Ayame's P.o.V.

An hour passed by before I woke up. When I did, searing pain shot through my shoulders - one from an actual wound, the other from my mark. Smooth bandages were secured around my shoulder and chest, embracing my wounds like a neatly wrapped package. Despite the throbbing soarness I sat up, looking for my dirty, bloody clothes.

As I stood to look for them, I began to remember most of my match, which is a gift and a curse. At least I know I'm moving onto the next round with my 'victory'. I'm not entirely proud of how I won my match. If it weren't for my beast, I'm sure I would have lost...

It took control of me. Again. Kakashi was so disappointed in me. Kami, Iruka has worked so hard to keep me under control and I failed him! What are they going to do to me? Lock me up somewhere safe so I can't hurt anyone ever again? Drive that wolf spirit out of me, along with peices of my own soul, too?

I finally found my clothes - now clean and folded nicely on a table that was across the room. With some struggle, I managed to step into my pants and pull my shirt over my head, discarding the gown I had been wearing before. Though my clothes had ripped during the exams, they had been promptly mended. I sighed and headed towards the door.

They didn't do any of those things to Naruto though, so it's doubtful they would do that to me. But why don't they give me anymore information? It's my body, my life, my beast - why won't they? I stopped in my tracks. My beast. Why was I saying that? I shook my head and kept going.

When I reached the door, I put my hand on the door knob to push it open, but it was locked. I furrowed my brow and tried harder, but my shoulders wouldn't give. I started kicking the door, trying to make my distress heard so that when they opened the door I could bolt out. When I heard the clicking of the lock being unbolted, I got in a sprint-ready stance. But when the door opened, I only straightened myself up. It wasn't a random guard or nurse as I was expecting. Instead, before me stood Kakashi, Iruka, and the Third. I swallowed hard, but threw on my mask to hide my nerves.

"Have a seat, Ayame," Kakashi said to me. I backed away from him until my back made contact with the bed I woke up in. Without taking my eyes off of the men I sat on it and scooted back until my back was leaning against the wall. I crossed my legs underneath me. "We have to talk about your match." I remained silent, afraid my voice would show anxiety, and nodded.

"You almost killed that boy," Iruka said, showing no attempt to hide his anger. Killing was never a big deal when it came to ninjas- Iruka knew that, even in the Chuunin Exams, many young ninja could perish - but the fact that it was me made it all the worse to him, I'm sure. "If it weren't for Kakashi, you would have. Kami, Ayame, after all those years of hard work, how can you let it slip away so easily?"

"Iruka," the Third said, shutting my old sensei up. "Enough." His ancient eyes moved from him to me and the weight was crippling. "My child, do you know how very urgent it is to keep this situation under control?" He spoke to me as if he were walking on eggshells or crossing a mine field. Like he was worried he would trigger me somehow, but he wasn't going to hesitate with what needed to be said.

"Yes." I said quickly with a short nod. I studied the wrinkles in his old face. He's seen war and tragedy and grief I cannot begin to comprehend. All written in the lines of his wise face.

"Then you know why we cannot allow that to happen again," Kakashi finished for him. Looking at him, I could see no burden on his back, like what he was planning on doing wouldn't affect him at all. I swallowed again and spoke.

"What are you going to do? Lock me away somewhere from the public? Send me away from my home and friends and life? Rip this soul out of me and possibly kill me in the process?" My tone was accusing, but I didn't allow my visage to falter. The men before me exchanged glances with one another. The Third had sat his old bones in a chair a bit to the right of me, but the two younger men remained standing. I stood up on the bed, not waiting for them to continue. "I don't want any of that. All I'm asking for is one more chance."

"Ayame," Kakashi sighed, stepping closer to me. Even standing on the bed, I was only an inch or two taller than him. "Ninja's don't get chances. It's life or death and that's it. You should know that more than anyone. You're bright - and believe me, I know that."

"Then just give me another chance," I pleaded, my eyes beseeching to my sensei. "This - This beast. It could be an asset to me. To the village. If I figure out how to control it - and not just supress it - I could be a better shinobi. Please, Kakashi-sensei. Iruka-sensei. Lord Third. Just give me that opportunity."

Kakashi looked doubtful, but he turned to Lord Third anyway. The old man was in thought, watching me with analytical eyes. Examining me for- what? - my will power? I have no idea what he was searching for, but when we locked eyes, a small smile graced his face.

. . .

Yuki's P.o.V.

When I was sent to the medic bay after my match, I asked if I could go back into the arena after my wounds were attented to, but they told me that was a no-go. I was disappointed, but didn't argue. I would have loved to see Himeko and Ryo's fight. Ayame's, too. Being one of the first people to go is great and all - no anticipation clouding your energy or eagerness and and - but if you go to get treated for wounds, you can't see the other matches.

After the minor cuts on my forearms and stomach were bandaged up, I raomed around the vast expanses of the infirmary and contemplated my match. I had given Shirai my pudding just before the medics had given her numbing medication to try to fix my frostbite. In all honesty I didn't really know how to cure it because by the time I have to use it, the other guy is usually dead.

I sighed at that thought and continued to ponder as I walked around. A tugging sensation came to my gut as I thought of Gaara. Gooseflesh coated my arms as I recalled the look on his face when I passed him. Those eyes. Staring me down like a bottomless abyss of hunger and fury. What was he so angry at anyway? What had I done to him to make his expression so hateful? Those magnificent teal orbs boring into my dark eyes had the force to knock over the tallest of buildings. It could move mountains. Make the heavens rain down in fear and respect.

Again, I sighed as that tugging came back. As I neared closer to a door during my stroll down the halls, a commotion was coming from within. I glanced over my shoulders before making my way closer to the door, carefully leaning towards the crack where it was slightly ajar. It felt like four or five different chakras were in there - one I sensed was young, but the others were older. But there was one that felt almost animalistic. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it felt restricted. If I could put a feeling to what Gaara's eyes looked like, it would be kind of like this.

Listening in, the voices were stressed. There was a conflict going on inside, I could sense it.

"But I can't do that," as familiar voice was saying. It was a girl's. She sounded defeated and reluctant with some stubbornness in the mix. "I can't. I won't! And nothing you can say or do will make me change my mind." I knew it.

"Ayame, you have to listen to reason," a soothing man's voice said. I blinked. Ayame? Her fight finished already? If she's here does that mean . . . Did she lose?

"Sensei, no," she persisted. I imagined her shaking her head, her auburn locks wagging behind her head. "I don't want to lose it! I can't get rid of it! Where is Sasuke-kun? I want to see him." Why was she so upset? Because she lost? I thought she was better at controlling her emotions than this. "Gah!" She suddenly groaned. There was a squeak of the bed that was in every room and a thud when something hit the ground. Did Ayame's sensei strike her? Just before I was able to push the door open and jump in, a voice sounded.

"It's hurting you, Ayame." This voice was more agitated and sounded a little bit younger than that first voice. "We have to get rid of it. That chakra is eating you alive." What? Get rid of what? What chakra were they talking about?

"No it isn't - ugh," Ayame groaned again in pain. I heared her laboured breathing as I inched slightly closer to the door. "It just wants to get out sometimes. I can feel it. It's too accustomed to me and I it. If you take it out, I won't be the same and it will die."

"Perhaps she is right," an older voice chimed in. It, too, sounded familiar. Aged with experience and refined by philosophy and power.

"Lord Third, are you really considering - ?" The third voice broke off, either being silenced or just not knowing how to continue. So, that was the Third Hokage in there? Along with two Chuunins or possibly higher, it's a wonder I hadn't been found out yet. Who was the silent fifth chakra owner in the room? I'm no sensory type, but I was fairly certain there were five people in there.

"Iruka, you have had Ayame under her care for nearly tens years now - are you telling me you don't believe that she can do what she says she can?"

"N-No, that isn't - "

"So it's decided," the Third said, cutting him off. I furrowed my brow. I really don't know what's going on. "Ayame, stand up, my child."

"Yes, Lord Third," she said. Shuffling noises sounded as she stood up and walked over to the old man.

"When you came to this village at the mere age of five, you showed promise. Though you were very quiet when you first started, I've seen you grow into the fine kunoichi you are. You and your team have come very far and you're very strong. I know you can control this creature's chakra. Your sensei knows you can. You have me by your side, child." There was a pause and a bittersweet chuckle followed by a sniff.

"Thank you, Lord Third," Ayame said after. The Third laughed.

"Dry your tears, child, if you're going to see your teammate."

"I'm sorry," she said, almost shamefully. What on Earth were they talking about? I'll have to investigate later.

Someone stood up, they were headed towards the door. I jumped backwards and started walking casually down the hall as if I had just passed by, looking around as if I were exploring. I heard the door slide open slowly and I didn't falter. I kept my chin up the whole time.

"Yuki-chan? Is that you?" Ayame asked. Her footsteps headed towards me and I turned around.

"Oh, Ayame. You're here?" I feigned innocence and curiosity as we stood in the hallway. I was well aware that the other three man watching us, waiting for Ayame to come with them so she can see Sasuke. "How did you match go?"

"Well, to make it short, I won." We both had content and nuetral faces on. "I see your wounds have been attended to," she said, gesturing to my bandages. "Your match was very impressive. I'm glad I'll be seeing you in the next match." Her stormy grey eyes flickered with eagerness as I nodded.

"I am as well."

"We're about to visit Sasuke-kun, would you like to join us?"

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"You won't."

After a moment of us just staring at each other, waiting for my answer, I inhaled through my nose. I might as well go with her if I want to not only learn ways to beat either of them in the next round, but to understand what their conversation was about earlier. I nodded.

"All right then."

. . .

We went to a more secluded area as Ayame and I followed her senseis and the Third to Sasuke's infirmary room. I hadn't watched his match, but from what Ayame tokd me on the way there, his chakra had been all but sucked out of him and he continued to go on. The will power he possesses is amazing on its own. This was an odd place, though, for a hospital room. Why was Sasuke so seperated from the other injured ninja? Ayame was suspicious as well, but said nothing.

When we finally reached his room, he was laying down on the hospital bed. His room looked like all the other ones, but it had the atomosphere that made it seem like he was meant to be hidden away. Like he had a secret.

"Kakashi-sensei, can I speak to you?" Ayame asked suddenly as the Third and Iruka left. Kakashi eyed her warily before he answered.

"Of course. Let's go in the hall." They left. Leaving me in the room with Sasuke. He didn't like me in the first place, so if he woke up and I was there, there'd no doubt be trouble.

Heaving a heavy sigh, a pulled a chair up next to his bed and sat down. Hands folded in my lap, I watched Sasuke sleep. He looked so drained. That chakra-stealing guy must be quite good to have put this Uchiha in his place. But I wonder . . was that the only reason Sasuke had lost? From what I've heard of Uchiha, they are quite formidable - fast, intelligent, keen eyes that can se through many justsu. Why hadn't he used his famous Sharingan? What other affliction had caused him to derail?

Looking at his face, I saw a bead of sweat falling from his temple. I narrowed my eyes at it before grabbing a rag from the nightstand and dabbing at it. Was he sick? He looked so pale . . . and I mean paler than usual. I stood up and tucked the blankets under him as I pulled it up to his chin. I felt like I was caring for a baby. Why bother, though? I knew he didn't like me, so why do I even care? Besides, I still have to defeat him in the next round of the Exams. I sighed as I continued my work. Maybe I just wanted something to keep me busy. I found a bowl of cool water and dipped the rag in it. After wringing it out, I folded it and placed it on Sasuke's burning forehead.

Ayame finally came in to see me feel his cheek to check his temerature. I looked up at her.

"Is everything all right?" I asked nuetrally. She shrugged.

"There are kids killing each other in another room. So, nothing's really okay."

"That's accurate." I moved out of the way as she sat on Sasuke's bed. She took his hand on hers and touched the same cheek I did with her free one. Her forehead creased in a pine of worry. She smoothed his cheekbone with the pad of her thumb and didn't remove her hand.

"Kami, Sasuke," she muttered under her breath, probably hoping I couldn't hear her. "He's so hot."

"When he wakes up make sure he drinks plenty of water," I told her. She nodded, not looking at me. I found myself smiling in spite of myself. They were so young. But she was so in love with him. I'm only a year older than them, and I don't think I can quite comprehend what they share. I cleared my throat. "I'll give you your privacy then." I bowed before turning to the door and walking there.

"Wait," Ayame called just before I reached the doorknob. I turned back around to find that she was now looking at me and her hand was off of Sasuke's face. Her grey eyes swept over my face searchingly."Don't go."

"Oh. Of course." I walked back towards her and sat in the chair I was in before. We sat in silence for a moment. Though she wanted me to stay, she kept her attention focused on Sasuke's dead-like features. He really did look dead, aside from the subtle rise and fall of his chest. "He'll be okay," I tried to reassure her. She huffed a single chuckle through her nose.

"He's stubborn like that," she said, smiling. There was a piece of hair in his face that she pushed away, caressing his face after. She leaned forward and moved the collar of his shirt. She cringed slightly at something, but I couldn't see it.

"What is it?" She loked at me for a moment and rolled her eyes scoldingly.

"The medic-nins did a bad job with his wound," she said, shaking her head. I raised an eye brow.

"I thought his chakra was just drained?" I asked and she paused.

"He had a minor injury from . . . that move he did. I forgot the name."

"Oh, all right." She was lying to me. Something else was wrong, but I didn't press or ask anymore questions. There are so many secrets in this village.

. . .

So I guess this is it for this Chapter.

Not very eventful, but like I said, while I'm on break I want to do absolutely as much as possible.

Even if people stopped following because I never updated (._. )

It's my own fault (^.^')

Bye guys! Review! Love you!