Saori P.O.V
I was watching them still there next to Lee and Gai.
The medic approached Gai.
- It's difficult to have to say something like this but...the state of his body...he will never be able to live as a shinobi again. - the medic said.
I widened my eyes....what?!....that can't be...
- N-No way...it must be some kind of lie. - Naruto said shocked.
- Lee-san.... - Sakura said sad.
- If that's so...THEN WHAT'S THICKBROWS SUPPOSED TO DO?! - Naruto said trying go towards the medics but Kakashi stopped him.
- Stop Naruto. - Kakashi said.
- NO!!! - Naruto said and got out of Kakashi's grip.
.......Naruto....
- HE WAS ALWAYS SAYING HOW HE WANTED TO FIGHT AGAINST SASUKE AND THAT NEJI GUY...CAN'T YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?! HEYYY! - Naruto said going towards them.
I went there and pulled him into a hug.
- That's enough Naruto. - I said calmly and sad.
- No....i-it's not fair. - Naruto said.
- I know Naruto...I know. - I said hugging him tight.
He did the same.
I crouched down at his level...he was fighting back tears.
- Naruto...go back upstairs, okay? - I said calmly.
He looked the other way and nodded. He went to the upper level.
I looked where Gaara was...no remorse.....he doesn't show any regret at all....
- Saori, control yourself. - Kakashi said coming to my side.
- Believe me when I tell you...I am. Besides I'm not mad at Gaara. - I said.
- Then who? - he asked.
- I'm mad at the people who made him like this. - I said serious.
Kakashi put his hand on my shoulder...I sighed.
- Let's go to the upper level. - I said.
He nodded and we went to the upper level.
It was now Choji's turn to fight against the Sound ninja.
*Moving on to the End of the Match*
I sweatdropped, poor Choji.
- Oh well, he lost but I guess I'll at least take him to eat some steaks. - Asuma said.
- Well, with this the preliminary trials for the round 3 test...has been completed! Contests who pass please come here. - Hayate said.
......finally...
- To all of you who won the rights to compete in the 3rd round test in the chunnin exam *cough* *cough* one is missing but...congratulations to all of you! - Hayate said.
............Sasuke....I sighed, what am I going to do with you?
- Sensei. - Sakura said.
Me and Kakashi looked at her.
- Is Sasuke-kun - she started and I put my hand on her shoulder.
- Sasuke is not weak Sakura. Let's wait and see what he'll do, besides me and Kakashi are going to help him. - I said.
She nodded with a small smile......it's better for you not know many details.
- Saori, could you listen the instructions? I have to leave for a bit. - Kakashi said.
.................I nodded, with that he poofed. I sighed, please be okay Sasuke.
- Well, now I'd like to start explaining the main test. - the Hokage said.
Let's see what's next.
- As I told you before, in the main event your matches will be seen by everybody. Each of you will fight to represent the strengths of your countries. I'd like you to show off all your powers with no reserves. Which is why the finals will be held one month from now. - the Hokage explained.
....well that's not bad.
- Huh? We're not going to do it here right now? - Naruto asked.
I sweatdropped, always eager.
- This break will be for preparations. - the Hokage said.
- What does that mean? - Neji asked.
- In other words...in addition to informing all the various country lords and shinobi leaders, this is the time needed to arrange for gathering of the event and this is also the preparation time for you, examination students. - the Hokage explained.
- I don't understand what you're trying to say! What does that mean?! - Kankuro said.
- Basically it's preparation to get to know your enemy and yourself. It's the time period where you will calculate your chances of winning by analyzing the data you accumulated during the trial competition. The battles up to now had you fight as if you were in an actual combat situation with the assumption of fighting an unknown opponent. - the Hokage explained.
.........at least they have time to train and heal.
- However, the final trial will not be like this. There are those who showed all that they can do already to their rivals...there are those who competed and were badly injured against a strong opponent. To make everything fair the one month should be used by all of you to advance and improve yourselves. Of course, it'll be fine to rest your body as well. - the Hokage said.
With that said Anko went to all of them and each took a paper with a number, after that all of them said their numbers and Ibiki wrote in the paper.
- That would mean that he's number 4. - Ibiki said.
- Yes. Very well, right now I will reveal to you the final tournament! - the Hokage said.
- HUH?! - Naruto said.
- That's what we drew numbers for?! - Shikamaru said.
- Now Ibiki show them the match arrangements. - the Hokage said.
He nodded and showed..........I smirked, Naruto versus Neji. That's going to be good.
- S-Saori-sensei... - Sakura said scared.
I looked at her and then to where the matches were.....I widened my eyes.....Sasuke versus...Gaara.
- Damn it. - I said.
- He can't fight him! - Sakura said scared.
.............I closed my eyes and started thinking......Sasuke would never give up, especially as soon as he knows that he's going to fight against Gaara.
I opened my eyes and got serious.....maybe....maybe if....yes, I'll do that.
- Don't worry about it Sakura. Sasuke and Naruto got this. - I said.
She nodded.
- Saori-nee-chan! Where's Kakashi-sensei?! - Naruto asked.
I looked at him and smiled a bit.
- Sakura, you're dismissed. Go home and rest. - I said.
She nodded slightly and left.
I went to where Naruto was.
He grinned at me.
- Happy with your match? - I asked.
- Very. - he said confident.
- C'mon, let's go. Kakashi is in the hospital. - I said.
- Hai! - he said all happy.
*At the Hospital*
- Kakashi-sensei! - Naruto said seeing him.
- Naruto, be quiet inside the hospital. - Kakashi said.
- Guess what! I'm going to fight that Neji guy! - Naruto said.
- Is that so? Good thing I got you a teacher. - Kakashi said.
I raised an eyebrow.
- Ohh! But I wanted you and Saori-nee-chan! - Naruto said.
- C'mon Naruto, give it a shot. - I said.
- Fine, who is it? - Naruto said pouting.
- It's me. - we heard.
Ebisu...not bad indeed.
- YOUUU! YOU'RE THE CLOSET PERVERT!!! - Naruto said.
- Huh? - I said.
- Ebisu's a...closet pervert? - Kakashi asked.
- Oi, you found another like you to train Naruto? - I asked evilly.
- E-Eh?! - Kakashi said.
Naruto was going to talk but Ebisu stopped him.
- I-It's nothing! - Ebisu said.
I sighed.
I went to Naruto.
- Look, let's do this. You go and give it a shot, if you think or see that you're not becoming stronger than come to me and I'll be the one to train you. I have some things to do now but after that I'll help you. - I said.
- Fine. - Naruto agreed.
- Now, go. - I said.
They nodded and left.
I went to Kakashi's side.
- We need to talk...now. - I said.
He nodded and we went to Sasuke's room.
- So, what is it? - Kakashi asked.
- First, what happened here? I sense something happened here. - I said.
Kakashi sighed.
- Apparently that Kabuto guy works for Orochimaru. He came in here and tried to kill Sasuke. - Kakashi explained.
I looked at Sasuke...I sighed.
- I need you to do me a favor Kakashi. - I said.
- What is it? - he asked.
- I know that when Sasuke wakes up he'll want to train and will ask me but...this time I think it's better for him to learn something else...because he's going to fight something else. - I said.
- Who is he going to fight? - Kakashi asked.
- Gaara. - I said serious.
- I see. You want me to teach him the Chidori don't you. - he said.
I nodded.
- I can do it also but I think it's better if you teach him, besides it was you who created it. - I said.
- Agreed. And what are you going to do with Naruto? - he asked.
I started thinking...it would not be a bad idea to teach him how to use Kyuubi's chakra.
- I don't know yet. Let's see how he goes with Ebisu. - I said.
Kakashi nodded.
- You can go now. I'll stay here. – I said grabbing a chair and sitting near Sasuke's bed.
- You're going to stay here all night? – he asked.
- I'm staying here until he wakes Kakashi. – I said looking at Sasuke.
Kakashi sighed.
- It's a good thing he has you around. – Kakashi said putting his hand on my shoulder.
...............yeah....will that be enough though?
- Thanks. See you Kakashi. – I said.
- See you. – he said and left.
.......Sasuke...it's in your hands right now. I don't think there's much I can do right now.
So please...choose the right path.
........I miss the old times.....the old Sasuke....