The Remnants Of A Sand Castle (A Gaara Love Story)

Gaara's Unknown Secret

I was sort of surprised to see Naruto had already won his match. I was expecting him to win, of course- I go for the underdog!!- but the ending, I heard, was fabulous. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that Naruto got such a big head. It wasn't THAT awesome, bud. The other matches proceeded quickly after his apparently. And when I arrived, Gaara silently walked to the competitor's box. I followed, and some surprised stares greeted me. It seemed that down in the arena, Shikamaru was having a match with Temari. Well, I guess more like he was hiding and staring at clouds, but I knew he had a plan. Shikamaru always has a plan. 

And sure enough, soon, Shikamaru had Temari in a metaphorical choke-hold. She never saw it coming. It was surprising that Shikamaru took the initiative and surrendered. Every warrior has the courage to take out his sword, but not all of them have the bravery to re-sheathe it. Or so the proverb goes. Of course, I was ready to suit up for my match, and had gathered all of my supplies and waited in the corner of the player's box. But something nagged at my mind... Where was Sasuke? He knew his match had already passed, right? It was only the fact we both weren't here that they decided to postpone it. But I was here now. What were they going to do? That was when I walked up to the rail, and saw the leaves gather in the arena. 

"Wha?" I whispered. I saw the leaves quickly disperse, and sure enough, the Uchiha was standing back to back with the Copy ninja. I sneered at their overly showy entrance. It was bad enough I was doing something as large as fighting the only Leaf Uchiha, but now he was trying to make it as memorable as possible. I almost cursed him where I stood. He was Minako's friend, but he wasn't Miyazaki's. In this match, I would show him that. I had grown far to cushy living in the Leaf, and knew that soon enough I wouldn't be anymore.

I crossed arms over my chest, and scoffed when Sasuke looked up at me and silently challenged me to come down. I rolled my eyes, and jumped down with the grace of a gazelle. 

Just to show off.

Kakashi removed himself from the arena, and before they announced that we would be fighting next, I felt a cold presence wrap around my heart.

Uragiri grabbed him by the hair and punched him hard in the nose. Blood gushed from Iris's now broken nose. I gasped, slapping Uragiri's hands off of Iris. I couldn't let Uragiri hurt the future Kazekage.

"AGHH!"  Uragiri grabbed the kunai from his back and threw it at his Father. I immediately jumped in front of the Kazekage and took the kunai in my shoulder.

"Unghh.." I grunted in slight pain. The hole in my abdomen was bleeding profusely, and I was getting dizzy. The new wound on my shoulder added to my light-headedness. I pulled out the kunai and let it drop to the ground. 

"Why do you keep protecting him?! He just tried to kill you!" Uragiri shouted at me. My eyes stung with pain. It was hard to keep back tears. My white hair was becoming stained.

"Because that was punishment! Since you're my student, and have committed a grave sin, I also pay the price." I explained. I looked at his stricken face. He obviously didn't like the fact that he was at fault for my injury.

"I shall protect the Kazekage to the death!" I declared. I stood in front of the Kazekage and grabbed  Iris to stand behind me.

"Well, now I'm the bad guy, huh?"  Uragiri growled. His red hair seemed much more prominent. Like a forewarning about what was about to come. I gulped.

"If you refuse to move, I will fight you to kill those two!" Uragiri readied himself. 

"I refuse! It is my duty as a Suna ninja to protect this village!" I shouted. He charged at me with full force, and I whipped out a kunai.