A/N: HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! This isn't a chapter guys! *don't hurt me!* The next real chapter will be posted on the usual schedule. The next two passages are excerpts from the a potential Gaara or Neji story. First up is Gaara and last but not least is Neji!
Thank you for the favorite and/or follow: Kyoya Kumo, Haibara2780, Miep24, DawnofShadows256, EmitaYaska, , bloodyhell99, and Captainchibi52
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Title: "Do More Than Just Guard Your Body"
"Gaara, we think you should really consider having a bodyguard now that you're Hokage." Kankuro told his younger brother with a large, nervous smile. Temari stood to his left looking slightly calmer, but her shifting was giving her away.
Gaara leaned forward to place his chin on top of his intertwined fingers. He grunted hin disagreement, not discuss the same topic again.
"I am perfectly capable of protecting myself, Kankuro." He told his older brother, whom wouldn't meet his gaze. He knew they were up to something with their weak attempt at an intervention.
"Gaara, every Kazekage before you has had some form of protection that didn't involve the Anbu. Both Kankuro and I have our own duties to attend to, so we handpicked your new bodyguard. The council has already agreed to have her protect you. She will also be doubling as your assistant." Temari told him firmly making Gaara lift a nonexistent eyebrow. She felt her resolve slowly dwindling under his unwavering gaze until there was a knock on the door. Both Kankuro and Temari released breaths that they didn't know they were holding.
"Enter." Gaara stated calmly, his turquoise gaze now on the door. The door swung open with unnecessary force making two out of the three sand siblings wince.
"Yo." Okoru Senju stood in all her glory, hands on her wide hips and a stunning, lopsided grin on her pretty face. Three red lines were on her face; one on each cheek and one on her chin. "Eh?" She tilted her head in confusion at the tense atmosphere.
"Who are you?" Gaara addressed the scantily dressed, pale blonde beauty.
"Great granddaughter of Tobirama Senju: Okoru Senju, friends call me Oko. For a Kazekage you sure don't know much." Ki clicked her tongue and shook her head. Kankuro and Temari hit the floor in exasperation. They had never met anyone with such a blunt maybe even rude personality.
Gaara visibly twitched making a slow smile grace Oko's face. She was going to enjoy irritating her new plaything...if he didn't kill her before she got to the good parts.
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Title: I Hate You Too
"Don't do this, Namari…." Neji Hyuga begged for the first time in his life. He was proud even as a child, but the teenager he had grown attached to had burrowed a hole into his previously uncaring heart.
He hated every inch of her slender form. She stood proud in front of him. They despised each other because they were so much alike, but in this very moment they couldn't be more different. He didn't know the love and loss of a sibling. He didn't understand what she was going through and to be honest...he didn't want to.
"I am all my brother has left...and he is all I have left. It is my job to protect him and if I have to leave to do my job then so be it." Namari stared him down with her lage obsidian eyes.
Neither of them understood why she even bothered telling him she was leaving instead of just going quietly. Neji was quickly realizing that out of everyone, she wanted to say goodbye to him. Not her sensei. Not her teammates, but him.
"You know what will happen if you l-"
"Yeah and I don't care." The usual ice on Namari's words weren't there. She sounded more reserved...almost locking away her emotions from even herself.
"Goodbye Neji. Maybe I'll see you again someday." Namari stood on up from her sitting position on his windowsill. Neji stood as well grasping her wrist much to both of their surprise.
"Nej-"
"If you actually think your going to walk out of here without a fight then you are sadly mistaken." Neji's byakugan activated immediately, but Namari didn't even flinch looking into his haunting eyes.
"Oh, Neji...it won't be much of a fight." She told him flatly but a small tilt could be heard in her words.
"Much of a fight for you." Neji breathed out in anger and desperation. However his body tensed up as she leaned forward with her eyes still open. The wind ruffling her blue, black ponytail as her sharingan appeared bright in the dark room with only the moon for light.
"Your the one that's wrong...I'm an Uchiha and Uchiha always win."
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Miep42: Thank you so much for the review and for taking the time to weigh in on the debate. The next chapter will be when the debate is over, and I will be announcing the winner! I'm going to make the Shukaku v.s. Kabocha fight epic. (; SPOILER ALERT! I love your question! Kabocha's mother was not Jun's tamer BUT we will be finding out who is! (; Let me know in a review if you still choose Gaara after reading the excerpts. Thanks again for your lovely feedback Miep!
Dani66: Always great to hear from you Dani! Ugh, you make my heart happy! It means a lot to read such positive feedback. I'm also happy you enjoyed this chapter. I was worried that it didn't turn out the best because of my previous moodiness. I'll have to include more of Shikamaru's thoughts and feelings because in my mind I know what he's feeling so I should make sure you guys know what he's feeling too. I was really contemplating a fight scene between them but logically I couldn't fit it without Kabocha being in trouble since she's the foreign ninja. HOWEVER there will be some type of large confrontation between them. Stay tuned for that! (;