The Masked Girl (Naruto Story)

Chapter 42 - Vest Slobber

Recap:

"Gaara-kun?" My eyes softened. "What's wrong? Why won't you look at me?" When he gave no reply, I reached a gloved hand towards him, and pulled his head up so he faced me. As my eyes watched his face, he would not look me in the eyes. Sighing, I dropped my hand. "I won't force you to tell me. Just....don't do anything too crazy."

"I'm sorry." He spoke quietly.

Chapter 42 - Vest Slobber

Kumiko's P.O.V.

For several hours, Gaara and I chatted for several hours, catching up on what happened in each other's lives in the past year (Gaara killed some people that insulted him; I smacked his head for that and scolded him. He gave me this sad face, and I patted his head afterwards because he was so adorable.).

Looking at the sky, I realized it was around the time I was supposed to meet with the rest of Team 7. "Hey Gaara-kun, I need to get ready and meet up with the rest of my team." I spoke as I stood up and stretched. "Talk to you later, Gaara-kun." I grinned, before leaping off of the rooftops, lightly landing on my feet in the dusty dirt road below me, and walking home to change and brush my teeth.

Reaching home, I did so, went downstairs to fetch Naruto and Sasuke, and then dragging them both to our meeting spot.

"Hey guys," Kakashi-sensei greeted, a few hours later. "I'm late today because-"

"Kakashi-sensei, we all know you're lying." I sighed.

"Well, ahem. I'll just get to the point then." He sweatdropped. "This might be sudden, but I recommended you guys for the Chunin Exam, so...." He pulled out a few papers. "Here, these are your applications."

"Chunin Exam?" Sakura questioned.

"That being said, the recommendations are not compulsory. You guys are free to decide whether you'll take the Exam or not."

"All right!" Naruto shouted excitedly as he leapt at Kakashi-sensei and began crying on him.

"Hey! Cut it out! You're slobbering all over my vest!" Kakashi-sensei muttered with annoyance.

I sweatdropped at Naruto as Kakashi-sensei began giving us instructions and the location.

"The Chunin exams, huh..." I muttered to myself, before speaking louder. I remembered what Gaara had told me last night about the Chunin exams. 'I would have stayed in Konohagakure anyways, but I might be better informed about what was happening if I joined the Chunin exams. Besides...' I sweatdropped at Naruto, who was jumping up and down in excitement. 'I can't let them go alone. Who know what kind of trouble they'll get themselves into?'

****

I narrowed my eyes as I felt someone getting closer to me, always brushing some of the chakra strings I had set up. I continued training like I had no clue. '40 feet away now...They're coming for me. They've suppressed their chakra, but I am so lucky I had set up those chakra strings...I can't believe they're coming in so handy...'

The Juubi grumbled in her sleep and told me to stop talking to myself, as some people are trying to sleep.

*Technically, you're not human.* I reminded her.

*And technically, us tailed beasts are not supposed to fit in puny humans. Now shut up, I'm trying to sleep.* She grumbled, and our connection went quiet.

I focused on the ninja trying to sneak up on me, and let my chakra flow through my chakra threads as the ninja got close enough that I had good control over my threads.

The ninja barely let out a gasp of shock before I moved a chakra thread to his neck. "Do not move. I can kill you with these chakra threads, and trust me, I will do it if you move." At least, I hope I can... "A rain ninja, huh?" I spoke quietly. "Why are you after me?"

"Hmm. You are stronger than I thought." He spoke calmly, too calmly.

"The rest of my team captured some of your teammates...the pink haired girl, and the loud blond one. If you do not wish to see your teammates come to harm, drop these threads immediately and come with me."

My eyes widened, and I immediately searched for their chakra, and mentally breathed a sigh of relief when I realized they were still in their beds, where they should be. Barely a millisecond later, the rain ninja threw a barrage of kunai at me. I widened my eyes as I dodged, but lost my focus with the chakra threads and consequently, dropped them. I pulled out a kunai and I whipped my head around to see the rain ninja charging at me, and barely had enough time to avoid him as well. As he went past me, I twisted my body and plunged the kunai into his side, and fell to the floor as he poofed away. I frowned. "It was only a clone?!" I muttered a curse.

*Stop swearing, kit. It doesn't suit you.* The Juubi yawned. *Okay, I'm up. What's happening?*

"Now you wake up?" I sweatdropped. *Anyway, a rain ninja attacked me, and more or less found out one of my weaknesses. These strings are useful, but I have to concentrate for them to become sharp and movable. I currently can't move too much, like dodging or using jutsu while using them, or I'll lose focus and drop them.*

*Oh, is that all? I'll be going back to sleep then.* Juubi yawned.

I grew a irk mark. *I should've never told you.* I grumbled.

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Iruka's P.O.V.

"How was it?" I asked in concern as my friend opened his eyes.

"She's fine, Iruka, don't be such a worrywort," He grumbled as he told me the events.

"You made it harsher than it needed to be." I frowned. "Why did you veer off the plan?"

"Yeah, but I'm not a Jonin for nothing, you know. Her eyes conveyed that she knew they were fine, so I changed it up a bit at the last second. You didn't think I'm dumb enough to continue testing how she reacts to her friends being held hostage when they're not, do you?" He grumbled, before yawning. "Anyway, you owe me big time, Iruka! You should have done this in the daytime, or by yourself."

"Yeah, I know, and I'm grateful for that. You know I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't necessary. Kumiko-chan is good-"

"Yeah, at sensing people, she'll know it's you right away, blah blah blah. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking a much needed sleep." He began to walk away, but then stopped. "She'll be fine, Iruka. She's pretty good for a D rank. The holes everywhere, all over the training field...I think she's earned the chance to become a C rank, Iruka," He grinned, before back flipping off the roof.

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Kumiko's P.O.V.

  That night, I sat on the roofs of our apartment, and sent a shadow clone to Sakura's house as well. I wasn't going to take chances on my teammates, even if anyone passing by thought I was stalking them...  

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-Kuro Neko (Bloody_Moon)