Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 18! Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals!

~*****~

"You're an embarrassment to our village....." Gaara spoke softly, his face remaining emotionless. "Have you forgotten the reason we came all the way here?"

Shivers continued to run up and down my back as I gazed at this guy. He reminded me of the blood lust Naruto had shown in the Land of Waves. And it freaked me out. "I know! I-I mean, they challenged us!" Kankuro tried saying. "They  started the whole thing, really! See, here's what happened-"

"Shut up," Gaara clipped coolly. "Or I'll kill you."

"U-Uh, right..." Kankuro whimpered. "I was totally out of line. I'm sorry, Gaara."

Gaara looked over at me, another quake of fear shooting up my back. "I'm sorry. For any trouble he caused." I just stared, keeping my true emotions hidden as I nodded to him. Suddenly, his body was enveloped in sand, and he disappeared and reappeared besides Kankuro. "Let's go." He simply commanded. "We didn't come here to play games."

"A-Alright sure, I get it." Kankuro kept whimpering.

"Hold it!" I hear Sakura snap from behind me. I hold my arm out before she can get in front of me. She gives me a confused look before continuing after they halt. "Why are you here? It's not exactly common for Sand Shinobi to enter Leaf Shinobi territory."

"Really? Have you all been living under a rock or what? You don't know what's going on, do you?" The girl started.

"They're here for the Chunin Exams, Sakura." I state, crossing my arms over my bosom. "They're about to start soon."

"The Chunin Exams?" Naruto hummed from behind me. "What's that? Well, I've never heard of any Chunin Exam, what is it?"

"To become a Chunin, a Genin must first take the Chunin Exams." I state, turning to Naruto. "Kakashi told me about them when I first became a Genin. And same goes for becoming a Jonin in our village. An exam must take place."

"Oh! Why didn't you say so! I am so there!" Naruto shouted happily, making me huff.

Sasuke dropped down besides me, making me glare at him and roll my eyes as he turned to the Sand Trio. "Hey, you! Identify yourself!" He snapped.

"Hm? You mean me?" The blonde girl asked, her cheeks tinting pink.

"No. Him. The guy with the gourd on his back." Sasuke denied her.

Gaara turned around. "My name is Gaara. Of the Desert." He replied, gazing at the two of us. "I'm curious about you two as well. Who are you?"

I gaze at him wondering why the hell he wanted to know about me. "I am Sasuke Uchiha." Sasuke replied. Gaara turned his head to me, waiting for a response.

"R-Ren Yukimura...." I simply say, turning my head away and rubbing my arm gently.

It was silent for a moment before Naruto butt in. "Hi there! I bet you're dying to know my name, right?!" Naruto shouts, breaking me out of my panic. I turned to him, smiling softly.

"I couldn't care less." Gaara simply replied, and with that, they left.

"Hey, Konohamaru, do I look uncool or something?" Naruto asked, obviously hurt.

"Well, compared to Sasuke, yeah."

"Ahh!! You're not gonna show me up, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.

"Back off, Naruto." Sasuke simply replied.

~*****~

I watched in mild interest as Choji scarfed down a bunch of short ribs. "Choji! Quit eating all of the short ribs! Ren was cooking those for herself!" Ino snapped at the larger boy. I just chuckle and lay my head on my arms, staring out the window, still replaying today's events. "You alright?" Ino asks from across the table.