Uzumaki Twins

Chapter 25

~Chika's pov~

Today's the day. Finally!

I looked around the arena, searching for any intruders that may have snuck in. This was where the last rounds would be performed. This was the stage where Naruto will be fighting to prove himself worthy of becoming a Chunin. Grass, mud and a spot of trees was surrounded by a large thick wall. Three parts of the wall was covered in chairs which were roofed off overhead. To my right and up was a balcony that had two chairs sitting there. They were both vacant. They were the seats for the Hokage and Kazekage who should have already arrived in the village now.

I narrowed my eyes at the seat where the Kazekage was going to be sitting.

When I first saw the Kazekage I immediately didn't like him. Something about him was off. He was horrible and had no respect. He didn't even seem pleased that we were there delivering a letter to him. Such an ungrateful bastard he turned out to be. But hearing that he would be present for the final rounds my blood started boiling. His attitude pisses me off so I have every reason to be mad that he's going to show his face here.

I clenched my fists and continued observing the place. No intruders were hiding in the shadows or other hiding spots. I looked up and followed my teammates. They were stationed throughout the arena, checking everywhere to be sure that there were no other intruders. Akira and Takane were both very excited to be able to observe the matches as they kept an eye out for any intruders or potential troublemakers. No doubt with the arena full of ninjas from other villages we will definitely have some troublemakers present. Some may even have conspiracies to get the match to go in their favour.

Not on my watch!

With my team and me around, no one's going to do anything to sabotage the final rounds. Smiling at my resolve, I turned my attention back to my task at hand.

It shouldn't be long until the stadium starts filling with people. A little before then and the ones participating in the final round should be gathering to enter the arena below. Last time I saw my brother before coming here, he was still in bed. Only having gotten out of hospital last night, he stayed up late practicing the summoning jutsu. I didn't watch him, I couldn't. I had to think about being alert for today rather than bone-tired. So I went to bed early. But now I'm worried that he'll wake up late.

'Stop worrying about your brother. I'm sure he'll be fine.' Akira's mental voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

'It's not the match I'm worried about. It's about him waking up late.'

Takane's laughter floated into my mind. 'You're brother isn't really responsible is he? Always making you worry, always making you babying him, maybe you should give him a lesson in independence.'

'I agree.' Hoshi-sensei said joining in. 'You're totally independent Chika. Your brother could surely learn a thing or two from you.'

I shrugged my shoulders. 'You're all right. But I can't help worrying over him. He's my brother, the only person I have left in my family. I guess this feeling and protectiveness is normal for family.'

'I think you're a little too protective over that boy,' Akira grumbled. 'But it's natural for a family to care for another.'

'Let's just hope that lazy boy gets here on time,' Takane giggled.

I'm hoping the same thing. Doubt it though. Naruto's got a tendency to oversleep when it suits him. It's not something I can blame him for. The pair of us works so hard to achieve anything important. But the lessons he needs to learn most of all are responsibility and to taking care of himself, not overexert trying to achieve anything straight away. The best results are always ones that are waited for.

~Naruto's pov~

I slowly woke. Groggily I sat up in my bed and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. What could have woken me so early? Surely nothing important was happening today. Stretching I climbed out of bed and moved through the house. I looked into my sister's bedroom and discovered a made bed and clean room. I blinked. The only times that she's ever been awake early was for something important. What could be so important that requires her early attendance? God, if only she could hear my thoughts. She'd be surprised I thought of such a sentence.

Grinning to myself I walked into the kitchen/living room. A small room that contained everything a kitchen and a living room needs. I put two pieces of bread into the toaster and set about pouring a glass of milk whilst I waited. Kuro would flip if she ever discovered that I drank from the carton. In fact she always seems to know when I've done something that she doesn't like. She's full of surprises when I least expect it.

The toast popped out of the toaster. Grabbing them, I quickly dropped them onto the plate and blew my fingers. Damn they're hot. I buttered them and then sat at the table and started munching. I drank some milk and then bit into the toast again. Closing my eyes, I continued to eat and pondered why something about today is nagging me. Could there really be something important? I bit into the next slice of toast and kept thinking.

What's Kuro been so deeply into as of late? Well besides the Chunin exams…

I dropped the toast onto the plate and stared at the wall in absolute horror.

THE CHUNIN EXAMS!

Stuffing the toast into my mouth, I chewed before gulping the rest of the milk down my throat. I rushed back into my bedroom and started dressing. I grabbed my set of the house keys, slipped my shoes on and rushed out of the door. I checked to make sure it was locked before racing across the balcony. I jumped over and started racing towards the stadium where the last rounds was being taken place. I can't believe I not only forgot that the Chunin exams are taking place today, but that I overslept and I'm late for it.

Oh man! I sure hope that I'm able to compete.

Kuro would laugh her head off at my idiocy for oversleeping and forgetting.

~Chika's pov~

Where could Naruto be?

I leaned against the back wall observing all the ninjas and civilians that have come from all other countries. Most of them have come with ninjas to protect them. It's those people that my team and I have decided to watch closely. If they've made a bet with another, they'd do their best to sway it into their favour. Bribing the participants or killing the participants in an isolated place just so their employers win. Resulting to such pathetic methods to win… Cheats, the lot of them! Why if I ever witness such a thing happening before me, I would do my best to both humiliate the ninjas and the one who employs them.

Down in the arena the final combatants have all assembled and lined ready for battle. The one overlooking the battle stood in front of their line with something sticking out of his mouth. He'll interfere if one of the combatants was breaking the rules in which they agreed to abide by. The ninjas outside the stadium, guarding the entrance, will refuse entrance to those who are late or doesn't have a reservation to watch the match. In other words, Naruto wasn't getting in to participate in this match.

I clenched my fists and glared down at his opponent.

The long brown haired male stood down there with his eyes cast somewhere. He was glaring at something. More like someone. He's the one to have hurt Hinata without a care. She's done nothing wrong to him and yet he wanted to punish her for something she had no dealing in. The Hyuga bastard needs some manners smacked into him. I was glad when Naruto told me he was going to beat his ass. But since he's late and unable to enter the grounds, there match will be won by Neji Hyuga by default. He'll win because Naruto failed to turn up on time.

Damn it.

A loud thunderous sound approached. A loud scream definitely male and very familiar cried out. The next moment, Naruto came flying into the arena and struck the ground face first. I flinched the moment he struck the ground. I smirked when he pulled himself to his feet just as quickly as he had come in. He wiped away the mud from his face and took his place in line. He spoke to Shikamaru Nara and then looked up at the crowd. I felt his eyes probing the crowds and knew he was looking for me. I'm not sure if he was able to see me but I could feel his satisfaction. He must have felt my presence here and found it enough to ease him.

He'll do much harder so that he can please me.

Good luck, big brother.

~Gaara's pov~

I looked at the blonde Uzumaki from the corners of my eyes. To think that he would let his sister down so much to appear late to such an important event, he must be more stupid than I had first thought. If I was her, I would kill him for pulling such a stunt. That girl just surprises me at every turn. There's no way I'd know how she'll act. I know she's amongst the crowd performing her duties given to her. Observing the match from afar, performing security duties. It's not like her at all. She should be fighting not ensuring the safety of others.

I can feel her need to spill blood. It's as strong as mine.

I looked up. There on a higher point than the rest of the ninjas were the two Kages. The Hokage and the Kazekage were acting all superior and as if they rule the world. Sure they rule a village of their own but that doesn't mean that they get to act as if they're the strongest. Labelled Kages because they're the strongest from the village, but that ends. Today people will see that there are those stronger than the current Kages. Their places as the top of the village will be replaced with a much younger generation. But for me, I'll just prove to everyone of my existence, let them fear me; let them be crushed by my power.

First things first. Chika Uzumaki will be the first to fall beneath my power.

~Chika's pov~

If anything I could say that I've become more tuned in to Gaara. His thoughts, his feelings, his intentions seem to rush through me as if they were my own. Sure I felt earlier that I should be fighting and spilling blood, but this… This wasn't my own emotions. Such intensity! Such force! Not even Juuku feels this deep at destruction. What I could say about her was that she's tamed compared to Shukaku.

I AM NOT TAMED!

Ooh, pissed Juuku?

Stop teasing. She grumbled. Do you feel it?

I doubt that Chika can't feel it. She's more tuned in to these feelings than we are.

Shut it, Jyubi. You're so annoying.

Jyubi laughed at her. Don't be so mad, Juuku. It's not our fault that little Chika has bonded with Shukaku.

Excuse me? Bonded? I've bonded with Shukaku?

Yes, Kuro child, you've bonded with Shukaku. It felt like she frowned. Did you not know?

I haven't bonded with that puke demon!

Hmm. Then he must have bonded with you. Jyubi sighed. It seems every demon is interested in you, Chika.

Damn it, fix it Jyubi, Juuku!

We cannot fix a bond another demon creates. It is down to the bonder and the bonded.

Great! That's just perfect! Now I'll be able to feel what Gaara and Shukaku are feeling.

What's wrong with that? Juuku sounded like she was grinning. You like Gaara after all.

Stop reminding me!

He isn't having you. You belong to us.

Possessive much, Jyubi?

Of course! You're our vessel, not his.

Ssh, the first round is starting.

The pair silenced themselves and went dormant as the final rounds begun. The others moved to a box set into the wall far to my right so that they were safe and separate from the crowds. The two to remain in the arena were Naruto and Neji Hyuga. I glared at the Hyuga boy and felt like tearing him to pieces myself. Is that really what I'm feeling or is that Shukaku's or Gaara's feelings? God damn it. I don't know! With his damn bond Shukaku created it's hard to separate my feelings from theirs. I can feel that Gaara's confused with what to do with me but he also wants to kill me.

Just like the promise indicated. He wants to kill me so he can prove his existence. I just didn't realise how strongly he felt about doing it. Now I'm sure that's all he wants to do with me. Well I won't allow him to kill me. I have something to do in this life and I ain't leaving it until it's done. Besides, I ain't ever leaving my brother alone until it really is my time. So tough luck Gaara but you're going to have to wait longer for your wish to come through.