I know what you are going to ask."

"And you are going to say no?"

"I don't know Shikaku. No other team had been requested to take the chunin exams and two members of your team are 5 year younger than the rest of this generation. I-"

"If you are worried about Naruto, you shouldn't. He alongside Itachi, are prodigies. And I can tell you that they are better than most, if not all of this generation and maybe even past this." Shikaku interrupted and Minato sighed.

"Kushina isn't going to be happy about this..." He muttered making Shikaku smirk "Okay, I will allow to Team 7, go to Sunagakure no Sato to take part of the Chunin Exams this year." Minato declared and Shikaku smirk widened.

"Good call Minato."

*Sunagakure no Sato, A couple of days later*

"What do you mean that we are early!?" Anko screamed at her sensei that rubbed the back of his neck. They were in the hotel room given to them by the village as they were informed that they were 2 weeks too early for the chunin exams and they were the first outside team to arrive.

"I thought that you guys wanted some time to tour around the village before the exam. What's the big deal?"

"What the hell are we supposed to do in two weeks while we wait?!" Anko demanded and Naruto sighed.

"We can't train, otherwise some teams might find out our weaknesses and tour around the village will get boring at day 2."

"I agree." Itachi said and Shikaku shrugged.

"Well, while you figure that out, I will take a nap." He said with a yawn as a malicious smirk formed on Naruto's lips.

"Well, if that's the case, I hope you don't find the floor to hard."

Shikaku raised an eyebrow "Why that?"

Itachi seeing where he was going with this smiled "As you can see, Sensei there are only three beds. And we as participants in the exams need to be as comfortable as possible. So, you can either sleep on the floor..."

"Or in the couch." Naruto pointed to a couch that seemed to be made out of rock with a small smile.

Shikaku growled "Troublesome team..."

*Outside the hotel*

"So, any idea where to start?" Itachi asked as Anko grinned.

"What if we search for some dango?" She suggested and Naruto chuckled.

"I think we should look for something to eat. Not dango." Anko pouted at that and Naruto noticed something.

It was a red-haired boy alone holding a teddy-bear. People looked at him like if he was a plague as he looked miserable.

Naruto walked towards him and smiled at him "Hello. Are you lost?"

The kid looked at him as Itachi and Anko walked next to him "N-No... I'm... looking to play with someone..."

"Cool! We can play with you!" Anko declared and Itachi and Naruto decided to play along.

The kid's name is Gaara and once he was sure that the konoha shinobi were really going to play with him, his eyes shined with excitement. They played tag, hide and seek and charades.

*Hotel Room*

"Now I know why you guys like having little brothers!" Anko exclaimed as Naruto chuckled and Itachi smiled.

"Actually, this is the first time I actually act like an older brother. Itsuka is too small and mother and father spent way too much time with her." Naruto explained and Anko blinked confused.

"And why don't you join them?"

"I am too busy training."

"You three are back?" Shikaku asked from the floor, as he made a pillow with his jonin jacket.

Itachi nodded as he stared his sensei "Yes. We met a new friend."

"Good, good. Anyway, I looked for a place to train in the meantime we are here."

Anko grinned as Shikaku yawned and stretched "Really!? Thanks Sensei!" She said as she went and hugged the man.

Shikaku groaned "You're welcome I guess. So... can I sleep on the bed?"

"No."

"Of course not."

"Nope!"

Shikaku groaned as he laid his head back on his makeshift pillow. Tomorrow they will train for the exams.

For that and making him sleep like this, he will make tomorrow into hell.

And done! I know, this chapter was shorter, but short chapter is better than no chapter at all. Besides, next chapter can be one of two things. Option one, chunin exams. Option 2, timeskip for some years in the future when a fight happens against a character in this story. Leave your vote in the reviews or PM it to me.

Till Next Time.

Roy D. Harper.