A/N: Y'all got those three reviews in with a swiftness! I had to have the same swiftness with finishing this chapter, which did not work out! If you guys keep getting the reviews in this fast I'm going to have to start making chapters ahead of time or up the amount of reviews just to give me more time to write!
Thank you for favoriting and following the story: ImagineMoon and Skylion27
Mangafreak1997: Thank you so much for the review! You are the first for chapter twelve! I'm really happy I didn't disappoint and that you love the story, I do get worried but the reassurance is definitely nice! Thanks again!
Deviliciouskitty: Always great to hear from you, my most frequent reviewer! Naruto and Kabocha will definitely be getting into a lot more shenanigans. Shikamaru will definitely be showing just how whipped he is. (;
SabineGerhart07: Oh my glob, you gave them a name! Shikoba, I absolutely adore it! No offense here! I totally get that she would definitely get the sand coffin, and you also gave me an idea about doing something so everyone can see what Gaara was thinking. (;
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*Normal Pov*
Gaara waited patiently for the little skirmish to come to its head. The orange haired female's pointed ears twitched, letting him know that she was aware of his presence.
'Interesting.' Gaara thought looking at how fast she moved. His eyes traveled over her foreign features. Wild, curly orange hair that was wrapped in a messy bun. Sun kissed skin, pointed ears, and golden eyes with slitted pupils. She was different just by looking at her.
The shape of her body developing body was also appealing...but that wasn't the only thing.
'Hahahaha! Looks like you've found yourself a toy, boy!' The sand demon screeched in his head, but Gaara's expression never changed. He was used to the voice by now. It had only become more prominent over the years.
'Toy? She is not something I want to play with.' Gaara thought to the racoon demon with a vacant expression. Gaara couldn't help but let the demon's statement make his eyes wander over her once more. She was about 5'8. She was taller than most females her age, he noticed. The black pants and sleeveless mesh armor did wonders for her figure. The scar on her body catching both the demon and Gaara's eye.
'It looks like she even has a little fight in her with a scar that bad. We love a good fight.' The shukaku practically purred in satisfaction watching her leg raise up and kick Kankuro under his chin.
'I don't think a fight is all your looking for.' Gaara thought to the demon making him howl in laughter.
'Of course not, boy! You and I are thinking the same thing about that girl!' Gaara looked inwardly confused as to what the demon was implying. 'Sex you idiot. Sex, blood, and murder. She is different. She isn't a jinchuuriki like you, boy, she is something so much more! Her blood would be so different from the others!" It was the first time he had heard the shukaku take such an interest in a person.
'And what exactly is she and what do you want me to do about her.' Gaara thought watching as the teen to his left hit Kankuro with just a pebble. 'I don't know what she is, but we're going to find out!' The shukaku cackled loudly as Gaara readied himself to intervene since Kankuro had drawn his most used puppet. He also didn't object to the shukaku's demand.
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Gaara looked at Kabocha as she walked towards him with his head down. Since he had recognized her yesterday the shukaku hadn't stopped talking about her, and considering he didn't sleep the talking was really nonstop. She continued to walk without noticing him and ran right hi. Kabocha began to apologize, but stopped when she realized it was him.
The shukaku had woken up from his light nap to hear their exchange. He even howled when she called them rude. He could sense her blood boiling, but she wasn't actually angry. He could smell it on her. The grin she flashed at them made both Gaara and the shukaku falter. Her fangs were extremely prominent especially on such a pretty face. The shukaku's interest in her skyrocketed.
'It seems you are right about her being different.' Gaara thought as he moved her to the side with his sand and little effort. She screeched after him, but continued to ignore her banshee like cries. Gaara had accidently voiced some of his thoughts out loud, confusing Kabocha thoroughly.
'Haven't you learned now, boy. I am always right.' The shukaku said with a growing malicious, but lecherous smirk.
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The chunin exams was the third time Gaara got to see her. 'She has high standing for someone older to be calling her boss!' The shukaku laughed and Gaara only hummed not taking his eyes off of her for a moment. His siblings taking notice to his staring, but he did not care. 'Of course she would. She isn't called the Dragon of the West because she is weak.' Gaara thought watching her float over to a brunette and wrap her arms around her his waist. The snarl from the sand demon was enough to rattle Gaara's mind and shock him.
'Who is that pineapple headed runt!' Red began to bleed into Gaara's vision. Kabocha's scent began to become more prominent even though she was across the room. She smelled hot...like pure heat, cinnamon, a hint of blood, and something that was all animal. The animal part to her scent wasn't overbearing. The cinnamon and heat were the main parts of her scent, but that small hint of blood riled the shukaku like no other.
Kabocha was all over Shikamaru even as she stepped away, she still held his hand. Even when she went at it with the wrapped shinobi, she went right back to him at his command. The shukaku was filled with blinding rage. Gaara's body shook in anger, his breathing labored. He could barely focus on what the proctor was saying because of the new feelings he was getting from the shukaku. Jealousy was a feeling foreign to both the bijuu and the jinchuuriki.
Everyone moved to take their seats and listened to what their first instructor of the chunin exams was saying about cheating. Gaara half listened as he paid close attention to Kabocha was unfortunate enough to sit next to him. Unfortunate for Kabocha since she had no idea just how deep the feelings of both the shukaku and Gaara of the Desert.
*Kabocha POV*
I kissed Shikamaru's cheek as the seating was established swiftly. I made my way up to the sixth row and stopped mid step to look at the red haired teen that had been on my mind a little too often lately. He was looking straight ahead and never turned to look at me as I took my seat right beside him. I tapped my pencil and pursed my lips. A hand shot out to grasp my wrist surprising me out of my spacing.
"Stop. That." Gaara's deep, gravelly voice made my body freeze. I looked at his pale skin against my sun kissed skin. My first time touching him wasn't what I expected. A shock shook my bloodstream. My vision sharpened and I could hear how many times the fly in the room landed on something or someone. I could hear the blood in my veins, the blood in his veins.
Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Shikamaru looking at us with a confused expression. I snacthed my wrist away and all of my senses dulled. My senses have been heightened since I met Shikamaru ten years ago. Gaara was breathing hard looking at his hand, I turned away from him not wanting to meet anyone's eye...especially Shikamaru's gaze.
"You have one hour to take the test. Ten minutes before time is up I will give the final question." Ibiki Moreno said looking at the time. "Begin!" Everyone immediately picked up their pencils, I however was a little delayed because of the thoughts in my head.
'I can't keep feeling like this!' I bit down on my thumb nail in contemplation. This was going beyond just being curious about him. My eyes flickered over to him to see his eyes closed. I looked away and took a deep breath to recenter myself.
I flinched when something flowed through my body at a fast rate. I took a deep breath and relaxed, letting Kina use her blood possession jutsu take over my body. Kina and her mother were the only two in the village now able to use water based jutsu. It should have been four including Tsuyoi and my momma. Jutsus in the lava village were centered around fire, earth, and lightning in that order.
She moved my hand to the corner of the paper to write me a tiny note. 'I have collected the notes using Shikamaru. I hope he didn't mind me taking over his body. :p' She doodled a little face at the end of her note before continuing. 'Some of this stuff you should already know. Shosha is hopeless, so I'm going to help him after I give you all the answers. (;' She finished the note with another doodle and erased all of it. She sat all the way at the top row in the back. She was able to see and control whomever she needed to without suspicion.
My hand began to write in all the answers, I fought to keep the grin off my face watching Naruto sweat and struggle. There was no way I could help him, I felt bad, but watching Hinata try and persuade him into cheating was giving me great amusement. I could hear them two rows down with my advanced hearing.
Kina filled in the last few sentences, and the feeling of her inside of me left. My body dropped forward slightly from the intrusion. She was using quite a bit of chakra jumping from me to Maru-kun and then to Shosha. She didn't use as nearly as much as she used to when she first started practicing the jutsu last year, and I just hoped she didn't pass out.
There was only five minutes until the tenth question would be given. I wasn't too worried because of Kina's brilliant ability. She was the information gatherer of our team and was able to pass the information back to us with her blood possession jutsu if we were in range. We would never get caught because of easy it is for us to communicate.
A handful of teams left in those last five minutes. Eleven other teams had been caught cheating, so my amusement for Naruto quickly turned into worry. "Alright time's up!" Ibiki called out making me breath a sigh of relief for Naruto's sake. "For the tenth and final question there are a few rules." Everyone began to murmur. "Quiet!" Aaaand...the murmuring immediately stopped.
"You can pass this test just by answering the tenth question...correctly." The murmuring started right back up. "But! There is a catch. If you answer the question wrong you can never take the chunin exams again. You will forever remain a genin." He said turning the murmuring into cries of outrage.
"For those of you that do not want to risk it. Just raise your hand and you and your team can leave and try again next year." Ibiki said calmly with a vicious smirk. I had heard about him from momma enough times to know just who and what he was capable of. He wasn't a man to trifle with, however, seeing him slightly saddened at my mother's funeral brightened his image in my eyes.
Hands began to raise in the air without hesitation. Teams began to leave the room. I could tell some were hesitating to leave, but my eyes kept straying back to my basically adopted brother...Naruto. His head was down and he was shaking. I knew his dream and I had no doubts that he wouldn't quit, but he was making me wonder what was wrong with him...until he jumped out of his seat to give a big Naruto speech. The hesitation left the room, everyone's resolve solidifying, and I couldn't fight the grin off of my face. Ibiki couldn't fight his smile either.
He looked around the room just to be sure that everyone was going to stay, but I found it unnecessary because of Naruto's leadership. I rested my face against my hand, no longer caring about what anyone was saying after Ibiki announced that all of us that stayed had passed. I didn't need any extra information. A big blanket like projectile flew through the window startling everyone but Ibki.
"Alright boys and girls! It's time for the second part of the exams, so follow me!" A purple haired woman said with way too much enthusiasm. "Your a little early Anko…" Ibiki said stepping around her large banner.
"Again…" Anko said with a sweatdrop. "You went easy on them this year. There are a lot teams left." Anko said, counting the teams in her head.
"Maybe we just have a good batch of candidate this year." Ibiki said looking at her with a smirk. I couldn't help but agree because this was the first year Lava shinobi were participating in the official chunin exams.
"No matter. With my test...more than half will be eliminated." She grinned maliciously at us making several people gulp. "I'll let your squad leader know where to meet me for tomorrow. Dismissed." She said disappearing the same way she came in. Everyone began to stand and leave. I stayed seated, watching Gaara and waiting for Kina. Gaara stood fluidly to his feet and left without even glancing back at me.
"Hey." Kina said resting her hand on top of my head. I looked up at her, Shosha joining stepping up beside her. "You okay?" She asked also watching Gaara leave. I grinned up at my future sister-in-law with a slight blush.
"I'm alright, Ki." She blushed with a soft smile of her own making Shosha drool. "We should go out and celebrate. We won't stay out too late since the second part of the exams is tomorrow." Kina suggested.
"You guys wanna come celebrate with us!" Choji waved from the front door beside Ino and Shikamaru. Ino was jumping up and down in celebration. I didn't see Shikamaru which really bothered me, but I schooled my features to a convincing smile.
"Sure." I said standing up and making my way down to them with Shosha and Kina behind me. "Do we really ha-" I heard Kina shut him up with her elbow, or what I assumed was her elbow. Kina was definitely a force to be reckoned with.
We made it down to them and began to walk out with them. "Where's Shikamaru?" I asked not wanting to sound too hurt. I already knew Sakura was going to drag Naruto and Sasuke away to celebrate with their sensei. Naruto definitely went kicking and screaming since he didn't have a chance to come back and congratulate me. I expected my crush (that confirmed he had an interest in me) to stay behind and wait for me.
I could feel Kina and Shosha's eyes burning holes in my back as Ino talked up a storm with Kina who answered her softly. "He went ahead to get us a table at the barbeque spot." Choji said oblivious to my darkening mood. "I see," was the only response I gave.
"Hey Kabo!" I looked over my shoulder at Ino, but I didn't have to for long as she threw herself over my shoulders. "How'd you get the information we needed?" She was grinning at me, bringing up my sour mood slightly.
"My dear Ino...I can't let you in on all of our secrets now can I?" I winked at her and she stuck her tongue out at me. "Here, I'll tell you and then you have to tell me how you got yours! I did my mind possession jutsu on billboard brow!" Ino snorted slightly in her cackle making me crack up at her goofiness.
"Now, spill!" She said leaning her weight on me, I rolled my eyes at her. "You'll find out soon enough." I stuck my tongue out at her pout.
"Nosy brat." Shosha grumbled and Kina hit him again making him wheeze. "Bring on the barbeque!" Choji shouted as we arrived, he ran ahead of us leaving a dust cloud in his wake.
"Jeez, Choji slow down! The food isn't going anywhere." Ino said jogging after him while Shosha, Kina, and I took our time and walked like normal people the rest of the way.
"Thank you for not telling her." Kina said looking at me with a blank face. "I know she is one of you-"
"Stop." I said cutting her off with a slight chuckle. "What if you have to fight her in a match? She would have an advantage over you. Loyalty to my teammates trumps loyalty in any friendship." I said trying to keep my sadness away. "You are going to be my family someday as well...you aren't just a comrade, Ki." I grinned at her watery gaze.
"Bo-Bo…" She whispered with a watery smile. "For the love Shi! Stop it, both of you!" Shosha groaned loudly, totally ruining our little moment. Kina and I glared fiercely at him, punching him in the stomach and shoulder. He leaned over to catch his breath, and Kina and I left him there. We walked into the barbeque place, and we were able to find them because of Ino's loud mouth.
"Can't you at least wait for Kabocha, Kina, and Shosha, Choji!" Ino yelled putting her hand over his mouth so he wasn't able to eat. "MAn, you're so troublesome. Just leave him alone, Ino." I heard Shikamaru sigh, and I would have stopped completely if I my arm wasn't looped with Kina's.
"Finally! Hurry before Choji eats everything! Where is Shosha!" Ino yelled still fighting with Choji. "He'll be here in a moment." Kina said with a smile, shoving me down beside Shikamaru. I glared at her and she smiled eerily at me as if saying 'fix it or I will embarrass the shit out of you in this restaurant.' I gulped quietly and turned to face Shikamaru, who was already looking at me making me blush. I quickly turned away to look back at Kina.
"I….fucking….hate….you...both." Shosha said finally catching his breath. "That is what you get for being rude." Kina said not looking at him. "Kabocha, we're leaving. We have some things to discuss." Kina said smiling gently at me. I frowned not wanting them to leave.
"What!" Shosha almost screeched. "I just got he-" Shosha stopped complaining as soon as Kina turned to look at him. Her once soft smile now somewhat sultry...and now I felt like I was going to be sick at what she was implying.
"We're leaving." Shosha said straightening up, grabbing Kina's hand whom was giggling like a schoolgirl. I gagged turning away from the sickening scene. "They're so in love." Ino sighed dreamily making me glare at her.
"They're sick." I grumbled grabbing some chopsticks. "You don't think that when it's you and Shikamaru." Choji said with a mouth full of food. My face flushed remembering when they caught us fooling around.
"What a drag…" Shikamaru rolled his eyes, turning his gaze towards me. Something unfamiliar right on the surface. "What's going on with that kid from the sand?" He asked bluntly. It was very rare that Shikamaru danced around a topic, but I really wish he had chosen when we were alone to bring it up. Ino and Choji were now giving us their undivided attention.
"Shikamaru.." I said his full name with a twinge of annoyance. The shock on all of their face was clear as day. "There's nothing going on between Gaara and I." I didn't turn my eyes away from his, but I guess my gaze was too intense because he definitely looked away from.
"Gaara huh…" Shikamaru said almost as if he was testing the name out. "Ino overheard Sakura and her team talking about Gaara's interest in not only Sasuke, but you too." He turned his brown eyes back to me. My gaze never shied away from him.
'Sakura's got a big mouth.' I thought to myself before collecting my thoughts to respond. "There was an altercation involving Gaara's teammate and a few others including myself. I was training with Sasuke when he dragged me to the fight. Gaara happened to recognize me and I recognized him as well." My tongue darted to lick my dry lips, his eyes darted down briefly to watch the action.
"That may be true...but we saw how he grabbed you at the exam earlier. You two stared at each other for quite some time, Kabocha." Ino said grinning at me, Choji nodding beside her. I huffed out air through my nose, glaring daggers at her. She flinched and busied herself looking around the restaurant.
"I was tapping my pencil and he was tired of it. I don't even know him, I know of him. The same goes for him, he is only aware of my title-"
"Which is?" Shikamaru asked cutting me off. I cut my eyes at him. I didn't really like his attitude right now, and I definitely don't like being interrupted. "I've gained a name for myself like all memorable shinobi do…"
"In such a short time too!" Choji said grinning at me, but I couldn't find it in my to return it. "Dragon of the West, right?" Ino said with a contemplative look.
"Right." I sighed looking at the ceiling. "Why didn't you share that with us? Why are you being so secretive. It's gotten worse since your mother died last year. We're your friends, Kabocha. You may belong to another village, but remember that you can talk with us." Shikamaru said trying to hide a hurt expression, his expression was really breaking my heart.
"I...I'm sorry." My voice cracked slightly making me even more embarrassed. "I'm sorry to all three of you. I've been hurting since my momma died. I-I started to take missions after an incident happened with my father after the funeral…" Tears welled up in my eyes, I swallowed thickly.
"I started taking harder missions so I would be away longer...away from my father and away from the thoughts of my momma. Kina and Shosha supported me, so we started training more for the B-rank missions. My uncle Hikari started training me one on one on how to…" I looked away not wanting to look any of them in the eyes. All of the feelings I kept buried were coming to the surface in this restaurant. I didn't want people to see me as weak. Let alone people I didn't know. I was the general of developing...soon to be...great nation (as father would say)?
"Why didn't you say anything to us…" Choji asked, his voice and face clearly sad. "Yeah, we're supposed to be your closest friends, minus Naruto, we've never even seen you shed tears-"
"I have." Shikamaru said interrupting Ino and looking at me with a soft smile making me blush through my tears. "W-when..?" I asked him, my eyes flickering to meet his gaze, but I returned them to the ceiling.
"You were only five, so ten years ago. You were so little and innocent," out of the corner of my eye I saw a smirk crawl across his handsome face. My blush brightened at his implication, but I continued to listen. "I was your first friend. You told me everything, we did everything together, and now everything has changed. I know we're older...you're older and we're from different villages, but don't forget that you're going to be my wife someday. You have to talk to me, Kabocha. Talk to me, Ino, or Choji. They have been there for you as well-"
Everything took a backseat after he said wife. He wanted me to be his wife. My crush wanted me to be his wife. Wife...wife...wife. Shikamaru's boldness came at the most unexpected times. I wasn't saying the boldness wasn't liked...because his lazy, cool guy persona was sexy, but the take charge attitude was a turn on!
"Are you listening to me, troublesome woman." Shikamaru sighed, he poked my cheek extremely close to my mouth making me jump. A strong sense of deja vu took over as I turned to look at him. "Hey, when did Choji and Ino leave," was my only response, looking for our other two friends.
"Your just now noticing they left. They slithered out of the seat at the start of my rant. You were too busy looking at the ceiling." Shikamaru looked at me concerned, all I did was smile and cup his handsome face.
"Your future wife is oblivious sometimes." I grinned with my fangs on full display. He blushed an attractive pink...and gave me a closed eyed smile.
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I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long! Those reviews came so fast! I'm going to start making them ahead of time, and I am also requesting five reviews. Five reviews will take a little longer...maybe lol. Last, I think Gorudo looks like Sosuke Aizen (the slicked back hair version) with golden eyes. Let me know what you think! Trials ahead for SHIKOBA'S relationship! Stay tuned!