{Next Day:.....}

************

Jumping branch to branch we continued on our survival test, getting an early morning start. Pushing a little further than the rest, I could get a better sense before the three.

"Aha i know we will be the ones who survive this, right Akamaru?!" Kiba asks Akamaru, with a boasting grin as Akamaru barks in response. "Of course, lucky for us the people caught in that trap had an earth scroll... And now we are gonna be the first ones to reach the tower!"

Clicking my tongue against my teeth, I roll my eyes.

"Don't get overconfident, that's a dangerous mistake to make no matter how small a bug is," Shino warns him "It still has to guard itself, at all times. We have to make sure we don't encounter any enemies, that's the only way to be safe."

Kiba grunts in response.

"Yeah I know that Shino, but as usual you gotta say it in a weird vague way!" Kiba remarks. "Bug nerd!"

"Kiba! Shut your trap," I snap. "Shino does have a point, even Hinata is nodding."

"Right," She agrees.

Kiba just rolls his eyes, sighing heavily.

"Yeah, yeah I know, just come on!" Kiba yells, as for a moment we kept flying through. The wind blows by, pounding against my ears before my eyes slightly widen.

"Team eight," i sharply warn, before something was shot down towards us. I push Hinata out the way, while Shino and Kiba jump away on the other side of the attack. Multiple kunai's were aiming towards us, before I stood up closing my eyes.

Analysing the area I soon locate the culprits to the sudden attack, realising it was the waterfall ninja. Snapping my eyes open to see them charging towards us, I weave a few signs forming a water barrier shielding my group. They bounced from the barrier, before taking a few metres back to a branch.

"Give us your heaven scroll!" They demand. "Come on, we know you have one!!!"

Kiba swipes his hand to brush them away, "To hell with that!" he barks back.

"Tch, you're just rookies.......let's show you what happens when it's to the death," one of them grins, cracking their knuckles.

Suddenly one of them disappears, but I could hear them weaving hand signs.

Soon a large wave of water begins to envelope us three, causing Hinata's eyes to widen in fear. The large wave went to crash down upon us, when I weave two signs before forming another barrier.

"Dammit!" one of them yells.

Turning to Kiba I gave him the signal, before he nods back.

He disappears from behind me before appearing behind them, forming a fang over fang attack. A large collision occurs, shaking a tree nearby us trembling the earth. "Shino!"

He nods in response, before using his insects to simultaneously attack the ninja. Hinata uses a fist palm attack on other, before I charge head first. I collide into a ninja but use close to hand-to hand combat, his move were quite fast but not fast enough. Knocking his kunai, I raise my fist about to slam it against him. Yet he dodges it while my fist connects to the earth, breaking it from a range of two metres.

Not realising my skin split with the impact of my fist, blood rolls down to my fingertips.

"Dammit, she's strong!"

Narrowing my eye I weave a few more signs, before sending a heavy attack upon the the three ninja. Panting quietly, there was no sign of them nearby allowing for all of us to recollect ourselves. They just came out of nowhere, but they're not even strong at all. What's wrong with these genin? Aren't they supposed to be experienced by now?

Shaking my head someone took my hand, seeing Hinata glancing down to my hand in concern.

"Your knuckles....." she whispers in alarm, glancing down to see blood oozing down my fingertips.

"Oh.....hehe.....didn't realise," I comment vaguely, when she pulls out her bottle of water in her small back.

Kiba and Shino run up towards us, as the dog nin glances to my wound.

"Hey is she okay?!"

Giving him a 'are you for real' look, I roll my eyes, "I'm alright Kiba, I just need to work on trying not to split my skin when this happens," I say, as his eyes trail to the large debris of earth with giant cracks making large crevices.

His eyes widen, before trailing back to my knuckles.

"Wow.......did you really.......how did you......I mean--"

"Here you go Kimi," Hinata washes the blood away, before rummaging with her bag finding some gauze to bind my wound. Tenderly touching my hand, she begins to wrap around while Shino and Kiba wait patiently.

"Alright once Hinata is done, we will continue on......" Kiba informs us, nodding in response. Hissing slightly from a small tug, she apologises quietly before finishing up bandaging up my hand securely.

Moving my fingers so I'm able to get more grip, I grunt in response.

"Alright, time to keep going!"

****

Not long after flying branch to branch, Kiba's nose senses something up ahead along with Akamaru. Holding his arm out, he signals us to stop.

"Hold on guys, we have to stop!"

Landing on the nearest branch, we all pause wondering what he might've sensed. My feet skid across the bark, coming to abrupt halt before sensing a heavy and dark aura.

"What is it Kiba?"

"We are being careful not to encounter any enemies, right?" Kiba assumes, glancing in all our directions clarifying our real plan. "Alright Hinata, I want you to check out a kilometre ahead in that direction."

He points ahead of us, earning a nod.

"Right," She whispers, before activating her clan's power. "Here it goes, Bykaguan!..........."

After a matter of silence, she hums in respone with a quiet nod.

"Yes there is somebody already there, alright."

This cold and eerie feeling was crawling up my skin, "I sense him too,"

"It sounds like there are six people there," Shino senses through the bugs and plant life nearby where she's locating the enemy.

A grin curls upon Kiba's face, "Alright, let's check it out," Kiba clasps his hands together, eager to see the battle.

My eyes snap wide open, turning his way.

"What? That's reckless Kiba, isn't our main objective to avoid anyone with having both scrolls already?" I scold him, trying to reason with him. "All we need to do now, is head to the tower.....we've completed this already!"

He raises an eyebrow, seeing a sly smirk creeping upon his lips.

"But.....if we get more, we then get most of the teams cut out," He clarifies, when I shook my head disapprovingly. Soon a heavy sigh drawls from his lips, "Fine, we will just check it out.....if it looks too dangerous, we won't battle them. Now come on!"

He soon jumps ahead of us three, causing me to scold him from behind.

"He never listens to reason," I sigh deeply, before following behind along with Hinata and Shino.

****

We finally reach near to where we've located the six ninja's, hunching down on our knees behind a thick bush. This sudden strong chakra starts overpower my senses, sending a chill down my spine. Haven't seeing the ninja yet, my eyes peer through the growth only feeling the heavy aura.

Hearing the trembling whimpers coming from Akamaru, sent me on edge too.

"What's wrong Akamaru?" Kiba questions in concern.

Pursing my lips together, I knew Akamaru has keener sense to be this frightened.

"It seems he's feeling the same I'm sensing right now," I whisper quietly, before seeing the poor pup crawl into Kiba's lap and burying himself into Kiba's pouch bulging the jacket.

Kiba's eyes were slightly widen, "Yeah, something just spooked the little guy,"

"But......what scared him?" Hinata questions.

My eyes narrow, "I sense the dark chakra's energy, and Akamaru seems to be sensing what I am," I inform them.

"Dark?"

"Akamaru seems to sense a ninja's dark chakra, if he can pick up their chakra level's scent," I explain, as Kiba holds Akamaru like a tiny baby.

Kiba and I exchange a glance, sensing the feeling.

"Well, I have never seen him this scared, whoever those ninja up ahead are they aren't normal guys," Kiba comments.

Turning my head in the direction, Kiba soon leads the way to some bushes that surrounded an open space. Peering through the growth stood the six ninja, but judging by their headbands.....it was......

My breath hitches remembering those three sand ninja.

"Hey Cub, what's the matter?"

Kiba turns to where I was looking, when he scoffs.

"What the heck is he doing, he is too little to fight those guys that big?" He comments.

Glaring towards Kiba, he furrows in eyebrows in confusion.

"Don't judge by their size, Kiba," I warn him, earning the three to look my way in concern. It wasn't like me to worry and be conservative about those ninja stronger than us, and it definitely wasn't like me to even consider the possibilities that we aren't fit right now to go up against them head on.

"What's wrong?"

My eyes kept sight upon the six ninja ahead, "I sense strong chakra from that boy, and that big guy is in trouble."

"W-What?" Hinata shudders, looking a little afraid.

Not being able to hear their conversation, the scarred boy from the rain village was throwing empty threats to the team.

"Too bad kids, you should've picked your opponents better," the rain ninja remarks, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Now you're all gonna die!"

Gaara whom I've found out about a week ago sighs, "I've heard enough out of you, let's make this quick.....I don't wanna waste time on this guy,"

The rain ninja grits his teeth, feeling mocked by this.

"Hey Gaara, doesn't it make more sense to follow these punks and gather information first?" I hear a familiar voice, leading to Kankuro whom picked on Konohamaru earlier last week. "I mean if they had the same type of scroll as us, we're just fighting an unnecessary battle."

"I don't care," Gaara bluntly says. "They looked at me the wrong way, so they're gonna die."

My breath hitches in my throat, causing my to swallow thickly.

The leader of the rain squad scoffs before whipping something from his back, "If you think you can kill us, then try it!"

He throws up umbrella's high up into the air, as my eyes widen hearing about this technique from the hidden rain village. This was the Senbon jutsu, knowing full well what happens next. His chakra levels were very strong, but it wasn't as strong compared to the boy with red hair.

"And now....." he clasps his hands, in a jutsu hand sign. "....Ninja art: Senbon wind storm!"

The umbrella's began spinning with dozens and dozens of needles, spiralling in the air. He soon launches the attack upon Gaara who stood unfazed at all, being the first time seeing him in action. Smoke surrounds the boy, before clearing up revealing a large sand cocoon encasing him. Needles embedded through, without the sand ninja untouched.

"N-No......that......no wonder...." I whisper in shock, remembering why Sasuke was so hung up about facing this guy.

No wonder he comes out unscathed from missions, especially clearing a B-Rank mission from his history.

The rain ninja steps back taken away from the unpredicted attack, "I-It can't be, not one wound," He stumbles back, his one eye widen. "Impossible!.......alright!"

He forms another hand sign, attack him with more needles only for them to be blocked with the sand barrier.

"A senbon rainstorm, huh?" Gaara questions rhetorically, a shadow casts over his eyes. "I have an idea, let's make it rain blood instead?"

Kiba grimaces in disgust, while holding Akamaru protectively.

"Man, his chakra is so powerful," He comments. "And that sand, do you smell that odor? It stinks......."

I couldn't smell from this distance, but Kiba's sense of smell was strong.

"Odor?" Shino questions.

"I-It smells like blood,"

My breath grew shaky within that moment, feeling the heavy tension weighing between the squads.

"He's created a wall of sand!" The leader exclaims, from the rain.

"That's right, it's a defense and nothing can get through it," Kankuro informs him, notably. "He carries around all that sand in that gourd that he has on his back, and when he's attacked he uses the power of his chakra to harden the sand......it's a jutsu that only Gaara can do.....and somehow it happens automatically. Independent of his own will, so if any attacks against him will doom to fail."

The rain leader held an angry look, "Yeah, well we will see!"

"Just face it....you guys can't hope to defeat Gaara," Kankuro smirks, standing behind him so calmly.

"Give me a break!"

The rain ninja charges in head clouded with anger, already feeling provoked enough to be stupid. Yet when my eyes turn to Gaara, his hands slowly meet with his fingertips together with his thumbs pressing against each other.

"Sand coffin!!!"

Suddenly the ninja was soon enveloped by sand from below him, struggling beneath the hardened sand. We all gasp in response to this attack, seeing the ninja struggling with only his head sticking out.

"L-Let me go!"

Gaara steps forward grasping an umbrella that was stuck in the ground, "All I have to do is to cover that big mouth, and you'll be dead," His voice raspy, while his eyes dangerously glare upon the helpless ninja. "But that would be too easy and too boring."

Soon the sand starts to lift high in the air, hearing the struggling cries of the victim.

"Sand burial!"

Suddenly an explosion occurs within the attack, before seeing black blood showering around covering everyone. The aghast horrified looks across the two remaining rain ninja, made me realise how terrifying this attack was. My heart is beating like crazy, the stench of blood wafting in the air.

I cover my mouth shakingly, holding in my small whimpers of fear.

Never have I felt such fear in my life.

"There wasn't any pain, I crushed him with more force than necessary," Gaara comments, unfazed by the blood scattered around. "So it was over quickly, the corpses bitter crimson tears flow and mingle with the endless sand. Feeding the chaos within me, and making me stronger."

One of the two ninja rummages through his bag from behind, "Just take the scroll," he wavers, placing it on the ground before him. "Go on, here..."

"Yes, take it!" the other cries in fear. "Please spare us?!"

Yet Gaara didn't heed of the pleads, seeing sand wrapping around their legs beneath them. They both began crying out, their bodies being covered up with their faces buried beneath the sand. Soon they both exploded with the crushing sand, as blood showers around again. Their blood curdling cries, sent my skin crawling.

"Man this is bad, we gotta get outta here," Kiba warns us, turning around. "before he finds and kills us!"

Crouching down carefully we began heading off, when I felt the intense glare of Gaara's eyes upon us. He could sense our presence gathering from the blood thirsty voice of his, raspy and cold.

We all froze in response, overhearing Kankuro trying to reason with Gaara.

"Look Gaara, I know this test is no problem for you..." kankuro steps towards him. "...but it's dangerous for Temari and me, one set of scrolls is good enough! It's all we need to pass!"

"Losers can't tell me what to do,"

"Grrr......alright that's enough, sometimes you have to listen to what your big brother says," Kankuro growls, making my eyes widen.

Brothers? They hardly look alike at all, I didn't realise they were siblings!

"It's too bad I don't think of you as my big brother at all," Gaara bluntly admits. "If you get in my way, I'll kill you."

"Wait.....just hold on Gaara, you don't have to treat us like we're the enemy," I hear Temari's voice shake. "Look do us for a favour for your sister, please?"

Sudden dead silence rests for a moment, before feeling something wrapping around my ankle. My eyes slowly widen, as Kiba's eyes snap open feeling the sand grazing my ankle.

"H-he's...." I whisper, when suddenly I was pulled back through the bushes with the sticks scraping my skin the process. Soon my body was thrown into the ground, my body rolls before them.

"Ngh........" rubbing my head, sand soon envelopes my body with only my head sticking out. My body slowly raises high in the air, my body struggling to move an inch.

"Look what we have here, it's her....." Kankuro smirks, while Gaara's eyes meet my own.

My heart was beating rapidly, feeling my body being tightened in a death grip.

"You..........what's your name?" Gaara bluntly questions, his voice raspy and hoarse.

"........"

"Answer me, or I will kill you......"

Sweat glides down my forehead feeling my body trembling beneath his intimidating stare, "Kimi........K-Kimi Senju,"

Temari and Kankuro were slightly taken back.

"Oh........she must be one of those descendants of the founders, that formed the leaf," Temari assumes, her eyes glaring into my own. "She's seems rather weak......but we have spilled enough blood as it is......."

Gaara's eyes pierce into my own.

"I've heard rumours that you're strong, but....by the looks you don't even know to fight back," Gaara comments, his seafoam eyes intensely glare into my own. "Are you alone....or do you have your squad?"

Without batting an eye, I clench my jaw.

"I got seperated, and if you want a scroll.......I have nothing to give you,"

Suddenly I felt the sand around my body disappear, only to be it around my throat and wrists. My eyes widen feeling the air in my lungs leave, making it hard to gather more air. My face was growing warmer while struggling, with my legs thrashing .

"Gaara, she's alone......she's got nothing....let's just go already!" Kankuro says.

Gaara remains holding his hand up, tears stinging the corners of my eyes while trying my best to gather air. My hands were tightly packed together, but I need to be released.

Forming one hand sign with my index, water showers around us.

The sand was beginning to loosen around, but he grips more tighter. Black dots start filling my vision, feeling the sand rub against my neck. Is this how I go out? My team would be disqualified if I die now! I must.....

"Gaara!!!" Temari snaps, causing the red haired ninja to slowly release me.

My body soon collapses to the ground, my knees digging into the earth coughing and spluttering for air. Gripping my aching neck, the three soon gather their sand placing back into the gourd and left me behind.

I felt blood rolling down my nose, the pressure that built up in my head soon eases down.

Once they were out of earshot, I hear Kiba, Hinata and Shino burst out of the bushes towards me. Hinata comes to my side, placing a hand on my back, while Kiba cups my face checking me.

"Dammit, you got lucky cub," he breathes out, sensing our concerned he was.

My breath was shaky while I was trying to maintain my emotions, knowing that I was safe for now. Kiba grabs a cloth and wipes away my blood nose tenderly, "Kimi how did he know you were there?"

"I-I........d-don't know," I waver, while they all exchange looks.

Knowing we're not far from where we have to be, I fall onto my back in exhaustion from the intensity of his blood thirsty chakra. Why does his chakra feel so much like.......Naruto's?

Covering my eyes with my forearms, I take a few minutes to recover.

"Don't.......worry...about me, I will get up in a few and we shall keep going,"

"Right!"

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