Weak Chuunin, Train.

After our first mission, Hinako threw a "Congratulations on entering Konoha and a Christmas" party, although there was no red in it. I met a bunch of new people. I met Uzumaki Naruto (offically) this time, Izuka Kiba, Abarame Shino Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Chouji. I really didn't like any of them (except for maybe Shino. He had cool shades.) but Hinata, Lee, TenTen, Shikamaru, and Neji were all there. I didn't really talk to Neji that much. He didn't seem to speak with anyone besides Hinako. The party didn't cheer me up much though. This was my first mission in my entire life. (The Village of the Sky didn't do missions, because we didn't want anyone to know where we lived.) I boasted so much about being a Chuunin, when some of these Genin were way better than me. My village was so inexperienced! We were nothing compared to these Konoha ninja. While I was sulking, I heard someone bring up the topic of the Chuunin Exam.

"Did you hear? The Chuunin Exam is coming up, after Christmas soon."

"Oh, really? Its been a long time since I've been in that."

"Even though all those people entered, only Shikamaru was made Chuunin."

"Yeah, Lucky bas-"

"I wonder if the sound ninja will attack again this year."

I began to pay more attention. Chuunin Exam? Their's must be harder than mine, but I wonder if I'll make it. Then I heard Lee ask, "Do you know if the Sand will be participating this year?"

I looked up, "Sand? You mean, Gaara will be coming here?"

"They were here last year, so they might come again. I'm sure they've been training hard."

"Please, Lee-san, tell me all about last year's Chuunin Exam. What was it like?"

"Well, the first test, was a written test, and you had to cheat without getting caught. That one was easy, and then there was a survival test in the Forest of Death. We had to bring two scrolls to a tower on the other side of the forest and we only had five days. I heard the Sand team, finished in only 97 minutes. Then, since we had too many people left, we had one-on-one preliminary matches."

"Who fought Gaara?"

He smiled. "I did! Although, I did lose."

That was surprising. Lee was the best taijutsu user I knew, and he lost against Gaara. I never knew Gaara was that strong. If Gaara was going to particapate this year, and we got paired up, what would happen? There was no way I could use the Twin Dragon Swords against him. I needed to train.

"Lee-san."

"Yes?"

"Train me."

"What?"

"Train me. Teach me everything you know. I must get stronger."

"um...alright, but I've got missions to do, and you'd have to ask Gai-sensei."

"That's fine. I only need a little a day."

Kiba stepped in. "Do you really think you can get stronger in such a short time, with only doing a little bit a day?"

I smirked. "I'm a fast learner."

"Whatever, but I doubt that you'll get any better."

"Oh, really? How about we make a bet?"

"Sure."

"If we happen to meet during the Chuunin Exam, I will fight you. If I win, you have to respect me more and do whatever I say."

"And if I win, you have to admit that I'm better than you, and you have to do whatever I say. Deal?"

I shook his hand. "Deal."

I then walked off to go find Gai-sensei. I needed as much training as I could. It was true, that such little training wasn't enough, but I'd have to make do. Maybe Hinako would let me use the Dragon of Time? Of course, she would want something in return, but what? I found Gai-sensei talking with a bunch of other Jounin and I asked him for training. I told him about the bet and everything.

"Well," he said. "In the spirit of rivalry, I SHALL TRAIN YOU with Lee!"

"I didn't need such a spirited answer, but alright. I need to get as much training as possible, oh, and I was hoping you

could train someone else, with me."

"Who?"