Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 39! Final Exams! Part Two!

~*****~

We just sat in the stair well, still trying to make sense of it. "Hey..." Shikamaru started, making both Naruto and I look over at him. "Naruto. Do you remember yesterday? What Gaara said?" Shikamaru looked over at him.

'Yesterday?' Naruto gasped after thinking a bit.

"I do." Shikamaru confirmed. "For sure...."

"What... what happened yesterday?" I question.

Shikamaru shook his head. "He said... He'd kill us all." He recited. "That's what he said. But then he didn't do it. It was the perfect opportunity. But he...." He stopped, glaring slightly. "I don't know. It was like he didn't even see us or something."

"We're not good enough." Naruto said, clenching his fist tightly with his other hand. "Not for that guy.

"Right now. The only that can make him feel anything..."

"The only one is Sasuke." Naruto stated. Naruto started to shake. I reached over to him and grasped his arm, frowning slightly. He was usually the one making me unafraid. He sighed out and gazed down at my hand. We all remained silent after that. Then, Naruto stood. "Shikamaru. Ren. We have to go talk to Kakashi-Sensei right now." Naruto said adamantly.

"What are you planning to do?" He asked, gazing up at the blond boy. Naruto suddenly turned, and dragged me along. "Hey wait!

"N-Naruto!" I yelp, trying to keep up with this ball of energy.

"I've got to stop him!" He shouted. "I've gotta stop the match!"

~*****~

"Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto shouts as we get to the viewing arena. We stop at the top step, panting lightly.

"Naruto!" Lee says with a smile.

"What is it, Naruto?" Kakashi asks.

"Sensei, please! You just have to stop this match, right away!" Naruto pleads.

"What?" Kakashi asks, dumbfounded.

"The guy Sasuke is completely different from the rest of us. He's about as far from normal as you can get."

"Naruto!" Ino scolds. "Slow down! What are you trying to say?"

"He thinks his point in life to kill people! Don't you see?! If this continues, Sasuke will die!" Naruto screams. "You've gotta believe me!" He shouts after they just stare for a moment.

Kakashi turns back to the match, a wave of anxiousness washing over him. I turned to the match, my eyes widening at the sphere surrounding him. He was preparing for something big. Something bad...

~*****~

"Relax." Kakashi says after a moment or two. "No need to panic."

"Huh?" Naruto hums in confusion.

"You know, Sasuke and I weren't just goofing around. There's a reason we were late getting here." Kakashi says gently. I feel agitation burning within. I step forward, grasping onto his sleeve. He gazed down at me, raising an eyebrow at the urgent look on my face. He closes his eye in an attempt to soothe me with a smile.

"Sensei?" Sakura starts, looking up at him. "You said there was a good reason you were late. What were you doing?"

"Hm. Well, it's kind of a long story." Kakashi states.

"Oh, come on! Will you please do something, this is no time for talking!" Naruto throws a fit.

"You're right. So shut up and watch." Kakashi snaps back. "Keep your eye on Sasuke. He's about to surprise you."