Hey! I'm back! Here is chapter three! It's a long one. And so the plot thickens... not really. A huge thanks to everyone who read my story and reviewed. you guys make it all worth while. love you!

I own Naruto and all related characters... NOT!

Chapter 3

Gaara POV

The dawn of our departure to the land of fire had crept up so fast causing a sudden realization, in three days time my pupil, Matsuri, will be faced with the ultimate test of her potential as a shinobi of the sand. Her success in the Chunin exams also reflects my ability as a sensei, which is of great interest to the high authorities of our village. Many of them still retain a feeling of uncertainty towards my emotional stability. They all seem overly enthusiastic towards the thought of sending me away for over a month. A firm knock on my bedroom door broke my train of thought, but did not surprise me.

"Come on Gaara. I want to leave early." My older sister called through the stained oak door. As soon as her message was delivered she turned on her heels and made her way down the hall until her footsteps became inaudible. She knew me well enough by now to expect no answer in return. After fashioning my gourd to my back I snatched my forehead protector off my unexploited mattress where I had left it the night before. Tying it tightly around my thick belt strap proved to be more difficult than usual due to my numbed fingers. They were raw because I had spent the whole night on the roof in the chilled desert air. The few brief moments of fiddling allowed the light of early morning that was peering through the curtains to reflect off the polished metal and dance across the ceiling. In no rush, I made my way to the door and swung it open. A flood of light from the hallway washed over my previously dim quarters. There was nothing for the light to reveal however. The walls of my room were bare as well as the floor. The only piece of furniture I had was a bed, which was unnecessary. I do remember having a nightstand in the past holding a framed picture of my mother. I don't recall what happened to the nightstand, but I do remember the glass of the frame shattering as it collided hard with the wall and then being angrily thrown out the window all those years ago.

Matsuri POV

Headband… check, kuni… check. I touched each item after going over it on the list in my head. Jouhyou … check, whew, wasn't going to for get that again. With all my necessary items present and accounted for, I skipped out the door towards the front gate of Sunagakure. It was a lovely day. Maybe a little breezy for my taste, but still nice. When I finally reached my destination, I spotted my master standing perfectly still in the mouth of the village gate. He wore his signature blank expression causing me to infer that his mind was not at the gate but in other places. Temari and Kankuro flanked either side of him. I think they would follow him to the ends of the earth. Gaara always seemed to uphold an authoritive stature without even trying.

"Good morning, Gaara- sensei." His ocean eyes slowly glided through the white to meet mine.

"How are you feeling?" he said with his pupils seemingly burrowing deep into my very soul.

"Fine. I'm really nervous, but also excited!" It's true. I had never been to Konoha before and I was ecstatic at the opportunity to show the world what I had learned. However, this enthusiasm was mixed with feelings of uncertainty. Carrying the reputation of your home village on your shoulders is a heavy burden.

"Oh good, Matsuri you're here." Temari said sincerely. She motioned for me to follow her as she abandoned her post at her brother's side. She stopped a few feet away and I took my place at her side. She put a hand on my shoulder and said,

"Before we set off I think it would be wise for you to be introduced to the other nominees."

"That's probably a good idea." I said sarcastically. Luckily, Temari just smiled back and ushered me over to the other waiting kunoichi.

"This is Sari. Have you met before?"

"Sort of, back in the academy. I'm Matsuri if you don't remember." I said taking her hand.

"Oh sure! I remember you! You're that girl who fell down a lot." She said returning the hand shake. I frowned at the insult. "Kidding!" she said happily. "You were so adorable."

"Ummm… thanks?" she flashed a pearly smile confirming her willingness to befriend me. She was wearing her forehead protector as a bandanna around her head. She had a short black skirt very similar to my own except lacking the knee high boots underneath that I proudly sported.

"Aww man! You have got to be kidding me!" an upset voice complained from behind me. The last member of our group had made his appearance. I wiped around to see Yuudai standing with his arms crossed. His jet black hair was obviously over gelled due to its greasy appearance and lack of movement as he shook his head in disapproval. It was a sad attempt to mimic the natural spikes of say Kankuro or Gaara.

"Why am I stuck with these two chicks? We're gonna get creamed!" Temari rolled her eyes and said,

"This is the third member of your squad, Yuudai." She was obviously not too thrilled by his presence and neither was I. He was the main culprit of all my distress back before we were Genin. He was ever so persistent at mocking my fear of weapons and poor fighting skills. That was nothing compared to the onslaught of disrespect he threw at me once he found out who I had chosen as my teacher. Maybe a cracked jaw would finally shut him up. As I smiled evilly thinking about ways to get my revenge, I failed to notice Sari trot off to talk to her sensei, Temari, in private about Chunin exam matters. Suddenly, taking advantage of our alone time, Yuudai was up in my face.

"Hey listen, Matsuri. I don't want any of your screw ups, Got it? Honestly, I don't care what kind of freakish demon jutsu your creature taught you; just don't get in my way. I play to win. O.k.?" he said fearlessly. His body language was overflowing with hubris. He was so used to me cringing away from his threats as I did in our years as classmates that my next move really surprised him. I stood on my tiptoes to achieve the extra height I needed to bring my face mere inches from his. I was no longer the scared little girl I used to be and the rapid rush of confidence was caused by the one offense I simply couldn't take.

"His name is Gaara." I said fuming. "I'm not the little girl you could just push around anymore. I'm a shinobi now and you'd better watch your step!" The weight of my words didn't exactly register until the threat rolled off my tongue and into he ear drums where it sounded a lot tougher than I felt inside.

"You little bitch!" he said pushing me away. His forceful blow caused me to stumble but I shakily regained my balance. "I asked you nicely; now I'll have to teach you a lesson!" he balled his hands into fists and raised one to eye level. I was still a little wobbly from the initial attack, but I took my fighting stance. Ready for anything, I stared at his malevolently smiling face. Suddenly, his angry eyes grew wide and his fists swiftly dropped to his waist. Was my warrior posture really that intimidating? I doubt it. It was then that I noticed a presence behind me. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Gaara standing behind me with a stabbing glare directed towards Yuudai. I turned back to my aggressor to find him looking absolutely terrified. Gaara was inches shorter than him with a fraction of his muscle build, but Yuudai was no fool. He started turning pale and I loved every minute of it. Not so tough now, huh? I said in my head. Maybe he'll pee his pants… man that'd be great.

"Uhhh… see you later." He said in a barely audible voice. He didn't dare mouth off in front of Gaara. Smart boy. With that, he made like a scarred little puppy with its tail between its legs and scurried off to find Kankuro, his sensei. Beaming, I turned to Gaara who was still looking bitterly in Yuudai's direction. His gaze softened when his eyes fell to me.

"Let's go." He said blankly.

"Righty-o!" I said still a little too jazzed up about Yuudai's defeat. Gaara gave me a subtle weirded- out look but started walking with me close behind internally smiling to myself.

Gaara POV

It was only to be the six of us attending the Chunin exams this time. Our village had yet to be granted it's fifth Kazekage and none of the village councilmen had time for such affairs. Many of our people were still recovering from the aftermath of the attack on Konoha. The battle had created a shroud of despair that still loomed over their broken homes.

The six of us made haste, moving swiftly over the golden terrain. The party was led by Yuudai, who was followed by Sari and Matsuri. Temari, Kankuro and I brought up the rear.

"So, Gaara," said Kankuro as he ran along my right side. "You really sure Matsuri's ready for this?"

"Do you doubt my judgment?"

"Well, no." He said defensively. "It's just, she's only twelve and her squad members are even older than you, Gaara." It was a good point, I suppose. Even though I remember Naruto and his classmates being of the same age when they competed, they had all been training since a very young age while Matsuri started a little more than a year ago.

"I was only twelve when I participated in the Chunin exams." I stated simply.

"Yeah but you were a crazy, killer, prodigy child." He said boldly. True. I started contemplating what would have happened to Kankuro if he had said such a thing to me back then. Aware that he had lost my attention, my older brother decided to continue anyway.

"I mean, Yuudai's fourteen already." I heard a disgusted grunt coming from Temari's throat as she ran along my left side. "Look, I know he's a pain in the ass, but he's a good ninja." Kankuro said somewhat defensively.

"Being a pain in the ass isn't in the criteria of a Chunin last time I checked." Temari snapped back. I tuned out the argument as the harsh words flew back and forth between them. I could have joined in if I had the will to do so. I did not care for Yuudai either. He had threatened my student, which caused me to become rather protective. It had the compulsion to knock that wicked grin right off his face. On top of that, he seemed too swaggering and narcissistic to make a proper leader. In the world of the shinobi, becoming a leader is an overwhelming responsibility. Each life placed in your hands is precious. You must be ready to fight for them and die for them if fate calls on you to do so. This is what I was taught, and this is what I understand. This is what I believe in.

"I do not like him either." I decided giving my sister a hand.

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"Ha! See?" Temari exclaimed as if she had just won the dispute.