Chapter 6

Sasuke watched Akari from the upper level. She was beaming at Hayate who had just named her the winner. They seemed to know each other. Sakura lay a few feet away still unconscious. Sasuke was worried about her but could tell she would be okay. Then Akari was at her side. She got on her knees and slowly lifted Sakura into sitting position. She nudged his teammate trying to awaken her.

"Aww man! Sakura lost!" Naruto said glumly. "Akari sure was awesome though."

"Kakashi Sensei. What do you know about the Yoshida siblings?" Sasuke muttered.

Naruto seemed surprised by his question but seemed curious as well. He stared intently at their Sensei waiting for an answer. Kakashi turned his eyes away from the two girls below. He was quiet for a moment before answering.

"They graduated with Might Gai's squad so they've been genin for about a year. They ranked second, third, and fourth in their class. I believe Neji Hyuuga had the top spot. So far they've gone on 16 missions. 4 D rank, 2 C rank, 7 B rank, and 3 A rank. Word is they're very skilled in Ninjustu and Tiajutsu. They rarely ever lose. Can't really blame Sakura for not winning."

"7 B rank and 3 A!" Naruto exclaimed "But they're only genin!"

Sasuke was quite surprised as well. He glanced down at his childhood friend who was finally able to wake Sakura. She was certainly a lot tougher than before.

"Did they complete all 16?" He asked quietly.

"Hmm. I believe they failed 2. A back up team had to be sent out to replace them. It was a B rank and an A."

"Still! 14 completed missions!" Naruto whispered.

"Yes. Hayama as quiet proud of them."

Sasuke turned to his right. Akari's squad was watching their teammate casually. The boy was leaning on the railing grinning at his sister. The girl sat on the floor with her feet dangling over the edge. She had a small smile on her lips. He could tell they were twins. Besides their gender they looked exactly the same. He wondered just how good they were. They certainly didn't seem at all surprised that their little sister won. Their sensei even looked a bit bored.

Again he looked at Akari. She had really impressed him today. Actually he was a bit jealous. Could she be stronger than him? A sharp pain coursed through his neck. Instinctively he pressed a hand over it.

Akari helped Sakura up the steps. Slowly they made their way to the upper level. Akari glanced at the girl beside her nervously before speaking.

"No hard feelings okay?" She asked. "I knew you used the substitution jutsu which is why I risked using a fire technique. I wouldn't intentionally hurt you."

Sakura didn't answer so Akari continued.

"Listen cott…I mean Sakura. Im sorry about the way I've treated you. I just…hated the way you treated Naruto and um…well I kinda thought you were weak. Im really sorry! You're obviously a lot nicer to Naruto and he cares about you. Also you're not weak! I was wrong to think that."

The last part came out as barely a whisper. Thinking back on it Akari felt ashamed of herself. She shouldn't have judged Sakura so easily. The girl was obviously capable of changing. Akari should've given her a chance. Timidly she glanced at Sakura. She was staring at her stunned.

"Akari. Don't be sorry! I…I was weak. I was also shallow. I'm not surprised you didn't like me. But I'm getting better. The guys are making be better. I'm still not as strong as them but I'm hoping that one day I will be."

Sakura held out her hand and Akari gladly took it. Maybe being friend with Sakura wouldn't be too hard. They continued up the steps and Naruto met them at the top.

"That fight was awesome!" He exclaimed. "Congratulations Akari and don't worry Sakura you'll get her next time!"

"I plan too!" She grinned at Akari who grinned back.

"Whoa! Are you guy's friend now?" He asked in shock.

"We're getting there" Akari smiled.

They had now made it to Kakashi and Sasuke. The Uchiha was watching Akari with an expression she couldn't quite place. Kakashi gave her a polite nod and turned to his student. He pulled her aside probably to speak to her about the match. Akari watched them go then turned back to Sasuke. He was still staring at her. She smiled nervously at him but he didn't say anything.

"Um. Well I'll talk to you guys later" She muttered.

Before she got far she felt a hand on her elbow. Slowly she turned to face Sasuke.

"You um…you were pretty good out there." He whispered. Then he grinned at her causing her breath to catch.

"Thank you" She managed after a second.

Kakashi and Sakura returned from their talk. The older ninja raised an eyebrow at them. Sakura's eyes were flitting from Akari to Sasuke. Akari was confused until she realized Sasuke still had a hold of her elbow. Hastily she pulled away. No need to make Sakura upset anymore. The Uchiha frowned and let his hand fall. Naruto was watching them curiously.

"The second match will now be decided" Hayate's voice rang out.

The group turned to the screen. "Sasuke Uchiha" and "Yoroi Akado" appeared.

Sakura's gasped and looked with worry at Sasuke. He ignored her and began to walk down the stairs.

"Sasuke!" Akari called out.

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"Good luck"

"Thanks." He said curtly. Then he continued his decent.

Was he mad at her now? What had she done wrong! She nodded a brief goodbye to squad 7 then joined her sibling. They congratulated her on her win and she thanked them. Akari pulled herself up on the railing and sat facing the arena. She felt someone's gaze on her. She turned and saw Neji watching her. His squad was now standing beside Team 7. He had an odd look on his face but she couldn't quite place it. Then he mouthed "nicely done" and looked away. That Neji could be so weird sometimes. Maybe it had to do with Hinata being here. The girl and her squad stood on the other side of him closer to the stairs. She didn't know the details but she knew Neji had problems with his cousin.

Akari turned her attention back to Sasuke. Hayate had now given the signal to begin. The two ninja didn't hesitate and went at it. Sasuke was doing pretty well but he seemed tired. The man looked to be a tough contender. Moments into the fight Sasuke pinned his opponent. Naruto got excited but then Yoroi grabbed Sasuke's shirt. Sasuke looked panicked and slowly began loosening his grip. Yoroi lifted his fist up and brought it down on the boy. Then he leaped away. Seconds later he lunged at Sasuke and held his head down.

Akari couldn't tear her eyes away! She bit her lower lip and pulled out her kunai. Silently she twirled it while watching the match. She leaned in trying to get a closer look. Why did it seem like Sasuke was weakening? Then it happened. Her eyes shifted. Without thinking she closed them and held her head in between her hands.

"Akari! Are you okay?" Hayama asked with worry.

"Yeah I just…I have a headache." She mustered. "I need some air."

Quickly she got of the railing and rushed past Team 7 and Team Gai.

"Akari! Whats wrong?" She heard Lee calling behind her.

Ignoring him she made her way down the stairs. Then she was outside. She backed up against the wall and slowly slid down. Akari hugged her knees and placed her forehead on them. She sat like that for what seemed like eternity. Finally she composed herself and leaned her head back on the wall. She stared up at the sky.

So it had happened again. Not only that but she had followed Itachi's instructions without hesitation. Too bad he wasn't here to tell him about it like he asked her to. She felt a knot in her stomach at the thought. Would he even care about it anymore? She doubted it. Then why had she done as he said? Did a part of her still trust the murderous Uchiha? She shook her head and chided herself. Of Course not! It was just that she didn't know what else to do!

Once she felt ready she pulled herself off the ground. She patted herself clean then began making her way back. As she entered she saw Kakashi leading Sasuke away.

"Sasuke! Did you win?" She called out to him.

He turned surprised to see her. Kakashi stopped as well.

"Yes I did. I take it you missed the ending." He answered.

"Yeah sorry. I um got a headache. I'm sure you were great though." She said.

He nodded and let Kakashi lead him away again.

Akari made her way back to the main room. Shino was fighting one of the Sound ninja. She solemnly climbed the steps with her head down. If she hadn't had a stupid incident she wouldn't have missed Sasukes fight! He seemed a bit upset that she hadn't been there. If she had known it would've bothered him she would've toughed it out and stayed. But Sasuke was so reserved so how was she supposed to know what bothered him and what didn't!

"Umph!" Akari ran into something hard and rigid. Must be a wall.

"Watch were you're going" A harsh voice whispered. Oh! Not a wall!

"Im so sorry I wasn't…"

Akari was looking into the eyes of one of the Hidden Sand. He was staring daggers at her causing her to stop mid-sentence. It was the boy with the gourd on his back. His siblings stood behind him watching her with hostility. Jeez! Were all Hidden Sand ninja this scary looking? If so, she wouldn't be visiting there anytime soon. Wait! Weren't they on the upper level across from her before? She looked at her surroundings. Oh man! She had gone up the wrong side! Quickly she glanced at her siblings. They were on the other side watching warily with hands on their holsters. She realized how this must look to them. The Hidden Sand were still watching her in a hostile manner and they weren't sure whether they would attack her.

"Um again I'm sorry!" She's been saying that a lot today. "I'll make sure to watch where I'm going next time!"

"You might not survive the next time" The boy said menacingly.

Akari chuckled nervously then backed up slowly with her hands out in front of her. Once she reached the top step she turned on her heels and hastily retreated to the other side. Before she made it to her siblings Naruto stopped her.

"Hey! You okay? You rushed out earlier and now you look freaked!" He asked with genuine worry in his eyes.

Akari smiled warmly at him. Naruto Uzumaki was truly a great friend. She hugged him lightly to ease his worry.

"I'm fine. Just need some air." She assured him.

Then she pulled away and gave him a slight punch on the shoulder.

"Enough worrying about me and keep your head in the game Hero! Your match should be coming up soon!" She grinned at him.

"And I plan to win!" He was his normal self again.

Still smiling she left him and met her siblings.

"If those Sand ninja had tried anything we were ready to back you up!" Riko said angrily. Mizuko nodded in agreement.

"Thanks guys but there was no need. It was my fault for running into him! He sure is creepy though! Maybe if I get to know him he'll turn out to be a good guy." She tapped her chin in thought.

"You just agreed to him being creepy and yet you want to be friends with the guy!" Riko ran his hand through his hair exasperatedly.

"Why are you surprised?" Mizuko rolled her eyes.

Akari ignored them and turned to the fight. Shino had won. Probably used his bugs. Akari still remembered running into him in the forest as a kid and helping him find some. He was a weird guy but good at what he does. Akari's eyes wandered away from him and landed on the boy with the gourd. He looked bored and unimpressed. Then his eyes met hers. He glared at her but she tilted her head curiously and smiled. He blinked in surprise but then composed himself and looked away.

"Maybe" Akari whispered to herself.