Welcome back, nothing really new or important to say except that this will be the last chapter of the prelims, I think more than 3 chapters would lose its edge.

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The following fights after Naruto's and Zaiaku's consisted of Neji disabling poor Chouji in one jyuuken attack, and all the other gennin praying that the didnt have to fight the remaining member of team oni. Finally one name popped on the board that several people in the arena were waiting on for some time.

Uchiha Sasuke vs. Zaku

As Sasuke made his way down to the floor with his patented sneer, Zaku was shaking violently, "I...forfeit."

"What?" chorused several gennin.

"Sasuke," interjected Gaara, "is the person that broke his arms, would you want to fight someone like that again?"

"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke."

A smug looking Sasuke ascended the stairs looking particularly pleased with himself, "Don't get too cocky Sasuke," said Naruto, "that doesn't happen often."

"Che, I could still take you dobe," he replied, "You always were dead last."

"Oh?" chimed in Hakumei, "let's give it a go then shall we?"

Naruto reached down and ran a hand over the kitsune's head, "Anytime bastard," he added as he gripped his sword.

"SASUKE!" shouted Kakashi

"Naruto," scolded Zabuza, "get a grip."

Zaiaku was glaring, "One day Sasuke," he said, "That smart mouth of yours is going to pick a fight that your body can't handle."

After a moment Sasuke walked away scowling, Sakura meanwhile was slightly irked, "You three seem to like everyone but Sasuke-kun, why?"

"Sakura-san, remember what I told you in the forest about strong people that think they have to prey on the weak?" the pink haired girl nodded, "Most start out like Sasuke-kun."

"They," added Gaara, "Get everything handed to them because they're strong, then in the end they think everything is owed to them in some twisted way."

"People can change," replied Kakashi

Naruto glared at him, "Not if they don't want to." Then he looked at the board, "Your turn," he paused and smirked at his friend, "Gaara."

Sabaku no Gaara vs. Rock Lee

inside the readheads mind his demon was squealing in glee, 'REMATCH! I'm going rip him apart this time!'

'We're not killing him,' replied Gaara, 'there will be an attack soon, we will have to kill then.'

'fine,' Shukaku pouted, 'We're still gonna win though right?'

Gaara only smirked in reply. Looking over he eyed Kankuro and Temari as he unfastened his mask, "We will discuss matters once this match is concluded," his siblings nodded.

"YOSH!" cried Lee as he pointed a finger at Gaara, "I will beat you! Then go to the finals and defeat Naruto-kun!"

"We shall see," replied Gaara as he vanished in a swirl of sand and reappeared on the floor, "Come, Let's begin."

Leaping to the floor Lee went into his taijutsu stance, both teens awaiting the call from Hayate. "Gaara vs. Rock Lee, HAJIME!"

Immediately Lee charged and like clockwork lept into the air and called out, "Konoha Senpu!" (leaf whirlwind) his foot slammed into Gaara's sand harmlessly. Not detered he continued his attack, throwing combination punches and kicks, with nothing penetrating the sheild of sand.

"Lee-san's fast attacks aren't breaking through?" questioned Sakura

Zabuza shook his head, "Nothing gets through that boys defenses."

On the floor Gaara was preparing for his attack, extending his hand the sand charged forward at the green clad gennin. Lee was dodging left and right avoiding the sand to the best of his abilities until he felt something grab his ankle and fling him horizontally into the wall. Recomposing himself Lee attempted to land a hard punch, only to have it simultaniously blocked and counter attacked, as a huge fist of sand slammed into his abdomen.

"Attack and defense?" questioned Kurenai, "I thought you said he was a defensive master?"

"Sometimes," interjected Sarutobi, "The best defense is a good offense."

Gai, meanwhile, was smiling widely as Lee vaulted himself a good ways away and landed on the statue in the front of the arena, "LEE!" he cried, "Take them off!"

Lee was beaming as he removed his weights, "Hai!"

Gaara was looking up in anticipation, "Well, if you are going to become serious," he paused and slammed his hands together, "Then so will I!" pressing his palms down on the hard tile he focused his chakra into his sand and called out, "Sabaku Nadare!" (Desert Avalanche) A low rumbling was heard, then a large burst of sand flew into the room via the entrance door.

"Show off!" cried Naruto as the sand covered the floor.

All the gennin were floored, "Where did he collect all that sand from?" questioned Shikamaru

"He's been compressing the soil in the ground outside since we got here," replied Zaiaku, "Then it was just a matter of calling it."

"Gaara," stammered Kankuro

Temari was also in shock, "He was never this strong."

"That Lee child," said Hakumei lazily with his eyes still closed, "Should be careful, Gaara is the one least likely to take the long way through to a situation's end."

"W-what do you m-mean?" questioned Hinata

Opening one eye the black fox grinned, "He will not entertain anyone's illusions of grandure, he will break that boy entirely."

"Lee," replied Gai, "Will not be broken."

Hakumei lifted his head fully and glared, "Then he will be dead."

'That Lee kid doesn't stand a chance,' barked Kyuubi, 'Gaara and Shukaku are going to crush him.'

'He's right,' added Zaiaku mentally as he glanced over to Naruto and noticed his worried expression, 'But is Gaara going to get THAT serious?'

'That green boy seems to be a bit overzealous, little one,' replied Shiva, 'he may attempt to do something drastic if the match is not going in his favor.'

Gaara was focusing on his task at hand while addressing his inner demon, 'Shukaku, we will not let this go to the extent it did previously.'

'If we don't kill him that might be a bit difficult, but we can try,' replied the demon

As Lee allowed his weights to drop to the floor Zaiaku and Zabuza along with most of the rookies were sitting in amazement, "Well," started Zabuza, "Gaara might be in a bit of trouble."

On the floor Lee had begun full blown assault, and once again the sand was reacting too slow, 'damnit he's faster this time,' thought Gaara as one of the green beasts punches grazed his ear. After several more blows were blocked Lee vanished and began flipping down on the sand nin, as his foot neared Gaara's head it was stopped abruptly by something hard. Glancing down the green beast took in the objects appearance, a short bo-staff with a three foot blade on the end. "Sabaku no Naginata!" (Halberd of the Desert) called out Gaara as he threw off Lee's attacking appendage.

"Hm," started Zaiaku, "At least its sharper than Tonfa."

Lee was perplexed, 'how can sand be so hard?' Resigning himself he stood up straight and began untwisting his bandages, "The only way to beat him is an attack from above," dropping low he vanished and launched a kick to the redhead's mid-section.

Gaara brought his halberd up and parried Lee's kick with the back of it's blade, and in another fluid motion he pivoted his body and crashed the butt of the weapon into the back of the green beasts head. 'That won't be enough,' thought the redhead as he watched Lee stumble back and regain his posture, 'he's too resiliant.'

'We're going to have to disable him, it's unavoidable,' stated Shukaku

Sighing in resignation Gaara dissolved his weapon back into sand and dropped to one knee, forming the ram seal, "Gomen, Lee" he whispered. After a moment the sand surged forward at the taijutsu expert, Lee did his best to avoid the attack but was quickly being bounced around and lost his footing. Gaara reacted immediately and changed seals, "Sabaku Kangoku!" (Desert Prison) Lee was quickly bound at the hands and feet by what looked to be shackles of sand.

"He's got him," said Zabuza

Zaiaku nodded, "He needs to give up."

"Lee," replied Gai, "is a genius of hard work, and a taijutsu master that won't be beaten by anyone." Looking down he smiled and nodded to his favorite student.

Naruto saw this and reacted immdiately, "GAARA NOW!"

Gaara knew immediately what he was talking about, 'the gates,' "Lee please cease this and give up, I don't want to break you, but I will." The green clad gennin paid no heed and released the second gate. Gaara narrowed his eyes as he stood and extended his right hand, "Sabaku Kyuu!" (Desert Coffin) he called out as the sand reacted and coiled around Lee's body.

"What's Lee doing?" questioned Zaiaku with a raised brow

Naruto glared at Gai along with the other jounin that recognized what was happening, "He's opening the gates," he replied

As Lee attempted to release another gate, he found he couldn't call out the name. "I've been tightening my sand with every breath you've exhaled, in a moment you will pass out. I'm sorry for having to resort to this, but since you are intent on continuing in your madness I have no choice," stated Gaara as he squeezed his hand tighter.

"G..." slurred Lee as his vision became blurry, "G..gomen, G...Gai...-sensei." Finally the teen passed out, his head flopping down.

"Winner, Gaara," announced Hayate

Releasing his sand the redhead turned and forced the sand out of the building, "That," said Gaara as he reappeared next to Naruto and Zaiaku, "Was entirely too close."

Sarutobi approached the gathered team again, "I now have the sons of TWO kage I've granted asylum to, truely I am cursed, but the same applies to you Gaara as it does to Zaiaku." Then he turned to Gai, "I will speak to you after this to address the teaching of Kinjutsu to gennin."

"Oh," said Naruto as he pointed to the screen, "This should be a good one."

Hanuro Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino

"Good luck Sakura," said Kakashi

Zaiaku glanced in her direction and nodded, "Try your hardest Sakura-san."

The pink haired girl nodded and lept over the railing. Before the match could begin the doors burst open and a blonde haired woman ran in and dashed up to the balcony, "AH!" she cried, "Perfect timing."

"Tsunade-sama!" yelled Sakura, "You're late!" said woman smiled sheepishly

'Oh look,' growled Kyuubi, 'It's the old woman that pretends to be a young woman.'

Naruto nearly burst out in laughter at Kyuubi's comment, 'looks like she didn't leave this time.'

Zaiaku, meanwhile, was peering intently down at the arena, 'How strong do you think she is, Shiva-san?' he thought

'We didn't know Sakura-hime in her gennin days, this should prove educational, little one,' replied Shiva

Naruto turned to Sasuke, "aren't you going to cheer her on or anything?"

Sasuke grunted, "Ryo and I have saved her time and time again, but even she should be able to beat Ino. I won't be surprised if they knocked each other out though, they're both pretty pathetic."

That was it, Zaiaku lost it and launched a hard right cross directed at Sasuke's face. Before he made contact Naruto hooked his arm with his own, "Cool it."

Zaiaku was still glaring at the Uchiha, his eyes glowing, "You've got one more, then I'm going to tear you apart," he growled as he shrugged off Naruto.

Tsunade watched the whole exchange in amusement, 'That boy almost took Sasuke's head off,' then she grinned smugly, 'I like him.' Then she eyed the three boys she didn't recognize, "So you're the new team?"

Naruto nodded, "Uzumaki Naruto"

"Zaiaku"

"Gaara"

"Momochi Zabuza," added Team oni's sensei.

On the floor Sakura and Ino were squaring off, "Hanuro Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino, HAJIME!"

"Alright forehead girl, time to lose," barked Ino as she drew a kunai and charged.

Sakura dodged to the left and swung out with a hard kick, catching the blonde off guard and knocking her back several steps, "Not today ino-pig!" Launching herself forward she formed several seals and created two bushin that disappeared on contact but allowed her to land a hard punch to Ino's face, sending her skidding on the floor. As Ino recovered Sakura was glaring, "I'm going to beat you and show Sasuke-kun who's the strongest."

Ino wiped the blood from her mouth and smirked, "Dense as ever, forehead girl. You can have Sasuke, if you haven't figured out he's a prick yet then that's your fault." Then she shrugged, "Besides, those new guys are pretty damn cute."

'Well,' thought Tsunade, 'That's one, now if the other would wake up, we'd be in buisness.' Turning her head she noticed Zaiaku looking on intensely, 'wish I knew if he was watching Sakura or Ino like that,' she sighed, 'him watching Sakura would be too much to hope for.'

back on the floor Ino had resumed her offensive and managed to throw Sakura a good distance. Quickly she began sealing as the pink haired girl stood in a slight daze, "Shintenshin no Jutsu!" (Mind Body Switch Technique) Her body went limp as she entered Sakura's mind.

"That was fast," said Naruto

Asuma nodded, "She can do it almost instantaniously, it started out as a spying technique, but she's turned it into an effective attack."

"Now all she has to do is make Sakura give up," added Shikamaru smiling slightly

In Sakura's mind things weren't going so good for Ino, she was currently getting pummeled by Sakura's second personality. "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY MIND NOW INO!" cried the slightly more violent Sakura as she began choking Ino. Having no choice Ino released her jutsu. Taking advantage of the blonde's momentary vertigo, Sakura began sealing and charged. Slamming a knife hand into the back of Ino's head she called out, "Chuusuusei Biribiri!" (Central Nervous System Electrical Shock) then watched as the blonde crumpled to the ground, in what looked to be spasms.

After a minute Hayate stepped up and eyed Ino, "Winner, Hanuro Sakura"

Up on the balcony Zabuza let out a low whistle, "That was impressive."

"I agree," added Hakumei

"What did you expect?" interjected Tsunade, "She's my best student."

'Training with Oba-chan already?' thought Naruto. Glancing over he saw Zaiaku grinning like an idiot, "You seem happy."

Zaiaku ran his hand through his hair quickly, "Of course," he replied

As Sakura made her way up the stairs she beamend at Tsunade, the older woman returned the cheesy smile. Stepping up next to Kakashi she eagerly awaited praise from Sasuke, but none came.

Sensing her distress Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder, "You were amazing Sakura, really." She nodded sadly.

Zaiaku was fuming, "Sasuke," he hissed, said boy turned his head and glared, "That, was your last one."

The remaining two matches ended with Shikamaru knocking out Kin the sound nin and Shino jamming bugs into Kankuro's puppet completely disabling it.

Sarutobi took puff of his pipe, "Congradulations to those that have advanced to the finals, now if you will please take a number from the basket and call it out, then we will show you the tournament chart and reveal your first opponent."

The gennin lined up and each reached into the basket, Zaiaku was the first, "1"

Next was Naruto, "3"

"5" deadpanned Gaara

Shikamaru yawned, "4"

"7" stated Sakura

"9" said Shino

Sasuke smirked slightly and cast a glance over to Zaiaku, "2"

Temari cocked an eyebrow, "10"

"6" droned Neji

"8" chirped Hinata

"You," said Zabuza pointing to Dosu, "will fight the winner of the first match." Then he turned to address all the gennin, "The matches will be the following: Match 1: Zaiaku vs. Uchiha Sasuke, Match 2: Uzumaki Naruto vs. Nara Shikamaru, Match 3: Gaara vs. Hyuuga Neji, Match 4: Hanuro Sakura vs. Hyuuga Hinata, and Match 5: Aburame Shino vs. Temari." Then he folded up the tournament chart and continued, "You have one month before the finals to prepare yourselves, dismissed."

As team oni turned and began exiting a voice cut through to them, "Well my first match shouldn't be too hard," jibed Sasuke

Zaiaku only smirked and continued walking, 'Oh no Sasuke, it won't be too hard at all.'

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End Chapter 12: The Final Member

Read and Review, so...Gaara's naginata, love it? hate it? I don't expect it'll be a widely used thing.

Preview Chapter 13: Preperations