Chapter 13: GAARA!

"Wait! Dragons can read minds?!" Kira yelled shocked, she sat cross-legged in the clearing staring up at Kaida, practically begging her to tell her more about dragons.

'Yes, it is our way of speech. If we spoke like you humans, we would be found easier.' Kaida opened her mouth and let out a roar like sound, her dark crimson eyes stared down at Kira with amusement. Humans were always so curious.

"So can I read minds too?" Kaida gave her head a nod.

'With training you will be capable.' Kira's eyes widened in surprise. A large grin overlapping her face. Excitement bubbled deep in her stomach. She was going to learn how to read minds! This was awesome!

"When can we start? Can we start now?" She jumped up and down excitedly. Kaida blew a puff of smoke in the young girls face, annoyed.

'Calm yourself young one. For you humans it will require a great deal of concentration and patience. Wake now and go about your day. Tell no one of this. Practice amongst your friends.' Kaida instructed.

"But what if I get stuck?"

'I shall be there, do not fret.' The forest disappeared as soon as Kira opened her eyes. Staring up above at her ceiling. She's been doing much better when it comes to sleeping now. Being able to talk to Kaida helped immensely. Kaida told Kira about her kind, how she was quite rare.

Dragons are disappearing, those that remain are in hiding.

Kakashi knocked on Kira's door before entering. His mask down showing his handsome face. He gave his younger sister a smile glad to see she was awake.

"You get any sleep last night?" he asked softly like a concerned parent. Kakashi walked over to her bed, plopping down beside her.

"Yeah, I had the coolest dream where I got to see this really pretty lake surrounded by the woods." It wasn't a total lie. Every time she spoke with Kaida she would see the lake.

"I think that's your subconscious saying you want to go swimming." Kakashi mused smirking down at her. She was so small compared to him.

"Probably, why you wanna take us swimming?" She asked smirking hoping it would work. The group did need a good day to relax, but no. Kakashi had other plans for them.

"We got a mission today. Hopefully Sasuke and Naruto will stop arguing this time." He sighed standing up with her as she walked to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

"You know those two will fight all the god damn time." Kakashi let out a small sigh, squeezing in behind his sister looking into the mirror. Pulling up his mask so no one could see his face.

Kira stared at her brothers reflection as he fiddled with the mask to make sure it was secured in it's place. She tried concentrating, she figured why not try to read his mind, not like it would work.

She stared at the reflection concentrating on his head. Kakashi looked at her confused in the mirror, she never stares at him this long unless she was up to something. "Hm?"

She blinked a few times shaking her head.

"Spacing out, sorry bro bro." Kakashi shrugged leaning down he placed a kiss on her head before leaving the house. Kira gave herself a small pout at failing. She was new to this, of course it would take her some time.

'Patience child, you must have patience.' Kaida's voice echoed through her mind.

"I know that." She whispered.

"Morning Sakura," Kira called smiling at the pink haired girl. Ever since they got back from the land of waves Kira and Sakura no longer wanted to rip each-other's throats out. In fact the two were somewhat friends.

"Good morning!" She called waving her hand in the air. She was happy that they were getting along, so well. It's always great to have another girl on the team.

Sasuke soon joined leaving Naruto to be the last one to arrive.

"Morning Sasuke-kun!" Sakura squealed excitedly.

"Mornin," Kira called digging through her backpack for a book.

Sasuke just nodded at the girls, he saw Kira didn't look as dead on her feet. She looked as vibrant as ever, she snickered to herself glancing at Sakura's direction. He could only imagine what Sakura was doing.

Kira pulled out a bag of apple slices sitting on the ground happy with herself as she munched on the juicy fruit. Sasuke couldn't help smiling at her, she looked like she was experiencing pure bliss from the fruit. How could one snack make her look like that?

"Good morning, Sakura!" Naruto yelled waving his hand excitedly. "Morning Kira!" He yelled noticing her on the ground.

"Morning Naru!"

Naruto glared at Sasuke and the two let out a "hmpf" sound looking away from each other. Naruto sat beside Kira digging into her bag of snacks a big goofy smile on his lips.

"Did you have that dream again?" Naruto asked, munching on an apple slice.

"Yeah! I love having those dreams." Sakura and Sasuke glance at the two confused. "What about you? Did you have that dream yet?"

"No not yet. I tried like you said to, and nothing happened." Naruto pouted slightly.

"What are you two talking about?" Sakura asked confused. Naruto and Kira glance at one another before facing the group.

"Just an inside thing between us. We'll stop if it bothers you." Kira answered, she didn't want Sakura and Sasuke to know and think they were even weirder than before.

"What kind of dream was it? I had a dream about the future." Sakura sighed happily, holding her hands to her face, glancing at Sasuke.

"Oh um, I was at this lake in some forest, it was really pretty and I just really love that dream. Its so peaceful and relaxing." Kira sighed sinking deeper to the ground.

Sasuke promised himself he'd take her to that place. He'd make her the happiest girl in the world.

The four waited and waited for Kakashi to arrive. The snacks Kira brought were quickly pulled out and eaten by the group. Kira practiced on Naruto, concentrating on what he might be thinking. She knew it had to deal with Sakura or ramen but she wanted to do it. She had to do it.

Three hours later and still nothing happened. She switched from Naruto to Sakura, to Sasuke. Still nothing. The only thing that happened was she kept hearing a static fuzz in her ear the longer she stared at someone.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm afraid I got lost on the way here." Kakashi lied laughing to himself when Naruto and Sakura started to yell.

"Your nose is growing Sesnei! You always lay it on too thick!"

Kakashi looked around and saw his sister zoning out again. She wasn't paying attention to what was around her, at all. It was very unlike her.

"Hey Kakashi! Any hot new missions for the 7th cell? We've had nothing but gimmes! Boring! We want action! A challenge! Something where I could use my skill, like this! And this! And, and, and!" Naruto was showing off his ninja moves.

"Oh really? I see where you're going with this…" Kakashi mused trying to think of something for this mission. Naruto glared at Sasuke growling to himself.

'Those two…Every time we go on a mission, they end up showing me up and saving me. But not this time! Kira doesn't hold me back which is awesome because it means she trusts me, those two don't!' Naruto thought angrily.

Sasuke and Sakura were giving Naruto evil looks like he was a plague again.

Naruto ran over and pulled Kira to her feet startling her out of whatever daze she was in. "What are you doing?" He whispered confused.

"We're pulling weeds then cleaning the water free from trash." Naruto moaned in annoyance. That wasn't some super secret amazing mission!

"Hey Naruto! Kira! Wake up! We're heading out on our mission!" Kakashi called walking away.

"Yessir!" Naruto yelled in Kira's ear. It might be some lame mission but he won't let Sasuke show him up again!

"Would you chill?!" Sasuke snapped glaring at Naruto for being so loud.

After the mission:

Naruto sighed as Kira helped him walk through the village. He over did it again. "You'd have been fine if you hadn't overdone it." Sakura snapped glaring down at the beat up boy.

"You're a real nuisance." Sasuke said hatefully.

"It doesn't help when Sasuke decides to take over and act like an ass." Kira glared at the annoying boy walking beside her. He sent her a glare. The entire mission he did his job perfect. It wasn't his fault that Naruto was a complete idiot when it came to the mission at hand.

"As if." Sasuke replied dryly. He couldn't understand why she always stood up for him.

"THAT DOES IT! Sasuke if you start anything more, I'll bury you!" Naruto yelled Kira and Sakura held Naruto back from attacking Sasuke...again. Sasuke let out a sarcastic laugh walking off annoyed with his entire team.

"Lately your teamwork has been almost nonexistent." Kakashi sighed slumping his shoulders. He hated that about his team. Sakura and Kira were doing great with their teamwork skills. Why couldn't Naruto and Sasuke? Ah. That's right. Girls are easier to teach.

"You tell him! You're always messing up our teamwork, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled pointing an accusing finger at Sasuke's retreating form.

"He was talking to you, pinhead. If you're so sick of being in my debt, why don't you get better than me?" Sasuke mocked annoyed. Naruto growled glaring daggers at Sasuke.

Kira smacked her head at the two, gaining a headache from this whole problem. "I'm going to kill you both if you don't stop acting like a bunch of pissy girls." She growled more to herself than anyone.

"Okay, that's it. We'll call it a day right now. I've got to go hand in my report on todays mission." Kakashi sighed flipping open his book.

"Then I'm going home."

Sasuke started to stalk off toward his home annoyed. Sakura ran off after him yelling "Hey! Sasuke, wait up!" Naruto pouted looking upset watching Sakura run away after that jerk. Kira frowned staring at her best friend upset. All he wanted was to be alone with Sakura but she only cared about Sasuke.

"If we, you know…you and I…just the two of us…could work on our, um, our teamwork?" Sakura flirted nervously looking at Sasuke with heart shaped eyes.

"You're as bad as Naruto." Sasuke flat out rejected her. "Why waste your time flirting when you should be practicing? Even his skills are better than yours." Sakura slumped her shoulders dejected. How could he say such rude things to her?

Sakura knew what he said was true but it still hurt.

"What a dick." Kira muttered annoyed that he was her teammate.

"Hey, hot stuff! Forget Sasuke! You, me, and Kira can train together!" Naruto yelled waving his hand. Kakashi rolled his eyes, he jumped away making it seem like he just disappeared.

"Huh?" Naruto looked around confused. "Where'd Kakashi go?" Naruto asked confused.

Kira let Naruto go on his own and walked over to her upset comrade. She placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder worried. The pink haired girl fell into Kira's arms needing a hug. Kira slowly brought her arms up to her comrade and held her still not used comforting Sakura when she was upset.

"Whatever! What matters is, I'm done losing! There's only one thing ahead of me and that's training!" Naruto sang giggling to himself. As soon as he got stronger he'd win Sakura's heart.

The girls talked quietly to one another while Naruto started to walk their way. A rock was following him. 'A rock? Why is a rock sneaking up on me?' Naruto thought confused. Spinning back around acting like he didn't notice the 'rock'. Naruto kept his eye on the 'rock' as he walked forward watching as it moved closer to him.

"PSYCH! FAKED YOU OUT, ROCK!" Naruto yelled pointing at the rock. "Little hint! No rock has perfect angles, perfect corners, and eye holes. Kind of a big clue." Naruto yelled.

Kira and Sakura watched as three little kids climbed out from underneath the rock. "Leave it to the man I have acknowledged as being almost my equal! Your skills rival my own!" Konohamaru called annoyed at their cover being blown so easily.

"Oh, it's you guys. Whats up with the goggles?" Naruto asked confused.

"Heh, you're our idol, right? We're copying the style you used to wear." Kira giggled at how cute they were. She couldn't help the small squeal escape her lips at them. Sakura giggled with Kira over how cute they were being.

"Okaaaaaay…" Naruto said bored like, throwing his hands behind his head as if he didn't care.

"What do you mean 'Okay'? Suddenly too cool for school, big guy?"

"Hey Konohamaru!" Kira yelled running over with Sakura. Konohamaru's eyes lit up as he looked at Kira. He practically had heart eyes.

"Kira-chan!" he yelled waving at the cute girl. Kira smiled down at the cutest boy wearing a pair of green goggles like Naruto used to wear. She love that the honored grandson wanted to be just like Naruto.

"What do you want from me?" Naruto asked annoyed. He didn't want to hang out with a bunch of little kids when he could be spending time with Sakura.

"We'll show you, boss! Can you come now?" Moegi asked Naruto excitedly. Desperate to show off their skills.

"Nah, can't. I have to train." Naruto pointed at himself.

"But, but you promised to play ninja with us! Right?" Konohamaru yelled pouting and upset that Naruto was breaking their plans.

"Heh, oh yeah…was that today?" Naruto asked nervously, sweating profusely. 'If I play with them, even a little, they'll waste my whole day!' Naruto thought to himself. More sweat started to form. He hated having to cancel on the kids. He did like spending time with them but he needed to get stronger.

Konohamaru held onto Kira's hand, she thought nothing of it but Konohamaru had the largest blush on his face with a large goofy smile on his lips.

"Why would a ninja, play ninja? It makes no sense." Sakura asked annoyed at the idea.

"Hey boss! Who's the babe?" Sakura glared at Naruto. He was such an idiot. How can she be behind both Kira and Naruto? She thought she'd be at least stronger than Naruto!

Konohamaru must have put something together in his head before facing Naruto patting his shoulder, practically praising him.

"Hey, big guy, seeing as how you're so smart and suave and all…" Konohamaru smirked. "The hottie, I can tell, you and she are." He held up his pinky finger meaning dating. "Think you can give me some tips for my hottie?" Konohamaru asked nodding his head toward Kira.

Kira squeaked trying not to laugh. Holding a hand over her mouth she watched on. "For a little guys, you catch on quick." Naruto laughed nervously.

Sakura quickly slammed her fist into Naruto's face forcing him to tumble into a fence. Kira shook her head watching amused as Sakura chased after the kids. She was still mad from earlier. After successfully beating up both boys she started to stalk away.

"Jeeze! That broad-browed, fire breathing hag! Is she even a real female?!" Konohamaru yelled holding his head in pain. Sakura growled glaring at the two chasing after them.

A loud thud sounded when Konohamaru accidently ran into a teenager. Konohamaru sat frozen on the ground staring up at the two teens. The teen in black with cat ears on his head lifted Konohamaru up by the scruff of his shirt. While the girl beside him shook her head. Her four pony tails stood out in all directions. Her hands on her hips.

"Hey! Put him down!" Kira yelled.

"Konohamaru!" Naruto cried out.

The teen holding Konohamaru didn't even care what was yelled he put a majority of his attention on Konohamaru. "That hurt snotface!" he snapped making sure they were face to face.

"Knock it off. You're gonna get it as it is!" The girl sighed shaking her head.

Sakura started to shake nervously staring at these strangers. "It was my fault. I was fooling around…." What are they doing here?!

"PUT HIM DOWN, YOU BIG APE!" Naruto screamed.

"I just want to play with him a little, while we're waiting for the nuisance to get here!" the teen replied calmly. Kira's blood started to boil seeing Konohamaru in this sort of situation. "Oww." He cried. The fire like feeling started to form in her veins.

Naruto shot forward ready to beat the shit out of this bastard. Though he never got the chance. All the teen did was move his fingers and Naruto was knocked to the ground.

"What a wimp! Is that the best Konoha's Genin can do?" He mocked laughing to himself.

"My girlfriend and big brother will destroy you if you don't let me go!" Konohamaru whimpered terrified.

"Girlfriend? A shrimp like you? Yeah right." Kira concentrated on her chakra. She could feel a cold prickling sensation form through her fingers as though she was touching ice.

"Hey! You in the black pig suit! Release him now and I'll go easy on you, bonehead!" Naruto screamed not going to stop fighting till Konohamaru was safe.

Sakura placed Naruto in a sleeper hold. Trying to stop him from acting like an idiot. "You're starting to annoy me. First off, I'm allergic to 'shrimp' bad enough that you're a short little kid. You're disrespecting your elders. You make me want to kill him!"

Kira's eyes shot open, her heart pounding painfully fast in her chest. "I…will not be held responsible for this…" the girl said looking away.

"You!"

"So I'll finish with this tiny shrimp and move onto the jumbo shrimp over there!" Kira's hand shot up shooting at his face, watching as ice crystals shot out toward the jerk imbedding itself in one of the pressure points in his shoulder.

At the same time Sasuke tossed a rock letting it fly into his wrist making the jerk let go of Konohamaru. "Ugh!"

"Tell me, what are you guys doing in our village?" Konohamaru ran away from the angry teen terrified. Kira shot over picking him up looking him over.

"I'm so sorry sweetie." She whispered hugging him tightly.

"It's Sasuke!" Sakura squealed her eyes had large pink hearts.

"So?"

"Oh look. Another little brat." The jerk snarled ripping the ice crystal out of his shoulder, grunting while doing so.

"Get lost."

"Oh how cool!" Moegi and Sakura squealed now the younger girl had matching heart eyes. Why was it that every girl in town and out of town loved Sasuke?

"Naruto you suck! I can't believe we looked up to you!" Konohamaru cried burying his head into Kira's stomach.

Kira kept her hand on Konohamaru's shoulder, never taking her eyes off the two teens. "Don't be stupid. I could have handled that loser if Sasuke hadn't butted in." Naruto tried to comfort the kid clinging to his friend.

"Yeah right!"

"Come down, little squirrel! Think you're pretty smart, don't you?" The jerk yelled ripping the thing off his back.

Kira shoved Konohamaru behind her protectively. Especially when the blonde haired girl yelled surprised that her companion was going to use something called the crow.

"Kankuro! Don't!" A gruff voice yelled from the tree. We all looked up surprised. Standing upside down in the tree was as red headed male, the same one she saw kept seeing this week. "You're a disgrace to our entire village." He snarled.

"G-Gaara…"

'That must be who they were waiting for. How could he call their comrade a nuisance.' Kira thought staring at the male. How on earth could they think that? They were supposed to be comrades. Okay yes, Naruto could be annoying but at least they say it to his face, not behind his back.

"It annoys me that you'd lose control in a quarrel with children. Have you forgotten why we came here?" Gaara asked in a deadly calm voice. Never once blinking.

"But Gaara, they started it. The little one slammed me!" Kankuro tried to defend himself. Kira glared at the teen hatefully wanting nothing more than to crush the bones in his hands so that he wouldn't be able to preform his jutsu anymore.

"Shut up. Or I'll kill you." Gaara's rough voice echoed through Kira's ears, sending a shiver down her spine. This Gaara character seemed to be the leader of this group, hopefully he'll be able to keep his teammate from hurting Konohamaru or anyone else in Konoha.

"You're right. I was out of line." Kankuro stuttered raising his hands defensively, backing away from the boy in the tree.

"We're sorry, okay Gaara? Really, really sorry!" The girl called looking just as nervous.

Gaara looked over at Sasuke "Sorry about my friends." He spoke softly before disappearing in a mist of sand. 'That's the one who nailed Kankuro with a stone. That took skill.'

"We didn't come here to play around." Gaara growled landing on the ground perfectly intact. That was awesome!

"I swear it won't happen again!" Kankuro explained backing up from the red head. Gaara looked over his shoulder for a moment or two, staring at the red liquid staining his hand. His seafoam green eyes glanced over at the gray-haired girl again.

Kira felt frozen in her spot, staring into those beautiful green eyes. It was like she was in a trance, her heart speed dramatically as a light blush coated her cheeks. She's never seen a more attractive male before in her life.

'Whoa…' Now Kira was the one with heart eyes.

He couldn't help giving her a small smirk. Turning to leave he faced his group. "Lets go."

"Wait!" Sakura yelled stopping them from leaving.

"Yes?" Naruto glanced at his friend confused. She had that look like every girl in their class when they saw Sasuke.

Was she blushing? "Why's your face getting so red?" Kira's eyes widen being caught staring at the attractive male.

Gaara, Kankuro, Sakura, Sasuke, Konohamaru, freaking everyone! They all turned at the two who interrupted.

"S-Shut up!"

"Are you getting sick?" Naruto held his hand to her head "Your face is pretty warm to; do you need me to take you home?" Kira felt so embarrassed right now. Forcing herself to look away from the trio. Kira couldn't believe Naruto could be this stupid.

"It's hot out, leave me alone." She muttered slapping his hands away from her face. Naruto laughed at her lame excuse.

"Uh…" Sakura tried to remember what she was going to say. "Right. According to your headbands, you three came from the village hidden in the sand. Your country is one of Konoha's allies. But according to our treaty, your ninja are not permitted to cross the border without authorization. State your business we can't just let you go your merry way." Sakura said sternly, trying to act tough when just minutes ago she was about to piss her pants in fear.

"Have you ever heard the old saying about it being darkest at the base of the brightest lighthouse?" The girl pulled out her travel papers. "Weren't you informed?" That made everyone confused.

"As you guessed, we're junior level ninja from the hidden sand village. We're here to take the chunin selection exam."

"Whats the chunin selection exam?" Naruto asked confused.

"You really don't know? Junior ninja are sent from the hidden sand village and the minor lands between our home and yours to compete against Konoha's own candidates. Mainly to maintain the skill of all shinobi at the same level of excellence."

"Why test us all together?" Naruto asked another question looking excited.

"It's also to foster friendship and understanding between ninja. And, of course, to maintain the balance between the lands themselves." The teen explained answering all of Naruto's questions about the chunin exam.

Though Naruto stopped listening after he heard he could have a level up.

"Hey, Konohamaru! Maybe I should enter the chunin selection exam thing too, huh?" Konohamaru was cheering Naruto on.

"Listen you! When you ask someone a question it's considered good manners to listen to their entire answer." The girl growled annoyed at how Naruto was behaving.

"I wouldn't take it personally, when he hears something that catches his attention it's hard for him to listen to anything else." Kira explained with a shrug. Staring Naruto down like he was an idiot was something the group had come to terms with long ago.

"Seriously? So rude!" She huffed annoyed.

"You honestly get used to it."

Sasuke rolled his eyes jumping down from his tree branch storming past Kira, practically shoving her out of the way. He was so livid. Watching her fawn all over a guy she barely knows?! He's known her, her entire life and she never once gave him that look!

"Hey! You there! Whats your name?" Sasuke growled.

"Huh? W-who, me?" The blushing blonde girl asked hopefully.

"No. I was talking to the spook beside you." The girl instantly deflated, hating that he didn't want to know her name.

"Sabaku no Gaara at your service." Gaara glared at Sasuke suspiciously "I am also curious who you and that girl is as well." Gaara asked nodding his head over toward Kira, Naruto, and Sakura.

"Me?" Sakura asked slightly disgusted that the red head would want to know who she was.

"No. The gray haired girl." Kira shot her head up surprised staring at Gaara confused. He wanted to know who she was?! Excitement started to bubble within her.

"Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke growled clenching his fists tightly.

"Hakate Kira," She blushed under his intense stare. "Gaara?" He grunted letting her know she was acknowledged. "Thank you for stopping your teammate from attacking my comrade," Kira smiled at the boy bowing in her appreciation.

The blonde haired girl's eyes widen in surprise, no one has ever thanked Gaara before, back home everyone knew what Gaara was and would never talk to him. Everyone was scared of him, right now you saying or doing anything around Gaara was like a ticking time bomb.

Gaara felt the corner of his mouth lift up in a small smirk. 'That's a first.' He watched her straighten herself back up, the raven haired kid glared at her like she did something wrong. 'He must be their leader, or at least wants to be.'

"What?" She asked annoyed at the stupid glare that would never leave his stupid face. Sasuke let out a small growl of anger.

"Hey! Hey! Don't you want to know my name?" Naruto shouted happily.

"No. Lets go." Gaara and his team jumped off disappearing from their spots. Naruto pouted falling to a crouched position. "Do I look that much of a loser?"

"Next to Sasuke big guy…" Konohamaru laughed patting Naruto's shoulder.

"That's not true, come on Naru, maybe he didn't want to know your name was because he was running late to being somewhere." Kira tried to reason though she herself didn't know why he didn't want to know his name.

Naruto let out a fake laugh. "Yeah right."

"Well when we see him again you'll show him that you're way cooler than Sasuke." Naruto smiled to himself knowing it would be a long shot. He needed to have more training done to be better than Sasuke.

Lots of training indeed.