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Chapter 23:Suna Nights

"Where have you been, Naruto-sensei?" Eriko pointed at the blonde jounin sensei when she materialized beside Team Seven.

"Yes, where have you been, sensei? We were starting to get worried," Nichiro added. Ichiro nodded. The three genin folded their arms and stared accusingly at Naruto.

She held up her hands in defense. "Whoa! I'm sorry! I honestly forgot to let you guys know," she said, "I'm staying with my former kenjutsu sensei."

"I assume your relative will be staying there as well? I did not see him in the Konoha quarters," Ichiro said, and Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, Sasuke's staying with me." In the same room. In the same bed.

Naruto shook her head a little to get those thoughts out her head and grinned at her team. "So how're you all feeling?"

Eriko deflated a little. "A little nervous," she admitted, and scuffed her foot into the rather sandy floor of the large hall they were in. All the other chuunin hopefuls from all the participating hidden villages were gathered in the same hall, eyeing their competition. "I'm not very strong, and I don't have a kekkei genkai like Ichiro and Nichiro."

Naruto opened her mouth to talk, but before she could say anything, Ichiro cut in. "Nonsense. You are strong, and having a kekkei genkai does not guarantee power."

"Yeah. Just look at Naruto-sensei! She does not have a kekkei genkai, but she is strong! And we've been a team long enough for Ichiro and I to know that you are strong. We wouldn't want to take the chuunin exams with anyone else," Nichiro said heatedly.

The blonde closed her mouth and smiled as she saw how Eriko's face lit up.

"Thanks, guys," she said quietly. Ichiro nodded with a smile. "You're welcome, Eriko," Nichiro said.

"That's my team!" Naruto told them proudly. She sensed Gaara's chakra appearing in the hall, and looked to the front where there was a raised platform. A swirl of sand was quickly solidifying into a man's shape, and soon the Kazekage appeared. The hall grew silent, and Gaara's eyes roamed the crowds until he caught sight of the blonde. Naruto waved at him with a grin, and received a tiny nod in return.

The Kazekage welcomed the participants and their jounin sensei, informed them of some rules and regulations, and told the genin where to meet the next day, and at what time. Then he wished them good luck, and disappeared in a swirl of sand.

Naruto turned back to her team and grinned. "Right! All the best tomorrow!" she told them. "Just do your best and I'll be proud of you, whatever the outcome."

"Un!" Eriko nodded. Naruto gave them another grin and ruffled the boys' hair, then patted Eriko on the head fondly.

"Have a good night's rest, guys. I'll see you at the end of the second exam, and I'll take you all out for ramen!"

Ichiro smirked. "We'll hold you to that, Keimei-sensei."

Naruto grinned widely at them, bid them goodnight, and left the hall. As she entered the street to Kujira-sensei's house, she wasn't surprised to see Gaara waiting for her with his arms folded across his chest.

"Konbanwa, Gaara!" she greeted him with a smile.

"Konbanwa, Keimei," he replied, and fell in step beside her. "I trust Kujira-dono has provided ample accommodations for you and Uchiha-Uzumaki?"

Naruto sighed, and her shoulders slumped as she was reminded of the sleeping arrangements. "Well, yeah, but… the room has only one bed."

At her distressed tone, Gaara turned to her in concern. "Is that a problem, Keimei?"