Yuri stepped into the Hokage's office, seeing Tsunade behind her desk along with several proctors from the Chunin Exams, Ibiki, Anko and the other who hosted the third part in the arena. Yuri blinked in surprise when she saw Shikamaru was there as well, wondering what was going on.
"Good, you're finally here." Tsunade told her.
"You sent a messenger for me to come here. Can you tell me why exactly?" Yuri asked Tsunade, standing next to Shikamaru.
"As the Chunin Exams were put on definite hold after the attack on the Leaf. I have received the opinions of many that none should pass this time around. But that just leaves you two. I hear that the Third Hokage had the highest praise for your matches which means he meant to recommend you both for Chunin."
"But I didn't even get to fight in the third round." Yuri told Tsunade.
"Lucky you." Shikamaru commented.
"I know that. But these two showed me your results during the first and second trials." Tsunade pointed to Ibiki and Anko. "Even they recommended you. In fact, all those who observed the fight and the other proctors felt the same. So, in this case, my opinion doesn't even matter. From this day forth I hope you two will strive to achieve a level of excellence worthy of that headband. Congratulations as of this moment, you stand a Chunin!" She smiled.
Yuri's mouth dropped in a little in shock. She was a Chunin, along with Shikamaru.
"T-Thank you." She said still, stunned by the news. Shikamaru sighed.
"Great. More work."
"What are you talking about? This is the best day of our lives and that's all you can say!?" Yuri exclaimed able to contain her excitement. "Naruto's not going to believe this!"
"That reminds me, I have a special assignment for you and your team." Tsunade told her.
"What is it?" Yuri asked.
"Squad 7 will be partnered up with some shinobi from the Hidden Sand village to take out some bandits at the mountain summit." Tsunade explained to her. Yuri's eyes widen a little.
"The Sand Village?"
"Yes. In order to build our alliance and trust back we need to work together with them. I've already told Kakashi the mission briefing and his already went to get Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke. They are waiting for you at the gates." Tsunade told her. Yuri nodded and bowed.
"I won't let you down." She told her and Yuri left the office and quickly headed towards the gates. She saw Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi waiting for her about to head out. Naruto waved to her.
"Hey! What was the hold up? We were waiting for a while!" He shouted and noticed the green vest that she was wearing. "And what's with that vest?"
"I was called to the Tsunade's office and Shikamaru was there as well." Yuri smiled.
"Hmm? What did granny want?" Naruto questioned.
"Shikamaru and I have been promoted to Chunin!" Yuri happily told them. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke's eyes widen in shock. Kakashi smiled underneath his mask.
"Congratulations!" He told her.
"Wait a minute! You knew!?" Sakura sputtered.
"N-No way!" Sasuke sputtered, still in shock by the news.
"That's great!" Naruto grinned.
"Thanks." Yuri smiled.
"By the way, why are we here? You wouldn't just drag us out just for that, did you Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked him. Kakashi told Naruto and the others as they headed out, about the bandit mission and that they're teaming up with the Sand Village as well to take them down.
"Seriously!? This is a joint mission with the Hidden Sand? Come on, we can handle this without those guys, can't we?" Naruto shouted.
"Don't be that way, Naruto. There's trouble on the border we share with the Sand Village. If only one side asks for help then the other side might be offended. Isn't better that the two allied villages simply cooperate and worked together on this mission? It makes both our jobs easier." Kakashi explained.
"This alliance was formed after the attack on the Leaf Village but it's untested. There's still problems to work out. The first step is to build trust on both sides and that's really what this particular mission is all about."
"Wow, Sasuke, impressive! You're so clever!" Sakura exclaimed, blushing a little. Yuri rolled her eyes.
"Well, that does take all the fun out of it if you put it like that." Kakashi spoke.
"I still don't get it you guys." Naruto said.
"Like Sasuke said, it's to build better relationships with the Sand and trust, especially with other villages. It is something that you're going to have to learn if you want to be Hokage one day, Naruto." Yuri told him.
"Guess it's too deep for you to understand. It's about nations, villages, important people with critical ideas." Sakura smirked, teasing him.
"Knock it off, Sakura. You don't have to be so mean, you know." Naruto frowned.
"In any event, we're an allied nation so let's try to get along, all right?" Kakashi said.
"Yeah, okay." Naruto sighed.
"That's enough talking for now. Let's just head to the rendezvous point with the Sand."
Naruto giggled. "Yeah! Let's race to see who can get there first! Last one there is a rotten egg!" and he quickly ran off. Sakura and Yuri quickly chased after him, leaving Kakashi and Sasuke as they continued to walk.
"No fair! You didn't even say go!" Sakura shouted. Naruto hopped out of the bushes, reaching a river with a broken stone bridge.
"I win! That makes you a rotten egg!" Naruto grinned.
"Ugh. You're so immature!" Sakura scoffed. Naruto laughed and stuck his tongue at her.
"Stop it!"
Kakashi and Sasuke walked over to them. "This should be our rendezvous point. Looks like they're not here yet." Kakashi said.
"Of course they're late. What do you expect from a bunch of jerks like that. You can never tell what those guys from the Sand Village are really thinking and they're sort of scary too." Naruto said.
"I've been to the Sand Village for a bit. They've changed." Yuri told him.
"If they really wanted to be friends with the Leaf Village they would have shown up on time!" Naruto argued.
"I'm sorry that we're late." A soft voice spoke. Yuri's eyes widened and so did everyone else. Gaara was standing behind Naruto on the water.
"G-Gaara!?" Naruto exclaimed in shock.
"Hey, Gaara!" Yuri smiled before she noticed his different outfit. Gaara was wearing a long sleeved reddish-brown coat with an upright collar, mesh armor on his wrists and ankles, and full lengthen reddish-brown trousers. "Nice outfit. It looks good on you."
"Thanks." Gaara replied until he noticed Yuri's green vest. "I see that you've been promoted to Chunin. Congratulations."
"Thanks." Yuri smiled, blushing a little. "It's still a bit of a surprise to me."
"And not to worry, Gaara. You guys did just fine. We got here a little early that's all." Kakashi told him.
"Is that so?" Gaara asked. Suddenly two shinobi were walking in the water, holding up some boxes over their heads, heading over to Gaara.
"Pardon us!"
"Looks like we all owe you an apology!"
"We kept you waiting, and we are sorry." Gaara told them and he bowed. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke stared at him in shock, surprised by Gaara's change in personality.
"It's alright, really." Yuri told him. "We're all here, aren't we?"
Suddenly, Naruto picked up a rock and threw it at Gaara. Gaara's sand rushed out, knocking it back. Yuri grabbed Naruto by his ear.
"Naruto, what were you thinking!?" She hissed, angrily. Naruto yelped in pain.
"Ow! I just wanted to make sure that it was him! Come on! A little rock like that couldn't hurt those guys anyway! Wait, were did those other guys go?"
Gaara turned around and saw the other two shinobi had disappeared. Yuri spotted them across the river, shivering and trembling in the bushes.
"He just made Lord Gaara use his ultimate defense!" one of them cried out.
"I know! How scary was that!" the other one trembled.
"I guess he still has trouble fitting in." Kakashi laughed, sheepishly.
"What is up with those guys? What a bunch of wimps!" Naruto frowned before looking at Gaara. "So, Gaara, what happened to the makeup guy and fan girl, aren't they with you?"
Sakura pulled Naruto on his ear. "I think you mean Kankuro and Temari."
"I'm enlisted with the regular forces right now. Let me introduce Yaoki and Korobi. They serve under me." Gaara told them. The two shinobi waved, still hiding behind the bush, introducing themselves.
"I'm Kakashi Hatake and this is Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Yuri." Kakashi introduced himself and the others to them.
"They're still rookies. So please be patient with them." Gaara explained.
"Now that we're all together, I suggest that Gaara's team approach from the western side of the mountain and my squad 7 will approach from the east. Then at midnight, we'll simultaneously attack the bandits at the summit. How's that sound?" Kakashi explained to everyone. Gaara nodded.
"Attacking them from both sides sounds like a good idea." Yuri agreed.
"I don't see why we have to wait until then. Squad 7 can take care of those bandits by ourselves, right now!" Naruto shouted.
"Naruto, these bandits are made up of rogue ninjas and from the reports that there are even Chunin class ninja among them. We need to take them out by surprise." Yuri told him.
"Yeah, you hear that, Naruto. If you rush in there, you'll end putting us all in really serious danger!" Sakura scolded.
"I got it. There's nothing wrong with my hearing." Naruto retorted, sarcastically.
"I believe we should go with your strategy." Gaara spoke before he paused, looking like he wanted to say something else. Kakashi noticed and so did Yuri.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked him. Gaara looked at Kakashi.
"I must speak with you alone."
Kakashi nodded and told Yuri, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura to wait. He hopped down with Gaara to the ground.
"Why's Gaara acting so secretive all of a sudden?" Naruto wondered.
"The team captain probably just want to go over the details that's all." Sakura spoke. Yuri wondered as well, silently watching them. Then Gaara and Kakashi jumped back up.
"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Yuri, let's go!" Kakashi shouted.
"And try not to be late this time, Gaara." Naruto smirked and he left following after the others. The two groups separated heading their destinations for the attack.
Squad 7 jumped through the trees, heading east closer to the mountain until Kakashi stopped suddenly. He glanced back behind them. Yuri noticed a movement in the leaves.
"What's the matter, Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked.
"How long are you going to follow us? Show yourself." Kakashi called out.
"Wha-" Naruto blinked, confused. Suddenly, a man's voice spoke.
"No wonder they call you Kakashi of the Sharingan eye. I thought I've hid my presence well. Please just continue on your way. We have no intention of interfering with a mission with an allied nation." He revealed himself to them, wearing a mask, concealing his face. More ninjas came out wearing masks as well.
"Allied Nation? You're from the Sand Village?" Kakashi questioned.
"Perhaps it's easier to simply think of us as auditors."
"Auditors? What does that mean?" Naruto asked.
"They're like inspectors. They're probably here to report back on how this mission goes." Sakura explained to Naruto.
"Then why didn't Tsunade mention anything about it?" Yuri frowned.
"And why do they need mask to do that. I don't know. I don't trust these guys one bit." Naruto spoke, suspicious as well.
"Actually, they don't trust Gaara." Kakashi said. Naruto's eyes widen a little. Yuri glanced at Kakashi. So that was what he and Gaara was talking about. He was being followed. Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the Sand ninjas. "Isn't that what's going on?"
"The people of the Sand Village know very well Gaara's power poses a serious threat. Most of all to them. You've seen Lord Gaara's jutsu in action yourself. Don't you agree that it's an abomination?"
"I think it's people like you who are an abomination!" Yuri growled at them. Kakashi held his arm out, holding her back.
"Calm down. You're letting your emotions get the better of you."
"He shouldn't exist."
"Shut up!" Yuri shouted, angrily. Naruto gritted his teeth, angrily as well. Kakashi realized what these shinobi were planning. They have decided to eliminate Gaara!
"It's a good proposition for the people of the Leaf as well. After all it'll mean a nearby nation won't have a powerful weapon."
"How cruel. He's one of your own ninja." Sakura said in disbelief.
"Don't you understand? Lord Gaara is a danger to both of our villages. We cannot allow him to continue to exist. Lord Gaara cannot simple be allowed to-" The Sand shinobi was cut off as he was punched in the face hard by Naruto.
Naruto quickly darted forward, heading towards to where Gaara was stationed. The Sand assassins threw multiple kunais at Naruto. Sasuke quickly moved and deflected all the weapons. Yuri punched one assassin as well when he was about to follow Naruto and she quickly followed chased after Naruto.
"Hunt them down! Don't let them escape!" One of the Sand assassins shouted. Kakashi grabbed him from behind, placing his hand on his shoulder, smiling.
"Surely, there are some in the Sand who are sympathetic towards Gaara. I understand that you won't able to accept Gaara as one of you. And I can see your point about his power. But just because I understand, don't assume I feel the same way." Lightening emitted from Kakashi's hand, shocking the Sand ninja.
Naruto and Yuri quickly headed to where Gaara went with the other two Sand shinobi. Yuri spotted the two men below them from the trees. But Gaara was not with them. Where was he!?
"Hey, it's those two guys that were with Gaara." She told Naruto.
"Hey, are you guys alright?!" Naruto called out to them and the two Sand ninjas looked up, surprised to see Naruto and Yuri above them. "Where's Gaara!?"
Yuri saw both of them flinch but didn't answer. Her eyes widened.
"You didn't just leave him by himself, did you!?" She shouted, harshly.
"Did you two really just abandoned your friend!?" Naruto gasped, looking at the two in disbelief. The two shinobi flinched, but still didn't say nothing.
"You two are nothing a bunch of cowards!" Yuri shouted, furiously, glared at them with disgust, and quickly darted ahead. Naruto followed after her, leaving the two ninjas behind. The two Sand ninjas looked at each other ashamed by their actions, but still scared and unsure of what to do.
Up ahead, Yuri gasped when she saw Gaara surrounded by multiple Sand anbu assassins. Some were wielding puppets. His ultimate sand defense was up, shielding Gaara, by the puppets' strings as they held him in place. They were spraying water on his sand. It was starting to crumble and wear away.
"This water is infused with our chakra. It's wetting down your sand, making it less cohesive. Your jutsu is sealed." one of the assassins shouted about the lunge at Gaara to deliver the final blow. "Die!"
Yuri quickly tossed her kunai, slicing the chakra ropes from the puppets, releasing Gaara. Gaara quickly moved and jumped onto a branch.
"What!?" one of the assassins exclaimed in shock. Naruto summoned multiple shadow clones, charging at the ninjas. Yuri made a few, charging at the anbu assassins as well.
"Gaara! We've come to rescue you!" He shouted. Gaara's eyes widen a little in shock, surprised to see them.
"Naruto Uzumaki. Yuri."
"They're only shadow clones! Don't be afraid of them! Only one of them is real!" one of the assassins shouted. Yuri and Naruto punched and kicked a few, knocking them out. Some of the assassins destroyed their clones as well. Then Korobi and Yaoki jumped down, taking out a few of the ninjas as well, smacking and knocking them out.
"You're not alone!" Korobi shouted. "We're not scared of Gaara! Not anymore!"
"Lord Gaara is our friend and we won't leave him!" Yaoki shouted. "Lord Gaara! We're sorry we've ran off before!" Gaara's eyes widen even more, completely stunned by their words.
"But we're here now and we'll fight by your side!"
"I take back everything that I've said about you two." Yuri smiled.
"Yuri, watch out!" Naruto warned. Yuri quickly moved when an anbu with blade lashed out at her managing to slice her upper arm.
"You're next." He growled at her. Before he was about to strike at Yuri again, the ninja was knocked away by a small ball of sand that Gaara had made.
"The elders underestimated my power. It will take more than a little water to kill me." Gaara moved the ball around, slamming it into the ninjas, knocking them off the trees and knocking them out. "These few grains of sand are more than enough for the likes of you."
"Good one, you big showoff!" Naruto grinned.
Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke landed down, regrouping with them. All of the assassins were scattered and lying around, knocked out cold.
"What an unfortunate situation." Kakashi sighed. "But at least these conspirators were flushed out and subdued."
"As I thought, I've caused you trouble. Forgive me." Gaara said, softly.
"They're the ones who caused the trouble not you." Naruto spoke and he walked over to one of the assassins and was about to pull off his mask to show their face.
"Don't!" Gaara stopped him. Naruto blinked and turned back to Gaara.
"Huh?"
"I know perfectly well what these men can be like. But still, let them be." Gaara said, looked down and back up again. "They're my people even if they cannot accept me."
"I understand." Naruto spoke.
"Well, alright then. Shall we get back to our original mission now?" Kakashi smiled. Gaara noticed that Yuri was a little quieter than usual.
"Is something wrong?" He asked her.
"No." She turned away from him. "Let's just get this mission done."
Gaara blinked, silently staring at Yuri, wondering what was wrong with her. She seemed angry. The teams continued towards the mountain heading to the summit. They stormed the bandits hideout, taking every single one out and tying them up.
"That's a job well done. Time to head back to the Leaf." Kakashi nodded. Gaara nodded but glanced over at Yuri, who still hadn't said a word the entire time. She finally noticed him staring at her.
"What?"
"I'll say it again. Is there something wrong?" Gaara asked her.
"Why didn't you tell us from the beginning that you were being targeted?" She asked him, a little angry. Gaara's eyes widen a little.
"Come on, Yuri, he said that he was sorry." Naruto told her.
"Do you not trust us? Did you not trust me?" She asked him. Gaara's eyes widen a little more, listening to her. "I thought that we were friends."
"We are."
"Friends don't keep secrets from each other, especially if one is in danger." Yuri told him. Gaara looked down before looking back at her again.
"I'm sorry." He told her. Yuri blinked at him.
"It's okay. But, please, no more secrets." She told him. Gaara nodded.
"Okay."
Yuri smiled and held her hand out to him. Gaara stared at her a little in surprise and took her hand.
"Let's go." Kakashi called out to her. Yuri nodded and waved goodbye to Gaara and so did Naruto as they left, heading back to the Leaf village. Gaara and the other two Sand ninjas watched them leave.
"Tell me again." The two Sand shinobi blinked, looking at Gaara confused. "Tell me what you said back there just one more time."
"We're sorry we ran off without you." Yaoki said. The other nodded, telling Gaara he was sorry as well.
"Not that." Gaara said. "The other thing before that."
The two Sand ninjas looked at Gaara in surprise and looked at each other before smiling then back at Gaara.
"We're your friends!"