Only three more chapters to go! I would like to take the time to thank you if you have read this far. I know my story isn't amazing but you have kept on reading. Either you like it or you have no life (maybe your like me and it's both) but it doesn't matter. You are still reading. Thanks! Enjoy.
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Chapter 12

Reiko ran through a destroyed building with Gaara close behind. What can these guys want? First the hidden Ash Village and now the Sand? No! Now's not the time. Right now I need to focus on the fight. Kick ass first, ask questions later!

"Reiko"

She looked behind to see Gaara. "Yes"

"Don't go running off. I want you to stick with me for this fight. I don't want anything happening to you.

Rei stopped running. "Oh please! Gaara I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I don't need to be watched over like a small child. I eat small children!

"Rei I'm not going to let your get hurt because of me. Not again.

"Not this again!" she began running again. "Gaara this is completely different. And how many times do I need to tell you it wasn't your fault. I could have left at anytime but I chose to stay. Why do you worry about me so much? She jumped up onto a set of stairs and continued onto the roof of a building "These guys are weak. I would like to see them try and kill me! They don't stand a ch- Ooh Shit!" Rei jumped onto the next roof but lost her balance as she landed causing her to fall backwards towards the alley below them. Gaara quickly shot out sand and grabbed her before she could hit the ground.

"Don't get cocky. You will end up dead."

"Alright. I'm sorry. I get it. I need to be a little more careful." Gaara set her gently back on the roof. "Thanks" She mumbled as she dusted sand off her clothing.

"Stay with me"

Rei rolled her eyes. "Alright. What ever! I guess someone has to keep an eye on you"

"Thank you. And by the way, we're even again."

"No way! That fall wouldn't have killed me!"

"Doesn't matter. I still saved you"

"What ever. Are we just going to stand here and talk while the rest of your village fights or shall we go?"

"Yeah lets go"

"Alright then," she replied, "just try and keep up" she winked before dashing off towards the Gate.

Everything was quiet when the two shinobi reached the south gate.

"Gaara, where is everyone?"

"All the citizens must have evacuated from this area already. Most of the sand-nin are all at the first gate. We need to be careful, this might be a trap."

"Gotcha"

The two continued on with caution to the gate. There was still no sign of the enemy. All of a sudden a woman screamed.

"Help! Someone please help!"

The shinobi turned towards the sound.

"What was that?" asked Rei "Let's go check it out" Rei ran towards the direction of the voice.

"Wait Rei! It could be a trap!" He sprinted after her.

Rei arrived at the house that the yelling had come fro. As she approached the front door the screaming stopped. Gaara ran up behind her.

"Reiko! Are you insane?" he hissed, trying to keep his voice down. "This is probably a trap."

"I know, but if there is someone in there, it's our job to help them."

"Alright, just be careful"

Rei nodded her head and slowly reached for the door. She pushed it open. Gaara stood behind her, tense, ready to shield the both of them if needed. They both walked in and looked around. They headed further into the house but there was no sign of anyone.

"Rei, I don't like this. We need to go"

"Yeah, your right. I have a bad feeling about this."

The two shinobi turned and headed for the door. Out of nowhere the door slammed shut. An illusion was broken, revealing paper bombs lining the walls. They crackled as they started to burn. Gaara reached out and pulled Rei tight against him, as he threw up a wall of sand. The bombs went off, blasting pieces of the wall into the alley next to the house. Gaara still held Rei close to him. Before the dust from the explosion cleared, another one went of from behind them. Gaara quickly shot up sand, but wasn't fast enough. The sand protected them from most of the blast, but Rei was still torn out of Gaara's arms as the blast send them flying into the ally. Reiko yelled in pain as she hit the wall of an adjacent building and landed in a pile of ruble. Gaara was likewise thrown into a wall, knocking the wind out of him.

"Gaara! Gaara are you alright?" she coughed as she tried to climb out of the rubble.

"I'm fine. Are you alright?"

"I… I'm fine" she replied as she dug herself out of the pile of wall fragments. Gaara managed to climb over to her and pulled her up. She stumbled into his arms as she tripped. She could feel small drops of blood on her back where the still healing scab had cracked and started to bleed

"Rei? Whats wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied. "Damn ruble. I tripped."

Come on," he said as he tightly grabbed her wrist. H pulled her away from the pile of debris. "Let's get out of here now"

That plan didn't work because as soon as the smoke and dust cleared, Rei and Gaara found themselves completely surrounded.

"Aww, shit…" cursed Rei

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How will they get out of this mess? Keep reading to find out! I have said it 11 times already and I will say it again; please let me know what you think!
~Reiko