Step by step {Naruto fan fiction}: Book one

Chapter 25- Gaara vs. Lee

For awhile I stood by the door as I watched the medic team work on Teno, but as time stretched on I grew dull and weary. Why does healing take so long?! Wow that was a stupid question.... Co course it takes long! Great..... Now I'm talking to myself....

"Ashimi-san," one of the medic nins I found out was called Asai beconed me towards the bed. "You can come and talk to him now, we're just about finished."

I slowly made my way to the bed, Teno's head turned to me and smiled.

"You okay," I murmured.

He nodded, "Yeah! Why wouldn't I be!"

I frowned and he smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, stupid question..."

I rolled my eyes at him, even when hurt he can joke around and act like everythings fine.

"You know....." Teno said. "You should probably go back to the battle hall."

"Why?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest. "Do you not want me here or something? Or......." I leaned in close to him, "Do you just want to be alone with that medic nin Asai? Hmm?"

Teno's face turned bright red, "O-of course n-not!" He stammered and I laughed.

"Your too cute when you do that!" I teased. "But your right, I'll go! Don't wait up!"

"Wasn't planning on it," Teno muttered.

I giggled and ran out the room, following the winding hallways back to where the preliminaries were being held. I wondered how many fights I had missed, and if either Sakura, Naruto, or both had gone yet.

I almost reached the battle hall when some medic nins rushed past me with a stretcher, I knew something was up. I only caught a glimpse but I knew right away even covered in blood that was Hinata. I couldn't help suddenly stopping and watching as they rushed her down the halls and even when they were out of sight I stood there watching. Who could've done something so horrible to poor Hinata.

I never really hung out much with her but I knew from even such a little time she was timid. Even that had to have sprouted some sympathy in even a cold hearted bastard, but to beat her to this extent...? Than I realized there was, the sound nins. Could she have gotten one of them?!

The idea stuck fear in me, of course Orochimaru's followers would do something this horrible! It was what they lived for! Those blood thirsty bastards!

I found myself marching down the hall in pure anger, I was going to beat the shit out of those cowards! I'd make them grovel at my feet and beg Hinata for forgiveness!

I finally came to the room and stopped in my tracks, two of the sound nins where no where in sight. Instead Naruto was glaring at Neji and held up a fist full of blood that had Hinata's chakra signature all over it.

"You," Naruto said in his rare serious voice. "Are going down."

My eyes widened, Neji had done this to Hinata?! I couldn't believe it! But everyone's chakra was telling me the same thing, I watched the fight from their memories and was at a complete shock. Here I was thinking one of those damn sound ninjas had done it and it was one of our leaf ninjas!

I couldn't really tell how I was feeling, hurt, anger, betrayal. Yet there was no reason to feel the last one, I've never really spoke to Neji before unless it was absolutely necessary. Still though, the anger and pain of what he had done bubbled through me. I narrowed my eyes at my fellow genin with white eyes, Naruto's right. He was going down..... hard.

"Ashimi-chan!"

I looked up and saw Sakura waving at me, I gave a curt nod showing I wasn't happy at what I just found out. It was clear that she got the message, don't talk to me right now.