Disclaimer/ Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
+ Chaos in the Forest of Death +
I was expecting a lot of things in order to become a chunin, a battle which to reveal our strengths, a low-level mission to prove ourselves, something to show our loyalty to our village but not--this.
A written exam.
I close my eyes briefly then looked around the large room, a bit disappointed that my siblings have been spread around the room. I listen to the large scarred man before me, watching as those with him take seats on either end of the classroom but I have trained with Hidama since I was a child. I can read between the lines.
"You'll be deducted one point for every question you get wrong but you'll be deducted two points each time you're caught cheating. If you're caught five times, you and your team will automatically fail the exam."
I hear the indignation of the students around me but I know what he's really saying. Cheat all you want just be sure you're not caught. I can feel my lips twitch into a small smirk. Clever man but I was raised by a very formidable woman.
"Begin!"
The sound of peoples scratching at the paper, tapping along the desk fills the room but deep underneath that is the sound of hearts racing, sweat beading upon their brows, I can almost taste the underlining fear o trying to pass the exam. Already the men watching as writing down on their clipboards, their gazes watching over us all but I am not so easily intimidated.
I close my eyes, holding two of my fingers to my eye and concentrated. I can feel the sand swirling, slowly gathering in my hand as I whispered the jutsu under my breathe. "Daisan no Me." Feeling it form in my open palm I open my left eye, seeing an eye looking up at me. The view is distorting, seeing myself from the palm of my hand but I clench my hand into a tight fist, scattering the sand.
I can feel it move silently, drifting over the other exam papers before settling on one. This student seems very confident in his answers, his heart is not racing frantically, his skin is cool and calm. I feel the sand begin to drift over his eyes, causing him discomfort but as he tries to rub his eyes the sand takes form, the eye forming. I can see everything written on his exam, allowing me to copy his answers onto mine before calling the sand back. Feeling it leave the paper I close my eyes to let my eyes adjust.
I extend my sand to my sister, carefully wrapping up her chair and down her arm, letting it coat her hand. I can feel her touch as she gently strokes her arm, telling me that she knows I'm with her. I can feel her arm relax, letting me take control as I copy the answers onto her page. When I'm done I draw back slowly.
She nods to herself though I can't see it I can feel it. Then she begins tapping her foot to a soft beat. I remember, several months ago we were taught to use a series of beats to give a message without the use of words, or Morse Code. We were also taught to use our hands to speak rather than just performing hand signs if there was ever a mission where it would be too dangerous to speak or write messages. But Shiruba created her own code to use between us that she calls Rhythm Speech.
I can feel her tapping her pencil and fingers on the deck, catching only a few words she's saying but I know Haku can understand her very well. Pulling back I open my eyes but without the exam to take away my thoughts I think back to the team from Suna. Two of them my 'siblings' but the third was Sasori.
Did I truly mean that little to father he replaced me with him? Did I ever mean anything to either of them? I slowly reach up to touch the 'ai' tattooed on my forehead. 'To love oneself.' That's what it means but one can be describe by those around them.
I am brought out of my thoughts when I see a tiny scroll on my exam. I watch as Kankuro is escorted out of the exam room by one of the protectors. Wait. I look around cautiously and frown. I remember seeing fourteen of those men here but if you include the one that just left but leave out the man in the front that means there were fifteen. I do not think they would make such a mistake but then I remember something about him that I had nearly forgotten.
Kugutsu no Jutsu.
Part of me wants to break it, to reveal what was going on but I don't. Silently I pick up the scroll and open it. They want to talk after the exam. I resist the urge to snarl and crumble the note as tight as I can, feeling Shukaku stir. He is less that pleased about this and wants to relish in their blood but I hold him back. Blood shed can come later.
Time seems to drag on before the scarred man reveals to us the final question. We have the choice to not take the question and take the exam net year... or take it but should we fail we are forever banned from taking the Chunin exams. Again I can tell he is trying to intimidate us but I am not so easily scared. I listen as several stand up an leave, haring their names being called out but I am surprised when I see Naruto raise his hand. I never would have-
BAM!
"I'm not giving up! I don't care if I'll be a genin forever I'm risking it all! One day I'll be hokage, dattebayo!" he yells out furiously.
I can hear someone trying to stifle a laugh and I glance at my sister who has both hands over her mouth, trying her best not to laugh. I can also see that Haku's shoulders are shaking that I feel my lips twitch into a small smirk. As time passes no one else gives up. Even complete strangers are affected by my brother's words as they decide to take the chance and take the final question.
The man before us seems pleased as he smiles and reveals to us that we've passed. Everyone is shocked but I barely listen as he explains the importance of the exam and how we were allowed to cheat but not get caught. I can tell Naruto didn't figure that out by the front he is putting up. But Temari stands, demanding to know what the purpose of the written exam was. The large man removed his hitachi and revealed the numerous and deep scars marring his entire skull. Around me I hear murmurs and whispers, the shocked looks on everyone's faces but I say and do nothing. This is a man who has given more than his share for the safety of his village; the scars are tokens of all that he has done. But even as he puts it back on I watch from the corner of my eye as Shiruba strikes.
"Naru-kun you're wonderful!" she says happily, leaping over the desks and nearly tackles Naruto over his own desk, startling the pale girl next to him as well as everyone else.
"Ack Shiruba-ane, get off me!" he yells but she refuses. I can't help but feel jealous at the attention he receives but at that moment I can sense something coming. I tense, feeling the sand swirl as the window to the classroom shatters, letting it a large black--ball? It is, it's a large bundle but something is inside it, something with a beating heart. It quickly unraveled to show a woman dressed in a mesh outfit with a beige coat.
"Alright maggots listen up! I'm the protector for the second exam, Mitarashi Anko!" she tells us in a demanding voice. Another one who thinks she can intimidate others by her voice and actions. I resist the urge to send the sand out to snap her fool neck. I watch as Ibiki speaks with the woman before she orders us to out to follow her. I get up from my seat quietly and go to my siblings where Shiruba is refusing to release Naruto from a tight, choke hold.
"Say it! Say it or else!" she retorts, refusing to give up.
"Iie!" he growls but no matter what he does he can't get her off.
"What are you doing?" I ask them.
"Shiruba-ane is trying to get him to admit that he had no idea we were able to cheat during the exam," Haku tells me quietly. Oh. My brother is such a fool. "Naru-kun just refuses to admit it but if he doesn't we'll be late."
Naruto winces before closing his eyes tightly. "Fine fine! I didn't know we could cheat! There happy?"
My sister smiles as she releases him, patting his shoulders roughly before leaping over him like a game of leap frog, landing on the desk before him with a swirl of her half-jacket. The image of a stylish fox gleams in the light as soft blue flames dance along the hem and collar with her sleeves rolled up her arms.
"I'm happy. Let's go Taka! You too, Panda!" She doesn't bother to wait as she joins the others in leaving the classroom but as I follow I watch as the light from the broken window reflects off something hanging from her neck. I smile inwardly at the thought that she continues to wear it after all these years. It was the first time I had ever given anyone a gift.
"We have to get her something really nice!" the blonde told his brother.
"Like what?" the brunette asked quietly.
"I-I dunno, you think of something!"
"Why do I always have to think of something?"
"Cuz--just think of something!"
Six year old Gaara ignored his two brothers arguing on what to get their sister. They hadn't meant to overhear but Hidama and Shiruba had been talking, explaining how she needed to get some more training from someone they had never heard of before. The younger girl didn't want to go but there was no choice in the matter. She would be leaving in the morning and wouldn't be back until she was done. No one knew how long that would be either but all he knew was he didn't want her to go.
"I'm gonna paint her a picture! And it'll be way better than yours, Haku!" Naruto yelled as the other boy.
"I'll get her something she'll always use!" he retorted.
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
"FINE!!"
The two left leaving the smallest of the kids behind but Gaara didn't mind. He continued to sit on the swing, watching the sand swirl around but what could he get Shiruba? He couldn't draw like Naruto, he wasn't as smart as Haku, and he was sure even okaasan and Zabuza were getting her something so what would she like?
The sand, reacting to his emotions, swirled beneath his feet, taking different shapes before settling on the shape of a typical shuriken. Shiruba liked those weapons the most, saying how she wanted to live her like a shooting star to never be forgotten. The golden grains seemed to compress, forming but it wasn't what he was looking for. So it twisted and turned, the edges becoming more curved but it still wasn't enough. It had been about an hour by the time he was done but slipping off the swing he knelt down and gently, picked the item up. Yes, this was something he was sure Shiruba would like!
"Gaara?" he jumped and looked up at the pale woman he had known as his mother. "It's late, what are you doing out here alone?" she asked as she settles her coat around him.
"I was making a present for Shiruba so, when she leaves… she'll have something to remember me by," he said softly, holding up his hands to show her the small sand sculpture. "See?"
Hidama smiled and knelt before him, carefully holding his young hands in her own. "I think it wonderful but, I know how we can make it better."
"Really?" She nodded and telling him to hold still, performed a few hand seals and suddenly, sparks of lightning struck the item. He flinched but only because it was unexpected. Not once did he feel any pain but he felt the item in his hand become heavier. Once it passed he found the shuriken he made was now made out of glass.
"When lightning hits the sand it melts, turning it into solid glass." She carefully closed his fingers around it. "Now she can keep it always and be reminded of you." The small boy smiled and still holding onto the gift, wrapped his arms around his mother's neck and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back just as tightly, neither saying anything in that simple gesture.
The following morning was sad but happy. Shiruba promised to return as soon as she was done and that they had better not slack off. Naruto went first as he gave her a drawing he had done of the family, pointing out that she had better keep her promise no matter what. Haku gave her a small journal so she could write everything down such as what she had learned and seen during her training journey. Gaara was nervous, what if she didn't like it? Hidama gently pushed him forward so he reached out and handed her a small box.
She blinked but took it and opening it found a stylishly shuriken with sharp curves laying in the box of about four inches from tip to tip. But hanging from it was a thin chain. Smiling she immediately put it on, gushing over how pretty it was then pulled the red head into a tight embrace.
"This is the best present 'cuz you made it just for me. Arigato... panda." He blushed but hugged her back just as tightly.
We arrive at the Forest of Death and listen as the woman explains our objective. To survive and receive either a Ten or Chi scroll. I don't care about anything else as Haku goes to get our scroll but I watch as the woman is suddenly behind Naruto, smiling as blood seeps from a thin cut on his cheek. Shiruba doesn't look pleased as she stalks over, pulling the blonde away and snaps at the woman. I can tell she's surprised but snaps back. Shukaku is moving deep inside, he wants to taste blood as he reacts to my sister's emotions but he calms when she pushes Naruto back with his team and walks back to me.
"If she tries that again I'll break every damn finger she has," she growls, gripping the glass shuriken on the double chain so tightly I see drops of blood pool out. She doesn't seem aware of it until I take her hand, looking at the bleeding cuts marring her palm and inside of her fingers.
The smell of the crimson fluid is driving me crazy that I bring her hand up and without warning, gently lick the blood off. The taste reminds me of winter cherries, tart yet sweet and something more. I don't care who sees but as I look up at her she says nothing but gently takes her hand back. Whispering her thanks she pulls out a roll of bandages and wraps her hand up.
"We have a Ten Scroll," Haku shows us the white scroll. If he saw what I did earlier, he's not saying anything. "We're to go to Gate Five."
"Okay then once we get inside we make a small base," Shiruba tells us as she ties the bandage off. "I'll explain the rest once we're in." We nod and head to our gate. We prepare ourselves, keeping our minds clear as soon as the command is given and the gates open, we run in.
The area is heavy in vegetation, making it dark and hard to see but we move silently through the branches, heading deeper before stopping and landing on the ground softly. We wait, making sure no one is following us before Shiruba tells us what our course of action is.
"Okay, we have five days to do this. Now, we can either: get it done fast by getting an Chi Scroll and be the first to the tower; or we pick off the competition one by one so the less teams to get to the tower the better chance we have of getting through the very end. So what do you two say?"
Though I wish to be over with this test soon the thought of taking out the others, 'excites' met. "Take out the others," I answer calmly.
Haku frowns but slowly nods his head. "I agree. Though we shouldn't wait until the fifth day," he brings up. "Aside from Naruto I sense great potential in several others."
"Good point. Okay, we take out as many as we can but on the fourth day we book it to the tower. But if anything happens screw waiting around we go right to the tower. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
The days seem to pay by quietly, the three of us splitting up to catch unsuspecting teams that already on the second day we had eliminated several teams, giving us each a full set of scrolls just in case something happened but it was out on the third day when something happened that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Shiruba had gone off earlier, wanting to see if she could find anything for us to eat when I felt something very wrong happening. I know she can take care of herself but when she didn't return after an hour I was beginning to get worried. Haku and I decided to give her thirty more minutes but not more than five minutes had passed when I felt the demon within me demanding to be set free, screaming that she was in danger. Without prompting the both of us headed out where we could feel her charka signature only to be meet with a sight.
Naruto was hanging from a tree by a kunai, several meters above the ground, unconscious. But it was the sight before me that had me worried. I ran towards the pink haired girl, ignoring her cries as my sand pushes her away and grabbed the black haired boy by his arms. He was clutching at the part where his neck met his shoulder, in obvious pain.
"Get away from Saskue-kun!" I hear the girl scream; I look over at her and snarl in a deadly cold voice.
"Shut up, you witless worm."
"G-Gaara…" Sasuke hisses out, pain evident on his face but his hands move into the ram seal. "Kai!" A small poof of smoke and Shiruba is kneeling in Sasuke's place--except she's wearing his shirt. The girl behind me gasps but I ignore her and hold my sister tightly as she cries out in pain, screaming.
"Gaara!" I look up as Haku lands with Naruto's arm over his shoulders, a worried look evident on his face. "Something's very wrong." My brother does not lose control of any situation but right now he is unsure what to do. I growl as the Uchiha boy finally lands, wearing the white coat of my sister.
"S-Sasuke-kun!!"
"What happened?" I demand angrily.
"Some bastard attacked us. That girl convinced me to perform a genjutsu in order to lure him away but something happened and he bit her. He also did something to Naruto then he left." He removes the jacket, letting it hit the ground but he jumps back when the sand tries to entrap him--and I let it. It's his fault Shiruba is hurt. It's his fault she's in pain. It's his fault Naruto is not awake. It's his entire fault my family is hurt!
Shiruba tenses and clings to me tightly, screaming against my shoulder loud enough to make me flinch but then she goes lifelessly limp. My eyes widen and I hold her tighter, fearing overcoming my heart. I frantically try to find a pulse but there, a black mark at the same spot she had grabbed earlier of three black swirls in a circle; I brush my fingers against it before pulling back, feeling the sand burn.
"A seal," I whisper and feel my anger grow ten-folds. That bastard placed a seal on my beloved one! I want to track him down and tear him to shreds, to skin him alive and let Shukaku drink every last drop of blood, to hear his bones snap then grind as my sand surrounds him, to hear his bodily organs pop like over-ripen grapes-
"Gaara-kun!" I blink as I hear Haku calling out to me. Naruto's teammates are taking him to a small sort of cave made from tree roots. I watch as they carefully lay him down before I see Haku, holding Shiruba's jacket. It takes me a moment to realize the sand has been swirling around me like a protective yet wild animal, letting no one near us. With a deep frown I call it back feeling the demon growl at my utter carelessness but head to the seclusion, carefully laying Shiruba next to the blonde. Haku folds up the coat lengthwise, gently lifting our siblings' heads to rest on the make-shift pillow.
Sakura (I now remember her name, and wonder how Naruto could have a crush on this pathetic girl) checks them over and freezes when I growl when she moves to check on Shiruba but Haku ignores my growls.
"She's running a fever but aside from that I can't tell what's going on. Whatever's happening, its waging war with her inside," he says coolly, reaching for our water canteen and pulls a spare cloth from our pack, wetting it to gently rest on her brow.
"An internal battle," I whisper.
"I know some medical jutsus, maybe I can heal her," Sakura states but I growl a warning, louder than before which causes her to pull back as if burned.
"Its not that easy because whatever Shiruba is going through so is Naruto. It's not as severe but something has been blocked." He pauses but I know what he's thinking. "I know Shiruba said if anything happened we should reach the tower... but it's too risky to move either of them right now."
The dark hair boy snorts, turning his back on us. "I knew that dobe would slow me down. If he couldn't handle it why did he bother even taking the exams in the first place?" he taunts. I growl, reaching out to strangle him but I don't have to.
Haku can move so fast its hard for me to follow him sometimes. I watch as he grabs the Uchiha by the front of the shirt, his clam brown gaze hard and unfeeling like black ice. "First, he is my brother and one of my most precious people. I'm sure he saved your worthless skin but you're too much of an asshole to admit it. Second, he is your teammate, Uchiha Sasuke. If you want to pass this exam all three of you must enter the tower together. Third, if you do not do your part in making sure our brother and sister are well cared while they are in a coma, I will make you wish that bastard had truly bit you instead. Am I clear?" he asked coldly and for a moment, I feel like the blood in my body had turned to crimson ice.
"... Fine." As Haku and Sasuke went out to make sure there were no teams around the area and to collect items for our make-shift camp, I watched over my brother and sister. Naruto is fairing better though I wonder what exactly was sealed (and wishing I had learned more about them from our mother) but Shiruba's face contorted into pain. I wanted to take it all away, to calm her down.
We ended up staying there for the next two days but it felt like an eternity. We changed our shifts, trusting in Haku and Sakura to protect them as the teme (I agree now that the Uchiha is a bastard) and I made sure there was no one around. But it was while we were gone that I noticed that feeling once more. The feeling that my family was in danger. Without warning or explanation I rushed back to the camp, feeling the sand spill from the large gourd upon my back, to swirl around my feet I stop and watch as a nin dressed in green is doing battle with three foreign nins in gray uniforms, their hitachi bearing a symbol I had never seen before. I'm tempted to watch but as the boy fights them the kunoichi moves towards Sakura.
Iie! No one will harm my family! I snarl as I burst onto the scene, surprising everyone but I don't care as the sand lunges forward, wanting to drink their blood but one of the men jumps forward and holding out his arm, unleashes a blast of air. Sand scatters and my ears ring but I don't care as I charge at him. I don't care who stands in my way but they will die!
I don't remember much, just fighting and feeling the demon inside wanting to taste their blood, to make them all suffer but I grew careless. We all did as during the fight Shiruba had awoken and stumbled into the middle of our fighting. I felt relief deep inside but before I could go to her the bastard known as Zaku landed behind her, wrapping his hand around her throat and pointed his tunneled arm at where Naruto still lay sleeping, oblivious to all that was happening.
He smirked, knowing that Haku and I would dare not try to attack him. Sakura was torn but when Uchiha tried to call his bluff I saw his hand tighten, causing my sister to gasp for air. Even the team from earlier is useless, having been taken down by these three bastards. Seeing them move, fight, proves that these are non genins. They are more sadistic than others I have seen. What can we do that will not endanger my family?!
He smirks, knowing he has the upper hand and his eyes take a lewd glint as he looks at the gasping form of Shiruba. "Now that we know that we have the upper hand... I think I have the right for some fun." He smirks as his hand seems to caress Shiruba's neck, moving into the collar of the large shirt but we don't have to do anything.
Slowly she reaches up, wrapping her fingers around his hand, with painfully slow movements, she bends his fingers back until several audible wet snaps are heard throughout the clearing. She doesn't stop as he cries out in pain, going so far as to break his wrist as he drops to his knees, desperately trying to pull his arm free.
"Z-Zaku!" Kin gasps, watching in horror.
"She won't let go!!" he cries out in pain but as a last attempt holds his other hand out at her. "Die bitch!!"
"Don't do it!!" But the warning came too late. A loud boom is hard as the sound wave goes off, causing a huge up rise in dirt, causing several trees to be bend backwards, some of their roots getting torn up. We all cover our ears and try to hide but the sound echoes around the area, ears ringing painfully. Even that wasn't enough.
Shiruba was still standing but her clothes are nearly torn from her body yet there are no signs of bodily harm. The mark from before, it's glowing--and growing! I watch in silent horror as the mark spread over her body and face, black stripes spreading over her soft skin and a deep violet aura surrounds her body. Her eyes though, the luminous silver-blue gaze filled with love and laughter turn to a crimson so dark it appears black, full of a terrible killing intent that sends me to my knees. The hand in her grip is slowly being torn to shreds by her claws, making deep furrows as they now start to grind the bones into useless powder, causing the man to shriek in pain, begging for mercy.
"You relied on someone else's power to help you win your battles," she whispers but the tone was as old and empty as an shrine that had been abandoned for centuries upon centuries. "You're nothing but a sad little boy trying to prove you aren't worthless."
I could hear screaming but I was too slow to react so I watch mutely as the bitch hurls her needles at my sister, watching in awe as they pierce into her flesh but Shiruba doesn't flinch. I watch as blood begins to trickle from the wounds, streaking down her skin and staining her clothes I also begin to wonder if her blood will be as sweet as before.
"Oh gods... Shiruba... SHIRUBA!!" Naruto shouts, shaking us from our thoughts. Thick tears course down his whiskered cheeks, struggling to get to his feet in order to help. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. What... could I have possibly said?
Slowly, the young woman releases the screaming man, his blood staining her hands as she slowly lifts them up only to remove the needles one by one. With each one she pulls out she doesn't bother to stop the flow of blood as it falls heavier until they are all in her hand. Her gaze focuses on the kunoichi bitch known as Kin.
"You should take them back, before you lose them," she says coldly. I had never figured Shiruba to be so fast but again that is what she is most know for her. Her speed. The needles have found their new home in the woman's body, buried in so deeply it's impossible to tell they're there until blood begins to fall.
Sakura screams; Haku grows even paler; Naruto cries out; everyone looks in disbelief as my heart began to pound heavily in my chest. The Oto kunoichi struggles to breathe, leaning against the tree as she tried vainly to stop the blood flow even as my sister walks towards her with slow, unhurried steps.
I saw her hand move, I hear someone give a warning but my heart and stomach lurched as she pulled a kunai from her pouch and stabbed it in my sister's forehead, smirking in satisfaction at having killed her but it was quickly replaced with pain as her mouth opened in a shriek. The kunai's sharp point came out from her forehead, piercing even through the hitachi around her forehead. Slowly, her arm falls loosely to her side, blank eyes staring straight ahead. The two men are shocked as one of them looks at us, calling us monsters and attempts to kill us but he never gets the chance as Shiruba strikes, snarling like an enraged animal she tears through the strange armor on his arm, nearly ripping his arm off and grabs his face with her other hand, lifting him off his feet.
"Never. Harm. My. Family!" she hisses and I have the satisfaction of hearing his skull shatter, blood splattering upon her face and hair, staining the clothes even further. No one moves but I feel a shudder pass through my body as she drops her now dead prey and purrs as she licks the blood from her fingers, seemingly pleased but there is still one left.
A sharp snap echoes loudly in the area, making more than one of us jump but its enough to get Shiruba's attention as she lifts her head and stares at the remaining nin. I can see him shaking in fear, his arms useless he turns and begins to run, begging us to help. All I see is a flash of silver and the man falls, gurgling in pain as her sharp fangs dig into the back of his neck, tearing through flesh but underneath that I hear the sound of bones snapping. With a lurch my beloved sister brings her head back, effectively tearing out the back of his neck.
More screams fill the area, the fear intensifies so much I feel it trying to smother me but I'm so close to giving in and joining her, my heart beats harder and faster in my chest like a heavy drum, a cold sweat mingling with the sand. Shukaku can see through my eyes and he is more than pleased, saying how the scent of blood is so tempting, that my sister never looked as beautiful as she did now. Images surged though my mind and he wants to echo her crazed howling cry, to feast upon the torn flesh all around us, to drink every drop of blood that has been split, to replace the mark she bears with one of my own-
"Iie!! I will not submit!" I shout angrily, gripping at my head tightly. I have no choice; summoning the sand I have it engulf her tightly, stilling all her movements but still she struggles, lashing out like a ravenous animal. Even Naruto tried to tackle her, the others overcome their fear and try to help but it's no use as she howls only much louder, more shrill. The power sends us all flying back, the sand armor protect my bones from breaking upon impact as I hit the trees and ground but I can still feel the pain. Her hair and clothes fluttering upon her form the power, revealing a series of dots at the small of her back but my attention is drawn to Haku who is forcing himself into the chaotic whirlwind.
"Haku, get outta there!!" Naruto yells but he ignores him. He manages to get close, to grab a hold of her hands but moving swiftly she kicks him away and sends him crashing into Naruto, the two of them skidding several meters away.
Shukaku wants to join her, to take her away from prying eyes but he also wasn't sure whether to hide or embrace the murderous aura she was emanating. Ignoring everything around me I go to her, wincing as the power chips away as the armor, sending the sand to scatter but I don't care as I manage to wrap my arms around her as tight as I can. I feel her tense, panicking as she fights to get away but I don't care as I continue to hold on.
I remember this happened to me, the first time I lost control she was there to bring me back. I had tried to kill her, believing my uncle's words that no one could ever love me but she refused to let go. She told me that the kanji tattooed on my forehead didn't have to stand for loving just myself. She saved me. I close my eyes and whisper the same words she told me.
"You will always have a family even if we're not tied by blood."
I feel her shake and tremble, the aura dies down and the markings recede into the mark on her neck. She shudders and leans heavily into my embrace. I continued to hold her tightly, eyes shut tightly as she pants heavily into my shoulder, fingers digging into my back. Everyone seems to hold their breathe as she clings to me tightly, trying to breathe even as she lifts her head up.
"G-Gaara? Nan..." She blinked and looks down at her hands. I watch as she examines herself, smearing the blood still dripping from her chin. I try to block her vision of the now dead ninjas but it's no use. Her eyes widen and I feel my heart clench at the sudden realization at what she had done.
"Oh Inari-sama..." She pushes me away with a hard shove, sending me back several feet and turns to run. I made to follow by Haku stops me and we watch as she runs to a tight seclusion of bushes, and purges everything from her stomach. For now that is the only noise in the area, the painful retching sounds are making my stomach churn in discomfort but even under the scent of blood I can almost taste her tears. Once the noises subside I make to go to her but Haku catches me arm, silently shaking his head. Quietly I watch as he goes to her, reaching out but she jumps away, her eyes wide and scared, her body weary and trembling like a an unfortunate traveler trapped in a devastating sand storm.
"Don't touch me!" she cries out, lashing out but her arm is caught. Haku doesn't let go even when she continues to pull away and instead pulls her into his arms. She struggles before giving in and leans heavily against him, crying and begging for forgiveness. I do not know if Haku said anything but he holds her as tight as he can, being her support. I can't stand by any longer as my feet take me to them and I reach out, gently wrapping my arms around her and hugging her just as tightly. I feel Naruto do the same, telling her that she was only protecting us and that we still loved her. She cries harder that before.
Our moment doesn't last though as the sand swirl angrily, alerting me to an unknown presence I didn't notice until now. Pulling back I face where I can now sense the charka levels. Naruto moves to stand besides me, hands formed into tight fists. We wait and from the branches two of the other genins from the written exam appear. One is a girl with dark hair and eyes, the other another boy with long dark hair but his eyes are the strangest color I've ever seen. Two gleaming pearls but their hardness seems to try and cut through me like a diamond.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto demands in a low growl.
The boy looks at him silently, ignoring the blood and bodies littering the ground and leaves. He gestures to the boy in green as if it meant nothing. "I came to get him."
"Then take him and leave," I order him, my tone harsh as my sand yet he doesn't flinch.
"You three are more than just ordinary genins," he states quite coolly but doesn't bother to fight as Naruto storms up to him to grab him by the front of his jacket. I can feel what seems like Kyuubi trying to burst out but it seems--blocked. Is this what the seal did that Haku mentioned earlier?
"If you were there why the hell didn't you help?!" he yells, shaking him some. "We're from the same damn village!!"
"This is a test and no help is allowed. In the real world the only one you can depend on is yourself and no one else, not even your teammates."
"You really think that?" I ask as I look over at him. Naruto snorts as he shoves him away before I continue. "I used to believe that, the only one you could love was yourself but that just made me weak and alone. The only difference is you are a coward."
He frowns as he looks at me. "What did you call me?"
Shiruba hiccups softly, still leaning against Haku but I know she needs medical help and soon. I can almost see her cringe as she swallows back a wave of nausea. "I hurt..." she whimpers pitifully.
"Gaara. We need to get her to okaasan," he tells me. I refuse to move as I continue to have a stare down with the Hyuuga boy. "Onegai Gaara-kun. If we wait any loner we might be too late."
"..." Slowly I turn and walk over to them. My gaze soften when Shiruba looks up at me; I close my eyes briefly, my hands going through the signs and feel the gourd grow smaller until there is an exact replica of me standing at my side. A Suna Bunshin. He doesn't say anything but turns his back and kneels. "In case anything happens Shiruba will be safe," I explain briefly.
Haku nods but helps Shiruba get on the clone's back, steadying her as he stands but his hand glows lightly and he places it on her stomach. The look of pain fades and she sighs softly, wrapping her arms loosely around the clone's neck; although I want to be the one to carry her I can better protect her like this.
"Guys, gomen no... no arigato," she whispers, still smiling despite the pain I know she must be going through.
I reach up and wipe away some of the blood still on her lips, lightly brushing my fingertips over her cheek and nod to the clone and Haku to go ahead of me. "I'll be right behind you." Nodding they take off and I use what's left of my sand to get rid of the blood and bodies, feeling my demon inside nearly purr with the taste of these bastards blood. Soon there is nothing left but shredded clothes, their damaged hitachis, and their Chi Scroll. Picking it up I look up as Naruto calls out to me.
"Make sure she gets there in one piece," he tells me with a stern look. I look at him, then throw the scroll at him, striking him in the head with it. "Ow! What was that for?!"
"Pass the exam, Naruto. For Shiruba as well as yourself." With that I leave, rushing to catch up with my siblings. The forest rushes past me in a sea of greenery and it doesn't take me long to reach them. According to our schedule, it's the fifth day and we only have a few meager hours to get to the tower. Shiruba is holding on strong but we had to stop when she began to cough up blood.
"I-I think, I tore my stomach open," she says between coughs, the drops of blood being absorbed by the clone holding her.
Haku tries to heal her once more but frowns when it has no effect. "Something's very very wrong. I can't do anything more than to relieve the pain. We have to hurry and get some help."
"Let's go and stop for nothing." We take off, ignoring everything around us even as the tower comes into view we don't slow down, running inside only to stop at a large plague resting along the far wall. As Haku goes to examine it I make sure Shiruba is alright. She tries to smile but I know she's still in pain. When Haku comes back he reaches into his pouch and removes the Ten and Chi Scrolls.
"If I read the plague right, we're suppose to open them at the same time. Here," he hands me the Chi Scroll; "at the count of three we open them."
"Then I can throw up in peace," Shiruba tries to tease but coughs wetly.
"Shiruba-chan let us handle this. You're in no condition," Haku protests but she shakes her head.
"Got this far not to give up. So, one... two... three!" at the same time we rip open the scrolls but nothing happens. That is, until they begin to smoke. Immediately we throw them to the ground, ready to attack as the smoke fills the room but once it dies down we relax at the jounin standing before us. Zabuza nods to us, arms crossed over his chest.
"So you brats made it," he tells us gruffly. I have a strange urge to trap him in my Sabaku Kyū but a wet coughing sound causes us both to turn. My sand clone is kneeling next to Shiruba as she coughs much harder than before, holding her stomach and covering her mouth but she can't seem to stop. Cursing I drop to my knees, covering her hand with my own as Haku tries to heal her once more. Nothing seems to be working!
"Move." Zabuza pushes us aside and gently tilting her face to his, removes a small vial filled with a clear liquid. Breaking the top tip off he pours it into her mouth and makes her swallow it before letting her go. I can hear Haku giggle faintly at the look of disgust crossing her face but she finally stops coughing, breathing easily. She ends up blinking several times as she looks up at our mentor.
"When did you become a jounin of Konoha?" she asks.
"Before you got here." He pulls her to her feet and pulls the collar ruined shirt to the side, looking at the black mark. "What happened?"
We tell him what we knew and Shiruba also gives her story, seeming very proud of herself that she was able to perform a genjutsu so good to fool the bastard but she was not expecting to get bit by him. Zabuza nods and leads us to one of the empty rooms in the tower.
"I'll go tell Hidama you made it but try to get some sleep if you can. There's still some time until the hokage declares an end to this part of the exam."
"Zabuza-san, Naruto and his team as on their way here as well," Haku tells him.
"So the brat made it. For his sake he'd better hurry up." Nodding he leaves us alone. Haku sighs and nods to us, going to find some water to wash up with and leaves us alone.
"Shiruba-"
"Gaara, can you hold my hand, just for a little bit?" she asks softly, fingering the shuriken around her neck. She looks so lost and confused. Like I used to be. Wordlessly I nod to her.
"I'll watch over you."
"Hmm arigato… panda." She settles on the bed and takes my hand in her own. It doesn't take long before she falls asleep yet I continue to watch her. My poor, sweet sister. Being as quiet as I could, I gently kiss her temple, softly brushing her bangs back.
"You saved me once, now it's my turn to save you," I tell her softly. If I ever find the bastard that marked her, I'll kill him with my bare hands.
"Gaara?" I look up to see Temari and Kankuro standing in the doorway with no sign of Sasori. "Can, we talk?" she asks hesitantly.
"I have nothing to say to any of you," I say angrily, watching them flinch but they refuse to leave.
"Onegai, just for a few moments."
"…" I look at the bunshin who wordlessly nods to me. I move out of the room as it takes my place, taking Shiruba's hand in his own. He'll protect her until I return. I end up following them out into the room where the plague is at. Frowning I stare at them, crossing my arms over my chest. Shukaku is not pleased with the fact that he's not with Shiruba but I calm him down. For the moment.
"What do you want?" I ask harshly, feeling mild satisfaction along with hurt as they flinch from me.
"We-We need your help," Temari begins. "The kazekage told us to ask for your help. Suna's in trouble and we didn't think we'd see you here but-"
"Get to the point," I growl.
Kankuro swallows but removes a scroll from his clothes and hands it to me. "Everything you need to know is on here." He holds it out to me but I don't take it. I can see him starting to tremble I relish in it but deep down inside I wonder how can I be so cruel to them. There are my brother and sister through blood. But they never stood up for me, never protected me, never showed me any kind of love. Just fear. I turn to leave but stop when Temari calls out to me.
"Onegai Gaara! We never meant to drive you away! If we had known-"
"You did know!!" I shout angrily as I whirl to face her. "You both knew what father did to me! You also knew the real reason Yashamaru took me in! Not once did you ever show me any kindness because you both feared me!" Around me the sand whirls and I can start to feel myself lose to Shukaku. He wants more blood, he wants to relish in their pain and discomfort so much.
"Damnit, we were kids! How did you want us to act?!" Kankuro snaps angrily. Fear quickly enters his eyes as the sand wraps around him tightly, slowly crushing him thanks to my Sabaku Kyū.
"Family... you don't know the meaning of the word! Hidama is my mother, Naruto and Haku are my brothers, Shiruba is my sister. You... you are nothing to me!!"
"Kankuro!!"
I grin savagely as I hold out my hand, slowly closing it into a fist. "Sabaku Sō-"
A pale hand closes over mine, making me stop. I quickly look up into the pale colored eyes of the woman who raised me, letting her lower my hand.
"Okaasan..."
"Let him go, Gaara." She doesn't look away as I hesitantly call the sand back but gently turns me around, putting her arm over my shoulders. "I suggest you two don't harass my son like that. Next time, I might not be here to save you." She leads us away and I let her, not bothering to look back.
Haku nods and continues to gently wipe the blood from Shiruba's face and hair with a damp cloth. The bunshin dispels at my command. Silver blue eyes open and looked up at our mother tiredly. "Am I dead?" she asks softly.
Hidama slowly shakes her head. "Iie, but it must feel like you are."
"Yeah... only a million times worse. So what happens now?"
"You'll have to go to the arena and find out. Try to hold out as much as you can--all of you." Kissing Shiruba's forehead she does the same to Haku and myself before leaving the room but she turns and nods to us. "By the way, Naruto's team made it as well." She vanishes in a small screen of smoke.
"Great. Well let's do this." I nod and we get to our feet, ready to go to the area. Occasionally I find myself looking at Shiruba as she touches her neck, hissing but we step into the arena. We pause, the like momentarily blinding us but we're not alone. Silently we join the others facing the hokage, ignoring the stares and whispers. We're a sight to behold but I don't care. Reaching out I take my sister's hand in my own, squeezing it tightly as she does the same.
I promise myself to find the bastard, and snap his neck.
Author's Notes: Hmm I know I promised myself I wouldn't post this until I updated 'Broken' but, I'll be honest. I'm stuck! I mean I know what I want to put down but it's hard trying to get it typed out, ya know? I'm trying to get it done so please, bear with me. I don't want to post something like the lame-ass filler I attempted.
Well, the good news is this is the end of the POV's from the main characters. Now I may add them in later from others but a whole chapter won't be consisting of them. The story will more or less follow the series with several changes here and there. Yes this may seem weird (AU-ish if you will) and you're all must be wondering why Orochimaru gave Shiruba the Cursed Seal instead of Sasuke. Let me give a quick explanation:
When Shiruba had left the camp to scout and gather food she ran into the fight between Sasuke and Orochimaru. My OC is known for two things when it comes to her professional skills: her incredible speed and being a master of disguise. As long as she has a personal belonging of the person she is impersonating then she can fool just about anyone. That also explains why she was wearing his shirt and he was wearing her jacket when Gaara and Haku arrived onto the scene. The only reason Gaara knew it was her is she can't fool Shukaku. Let's leave it at that. Snakey won't realize he marked the wrong person until the next chapter.
On another note the item in question that Gaara made Shiruba is called a Havoc Shuriken and I love it! I found it on an online storey that sells weapons and its just so beautiful--and deadly! So tell me what you think and please, no flames but I do accept professional criticism.
Ten: Heaven
Chi: Earth
Daisan no Me: Third Eye
Kugutsu no Jutsu: Puppet Technique
Kai: Release
Suna Bunshin: Sand Clone
Kazekage: Wind Shadow
Sabaku Sōsō: Desert Funeral