Nothing Special

Chapter 52

The sand went under the two and directed them to a spot where they landed softly. The two lay side by side next to each. Lee's head was at her feet.

" Who are you?" Kimimaro demanded.

" Allies of the Leaf Village," A familiar voice said. " We're shinobi of the Sand." Aceso moved her head a little and saw Gaara with his arms crossed, he didn't seem too happy.

" Am I still drunk or something?" Lee asked as he looked back then at the sand.

" No," Aceso denied as Lee arched himself up.

" Cousin," Gaara breathed as he looked down at her, his eyes landed on her wounds. 

" Gaara," Aceso breathed with a small smile. "You came." The surprise had arrived. He looked back at Kimimaro with a little bit more anger and began to walk forward, so he stood in front of the Leaf Village Genin.

"Tell me, is he the one that hurt you?" Gaara asked harshly.

"Don't worry about it," Aceso assured. He glanced back at her, before looking forward.

" He is Gaara, of the sand," Lee noted as he looked at the back of him.

"  Gaara. Is that what they call you?" Kimimaro asked after he stretched his arms and put them forward in an x position. Little bones started to come out of his fingertips. " Digital Shrapnel!" He shot the shrapnels forward, the sand came up acting as a shield. The sand came towards him, and the little bones bullets popped out and fell to the ground.

" Impulsive one, aren't you?" Gaara asked as the sand moved so he could have sight of the enemy. He then looked back at Lee. " You're different. When you fought against me you had much more agility and sharpness." 

" I figured you would say that," Lee answered as he got up, Aceso started to turn over onto her front. " I am not the kind of person who holds a grudge. Even so--because of you, I've had a fairly tough time of it. But thanks to Red Rose, I have gotten better."

" Really?" Gaara asked as the sand retracted back into his gourd.

 " Anyway, why have you come here?" Lee asked.

" I owe the Leaf," Gaara answered as he looked back at him. " I owe the leaf a great debt. And I owe someone an apology." He glanced down at Aceso who had just sat down and her arms back positioned so she wouldn't fall over sitting down. Blood seeped out from her wounds, and the ground below her was already tainted in red. She then started to try to get up. He looked back at Kimimaro then at Lee who got into a fighting position. He saw blood dripping off his arm onto the grass. " I'll handle this."

" No, please," Lee protested. " Just back me up." He started to run forward. The sand went forward, grabbed Lee by the leg, and pulled him, he fell forward onto sand. " I got sand in my mouth!" He looked back at Gaara angrily. " Will you please let go of me?" He started to groan in pain as Gaara walked forward more.

" You're not doing any fighting in your present state," Gaara denied. " You look after her, I've got this." Lee looked back at Aceso, she was looking forward to Gaara as she was putting her hand on top of one of the holes Kimimaro created on her body.

" Do not let your guard down," Aceso advised. " He uses his bones to attack."

" He can launch them like you saw before and forces them to protrude from his body," Lee explained as the sandpile, he was under, moved over to Aceso. " He is able to control them, at will!"

" You're Gaara of the Desert," Kimimaro said as Gaara got closer. " You wield sand. Hence the name." The bones retracted back into Kimimaro's body as Lee reached into Aceso's pack and pulled out a few things. Kimimaro lifted his fingers, letting the bones start to come out again, Gaara saw, he stepped forward and the sand zipped toward the enemy.