I'm on a roll with this story. I hope you guys are enjoying it. Anyways I'll let you get to the what you really want to read.

Disclaimer: I don't really own Naruto...I just wish I did

Ch. 4: The End of the Chunin Exams

Kaoru relaxed the best she could. They had been trying to train for the preliminary exams. Everyone was concentrating on the one called Sasuke Uchiha. Kaoru could feel something different about him but she wasn't sure what it was. She had a feeling it had something to do with his left shoulder because he kept grabbing it. Kaoru shook her head. That boy had serious emotional issues. He was always angry for one reason or another. She didn't know what was going on with him but she did know he believed he had reason to keep everyone at a distance.

Sakura was really worried about him. She spoke to Kaoru about it. The medic sat there for a moment and considered what to do. She told Sakura that she would try to talk to him but she wasn't going to make any garuntees that he would listen. Sakura nodded then started trying to convince him to quit but he wasn't going to. The argument would have continued but then Kabuto decided to quit. Kaoru's crimson eyes followed his movements. There was something about him. He wasn't feeling what he showed everyone. That wouldn't have been so unusual except he did it all the time. His reasons were also very complicated and involved. It took her quite sometime to sort through his emotions and the reasons behind them. Kabuto left and the argument between Sasuke and Sakura continued. Sakura was on the losing end..

Kaoru walked up with Gaara and them. She briefly wondered if she should back out but she decided against it. The medic figured she's made it this far so she might as well finish it. Kaoru found the whole thing fascinating and terrifying. Sasuke won her fight of course. But something happened. He developed marks on his body and she could feel his emotions boiling over. Then her match came and it was with one of the sound ninja. Kaoru gulped. This wasn't her thing and she was deathly afraid she would let her team down.

The two met in the arena. Temari looked over at Kankuro, "Do you think she'll be alright? She's only been training for this sort of thing for about a year."

Baki decided to answer this, "As far as skill goes she'll be fine. Remember she's had medical ninjutsu training and that can be used in offensive and defensive. However it's not her skill that worries me."

"What does worry you then?" Kankuro asked.

"Her temperament. Kaoru isn't a fighter. She's told us that countless times and it's the truth. I'm worried that she won't give it her all and that will make her fail. She has the skill just not the desire."

They watched their teammate in the ring and worried. Well, except Gaara. He knew that she would try. She may not like fighting but Kaoru didn't like to disappoint people either. She knew if she lost they would be very disappointed.

Kaoru looked at her opponent. It was a girl about a year older than she was. The sound nin smirked at her, "Well this will be a quick battle. And here I was hoping for a challenge."

Kaoru didn't respond. It was a waste of breath and time to bother. She got into a fighting stance and waited. The proctor told them to begin. The sound nin moved first. Kaoru just barely managed to dodge the attack but then the sound nin appeared right in front of Kaoru and punched her hard. She just barely had time to land on her feet and crouch so she wouldn't fall backwards. The force behind the blow caused her to slid backwards a few feet. 'What the hell?' she demanded to herself. 'How did she get there?' Her opponent attacked again. This time Kaoru dodged then hit the girl but her hand went right through her. The girl smirked then vanished. She reappeared behind Kaoru and attacked. Kaoru barely dodged and put plenty of distance between her and the sound nin. When she looked back she frowned. There were two sound nins now.

Both were smirking and they spoke together, "Do you like my ability? I manipulate the sound waves so that you think there's another me. It's not exactly a clone because it's your imagination. Did you know that part of you sight is based on sound. Well my double is tricking your brain into seeing two of me."

Kaoru smiled as that answered all her questions. This was why she never told anyone about her abilities. Once you understand a strategy or power you could counter it. Kaoru got back into a fighting stance but this time she closed her eyes. In fact, she turned off all her senses but one. Her kekkei genkai was her sight right now. Every emotion in the room filtered through her until she found the one she sought. Her opponent was feeling smug because she was so sure she had outsmarted Kaoru. Kaoru focused on her emotions. When she was sure she was locked onto the sound nin her crimson eyes snapped open.

The girls attacked. Kaoru dodged the real one and then hit her. The girl went flying across the battle arena. Kaoru went after her performing some hand signs on her way. The medic reappeared right behind her. The sound nin tried to dodge but when she jumped Kaoru touched just one spot on her leg. Then stood aside. The girl landed then collapsed.

"My leg. I can't stand. What did you do to me?" she shouted at Kaoru.

Kaoru just smiled. The proctor looked at the girl sitting on the ground, "Are you still able to fight?"

"No. I can't even stand anymore."

"Then the winner is Kaoru Tsukino."

"Now will you tell me how you did it?" the sound nin asked.

"I'm from the Tsukino clan in Suna."

"That's suppose to mean something?"

"My clan has it's own kekkei genkai. We have magical empathy," Kaoru said with a smile. "A figment of my imagination can't have feelings so I could tell which one was real. As for your leg. I'm a medical nin."

Kaoru turned and started to walk away but then stopped. Mentally she cursed her conscious as she turned back around and knelt beside the sound nin. Placing her hands on the injured leg she summoned her healing chakra. After a moment the girl could stand again. This time Kaoru didn't even look back as she headed back to her team.

"That was a very good job, Kaoru," Temari said.

"I didn't know you had it in you," Kankuro commented.

Kaoru smiled, "I didn't either. For a moment I was afraid I couldn't win but she handed me the key on a silver platter."

Gaara watched them. Kaoru was always happy when she managed to do something right. She lived to make those who mattered to her smile. And as the sound nin found out, it was always a mistake to underestimate her. All in all their team was doing well. Temari, Kankuro, and Kaoru all won their fights. There were only two people left to fight. Gaara and a boy from the leaf village named Rock Lee. They both met in the ring. At first, Gaara started out just fine. Which is just what they had expected him to do.

"Be careful, Gaara. This ones different," Kaoru whispered.

The fight was still going. Then the boy had removed some weights on his legs. Suddenly he could move at the speed of light. Gaara just barely managed to block the attacks but Rock Lee managed to get in several blows. Then Rock Lee kicked him into the air and then they spiraled down to the ground. Kaoru was deathly afraid Gaara hadn't survived. Then they found out that the thing that Lee had attacked had been a sand clone. The real Gaara showed up and began to attack the poor leaf genin mercilessly. Kaoru winced in pain for Rock Lee. Then suddenly the boy smiled. Kaoru's eyes widened. He was still so sure he could win because he still had a trump card. Rock Lee began to use it. After it became obvious that Gaara wouldn't be able to defend himself, Kaoru whispered in fear, "Gaara."

When Rock Lee slammed Gaara into the ground the sand nin used the gourd on his back to cushion his fall. Then Gaara went after Lee with his sand breaking his arm and leg. He was about to use the sand coffin and kill the poor boy. The fear that Kaoru felt for Gaara changed the minute she felt his murderous intent.

"Don't do it, Gaara!!!" Kaoru shouted.

Guy jumped in and stopped it. Everyone believed that Guy had been the one to stop the attack. Only Guy and Gaara knew that it hadn't been Guy that stopped Gaara's attack. Guy had felt that the attack wouldn't have harmed Lee. It had slowed and had begun to pull back by the time he had stepped in. Gaara looked up at Kaoru. Her voice had reached him when nothing else had. She had been the one that had stopped the attack seconds before Guy showed up. Why? What made her voice penetrate his mind? His sea green eyes focused on Guy. And why did he want to protect the leaf genin. He had lost. Shouldn't the jonin just let him suffer the consequenses.

Kaoru sensed his confusion. Gaara didn't understand why Guy wanted to protect Lee. Lee had lost so Guy should have let him die. The sand nin also didn't understand something else but for some reason Kaoru couldn't tell the reason. That meant it was directed towards her. She wondered what it was.

After the preliminaries were over they all left to rest and train for the primary exam. Well Kaoru, Temari, and Kankuro all trained. Gaara didn't train for anything. A few days after they had returned home Kaoru was standing in the middle of Yuri's office. The head of the medical nins in Suna looked at Kaoru.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes. I'm positive."

"Alright then. Take the week off. Will you tell me what you're going to do with this vacation?"

"Personal thing. I made a promise and I need to keep it," Kaoru explained.

Kaoru left the hospital and wanted to take care of one last thing before she left to take care of business. She ran off for the Kazekage's tower. Decided it was probably best to avoid the Kage himself she jumped straight to the balcony attached to the room she wanted to be in. After knocking on the door it opened to reveal the red head that she had come here to see.

"Hey Gaara. I just came to say bye. I'm going on vacation for a few days. I have something that I need to take care of. I'll be back after I've finished it," Kaoru stated.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you want to tell me bye?" he asked.

Kaoru tilted her head, "Because I wanted to."

"But why?"

She smiled, "Because you matter and I didn't want to just leave. It's what you do when you care about someone."

"You don't care."

Now she was frowning. She stepped forward and did something few were brave enough to even think about. She hugged him. Gaara froze. He didn't know how to react or even if he should.

"Don't you dare think that. I care about you. I've always cared about you, Gaara. One day you'll believe me." She pulled back and smiled again, "I've got to go now."

"What do you need to take care of?"

"I made a promise to Sakura. I'm going to go keep it. I've never broken a promise and I don't intend to start now. See ya soon, my friend."

Gaara watched her walk away. See ya soon, my friend. She had called him her friend. I'm your friend and I always will be. He remembered that promise Kaoru had made all those years ago. They had been five but Kaoru showed him everyday that she hadn't forgotten. He shook his head to get rid of the thoughts. What was the point? She didn't care.

----With Sasuke and Kakashi----

It was a few days later when Kaoru arrived in the area that Kakashi and Sasuke were training at. They looked at her with curiosity. She smiled and walked up to them with her hands up to show she didn't want to fight. Her tone was hesitant when she spoke, "I need to speak with Sasuke. If that's alright."

Kakashi nodded. Kaoru had proven to be a decent person. He didn't think she would do anything underhanded and even if she did Sasuke could take care of himself. Kakashi left to let them talk about whatever it was she came here for. She sat down on the ground and motioned for Sasuke to do the same. Sasuke was just curious enough to cooperate. Kaoru smiled.

"I wanted to ask you what you plan to do," Kaoru asked him.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you intend to join Orochimaru like everyone fears or are you going to stay like you know you should?"

His eyes closed off, "That's not any of your business."

"You're right."

His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected her to agree with him. Curiosity had him asking, "So why are you asking?"

"Because I promised I would," she responded.

"What difference does it make whether I choose to stay or leave?"

"If you really have to ask that then you are an idiot."

"Answer me anyway."

There was a sad look in her eyes when she answered, "Because it'll affect more than just you. It'll affect everyone who cares about you. Every decision you make affects anyone that cares about you even a little bit."

He looked away. She knew then that he was really considering the decision to join Orochimaru. She stood up and turned to begin to leave, "Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you know what makes a person strong?"

"Power and the ability to block emotions."

"No, that's not what the right answer."

"What is then?" he said with a smirk. He thought he knew what her answer was. It probably something along the lines of love and friendship. That's what everyone else kept telling him.

Kaoru gave him a small smile, "Maybe I'll tell you one day but you're not listening right now. I'll see you later Sasuke Uchiha. Take care."

With that she left. Sasuke remained where he was staring at nothing. She had been trying to tell him something. He wondered what it was. Part of him knew it was important to his decision. Do you know what makes a person strong? She had thought he was wrong and that he wasn't listening. She was probably right. Would he be sitting here thinking about it if she had just told him? Of course he wouldn't be. Sasuke stood up to continue his training and thing about that question. Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you know what makes a person strong?

----Back at Konoha---

They had arrived for the primary battles. Everyone was very excited about it. Kaoru spent the first day back in Konoha with Sakura. The two of them talked about how their break had gone. Kaoru chose not to tell Sakura about her conversation with Sasuke. For the moment she didn't think Sakura needed to worry about it.

They all watched the first few battles. Naruto fought with Neji and had won. It was a big deal. Neji had spent his entire life believing in destiny and here came Naruto to throw a monkey wrench into his theory. That didn't surprise Kaoru. Naruto had that affect on everyone he met. Then Temari fought with that Shikamaru guy and they called it a draw. It was interesting seeing someone that was able to out wit Temari.

Then the fight between Gaara and Sasuke started. Gaara wasn't doing so well. Sasuke managed to get into the shield of sand that Gaara had surrounded himself with. Kaoru felt a large wave a pain and confusion coming from the sand ball. She could have sworn that she heard him scream in pain.

"Gaara," she whispered in fear.

The sand melted away. Then all hell broke loose. There were explosions and shouts. Someone performed a genjutsu to put everyone to sleep. The jonin and chunin used their power to keep from falling pray to it. Kaoru looked around in confusion. What in the world was going on? She looked over at the rest of her team and then saw it. They knew what was going on. How come nobody had warned her that something was going to happen?

"What is going on you guys," she asked her team.

"We're attacking Konoha," Baki responded.

Kaoru's eyes widened in surprise, "What?! I feel I've been denied needful and valueable information."

"We're sorry Kaoru. The Kazekage ordered us not to tell you because you would have warned them," Temari said.

"He was right. This is wrong you guys. They haven't done anything to us. Why in the hell would you want to do this?"

They didn't get a chance to answer because Gaara made a sound as if he were in great pain. Kaoru looked back down at the arena and ran down to Gaara. Something was seriously wrong with him. She placed a hand on his arm and then he pushed her away. She hid the hurt. This wasn't the first time he had pushed her away but this time she wasn't a five year old girl. This time she was a 12 year old trained medical nin. Gaara was hurt and needed treatment but first they had to get him out of there. Then she could clobber her team for keeping a very important secret from her. For now however there was no time for feeling hurt because he was still pushing her away.

Kankuro picked Gaara up and they all ran except for Baki. He stayed behind to keep anyone from following them. After a while Sasuke Uchiha caught up to them. Gaara had woken up. The two started fighting. Just when it looked like Sasuke was about to die Naruto and Sakura showed up and saved him. That started the fight between Gaara and Naruto.

Kaoru jumped over to where Sasuke stood, "Do you see it?"

"See what?"

"The answer."

Sasuke looked back to the fight. He considered what she said. Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you know what makes a person strong? Naruto's strength just seem to have grown five times what it was originally. Sasuke looked back at Kaoru.

"I think I see it but tell me anyway."

She looked at him in consideration then said, "It's your friends and family. When people are protecting someone important to them they become infinitely strong. That is human nature. If you want more strength then hold on tight to those that matter. They'll be your source of power when it matters most."

The two boys that had been fighting were falling. Kaoru's crimson gaze followed Gaara's path to make sure nothing would give him more than a bruise. Sasuke ran and caught Sakura before she fell. Both of them ran to their friends when they hit the ground. Both of them heard every word said between Gaara and Naruto. Karou felt pain in her heart for the two misfits.

"No one should have to know what it feels like to be hated for something beyond their control," Kaoru whispered to no one in particular.

Sasuke couldn't help but agree with her. He'd never realized just how much Naruto had been suffering before. Knowing this explained a lot about the knucklehead's personality. He glanced over and Kaoru and saw she was crying. She rushed out to Gaara's side.

"You stupid idiot. Do you realize how scared I was?" she whispered.

Every decision you make affects those that care about you. He shook his head. Why the hell was he thinking about this? It wasn't important. Koaru looked up at Sasuke with tear filled crimson eyes. He knew then what she had meant. If it hurt you then it hurt those that cared even if they never receive a scratch because you were hurt.

Temari and Kankuro jumped down to defend Gaara and Kaoru but Gaara didn't want them to, "That's enough. It's over."

"But Gaara," Kankuro started. After a moment he changed whatever it was he was going to say to, "Alright, Gaara."

The four of them headed back to Suna. Just before Gaara passed out he apologized to Temari and Kankuro. The three other sand nins exchanged looks. None of them was sure what to make of the apology from Gaara.

They arrived in Suna a few hours later. Kankuro took Gaara straight to the hospital because Kaoru threatened him within an inch of his life if he didn't. That's were they ran into a problem. None of the medical nin would help Gaara. That pissed Kaoru off. She asked for Yuri but her teacher was in surgery and couldn't be spared right then. So Kaoru demanded a room a bed and everything she would need to treat Gaara herself. Temari and Kankuro both backed away from her. The other medics had done the impossible. They had managed to piss Kaoru off. Several of the hospital workers received bruises for daring to argue with their angry friend.

After a few hours later Gaara was settled in a hospital room. Kaoru had healed every single one of his injuries. Gaara slept through all of it. Kankuro made Kaoru sit down on the edge of the bed, "Rest Kaoru. You've done enough. He'll be fine now."

Kaoru said sleepily, "I know. Don't let anyone else in the room, Kankuro. I don't trust them near Gaara."

"Alright. We'll see to it. Now go to sleep."

Kaoru laid down on the bed beside Gaara and obeyed Kankuro's orders and fell fast asleep. Her last thoughts were of Gaara. She hoped that she had taken care of all his injuries.

Alright that's it. Now believe it or not you're not finished yt. You still have to reveiw and tell me you like it or give me some constructive criticism. Even better both.