Who am I? [Gaara]

Chapter 6

I woke up sleepily looking at the clock. 6 am. Shikamaru would be getting up around about now, but I don't want to. I know I really shouldn't, but I pull the covers over my head and try falling back asleep. I've been here in the Leaf Village exactly two years now. I wondered how Gaara's doing back in the Sand...

"KASUMI! GET OUT OF BED!" Shika entered my apartment yelling out of know where. I didn't even hear him coming in. Maybe giving him a key to my house wasn't a great idea...

"Gee, no need to be so troublesome..." I muttered, sliding the covers from my face.

"You have an operation to assist today!" Oh flip. He's right actually which I have forgotten about. I glance over at my clock again and It was 6:05. I have to be at the hospital at 6:15 to prepare the operation room. The actual thing is scheduled to be at 6:30.

"R-right, thanks. How did you know I wasn't up yet?" I asked curiously.

"Knowing you, you'd forget to get a cup to pour yourself tea. You have a memory that might just be worse than Naruto's," he snickers. I roll my eyes and quickly get out of bed. Ever since last year, the Hokage allowed me to assist operations. It's a really big thing for me, and I'm really happy that there is at least one organized person that reminds me of where I should be and when. I would have lost my position as a medical ninja a long time ago if it wasn't for Shika. I 'shoo' him out of my room and quickly change into my hospital uniform.

"Hey Kasumi, I'll see you later!" I heard Shikamaru yelling from my living room.

"Right, see ya!" I shouted back. I then run over into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and trying to untangle my hair. I put it back into a ponytail and race off to find my shoes.

I find them under my new coffee table. Pulling them on, I race out of the house, not even bothering to lock the door behind me. I need to get to the hospital in time. I feel like I'm flying like my feet aren't even touching the ground. I'm in a real hurry. I run past the little bridge where Squad 7 meet, taking extra care not to look at the whole team.

"HEY KASU-"

"Sorry Naruto no time today!" I yelled as I sprint past them. They must be waiting for Kakashi -sensei. I wonder what it will be today... Maybe he helped an old lady carry her bags, or a black cat crossed his path and he had to walk around. It might be that he just 'got lost on the path of life'. Yeah right.

He's a great sensei and all, but man that guy really needs better time management skills. Fancy coming from me though. I'm the one that is seconds away from being late to an operation. By now, I can see the hospital. The building is just a few meters away. I slow my pace down as I enter.

"Kasumi," I spin around to see a fellow medical ninja, Hattori standing at the other end of the hall. I walk over to her.

"Hattori? What's up?"

"They have another surgeon that will be assisting the operation. The Hokage wants to see you immediately." She quickly says panicking. So I got up this early, I rushed over to the hospital, and all that for nothing?!

"I see. Thanks." I tried to sound happy holding a fake smile. She smirks and walks away. I take a deep breath and start walking to the Hokage's building. I wonder what could be urgent enough to make me miss the operation...

I've been walking for a couple of minutes, and now I'm finally here. I enter the building and make my way towards the office. I knock rather loudly and step back.

"Enter." I slowly open the door to see the Hokage grinning.

"Kasumi, come in, come in. I have great news for you." The Hokage says giving me a kind smile. Great news? I'm too young to be promoted to medical corp. I wonder what it could be. The Hokage continues:

"You may be aware of the upcoming chunin exams..."

"Ah... Not really... What are the chunin exams?" I asked, awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. The Hokage lets out a little laugh. He's in a good mood today.

"The chunin exams, as the name suggests, are an exam that a genin can take in order to advance to the next ninja rank. This year, the exam is being held here, in the Leaf Village. It is a regulation that the hosting village must select a group of medical ninja and train them for the exam, so that's when the final round comes, we can avoid any serious injuries. You are one of the people I selected. You will attend a course today. It starts at 10 am and goes right through until 7 pm. Understood?" he sighed crossing his arms nonchalantly.

"Right... So all genin in the Leaf is taking part in this exam?"

"No, no. Only ones that we think are capable of surviving through the exam. It is a dangerous test, and we don't want people who we know won't survive to take part." He explained to me while I gave a puzzled look as a response.

"I see. Thank you, sir." I chimed, running out of his office, slamming the door behind me. I'm going to be a medical ninja at the chunin exams. I wonder when the exam starts...

"Hello, Kasumi." I spin around at the mention of my name.

"Kakashi-sensei? Aren't you meant to be with Naruto and things?" I asked curiously while scrutinizing my eyes on him.

"Ah, well, you see, there was this..."

"Not meaning to be rude, Kakashi-sensei, but whatever your excuse is, I've probably heard it before," I smirk deviously making Kakashi-sensei sigh in annoyance.

"And you're meant to be at an operation, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"I heard you talking about it with Naruto."

"Oh. I've been replaced for the operation because the Hokage wanted to see me. Apparently, I was one of the medical ninja who will be helping in the chunin exam." I was feeling rather proud.

"The chunin exam? Well done, Kasumi. You truly do have a talent." Kakashi-sensei says, giving me a smile. I feel myself blushing

"I bet it was just luck... So when is the chunin exam starting?" I asked, trying to bring the topic off myself.

"Well, ninja from different villages should start arriving sometime soon. The actual exam starts in 4 days. Now, I should really be on my way." He responded, disappearing in a puff of smoke. The exam is in 4 days? Wow. I never knew these exams even existed. Just then, I feel my stomach grumble. That's right, I haven't had breakfast yet. I think I might go to the Barbecue place. Shika and I go there sometimes. But then again, I left my wallet at home. I sigh and begin walking back to my house. I still have plenty of time before the medical training. Good thing my house isn't too far away from here.

I enter my house and head straight to the kitchen. Today I'm going to have instant noodles. Nothing fancy, yet still tasty. Stupid Naruto got me addicted to them. I fumble through the pantry until I find a packet. I boiled the water and after what seems like forever, the noodles were finally ready!

"Thanks for the food!" I happily said holding my hands together. Just as I'm about to begin, I hear a knock on the door. Sighing I stand up to open it. I walk up to the door. Once I open it, my annoyed expression quickly turns into surprise.

"What happened?!" I asked frantically, my voice more serious than I expected. Damn, there goes my breakfast.