Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [2]

☾ 4 ☽

"Those of you here have passed the First Round," Shikamaru announced as he, Tsukiko and Temari joined those who had passed in the Konoha Ninja Academy playground. Tsukiko eyed the teams who were lacking a member in their teams. "Congratulations,,"

"Neji, you sent that signal, right?" Lee said as he turned to look at the Hyuga male with Tenten. "Thanks to you, we made it!"

"Truth be told, that guy from Suna did it," Neji said as he looked at Sajin. Lee and Tenten looked at the Sunagakure Shinobi.

"How come all three of you made it?" Sajin demanded as he looked back at Team Guy, while his teammate Mujin added, "Didn't the decoy get disqualified?"

"The rule said all three had to have the same answer," Neji answered. "We didn't choose anyone," Tsukiko smiled as the Suna Ninjas looked at them in shock.

"We all turned in a blank sheet," Lee clarified.

"Blank?" Sajin asked. "All three of you?!"

"There's no way we'd sacrifice a comrade," Neji said. "Take a look at how many teams passed with all three members," Sajin and Mujin looked around, worried and ashamed. "You can transfer thoughts, but that backfired on you, eh? Well... Thinking about letting a teammate die was already the wrong answer,"

"Why you..." Sajin started but he and everyone else were quietened as Temari slammed her large fan onto the ground to catch their attention toward herself.

"I'm Temari of Sunagakure," Temari announced. "I'm in charge of Round Two of the Exams. Too many teams passed the first round, so we're going to narrow it down some more,"

"Hey, what do you mean 'narrow it down'?!" Sajin demanded.

"First off, Round Two is also a team battle," Temari continued. "Any team without its third member will be disqualified! Furthermore, Round Two will be held in Sunagakure. We will meet at the Demon Desert checkpoint. Although there is a clear route between Konoha and Suna, it will take a shinobi three days, no matter how fast he or she may be.

"A messenger hawk has been sent to Suna with these instructions: After the first 30 arrive, all who follow are to be disqualified. Finally, as in Round One, fighting is prohibited en route. You can fight to your heart's content in Round Two,"

"Lee, Tenten," Neji said as before the three of them set off from there. Tsukiko looked after them as she bit into her pocky.

"He's quick to assess a situation, after all," Shikamaru commented.

"What's wrong?" Temari said to the rest of the Genin. "You're dismissed!" Sakura, Ino, Choji, Hinata, Kiba and Shino immediately rushed away and it took a few seconds for others to grasp what was going on.

"Couldn't you at least have said, 'ready, set, go'?" Shikamaru said.

"This is the Chunin Exams," Temari replied. "Not the Academy," She turned to look at Tsukiko. "You're going to Sunagakure with me, right?" Tsukiko nodded as she ate her pocky. "We might as well set off then,"

"See you, Shikamaru," Tsukiko said as she waved at Shikamaru and walked off with Temari. Shikamaru shook his head at Tsukiko, why in the heaven was she so nonchalant? Did Tsunade even allow her to leave the village?

"I've heard that you've been learning the Fourth Hokage's speed," Temari said. Tsukiko nodded again and Temari smirked. "Well, you're on for a race to Sunagakure with me," Tsukiko smirked back at her.

"I hope you can keep up..." Tsukiko said and Temari looked up in surprise as the white-haired girl dropped her empty pocky box but before it could hit the bottom of the trashcan, Tsukiko had vanished from there.