Chapter 26: What to Do, What do Do?

The victors of their battles stood in front of the proctor, waiting for the third exam to begin. Kira stood at the end a little way away from Naruto and Gaara. Sakura took to standing beside Naruto while Kira stood beside Shino. They've never talked for a long period of time but there was a comfortable silence between them. It didn't feel awkward or strange.

"To those of you who won your bouts and qualified for the finals of the third phase of the Chunin exam, although one of you isn't here, congratulations!" Hayate coughed to himself for a moment. "Uh...well, Lord Hokage...they're all yours."

"Yes..." Lord Hokage stood from his seat smiling down at all the finalists. "Well then starting now I shall begin explaining the finals. As I mentioned earlier, you will conduct your final round battles in front of everyone. Each of you represents the battle strengths of your respective lands so we want you to exhibit and fully showcase your various talents. And thus, the finals will commence one month from now."

So they weren't going to jump straight in, that's a relief. Kira relaxed some getting the idea on training harder than before to beat her next opponent.

"We're not doing it right here, right now?" Naruto moaned wanting more than anything to get this exam started.

"We call this the requisite preparation period."

"What do you mean?" Neji voice called out, not really liking the idea that he wasn't going to fight now.

"Well it's a period of time that allows us to relay the results of the preliminaries to the rulers and shinobi leaders of each land and to summon them to the finals and it also serves as a preparations period for you applicants." The Hokage explained. It made sense. It gave all winners of the examination to rest up and get ready to the next part. That way in a months' time everyone would be ready and could fix up their skills.

"I still don't get it! What do you mean?" Kankuro growled completely annoyed. He thought the Hokage was just beating around the bush again.

"You must prepare to understand your enemy and understand yourself. During this period you can analyze the intelligence you have gathered on your foes during the preliminaries and use it to increase your chances of victory. Even thought, up to this point, all the battles have been real battles they were conducted on the premise that you were fighting an unknown enemy."

Kira glanced over at all the winners. She hopped she didn't have to fight Naruto.

"However the finals are a different story some of you probably ended up exposing everything you've got in front of your rivals and some of you may have gone up against comparatively strong opponents and found yourselves barely injured. In order to make the finals fair and just, we give you this month each of you must embrace the opportunity to practice hard, learn some new tricks and of course get some rest, as well."

The rest part sounded heavenly. Kira and Sakura couldn't wait to sleep in to the next day in their comfy beds. Heal up and practice harder. Though Sakura was worried about Sasuke she knew he was going to be okay. He had to be okay.

"I would like to let you all go now, but first there's one last thing we must do for the finals."

"Hey, come on! I need to start training now!" Naruto yelled, he needed to fight Neji and Sasuke. He needed to show his worth.

"Now then, don't be so impatient there are slips of paper inside the box Anko is holding. Each of you take one."

When Kira finally go the box there were two slips left. She grabbed one and looked at it. Eleven. What was that supposed to mean?

"Alright, does everyone have one now? Then starting at the left each of you read out the number written on your slip." Ibiki sensei held his clipboard writing whenever someone said their number.

"I have eight." Dosu.

"I got one." Naruto.

"I have ten." Sakura.

"Seven." Temari.

"Five." Kankuro.

"Three." Gaara.

"Nine." Shikamaru.

"Two." Neji.

"Six." Shino.

"Eleven." Kira.

"So Uchiha will be number four." Ibiki called finishing up whatever he was doing with the clipboard.

"Good! And now I will reveal the match order for the tournament style finals!" Wait! So, we just chose our opponents?

"What?!" Naruto screeched completely surprised.

"So that's what the drawing was for?!" Kira had figured the drawing was for them to fight at random. Ibiki flipped the clipboard showing who would be fighting who. Naruto Vs. Neji, Gaara Vs. Sasuke, Kankuro vs. Shino, Temari vs. Shikamaru/Dosu, and Kira vs. Sakura.

"Now then. It's time for you to go plan your strategies, rest up, or whatever you please. We're all finished here...unless any of you have questions?"

Shikamaru raised his hand. "May I?" Lord Hokage nodded. "You said this is a tournament, so theres only one winner, right? Then does that mean only one person gets to become a chunin?"

"No, that's not the case. For the finals, you will be observed by many judges. Not only by me but the Kazekage and the rulers and shinobi leaders of countries that will be requesting missions, as well. Based on your performance in the tournament, those judges will assign you an absolute value and all those who are deemed to have sufficient ability to be a journeyman ninja even those who may have lost in the first round can become Chunin."

"Do you mean it's possible that all of us here could become Chunin?" Temari wonders the idea pleasant but not what she was expecting.

"Yes, however it is also possible that none of you will become Chunin. Does that answer your question Shikamaru? The advantage of fighting in more rounds in the tournament is in having a greater number of opportunities to display your talents for the judges." The hokage waited till he was sure everyone was sufficient in his explanation. "Well then, good work all! You are dismissed until one month from now!"

Kira held her head in her hands this wasn't going to be easy. She didn't want to fight her friend, but she also wanted to become Chunin really badly. Sakura was getting stronger, she was able to hold her own for a bit, but this wasn't going to be easy.

Then if she advanced high enough she'd had to fight Naruto, there was no doubt that Naruto would beat his competitors.

"Sakura do you know where Kakashi sensei is?"

"He's probably with Sasuke." That would be Sakura's best bet, Naruto rushed off to the hospital wing.

"So...we have to fight..." Kira muttered staring at Sakura worried. Sakura had the same expression on her face. Worry, fear, and uncertainty.

"I guess so..."

The silence wrapped around the two as they walked out the door and into the bright light of day. Sakura quickly left leaving Kira to her own thoughts she walked through town figuring it would be best to go home and rest. Kakashi would be back later...or he'd be gone for the month training Naruto.

'Kaida, what else am I able to do?' Was it possible that she was able to possess more of Kaida's powers? It took her a week to be able to accomplish that.

'You've only just scratched the surface of my abilities. It is possible that you will learn something new in one months' time.'

'Thank you,' Okay it was settled. Kaida would help train her for this exam. She'd pass this test. She'd become Chunin.

'Go talk to her.' That voice again. That deep gravelly voice. Where was it coming from?! It was giving her a headache. She glanced around her 'You said you wanted to figure out why she stood up for you.'

She always heard that voice when she was by Gaara, it couldn't mean that Gaara was like her...could it?

'Kaida! How far can I hear people's thoughts?' She sat against a tree, a look on her face that showed everyone she was deep in thought. Twenty meters. So, she'd have to be close to whoever she was trying to speak with or listen in on.

"Kira." Gaara's voice floated above her head. His rough voice sent shivers down her spine, the idea that someone so cold and mean sought her of all people out either meant good news or bad news. She hoped it was good. Glancing up she saw Gaara standing upside down on one of the tree's limbs. Just staring at her, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't look mad, but he didn't look happy. It was like their first meeting.

"Hey Gaara," She gave a small wave standing now. He was still a few feet off the ground, no wonder it was easy to hear that voice so easily. Gaara's eyes roamed over her body again. He liked studying her, memorizing the little details. "You want to go for a walk?" He nodded appearing beside her like magic.

"So, congrats on getting into the third exam." She flushed walking and fiddling with her hands. She wasn't sure what to do with them right now, does she hold his hand again? Put them in her pockets? Swing them as she walked to look like an idiot?

"You as well."

"So what's up? I'd have thought you'd be with your team by now, celebrating." In the background Temari and Kankuro watched. Spying on the youngest.

"What are we doing? If he catches us, the freak will kill us." Kankuro growled trying to yank his sister away.

"Not yet. He's always around this girl and I want to know why."

"We're so dead." Kankuro muttered to himself quickly following his sister again hating himself as he did so.

Kira glanced up at the red haired male waiting to see if she'd get an answer or not. She wasn't sure. He was the type to just leave you hanging if he felt like it. "I need to know why you did that." Kira gave Gaara a stare trying to remember what he might be talking about. She did a lot of things. He wasn't being very specific.

"Did what?" She was honestly confused. She could see the annoyance dance through his eyes. The anger bubbling up inside. He probably is used to getting answers right away.

"You told your friend...Not to be mad at me..." He muttered the last part, a little embarrassed that he needed to explain himself to her. He's never had to do this sort of thing with other girls. They just avoided him, but she openly welcomed him to spend time with her. It was completely new to him.

"Oh, that? You mean after you fought Lee?" He grunted his answer, she guessed that meant yes. "Oh well because Lee put himself up to it. If you hadn't retaliated, then you would have gotten hurt. The whole point of the fight was to see who could go onto the next round. Besides...I was glad you didn't get too hurt."

Her face flushed after she said it. Did he seriously think she didn't like him? "What?" his deadpanned voice called showing his confusion.

"I mean I like Lee, don't get me wrong. He helped Sakura and me from Dosu's group..."

"Dosu?"

"The guy who fought last and won." Gaara nodded letting her continue. "He's a great guy, spunky and a dork and yeah I feel bad for him, but he chose to fight you. He could have backed out." She tried to reason.

Gaara nodded in agreement. It would have been wiser to back out. "So Dosu's team did that to you." He nodded towards her bruised face.

"Yeah that was Zaku, he was the one who got his arm blown off." She unintentionally rubbed her head feeling the pain again. Kira really wanted to change the subject, she didn't know what to do or say. But the two just walked in silence, she showed Gaara around her village telling him facts and where to go for food, to relax, where to avoid. Those sorts of things.

Somewhere along the way Gaara got so annoyed with her hands flying everywhere that he just grabbed her one hand and held it between them. Termari and Kankuro started wide eyed. Gaara was holding hands with the blushing girl. Temari quickly smacked Kankuro's shoulder in her surprise.

Gaara growled glaring behind him. Of course, it's those idiots. "Siblings?" Kira asked glancing behind them. She could tell how annoyed he was.

"You'd think they would know not to bother me." Gaara growled. He'd make them pay later. He'd make sure of it. "Let's go." Gaara dragged Kira behind him walking in another direction.

The two walked and talked. Well Kira talked. After a bit there was just silence. Kira knew it wouldn't be long till Gaara had to go home. Just another day and he'd leave her. Kira knew he wouldn't stay forever, but the thought of him leaving hurt. "Gaara..." The red head stared her down, waiting for the curious girl to continue.

She hated feeling so nervous like a stupid fangirl. She was acting like Sakura when it came to Sasuke for crying out loud! "Would you want to..." she frowned staring at the ground. This was pathetic. She was being pathetic. "Never mind." she moved forward hating herself for being so stupid.

Gaara stared at her confused but was quick to follow, he wondered what that was about. She shook her head having an internal debate. There was something wrong with her. She was conflicted. She loved Naruto but here she was craving to be near Gaara. It didn't make sense! Why would she feel this way towards Gaara but still want Naruto?

All this thinking gave her a headache! It felt like something was pushing at the base of her skull. Something sharp and pointy. The pain was becoming unbearable.

"I, I have to go lay down...I'll talk to you later." she muttered clutching her head moving in the direction of her home. Gaara was at her side in an instant, catching her when she wobbled. She stared up at him confused.

"I'll walk you home." she nodded leaning against his warm body as they walked he remembered the way to her home, she was barely awake. Kira's feet dragged as she walked. The feeling of sleep and the pain in her head started to consume her.

"We're here." she forced her eyes open and looked up. Kakashi was standing at the doorway reading his book, leaning against the wall. "Get some rest." she nodded stumbling up the steps to Kakashi. She felt horrible.

Kakashi gave Gaara a nod of thanks before bringing her inside. He was quick to carry Kira to her room, placing her on the soft mattress, taking her shoes off as she curled into a ball. "My head hurts." she muttered in a weak voice.

"I know...just rest I'll some medicine." moments later Kakashi returned with some water and a bottle of pills. "Take this." he lifted her head and helped force the medicine down her throat.

"W-whats wrong with me?" She was fine just a little bit ago, what happened? Why does she suddenly feel so crappy?

Kakashi figured it was time to read through dad's journal again. He stayed by his sister's side till she fell asleep, tossing a warm blanket over her body. It wasn't hard to find the journal. Kakashi had it hidden in his room on his own personal bookshelf. He read through the pages searching for what could be causing her problems.

Dragon Holders go through a physical transformation as well as a mental transformation through life. Kira was already showing signs of the physical transformation. Kakashi started noticing when she was six, her ears started to grow into points, and every tooth she lost as a child grew back as sharp fangs. The large bumps on her skull was evident that she was growing horns.

The sharp horns were pushing its way free. It wouldn't be long now till the horns broke free growing larger and larger. Her healing is half of what the nine-tailed fox is, but the strength and speed would only grow. The dragon's influence on her was growing stronger, if Kakashi wasn't careful Kira would be lost. He needed to help train Kira on her emotions, the more emotional she got the more the Dragon would take over.

It wouldn't be easy, he wished he had all the answers. Kakashi would have to talk to the Hokage later see if he had any information when it comes to holder's transformations. As of now Kira would have to tough it out.

Morning:

Kira rose from her bed, the ache in her head wasn't as bad as before. There was a dull throb. What happened last night? Why did she feel so bad? She moved out of her room to the living room curling up on the couch.

"Kira! Holy crap you'll never believe what happened!" Naruto rushed through the door yelling with his excitement. Kira curled into herself more feeling the pain form again. The excited blonde plopped on the couch beside his best friend his whole body shaking.

"What happened?" she mumbled forcing herself to sit up now. She needed some more medicine.

Naruto started his story how he was going to ask Kakashi to train him but Kakashi decided he was going to train Sasuke. Naruto made Kira know how mad he was at that, because Sasuke was a pain. He told her how he was forced to train with that perv that was in charge to taking care of Konohamaru, but some bigger perv is going to train him.

"Pervy Sage is awesome! Just don't let him know I said that." Naruto almost begged.

"I don't even know who this guy is." She muttered to herself. Naruto frowned staring at his best friend confused, something was going on with her. She didn't look too good either.

"Hey, you doing okay?" she shrugged her shoulders leaning against him. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I was just upset for Lee."

Kira looked him over, he really was upset "Thanks Naru, but I'm just feeling a little under the weather. I should feel better soon." An idea popped inside Naruto's head. A good way to make her feel better and them to relax.

"Come on, let's get some ramen and enjoy the day. We can check on Hinata later too." Kira nodded feeling her heart pound. She really wanted to check on Hinata and see how she was doing. Training could be later.

The two walked to Ichiraku's, they're arms linked together. Naruto was talking about how his new instructor had helped him walk on water.

"What are you going to do with your fight? You're fighting Sakura, aren't you?" Kira nodded letting out a sigh. She really didn't want to fight Sakura, the two of them were finally starting to get along. If she beat Sakura that could ruin her friendship, but she wasn't just about to let Sakura win.

"I guess I'll just hope for the best." At Ichiraku's Naruto ordered for Kira. Not that she minded, she knew Naruto knew what the best ramen here was. "You'll either fight Sasuke or Gaara. I'm sure you'd be excited to fight either after you beat Neji."

Naruto smirked she knew him so well. "Obviously. And there's no way that Gaara could beat Sasuke." Kira shrugged her shoulders. There was always the possibility that Gaara could beat Sasuke, Gaara was very strong.

The food came out and Naruto was quick to start eating. "When we're at the hospital do you want to visit Sasuke?" Kira glanced at Naruto confused. He was staring at his bowl of noodles, an agitated look in his blue eyes.

"I guess we can. I was hoping we could check out Lee while we were there." Naruto nodded.

'I guess today is a good day for her to see Sasuke. She'll be training and won't have the time to see anyone. Why does every girl like Sasuke?'

She gave her best friend a strange look. "Naruto. You're the one who brought Sasuke up. I would have been fine just seeing Hinata and Lee."

"Yeah but I know you want to see him." She gave him another strange look. "Naruto. I don't have a crush on Sasuke." She groaned. Was it so hard to believe that she didn't like Sasuke Uchiha? He was a pain in the neck and got on her nerves.

"Come on Kira, everyone likes Sasuke. You don't have to lie about it."

"I don't like Sasuke! I like someone else!" Naruto stared at her confused. A red blush formed across her face when she looked away. "Besides it doesn't matter who I like, why are you suddenly thinking about who I like?"

"Because you're acting strange and it probably has to do with..." Kira gave him a look telling him to shut up. The cool blizzard feeling ran through her stomach again.

"Naruto. I. Do. Not. Like. Sasuke. I don't know who I like anymore." She gave her best hard stare. Naruto could be so dense sometimes. "Sasuke is my friend. That is all. Sakura likes Sasuke. Ino likes Sasuke. Heck I think even Shikamaru likes Sasuke! But I don't like Sasuke." She didn't know how many times she had to tell him. She was not interested in being with someone like Sasuke.

Naruto chuckled to himself "Shikamaru likes Sasuke? How would you know that?"

"I don't know Naru, every time I see those two together he acts weird...Then that time when we were getting our teams I swear I saw him freaking out like the other girls."

Naruto started to crack up doubling over so that his face was almost in his bowl. Kira sighed with relief glad to know Naruto was back to somewhat normal.

"I see it!" He cried out laughing loudly. It took Naruto maybe a five minutes to calm himself down, there was still a few giggles though.

"So, you'll be training with this ultra-mega perv?" Kira asked pulling some noodles to her mouth. She wondered who he was talking about. Ebisu was a huge perv according to Naruto, she wondered who this other guy could be.

"Yeah he fell for my Sexy no Jutsu and got really weird about it." Kira laughed looking away. All the adult males ended up falling for Naruto's sexy jutsu. It was hilarious to see their reactions. "We aren't gonna be able to hang out like this for a while, are we?"

"Probably not, but after the third exam we'll have a sleepover and eat all sorts of Ramen and junk food." She promised, she knew it would be a while till everything calmed down again. "And I promise after this is test is over, I can tell you what's happening to me because I have no clue right now." Naruto nodded glad she still wanted to let him know.

"Alright, now do you want seconds?" He nodded towards his bowel of empty ramen. A mischievous grin on his face. If this was going to be the last time they could hang out for a while he'd make the best of it!