Broken Lives Go So Well Together (Gaara Story)

Chapter 28

As we stood in the middle of the arena that we would all fight in during the final exam, we heard many things. But most of them consisted with the question of where Sasuke was. I looked around and also noticed that the jinchuuriki boy was missing as well.
'Strange to think that him of all people would miss the exams.' I thought.
But in the back of my mind I was sighing in relief. One less person to have to look at guiltily as the real mission commenced.
'Bakeneko, can I really go through with this?' I thought to her.
-What do you mean?-
'Well, the way I am now beginning to see it, is that in doing this all we will be doing is helping that snake scum Orochimaru.' I looked around and my gaze rested upon the sand siblings who were just to the left of me. I looked at Gaara and then looked down.
'But after all that had happened, Gaara even seems to be beginning to trust me more and more. Will I be able to betray his trust much like so many others before me?'
-It's up to you Honoka. But know this, no matter what you choose. I will still be with you every step of the way-
I scoffed in my mind, 'That's because you have to be.'
-Even if you let me out, I will help you no matter the consequence-
'You really aren't like any other demon are you...' I thought as I began to hear a commotion coming from the entrance.

Naruto Uzumaki had flew into the arena as if something had hit him. Sakura turned around from her place next to Shikamaru and looked at him both surprisingly, and disapprovingly.
"Idiot." I heard Temari say mockingly as he was picked up by Shikamaru.
"You could say that again." I heard Neji grumble just to my right.
As I truly recognized the Hyūga I began to feel upset again. What he did to Hinata was inexcusable. The only thing holding me back from hitting him was A. the fact that I would get kicked out of the exams, B. Gaara would probably stop me before I was able to do anything, and C. I really wanted to see Naruto kick that guy's ass.
I smirked as I said to him, "You can say that all you want, but who's going to feel like the idiot when he beats you?"
He didn't reply.
As people continued to cheer I felt everything around me go quiet as I watched the Kazekage walk to his seat beside the Hokage.
'That isn't the Kazekage's chakra! Do you think that Orochimaru did something Bakeneko?' I asked as I looked at the man suspiciously.
-I don't know, but from what I've experienced, I wouldn't put it past him-
I continued to watch, as he sat down his eyes met mine. Not only were they colder than normal, but also more...menacing. I was looking back when I heard Gaara growl from beside me. He had every reason to hate the man that was his biological father, but I had to calm him down.
"Gaara." I whispered, not getting his attention, "Gaara, please calm down."
He was still tense, but at those words he did seem to physically unreel. That would have to do for now.

After a few brief announcements the exams were set to begin. The first match of Neji against Naruto was certainly interesting, I'll give them that. Of course it was only through numerous fooling and very risky moves that Naruto even one, not only that, but he wouldn't have one had it not been for Neji's arrogance. But even at the end of that, a problem still stood. Sasuke wasn't here yet. They'd better not disqualify him. I mean, of course this was most likely Kakashi's doing, but it had to be for good reason. After all, he told me he'd take care of my brother. After minutes of the Hokage and the 'Kazekage' discussing the matter, it was decided that they would just proceed with the other matches, without disqualifying Sasuke.
I looked at Gaara nervously, "Are you going to be okay."
He continued his cold stare to the arena, "Don't be foolish."
I sighed, "If you want I can forfeit my mat..."
"I said don't be foolish."
I sighed, what was I going to do. Well I guess I wouldn't miss a chance to rough up Pinky, now would I.
"Try not to kill the girl." I heard Kankuro say from beside me, amused.
"Don't use too much chakra, remember the mission." Temari said like the responsible friend she was.
The mission, I had to make a desicion. Why couldn't it be easy? Why couldn't I just attack this place like I was willing to only days before?
-Come on Honoka! Don't you want to beat the attitude out of Sakura- Bakeneko said, obviously to distract me from my own concerns, it worked.

I began to smirk happily as I jumped down into the arena, Sakura following down the stairs.
As I took the jump over the railing I heard a 'Good Luck.' Come out from under Gaara's breath, I began to blush ferociously.
I sighed as I landed and took a couple of deep breaths to calm down the red flush that was now spread across my face, memories of Temari's reason for my blushing came to mind again.
'Maybe...' I was thinking something when Sakura finally made it down to the arena, and all my thoughts were erased with the thought of getting to fight, well pummel her.
The proctor said some things, but I was too busy thinking of what I could do to Sakura. These thoughts made me so worry free, for the first time in days the attack on Konoha didn't come to mind once during my violent thoughts. But one thought did sneak through, my worry for Gaara. Okay, so maybe Temari was right, maybe I did like him in the way she thought I did, but once again that wasn't important right now, this battle is.

I smiled deviously as the proctor started the match, this was going to be fun.