Someone you loved

Chapter 11

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love, Stella 

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It was five minutes before Team 7 would enter the Chunin exams and Chiasa was a nervous wreck, though from the outside there wasn't even a hint of the fear that she felt inside. The kunoichi didn't waste a single glance at the silver-haired Jounin reading his book carelessly, instead she braided Sakura's long hair for the third time in the last hour, hiding another poisonous senbon in the elegant braid. The boys had moved a bit away when she had eyed their hair critically causing the pink-haired genin to giggle.

"Chiasa-nee, I think we're fine," muttered Sakura, turning to look at the older kunoichi determined. "You and Kakashi-sensei prepared us for the worst."

Unexpectedly, Kakashi settled his hand on Sakura's shoulder, a fake smile in his tired eye.

"Uchiha-sama is needlessly concerned. You three are by far stronger than the ordinary genin team and I am certain you'll pass with flying colours."

"Exactly, dattebayo!" exclaimed Naruto, jumping to his feet and pulling the last member of their team up with him.

"Dobe." Sasuke rolled his eyes but let him be pulled around regardless.

Chiasa let a faint smile graze her face at the sight, but her hands didn't stop trembling, though Kakashi was the only one to notice.

"Of course," agreed the older kunoichi. "I know you're ready."

Her little brother eyed her warily, before letting go of Naruto's hand and stumbling over to her, wrapping his arms around her neck.

"We'll be fine, Nee-san. I'll be careful."

The Uchiha squeezed the boy tightly, finding it harder with every passing second to let go of her family. It wasn't like a mission where she could put herself between her brother and danger, the Chunin exams were far worse for her. She'd be forced to watch as her brother fought genin from other villages without being able to intervene, not that if one of her kids were in fatal danger such a rule could stop her.

"Do not forget the seal, Sasu," she whispered so quietly that only the Uchiha could hear it.

"Love you, Nee-san."

It was time for the children to go and Chiasa let them leave with a heavy heart. However, when the boys were distracted by Kakashi, the Uchiha quickly pulled Sakura to the side, worry visible in her eyes.

"Sakura, you have to promise me to activate the seal if you're in trouble. Your survival is more important than any exam or promotion. I can't be sure that the boys will use it, confidence in your own skill is crucial for the life of a shinobi but not if it will get you killed. I will protect you for as long as I can."

"I'll use it if necessary, you can trust me, Chiasa-nee."

There was a strength in the girl's eyes that Chiasa knew just all too well, the will to protect what was precious to her, and it helped her to tame the fear rooted deeply inside of her.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Now, go before you'll be late."

"See you soon, Chiasa-nee!"

Thankfully, the children entered the exam building quickly before Chiasa could give in to the desire to swipe them into her arms and run, not that she'd come very far with Kakashi nearby. All that kept her from breaking right now was the knowledge that the three genin were protected as best as possible even in her absence. Her falcons were nearby, never leaving the children out of their eyes, she had taught them to the best of her ability in the short time she had been given and then there was the seal that she had given each genin. It was her masterpiece, one that she had only finished because Kaya had helped her. The small unnoticeable seal would allow her to appear next to the one using the seal, it was like a summoning based on the Yondaime Hokage's Hiraishin, though her seal could only be used within a certain distance.