Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Competition ❯ Naruto VS Gaara: Kyuubi Awakens ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: Had to change a few things to fix my timeline sequence of events.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Naruto or its characters.

 

Chapter 2: Naruto VS Gaara: Kyuubi awakens!

 

Naruto's lips connected with Sakura's. He never knew a girl's lips were so warm and soft, like flower petals. He heard gasps echo all around him. He didn't know why they were surprised; after all she had agreed to it. Without even realizing it he was soon laying on his back with Sakura still on top of him. She pressed her body up against his eliminating the space between them as they continued their long awaited kiss. He wanted it to go on forever. Then, as quickly as it had come it was over. She lifted her face away from his to gaze down at him. She smiled seeing his lips still puckered.

 

“God that was too quick” He said opening his eyes. The first face he saw was Ino's. She was still leaned over him smiling. It suddenly made sense to why everyone had gasped. Well, almost everyone; Kiba had given his trademark wolf whistle. He looked past her to Sakura who was looking just as wide-eyed and confused as he was. “I-Ino? What…what the fudge are you do-doing?” He choked feeling his lips and staring wildly from her to Sakura who had gone slightly pink.

 

That question seemed to have struck Ino by surprise. In truth she didn't know why she had done what she did. Was it out of jealousy to get him before Sakura or to stop her from falsely kissing him? Either way she couldn't explain the kissing part, about why she taken Sakura's place. She just stared at him realizing all too late how this must look to the others. She was on top of him after all. It was then she realized that that was her very first from a boy. She also realized how deeply in love with Naruto she was. She could deny it no longer. Her lust for him had reached its climax. And it only increased more as she stared into his confused blue oculus'. “Naruto…Naruto I…” She couldn't spit it out. She shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. Now she was confused. `Why am I about to cry?' she thought sniffling. Then the answer hit her like a ton of bricks. `Oh yeah…sure, I admit I have feelings for him and want to be with him but…I just know Sakura is gonna ask him when I do and it's pretty obvious what his answer will be considering his love for her.'

 

*'Idiot! Sakura you were too slow!'* Inner Sakura yelled pulling out clumps of hair. `She beat you to him! Dammit! And it's all your fault! Who in the hell takes like thirty minutes to lean into a kiss?'* Sakura wasn't even listening. She too was crying. Her hands were in her lap as she watched Naruto and Ino hug. It wasn't so much that she had gotten to him first but the fact that she was actually about to go through with it just to play Naruto, date him, get Sasuke's attention, then dump him. Her inner self was right that…she was obsessed over that raven-haired beauty. So infatuated with him that she was willing to break someone else to get what she wanted. That's not normal to be that hooked on one person.

 

As they watched the scene unfold three genins walked through the woods. They were Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten. All of them had already passed the final exam one year ago but were held back from the chunin exams to become stronger. They often joined Naruto's class for lunch seeing as their class got out earlier. They joined a group close to Naruto's, unpacked their lunches, and started eating.

 

Kiba stared at Ino who had started crying over Naruto. “Dude…what in the hell am I seeing? Ino actually kissed that…that doofus? And…she's crying.”

 

Shino shrugged half-heartedly as he watched on, hiding his eagerness for this little show to continue. “This is certainly…interesting.”

 

Choji, however, was giving his full and undivided attention to Kiba's dog. `That dog would go great on a skewer with some hot sauce…' he thought chewing on his forty-fifth bag of Doritos: cool ranch.

 

Naruto reached up catching one of Ino's tears on the tip of his finger. “Hey…hey, please don't cry. Please?”

 

`Great…now he's being nice to me,' Ino thought crying harder.

 

Sitting up determined to stop her Naruto wrapped his arms around her embracing her. He put his head on her shoulder as she hugged him back. “Ino…please stop crying. I can't stand to see people cry. It makes me wanna start crying too,” he said feeling her body shiver against his.

 

She squeezed his orange jumpsuit and cried into his shoulder. “Naruto…I…I love…”

 

Naruto furrowed his brow in concentration as he said, “What? What do you love?” He had no clue about what she was going to say.

 

Ino rolled her eyes and smirked slightly. `I forgot…this is Naruto we're talking about here. Unless you put it specifically he won't get it.” She smiled as it was that right there that made Naruto so irresistibly cute.

 

Kiba happened to glance over at Sakura who was knee deep in her own tears. “Hey, Sakura? Are you okay?” That question didn't register with her as she slowly crawled towards Naruto and Ino on all fours. As she passed Kiba went red in the face from gazing at her ass. “Whoa…. Big.”

 

Shino shook his head. “You are such…a pervert.”

 

“Hey! Can I help it if she wags it right in front of my face? No, I can't. I wish I could control where her ass went but I can't,” Kiba said as Akamaru gave a low howl. “Akamaru! Where the hell did you learn such language?” Shino had an inkling but decided against saying it. “Boy, if I'm a pervert then you're like king perv.”

 

“What did he say?” Shino asked watching as Sakura tapped Naruto on the shoulder.

 

Kiba blushed even harder. “You're…you're better off not knowing. Hell, I didn't even need to hear that,” he added with a shudder.

 

“Yo? Oh hey, Sakura? Need something?” Naruto asked releasing Ino who was taken aback. He turned to Sakura like an obedient dog.

 

Sakura opened her mouth to say something when a Kunai knife landed right where her hand had been just a few seconds ago. She jumped falling over into Kiba's arms while Naruto grabbed it out the ground looking up into the trees.

 

All the students ceased their conversations with one another to gaze at the newcomers. One of them, the one with the huge sand gourd on his back, was hanging upside down on a tree branch while the other one stood on top of the branch the other dude was on. The one with the gourd had short dark red hair in tufts and red eyes outlined in black eye liner. His eyes were narrow giving the impression his eyes were closed. He had on a black shirt and black cargo pants. A tattoo above his left eye said, love. The one on the ground was wearing orange baggy pants that covered his feet. He wore a tucked in blue shirt that had `scarecrow' on it. A black hood that had cat ears covered his hair. There was a bundle of wrapping on his back with a big patch of hair sticking out of the top.

 

Naruto stood up followed by everyone. “Who are you?” He yelled tossing the kunai back at the one with the sand gourd on his back.

 

The sand in the air made a protective shield around him making the kunai stick in it. “Was that supposed to be an attack?” He asked. His voice was cold and dark. There wasn't an ounce of humanity in it.

 

Shino whipped off his shades revealing his dirty brown eyes. “That sand…it reeks of blood,” he gasped shivering slightly. Naruto put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

 

“Hey, calm down Shino…start shivering if we have to fight this weirdo,” Naruto said nodding his head in the strangers direction.

 

With a soft whooshing noise the one hanging upside down vanished making the entire class look around. “Hello, there.” Naruto turned around only to be gripped by the throat and lifted off the ground by a hand made of sand. “Well, well, well, what do you know? I never thought those stories I heard long ago were true,” the sand dude said looking Naruto over while he struggled to free himself.

 

Kiba pulled out two stars and threw them while the sand man's back was turned. The sand in the gourd exploded once again creating a protective shield that caught the weapons. “Wh-what? It had no effect...”

 

“I don't know why you thought it would.” He tightened his grip on Naruto's throat making him choke. “C'mon…release it…so I can test my power on the nine-tailed--“

 

“Gaara!” Neji yelled standing up. “What the hell are you doing here, in Konoha? According to Konoha's contract with Suna's; your ninja's aren't permitted to cross the border without proper authorization. State your business!”

 

Gaara turned his head towards Neji and dug into his pockets pulling out three passports. “It's rude to interrupt someone ya know,” he said grinning evilly. “And anyway, it should be obvious why we're here. To participate in whatever they have planned. It takes place somewhere in Konoha.”

 

“Let me…go, dick!” Naruto yelled struggling to get free. He tried kicking Gaara in the family jewels but the sand gourd kept creating a shield around Naruto's kicks.

 

Gaara intensified his strangle hold making a drop of blood squeeze from the corner of Naruto's mouth. “Unleash it!”

 

Losing consciousness Naruto squeaked, “Unleash what? What the h-hell are you-you talking about?!” Naruto knew what he was talking about, he wanted him to unleash Kyuubi. He was determined not to say it like Iruka-sensei ordered, lest he have everyone hate him.

 

“Bring out the Kyu…!!” He took a step back as a kunai came whizzing at him and Naruto slicing the sand hand and releasing Naruto. He hit the ground clutching his throat and coughing. Gaara looked up into the tree above. “Hn…saved by the teacher.”

 

Iruka jumped down lightly landing on his feet. In his left hand was a bowl of ramen, which he handed to Naruto. Behind him stood a very pale Shikamaru; he couldn't stop shivering. Under his other arm was a body. “Here…”

 

Naruto was on the verge tears as he bowed to his sensei. As he prepared to gorge himself he stopped to looked over at Ino whose stomach gave a low growl. She blushed as he stared at her. Sighing, he thought, `Jeez. She did share her pop-tart with me…plus it sounds like she didn't eat breakfast today.' He could tell how hungry a person was by the sound of their stomach noises. Ignoring his own hunger he pushed the ramen bowl towards her.

 

Ino was very surprised by this act considering Naruto never gave anyone his ramen. “Naruto…no, I couldn't…it's yours.”

 

Resisting the urge to snatch it back and say, Suit yourself, he merely shook his head. His nose perked as the smell of the ramen hit him. Shrimp flavor! `My favorite,' he thought as drool swam into his mouth.

 

Ino hesitated then gratefully began eating while throwing glances at Naruto. “Thank you.”

 

“Yeah, no problem,” He said. `Damn, I'm hungry!' He thought.

 

Shikamaru sat down as Iruka laid the body under his arm in Naruto's circle ignoring the gasps that erupted from everybody. “Sasuke!” Sakura yelled cradling his head in her lap. *`Serves his ass right,'* Inner Sakura mumbled. Sasuke had obviously taken quite a beating. A savage one at that; one that had knocked him unconscious. He had cuts and bruises all over his body. His clothes were ripped and his breathing was restricted. A blood-leaking hole about the size of a baseball looked as though it had been carved into his side. Sakura noticed this and several blotches of sand mixed into his cuts. She looked up at the one named Gaara and screamed, “What did you do to him? What?” *`Yeah, they really did a number on this dude. Hn, keep up the good work guys!'* Inner Sakura boomed giving Gaara and the others a thumbs up.

 

Turning his icy gaze to her Gaara said, “I didn't do anything, I just caught him when he fell…Kankoru, on the other hand…well, you know.”

 

The one with the bundle of wrappings on his back stepped up next to Gaara with a superior smile on his face. “What's up? The scarecrow hadn't had any exercise for awhile so when fresh meat came along who was I to deny him? Sasuke made an excellent plaything.”

 

Sakura leapt to her feet pulling out a kunai knife. Iruka saw this beforehand and grabbed her around the waist pulling her back. “Calm down, Sakura. Sasuke's gonna be fine, he just took a much needed beat-down,” Iruka said to the stifled snorts of Naruto. “Calm down, you should thank Shikamaru for Sasuke's life. He jumped in and took Sasuke and came looking for me.”

 

Sakura looked at Iruka then at Shikamaru who was muttering nonstop to himself. She got him in a big hug and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you…thank you so much Shikamaru,” she said smiling through the tears that had congregated in the corners of her eyes.

 

“Yeah…whatever,” Shikamaru said. His mind was in another place. It was still in the fight as he had watched Sasuke get the crap beat out of him.

 

Ino looked at Sasuke and found she didn't feel mad or sorry for him. She did feel pity for him though. Her feelings for him had long since evaporated.

 

Iruka returned his attention to Gaara and Kankoru. “If it's just the two of you, why do you have three passes?”

 

“Oh…that. She's comin',” Kankoru said pointing over his shoulder. “She's just slow as hell.” He stumbled forward letting out a cry of pain as a rock collided with his head. “Ow! Damn, that smarts.”

 

“Who did you say was slow?” A girl yelled appearing beside him.

 

“Do you get off on hitting Kankoru, Temari?” Gaara asked eyeing the girl.

 

Temari blushed. “Of course not! What kind of question is that?”

 

Gaara shrugged turning back to Naruto. “Just wondering, you hit him almost all the time and when you do you blush so I was just wondering…. Now back to important matters.”

 

“What important matters? What are you looking at me for?” Naruto yelled. `Why is it everywhere I go people always give me those stony looks? What did I do to deserve them? Even if I do have this damn fox inside of me it's not like I wanted this thing to be here,' He thought snarling.

 

“It's amazing how the you can't know already…” Gaara said shaking his head. He caught Iruka's warning face. “However…it's not my business to tell you. But, if the people who care for you can't tell you then…that's just pitiful.”

 

“And who are you to say that, freak?” Naruto shouted feeling his anger rise. He was going to play stupid with Gaara to make him think he didn't know.

 

A gleam hit Hinata straight in the eye making her clutch her face in pain. After a few seconds her sight returned and she noticed that all three of the newcomers had forehead protectors. The symbol on the bands signified that they were from the land of sand. “Hey…you there with the tattoo. You're from the village of those-who-hide-in-sand, right?”

 

Everybody looked at Hinata with astonishment. She almost never talked…at least never talked to anyone except Naruto. Without looking at her Gaara said, “Yes. Need something?”

 

“How is it that you have…a headband when we don't? I thought that the lands had the finals set up to be held at the same time?” she said.

 

“Yeah…what the hell's that all about?” Kiba asked as Shikamaru gave a twitch.

 

“That's a simple question to answer,” Gaara stated. “You live in a slow village.”

 

That comment caused several of Naruto's classmates to rise. Neji, Lee, and Tenten remained seated as they had already graduated and saw no insult in what he said. Some grabbed stars and others just growled. Apparently they were offended. Iruka raised his hand. The students did nothing at first then begrudgingly sat down. Shikamaru had never stood.

 

“Hey…what's wrong with you Shikamaru?” Kiba wondered glaring daggers at Gaara.

 

“Nothing…”

 

“Bullshit. Tell me or I'll sic Akamaru on you.”

 

Shikamaru forced a nervous chuckle. “Well…I don't know why you guys stood up. We wouldn't have had a chance against them anyway…especially all three of them.”

 

Kiba snorted and said, “There's like, what, twenty of us and three of them.”

 

Not feeling like arguing any farther Shikamaru fell silent and allowed what he had just seen them do to Sasuke play over in his mind.

 

“Our finals were two days ago. We're all genin,” Gaara said. He eyed each and every student as if daring him or her to charge him or say something smart. “I can't help it if we're more advanced than you.”

 

Iruka turned to his students and sighed. “The part about our land being behind…uh…that was partially true.” Several students grunted and continued leering at Gaara. “But for good reason. Lord Hokage was out at the time doing an A-rank mission with some subordinates and wasn't here to authorize the finals. He apologizes that you didn't graduate sooner.”

 

Gaara smirked. “He said it nicely.”

 

Shaking his head Iruka continued. “They're sending students from all lands: Konoha, Suna, Ame, Kusa, Taki, and Oto to compete in this event.” He stopped to look at Gaara then to Naruto. He could sense the same hate emanating from them as he did when Naruto and Sasuke locked eyes. “And because of the many parents coming from all over to encourage their kids…” he paused. He really didn't want to have said that, knowing how Naruto felt but it was mandatory for the next part. So, he tried to block out the crestfallen look Naruto had on his face. “…Our hotels are gonna be booked so Konoha students try not to pick fights with your rivals and…please be on your best behavior.”

 

A kid with shiny black hair in a bowl cut with thick eyebrows wearing a green leotard said, “Aren't we always?”

 

“No Lee, especially you Naruto. You screw anything up and I'll see to it that you're banned from the competition,” Iruka said, his eyes glinting in his favorite pupils direction.

 

“Why say that only to me? How do you know anyone else will do the right thing? What about Kiba? A week ago he let Akamaru bite some woman!” Naruto protested flinging an accusing finger towards Kiba.

 

“Hey! Mind your own business, idiot! That woman had it coming when she tried to have him locked in the pound!” Kiba said defensively.

 

Pouting and feeling thoroughly outnumbered in the argument Naruto fell silent staring up into the sky with his arms crossed.

 

After rubbing his eyes Iruka said in a weary tone, “The rest of the students should be arriving later today.” He checked his watch. “Hmm, already two, eh? Damn, okay! That's it for today! Everyone passes! Meet at the school at nine!” `I'll just have to save Naruto's special exercise for the Finals,' Iruka thought with a smile.

 

Naruto raised his hand in an eager way. “Ooh! Oh! Sensei, pick me!”

 

“…Yes, Naruto?”

 

“Can we have your permission to beat the shit out of some of the ones who cross into our village?” Naruto asked rolling up his orange sleeves. The sight of Gaara on the ground in agony was already racing through his mind. He grinned.

 

Iruka gave this serious thought. “What do you think idiot?” Iruka yelled giving Naruto his look that said I can't believe you'd ask such an obvious question.

 

“Well, let me rephrase it for ya,” Naruto said putting a hand to his chin. He was trying to pick the right choice of words. “I meant ta say, can we…ya know, play fight? Pleaze!”

 

Iruka sighed then turned to look at Gaara who had closed his eyes. “Yeah, whatever…but if you're hurt or anything like that don't bring your crying butt over to me! And just play fighting.”

 

Naruto grinned mischievously as his eyes met Gaara's. “Yeah…playful fighting…sure.”

 

Nodding Iruka vanished in a puff of smoke. Naruto stood up stretching while keeping eye contact with Gaara. He then looked at Sasuke's lump of a body and growled. “I may not like the moron but…I'm the only one who can wail on his ass!” Gaara said nothing. His eyes spoke for him. They sent the message to Naruto to come on then. “Oh, I'll come all right.”

 

A very naughty image of Naruto doing what he just said floated into Ino's mind. She blushed to the extreme and giggled to herself.

 

Kankoru found him a nice patch of grass to sit down on followed by Temari. “This should be real quick.”

 

“I don't know,” Temari whispered in a concerned tone, “he does have that fox thing inside of him.”

 

Everyone watched as Naruto approached Gaara. “Hey, baka, if you happen to, ya know…bite the big one, can I be your second?” Kiba asked licking his claws. “I wanna kick his ass too.”

 

Naruto laughed. “There won't be any ass left to kick once I'm through with it.”

 

“So, Neji, what do you think? Does he have a shot?” Lee asked sitting up so he could get a better view of the fight.

 

“We might have a chance but…I've always sensed this weird chakra from Naruto that he's never used. That might give him an edge if he can harness it and use it. Even though, Gaara…that dude is extremely powerful. I don't even think my evil eye could have any effect in seeing his moves,” Neji said using his evil eye to see through the redheaded girl in his way.

 

Gaara folded his arms. “I'll only need two limbs for this battle,” he stated grinning at Naruto through his narrowed eyes.

 

“Grrrrr…up yours bastard!”

 

He charged swinging his fist; his trademark way of starting a fight. The sand on the ground and in the air created a shield that caught Naruto's fist. “What?”

 

“Hyah!” Gaara shoved his leg into Naruto's side sending him crashing into a tree.

 

Ino groaned as he hit the ground only to bounce back up. “Look…his nose, it's broken.”

 

Naruto had blood leaking from his nostrils onto his jumpsuit staining it. “Aw, damn you! This is my favorite jumpsuit! Argh!”

 

“That was your only jumpsuit,” Kiba coughed into his hands.

 

“Up yours butt-munch.” Shaking off the pain in his head he rushed Gaara again.

 

“Hn, this again? You're more simpleminded than I thought,” Gaara yawned preparing to block. He was surprised when Naruto leapt into the air making some hand seals.

 

“Art of the doppelganger! Solid form!” Naruto yelled. In an instant Naruto split into nine others.

 

“What kind of art is this?” Gaara asked as ten Naruto's soon surrounded him.

 

“Clean out ya ears! I said doppelganger!” All the Naruto's yelled.

 

“Fine…if that's the way you want it, I guess I'll have to kill them to find the real Naruto.” Gaara held out his hand. “Sand Tomb!” The light breeze in the area became a strong gust whipping the sand on the ground into the air. Long nailed groping sand hands erupted from the ground slithering and crawling its way up Naruto. With a wave of sand he became encased in a sepulcher of sand. Gaara raised his hand lifting Naruto into the air. “Good-bye,” Gaara whispered flexing his fingers.

 

Naruto looked down at the others. “H-help me…!”

 

“No one can help you now.” Gaara squeezed his fist and the tomb exploded sending sand in all directions. People beneath the sand threw up their arms in protection. Before the sand hit the ground it was already shooting back into the gourd on Gaara's back.

 

Everyone eyed the clones of Naruto as they gazed into the sky. They weren't sure if that had been the real Naruto or not. They sighed with relief when the Naruto's smirked and turned their attention to Gaara. “Heh. My, my, vicious today aren't we? That could've killed us! You out for blood Gaara?”

 

“Smell my sand…I think the answer to that is quite apparent,” Gaara said. He narrowed his eyes trying to figure out which one of them was the real Naruto. “I'm just glad this isn't turning out to be a cakewalk.”

 

“You're bluffing,” One of the Naruto's said.

 

“We shall see…”

 

Before he could do anything all the Naruto's held their hands out in front of them using the other to make the sign of the tiger. Electricity began gathering between their fingertips. A ball of white lightning formed in their palms.

 

Sakura's eyes lit up. “How…is he doing that?” She yelled watching as all the Naruto's concentrated.

 

“Amazing…the things you can learn from reading the secret manuscript,” replied the Naruto's.

 

Everybody gasped at this bit of information. But before anyone could ask how he had accomplished such a feat all the clones thrust their hands toward Gaara who remained motionless. “Lightening Strike!” The balls of lightening zoomed towards Gaara who flared his eyes. A sphere of protective sand engulfed him. “Nice try!” the Naruto's yelled. They used their hands to control where the balls went. “You won't be able to block `em all, Gaara! Here it comes!” They picked a spot and one right after another the balls tried piercing through the same area of sand. `C'mon, break…break!' They thought watching anxiously. After the second to last ball made contact the sand barrier fell leaving Gaara vulnerable. “Here's my chance!” On of the Naruto's pulled out a kunai knife flinging it after the last ball of lightening.

 

With a yell of anguish the lightening ball made contact with his stomach blasting him back smashing through two trees. The sand gourd on his back burst open creating a soft cushion of sand to land on. He stood up precariously only to be speared in the chest by the kunai. “Aaah!” He grasped it tightly and pulled resisting the urge to scream again. With a sickening squishing sound it came out covered in blood. `My chakra must be out of whack. My sand should've blocked that.” He winced as blood leaked out of the slit in his clothes. “Okay…that tears it…I'm gonna make him unleash Kyuubi then I'm gonna kill it and him.”

 

“Gaara!” Temari yelled standing up. She whipped out one of her homemade healing potions. Kankoru however, remained sitting. He grabbed her by the back of her pants snatching her down. “Ow! Why you pervert! You did that on purpose so you could feel my ass didn't you?” She yelled going a deep shade of scarlet.

 

“Partly that and the fact he would practically kill you for coming to his aid,” Kankoru said closing his eyes with a grin. “He's just toying around with the brat; giving him false hope if you will.”

 

“Yeah, whatever you pervert…” Temari said blushing.

 

“Sticks and stone's, Temari...sticks and stones,” Kankoru mumbled.

 

“I wish I had some sticks and stones,” she murmured.

 

“Man…Naruto just kicked Gaara's ass!” Lee exclaimed grinning.

 

Neji shook his head. “This is only the beginning. It would take a lot more than a simple lightening attack and a kunai to defeat Gaara, let alone kill him.”

 

Lee laughed. “I don't see you performing any lightening seals.”

 

“The reason behind that partially is because I didn't sneak and read the secret scroll!”

 

“You had enough Gaara?” The clones asked smiling at what they had accomplished. “Just call it quits.

 

“Call it quits, eh? Far from it,” Gaara said raising a hand. The sand gourd on his back exploded once again but this time covered him with sand. With a rush of wind he and the sand disappeared. Before the Naruto's could ask he appeared right in the middle of the group with his eyes closed. “I haven't got time for games…I want the real Naruto now.”

 

“Whoa…that dude is mad strong. All that and he's still moving like the wind,” Kiba muttered as Sasuke sat up. “Oh-ho, you're awake. You missed on hell of a battle start.”

 

Sasuke ignored that put a hand to his side then jerked in pain. “Agh…I feel like crap.”

 

“Ya look like crap too,” Kiba commented grinning.

 

“Thanks dog-man.” Sasuke winced as he clutched a cut over his stomach.

 

Kiba growled. “Don't call me dog-man! I hate it enough when the idiot calls me that…but coming from you makes me wanna-ow!”

 

Sakura and Ino had hit him over the head making Akamaru leap into his lap. “Naruto's not an idiot…he just has his moments,” Ino said coming to Naruto's defense.

 

“Sasuke's hurt enough without you and your stupid insults,” Sakura said growing red in the face.

 

“Jeez, back-off already!” Kiba yelled rubbing his aching head. Akamaru reached up licking him on the cheek. “That's like the fifth time today I've been hit over the freaking head.

 

“Maybe if you didn't say things deserving a smack you wouldn't be hit,” Sakura said hotly.

 

Sasuke looked around in search of Naruto. He saw him with the spook from sand right in the middle of his doppelgangers. “Naruto!”

 

“I'm sick of these clones,” Gaara muttered raising both fists into the air. “I wanna fight the real Naruto!” With a `tham' he brought his hands crashing down into the ground. At once a circle of sand rose up blowing all the Naruto's away. All the clones smashed into trees with a bone crushing thud. Clouds of white dust emanated all over the place as all the clones disappeared.

 

“Where's the real Naruto?” Lee wondered looking around.

 

Tenten, a girl in Lee's and Neji's group pointed up into a tree. “There he is!”

 

Everyone followed her finger and there was Naruto, looking bedraggled. He sat on a branch struggling to regain his breath. He had cuts like Sasuke but none of his were serious. His right eye had a cut above it and was constantly leaking blood into it making him blink and cringe in pain. It matched perfectly with his busted nose. He had an exhausted look on his face as he shouted, “Nice trick there…but I'm still standing!” In the back of his mind he made a mental note to slug Tenten later for giving away his position. He needed rest.

 

Sasuke tried to stand but the puncture in his side made that impossible. “Damn them! Damn them to hell!” Sakura tried to lay him back down but he shoved her away. “Naruto…ouch…he won't stand a chance. I need to help…him,” he whispered grunting and screwing up his face in pain.

 

“Sasuke…don't worry. Naruto's doing fine,” Hinata said blushing at her bravery for saying that.

 

“Wha!” Losing his placing Naruto fell and collided with the ground with a resounding `thud'. Everyone groaned as he struggled to get up. `Damn…I just about used up all of my chakra pulling off that doppelganger thing. Shit, if what Gaara says is true and I do have some sort of hidden power inside of me I wish it would come the hell out already before…before I really do die! C'mon Kyuubi!' Then he thought about it. `I guess dying wouldn't be so bad…its not like I have anyone here who actually cares for me, besides Iruka.' Ino immediately flashed into his mind. `No…she doesn't care about me either. All she has eyes for is Sasuke. But…I refuse to go out without a fight!' He thought standing up. “C'mon Gaara! If you want me come and get me!” He yelled balling up his fists once again.

 

“Should we jump in?” Tenten asked looking worriedly at Neji.

 

Shaking his head while looking at Naruto's determined face. “No…he plans on fighting to the death if need be,” he said scanning Naruto with his evil eye.

 

“I really don't like this. Even if he is a loudmouthed little brat I feel we should help him,” Lee said cracking his knuckles.

 

“I know, Lee…I feel the same way.”

 

Gaara smiled at Naruto's eagerness to continue their fight. “Fine, fox-boy. Here I come!” With breakneck speed Gaara ran at Naruto swinging his foot tripping him. “Sand combo!” Before Naruto could hit the ground Gaara kicked him into the air then quickly made some hand seals. He vanished reappearing in the air with Naruto. “Ha!” His fist became covered in sand, which he used to punch Naruto dead in the face sending him rocketing towards the soil once again. Gaara made some more hand seals and appeared on the ground in the spot where Naruto would land. “Huuagh!” He pounded the ground with his fists creating his sand circle. Not having a chance to hit the dirt Naruto was thrown straight into the lake crashing through it's surface and sinking into its depths.

 

His classmates surrounded the lake on all sides peering into it. Ino squinted trying to see through the murkiness but it was no use.

 

“C'mon Naruto, you can do it,” Neji said firmly as his evil eye searched for his chakra signature. “I don't feel a thing…damn, this isn't looking so good.”

 

“I told you we should've helped!” Lee exclaimed wishing he had just followed his gut instinct instead of listening to Neji.

 

Kiba flung Akamaru into the water. “Bark woof-woof snarl bark!” Translation: Go find Naruto! Akamaru doggie-paddled to the spot where Naruto disappeared and dived under. Everyone watched with baited breath as bubbles rose to the surface from where Naruto was thrown. With a splash Akamaru surfaced making several students jump back. He then waddled his way over to Kiba jumping into his outstretched arms. After drying him off with his sleeves he barked at Akamaru ignoring the strange looks he was receiving. “Hey! He says there's a huge power coming up fast!”

 

No sooner had those words left his lips Naruto leapt from the water, went flipping through the air, and landed perfectly on front of Gaara who was sporting a huge grin as his eyes widened. “Finally…it hasn't come out fully but a sample's better than nothing.”

 

The three cat lines on Naruto's cheeks had grown bushier and more refined. His eyes had become cat-like slits of burning red. The nails on his hands had grown longer and sharper. His fangs were bared and gleamed in the afternoon sun. The wounds over his body had already begun to heal themselves. The zipper had broken on his jacket revealing the blue undershirt he was wearing. The parka ruffled lightly in the breeze. A low growl escaped his throat as he narrowed his eyes at Gaara.

 

Neji had broken out in a sweat. “What is this…this immense chakra emanating from him? It's powerful but…it reeks of death and evil!”

 

“Is t-that even Naruto?” Ino asked putting a hand to her mouth.

 

Kiba nodded slowly. “It has to be him…no one else in the village is stupid enough to wear an orange jumpsuit. Fashion victim.”

 

Resisting the urge to hit Kiba Ino just looked Naruto up and down. “He…looks so different…and his chakra level is off the charts! I've never felt anything like it…”

 

Lee stood up tightening his fists. “Neji…I'm going to help him.” He took one step only to have Tenten reach out a hand, grab his ankle, and pull it back tripping him. He hit the ground on his hands and knees. “What was that for?” He asked turning around to face her.

 

Neji talked instead of her. He grinned nervously which clashed with the fear his face showed. “Lee…trust me on this one. He doesn't need anyone's help.” After saying that Neji flopped down to sit Indian style and watch the rest of the fight.

 

TBC

~~~~~

There ya have it., yes it's a cliffhanger, but this was a good stopping point for the chapter. The action in the last chapter might have been a little slow but I think I made up for it in this one. PLEASE R&R.. See you in the third chapter…hopefully. ^_^